Black Hill and back – a sunny, boggy, grouse filled hike

Yesterday I finally did a route I’d looked at a while back but for various reasons not fully completed. And I had the best of the weekend weather as it turned out .. witness my slightly red forehead now 🙂 The route starts and ends in Marsden, taking in the Wessenden Valley and part of the Pennine Way into the Peak District and up … read more >

A hike from Marsden to Stoodley Pike – three Men, one Dog, some art and history

This is the second time I’ve walked to my dad’s house, about 13.5 miles over the moors. This time Brodie Dog and I were joined by my sons Joe and Ronan. They’re the other two men in the post blog title. Actual men, both being over 18. Which is alarming as I can remember carrying them both in backpacks and it really (really) doesn’t seem that … read more >

The Pule Hill pivot

As I out was on a walk on Sunday, taking some photos (below) and musing over why Pule Hill is the shape it is, I felt a bit like the guy from Close Encounters – focusing on his mashed potato mountain. The ‘mountain’ in this case was said hill, I’m not sure what classification of hill it is (I’d need to check … read more >

Traversing the Rum Cuillin .. soon (ish)

I’ve got two big walking dates in my diary for this year (so far) and I’m just beginning to fact-find about the first of them – a trip to Rum (Rùm) and a traverse of the Rum Cuillin. This will be in early May and I can’t wait. I’m excited for a few reasons, one is the obvious thing of … read more >

A path less trodden

“Let’s go off road today” .. silent stare … Yep I talk to my dog but sometimes forget she isn’t Scooby Doo. Though she can sound like Chewbacca when she is begging for food. Much of my walking is done in my own back yard, the moors and hills that form a horseshoe around my home town of Marsden. And … read more >

Kit Review – Berghaus Freeflow 25 + 5 day / rucksack

Score : 5 out of 5 on features and comfort. 5 out of 5 on weight. ** [review update (May 2012) – I took the Freeflow on a 4 day trip to Rum and it carried all the stuff I needed it to. The stow / expansion side pockets were really handy and I got lots in there. Great balance with sack crossing the Cuillins.]** I already have a … read more >