Topsy's Dartmoor Rambles

[Haych]

Oh to have snow long enough to get some photos, trouble is from my side of the Moor when we get a bit of snow the families from Plymouth mob the place with their kids sledging. They get up past Yelverton and Dousland then just abandon their cars to go off with the kids, mostly unless you're firsy up there you can't get to Princetown because of the abandoned cars. If the snow stayed around like it used to they would get bored and the rest of us could get out and see/photograph it.............

Rant over..........

I tend to avoid Dartmoor when it's been snowing as the B roads I imagine can be treacherous and the last thing I need is to destroy my car on an icy patch or have to abandon the vehicle because there was too much snow! Monday I drove back through Widecombe-in-the-moor from Saddle Tor where I had been for a few shots of Emsworthy Barn - Widecombe is beautiful - my first time driving through there - and the roads I can imagine are impassable with a regular FWD vehicle when there has been a bit of snow.

Snow grockles yep lived at Haytor many years ago and none of the problems are new.
Just had an op on my leg so I'll have to put up with the summer grockles if I want to get much moor time this year. The good thing is I'm there before they get up and even now I can probably walk further than most of them

When I visited Saddle Tor last Monday afternoon I was lucky to get a parking spot in the South car park. I didn't expect it to be so busy on a Monday afternoon! To get the best enjoyment from some of these places on Dartmoor, for sure you have to get there early. Just got a new OL20 OS "active" map to replace my falling to bits paper one that I've had for a few years.

Hope I have got this bit correct with a BB Code, the view from Saddle Tor on Monday...

A late afternoon stroll by Brian H, on Flickr

 

[Topsy]

I tend to avoid Dartmoor when it's been snowing as the B roads I imagine can be treacherous and the last thing I need is to destroy my car on an icy patch or have to abandon the vehicle because there was too much snow! Monday I drove back through Widecombe-in-the-moor from Saddle Tor where I had been for a few shots of Emsworthy Barn - Widecombe is beautiful - my first time driving through there - and the roads I can imagine are impassable with a regular FWD vehicle when there has been a bit of snow.

I have a 4x4 but even that is stumped when the road is blocked by abandoned cars which does happen. EDIT, if you don't have 4WD then FWD is the next best thing in snow.

 

[Haych]

I have a 4x4 but even that is stumped when the road is blocked by abandoned cars which does happen.

I feel your pain.... and I live in Plymouth EDIT: I'm not originally from Plymouth!

 

[Sangoma]

Oh to have snow long enough to get some photos, trouble is from my side of the Moor when we get a bit of snow the families from Plymouth mob the place with their kids sledging. They get up past Yelverton and Dousland then just abandon their cars to go off with the kids, mostly unless you're firsy up there you can't get to Princetown because of the abandoned cars. If the snow stayed around like it used to they would get bored and the rest of us could get out and see/photograph it.............

Rant over..........

When we lived in Newton Ferrers we used to go for a "Sunday Drive" most weekends, and many of those were to Dartmoor, and I remember it used to get quite busy when the sun shined.
Never went there to look at snow though (1963 my father got his van and three vans from the garage stuck in the snow round Newton Ferrers)

 

[Jannyfox]

I drive an old lwb Defender but even he's not great on ice which is all I seem to get where I live. Snow is easy as long as I remember to take the broom to the roof. If I forget I'll get just onto the main road before a rooffull of snow slides down over the windscreen

 

[Deleted member 97794]

View attachment 343969

Thanks for looking, as I said the full story is in my Blog https://www.ephotozine.com/user/topsyrm-149719/blog.

This shot brings back bad memories. I had a bad fall there about 5 years ago, slipped on a mossy stone, landed on my back and cut my hand quite badly. Lovely location though.

 

[Jannyfox]

This shot brings back bad memories. I had a bad fall there about 5 years ago, slipped on a mossy stone, landed on my back and cut my hand quite badly. Lovely location though.

