Challenge Accepted . . . cont (Part 1)
- Adventure Mama
- Jul 26, 2020
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 31, 2020
24th June 2020
Meldon Reservoir - Yes Tor - High Willhays - Black Tor
10.5km
So here begins the prep for our Dartmoor challenges. With such a distance to cover to complete just one of our challenges it was probably sensible of us to do a few practice routes to determine whether we could a) achieve the pace needed to complete 20 miles of trekking in daylight hours, and b) determine whether Orla was going to cope or doom our attempts to 12hrs of whinging, tantrums and tears.
We 'practiced' on the 2 highest points of the moor - Yes Tor (620m) and High Willhays (623m), starting our trek from Meldon reservoir car park (a whole days car parking is like £2 - what a bargain!) and headed across the dam and up onto the open moorland from the reservoirs eastern shore. Orla started off really well, getting excited about crossing the dam and then splashing in the small amount of moorland run-off, crossing our path every 100 meters or so.
However... once we hit the grassy ascent onto the moor, it didn't take long before she got bored of spotting sheep and asked for a carry. Poor thing had managed 2k's worth of walking all on the up! Luckily my Dad is well used to carrying 12kgs for a full days trekking during his mountain expeditions around the world, so had no trouble in picking up the pace with a little princess perched upon his shoulders!
We reached the summit of Yes Tor from its northern end, promising Orla letter boxes to find in our encouragement that she really was having a good time (despite the heat and my refusal to give her yet more island mix - it was only 11:30)! Unfortunately Orla then had us search the entire Tor to find said promised letter boxes to which we were unsuccessful. Luckily a little imagination from Grandad and a well placed 'passage' to reach the Trig point at the summit managed to distract her from her disappointment and she happily spent some time climbing along her 'special passage' as she dubbed it.
It was such a stunningly beautiful day and looking out over the mid-Devon countryside was breath taking.
After a refuel of cheese sandwiches, satsumas and Hula Hoops we headed in the direction of High Willhays (623m). Some keen eyes spotted some abandoned treasure along our path which turned out to be a spent bullet from the militaries firing range. Not entirely sure how I felt about my baby girl holding a bullet - it's not a situation I ever thought I would find myself in - but she was not going to let it go!
We didn't stop for long at the summit of High Willhays. With its make-shift cairn summit, it is pretty exposed. And whilst the wind was lovely and cooling, Orla has a 'thing' about the noise in her ears, so with nowhere to shelter we headed east towards Black Tor going 'off piste'.
Our descent towards Black Tor and down into the Okement valley was a little trickier for picking our way through marshland, trying to avoid disturbing the nesting skylarks and keeping watch for sunbathing adders (eek)! Luckily we didn't come across any snakes, but we did witness a couple of natural springs where we could physically see water bubbling up to the earths surface from the hidden depths beneath our feet.
Once at Black Tor it was time for another snack of course (Orla would spend her entire life snacking if given the opportunity) and for Grandad to have a much needed rest. My feet itching to remember my climbing youth, Orla and I found ourselves perched upon a granite ledge, taking in the views across the Okement valley.
After our photo opportunity, we made our way down into the Okement valley in search of somewhere to doff our boots and cool our achy feet (and have another snack of course!). A small pool behind a slight damn met our requirements for fairly easy access and paddling opportunities. We even witnessed fish leaping out of the water to catch unassuming flies and water-boat-men skating their way across the pool. Orla loved it so much that leaving time was the point of tears. And who could blame her with the sun on our faces, cool water soothing our tired feet and Grandad at her beck and call fetching all her hearts desires (twigs and stones).
It was time for me to take up the slack for our final descent back towards the reservoir, carrying all 13.5kgs of tired, upset toddler (plus whatever the hell the carrier weighs) for the 45min trek back to the car. It wasn't pretty and it hurt but so proud of myself for my determination and grit in getting it done.
For a practice run we managed 10.5km in 4hrs (plus lunch/snack breaks) - not bad for our first attempt. But we will defiantly need to pick up the pace (or start at sunrise) if we are going to complete our challenges in daylight. Orla was pretty good, not her best, but pretty good - and a round of 'baa baa black sheep' perched on Grandad's shoulders is a pretty good indication of enjoyment. One thing is for sure - I'm going to need A LOT more snacks!
"Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go"
- T.S Eliot
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