
Conditions were perfect, massive blue skies stretching for miles, clear crisp air and most importantly frozen ground...essential for not sinking past your knees at every step at this time of year.
Distance: 13.08 km
Height: 300m
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![]() Looking North from Fur Tor Headed deep into the North Moor this morning, east along Tavy Cleave to Fur Tor, the remotest part of Dartmoor, the point fur thest from a road in the whole of southern England, truely wild and remote! Conditions were perfect, massive blue skies stretching for miles, clear crisp air and most importantly frozen ground...essential for not sinking past your knees at every step at this time of year. Distance: 13.08 km Height: 300m
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Headed out to Hangingstone Hill today, the furthest foray I have made into the North Moor on my runs. Nice conditions, light winds, thick mist on the tops that cleared every now and then to limit the claustrophobia! Its all part of my plan to run/ski/bike across the moor, this is the first leg, next leg down to Postbridge then South to Ivybridge...one day!
Distance: 13km Height gained: 360m Went running in the snow yesterday and today from East Okement farm up the military track to Okement Hill. Well above the freezing level so still loads of snow here as it has almost gone from my place just above Okehampton. Great conditions, clear and not too deep (apart from the drifts) on the tracks, light winds and views for miles. Nice to have dry feet for a change!
Paul. Distance: 8.3km Height: 200m ![]() Finally some sunshine! while Maddie and Jay headed for Cornwall's highest point in the Brown Willy fell run this morning I headed up to High Willhays, Devon's highest point for my first run of 2013. Mud, water and even a little snow made the going pretty interesting but the views on top were amazing. Didn't hang around though as it was freezing in the wind, you can get an idea of how windy from the video below. Plenty of people about but no runners, where were you all? Anyway, steep hills, wild views, mud, snow, wind, what more could want! Awesome start to 2013! Distance: 11km Height gained: 400m ![]() Have you seen this man?? I did on my run today! Went for a quick blast down to Father Ford, 4.5km loop. Just over 2km high speed slip side down hill to the river where I came across a long haired beardy guy sporting a cloak/cape obviously on his way to see a hobbit or fight crime or something. Anyway, after my descent into middle earth came the ascent to my hill top, just over 2km up, some of it steep, all of it muddy but being chased by orcs helped me keep my cadence high! Distance: 4.4km Height: 130m Went for a bike n run today, rode up the track towards Yes Tor, ditched the bike near the top and ran the rest of the way. Stiff breeze on top, gale force 6 as you can see from the reading on my mobile canine olfactory anenometer (dog's ears). Got back on the bike and continued across the ridge to High Willhays then went off piste down to Dinger Tor, no knee deep powder but lots of knee deep peat bog, not great for riding.
Eventually got back on the track then headed for home...8km downhill dirt track!! that's what I'm talking bout! Distance: Bike - 12km Run - 2km Height gained: If winter miles mean summer smiles then I reckon I'll be grinning like an idiot if we actually get a summer next year. 4km in the pool on friday then 16km running over the moor on Sunday morning, felt well righteous out in the wilds, battling the wind, getting in the miles. Pretty knackered now though, even the dogs are sleeping after their shower in the newly installed dog shower.
Route: Went from South Zeal, south round the east side of Cosdon Hill past the stone row to Little Hound Tor, then on to Hound Tor past the stone circle above. returned via the Cosdon Beacon and back down to the truck. Distance: 16km Total height gained: 400m Well wet n windy today so headed down in to the valley running for cover, slid all the way down to Father Ford then turned up the East Okement Valley for the long slog back up to Cullever Steps, west to Rowtor and finally down the hill to home.
East Okement Valley has the most amazing waterfalls that momentarily distract you from the 3km of uphill knee deep mud, followed by the sting in the tail: Rowtor. Coming down of there although down hill felt like running up hill as the wind was so strong. Harsh/invigorating Distance: 9km Height gained: 260 m circumnavigation of Cosdon Hill this afternoon following the bridleway that runs from South Zeal round the North end of the hill following a disused leat then south to white Hill and Little Hound Tor, then North to the Stone Row, and contouring round to the Bridelway again for heading back down to the road.
Nice idea, in reality it was a boggy, rainy, windy hell! By the time I had climbed 200m of ascent and battled into the wind and rain i sacked going down white Hill and up to Little Hound Tor and headed for the top of Cosdon Hill instead. With no path to follow this was NOT one of my best ideas! but as soon as I got above the gorseline the going improved and I managed to hit the beacon dead on. Quick photo break, the view above has Belstone, Okehampton Army camp, West Mill Tor, Yes Tor, Sourton Tor and Billy! Not a bad view for such a shitty day. The run back was blissful by comparison, down hill and wind assissted and back to the truck before the heavans opened. Distance: 10km Ascent: 320m |
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February 2013
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