Funnily enough I went for a skeleton bob descent of Corndon on ice a few years back but forgot the bob. Then lay there thinking at least I didn't crack my skull on a rock but I think I've broken my wrist and I'm 6 miles from a car I can't drive. But I hadn't broken anything so it was all okay. Just an occupational hazard of going walking - you will hit the ground sometimes

 

[Deleted member 97794]

Funnily enough I went for a skeleton bob descent of Corndon on ice a few years back but forgot the bob. Then lay there thinking at least I didn't crack my skull on a rock but I think I've broken my wrist and I'm 6 miles from a car I can't drive. But I hadn't broken anything so it was all okay. Just an occupational hazard of going walking - you will hit the ground sometimes

Isn't that like going Skiing without the Ski's? Also broken my ankle nearly three years ago, and had a very painful hop back to the car. I have one of those personal locator beacons now. I'm off wandering on my own most times where often, you don't have a mobile phone signal. It was worth the expense for peace of mind.

 

[Haych]

Isn't that like going Skiing without the Ski's? Also broken my ankle nearly three years ago, and had a very painful hop back to the car. I have one of those personal locator beacons now. I'm off wandering on my own most times where often, you don't have a mobile phone signal. It was worth the expense for peace of mind.

What are the personal locator beacons? Dartmoor sometimes doesn't have phone signal as you know... I am experiencing undiagnosed neurological problems and on the waiting list to see a neurology consultant at the hospital. I haven't been well for some months and decided to take the leap back into work and try and continue my life as normal, which is proving a little difficult.

It doesn't just affect my working obligations, it affects my leisure pursuits too and what I considered a simple walk 18 months ago isn't anywhere near so easy now. My legs get tired quickly and I feel out of breath just tackling small inclines over the moor and my arms and shoulders complain to me about the longer walks I attempt carrying a full camera kit bag with tripod.

My brain wants to go on long walks across the moor and isn't communicating with my arms, legs, knees, ankles, shoulders and arms about what they can realistically do.

Anyway, personal locater beacons.... any further information on them will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Deleted member 97794]

What are the personal locator beacons? Dartmoor sometimes doesn't have phone signal as you know... I am experiencing undiagnosed neurological problems and on the waiting list to see a neurology consultant at the hospital. I haven't been well for some months and decided to take the leap back into work and try and continue my life as normal, which is proving a little difficult.

It doesn't just affect my working obligations, it affects my leisure pursuits too and what I considered a simple walk 18 months ago isn't anywhere near so easy now. My legs get tired quickly and I feel out of breath just tackling small inclines over the moor and my arms and shoulders complain to me about the longer walks I attempt carrying a full camera kit bag with tripod.

My brain wants to go on long walks across the moor and isn't communicating with my arms, legs, knees, ankles, shoulders and arms about what they can realistically do.

Anyway, personal locater beacons.... any further information on them will be greatly appreciated.

I have one of these...

McMurdo Fastfind Return Link PLB

McMurdo Fastfind Return Link PLB

www.marinesuperstore.com

When you buy them, you have to register them with your personal details on the government website at this link...

Register a UK 406 MHz beacon

Register a UK 406 MHz emergency beacon

www.gov.uk

The batteries last around 5-7 years but they can be sent off to have the batteries changed.

 

[Jannyfox]

I've never felt the need for a PLB- yet, but I was walking alone for a very long time pre the mobile phone era so I'm quite accepting of 'if this all goes horribly wrong I'm the only person who's getting me out of it '. That said I do have 2 phones, one with all the mapping/tracking apps I don't usually use, whistle, torches, power bank etc so I'm not really gung-ho about it. My father visibly relaxed when I bought my first mobile. I didn't have the heart to tell him there was no signal

 

[Deleted member 97794]

I've never felt the need for a PLB- yet, but I was walking alone for a very long time pre the mobile phone era

I was that way for many years Jan, and maybe where you hike is a factor but steep hills/mountains etc, and walking alone is not a good combination and you have to accept that there may be times when you can't save yourself. My friends son broke his leg whilst out hiking last year and needed rescuing, thankfully he wasn't alone on that occasion, but his mum recognised that he often was. She bought him a PLB for Xmas last year. I hope I'll never need to use mine but in the grand scheme of things, it's a fairly inexpensive insurance policy, for family, as well as my own peace of mind.

