Running through the darkness - 26th January 2012

On a cold and clear night myself and friend Oliver Marner set off just after dark for a run which would take in 5 tors.  It was cold, the thermometer on the car said 3 degrees, but with the wind chill it was must much colder.  First up Gutter Tor (144) a short simple run up from the car park, we were soon departing the tor, as hanging around was not an option.  Now the maps came out, I've been to Legis Tor (167) from Gutter Tor a number of times but the dark changes everything.  So we followed the fence south, ticking off first the bridleway, then the track before seeing the outline of the tor set against the orange glow of the lights of Plymouth.  On top of the tor we paused and Oliver decided to take off a layer (fool!!).  We moved off east making the River Plym in good time, and contemplated the crossing.  There was nothing for it but a wade across!!  Boy it was cold, but as we trotted away we soon warmed up.  Through the settlement before following Hentor Brook up for nearly a km, taking it carefully so not to climb too high before heading over to Hen Tor (101).  Really cold on Hen Tor so we moved off the top quickly.  We took a little detour to check on my Geocache Three Chicks and a Fox, which seemed to be in good order.  Next we contoured into Shavercombe Brook before following it down in search of the tor.  This was the first time either of us had been out here and we were impressed with the steep side gully and waterfall we found, one to visit in the future.  We carried on a little still looking for Shavercombe Tor (147) which isn't really marked on the OS or Harvey's maps.  After a couple of false starts we stood on it's summit before running off in to the night, felling really cold now after a slow search.  We trot ted down to the river, putting off the crossing as long as we could, we find a good spot three strides in the water up on to a boulder then jump to the bank.  Up to Ditsworthy Warren House, used in the movie Warhorse, before turning north to the last tor of the night, Eastern Tor (156).  Not a typical tor it covers a large flat area scattered with numerous unremarkable boulders.  I convinced Oli that coming off west back to the track was the way to go, but regretted it as we ran through ankle deep bog, skirting Gutter Mire, the standing water was so much colder than the rivers we had waded earlier.  The pain was intense and shot up my legs, I was glad to make the track and jogging soon pushed the blood around and warmth returned to my legs.  All in all a good evening out. 

Is this Shavercombe Tor? .........No