An overnight camping trip across the wildest part of Northern Dartmoor in sub-arctic conditions.
Saturday 27th November 2010
The Route
Walk from home to Totnes station, train to Exeter St. Davids, bus to South Zeal.
South Zeal -Cosdon Beacon, 550m
Little Hound Tor - Hound Tor - Wild Tor - Hangingstone Hill - Cranmere Pool - Black Ridge - Great Kneeset
Overnight - Jackmans Bottom. Approximately 8 miles.
Cold overnight, around -10C with clear skies and minimal wind. A significant amount of frost deposition on the inside of the tent from breathing. Water collected during the evening froze solid in the Trangia pan.
Weather
Light, patchy snow in South Zeal, extensive higher up. Cloud base around 500m, flirting with the top of the highest hills. A cold, nagging NE wind, stronger later. Significant wind chill. A few snow grains in the air. Wind chill became a significant feature during the afternoon.
Sunday 28th November 2010
The Route (see map below)
Jackmans Bottom - Dinger Tor - Fordslands Ledge - High Willhays - Yes Tor - New Bridge - East Okement Farm - Watchet Hill - Belstone - Sticklepath (bus to Exeter, train to Totnes, walk home). Approximately 9 miles.
Weather
Clear, sunny, cold on the higher tops. Warmer lower down but hard frost soon returned to the lower valleys by mid afternoon. A perfect winters day.
Saturday 27th November 2010
The Route
Walk from home to Totnes station, train to Exeter St. Davids, bus to South Zeal.
South Zeal -Cosdon Beacon, 550m
Little Hound Tor - Hound Tor - Wild Tor - Hangingstone Hill - Cranmere Pool - Black Ridge - Great Kneeset
Overnight - Jackmans Bottom. Approximately 8 miles.
Cold overnight, around -10C with clear skies and minimal wind. A significant amount of frost deposition on the inside of the tent from breathing. Water collected during the evening froze solid in the Trangia pan.
Weather
Light, patchy snow in South Zeal, extensive higher up. Cloud base around 500m, flirting with the top of the highest hills. A cold, nagging NE wind, stronger later. Significant wind chill. A few snow grains in the air. Wind chill became a significant feature during the afternoon.
Sunday 28th November 2010
The Route (see map below)
Jackmans Bottom - Dinger Tor - Fordslands Ledge - High Willhays - Yes Tor - New Bridge - East Okement Farm - Watchet Hill - Belstone - Sticklepath (bus to Exeter, train to Totnes, walk home). Approximately 9 miles.
Weather
Clear, sunny, cold on the higher tops. Warmer lower down but hard frost soon returned to the lower valleys by mid afternoon. A perfect winters day.
A selection of pictures from the trip. Click on a picture for larger view and caption.
360 degree panorama from High Willhays