Hardcastle Crags

18th. July 2017.                Hardcastle Crags 

What an interesting journey we had today, this was all brought about by spotting an advert for walks around Hebden Bridge, this was on the notice board at the railway station at Hebden Bridge.

So after some interest was shown, we decided to take on this adventure. Four of us lads met at the said railway station, that was John, Colin, Malcolm and Dave.

Dave was first to reach the station and had twenty minutes or so to wait for the rest of the Lads, so this time was spent investigating the possible ways of reaching our intended walk. Much to his surprise the Cafe owner pointed out to him a gentleman named Clive who would be of great assistance, indeed he was. He gave us a short but detailed explanation of the best route to take.

To our amazement we could catch a bus, right here at the station that would take us part of the way, from this location "Slack Top" a distance of a few miles would lead us to Gibson Mill a point of interest on our journey. Trying to remember what Clive had told us we now boarded the number 596

Bus as it rather swiftly transported us from the valley bottom high up into the hillside surrounding Hebden Bridge. This bus journey was quite a thrill as it rattled up the cobblestones streets of Heptenstall. Some few minutes later the driver told us this was our stop. At this point we were joined by a group of other walkers. We were to find out later that it was two cousins and their husbands that were on a nostalgia trip back to the Crags.

A few hundred yards in to our journey and we have decided to take a slightly extended route , we are joining the cousins and walking to a point named Blakedean a place where two streams meet and begin  to form the river that runs down the valley .

Our walk at the moment takes in splendid views of the surrounding countryside as we journey along chatting to each other.

Once we reach Blakedean we crossed over the road bridge and take the pathway that would eventually lead us down the valley and onto Gibson Mill.

We have now parted company with the cousins who are enjoying a picnic by the riverside. We venture on only to find we maybe on the wrong pathway, a few moments later and things start to go wrong. Colin looses his footing and takes a tumble luckily John is there to help, the pathway becomes a tad tricky at this point, so we make our way down to the rivers edge ,this in it's self was a bit doggie Malcolm also took a tumble but not too serious. A river crossing looking an option but could prove a little difficult, so we decided to backtrack at this point, a few minutes later and Dave found himself detached from the Lads, various amounts of calling out came to no avail, so from this point he was on his own.

Knowing the lads would be concerned about his welfare a worried Dave eventually came across a more established pathway so took this and headed for Gibson Mill.

Meanwhile John Colin and Malcolm retraced their steps back to the river, at some point Colin managed to cross over much to Johns better judgment.So now that meant Colin was on his own also.

At some point John and Malcolm came across the more substantial pathway and soon found there selves heading for Gibson Mill at which point they met up with Dave , much to their relief.

After a few minutes resting and discussion the three now headed back down the valley into Hebden Bridge wondering where Colin might be.

Upon reaching the town and as the time was almost 3:30pm a decision was made to make for the Railway Station, much to all our relief contact was made with Colin he was on a bus heading for the station also, so  with just seconds before the train arrived we were all reunited a big sigh of relief for us all and much to reflect upon.

Cheers Lads if this is appropriate.