Topsy's Dartmoor Rambles

[Topsy]

It's not marked at 1:50000, only 1:25000

Mine is the 1:25,000 2021 edition but I don't see what you have screenshot.................. I only re-bought the map because I had read it was updated.

 

[Sangoma]

Out of interest I looked at the area on google maps, almost nothing is shown. In the cities google maps shows buildings, even sheds on allotments, but there almost nothing.



And certainly no name on it

 

[Jannyfox]

You can see that there is a distinct (small) pile among that jumble of clitter but the satellite view in OS Maps shows it more clearly as I can zoom in further. I wonder if you get the newest version of the map if you subscribe but not if you use the code on a bought map. I do have a 1:25k paper map of Dartmoor but it's the 2010 revision. I only buy them when one falls apart. Hasn't Max Piper been doing some work to get some of the 'lesser' tors named on maps? The OS Maps subscription is worth the money. £35/yr for the latest maps up to 1:25k for the whole UK plus the app

 

[Topsy]

You can see that there is a distinct (small) pile among that jumble of clitter but the satellite view in OS Maps shows it more clearly as I can zoom in further. I wonder if you get the newest version of the map if you subscribe but not if you use the code on a bought map. I do have a 1:25k paper map of Dartmoor but it's the 2010 revision. I only buy them when one falls apart. Hasn't Max Piper been doing some work to get some of the 'lesser' tors named on maps? The OS Maps subscription is worth the money. £35/yr for the latest maps up to 1:25k for the whole UK plus the app

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Thanks Jan, my paper map (which I only use for planning and leave at home with my route marked on it) is falling apart which is why I got another, my waterproof one is holding up better I take that out with mr but tbh once I have planned the route in detail and written my route card I rarely need to use it so it stays in my bag and I plot myself with a GPS.

I just use the code on the OS Map to download the digital map to my phone I din't realise there was a different way to get it and a fuller version.

 

[Jannyfox]

Thanks Jan, my paper map (which I only use for planning and leave at home with my route marked on it) is falling apart which is why I got another, my waterproof one is holding up better I take that out with mr but tbh once I have planned the route in detail and written my route card I rarely need to use it so it stays in my bag and I plot myself with a GPS.

I just use the code on the OS Map to download the digital map to my phone I din't realise there was a different way to get it and a fuller version.

My system is - plan the route online on the desktop. Save it as a route. Print an A4 copy. Then prior to the walk (at home while I have good connectivity) open app and download route from the saved ones. Then I have access to the map and route offline so no worries if there's no signal.
I've never done a route card even though I started in the era when they were used. Could never be bothered with them.
I carry the A4 print with the route and the relevant section(s) of the full paper map (I cut it in quarters for convenience) in a waterproof map case.
I rarely look at the phone while I'm out but my route is only ever a suggestion and I am prone to wandering off somewhere completely different, so being able to see easily where I've wandered to is sometimes useful. Also to pinpoint something interesting I've found.
You can use the OS app to track yourself, however you can't have a route downloaded and track at the same time. I sometimes do track myself (very useful when I've gone 'off piste' either accidentally or deliberately) but I use another app for that and if I want to I can export from there as a .gpx file and import into OS maps
When I'm walking in Scotland I just use the printout as I only have the 1:50k paper maps there

 

[Don Fischer]

Don't usually look at landscape's this much but this is some really pretty country!

 

[Topsy]

Don't usually look at landscape's this much but this is some really pretty country!

Thanks Don.

 

[Topsy]

Week 51.

This week I once again set off to find some Tors that are not named on the OS Maps and I had previously not heard of, there were 9 of them to the East of Burrator Reservoir and 2 on Sheeps Tor, unfortunately I wasn't successful this time as when I went into Roughtor Plantation it was much thicker than the OS Map had indicated and far too dense to find any of the small Tors I had planned on. As usual you can see the full story and photos in my Blog over on ePHOTOzine. https://www.ephotozine.com//user/topsyrm-149719/blog

Sheeps Tor.



I had done my research online usind the Tors of Dartmoor website map that showed pis where all the Tors were, this is a screenshot.



Unfortunately the reality on the ground was dense plantation.



When I got back I did a Google Maps search and this scerrnshot is much more accurate.



I hacked my way through the plantation on to a logging track, and went almost knee deep in the mud filled wheel ruts before I decided to abandon the plan and head for the high ground of Yellowmead Down and Sheeps Tor.





That’s all for this week folks, thanks for looking in and as always, comments welcome.

 

[Nod]

Bloody trees - how dare they grow!!!

Maybe a trip for drier weather, Paul!

 

[Topsy]

Week 52.

