Nameless col and down the ridge. Off-Trail hike on 29-Jun-2025

Participants: Rosanne, Philip, David, Yolande, Susan, Alda, Bill, Gordon, Jenny, guest Randolph

Classed as an extreme sport and dubbed one of the UK's toughest downhill races, the Cheese Rolling competition involves chasing a 7lb (3kg) Double Gloucester cheese wheel down the steep Coopers Hill in Brockworth, England. The winner gets to keep the cheese. It will all make sense.

A gorgeous day in the Highwood with perfect hiking temperatures and light winds. Probably a dozen or so cars parked around the trail heading up to Mist Hot Springs and our start for the trip to Nameless Ridge. A relatively short, but steep, climb up to the col where we had our first break of many. At this point, we headed uphill right and all others headed uphill left. This was our parting with the masses and we saw no one for the rest of the trip. The flowers were both colourful and plentiful on the 200 m climb to the summit of the ridge. Perfectly timed for lunch, we settled in out of the wind and enjoyed a well-deserved break.

After this, a lovely meander down the ridge with time for photos, flower ID (or not), and bird ID (or not). A patch of snow on one section but easily skirted seemed to be all that remained after the major snowfall the previous weekend.

Towards the end of the ridge, we discussed the options for descending the steep slope to the trees and the “minor” bushwack back to the road. It was here that the option of rolling downhill in imitation of the Double Gloucester cheese wheel was suggested – and subsequently dismissed as insanity.

After descending the steepest part of the slope, we decided to traverse and see if the route as shown on GAIA maps would result in any kind of actual trail. It did – kind of – but enough to make a slightly easier bushwack than on previous trips. Back to the road and welcomed by the string of 38 Harleys. A short road walk back to the cars and relatively quiet roads back to our meet spot.

Thanks to everyone for a very enjoyable day in the mountains.

Break at the Col

Moss Campion

Townsendia Visitor

Lunch along the ridge

Descending Ridge