Dartmoor: The Tors and Rocks around Poundsgate

Logwell Rock

The last time I was at the car park at Newbridge, I was calling it a day on my Coast to Coast - Two Moors Way attempt. It was a horrid couple of days, with plenty of rain and a number of blisters. On a tight schedule, dictated by pre-booked accommodation, I couldn't take a day off and had to throw in the towel a couple of miles into torrential rain on the third day. The Visitor Centre allowed me to call for a lift and I sheltered there in the company of the Ranger. Being back here, the temporary building is long gone and the weather couldn't have been any different. But this time I wasn't here to continue my journey to Lynmouth, this was to bag the tors and rocks around Poundsgate.

Dartmoor: A wild camp on Hameldown

Sunset on Hameldown Beacon Rocks

Back to July. After a good day walking in the Dartmeet area, Matthew, Jim and I joined Colin and Neil at the Old Inn, in Widecombe. After a quick cider and a purchase of a few takeaway bottles of Dartmoor IPA, we parked up in the security of the pub car park, gathered our gear, then headed off to ascend Hameldown for a wild camp.

Dartmoor: Tors and Rocks out of Dartmeet

Blackator Rocks (pic courtesy of Matthew King)

Late July weekend, five of us converged on Dartmoor with the intention of climbing the Social Hiking Tor Bagging Ladder and a wild camp into the bargain. With Colin and his brother Neil heading for the Hound Tor area, whilst Jim, Matthew and I were bound for Dartmeet. Both our parties went separate ways after a breakfast at the Fox Tor Cafe, agreeing to meet up at the Old Inn, in Widecombe, that evening. Let the day begin!