This week I went out on to the open Moor to White Tor and The Langstone, it is an area I thought I knew well until I looked on the Tors of Dartmoor website again and found 8 other (small) Tors that I previously didn't know about so including Boulters Tor I did my own Ten Tors expedition. As usual you can see the full story and photos in my Blog over on ePHOTOzine. https://www.ephotozine.com//user/topsyrm-149719/blog

White Tor.



The Langstone.



Boulters Tor.



Smeardon Down Tor.



Hare Tor (Wapsworthy).



That's all for this week folks, indeed for this year. 52 weekly Dartmoor Photowalks covering 251 miles in all weathers has given me some great times and I will continue to do them for as long as I am able so for those of you who drop in to see them thank you and watch this space.

Happy New Year to you all.

 

[Gav.]

Thank you for sharing, Paul, Happy new year

 

[Jannyfox]

Happy new year
And if you bump into me out there somewhere one day...... I'll be the little one, on her own, panting like a steam engine, talking to the cows (I'm nervous of them and it helps - sometimes), with a camera. Most people run away very fast when they see me.... The sheep just stand and watch because they think I'm going to die before I get to them

 

[nog]

.Thanks Paul , look forward to your future posts.
Happy NewYear

 

[Topsy]

Week 1.

Well 2024 is on us and another 52 Challenge started by way of my Dartmoor Photowalks. This week I was accompanied by Storm Henk who made the trip interesting to say the least and photography was challenging in the wind and rain, however, as I have said before I work with what I get on the day so I decided to stay local and do a shotr walk to Foggintor Quarry in the hope of finding some shelter from the storm. As usual you can see the full story and photos in my Blog over on ePHOTOzine. https://www.ephotozine.com//user/topsyrm-149719/blog

From the Car Park at the top of the track the storm was visible over King's Tor.



The "track" down to the Quarry was more like a stream.



Inside the Quarry the wind was whipping around and the light was flat and dull.



I looked farther down the track to the South, there were God Beams and storm clouds so I headed beck to the car.



That’s all for this week folks, thanks for looking in and as always, comments welcome.

 

[Topsy]

Week 2.

This week there was a forecast of snow on the high ground so I decided to take my Bronica SQ-Ai loaded with Portra 160 up to Scarey and Belstone Tors, as usual you can see the full story and photos in my Blog on ePHOTOzine. https://www.ephotozine.com//user/topsyrm-149719/blog

Scarey Tor on film.



Belstone Tor on film.



As always I take my Fuji X-T2 to record the walk and shoot duplicates in case I don't get my film scans back in time.

Higher Tor X-T2.



It was really cold and the tracks were all frozen over.




That’s all for this week folks, thanks for looking in and as always, comments welcome.

 

[Jannyfox]

Ah the Belstone clitter.....! I keep going towards Winter Tor and come up the nose of the ridge via Higher Tor. Twice the distance but half the effort. Or maybe I'm just lazy

 

[Topsy]

Week 3.

Clear blue skies and still below freezing this week so I went up to Gt Links & Arms Tor with my Fuji GFX 50S to do some panoramas.

The Bridleway up yo Gt Likns was frozen but some of the Bogs between Gt and Little Links and Arms Tor were still a bit soft, as usual you can see the full story and photos in my Blog on ePHOTOzine. https://www.ephotozine.com//user/topsyrm-149719/blog



With low sun and clear blue skies panoramas seemed to be a good choice, keeping my shadow out of anything else would have been impossible.

Gt Links Tor.





Arms Tor.






That’s all for this week folks, thanks for looking in and as always, comments welcome.

 

[Jannyfox]

Is it only me who always thinks Great Link Tor looks like a crouching lion (with a pimple on its back)?

 

[Topsy]

Is it only me who always thinks Great Link Tor looks like a crouching lion (with a pimple on its back)?

Maybe not only you but I don't see it.

 

[Topsy]

Week 4.

This week my normal Tuesday walk was rained off but Wednesday was a bit better weather so I decided to take my Bronica SQ-B loaded with Fujifilm Provia 100F up to Brandscombe's Loaf and Sourton Tors. TBH it was the wrong choice of film for the location/conditions and it struggled with the dynamic range particularly shooting dark Tor rocks against the light. I did also take along some digital kit as I always do this time my Leica M9s. As usual you can see the full story and photos in my Blog on ePHOTOzine. https://www.ephotozine.com//user/topsyrm-149719/blog

Brandscombe's Loaf (Bronica).



A closer shot.



Sourton Tors (the film couldn't cope with the DR so I converted the shot to B&W).



Sourton Tors with the Leica M9 & 21mm.



There were also some Ponies on Sourton Tors.



That’s all for this week folks, thanks for looking in and as always, comments welcome.

 

[Hawthorn]

Lovely shots. Do you happen to know if Sourton tor falls within the permitted wild camping area?

 

[Topsy]

Thanks.

