Author Archives: Paul Shorrock

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About Paul Shorrock

I've been mucking about in the mountains for longer than I care to mention. I started out by walking my local hills, then went on to rock climbing, mountaineering and skiing. Still doing it, and still getting a buzz. I'm now sharing the fun, through my guided walking business (Hillcraft Guided Walking) and by writing routes for other publishers, mainly Walking World and Discovery Walking Guides. Just to make sure I keep really busy, I am also currently a member of my local mountain rescue team.

#71 – Buckden Pike (with dry feet!)

After plundering other great blogs for inspiration for walks, I thought it was time to come up with an original idea – less easy when you only have a short walking day and have walked all the obvious local routes, … Continue reading

Posted in 3. Yorkshire Dales | Tagged , , , , , | 19 Comments

#70 – Castles in the Sky (Alport Castles near Ladybower)

After a successful raid last week on Mark Kelly’s blog in search of ideas for a walk, it was time to go plundering again.  I already had a walk in mind, from another Mark.  Mark’s Walking Blog had recently featured … Continue reading

Posted in 4. Northern England | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

#69 – The Standedge Trail and the Pennine Way OR The day we didn’t go up Pule Hill

 After a couple of weeks of indifferent weather combined with domestic chores, it came as a relief to have a free day and a good weather forecast.  It didn’t take long to prepare a couple of rucksacks, and even less … Continue reading

Posted in 4. Northern England | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

#68 – Helm Crag and Far Easedale

There seems to be a bit of a theme developing in this blog.  In #65 I described a warm and sunny February day on Cadair Idris in 2008.  Last week in #67 it was a February ski trip up Pen … Continue reading

Posted in 2. Lake District | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments

#67 – Pen y Ghent on skis

Well here we are hurtling into March and still no real winter.  A couple more weeks and it will be spring, though you might think it had already arrived.  In post #65 I told the story of a very unseasonal … Continue reading

Posted in 3. Yorkshire Dales | Tagged , , , , , | 22 Comments

#66 – More ‘Peak District’ wandering – The Crowden Horseshoe

Long before I first visited The Peak District, I wondered why it was divided into ‘The White Peak’ and ‘The Dark Peak’ …. I think I get it now.  The White Peak is named after the white limestone rock that … Continue reading

Posted in 4. Northern England | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

#65 – A warm, sunny day on Cadair Idris – in February?!

My mum would have said, “it’s neither one thing nor the other”, in the way that mums do.  Now, I like my winters cold and with loads of snow, and last week held the promise of real winter conditions at … Continue reading

Posted in 5. North Wales | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

#64 – Higger Tor and Burbage Rocks – a peek at The Peak District

Winter had definitely arrived, and looked as though it might hang around for a while.  This usually means ice-axe and crampons, and perhaps a look at something steep and icy.  Chris, however, doesn’t do ‘steep’ or ‘icy’,  and although ‘Mist’ … Continue reading

Posted in 4. Northern England | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

#63 – Rishworth Moor from Ryburn

After the ‘buzz’ and drama of “The Spine” it was time to head back to business as usual. This walk could have been a big mistake.  A look at the map for Rishworth Moor shows several ‘drains’ that feed the … Continue reading

Posted in 4. Northern England | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

#62 – ‘The Spine’ – Britain’s most brutal race! (Part 2)

Sometimes the Pennine Way must seem like a bad joke.  One of those times must be the Cumbria section where the route climbs steadily from Teesdale to cross the watershed at High Cup Nick.  From there the route drops 400 … Continue reading

Posted in 4. Northern England, Bothy days | Tagged , | 7 Comments