The Hill of Winds named by Norse settlers in the first century AD, better known today as Pen-y-ghent. Of all the mountains I've climbed over the years I've never been forced to abandon my ascent, and I've been out in some pretty horrendous conditions, that was until the 17th March 2007. The day started well with a light breeze blowing across Ribblesdale, no hint of the storm raging near the summit, be fair this is Yorkshire. As I left the shelter of Pen-y-ghent Side (the row of cliffs on the west face), I was faced with winds strong enough to lift me off my feet, me and about twenty other walkers crouched on the ground in a vain attempt to stop ourselves being blown into the next valley, you can't imagine the noise and the pressure on the body forcing the air from my lungs, a couple of steps forward then on the ground again. I abandoned my ascent to hunt for a route in the valley bottom, to be followed by about twenty other eager walkers. Maybe our Norse forefathers experienced the same wind, hence The Hill of Winds.

My day started in Horton in Ribblesdale a gentle breeze blowing down the valley, I made my way to Brackenbottom where a finger post assured me it was only 1 and a 1/4 miles to the summit, ascending through the fields of Brackenbottom Scar and Gavel Rigg before reaching the Pennine Way, then the fun bit, an easy but steep scramble over Pen-y-ghent Nose, into the cloud to reach the summit ridge, a shelter and trig point adorn the summit. I hung around hoping the cloud would lift, it never does until your halfway down the hill and it did, when I was half way down. My descent took me down the Pennine Way, (I knew it was the Pennine Way the sign told me so) stopping to photograph Pen-y-ghent Pinnacle followed by the evil looking slit of Hunt Pot, before entering Horton Scar Lane I was unable to resist a quick visit to Hull Pot. Oh! I almost forgot the wind, a cool breeze blowing across the summit, perfect.

The Hill of Winds.	back to list view route map
	The first view of Pen-y-ghent seen across the consecrated ground of St Oswald's Church, Horton in Ribblesdale.
	Ascending from Brackenbottom with stunning views to Smearsett Scar.
	Views to the Ingleborough massif with sunlight on the slopes of Simon Fell.
	Cutting deep into the scars of Moughton the disused Arcow and Dry Rigg Quarries.
	Not looking promising, cloud hangs over the summit of Pen-y-ghent.
	Rainbow over Horton Moor.
	The other end of the rainbow seen from Brackenbottom Scar.
	The mighty nose of Pen-y-ghent.
	Pen-y-ghent seen from the path across Gavel Rigg.
	Brooding under dark skies, Fountains Fell across Silverdale.
	The dramatic view north across Overdale.
	Views back down my ascent route, the bank of cloud seems to have moved to Ingleborough.
	Too good to be true, the summit Pen-y-ghent with zero views.
	On the civilized summits of the Yorkshire Dales it's difficult to get lost.
	Standing 60ft high, detached by erosion Pen-y-ghent Pinnacle.
	From under the imposing cliffs on Pen-y-ghent Side views back to the summit plateau.
	Spectacular views across Horton Moor, the enormous crater in the centre of the shot is Hull Pot to be visited later.
	The evil looking slit of Hunt Pot 200ft straight down.
	Hull Pot 100 yards long, 20 yards wide and 60 feet deep, best viewed after prolonged periods of heavy rain.
	Striding out down Horton Scar Lane looking to a cloud free Pen-y-ghent.
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