Yes it does, you can find an interactive map here, https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/about-us/about-us-maps/camping-map

 

[Topsy]

Week 5.

This week I went out to Higher and Lower Hartor Tors on the South Moor with my Fujifilm X-T2s, en-route I took in Eylesbarrow Mines & Tor plus Eastern Tor on the way back. As usual you can see the full story and photos in my Blog on ePHOTOzine. https://www.ephotozine.com//user/topsyrm-149719/blog

By far the most interesting Tor on the walk was Lower Hartor Tor.



In comparison Higher Hartor Tor is a bit underwhelming.



Eylesbarrow Mines are an interesting stop on the walk with lots of ruins to see close by the Bridleway.



I hadn't been up Eylesbarrow Tor before, this rather interesting post caught my attention.



Eastern Tor on the way back looking up Drizzlecombe.



That’s all for this week folks, thanks for looking in and as always, comments welcome.

 

[Jannyfox]

You found Excalibur (aka the Cobra) then. 'Old rusty spear head'.... . An interesting bit of metalwork as it has been used as various boundary markers but I'm not sure anyone knows where it originally came from. When I first knew it (back when dinosaurs still roamed) it was in a boulder that eventually split though frost damage and Excalibur fell out. It was bedded into another boulder but then in 2014 it was stolen. It was broken off and to do so the boulder was dragged out of the ground. I have photos I took soon after. How and why............??????? It took some doing. Quad bikes and a winch at least I'd have thought. Excalibur was subsequently recast and mounted in the plinth you see now.

 

[Topsy]

You found Excalibur (aka the Cobra) then. 'Old rusty spear head'.... . An interesting bit of metalwork as it has been used as various boundary markers but I'm not sure anyone knows where it originally came from. When I first knew it (back when dinosaurs still roamed) it was in a boulder that eventually split though frost damage and Excalibur fell out. It was bedded into another boulder but then in 2014 it was stolen. It was broken off and to do so the boulder was dragged out of the ground. I have photos I took soon after. How and why............??????? It took some doing. Quad bikes and a winch at least I'd have thought. Excalibur was subsequently recast and mounted in the plinth you see now.

Thanks Jan, nice to get some context.

 

[Topsy]

Week 6.

This week I was testing a new lens for my Bronica SQ-Ai so I loaded some Fuji Provia 100F slide film and went off to some new (to me) Tors near Great Mis Tor namely Church Rock and Over Tor (they are not marked on the OS Map). Unfortunately the weather wasn't the best for slide film so I had to convert the shots to B&W but on the up side the lens was working fine. As usual you can see the full story and photos in my Blog on ePHOTOzine. https://www.ephotozine.com//user/topsyrm-149719/blog

I had intended to go out to Gt Mis Tor to shoot some of the film but as I got to Little Mis I decided it wasn't worth it as the clag was in thick. I took this shot of Little Mis Tor from only about 30 yards away.



Back down the slopes were Church Rock and Over Tor which weren't in so much clag initially so I set up there for a while.



I shot the film mostly around Church Rock and Over Tor.





I found another composition which I snapped with my Fuji X-T2 but the rain wind and fog caught me up so I didn't try to set up the Bronica.



I finished the film off at a bridge on the River Walkham.



That’s all for this week folks, thanks for looking in and as always, comments welcome.

 

[Nod]

As a kid, we were sometimes taken up to the "Great and Little Misty Tors". Thanks for dragging a few memories back from the depths!

 

[Topsy]

As a kid, we were sometimes taken up to the "Great and Little Misty Tors". Thanks for dragging a few memories back from the depths!

You're welcome.

 

[Mr Perceptive]

This might be interesting

There was a zine as well, been reprinted once (I bought one several years ago)

Nicholas J R White - The Militarisation of Dartmoor

FIELD NOTES 01 32 pp / 190 x 230mm Staple Bound Fedrigoni paper Second edition of 100 FN01...

anotherplacepress.bigcartel.com

 

[Topsy]

This might be interesting

There was a zine as well, been reprinted once (I bought one several years ago)

Nicholas J R White - The Militarisation of Dartmoor

FIELD NOTES 01 32 pp / 190 x 230mm Staple Bound Fedrigoni paper Second edition of 100 FN01...

anotherplacepress.bigcartel.com

Thanks David, I'll watch that but his Zine is unfortunately sold out which is a shame I'd like to have read it. I was up on Great Mis Tor yesterday ( with my GFXs (Week 7)) which is also an integral part of the military use of Dartmoor.

 

[Topsy]

Week 7.

I had some unfinished business from last week so as the weather was good on Monday I went back up to Great and Littlw Mis Tors (abandoned last week). I took my Fujifilm GFX 50S to do some Panoramas. As usual you can see the full story and photos in my Blog on ePHOTOzine. https://www.ephotozine.com//user/topsyrm-149719/blog

Little Mis Tor on the way up to Gt Mis.



