Grey Wethers Stone Circle Dartmoor Devon UK (© Simon Tranter Photography)

Belstone to Taw Marsh.

Having left home a bit later than planned on Friday afternoon, I hit the traffic heading for the Westcountry on the A303 which added 1.5hours to the journey. Reaching the carpark and shouldering packs we set off as the sun started setting and the temperature dropped. A short walk-in lead us to a great spot by the river Taw. The new shelter went up without too much faff (a few practice pitches at home helped!), and the stove went on for dinner. The night was clear and the recent new moon meant star watching was enjoyed by all, along with banter about possible nearby Jaguar kills

Taw Marsh to East River Dart.

As it turned out the only bother from any animals was on Saturday morning when the camp was invaded by Dartmoor Ponies. One of which had decided that, out of all the grass on Dartmoor the stuff under my new Trailstar was the tastiest!

Wild Camping at Taw Marsh (© Simon Tranter Photography)

We packed up and headed up hill on the well worn path towards a stone circle which sits on the shoulder between Little Hound Tor and Hound Tor. The views from here are good, but the weekends warm weather had unfortunately brought in the haze as well. We headed off to Hound Tor, followed by Wild Tor then across the small valley and up to Watern Tor.

White Moor Stone Circle (© Simon Tranter Photography)

Granite outcrop formations at Watern Tor (© Simon Tranter Photography)

The Thurlstone at Watern Tor (© Simon Tranter Photography)

Nigel showing his Jedi stream drinking skills using the iStraw.

After a short time photographing and filming we headed off along a boundary wall around Great, then Little Varracombe, and up to Sittaford Tor before dropping down to the Grey Wethers Stone Circle. I have been meaning to visit this stone circle of a few years, so it was nice to finally see it, I will return when the light is better one day!

Grey Wethers Stone Circle (© Simon Tranter Photography)

Grey Wethers Stone Circle (© Simon Tranter Photography)

From Grey Wethers we headed south to find a leat that contours around the 460m mark, but things quickly got ugly with rough knee-high tussocks, so we climbed steeply to a stile, over a wall and marched off across the mainly dry, crunchy bog towards Sandy Hole Pass. After dropping down and crossing the river to avoid Broad Marsh, we hopped back across and followed the East River Dart northwards to find a sheltered riverside camp.

MLD Cuben Fibre Trailstar on Dartmoor

The sun warmed and dried the tarp, but the temperature fell quickly at night, later causing a light ground frost. But the vast amount of food I had and the fluffy new quilt I just finished kept me toasty.

East River Dart to Belstone.

In the morning, after waiting for me to stop faffing while breaking camp, we squelched our way north across the Teign Head and up the very dry Whitehorse Hill.

Whitehorse Hill Peat Pass Dartmoor (© Simon Tranter Photography)

A few different video shots of us walking through the Peat Pass then a good track to Hangingstone Hill.  After admiring the 360-degree views we followed the stony tracks to the ford over the River Taw and up to Oke Tor which was busy with more scouts and day walkers enjoying the sunshine. The last climb up Higher Tor I was really feeling the lack of fitness from not doing much walking or running recently. The views were good, but a lot more hazy than last time I was up here. Finally after crossing the Irishman’s Wall we dropped back down to Belstone to begin the drive home. On the drive home I stopped off at the wonderful Otter Valley Dairy for some Banofee ice cream while watching the cows that supplied the milk that morning graze the fields.

Thanks to Nigel and Graham for the banter and good humor all weekend. I will post a link to Nigel’s video when it’s finished.

Update:

Below is the video put together by Nigel, he runs navigation courses in the New Forest so go and take a looksie!

Dartmoor March 2012

Pretty Cottage on Chilbolton Cow Common SSSI Hampshire

I don’t often manage to track down my photographs sold through a stock agency. Mainly down to time, and finding out about the sale after the magazine is taken off of the shelves. So it’s always nice to stumble across my work in print, especially if it’s a front cover.

