DAY06, Wednesday 29 September 2010: Gargrave - Malham

Wednesday 29 September 2010
Day 06Start - Gargrave - OS Grid Ref:- SD 93296 54260 - Height:- 110.00m
Day 06Route - Gargrave->Malham
Days Walk:- 6.98 Miles
Days Ascent:- 284.28m
Start Time:- 13:30, Finish Time:- 17:45
Walking Time:- 4hrs 15mins
Average Speed:- 1.64mph
Places of Interest:-
Ayre Head
Peaks visited:-
None

PHOTOS (DAY 06)
 Click here to view a slideshow of photos taken on DAY06 Wednesday 29 September 2010

Fundraising for the Royal British Legion

DAYS JOURNAL (DAY 06)


Opening lock gates
on Leeds & Liverpool Canal just before Chew Lane

 For the first time I am starting the day behind schedule by about 6 miles being in Gargrave rather than Malham. By tonight I will be a full day behind schedule as today I am planning to walk only 6 miles to Malham. The following day was a planned rest day, however after walking a tough 5 days without any adverse physical effects, I have decided to walk from Malham to Horton tomorrow putting me back on schedule. Today will effectively be a rest day as the idea of kicking my heals all day in one place does not make any sense. 6 miles should easily be achievable without using valuable reserves and more importantly allow me to replenish some of my energy whilst still making progress.


Looking back at River Ayre crossing,
Tarn Beck tributary just off to the left

 As I have only got 6 miles to walk today I am in no rush to get off early. All of my clothes had not dried fully as it was too hot to sleep with the heating on. However the landlady at the pub let me put my clothes on other radiators around the pub so my pants, socks tops and everything else was draped around the pub. The breakfast at the Old Swan Inn was excellent and after double cereal, full English and double toast I read the paper and started to slowly get my stuff together. Now my clothes were clean and dry, for the first time I could get everthing in my backpack without having to overflow into a 2nd bag that was tied onto my pack and although it was still bulky seemed to be a lot more manageable weight wise.
I was ready to leave fully refreshed and clean by about 12:30, a little later than I had planned but still expect to reach Malham by 15:30. Walking through Malham I call into a butchers and bought some mince meat. On the other side of the road there is a co-op, so I buy the ingredients to make myself a chilli as well as fresh milk.

Newfield Bridge

By now it was 13:15 and after a phone call home, was crossing the Leeds/Liverpool canal on the way out of Gargrave at 13:30 just as a barge was going through the lock gates. Passing Chew Lane and heading past Mark Plantation I somehow miss the Pennne Way sign (if there was one) and continue along the road to Harrows Laithe between Harrows Hill to the north and Hebers Hill to the south. As I reach Mark House Lane I decide to cut across the field and return to the Pennine Way near Steeple Hill Plantation.
Reaching the road I followed it to Airton where at the Tarn Dike bridge I realised I should have stayed on the other side of the wall and on the path and field about 10ft below. Fortunately (for me, not the car) a car had hit the wall and I was able to lower myself down through this gap in the wall.


Looking back at Airton bridge crossing

 From here I cross the River Aire and follow it all the way to Airton crossing it again at Newfield Bridge. The path continues along the banks of the River Aire to Hanlith Hall where the path takes a steep climb to Hanlith. The path then returns to following the river over Windy Hill and on to Aire Head. This is where the Rivere Aire reappears out of the ground after dissappearing down a sink hole near Malham Cove over 1 mile away.
From here Malham Cove is viewed for the first time and in front of it is Malham the days end point.
Compared to previous days not only was this the shortest walk but also the easiest. In essence a stroll along the Aire Valley. The last part of the walkwas the hardest, to Hill Top Farm bunkhouse was believe it or not at the top of a hill. So I was well ready for a warm room and a welcoming cup of tea provided by 3 hostellers who I would be sharing with me that night.

Malham Cove from AyreHead

The plan for the night was a hot shower, cook then eat my chilli, then a pint in either the Lister Arms Hotel or the Buck Inn in Malham.
Oh well 2 out of 3 was not bad. The shower was brilliant I was being spoilt having a wash 2 days on the trot whether I needed it or not. Also the chilli was brilliant even though I do say so myself. Again a double portion with pasta.
This walking lark is brilliant all you have to worry about is getting enough to eat and finding somewhere dry to sleep. If it is also warm that is a bonus and if it has a shower a double bonus. After eating I was too tired to bother walking to the pub so again an early night ready for an early start to what will be a long hard day tomorrow.
It turns out the 3 hostellers are moving on tomorrow as well to Horton, which happens to be my destination. They kindly offer to take my back pack for me but for some reason I have become attached to it In my mind I would be cheating. I want to say I walked the Pennine Way, all of it, with 60lbs on my back.
"Where is it written down that you have to do that" I am asked.
"No where" I reply"
"Except in my head"
I must be mad

Fundraising for the Royal British Legion

MAP DAY 06

ROUTE CARD DAY 06

	LOCATION	HEIGHT	DIST	ASCT
The Old Swan Inn, Gargrave	SD 93296 54260	110.00 m
The Old Swan Inn, Gargrave->The Dalesman Cafe, Gargrave			0.11 Mi	.2 m
The Dalesman Cafe, Gargrave	SD 93183 54128	108.10 m
The Dalesman Cafe, Gargrave->Chew Lane, Gargrave			0.25 Mi	6.5 m
Chew Lane, Gargrave	SD 93076 54480	112.00 m
Chew Lane, Gargrave->FP to Middle Plantation			0.54 Mi	39.2 m
FP to Middle Plantation	SD 92461 55006	143.99 m
FP to Middle Plantation->SW corner of Steeple Plantation			0.93 Mi	65.4 m
SW corner of Steeple Plantation	SD 91885 56126	199.72 m
SW corner of Steeple Plantation->Haw Crag (to left)			0.29 Mi	6.3 m
Haw Crag (to left)	SD 91671 56508	200.55 m
Haw Crag (to left)->Newfield Bridge			1.27 Mi	12 m
Newfield Bridge	SD 90732 58106	146.49 m
Newfield Bridge->Airton			0.79 Mi	23.6 m
Airton	SD 90422 59212	162.04 m
Airton->Crook Syke			0.39 Mi	14.4 m
Crook Syke	SD 90199 59754	162.07 m
Crook Syke->Hanlith Hall			1.01 Mi	47 m
Hanlith Hall	SD 90071 61237	193.84 m
Hanlith Hall->Aire Head			0.69 Mi	37.5 m
Aire Head	SD 90271 62171	186.85 m
Aire Head ->FP to Hill Top Farm			0.65 Mi	20.6 m
FP to Hill Top Farm	SD 89986 63120	203.85 m
FP to Hill Top Farm->Hill Top Farm, Malham			0.07 Mi	8.9 m
Hill Top Farm, Malham	SD 89934 63055	211.32 m
Total trip			6.99 Mi	281.5 m