George Wilkinson tackles Sutton Bank
With every mile or so the car thermometer registered a degree drop, two degrees to one to zero, and then the fields were winter white under the bright blue morning sky. But just at the top, at Sutton Bank, my heart sank, and I pulled on my boots in a thick grey mist. Other walkers set off optimistic in the gloom, cheer justified a hundred yards south, at the edge of the great escarpment where all was fine again.
The land gleamed and glittered as far as Sutton-under-Whitestonecliff then the plain beyond was green to the Dales. The Dales were brightest of all, a dazzling band under low dark sky.
I shivered in the crystal stillness and watched the microclimate in the making as a breath of air climbed slowly, tree top height, up the cool conifer slopes, condensing on its 600 foot ascent, making a thin scar-edge band of mist burning off in the sun.
Onward, and you soon lose sight of the Sutton Bank road. Gliders were riding the updraft. Then you are between grassy airfield and vertical cliff, with a gorse bush or two to disguise the drop, drawn along the firm gravel path by views you don't get from the Visitors' Centre.
I gazed along the Pennines, then I glanced down, and Kilburn village reminded me of its White Horse and I was but yards from its giant eye. A white horse camouflaged.
Today's little circuit hardly needs a thought on navigation but lured on by the landscape I had managed to miss my way down, and was contra the recommended flow, which could be irritating on a busy day, i.e. weekends. So 150 steep steps led me down, not up, past the horse; with no chance to check my fitness on the climb as does horse fan Jimmy Savile. Instead a gentle chat with one of the many regular enthusiasts.
The horse has really needed its friends over its 150 years, their muscles, brains and money. Being so upright and with the ground unstable, it slips with the land. Nor is the 'rock' white, requiring many a makeover with lime, spend carbide, chalk and even paint. Boulders of chalk are ready on its shoulders for that regular grooming and plastic surgeons have veined its shaky legs with plastic terracing.
We leave through woods, close under the yellowish, crumbly vertical faces of Ivy and Roulston Scar. Views are regained through winter's see-through ash on a steepish sometimes slippery earthen climb. Then the top, and on the way back, Lake Gormire, black and reclusive. A natural lake, almost as rare in Yorkshire as a white horse.
George Wilkinson will be leading an easy Christmas walk round Ilkley in the Christmas Eve edition of the Evening Press.
DIRECTIONS
When in doubt look at the map. Check your position at each point. Keep straight on unless otherwise directed.
1. From Visitor Centre, through grounds towards Sutton Bank, cross main road, path along top as far as White Horse.
2. Downhill via 150 steps, right underneath horse, forest gates and path, ignore left forks, climb to top on fenced path, left and back to start.
FACT FILE
Distance: Three miles.
Time: One and a half hours.
Start: Sutton Bank Visitor Centre
Right of way: The complete route is along public rights of way and permissive paths.
Date walked: Saturday, December 4.
Road route: Sutton Bank is on the A170 between Thirsk and Helmsley.
Parking: Weekends in winter, £1.20 for more than one hour. Free on winter weekdays.
Lavatories: Sutton Bank Visitor Centre.
Refreshments: Sutton Bank Visitor Centre.
Tourist & public transport information: Sutton Bank Visitor Centre 01845 597426.
Map: Based on OL Outdoor Leisure 26, North York Moors western area.
Terrain: Flat scar edge, steepish scar slope. Cliff edge path.
Footwear: Walking Boots.
Points of interest: Views, White Horse, gliders.
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate.
Dogs: Suitable for dogs but keep on leads or under close control.
Weather forecast: Evening Press and recorded forecast 0891 500 418.
Please observe the Country Code and park sensibly. Every effort is made to provide accurate information, but walkers set out at their own risk.
PICTURE:A glider soars gracefully over Sutton Bank
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