Jake of Winter Hill Adventures

This blog is about my adventures, exploring Interesting places around the United Kingdom and in other countries. I live close to Winter Hill in Lancashire, hence the title and a lot of our adventures are local to here. We don't just go running, we find places that are interesting, such as old mines, brickworks and other local historic sites. I hope you enjoy the blog and please feel free to make comments and I will try my best to reply :-) Dont Just run or Walk explore !

Saturday 26 November 2011

Winter Hill Navigation Practice and Spanish food week

Weather - poor , windy -gusts up to 40 mph ,driving rain ,very poor visibility at times , ideal training for Map and compass for Jake , the route was about Jake following a compass bearing in poor conditions and being able to get to the correct point with minimum guidance from myself.,Jake corrected the route several times to avoid the Bogs and old shafts and got to the correct point. Jake is being taught how to navigate in all weathers on winter hill ,as the weather can change dramatically like it did today , it went from poor weather to almost calm with good visibility in less than 10 mins Please be careful , we take a great deal of care and prepare well, Jake was equipped with full waterproofs from head to toe, Jake uses and has spare multiple layers,today Jake switched his head gear from his distinctive spikey hat to deal with the driving rain , his trainers are designed for these conditions and should not be confused with normal trainers , these are locally made and fell running trainers.

http://www.megagrip.co.uk/walsh/walsh.htm

http://www.peteblandsports.co.uk/brands/walsh/

http://www.alpineworld.com/trail/walsh.html

http://www.walshsports.co.uk/performance_footwear.html

Jake has been taught many techniques to reduce windchill and the effects of the weather ,and now does this instinctively , Jake has on him headlamp, emergency led light whistle, mobile phone (fully charged), spare gloves, spare batteries ,extra clothing, GPS tracker, walkie talkie, map, compass, high viz clothing/reflective piping, running strobe lights with 1 mile range. giving him 360 Visibility which is essential in these conditions. he has sweets plus GORP snacks on him.

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/59148332#

my route

I used this technique to move around in the driving rain to protect my eyes , this rain stings and hurts

I can see without loosing visibility due to the rain, I changed my hat and cover my face to protect my eyes and allow me to see.

the weather was very poor

looking down from the two lads

the weather closes in,

standing on the two lads
http://jakeofwinterhill.blogspot.com/search/label/Two%20lads
http://www.about-rivington.co.uk/acatalog/Two_Lads_Cairns.html
http://justramblingon.co.uk/history-pages/two-lads-hill/

this is mals website

I had to find my way on a compass bearing back to the road where the old tramway joins

i use this technique to get away from the rain and wind , I find the place with the least wind and protect myself from the storm.,

I am learning how to navigate - with a map and compass
http://www.ideal-hiking-equipment.com/compass-navigation.html
http://www.walkingstories.com/page.cfm/page_ID/40/menu_ID/5/title/Wise_Walking

I go from point to point , if you look carefully you can find points to aim for , once you have reached this one you check your compass and aim for the next point. you can use a person to do this , but dad wants me to be able to do this on my own without another person.

I used this section of high grass to aim for now that I have arrived ,I am looking for the next point,

the weather is getting worse the wind is stronger and is driving the rain harder now

I was looking at my compass and forgot to remember to look at my feet , I slipped and fell down ,
my dad was there to make sure i was OK before he took the photo I was laughing so much !

one of the old remains on winter hill

I use this combination of hats and clothing to make sure I stay warm and dry , I have upgraded my coat to winter grade and a winter grade fleece, I have another two layers which keep me from overheating and feeling damp