Another Dartmoor day today. I decided I needed a good work out so walked around all the 600m tops on the moor. I had not tried that in the winter before. Tis hard work.
Strarted from Meldon quary up red a ven, to Yes tor 619m, then straight down the other side to East Mill tor. Then on to Hangingstone hill 603m, via Okement hill. Next a quick loop around on the peat pass to Whitehorse Hill, 602m. From here accross to Cut Hill, 603m, is a proper slog, not even any decent animal trails just 3km of unrelenting, tussocks.
To make things intesesting the East Dart, normally a trickle this close to it's source, was a proper little River. I ended up waist deep hauling myself out on to the grass, after stepping on the wrong bit of marsh after I thought I was accross. Not ideal with wind chill at -9 LoL. Happily the walk to the summit of cut hill was enough to keep me warm, until I could find shelter from the biting wind at Fur tor. Never done that before lesson noted.
After a well earned lunch in the shadow of Fur tor, it was on along the edge of Black hill to Great Knesset, before crossing the West Okement and climbing the final few Kms up to the last summit of the day, High Willhays. Just caught the last few rays of the setting sun. A nice cuppa and it was back down to Meldon. After a day entirely alone I was joined by a very amiable young guy for the decent in he diminishing light.
Great day on the moor and yet more valuable experience gained.