Hurstwood South map

Hurstwood_South_v10

Hurstwood_South_v10

Information

Hurstwood South or Shedden Clough.

The original Hurstwood map covers 12 sq km from Hurstwood to Cliviger. It is a complex area of moors, reservoirs and a maze of spoils from old mineral workings. It is 95% open moorland where contour interpretaion and compass work are the key navigational skills required.
The area has been used for orienteering on and off since the first map was produced from a photogramatic plot in 1989. Unfortunately the origins of the map pre-date modern methods and no digital files exist. There are only paper copies.
PFO is progressively recreating the map digitally so that orienteering may again take place on this complex area. The second part to be recreated is the Hurstwood South (or Shedden Clough) area of mining spoils and adjacent moorland.
The map attached represents only 25% of the total area but includes the most extensive spoils area.

Shedden Clough or Cliviger Hushings: A mix of glacial eratic limestone and gritstone boulders, originating from Yorkshire, littered this predominately gritstone area like manna from heaven. Naturally the locals made good use of this gift, removing the limestone and leaving behind the gritstone spoils. Lime extracted by this method was used in both agriculture and building in earlier centuries.
The spoil tips, large and small, are the main navigational challenge in the area. Also the area has many ditches and leets that brought water to the hushings for extraction purposes, leaving behind several areas of tightly packed deep gullies and linear spoils often more than 2m from crest to foot.