J
Jhimmy
Guest
It's only since the summer I've started to consider Marilyns as a challenge.
So, I've started on simple local hills for the winter. With nothing more
then the Marilyn tables, Anquet and a google I started todays run.
I googled "long Crag" but came up with nothing more the Ann Bowkers confused
description:-
http://www.personal.u-net.com/~keswick/maryl33.htm#long
Another link from a fell runner give me a clue as I looked at the map. I
drove north along the A697, about a kilometre past New Moor House, there's a
turn off, marked "Thrunton Wood". It's easy to see as here's a
telecommunication mast at this junction. 400 metres past the junction,
Thrunton Wood starts and immediately there's an access gate on the left.
Opposite the gate, there's room for about 10 cars to park. (NU092072)
I followed the excellent forestry track for about 2km. A small track at one
point went uphill, but had a sign on saying "Bee hives, use alternative
path" (this was the 2nd sign I saw with this on), I had a feeling this track
made it's way to Coe Crags. However, I followed the main track, which soon
split into 2. I followed the right hand side, going uphill ;-) This lead
to the col between Long Crag and Coe Crags.
Less then 10 minutes later I was standing on the top of Long Crag. It was
cold and clear with a good view of the Cheviots. 15 Minutes later I was on
Coe Crags.
It was a very simple Marilyn, ideal for a mountain biker or a passing
Munroist going to or from Scotland wishing to bag a Marilyn. Total time was
approx 2 hours.
------------------------------------------------------
After a short lunch in my car, I decided on a quick drive to my next
Marilyn, Ros Castle, next to Chillingham Castle. A small hamlet called
Hepburn, has a parking space 200 metres past it. This give fine views of
the eastern Cheviots. After I parked, I walked up a steep single tracked
road. A sign requested walkers to use the proper path to Ros castle, approx
200m from the top of the track, which I obliged for the simple reason that
there was no other path to follow.
This is where I could have kicked myself, there was loads of car parking
spaces right next to the strt of the path. Although, this wasn't clear on
the map as it shows a single tracked road. Park (NU079250).
Fron here, it must have taken about 10 minutes and I reached the top! The
easiest Marilyn anywhere? The views were sublime. Cheviots, North Sea,
castles and Holy island.
Both Ros Castle and Long Crag wouldn't have been climbed, or even known
about, if I hadn't started on the Marilyns. Good for her!
Jhimmy.
So, I've started on simple local hills for the winter. With nothing more
then the Marilyn tables, Anquet and a google I started todays run.
I googled "long Crag" but came up with nothing more the Ann Bowkers confused
description:-
http://www.personal.u-net.com/~keswick/maryl33.htm#long
Another link from a fell runner give me a clue as I looked at the map. I
drove north along the A697, about a kilometre past New Moor House, there's a
turn off, marked "Thrunton Wood". It's easy to see as here's a
telecommunication mast at this junction. 400 metres past the junction,
Thrunton Wood starts and immediately there's an access gate on the left.
Opposite the gate, there's room for about 10 cars to park. (NU092072)
I followed the excellent forestry track for about 2km. A small track at one
point went uphill, but had a sign on saying "Bee hives, use alternative
path" (this was the 2nd sign I saw with this on), I had a feeling this track
made it's way to Coe Crags. However, I followed the main track, which soon
split into 2. I followed the right hand side, going uphill ;-) This lead
to the col between Long Crag and Coe Crags.
Less then 10 minutes later I was standing on the top of Long Crag. It was
cold and clear with a good view of the Cheviots. 15 Minutes later I was on
Coe Crags.
It was a very simple Marilyn, ideal for a mountain biker or a passing
Munroist going to or from Scotland wishing to bag a Marilyn. Total time was
approx 2 hours.
------------------------------------------------------
After a short lunch in my car, I decided on a quick drive to my next
Marilyn, Ros Castle, next to Chillingham Castle. A small hamlet called
Hepburn, has a parking space 200 metres past it. This give fine views of
the eastern Cheviots. After I parked, I walked up a steep single tracked
road. A sign requested walkers to use the proper path to Ros castle, approx
200m from the top of the track, which I obliged for the simple reason that
there was no other path to follow.
This is where I could have kicked myself, there was loads of car parking
spaces right next to the strt of the path. Although, this wasn't clear on
the map as it shows a single tracked road. Park (NU079250).
Fron here, it must have taken about 10 minutes and I reached the top! The
easiest Marilyn anywhere? The views were sublime. Cheviots, North Sea,
castles and Holy island.
Both Ros Castle and Long Crag wouldn't have been climbed, or even known
about, if I hadn't started on the Marilyns. Good for her!
Jhimmy.