Malham to Horton-in-Ribblesdale

We have continued to be unbelievably lucky with the weather! Despite predictions of rain from Friday we have had entirely dry walking. The clouds looked pretty ominous low on the hills today, but lifted as we began to climb, long may or remain this way!

Pretty grey at cairns on Fountain Fell

Today, while only mapped out at 22km, is one of the larger days for total climb at >800m. This is mostly due to the route detouring to take in the summit of Pen-y-ghent, a dauntingly steep track that none-the-less made for a very enjoyable climb. There are points up the face where you may need to use hands to assist the ascent, especially when also balancing a heavy pack. It is fair wondrous when hiking such an ancient route to see the worn smooth rocks, indicating the thousands of others who have placed their feet on these same steps over the centuries. The geology of this Yorkshire fell is grit- and sandstone over limestone, with the rocks forming natural stairs in places. This hike can be easily accessed by road, and there were many others tackling the face (less burdened than me!), but it was good to see that such a special site is receiving the attention it deserves.

Pen-y-ghent viewed from the opposite hillside. The trail runs along the ridge from the left, and ascends straight up the two protrusions. Cloud had lifted by the time we reached it.

Sandstone boulders between the two protrusions

Still steeper than it looks

Sandstone boulders demonstrating cross-bedding formation 

Very pleased to reach the summit

The day also started with amazing limestone formations, with the cliff face of Malham Cove, over which the meltwaters of a glacier once ran eons ago. Over the top of the cliff rain has etched deep "grykes", faults and cracks, to form the Limestone Pavement.

Malham Cove

Limestone grykes

Above the cliff

Moving away from geological nerdiness and into ornithological nerdiness - I have slowly been learning the many unfamiliar birds of the UK, with many thanks to Adam, and the campers in Edale, who have spent time furthering my general knowledge. Today we were dived at by a lapwing protecting her nest, making their queer gameboy-like noises all the while. I now can also identify curlew, wagtails, differentiate swallows, swifts and house martins, recognise the call of cuckoo, and spot the many sky larks against their blue backdrop.

There's always time to look at another little church (Horton-in-Ribblesdale)