Bobsticle
De Villes Advocaat
Few places remain in the world whos remote edges extend into the vague reality of a truly wild environment.
It was Wesley who wrote in 1747 "We left the mountains and came down to the fruitful valley and preached to a large congregation of wild men; but it pleased God to hold them in chains, so that even when I had done, none offered any rudeness but all went quietly away".
In early 1995 my inaugural assault on Wesleys valley proved a push too far and although much was learned it was to be a decade later before a second attempt to penetrate what was to become not one valley but a series of undulating swales, each one more challenging than the next.
It took over three years just to prepare a vehicle that could even confront such an encounter but with the single minded servitude of a shire horse our weapon of choice evolved into at least a half chance contender.
I honestly think this expedition would have succeeded was it not for two seasons of record braking bad weather and endless problems with travel documentation or should I say not oiling the cogs of those who endorse such documentation.
So cometh 'Beyond the Edge 2016'
Its been a long journey all ready. The crosses are teed and the dots are eyed. The weapon of choice is oiled and tested. My wingman is fully briefed and each square inch of our impending journey is indelibly etched onto his psyche.
Within a few days we move forward to our base camp and prepare for the final assault on what could possibly be the last true, wild expedition left on terra firma.
We begin at grid reference 53°41'56.40"N 2°17'14.96"W tesco car park south west of Rawtenstall town center. From here the sparsely trodden path to Waterfoot peters out and the real hard work starts as we will encounter a natural rock form known by the natives as The Glen. All hope of creature comforts are left behind from here on in and as we continue west toward our furthest point so far. The ever evading Bacup market will be our first goal. Once we have finally made it to this near impossible point our biggest threat will be from attack as we traverse several heart stopping junctions to Burnley Road.
You probably think we are mad already but as the crow flies it is only just over two miles to Dearplay Moor from here and our Holy Grail. Yes but Burnley road goes through Weir and past Dog Pits Lane I hear you say. Well if it was an easy drive who would want to master it. If we can make that last push we hope to drop back to safety via Burnley itself but our personal safety will have to come second to naked adventure.
Our only hope is to try and blend in and this is why our transport has taken so long to develop.
It was Wesley who wrote in 1747 "We left the mountains and came down to the fruitful valley and preached to a large congregation of wild men; but it pleased God to hold them in chains, so that even when I had done, none offered any rudeness but all went quietly away".
In early 1995 my inaugural assault on Wesleys valley proved a push too far and although much was learned it was to be a decade later before a second attempt to penetrate what was to become not one valley but a series of undulating swales, each one more challenging than the next.
It took over three years just to prepare a vehicle that could even confront such an encounter but with the single minded servitude of a shire horse our weapon of choice evolved into at least a half chance contender.
I honestly think this expedition would have succeeded was it not for two seasons of record braking bad weather and endless problems with travel documentation or should I say not oiling the cogs of those who endorse such documentation.
So cometh 'Beyond the Edge 2016'
Its been a long journey all ready. The crosses are teed and the dots are eyed. The weapon of choice is oiled and tested. My wingman is fully briefed and each square inch of our impending journey is indelibly etched onto his psyche.
Within a few days we move forward to our base camp and prepare for the final assault on what could possibly be the last true, wild expedition left on terra firma.
We begin at grid reference 53°41'56.40"N 2°17'14.96"W tesco car park south west of Rawtenstall town center. From here the sparsely trodden path to Waterfoot peters out and the real hard work starts as we will encounter a natural rock form known by the natives as The Glen. All hope of creature comforts are left behind from here on in and as we continue west toward our furthest point so far. The ever evading Bacup market will be our first goal. Once we have finally made it to this near impossible point our biggest threat will be from attack as we traverse several heart stopping junctions to Burnley Road.
You probably think we are mad already but as the crow flies it is only just over two miles to Dearplay Moor from here and our Holy Grail. Yes but Burnley road goes through Weir and past Dog Pits Lane I hear you say. Well if it was an easy drive who would want to master it. If we can make that last push we hope to drop back to safety via Burnley itself but our personal safety will have to come second to naked adventure.
Our only hope is to try and blend in and this is why our transport has taken so long to develop.
