Footpaths Are For Wimps - Late Evening Winter Walk - Conistone

Saturday 9th November 2019

So Iain, Rachel, Aaron myself set off from our meeting point in Bolton at around 12:30pm. We drove to Blackburn services (well, one of us did) where we enjoyed a McDonald's lunch each. We continued our journey to Connistone via Burnley to collect t newest member of our walking group, Toni.

We arrived at 3pm and didn't have to wait long for some more people to join us. Dave was first to arrive in his black Golf and around 5 minutes later Zach arrived in his Black Golf - same model just newer. The guys did a bit of comparing - as you do.

We all put on our boots and set off into the village of Conistone. We climbed up through The Dib.

On the ascent it grew dark and meant it was time for torches. So I proceeded to get my head-torch out of my bag, place it on my head and... The batteries were flat. What a schoolboy error. It's a good job others came prepared 🤣 Iain was using his powerful torch so lent me his spare head-torch.

Walked up to Copplestone Gate (trig point) where it was extremely cold and dark. This is where we had our customary shot of acholic beverage. This time was Apple Sourz.

We climbed a went though a gate into what looked like a field and and crossed a plateau, snow started to fall and the wind was making it go sideways, it was freezing. The plateau was very wet and boggy. As soon as we climbed a ladder and over into another field where weather changed dramatically. It was whispy snow flakes and not at all windy. It was actually quite beautiful and a total contrast.

We continued down until we reached the woods where we following a footpath down to Kettlewell. Turning left we followed the upper moor to Kilnsey Crag. We could see a bonfire in Kilnsey and fireworks coming up from Grassington.

Finally we descended into the village of Connistone.

Tradition dentotes that we have to end up in a pub at the end of a walk. Hmmm it's like it's planned that way 😜👍🏻 Walking into The Tenant's Arms we were greeted with an extremely warm pub. There was a lovely open fire which I sat right next to. This was my favourite part of the evening to tell the truth 😁