White Coppice to Great Hill
 
 
Date 28/12/2014  
Starting Point White Coppice (SD614180)    
Distance 4 miles    
         
       

Today was a stunningly beautifil day and at 3pm Harvey and I set off from White Coppice for Great Hill. The temperature was only just above freezing point and after the cold frost of last night, conditions underfoot were quite slippy; and as I neared the bridge to cross the Goit, two Mountain Rescue landrovers were there. The team hoisting a stretcher over the gate. A woman I think it was, had fallen on the path that slopes diagonally up the hill to Coppice Stile. It must be said - it was vey slippy on this section.

Having safely made our way to Coppice Stile the views were phenominal. Blue sky, orangy brown bracken lit by the low sun, and snow, it was stunning. Without incident Harvey and I reached Great Hill summit and took in the vista. We safely made our way back to Coppice, arriving in semi darkness. A wonderful day.

       

Setting off. It was just about dead centre where the lady injured herself, necessitating the MR to be called.

The kit left behind by the MR team, of which two members were climbing up the path behind me

 

Looking across to Stronstrey Bank

 

The slippery path

 

Looking back towards the Nab

 

Looking to Black Coppice

 

Great Hill - the destination of today's walk

 

Great Hill

 

The lowering sun adds a lovely colour to the landscape

 

Zooming in on Great Hill

 

Great Hill

 

The moon and a half hidden Winter Hill mast

 

Just lovely

 

Looking back to Black Coppice

 

A lone figure and Healey Nab in the far distance

 

Snow couple at Drinkwaters ( the lady has a ring on her finger!!)

 

Harvey at Drinkwater's - admiring the view across to Round Loaf

 

Looking back to Healey Nab (far left) Drinkwater's.

 

The old timer still likes playing in the snow.

 

H in the snow

 

Looking towards Brinscall, which was under cloud.

 

The ascent to the summit

 

Golden light

 

Looking south to Winter Hill

 

Almost there, on the ridge of Great Hill

 

Harvey nears the summit, waiting for me to catch up

 

The summit

 

Harvey at the top

 

Heading back - with the sunset in front of us all the way

 

Temerature is dropping and the light fading as we start the return journey

 

Sunset over Hurst Hill

 

It's cold as we start the descent to White Coppice

 

Hurst Hill sunset

 

Harvey, a little tired now plods on

 

The moon over Anglezarke Moor

 

Colours in the sky beyond Coppice Stile

 

Last light - and a great walk

 

Meanwhile, over at Rivington Pike the weather had been a little more "atmospheric" as the following excellent photos sent to me by Ian Davis testify. Thanks Ian

(courtesy: Ian Davis)

(courtesy: Ian Davis)

(courtesy: Ian Davis)

(courtesy: Ian Davis)

(courtesy: Ian Davis)

(courtesy: Ian Davis)