Pennine Way 2000 : Day 6 : Malham to Horton-in-Ribblesdale

And Then There Were Two

The two tents.

The road leads on north, but for Austin the end of the road has come.  He's not enjoying himself, and for some reason seems to think enjoyment is an important part of a holiday, and so we part company at the campsite (P1 & P2).

It's a shame, as this is a particularly memorable part of the way, starting with Malham Cove (P3).  Of course we don't just look at it, we have to climb up it as well, reaching an interesting limestone pavement at the top.  From there a bleak pass leads through the hills to another beauty spot, Malham Tarn (P4), but the high point of the day is yet to come.  Cresting a rise we finally see it, picked out in profile against the skyline, perhaps the most famous hill of the route, Pen-y-Ghent (P5).

We had planned to cut out that section of the route and arrive in Horton early, but now that we are faced with the thing, we just can't miss it out.  In fact the climb, while steep, isn't too long, and before we know it we're at the top (P6 & P7).

Farewell to Jones.

The worst thing is that we now have a long clamber down hill to the village, which I enliven by sinking up to my knee in a mudpit, but before long we are there.  The pub (P8) is interesting as the start of the Three Peaks Walk, and indeed the Three Peaks Run - amazing to think that some people actually run up Pen-y-Ghent, and two other hills, in less than three hours.

Alex and Malham Cove.

Me and Malham Tarn.

With Pen-y-Ghent behind us.

At the summit.

Signage.

Only two at the pub now.

Photos to go with this post can be found here.