Dartmoor Weekender

Fri 17th - Sun 19th August(Sean Kelly)

When mist drifts across these barren moors and the pale sinuous shadows of weathered disfigured tors emerge from the gloom, when the winds shriek noisily all around, blowing the rain into the face and chilling the body to the very bones, when bottomless mires squelch beneath the feet, waiting to ensnare the unwary, it is then that Dartmoor acquires a distinct singular character all of its own. It is all too easy to visualise Sherlock Holmes and Watson striding over these moors in search of their elusive terrifying quarry. Fortunately for climbers the winds may be blowing but the clouds often race across an azure-blue sky and the heather and gorse are ablaze in a riot of brilliant pinks and yellows in the late summer. Even in the low sun of a wild winter’s day there is beauty in this wilderness, the few stunted wind-blown trees and stark granite tors silhouetted against a wild scudding sky. It is these rugged granite outcrops that attract the climber to the moor.

Thats the sales banter, now the details.

Where to stay

Link to Cockingford Farm Pic
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.5603485,-3.8137581,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipNBXbinrPwkpkaPjZk8QcAKQZOVLjKetM6azjhK!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipNBXbinrPwkpkaPjZk8QcAKQZOVLjKetM6azjhK%3Dw203-h152-k-no!7i1600!8i1200

Cockingford Farm, Devon. TQ13 7TG. Tel: 01364 621258. Pitch for 2 Adults £12

Hidden in one of Dartmoor's deepest crevices, a couple of miles from Widecombe-in-the-Moor. GR:

Eating and drinking

Nearest decent pubs & places to eat - The Rugglestone Inn & The Old Inn, both at Widecombe-in-the-Moor (01364 621207) serves well-presented pub grub. The ‘Hound of the Basketmeals’ van below Hound Tor. Also worth a visit are Ullacombe Farm Shop and Cafe on the Bovey road below Haytor and the Devon Arts Centre in Bovey itself.

The climbing

The plan is to climb Friday evening at Bone Hill Rocks, Saturday at the Dewerstone, and Sunday at Hound Tor/Haytor. If the weather is inclement then we will retreat to the Torbay cliffs (trad and sport & DWS).

more details at

https://dartmoorrock.blogspot.com/

and

http://www.javu.co.uk/

Sean