Pen y Ghent Monsoon - May 2013

 Back in early May I met up with Clynt for a and trip into the Yorkshire Dales which would be a short, and very wet, introduction to hill walking for my long time good friend. With the weather forecast being less than favourble the trip could of brought a near thirty year friendship to a miserable end!

Early spring low cloud and monsoon in the Yorkshire Dales!

 After setting a convenient date for a number of people to meet up for a trip into the Yorkshire Dales the numbers started to dwindle leading up to the day out as it became clear the weather was going to be at best 'inclement', but more likely 'monsoon' like!
 I was happy to suggest postponing the day until under better conditions so as to try avoid a wet and miserable introduction to the hills and potentially putting an abrupt end to peoples interest in getting out into the outdoors, I was also happy to get out and Clynt was still up for it. With Scottish blood flowing through his veins torrential rain and gale force winds are regarded as 'the norm' for Clynt.

 Early Sunday morning the two of us drove towards the Yorkshire Dales intending to walk a route to the top of Ingleborough. With the weather deteriorating during the journey, and as there would be no views to enjoy, I decided we would instead head for Pen y Ghent.
 Pen y Ghent would enable us to complete a slightly shorter route but would include areas of ascent and descent over a number of terrain surfaces (+ we would miss the tedious, plodding sections around Ingleborough!).

Clynt heads up the stone steps of Pen y Ghent.

 Leaving 'Horton In Ribblesdale' we headed for Pen y Ghent following the same route as the 'Yorkshire 3 Peaks' and were soon enveloped in low cloud & mist. In rain from the outset we had donned waterproofs at the car and I was pleased to see Clynt had not underestimated the conditions and had brought his full golfing waterproofs, warm hat & gloves. As we started up the stoney steps, which ascend quickly up the shoulder of the peak, we were subject to gale force gusts of wind which chilled the uncovered wet skin on our faces.

Summit pose.

 Making good time we reached the summit where we enjoyed views of the inside of a cloud for a brief moment before heading off again.

Descending in the Spring wind & rain!

  Whilst descending we met a number of other people and small groups some of who were wearing jeans, tracksuits and cotton leggings. Rather them than us as it was 'Baltic' in the wind along with horizontal rain stinging our cheeks!

Fortunately Clynt hadn't come just to enjoy the views!

The first time the golfing waterproofs hadn't been used on a 'waste of a good walk'!

  Following the path and bridleway, down below the cloud back to 'Horton in Ribblesdale', we agreed it had been a good and worthwhile day though were glad we had opted for the shorter Pen y Ghent route as the conditions would have been a challenge for the best waterproofs and we were becoming 'slightly moist'!

This is what it occasionally looks like when descending Pen y Ghent.