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Little Down from Down Tor |
Good to be back on the moor and pleasantly surprised to see the sun out once again! Getting up at 5am for the long drive down to the South-West had paid off, and I had an extra day's walking. Fully kitted out for a night out should it take my fancy, I was off on to the South Moor before midday.
Although it was bright, it was noticeably colder than London, and I was immediately regretting my decision to only bring my one season sleeping bag.
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Crazywell Cross |
Made my way over familiar waypoints such as Hart and Cramber Tors, south over the Devonport Leat and passed Crazywell Cross, before crossing to Down Tor.
This had potential for a wildcamp spot, water was available before the climb at Newlycombe Lake, although not very close and there seemed to be some lawned patches that might take a tent peg. I would check out the legality of the area when I got home (note: this is not in the
permitted wild camping area).
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Burrator Reservoir from Down Tor |
On my way, I thought to revisit the scene of my night navigation cock up way back on my WGL assessment. I found the small cist (Ref: SX 59234 67484) that had proved elusive without a problem, but significantly, my new map of Dartmoor had a path marked that my older one did not. Had the path been marked, I would have followed it to an obvious crossing of the river, instead of trying to over complicate things by taking a bearing from the dubious corner of a disappearing enclosure wall.
Time was marching on. I stopped at the Devonport Leat near Nun's Cross Farm, where it reappears from a tunnel, and replenished my water supply. I then cooked up some couscous with chopped sausage, and finished it with a brew whilst enjoying the last rays of sunshine.
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Siwards (Nuns) Cross and Nuns Cross Farm |
I had decided, by now, that I wouldn't be wild camping. Instead, I would check into the campsite at the Plume of Feathers pub. The thought of a couple of pints of Jail Ale was too good to resist!
- Date: 27/05/11
- Description: Princetown – Hart Tor – Cramber Tor - Crazywell Cross – Down Tor – Deancombe – Eylesbarrow – Nun’s Cross – Princetown – Sunny, 18km, 7hrs