Taking in the view from Sharp Tor
THE WALK
Sunday morning was curtailed by a plumbing emergency so I quickly mapped out a short afternoon walk taking in Sharp Tor, some nearby Cairns and Boundary Rock.
MAP
ORDNANCE SURVEY – Route planner map of today’s walk
We use the Ordnance Survey route planner app for iPhone/iPad to create all our walks these days ….. the GPS accuracy is amazing ….. especially useful when the paths just disappear!
PHOTOS
SUMMARY
Driving and then walking towards Sharp Tor from this direction you see this iconic tor at it’s most dramatic ….. classic Bodmin Moor!
After climbing to the top and taking in the stunning views it was already time for lunch so we found a sheltered spot nearby for soup and sandwiches. Out of the breeze it was sunny and warm so we stayed there for a good hour soaking it all in.
The Cairns and Boundary Rock didn’t happen we just skirted around the base of Sharp Tor taking photo’s and enjoying some different views of this glorious tor.
STATISTICS
GARMIN FENIX 5X – Activity tracker data of today’s walk
It’s interesting, and quite comical at times, to compare the Ordnance Survey route and time predictions with the route and time we actually take. Quite often we stop to take photo’s, admire the views, get sidetracked or even get lost…..yes occasionally even GPS loses the signal and can temporarily point us in the wrong direction….so the route can look quite different and be quite a bit longer at the end of the day!
PHOTO EQUIPMENT
IPHONE 11 PRO MAX: With it’s new three lens system and now waterproof the iPhone Pro Max is a perfect companion on our walks for selfies, panoramas, videos and to view our Ordnance Survey route planner maps.
Although I took my favourite walkabout camera combination, the Sony A7R and Sony’s super lightweight 28mm lens, they stayed in my rucksack for the whole walk as the rain was so bad. I just used my iPhone 11 Pro Max to grab some images and a bit of video at the top of Sharp Tor for effect. The iPhone proved to be a perfect quick and easy tool for these conditions.
SONY A7R – Fantastically specified and so small and light
SONY 28MM – Perfect walkabout lens – uncomplicated and also amazingly light
PHOTO TIP
I don’t want to have to think too much about camera settings on these walks so I have configured the Sony A7R’s Custom 1 option as follows: Manual Focus / Aperture f11 / Auto ISO / Continuous Bracket 5 Images 0.7 stop. I set the lens to a Hyperfocal Distance of around 2.35M then fix it with some surgical tape along the bottom of the lens. Now I have everything in focus from 1.35M to Infinity.
The resulting 5 images can either be used for Auto Aligned HDR or I can use a single image, usually the one with the best exposed highlights ….. clouds are normally the trickiest to get right. I like gritty images so when the ISO creeps up I don’t really have an issue with the results ….. it can often add to the atmosphere of a Black & White image …. the ease of use those settings give me far outweighs any image downside!
REFERENCES
ORDNANCE SURVEY – We always use their iPhone/iPad route planner app to create our walks and to check out any car journey routes. Can’t go walking without GPS these days ….. love it!
MET OFFICE – Used on every walk for weather information. An invaluable tool in planning what gear to take.
WIKIPEDIA – For finding information quickly Wikipedia is far and away the best, most convenient, useful source for anything ….. whatever their critics say! I use it all the time for information about places we visit on our walks.
LINKS
To view Photo Album of this walk click here: PIKTOUR: ALBUM-SHARP TOR-BOUNDARY ROCK
For Information on Bodmin Moor click here: INFO: BODMIN MOOR
To view the full Blog list click here: PIKTOUR: BLOG
To go to the Home Page click here: PIKTOUR: HOME
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