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Total Distance: 6 Miles
Highest Point: 1523 Feet
Total Realistic Time: 2.5 Hours

“Clougha Pike is a hill in the Forest of Bowland in Lancashire, England. From the west it looms over the Conder Valley, the city of Lancaster and Lancaster University. It is visible from as far away as Barrow-in-Furness, South Lakeland mountains such as the Old Man of Coniston, and Blackpool Tower. From the west, it appears to be a large dome shape, with a cliff-like section at the very top. From the south-west, a series of notches or cloughs are visible in its flanks, giving the hill its distinctive name. The notches vary in size and run across the side of the hillside, but not down it. The largest notch has had part of its floor filled in by a small lake and swamp and is a dramatic gritstone boulder-strewn feature. These notches are thought to have been cut by meltwater flowing south-west from the area of Littledale, along the side of a glacier which occupied the Quernmore valley. They are known as marginal notch channels and are among the best examples of these features in Britain.”

– https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clougha_Pike

Squeezed in a short training hike today before arranged lunch appointment.

Breakfast at 7:45am consisted of Ready Brek with banana and a spoon of honey for slow release energy ready for the hike.

Parked up at Rigg Lane car park at 9:00am free parking.  No cars at this time on Sunday morning, first car in.

Popular trail running route.

At the destination point there was a small shelter made from rocks to give you protection from the wind whilst stopping for a short food break.

Most of the walk consisted of loose rocks and mud in some areas.  Next we headed off the path to the highest point.  This was mainly boggy around the grasslands to head to the highest point.  Part path and part boggy grass.

After highest point we headed back to the point where we came off and took the path back to Rigg Lane car park.  This consisted of mainly a gravel path downwards.  In September time they have grouse hunting events in that area.

Good first hike of the year, good practice on the hills, good foot practice on different terrain (mud, rock, grass, bog).  Knees felt good and no issues with the feet.

EQUIPMENT

• Camelbak Backpack
• Apple iPhone XS
• OS Maps app (signed up to 1 year auto renew at £19.99 to use the app with OS Explorer Map 1:25k – click here for more info)
• Salomon Women’s Ultra 3 GTX Low Rise Hiking Shoes
• Bridgedale Wool Socks
• Icebreaker Long Sleeve
• North Face Walking Trousers
• Finisterre Merino Wool Thermal Pants
• Marmot Polartec Fleece Hoodie
• Women’s Montane Atomic Waterproof Jacket
• Modetro Sports Knee Support
• Woolly Bobble Hat (handmade from family)
• Buff Neck Scarf
• Smidge That Midge Insect Repellent (great for deterrent of midges and mosquitoes.  I seem to be tasty and usually get multiple bites, I tried this as it was DEET free it also smells nice and it seems to be working so far)

FOOD AND DRINK

• 1 Litre Water Bladder
• 1 x 500ml Flask Hot Water
• 1 x Butter and Jam Sandwich
• 3 x Aldi Cocoa Flapjacks
• Fudge

WISH I HAD

• More smooth hankies for runny nose