Country Life 2011

The photograph was taken on a warm June evening in 2007 on Chilbolton Cow Common. The river test meanders it’s way through here on it’s way to Stockbridge, and then on South towards the sea. The Common lies between the villages of Chilbolton and Wherwell and is a great place to see a variety of birds, fish and wildflowers. The Yellow Flag Iris, seen in the photo, line the banks of the Test through out the summer months.

For more photographs of the Cow Common see the Hampshire Gallery.

Glyntawe to Sinc Giedd.

Setting off after lunch it took us 3 hours to get to Glyntawe, and after paying £3/day parking we left the car in the Dan-yr-Ogof campsite. Packs shouldered we headed behind the campsite, following the zig-zagging path up the steep slope and past a disused quarry.

View up the valley towards Fan Gyhirych from Glyntawe in Powys Wales (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)

We were soon up on the moor and following the well worn and surprisingly dry path through an area littered with shake holes.

After a couple of miles we found the strange valley of the upper Afon Giedd where the river flows until it hits an outcrop of limestone and disappears into it’s own bed at Sinc Giedd or Swallow Hole. The weather forecast was dry and there was no risk of the narrow valley flooding, so we found a good pitch in the bottom on a flat piece of ground next to the river.

Wild camping near to Sinc Giedd or the Swallow Hole in Black Mountain (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)

Overnight the sky cleared and I spend some time star gazing up at the moonless sky while lying under my tarp.

Sinc Giedd to Llyn y Fan Fawr.

The next morning after breaking camp we explored the valley until it’s abrupt end when the river disappears into the ground, apparently to re-appear down in the Dan-yr-Ogof caves.

Sinc Giedd where the Afon Giedd drops underground and into a cave system (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)

Sinc Giedd where the Afon Giedd drops underground and into a cave system (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)

We headed west picking our way over a couple of shallow and boggy valleys. Then contouring and dropping down to cross the Afon Twrch, which forms the boundary between the counties of Powys and Carmarthenshire.

Looking down the Afon Twrch valley in the Black Mountain area of Brecon Beacons (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)

Sphagnum moss in Black Mountain (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)

Next we climbed the slopes of Garreg Las, zig-zagging the way up through areas of wet bog and bouldery scree. Stopping to drink in the view over the land we had just crossed it seemed a fitting time for some lunch.

View from Esgair Hir in the Black Mountain (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)

Re-fuelled we climbed to the top of the hill and to the top of one of two giant stone cairns. The views west and south opened up as far as the Gower and beyond to Pembrokeshire.

View west from Twyn-Swnd towards Moel Gornach in the Black Mountain (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)

We dropped down the northern shoulder and then crossed the broad valley, climbing the long steep western slopes of Bannau Sir Gaer. Eventually we reached the spectacular cliffs overlooking Llyn y Fan Fach.We continued along the ridge following the Beacons Way and passing the first people since leaving Glyntawe. The views just keep getting better here as Picws Du is climbed.

Llyn y Fan Fach in the Black Mountain area of Brecon Beacons (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)

Llyn y Fan Fach in the Black Mountain (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)

We dropped down into the bwlch and climbed up to Fan Foel where the view back along the ridge is fantastic. Shortly after crossing the border back into Powys county, the view east opens up right the way across to the Central Beacons and Pen y Fan.

View East from Fan-foel towards Peny Fan and the Central Beacons (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)

We continued up and on to the highest point in the Black Mountain Fan Brycheiniog, where Nigel’s video camera battery died. Figuring the best pitch would be down by Llyn y Fan Fawr we dropped steeply down to it’s shores via Bwlch Giedd. I found a brilliant pitch on a small finger of land jutting out into the lake before cooking up a big meal to replenish the energy stores.

Wild camping on the shoes of Llyn y Fan Fawr in the Black Mountain (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)

Wild camping on the shoes of Llyn y Fan Fawr in the Black Mountain (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)

Llyn y Fan Fawr to Glyntawe.

Over night the sky cleared again and I hoped for a good sunrise. This time I was lucky and the sun rose behind Pen y Fan as I looked out under the tarp.

