LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

Pennine Way No.9                                  Total: 144 miles

Time Taken:   5.25 hrs      Distance:        Enjoyment:         Weather:  Overcast               
   09:45 am - 3:00 pm        9.00 miles             90%                       Warm, but Wet      

Temp:    Cloud:     Rain:     Visibility:   Ground Conditions:             Wild Life:    
 18oC       98%        Light          Dull               Very Good                   Birds, Sheep                                     

Total AA:      Total MH:    Total LD:      Total AW:      Other:       Total Distance:
  XXX mls         X mls       XXX.00 mls        X mls           X mls         XXX.00 miles

Companions:   Eddie Dealtry

Points of Interest and LINKS:
Pennine Way			Harter Fell  
Middleton-in-Teesdale 	Wynch Bridge 	
Low Force Waterfall	

Description:
Drove to Bowlees Village lay-by B6277, near Low Force on the River Tees and met 
Eddie. We left my car in the lay-by and drove via Middleton-in-Teesdale to Pennine 
Way route where it crosses minor road, north of Blackton reservoir, Baldersdale. This is the point 
I reached on the Pennine Way with Chris Burrows on 11 August 1982. Parked 
Eddie's car at this point, near Needless Bridge and walked north up Hazlegarth Rigg.
A walker soon passed us, who was walking the whole way at a good speed. When
we reached Kelton Bottom we found his "Pennine Way map", but unfortunately the 
walker was long gone. We crossed the lane at 'How' to the Grassholme reservoir
bridge and Grassholme Farm where we turned right across Lunedale to the road 
B6276. Onwards north up a farm road where a sign asked us to follow the farm 
road and not cut across the field. Good job we complied with the request because 
the farmer crossed his field with a quad bike with the dog in hot pursuit. After the 
farm the Way is not very clear so navigation is important because the land is 
undulating, making it difficult to plot the route into the distance. Study the walk 
geography with care. From the high point of Harter Fell the descent into 
Middleton-in-Teesdale is easier to follow. As we approached the town the rain 
started, so we decided to stop for refreshments in the dry, under a livestock 
market building roof, just south of the river. Refreshed, we continued across the
river meadows towards Low Force waterfall. After Park End wood the Way follows
a narrow path close to the river and sometimes high above the river on the outside
of a river bend. I gashed my head on a low branch across the path, the result of my
cap pulled down on my head due to the stony path and the steady rain at the time. 
As we approached the falls near Wynch Bridge the number of walkers around
increased. At the falls it was quite busy and sometimes we had to take turns to 
take a photo. Over the bridge and up the track to the car in the lay-by.
A brilliant day's walking with Eddie, but very tiring.

Location: Start of Walk

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