Saturday 2nd November 2024

13 hardy souls set off from Malham YHA at 10.40am ( two of the group ) having ran the Skipton Park Run at 9.00am 5km and still got back for shower / breakfast and the startiong time .

Mike and Rosie where always going to take their time and walk at a slower pace and were happy to wave the rest on. They reached Janet's Foss and then returned to Malham. 

The remaining 11 Walkers continued to Janet's Foss - a dramatic waterfall ( Foss being the Viking word for waterfall or Force ) as shown in the accompanying photos !

We then walked down to Gordale Bridge and full of enthusiam proceeded up New Close Knotts ( which was the steep bit ) on reaching the top and seeing signs for Malham Cove realised that in order to admire Gordale Scar we would need to walk back down to the road and then proceed to the Scar which is a waterfall in a large gorge . 

There is a route up out of the gorge which would involve scrambling and as this was not in the route description it was felt that this was not on todays itiniary.

Unforunately , back down to the road and back up New Close Knotts meant more than sufficient exercise for one day !  the route planner accepts FULL Resposibility for this detour to Gordale Scar !

We then proceeded northwards heading towards Malham Tarn with some challenging steep bits ( as described in the route plan ) - everyone made it to the top and a brief snack brak was appreciated. As we neared Seaty Hill 399m we could see the road running alonside. As this point Jason and Julianne left the walk ( needing to get back to get to Skipton Train Stn by 4.00pm and were joined by Charles and Jacinta . 

The reamining 7 walkers continued from Street Gate to Great Close Plantation and decided to head due east to join the Pennine Way ( PW ) but we sat and had lunch overlooking Malham Tarn. 

We followed the PW   south heading back to Malham Cove and across the world famous Limestone Pavement noting the " Clints " ( stone we walked on and the " Grikes" the cracks or fissures between the stones ! 

Looking down into the Cove from the pavement we noted that there were climbers coming up the face and I was asked to explore the possibility of an " absail" down - however, as not in the intiniary , the invitation was declined.

We proceeded down the steps into The Cove and the path out into Malham past the National Park Visitor Centre , The Buck Inn , The Lister Arms before reaching the YHA just before 5.00pm .

A good walk was had by ALL.