 

[Topsy]

EDIT, deleted, incorrect info.

 

[Deleted member 97794]

EDIT, deleted, incorrect info.

I'm not sure that's true... Most mobile phones do not have the ability to make 999 calls by satellite. I know that Apple introduced that SOS facility from the iphone 14 but most phones would still rely on the piggy back cross network service, and still rely on having a signal. I'll stand corrected if I'm wrong, but that's my understanding.

 

[dans_shutter]

I'm not sure that's true... Most mobile phones do not have the ability to make 999 calls by satellite. I know that Apple introduced that SOS facility from the iphone 14 but most phones would still rely on the piggy back cross network service, and still rely on having a signal. I'll stand corrected if I'm wrong, but that's my understanding.

I was just writing the same thing.
Very important with these things to fully understand what works and what doesn't.

 

[Topsy]

I'm not sure that's true... Most mobile phones do not have the ability to make 999 calls by satellite. I know that Apple introduced that SOS facility from the iphone 14 but most phones would still rely on the piggy back cross network service, and still rely on having a signal. I'll stand corrected if I'm wrong, but that's my understanding.

I was just writing the same thing.
Very important with these things to fully understand what works and what doesn't.

That's why I edited my comments and fessed up to incorrect info.

 

[Topsy]

Week 9.

This week with dry and bright conditions forecast I decided to take my Fujifilm GFX 50S out to Bench Tor and Combestone Tor then off to find Horn's Cross just South of Combestone Tor. As usual you can see the full story and photos in my Blog on ePHOTOzine. https://www.ephotozine.com//user/topsyrm-149719/blog

Bench Tor.



Combestone Tor.



Horn's Cross.



Since I had the GFX along I couldn't resist a panorama.



That’s all for this week folks, thanks for looking in and as always, comments welcome.

 

[Gav.]

Wind swept tree image is nice.

 

[Topsy]

Wind swept tree image is nice.

Thanks Gav.

 

[Haych]

I thought Bench Tor was impressive looking and this has prompted me to add to my "to-do" list on Dartmoor. I was so fixated on Venford Falls when I went out there that I neglected to notice that there was a Tor out there accessible from the same car park.

 

[Topsy]

I thought Bench Tor was impressive looking and this has prompted me to add to my "to-do" list on Dartmoor. I was so fixated on Venford Falls when I went out there that I neglected to notice that there was a Tor out there accessible from the same car park.

I usually do both but at this time of year and with the rain we've had I didn't think the Falls were worth the hassle. I normally go down to the falls in wellies then back to the car to change into walking bootd for the Tor.

 

[Haych]

I usually do both but at this time of year and with the rain we've had I didn't think the Falls were worth the hassle. I normally go down to the falls in wellies then back to the car to change into walking bootd for the Tor.

Exactly what I did when I went to Emsworthy Barn and then Saddle Tor, wellies for Emsworthy and then boots for Saddle Tor.

 

[dans_shutter]

Week 9.

This week with dry and bright conditions forecast I decided to take my Fujifilm GFX 50S out to Bench Tor and Combestone Tor then off to find Horn's Cross just South of Combestone Tor. As usual you can see the full story and photos in my Blog on ePHOTOzine. https://www.ephotozine.com//user/topsyrm-149719/blog

Bench Tor.

View attachment 416366

Combestone Tor.

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Horn's Cross.

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Since I had the GFX along I couldn't resist a panorama.

View attachment 416369

That’s all for this week folks, thanks for looking in and as always, comments welcome.

Great captures! They motivate me to try and get out on the moors as they're just on my doorstep.

