Finally, time for a proper hike.
With a cooperative Saturday in the pipeline, we decided to head into the [Yorkshire Dales](/blog/tag/yorkshire dales) for a new—to us—location: the oft-overlooked valley of Crummackdale.
The bonny village of Austwick sits at the foot of the valley and I would reckon most folk in Austwick will do walks to and from Feizor, as we’ve done before. However, head north out of the village and the narrow country lane soon starts climbing up steeply as you ascend up the valley. Passing Crummack Farm is where you branch off, climb up the valley side, and head towards the head of Crummackdale where the views really open up.
Much of the light in Crummackdale was soft due to the stormy clouds above, but we could see south and west that the cloud was clearing, giving us periods of direct focused light for some lovely compositions.
All photos taken on my Sony α7ii using my Sony 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS zoom lens. RAWs converted in DxO PureRAW, developed and edited in Capture One, finalised in Affinity Photo.
Plenty of sheep and cattle in the valley bottom of Crummackdale. This slanted band of limestone caught my eye as it seemed to neatly bisect the composition. In the distance is Studrigg Scar.
The way southeast to Wharfe along the Dales High Way. Above, stormy clouds continually threatened to heave it down.
As we ascended up the valley side, a look back south over Crummack Farm revealed clearer light, with Pendle Hill clear as a bell 30 km away.
Crummack Farm were busy hay bailing, adding scale and context to a beautiful Yorkshire Dales scene with Pendle Hill looming in the distance.
Once we ascended the valley side and up onto the Pennine Bridleway, the dark and foreboding shape of Pen-y-Ghent made its presence very much known to us. Wow. Dark and stormy clouds set the fell in deep shadow, whilst the scars of Crummackdale were lit up by the breaking sun behind us.
Further on, a strong burst of sun drenched the foreground with its curving drystone wall in golden light, leaving the dark Pen-y-Ghent brooding under the stormy sky.
Long time readers of this blog will know I am sucker for a nice drystone wall composition, and this is no different, leading the eye towards the epic Moughton Scar at the head of Crummackdale.
From above Thieves’ Moss, the full extent of Crummackdale’s limestone pavement becomes apparent. Wow. Miles of clints and grikes, no doubt with miles of caves beneath.
Right at the head of Crummackdale the valley forms a natural amphitheatre that I used as a curving leading line to the dark shape of Pen-y-Ghent.
Of course, Lisabet and I clambered down to play around the extensive limestone pavement at the head of Crummackdale.
On our return journey, the stormy skies were receding, leaving lovely evening golden light to bathe the contours of Crummackdale.
One last look back at Pen-y-Ghent as the last of the dark clouds cast the fell in deep shadow. Beneath, the edge of Moughton Scar is illuminated.
Pure rural Yorkshire Dales gorgeousness.