Sunrise over Pen y Fan from a wild camp in the Black Mountain (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)

I got up in the cold wind and ran around taking photographs before breakfast.

Sunrise over Peny Fan and the Central Beacons from the shores of Llyn y Fan Fawr (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)

Fan Brycheiniog rises from the western edge of Llyn y Fan Fawr

Wild camping on the shoes of Llyn y Fan Fawr in the Black Mountain (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)

Rocks on the shore of Llyn y Fan Fawr in the Black Mountain (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)

After breaking camp we headed off down the Beacons Way which runs beneith the Fan Hir ridge and past a very pretty waterfall.

The Beacons Way footpath runs along the bottom of the Fan Hir ridge (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)

Waterfall on the Beacons Way below the Fan Hir ridge in the Black Mountain (Simon Tranter simontranter.com)

The sun was warming us up nicely. After eventually picking our way down the hill, we tramped the half-mile back along the road to the car, happy and tired. You can see the photos in the Wales Gallery over on the main site.

Nigel put together a video of the trip please go and take a look.

***geek alert*** If you are interested in what I carried for the trip take a look at my gear list on Geargrams.com a really useful little site which breaks down the weights and even gives you a pie-chart!

View over Windermere and distant fells from Brant Fell in the Lake District Cumbria

A quick jaunt up Brant Fell near to Windermere on a nice evening to scrabble around on the rocky outcrops, I found this view north over the lake and up towards some of the bigger hills. Realising the sun was about to go behind a bank of cloud I ran around in the cold wind to find the best viewpoint, and managed to capture the last direct rays of light grazing the land and adding texture to the rock.

Twilight at Kirkstone Pass looking down towards Ambleside in The Lake District

On the way back to the cottage after a cloudy afternoon around Ullswater I spotted the promise of a beautiful twilight. Stopping at the Kirkstone Pass Inn I quickly searched for a suitable foreground, luckly with all the recent rains a small stream was deep enough to reflect the deep blue sky overhead as the last colours started to fade.

You can see the rest of the photographs from the trip in the Lake District Gallery.

View over Andover from the Lady's Walk footpath in Hampshire

Unfortunately this year, as often happens, the autumnal storms rolled in just before the leaves where at their best. The strong wind and rains stripped most trees before I could get out and photograph it all.

Church of St Mary in Andover Hampshire

You can find each of these photos and more in the Hampshire and Churches galleries on the main site.

Heather and young Silver Birch. Snelsmore Common Country Park, Berkshire

Snelsmore Common Country Park is a couple of miles north of Newbury in Berkshire. An important Lowland Heath habitat made up of heather, gorse, wet bog and small trees (mainly Silver Birch and Oak). It is also home to deer, small mammals, snakes, lizards and birds including ground nesting Nightjars.

Heathland habitat in Snelsmore Common Counrty Park, Berkshire

You can see more of my photographs in the Berkshire Gallery over on the main site.

The Castle was built in 1386 by Richard Adderbury the Elder, and after being used in the Civil War was demolished in 1646. Donnington Castle was placed to guard the major routes from London to the Westcountry and Oxford to Southampton. Today all is left are the remains of the four towered gatehouse and some earthworks.

Ruins of Donnington Castle near Newbury.

Ruined side of Donnington Castle near Newbury

You see these photos and more in the Berkshire Gallery on the main site.

Such an important site so close to home, it’s crazy that I don’t visit more often!

I went up for a late afternoon leg stretch and to see the fantastic views again. The path up the northeastern slope is surprisingly steep and gets you quite warm by the time you reach the first banks of the Iron-age earthworks encircling the summit. The views open up and the busy A34 runs along the valley between Beacon Hill and the rest of the north facing scarp of the Hampshire Downs.

Hill fort Earthworks on top of Beacon Hill

I was alone with just a couple of Red Kites gliding in the wind for company. I carried on up to the trig-point which lies at a modest 261 metres above sea level. It may not be very high, but the panoramic views from here are pretty special.