 

[Topsy]

Great captures! They motivate me to try and get out on the moors as they're just on my doorstep.

Thanks Dan, maybe I'll see you out there one day.

 

[Topsy]

You can't get shots like these without wellies.

 

[Nod]

You can! But cold, wet feet on the walk back to civilization/the car isn't pleasant!!!

 

[Haych]

You can't get shots like these without wellies.

View attachment 416405

I'll have you know, when I photographed the waterfall I was wearing walking boots!

 

[Topsy]

I'll have you know, when I photographed the waterfall I was wearing walking boots!

That's as maybe but I was stood in the water with dry feet.

P.S. feel free to add your photo.

 

[Topsy]

You can! But cold, wet feet on the walk back to civilization/the car isn't pleasant!!!

Factually correct but not where I would want to be.............

 

[Haych]

That's as maybe but I was stood in the water with dry feet.

P.S. feel free to add your photo.

I didn't fancy standing in the water, so took a more distant view... I will take my wellies next time. Did you encounter any difficulties with spray on the front element?

The enchanted seclusion by Brian H, on Flickr

 

[Mr Perceptive]

Paul

Came across this guy today - Snowdonia Video, but I've noticed he is obviously in your neck of the woods given the number of Dartmoor videos in his feed. Just thought I'd share in case you'd not come across him before

https://www.youtube.com/@i.moutdoors2596/videos?view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=0

David

 

[Topsy]

Paul

Came across this guy today - Snowdonia Video, but I've noticed he is obviously in your neck of the woods given the number of Dartmoor videos in his feed. Just thought I'd share in case you'd not come across him before

https://www.youtube.com/@i.moutdoors2596/videos?view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=0

David

Thanks David, I'll give him a look.

 

[Topsy]

I didn't fancy standing in the water, so took a more distant view... I will take my wellies next time. Did you encounter any difficulties with spray on the front element?

The enchanted seclusion by Brian H, on Flickr

Spray on the front element is always a problem around waterfalls I carry lint free fiber towels and work with it.

 

[Topsy]

Week 10.

This week I went exploring Kings, Little Kings and Hucken Tors with my Fuji X-T2s, normally when I got up Kings Tor I just go straight to the tree on the top then head over to Swelltor and Foggintor Quarries but this time I just explored Kings & Little Kings Tors and was surprised how interesting they are. Hucken Tor was a bonus Tor as it is close to Litle Kings Tor but it is such a large footprint I will need to go back again to explore it properly. As usual you can see the full story and photos in my Blog on ePHOTOzine. https://www.ephotozine.com//user/topsyrm-149719/blog

Kings Tor.





Little Kings Tor.



From Little Kings Tor there is a great view of Vixen Tor.



Hucken Tor sits mainly in woodland (this is just on the outskirts) and will need a day of its own to do it justice.



That’s all for this week folks, thanks for looking in and as always, comments welcome.

 

[Haych]

Week 10.

This week I went exploring Kings, Little Kings and Hucken Tors with my Fuji X-T2s, normally when I got up Kings Tor I just go straight to the tree on the top then head over to Swelltor and Foggintor Quarries but this time I just explored Kings & Little Kings Tors and was surprised how interesting they are. Hucken Tor was a bonus Tor as it is close to Litle Kings Tor but it is such a large footprint I will need to go back again to explore it properly. As usual you can see the full story and photos in my Blog on ePHOTOzine. https://www.ephotozine.com//user/topsyrm-149719/blog

Kings Tor.

View attachment 416991

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Little Kings Tor.

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From Little Kings Tor there is a great view of Vixen Tor.

View attachment 416993

Hucken Tor sits mainly in woodland (this is just on the outskirts) and will need a day of its own to do it justice.

View attachment 416994

That’s all for this week folks, thanks for looking in and as always, comments welcome.

"I did eventually find a place where I could jump across (not easy with a heavy camera bag)"

Quoted from your ephotozine page....

