Category Archives: Quarrying

The High and Mighty Mines of L??jar

Posted on July 11, 2016 by

A hard slog to the ancient mines on Sierra de L??jar, in southern Spain . . . Continue reading →

Posted in Caving, Climbing, Environment, Footpaths, Geology, Hiking, History, Industrial archaeology, Mountains, Potholing, Quarrying, Ruins, Slate quarries, The Romans, Walking, Weather, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 28 Comments

Days Like This, No 21: Eternity in Borrowdale

Posted on May 27, 2015 by

THE closest thing to eternity is a cold night in a tent. Hope dies while hours limp slowly past. Supernovae fade and constellations shift as time distorts and clocks refuse to tick. Body heat is sucked into the ungrateful ground. … Continue reading →

Posted in Camping, Climbing, Footpaths, Hiking, History, Industrial archaeology, Mountains, Quarrying, Ruins, Slate quarries, Walking, Weather | Tagged , , , , | 43 Comments

Almost Picture Perfect in the Coniston Fells

Posted on December 9, 2014 by

THIS is such a promising start. The early-morning sky is dark and clear; frost cakes windscreens and grass verges; the Lakeland peaks stand pale and ghostly at the head of the Duddon estuary. It is the perfect day for climbing … Continue reading →

Posted in Climbing, Environment, Explosives, Footpaths, Hiking, Industrial archaeology, Mountains, Quarrying, Slate quarries, Walking, Weather | Tagged , , , , , | 29 Comments

Days Like This, No 4: Before Night at Beacon Tarn

Posted on April 8, 2014 by

Memories of a backpacking trip from Cockermouth to Greenodd . . . Continue reading →

Posted in Camping, Climbing, Environment, Hiking, Mountains, Quarrying, Slate quarries, Walking, Writing | Tagged , , , | 25 Comments

Going to California . . . Via Teesdale

Posted on March 17, 2014 by

HISTORY has not been kind to the Pennine valley of Hudes Hope. On a sunny morning in March its lesser scars can be mistaken for natural wounds and warts on the landscape. But there is no disguising the greater disfigurements … Continue reading →

Posted in Climbing, Environment, Geology, Hiking, History, Industrial archaeology, Mountains, Quarrying, Ruins, Slate quarries, Teesside, Walking | Tagged , , , , , , | 29 Comments

Arkengarthdale and the Hungry Hushes

Posted on January 7, 2014 by

IT???S midday and a storm warning has been issued by the Met Office. I???ve just set off across the northern spur of Reeth High Moor and can expect gale-force winds and up to 40mm of rain. The valley fields are … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeology, Climbing, Environment, Geology, Hiking, History, horse gins, Industrial archaeology, Knut Hamsun, Life, Mountains, Patrick Kavanagh, Politics, Quarrying, Ranting, Ruins, Unemployment, Walking, Writing | Tagged , , , | 36 Comments

Coniston Fells: Highways, Byways, Narrow Ways

Posted on August 22, 2013 by

A day tramping over the Coniston fells . . . Continue reading →

Posted in Climbing, Environment, Footpaths, Hiking, History, Industrial archaeology, Mountains, Quarrying, Ranting, Slate quarries, Walking | Tagged , , , , , , | 25 Comments