Touching our ancestors
19th January 2016
19th Jan 16
Touching our ancestors
Snow has finally come and the pristine covering seems to purify the landscape. This blanket sparkling snow hides the effects of man and the damaging effects of the recent storms, whilst making an already wild landscape seem even wilder.
In addition, with the coming of snow, there is a transfer of power, now the land and nature are master; as man's daily routines are challenged and our movements are restricted by the deep snow. Once out in the hills, at times like this, you need to be vigilant as conditions can soon leave you exposed and a long way from a warm and safe place.
And it is this type of weather that hints of an earlier existence as it brings a sense of vulnerability. A time when our ancestors had to fend for themselves and, due to the pressure of existence, were much closer to the land. This weather peels back the centuries, hiding the impact of man's years of incursion and exploitation. The harsh winds, the impact on mobility, the perceived distances to be traveled, make us feel exposed and make us focus our attention more on the land we immediately occupy. We are, in this season, closer to our ancestors than any other time of the year.
Today I headed into the Yorkshire Dales, scaling the rocky routes over Twisleton Scar and up to mighty Wherenside. And all along, I was aware of the presence of the steep sided mountain of Ingleborough looming on the horizon.
The views were both stunning and primal as there was a sense of time unchanged and untouched. As I looked up to the lofty crest of Ingleborough, across the bare, snow filled plateau of Twisleton, I could gain a sense of the view that was little changed to that seen by the ancient Britons. These people once occupied the fort on Ingleborough's summit and for a moment I almost believed I could reach out them.
Touching our ancestors
Snow has finally come and the pristine covering seems to purify the landscape. This blanket sparkling snow hides the effects of man and the damaging effects of the recent storms, whilst making an already wild landscape seem even wilder.
In addition, with the coming of snow, there is a transfer of power, now the land and nature are master; as man's daily routines are challenged and our movements are restricted by the deep snow. Once out in the hills, at times like this, you need to be vigilant as conditions can soon leave you exposed and a long way from a warm and safe place.
And it is this type of weather that hints of an earlier existence as it brings a sense of vulnerability. A time when our ancestors had to fend for themselves and, due to the pressure of existence, were much closer to the land. This weather peels back the centuries, hiding the impact of man's years of incursion and exploitation. The harsh winds, the impact on mobility, the perceived distances to be traveled, make us feel exposed and make us focus our attention more on the land we immediately occupy. We are, in this season, closer to our ancestors than any other time of the year.
Today I headed into the Yorkshire Dales, scaling the rocky routes over Twisleton Scar and up to mighty Wherenside. And all along, I was aware of the presence of the steep sided mountain of Ingleborough looming on the horizon.
The views were both stunning and primal as there was a sense of time unchanged and untouched. As I looked up to the lofty crest of Ingleborough, across the bare, snow filled plateau of Twisleton, I could gain a sense of the view that was little changed to that seen by the ancient Britons. These people once occupied the fort on Ingleborough's summit and for a moment I almost believed I could reach out them.