The Ecstasy of Wilderness

Anxiety over the snow conditions of the terrain plus the unfamiliarity of the North York Moors were causing insomnia the whole night before. I managed to steal less than 3 hours of sleep eventually. Hiaz...nothing new...

The morning trains from Newcastle to Darlington and then to Middlesbrough were smooth-sailing, until when the Middlesbrough train arrived late, causing me to miss the connecting train to Kildale. Surprisingly calm, I approached the information desk and was delighted that the staff understood my situation and booked a cab for me - paid by TransPennine. Oh..really? Wow! However I waited in the freezing morning for an hour before the cab finally arrived.

As the cab drove on and approached the more remote areas, fear welled up inside me (and the driver) as we prayed silently that the vehicle would be able to overcome the challenging icy/ snowy undulating roads which could go up to an angle of 25 deg! He engaged low gear throughout and the whole journey took a whole hour!

I finally (phew!), yes, FINALLY, arrived at Kildale - a dead village or rather a peaceful village covered in thick snow. I followed the Cleveland Way on a minor road, passing under the railway and climbing steeply past Bankside Farm. It was freezing then (about 0 deg on my thermometer) and I was panting heavily from the streneous climb which was made more challenging by the thick snow. My stamina had definitely gone down and it's time I start to work out again!

At the top of the hill, the Way turned along a forest track, through beautiful snow-covered woodland, and finally emerged on top of Easby Moor near to Captain Cook's Monument. The weather was perfect then - SUNNY though freezing. Got great photos. :) Snow went up to nearly my knee height too!

The Way continued on, following a short steep climb up to the top of Great Ayton Moor. Tiring...pant pant pant! I finally approached the highlight of today's walk - the prominent isolated hill of Roseberry Topping. What an interesting name, obviously it has gotten its name from its look. I was reluctant to climb up to its summit, and I eventually gave up the climb as the wind conditions were adverse as I approached the open hill. Stupid excuse...truth: "I was just too lazy!"

I carried on the Way passing Highcliffe Farm and Woods. This section's walk was lengthy and not as easy due to the icy track. As I proceeded, the ice creaked under my boots and it felt as if it was going to give way. Scary... A short but steep climb took me up to the top of High Cliff Nab where I met 2 male walkers. They were the first walkers I had met so far, and it didn't surprise me to find so few people walking in this climate. The breathtaking bird's eye view of the large market town - Guisborough - appeared before me. Too astonishing, considering the pattern the houses were built as well as the WHITE town.

Finally the long walk through Guisborough Moor, passing a quarry, took me to my destination - Slapewath. The weather had changed halfway and started snowing. Beautiful! I arrived at the hotel - Fox and Hounds, and was given a very large and luxurious room: ensuite, double bed, french tub, TV, sofa, ... Okok, it's time to wash up and quickly start my revision. That's the aim of this hike, isn't it?

Today's walk was a last minute decision made just yesterday. Did research on it last night and this morning. Weather was pleasant for walking - cloudy, however the absence of sunlight and poor visibility caused the bad turnout of photographs.

I hopped on the bus which took me to Hexham. The walk out of the town, crossing Hexham Bridge over River Tyne, was a pleasant one. I took on the Hadrian's Wall Cycleway Path before finding my way to the actual Hadrian's Wall Path (for walkers). Although it was a cool day (12 degree celsius), I was perspiring due to the occasional jogs and ascents.

When I came upon the Path, I ran into a couple from Manchester who was doing the entire Hadrian's Wall walk. We found several common topics involving hill walking and we happily shared the experiences of our previous walks. It was only beyond Halton Shields where we spilted as they were stopping for their lunch break. I carried on eastwards.

This section of the Hadrian's Wall Path was one of the easiest and straightforward walks I'd ever done. In terms of gradients, it was almost flat except for some dips and ascents. I followed along the edges of arable farmland and beside the modern B6318 - a military road. The heavy traffic as well as aeroplanes above (preparing for landing at the nearby Newcastle Airport) had disrupted the peaceful countryside walk. As expected, Hadrian's Wall walk was BORING! That was why I never bothered doing the entire Path despite its convenient location (with respect to where I am living).

After a 5-hour brisk walk/ jog, I reached Heddon-on-the-Wall which was just on the outskirts of Newcastle. I waited for the bus to take me home, concluding my day's walk. Not much highlights, except for some reservoirs near Harlow Hill. I had completed 24km in a quick 5-hour period: Not bad. That was an achievement really...