WEARDALE WATERSHED

While many were glued to Cricket at Chester Le Street, Stuart Ferguson was completing a run of the Weardale Watershed. A round of 24 principle hills above 1,500ft visited in order [ 15 of these are over 2,000ft ], clockwise route from Wolsingham traversing the North and South skyline above Weardale the most northerly of the Durham Dales. The Route devised by Stu, starting at 0500 on Saturday 10^th August 2013, he completed the round solo in 13 hours and 54 minutes, with a Total Mileage: 50.35 and Height Gain: 4,800 feet.

The route traverses remote, exposed high moorland, peak hags, tussocks with limited rough tracks and trails. Apart from traversing the villages of Wolsingham and Rookope, the only site of tarmac is at high level road crossings.

Stu arriving at Killhope Cross, soaked from a heavy downpour. Photo by Emma Ferguson.

 

The Weather was Mostly Dry, a couple of heavy rain showers around lunchtime, partly sunny, light westerly wind, Temperature, was a high of 16 degrees Centigrade, but a chilly 9 at 0500.

Leg 1 - Wolsingham to Killhope Cross. Time – 7 hours 04 minutes. Mileage 27.46 miles

TOP	GR	Height in m
Five Pikes	014329	478
Pawlaw Pike	008322	488
Harnisha Hill	971333	589
Outberry Plain	938331	656
James Hill	923326	675
Dora’s Seat	888332	658
Fendith Hill	877333	697
Chapelfell Top	876344	703
Noon Hill	854358	632
Three Pikes	835344	651
Great Stoney Hill	824359	708
Scaud Hill	802368	694
Burnhope Seat	788376	746
Dead Stones	794399	709
Nags Head	795414	673
Knoutberry Hill	803421	668

 

Stu leaving Killhope Cross for Killhope Law via the 3 shires stone. Photo by Emma Ferguson

 

Leg 2 - Killhope Cross to Wolsingham. Time – 6 hours 50 minutes. Mileage 22.89 miles.

Killhope Law	819448	673
Burtree Fell	868429	607
White Edge	890423	582
Windy Hill	915412	554
Rookhope Village
Long Law	952432	524
Long Hill	958423	512
Collier Law	019418	516
Fatherley Hill	023395	459

Stuart’s wife and daughter met him at Killhope Cross, with water to top up his supply, but mainly to check he was still alive and kicking.

A great day out showcasing what Weardale can offer the more adventurous, wilderness running at it’s best.