Feature

FEATURE Adventure on the doorstep...

Gavin Kelly explores the

DEWERSTONE

Nestled in a quiet corner of Dartmoor above the confluence of the Meavy and Plym rivers lies a hidden gem. A place of Dartmoor tales; ancient oak woodland akin to the famous Wistman’s Wood, hide steep boulder fields blanketed in thick moss and towering columns of granite, surpassing the scale of anything else on the moor. Rumour has it the rocks got their name from the ancient Devonian name for the Devil, who would unleash his Wisht hounds from their kennel at Wistman’s Wood to chase unsuspecting souls to their doom over the high cliffs. This apparently natural landscape hides a plethora of industrial and archaeological secrets on closer inspection. From the curious ruins of a China clay kiln that shadows the car park, a short foray across the footbridge (manhandled into position in 2010 with the help of the Royal Marines) finds the remains of an old iron mine, and trackways following the Plym and Meavy rivers as

they diverge and ascend towards their moorland sources. A number of trails from here offer walks that explore the valleys’ other hidden history such as quarries, tramways and even the old counthouse and smithy, now used as a bunkhouse and activity centre. Recent events have for many further highlighted the importance of our green spaces for physical and mental health and well-being, as well as providing many examples of how we can leave our indelible marks on the landscape. The area around the Dewerstone provides a haven for a wonderful range of flora and fauna. In addition to the common sheep and odd pony that are found grazing the upper woodlands, early morning walks will not infrequently provide the pleasure of spotting red or roe deer. Walking through the woods in spring, you will often be confronted by a small green caterpillar dangling from a silken thread - this harmless larva of the Winter moth

“The rocks of the Dewerstone offer some of the biggest and most diverse climbing to be had on the moor. The solid granite provides confidence and challenge in equal measure, renowned among climbers for its security as well as its exfoliating properties! ”

loves to feed on the succulent new leaves of the oak trees. In a number of places, you can find huge nests of wood ants. These apparent piles of old foliage and leaf litter can tower to more than a metre high and house thousands in an amazing natural crawling metropolis which can, for some, feel like a scene from a horror movie! A walk or scramble to the summit of the hill will reward you with views across Plymouth and far into Cornwall and in the other direction, the high moor around Princetown. It was from this summit that Royal Marines would once collect their Friday pay packet by running from the nearby barracks at Bickleigh. The towering granite pedestals of the rock itself provide home to a variety of birds including ravens, jackdaws, kestrels and grey wagtails to name but a few. Frequently on fine days, high up above, the valley is patrolled by soaring buzzards, calmly riding warm thermals. The rocks of the Dewerstone offer some of the biggest and most diverse climbing to be had on the moor. The solid granite provides confidence and challenge in equal measure, renowned among climbers for its security as well as its exfoliating properties! Easy angled slabs offer beginners the perfect place to try out this rapidly growing sport and the area is well served with qualified instructors and active climbing clubs. The higher cliffs of the main face rise almost vertically 200ft from the banks of the river Plym and offer experienced climbers over 50 climbs of varying complexity and physical demands. Two further buttresses rise from the forest further up the valley take the count to more than

100 known routes to date, since the first recorded ascent in 1894. My first trip to the Dewerstone was a seventh birthday picnic with the family, when the surprise was being taken climbing by my dad, whose tales of mountaineering in Snowdonia and the Lake District had captured my imagination. The practice of the time was to ‘securely tie’ a rope around the waist and away we went. Only a few years later I returned for the next instalment, with an evening climbing club trip which ended with me getting temporarily stuck high up on the Needle Buttress in failing light. These early forays set the tone for a lifetime of adventure across the UK and overseas, in which I exercise my passion for helping people grow, learn and develop their climbing and outdoor skills. So as the autumn colours begin to fade and winter takes hold, make some time to have an adventure, you could end up discovering something amazing. Share and marvel in taking time to enjoy this amazing natural resource. Remember, as a friend once said: ‘Take only memories and photos, leaving nothing but footprints.’n Gavin Kelly

Gavin is a mountaineering and climbing Instructor based on Dartmoor. He runs specialist training courses for novices and professionals through his company Ibex Outdoor. He is passionate about helping people to access and engage with the outdoor environment.

“My first trip to the Dewerstone was a seventh birthday picnic with the family, when the surprise was being taken climbing by my dad, whose tales of mountaineering in Snowdonia and the Lake District had captured my imagination. ”