Moorland Ramblings

The unpredictable and changeable nature of weather in Britain is best demonstrated on Dartmoor. Devon, on the Southwest peninsula of England is affected by an airflow from the West and Southwest. This airflow originates from the Atlantic Ocean and carries with it all the moisture from the comparatively warm ocean current of the Mid-Atlantic drift. This airflow generally makes Devon and Cornwall warmer, wetter and windier than the rest of the British Isles. Dartmoor is higher than and rises above the surrounding Devon countryside. The Devon airflow is therefore forced up and over the hills of Dartmoor, where the lower temperatures cools it, resulting in clouds. This in turn gives rise to either mists, or rain (or in my experience both at the same time). Be aware, the weather on Dartmoor can and does change on an hour-by-hour basis.

The Dartmoor mist is well known and has inspired stories for generations. There are two theories as to what causes the mist. The first being Southwest airflows combining with cool air as above. The more fun theory however is that the mists are summoned by the Pixies that proliferate Dartmoor.

Pixies, or Piskies as they are sometime known, are the fairy folk of Dartmoor. Most folklore tales of Pixies depict them as small creature who are at one with the earth, dressed in rags, living in holes in rocks and drinking from “Pixie Cups” (a species of Lichen that grows on moss all over Dartmoor). They are usually depicted as being friendly and helpful to people, unless you have upset them, in which case you may incur their wrath.

Pixies are known to have the ability to summon mists on Dartmoor. They do this to confuse unwary travellers, causing them to wander around aimlessly, often losing their way and becoming lost on the Moors. To this day, this is known as being “Pixie Led”.

So, what can be done to mitigate the risks of walking in terrible Dartmoor weather? Well, if you believe the weather is caused by mischievous pixies, then the advice from the 17^th century is to turn your coat inside out when you see the mists descending. If you don’t have a coat, a pocket will do and if you have neither of these, leaving food-based gifts for the pixies prior to your walk should see you safe. However, if you believe the weather caused by the well-researched, well-understood science of airflows and temperature, then I would advise that before any walk, you get an accurate weather forecast before you set out and to prepare for your walk with the weather in mind.