Dartmoor: Gibby Combe Tor

Above Holy Brook, near Gibby Combe Tor

Fresh from a successful walk in Holne Chase, Rich and I said farewell to Tim Jenkinson, then headed to Holne to seek out Gibby Combe Tor. This was a significant tor in that it was my last publicly accessible one to bag on the Social Hiking list. The remainder would require either permission or stealth!

Dartmoor: Holne Chase (with kind permission)

Forbidden River Dart

Having had a friendly encounter with the owner of Was Tor a few weeks back I was in a positive mind that approaching landowners to ask for access permission might not result in a flat "No!" every time. When the majority of tors and rocks that remain on my list are buried deep within private land and not a simple case of a five minute trespass, there was no harm in asking. Better to wander freely rather than step stealthily in the shadows.

Dartmoor: South - Part Three

Wacka Tor

Sleep had been fitful, partly because of the ewe calling to her injured infant. When I got up I made a quick check on the patient and mild conditions meant the night had not claimed it. I sent off an SMS to Dartmoor Livestock Protection to tell them we were moving on and the lamb was still alive. Not much else we could do now. They replied to say the farmer would be out this morning.

Dartmoor: South - Part Two

Tristis Rock

Having got up to see the sunrise, Matthew was soon rustling about in his tent. I wasn't sure if this was a deliberate attempt to get me to stir from my slumber but it worked. Our site had been a comfortable place and I had slept well for a change. Just as well because today was to be a lengthy, rambling affair to bag the tors and rocks of the far south.

Dartmoor: South - Part One

North Dartmoor left behind

Sat in the Forest Inn, Hexworthy, on a Tuesday afternoon, cradling a pint of Dartmoor IPA, the temptation would be to stay on for another couple. But the fact was Matthew and I had a route planned that involved sixty kilometres and two, maybe three, nights wild camping so we had to get as far into the south moor as we could to make the next days as comfortable as possible.