The sun was shining brightly as we left home, but by the
time we reached our rendezvous near OP 22 on the Okehampton Range, the clouds
were gathering, and it was not long before the splendid views of the northern
tors were shrouded in mist. Undeterred,
we set off south along the military road, before turning off, and heading down
hill to Henry’s Ford. Despite the usual
grumblings about water crossings, all safely crossed the East Okement River,
and we made our way uphill to the ridge.
Along to Oke Tor. Sadly, there
was no one selling refreshments from the kiosk, (and no horse in the stable),
so we pressed on westward, back across the East Okement and up to East Mill Tor
(stopping near the summit for a brew). Over the top of East Mill Tor, then down
to New Bridge to pick up the track towards Dinger Tor. On reaching the Okehampton Parish Boundary,
we veered away from the track, and after squelching through some boggy terrain
picked up a path that led to the top of High Willhays, and a chance to stop for
lunch. By the time lunch had been
consumed, the mist had lifted, and the sun was scorching us through a gap in
the clouds. Along the ridge to Yes Tor
(where another group of walkers were enjoying a lunch stop), then a north-east
course to West Mill Tor. From here we
dropped down to the Target Railway, then across Black-a-ven Brook, and a final
short climb back to the cars.