That's how I felt about the stepping stones on the River Dart walk at Dartmeet, where the gap between 2 of the stones was not a step at all, and in fact more of a leap. Carrying a heavy(ish) tripod as well as a heavy equipment bag on my back, makes some of these navigational parts a little more difficult! I am starting to thing maybe I should lighten the load somewhat, but I do like to have options!

 

[Topsy]

Quoted from your ephotozine page....

That's how I felt about the stepping stones on the River Dart walk at Dartmeet, where the gap between 2 of the stones was not a step at all, and in fact more of a leap. Carrying a heavy(ish) tripod as well as a heavy equipment bag on my back, makes some of these navigational parts a little more difficult! I am starting to thing maybe I should lighten the load somewhat, but I do like to have options!

Me too Brian.

 

[Topsy]

Week 11.

This week the weather was less favourable with mist rain and wind, I had a plan to visit 3 Tors (Birch, Shapley & Hookney) but when I got up the first one I realised there would be no point going on so I headed for the low ground of the Vitifer Disused Mine Leat. As usual you can see the full story and photos in my Blog on ePHOTOzine. https://www.ephotozine.com//user/topsyrm-149719/blog

Birch Tor.



I had parked at Bennetts Cross Car Park



The route up to Birch Tor.



The high ground above Birch Tor to the 2 Moors Way was soddenned.



Vitifer Disused Mine Leat Ruins and Tree.



On the way back through the Mineworks I spotted this composition, it really needed a tripod and slow shutter speed but the wind and rain prevented that as I would'nt be able to keep the front element dry for long enough.



That’s all for this week folks, thanks for looking in and as always, comments welcome.

 

[Topsy]

Week 12.

This week as there was no firing on Willsworthy Ranges (a rare week) I decided to go up to Hare Tor vis Nat and Ger Tors to shoot more panoramas of Tavy Cleave with my Fuji GFX 50S in 65x24 aspect ratio, I also took mt X-T2 to document the walk, as usual you can see the full story and photos in my Blog over on ePHOTOzine. https://www.ephotozine.com//user/topsyrm-149719/blog

Tavy Cleave.





Ger Tor with Hare Tor in the distance.



Tavy Cleave Rocks with Fur Tor in the distance.



Weather closing in on Hare Tor.



That’s all for this week folks, thanks for looking in and as always, comments welcome.

 

[Topsy]

Week 13.

This week I headed over to Hound Tor and Greator Rocks, Hound Tor was mobbed by a group of school children on a climbing outing, not that I have anything against others enjoying Dartmoor but it does make getting decent photos more difficult particularly if those people are children, as usual you can see the full story and photos in my Blog over on ePHOTOzine. https://www.ephotozine.com//user/topsyrm-149719/blog

Hound Tor looking across to Haytor Rocks.



On the way over to Greator Rocks I spotted this Lone Tree.



The Peak of Greator Rocks.



On the way back to Hound Tor via the Medieval Village Ruins.



A quick PANO of Greator Roacks and Haytor Rocks from Hound Tor.



On the way to Hound Tor Car Park I stopped off at Jay's Grave.



That’s all for this week folks, thanks for looking in and as always, comments welcome.

 

[Topsy]

Week 14.

This week with no live firing on Willsworthy Ranges I decided to go back in to get those 2 Tors that evaded me last time I tried, Sharp Tor and Chat Tor. The weather was a bit unpredictable so I just packed my Fuji X-T2s. A change in plam on the ground meant I changed my route to include Brat Tor instead od Doe Tor, as usual you can see the full story and photos in my Blog over on ePHOTOzine. https://www.ephotozine.com//user/topsyrm-149719/blog

My main priority were Sharp Tor and Chat Tor.

Sharp Tor.



From Sharp Tor there is a good view (weather permitting) of Hare Tor.



Chat Tor with Lower and Higher Dunnagoats in the distance.



River Lyd running high and the reason for the change in plan.



New first stop, Brat Tor and Widgery Cross.



That’s all for this week folks, thanks for looking in and as always, comments welcome.