Great Mis Tor Panoramas.





There is a Logan Stone on Gt Mis Tor.



Little Mis on the way back down to the Car Park.



That’s all for this week folks, thanks for looking in and as always, comments welcome.

 

[F1.2]

Week 7.

I had some unfinished business from last week so as the weather was good on Monday I went back up to Great and Littlw Mis Tors (abandoned last week). I took my Fujifilm GFX 50S to do some Panoramas. As usual you can see the full story and photos in my Blog on ePHOTOzine. https://www.ephotozine.com//user/topsyrm-149719/blog

Little Mis Tor on the way up to Gt Mis.

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Great Mis Tor Panoramas.

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There is a Logan Stone on Gt Mis Tor.

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Little Mis on the way back down to the Car Park.

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That’s all for this week folks, thanks for looking in and as always, comments welcome.

Very much liking these , the clouds add lots of interest

 

[Boots]

A great set of Panoramas. Number 3 really sings for me.

 

[Topsy]

Very much liking these , the clouds add lots of interest

A great set of Panoramas. Number 3 really sings for me.

Thanks Guys.

 

[Haych]

Week 25.

This week I went out to Bellever and Laughter Tors as well as Laughter Hole Farm and the Stepping Stones on the East Dart River below Laughter Hole House.

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As usual you can see the full story and photos in my Blog. https://www.ephotozine.com//user/topsyrm-149719/blog

Blimey you've done some miles on Dartmoor! I think it was early in 2022 that my wife and I took the walk from Postbridge to Bellever Forest and Laughter Hole Farm. We didn't walk to Laughter Hole House and didn't see the stepping stones. But we did walk to Dunabridge Pound after a visit to Laughter Tor and then up to Bellever Tor.... before making our way back to Postbridge.

I still have a part used roll of Rollei RPX25 in my Zeiss Superikonta which I really should make an effort to use up and get it developed. Kudos to you for lugging around a MF camera and producing some really nice images with it.... Vennford Falls is quality!

 

[Topsy]

Blimey you've done some miles on Dartmoor! I think it was early in 2022 that my wife and I took the walk from Postbridge to Bellever Forest and Laughter Hole Farm. We didn't walk to Laughter Hole House and didn't see the stepping stones. But we did walk to Dunabridge Pound after a visit to Laughter Tor and then up to Bellever Tor.... before making our way back to Postbridge.

I still have a part used roll of Rollei RPX25 in my Zeiss Superikonta which I really should make an effort to use up and get it developed. Kudos to you for lugging around a MF camera and producing some really nice images with it.... Vennford Falls is quality!

Thanks Brian, wandering Dartmoor with a Camera is what I do now and it's nice to have comments like yours to keep me encouraged. Glad you liked the photos.

 

[Topsy]

Week 8.

This week with some drier brighter weather I decided to take my Bronica SQ-Ai loaded with Kodak Ektar 100 out over Yar and Corndon (and Corndon North) Tors taking in Cathanger Rock on the way. As usual you can see the full story and photos in my Blog on ePHOTOzine. https://www.ephotozine.com//user/topsyrm-149719/blog

Yar Tor.





Cathanger Rock.



Corndon Tor North.



Corndon Tor.



That’s all for this week folks, thanks for looking in and as always, comments welcome.

 

[Jannyfox]

Lovely bit of the moor even if it is by roads and,Dartmeet. The memorial is just so poignant. Hoping to be back out there in 2 or 3 months. Snow photos next time?

 

[Topsy]

Lovely bit of the moor even if it is by roads and,Dartmeet. The memorial is just so poignant. Hoping to be back out there in 2 or 3 months. Snow photos next time?

Oh to have snow long enough to get some photos, trouble is from my side of the Moor when we get a bit of snow the families from Plymouth mob the place with their kids sledging. They get up past Yelverton and Dousland then just abandon their cars to go off with the kids, mostly unless you're firsy up there you can't get to Princetown because of the abandoned cars. If the snow stayed around like it used to they would get bored and the rest of us could get out and see/photograph it.............

Rant over..........

 

[Jannyfox]

Oh to have snow long enough to get some photos, trouble is from my side of the Moor when we get a bit of snow the families from Plymouth mob the place with their kids sledging. They get up past Yelverton and Dousland then just abandon their cars to go off with the kids, mostly unless you're firsy up there you can't get to Princetown because of the abandoned cars. If the snow stayed around like it used to they would get bored and the rest of us could get out and see/photograph it.............

Rant over..........

Snow grockles yep lived at Haytor many years ago and none of the problems are new.
Just had an op on my leg so I'll have to put up with the summer grockles if I want to get much moor time this year. The good thing is I'm there before they get up and even now I can probably walk further than most of them