Simonside Hills, Northumberland. 17th - 18th September 2012

The alarm went off very early 5.45am, I was up straight away to put the kettle on and make coffee. Over coffee we quickly checked the camping gear and climbing equipment before carrying it down stairs to the car. We needed to be on the road early in an attempt to beat the early morning traffic.

The view from Tosson Hill towards The Cheviot hills, Northumbria. 17/09/2012 (Photo: A J Thorley)

With the car all packed up we called in at the petrol station before going on to the motorway and starting the journey south to Northumbria. Luckily the motorway was quiet and the journey along the M8 to Edinburgh seemed to pass in no time at all. From Edinburgh we picked up the A68 south and then onto the A696, turning off for Otterburn (NY885932). We then picked up the B6341 eventually turning off on to a minor single track road sign posted Great Tosson (NU028006). Continuing straight through the small village and parking at the Forestry Commission car park (NZ037997).

Parallel Cracks Area, Ravensheugh Crag, Northumbria. 17/09/2012 (Photo: A J Thorley)

During the drive we had noticed lots of changes in the weather. One minute it was clear skies with bright sunshine and then it would change to dark cloud with spells of heavy rain. We remained optimistic and packed the climbing equipment with lunch into our packs and began the walk in to Ravensheugh Crag. This crag is exposed to the elements, we hoped this would work to our advantage and that the strong wind that was blowing would dry the crags just as quickly as they got wet.

Simonside, Northumbria. 17/09/2012 (Photo: A J Thorley)

From the car park pass the locked gate (NZ036997) and follow the well made 4x4 track into the forest. The track rises steadily and you will soon pass a mast (NZ031997) on your right, continue on this track until you get to where it forks (NZ026998). Turn left and you will soon come to a way marked foot path that crosses the track (NZ023992), follow this foot path and you will emerge from the forest just in front of Simonside (NZ021987). At this point turn right and follow a foot path keeping the forest on your left until you get to a stile (NZ014989). Pass over the stile and a faint foot path leads off right through the heather to Ravensheugh (NZ012988), you should drop down to the crags at Parallel Cracks Area.

Selby's Cove, Simonside. Northumbria. 17/09/2012 (Photo: A J Thorley)

As we expected the crags were exposed to the full force of the wind and the areas where the sun had touched the crags were dry. We geared up and attempted to climb, but unfortunately the wind had other ideas and no sooner had I gotten four metres off the ground a gust of wind blew that knocked me right off balance and off I came. Luckily for me the landing was soft and I escaped with nothing more than a twisted ankle. It was decided after this little mishap to pack up and find shelter from the wind and have a bite to eat.

The Cheviot Hills from Simonside, Northumbria. 17/09/2012 (Photo: A J Thorley)

I put the kettle on and over lunch we had a look at the map to see what else was in the area to do. We decided to hide the packs at Ravensheugh Crag and wander over the open moor to the summit of Tosson Hill (NZ004982). Its by no means a big hill but it does have commanding views over Coquetdale north towards the Cheviot Hills which are pleasant and easy on the eye.

Harwood Forest, Simonside. Northumbria. 17/09/2012 (Photo: A J Thorley)

We returned to Ravensheugh picked up our packs and began our walk back to the car. When we reached the path (NZ020987) that descends back into the forest I suggested to Vicks that we go and have a look at Selby's Cove (NZ022976) because the last time we visited it was sheltered from the weather. Vicks agreed so rather than dropping down into the forest we turned and followed the path south. The path is not obvious now as there is a lot of forestry work going on at the moment. The path is also boggy in places so take care and when you get near Selby's keep an eye out for the fence posts that mark where the foot bridges are.

Little Church Rock, Harwood Forest, Simonside, Northumbria. 18/09/2012 (Photo: A J Thorley)

Just as we arrived at Selby's Cove the heavens opened. Today was just going to be one of those days. We sheltered from the rain and finished the last of our sandwiches over a hot brew. The rain quickly passed but unfortunately the crag was soaked and so were we. We decide to walk back to the car and go to Wooler, where we were going to camp for the night.

One of many cup and ring marked rocks in the Simonside area of Northumbria. 18/09/2012 (Photo: A J Thorley)

It was early evening when we arrived at Wooler (NT993282) so we parked the car and went for a little wander around the village before going to the camp site. We spent the night at Highburn House Holiday Park (NT985282) which has excellent facilities at a very reasonable price.

The cup and ring marked rock with Simonside in the background, Northumbria. 18/09/2012 (Photo: A J Thorley)

The following day we returned to Simonside with the aim of climbing at either Ravensheugh or Simonside North Face. But unfortunately the knock to my ankle that I sustained yesterday turned out to be a little more than I realised and it had become quite swollen and sore. Not wanting to just go straight home we had a look at the map to see if there was any easy short walks that we could do.

The view from an ancient fort overlooking Rothbury, Simonside. Northumbria. 18/09/2012 (Photo: A J Thorley)

In the end we decided to go for a gentle circular walk through the forest and find the Little Church (NZ026996). We then returned to the car for lunch and walked a short distance along the road to the ancient ruins (NZ055992) that over look Rothbury (NU058017). Northumbria is covered with such ruins and they are very interesting to look around. It started to rain again so we returned to the car and popped into Rothbury for a little wander before travelling back to Glasgow.