Lawence Thomas Jenkins wrote in message
...

"Will" wrote in message
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1800 31/1/04

Severe gale now been blowing all afternoon and still going strong,
although now
swung westerly giving us more shelter. Rain has stopped giving a total of
44.3
mm making it the second wettest day this month.
Minor damage to the roof with half a slate and a lump of lead blown off
and one
slate dislodged (now fixed).

Took a walk up Hay Tor this afternoon to experience the wild conditions.
Tough
slow going against the wind but OK. Storm force 10 near the top at 450m
with
wind behind. But once over the top and heading ESE I was blown clean off
my feet
on the slippery short grass and landed on my back. But the worrying thing
was
that I couldn't get up again because the wind was so strong (estimated
force
11). I managed to struggle down using my alpine stick for support and
crouching
low and trying to avoid having rocks downwind of me. But once again I was
blown
over and this time my stick went flying 10 yards down the hill as I didn't
strap
it round my arm. So this time I was crawling on the sodden grass and
managed to
reach my wife who had struggled to the shelter of the tall rocks. My dog
had
found a hole to crawl into. After that it wasn't too bad in the lee of Hay
Tor
but it was still slow going until further down.

What a day !


"My stick went flying 10 yards down the hill as I didn't strap"
Will I beleive you are only fifty odd. Why the stick- Arthritis or posing?
Did your wife have a stick? What about the dog?



Lawrence I'm 51, fit, tanned, bearded, healthy and well used to hill walking so
definately not a poser. The stick is a proper alpine stick "Leki" make and is
invaluable for all sorts of weather particularly on steep alpine rocky slopes,
snow, poking streams to find out how deep they are, and in this case steep
slippery grassy slopes. When I go walking any distance I also take compass,
survival bag, spare warm clothing, whistle, map, phone etc etc . My wife
doesn't possess a stick and she was struggling too. The dog was OK but she has 4
legs and a low centre of gravity, her instincts always drive her to seek
shelter. On summery dry days (ie temp 15 deg C) you will see me walking often
minus stick and in tee-shirts and shorts.

Cheers,

Will.

" A cup is most useful when empty "
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A COL BH site in East Dartmoor at Haytor, Devon 310m asl (1017 feet).

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