Wednesday, 16th September 2015

From the Black Dog, walk east along Rivington Road, take footpath on right up to the base of Sharples Higher End; follow path parallel to road across the lower moor to meet the road again at Horden Stones. Take footpath directly opposite, southwards, up to the summit of Winter Hill, trig. point 456 m.  Follow good track down to meet the A675,  bearing left towards spring reservoir, and  then road north to the pub

Instructions provided by Stewart on our walk slips:
 “This walk is a bit of a challenge but one we have done a few years ago.  When reccied two weeks ago due to the wet summer there was some boggy peat and the pull to the top of Winter Hill is steep. But there are great views on a good day”
Well 12 brave souls were up for the ‘challenge’ and set off in high spirits.  There were some boggy patches whilst crossing Sharples Higher End but the previous dry day made them manageable.  The ascent up to the summit was quite challenging,  not  the  gradient but the difficulties experienced underfoot.  You either had to walk on an uneven boggy path or the rough stones at the top of the broken down wall.  One or two ended up stumbling but fortunately, taking care and using sticks to balance, we all made it to the base of the steepest slope where we had our break.  The views, for 180 degrees northwards, were magnificent, from Blackpool Tower, Morecambe Bay, South Lakes hills, with Ingleborough and Pen-y-Ghent in the distance.  The steepest stretch was quite difficult as it was a bit slippery, but we all made it to the relatively flat summit besides all the masts.  We even detoured to reach the trig point at 456m.  The view to the south had opened up to us now, right to Runcorn Power Stations.  The walk down was very simple after that and we arrived at the Black Dog for 1 o’clock.  After a bit of a wait, we all enjoyed our inexpensive meals, some presented in style.
Thank you Stewart for a superb walk, made all the better by the unexpected September weather.