The 261m trig-point at the summit of Beacon Hill

The sun was sinking fast so I walked along the north edge of the hill fort, where the hill drops steeply away. The views into Berkshire from here are wonderful and I picked out Highclere Castle down below.

I continued around the rings of the hill fort to the tomb of Egyptologist George Herbert, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon. Famous for opening the tomb of Tutankhamun with Howard Carter in 1922, now buried overlooking his family home of Highclere Castle, not a bad spot it has to be said.

The tomb of Egyptologist George Herbert the 5th Earl of Carnarvon buried within the hill fort on top of Beacon Hill

You can see these and other pictures in the Hampshire Gallery over on the main website.

Jasper National Park.

Jasper National Park is larger than Banff, but with fewer facilities it felt quieter.

A couple of days of cloudy and sometimes wet weather, meant that we spent some time chilling in Spooner’s Cafe in Jasper town. Also if you are ever there check out the Patricia Street Deli, they make the best sandwiches and the cranberry mayo is amazing!

Not put off we spent an afternoon on the drive up to Maligne Lake. Stopping to look at the Maligne Canyon, a 50 meter deep limestone gorge, which is so narrow it would be possible to jump across in places. Another 16km up the road was Medicine Lake. The guide book describes it as a sinking lake that has holes in the bottom and acts like a plug-less bathtub. In winter when the run-off slows, the lake drains and shrinks to the size of a small stream. Further on is Maligne Lake, a 14 mile long body of water surrounded by snowy peaks. A stunning place, but with heavy cloud all the photos I took where very mediocre.

The next day we drove up to Miette Hot Springs and walked up along Sulphur Creek and up to Sulphur Pass. Unfortunately we had to turn back just before the pass because there was still too much snow on the ground, which is not easy to negotiate while just wearing trail shoes. The weather started to clear on the way back to town, so I decided to go up to Patricia and Pyramid Lakes.

Pyramid Lake looking towards Hawk Mountain. Jasper National Park

Pyramid Lake was beautiful, in the shadow of Pyramid Mountain just 15min drive north from Jasper. We stopped off at the southern end where a sandy beach lined the shore. In the height of summer this would be a wonderful spot.

Patricia Lake looking towards the Indian Ridge in Jasper National Park

In contrast the rock shore of Patricia Lake kept me occupied while the light danced along the snow covered Indian Ridge in the background. The sun went behind some cloud so I explored the Aspen grove between the two lakes.

I have wanted to photograph Quaking Aspens ever since I discovered Christopher Burkett’s photography many years ago. One of my favourite photographers, he manages to capture amazing luminance in his images.

Quaking Aspen or Populus Tremuloides in Jasper National Park

The wind died down, and the light was luminous, the leaves were still young and translucent, and the soft light seemed to wrap itself around each trunk. Perfect!

Quaking Aspen or Populus Tremuloides in Jasper National Park

Mount Robson Provincial Park.

The next day it was time to start driving back to Vancouver. We took the Yellowhead Highway west from Jasper and soon entered Mount Robson Provincial Park. With the intent to stop off and take a look at the highest point in the Canadian Rockies. The massive south face suddenly became visable to the right and wow what a sight! 3000m from base to summit in clear morning sunlight, it was breathtaking.

Mt Robson 3954m the highest point in Canadian Rockies

We waved goodbye to the Rockies and headed south for Kamloops, then west to Cache Creek in the Thompson Valley where we spent the night.

The Sea to Sky Highway.

The next day we set off towards Lillooet and drove down the Sea to Sky Highway 99. The road to Pemberton was sublime, it contoured around mountains up and down passes with amazing scenery. After over a week of very scenic, but mainly boring straight roads it felt a bit like a revelation.

Whistler was crowded, so we carried on and found a campsite near Squamish. The next day was typically cloudy and drizzly, so we went along to Shannon Falls.

Shannon Falls 335m high waterfall near Squamish

Afterwards a surprisingly easy drive back to Vancouver and some more sightseeing before the flight home the following day.

You can see all these photographs and more in the Canada Gallery over on the main website.

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