Wednesday 13th February Yes Tor

Very different conditions today, a little milder but with a very, very strong wind.  We set off going down from the car park at Meldon to the old quarry area  where Anne caught us up and...

...into the disused quarry which had apparently been a source of rare minerals...

...nearby is a disused weighbridge with the old scales clearly visible.

Meldon viaduct.

From here we went up the steep bit to Black Down and then headed towards the track running west of  West Mill Tor. 

Yes tor hidden in the clouds.

We followed the track around and behind Yes Tor which took us up to the top. 

On the way up were joined by a couple of other walkers one of whom was Norman - and old Dartmoor Rescue Group  member who I hadn't seen since 1988.  He was on a day trip to Dartmoor with his colleague Matt a chess Grand Master.  

We took a break in a range hut to get out of the strong winds and rain.

Then along the ridge to High Willhays before going down and out of the cloud.  Black Tor came in and out of view.

The plan had been to go over Longstone Hill but Jon wanted to check out an alternative route down the valley between Homerton and Longstone Hill where we found a well worn track past this...

...little waterfall.

Finally we arrived back at the dam which was overflowing nicely.

On to the Fox and Hounds for lunch where we were joined by Norman and Matt.

With Jon and Anne - and on the top Norman and Matt

Tuesday 11th December Black Down

A beautiful cold morning with a heavy frost and clear skies - another proper winters day.  We started from the car park at Meldon and took the steep path down to the valley below...

...to the newly refurbished footbridge.

The dam high above us.

Through this much quarried valley our route was over the hill ahead.

 

 The Meldon viaduct was originally built in 1878 to accomodate a single railway track.

Across to Longstone Hill.

Then up the really steep part to the edge of Black Down.

Looking down on Okehampton.

To the south Rowtor, West Mill Tor and Yes Tor.

We turned north into the Okehampton Military Training  Camp and followed the foot path that runs through it.

Naval cadets undergoing training.

 With some interesting signs.

 ...complete with a Wendy House.















Then down again with the Okehampton Castles below us...

...and on to the Two Castles Trail which leeds to the Okehampton Golf course,  in the shade and still heavily frosted...

...before returning below the Meldon Viaduct...

...and up again past these trees growing out of a wall.

With Rosemary, Terry, Brian and Charlie.

Wednesday 4th July Yes Tor

The weather presented us with a superb evening for a walk after all the rain.  Four of us set off from Meldon.

Over Longstone Hill...

...and on Black Tor

Looking Across to Sourton Tor and Shelstone Tors from Black Tor.

Next up to Fordsland Ledge before going on to High Willhays and then Yes Tor.

Back down the clitter free route and into the pub for 10:20.

With John, Mike and Stella