25/04/2025 - Walking, Reading, Unearthing

25th April 2025

Field Research: Walking on the Edge of the Moors

Today, I ventured once again into my local landscape of the North Yorkshire Moors. I continue to return to the Moors, not always to the same locations but often to new places yet to be explored and experienced.

My aim today was to walk a section of the Cleveland Way from Osmotherley, embedding myself within the natural and man-made aspects of the landscape, taking soil energy readings, capturing specific sites with my 120mm camera, and unearthing soil samples corresponding to the recorded readings. The Cleveland Way was chosen due to its historical significance within the Moors. Spanning 109 miles from Helmsley, North Yorkshire to Filey Brigg, the route encompasses notable landmarks such as Whitby Abbey, Scarborough Castle, Mount Grace Priory, and the White Horse of Kilburn. Traversing small villages, farmland, heather moorland, and peatland, the Cleveland Way offers a rich variety of terrains. It remains a popular route for walkers, many of whom including friends and family have explored parts of it over the years. My interest lay in investigating how a popular, visually rewarding walking route could also reveal the hidden networks and energies underfoot, and whether these contribute to the aesthetic pleasures of the walking experience.

I began just a short distance from Cod Beck Reservoir, joining the Cleveland Way at Scarth Nick. From there, I headed down a road and cut right into the edge of a private forestry (respecting property boundaries despite the temptation to wander further). I proceeded eastwards along a gravel path, taking in the immediate landscape. On this walk, my usual methodology of drifting was constrained by agricultural fencing, which limited free movement and, at times, made me feel penned in. Although disappointing, I understood the need to respect land ownership and management, especially given the heavy footfall popular routes attract and the potential impact on the environment.

During these early stages, I embraced the landscape fully, encountering various plant and tree species. One particularly dominant and solitary tree captured my attention. I paused to observe and connect with it, contemplating its age and stature in relation to its surroundings. Continuing a short distance further, I arrived at a small clearing, which seemed the ideal location to conduct my first examination of the soil underfoot.

At Position #1, the unearthed soil produced an energy output reading of 0.579V. This indicated the presence of micro-organisms, but suggested a relatively low level of micro-activity, possibly reflecting poorer nutrient quality or compacted soil conditions. The ground was hard underfoot, making it difficult to insert my T-bar sampler. Grasses and nettles dominated the clearing, with the latter enthusiastically making their presence known.

At this site, I also attempted to capture the 'language' of the soil using a contact microphone inserted into the sampled area. However, no discernible audio signals were detected. I questioned whether the soil's low electrical output might correspond to the absence of sound.

I continued my walk, descending towards Crook Beck and wrapping around its edge. After exchanging greetings with a passing cyclist, I noted the increasing abundance of moss and lichen growing alongside the track. Drawn by this visual shift, I identified Position #2 for further investigation. Here, the presence of lichen and moss suggested a thriving bacterial community. Interestingly, the soil and plant life were situated at waist height due to the cutting of the path through the hillside, offering a unique perspective.

At Position #2, the soil energy reading measured 0.740V, a slight increase from Position #1. This higher reading suggested a more active biological network beneath the surface, visually affirmed by the lush growth of lichen and moss above. Once again, I attempted to record soil audio but was unsuccessful. After testing the microphone and confirming it was functioning, I decided to suspend this part of the methodology for later troubleshooting.

Position #3 emerged as the landscape opened onto farmland, accessed via a bridleway clearing. Upon reaching a sharp bend, the landscape emotionally drew me forward into a more expansive green space populated by grazing cows. After spending considerable time within the enclosed forest, the open fields felt refreshingly liberating, as though emerging from beneath a canopy to breathe more freely.

I identified Position #3 near a small marsh pool, not a peat bog, but rather an area of natural flooding. Taller, darker grasses thrived here, and birds were nestled between them. The soil was moist, richly dark, and loose to the touch. When tested, it produced a strong energy reading of 1.042V. This suggested a highly active micro-ecology, with nutrient-rich matter supporting an energetic soil system, visually confirmed by the flourishing plant life.

After leaving the marshland, I continued towards Wheel House Farm and descended Piper Road to a crossing at Crook Beck. Here, the landscape shifted dramatically: the ground was a hybrid mixture of red stone and soil, presenting an almost alien visual contrast to the greens and browns I had been immersed in earlier.

Despite the dominance of stone, I still managed to take a soil energy reading at Position #4. To my surprise, the reading was relatively high at 0.941V. I had expected the sandstone mix to inhibit biological activity, but sandstone, a Carboniferous sedimentary rock, has a rich geological history, suggesting that its mineral composition may still support a level of micro-activity when blended with soil today.

Following this final reading, I made my way back up to the Cleveland Way to begin my return journey. The walk had been a success: I connected with a new section of the landscape, encountered a variety of soil types, and was surprised by the variations in soil energy in places where I least expected it. With the soil samples and readings collected, my next step will be to break the soil down further to attempt to visually represent the energies and networks that lie hidden beneath the surface.