OFC Peak District Weekend (October 2007) Print
Written by Neil Haslewood   
Monday, 29 October 2007

Saturday 27th October 2007 – Kinder Surprise

Related Links

Day 1 at Edale carpark
Day 1 at Edale carpark
The Peak District Weekend started on Saturday morning in the main Edale Car Park (close to the start of the Pennine Way). The weather was not perfect as low cloud dominated most of the day. However rain and drizzle held off until the crossing of the Kinder plateau. The numbers for the first days walk should have been higher but with illness and car problems we finally started with 8 (myself, Angela and her husband John, Richard Ratcliffe, Sue Kennerley and husband John, Steve Procter, and Lorraine.

We all headed off out of the car park and up the road to Grindsbrook Booth and the start of the Pennine Way. Our route then followed the Pennine Way across fields to Upper Booth. The peaks to the south of us were just keeping out of the clouds (Lose Hill, Back Tor, Mam Tor, and Lords Seat) whereas the direction in which we were heading to the north (Kinder Scout) the peaks were in the cloud. We did not rush as we did not know if Simon (who had car trouble) may join us on the walk (unfortunately he had to turn back home instead). We continued on to Jacobs Ladder and ascended up onto Swine's Back. At this point the majority of the steep ascent had been completed and all had made it to the top in one piece.

The route continued to follow the Pennine Way to Kinder Low and its trig point. Here we took a few photos in the mist and low cloud. This is not the highest point on the Kinder plateau at 633 meters but is the point where many feel that they have conquered the Kinder Scout summit. In fact the true summit is slightly to the North West at 636 metres (and not very easy to find). After a short time after leaving Kinder Low we found a sheltered spot to have some light refreshments. Steve had already had a big breakfast so he was not too hungry. However we all sat down and enjoyed a well earned rest. Lots of walkers passed us while we were there. We had some great views over to Kinder Reservoir which was basking in the sun!!! The OFC then made their way along the Kinder Edges to Kinder Downfall. What a great sight behold us. The water at the downfall was actually flowing (gusting) upwards. This was a very strange sight but a lovely surprise.

Kinder Low trig point
Kinder Low trig point
The next part of the walk was quite adventurous. Following a compass bearing and using GPS and map we guided ourselves across the Kinder plateau with the aid of Angela’s husband John. The terrain had now transformed into peat hags and groughs. A grough is a channel carved into the peak which can be 20 feet or more deep and a hag is a peak mound left after water has created the channels. The going was very slow and we needed to keep together through the misty conditions. We had to cross many groughs which proved difficult at times. The peat was wet and slippery and as we all descended and ascended in and out of the groughs the ground got more muddy and slippery with each walker passing by. However it was a great challenge which we all took in our own stride. While crossing the plateau we met several walkers who were also trying to find their way. Two of the walkers joined our party as we helped them back to the Kinder Edges. Not a very sensible place to be without a map and compass.

Eventually we arrived back at the edge of the plateau and then headed for Grindsrook Clough. We descended the clough which was steep and rocky to start with and then we followed the stream back to Edale. Back at Grindsbrook Booth we all had a deserved drink at the Old Nags Head.

The day was finished with a meal at the George in Castleton. It had been a great day with lovely company and it was so nice to meet with more members of the OFC.

Sunday 28th October 2007 – Bamford and Stanage Edges

Day 2 at the carpark
Day 2 at the carpark
Sunday’s walk started from the Dennis Knoll car park north of Hathersage. Originally there as meant to be 8 walkers today but the numbers had dwindled again to 4 (myself, Angela and her husband John, and Phil Winter who had travelled from Leeds). The weather was poor to start with - rain and mist. However as the day progressed the sun came out and and views improved dramatically. Although there were only 4 of us it was a very enjoyable day.

We set off from Dennis Knoll and followed a minor road to the start of Bamford Edge. After ascending from the road and gaining access to Bamford Edge we followed a path to a great viewpoint with Ladybower Reservoir and Win Hill (amongst other peaks) in sight. It was quite misty with drizzle while we were there. On a clear sunny day the view would have been fantastic. We then crossed Bamford Moor to Stanage End. This was marshy and very wet in places but caused us no problems. Before we climbed the last few metres onto Stanage Edge we paused for refreshments.

High Neb trig point
High Neb trig point
The walk along Stanage Edge was lovely as the sun had now come out. The views were fantastic and many photos were taken. We visited High Neb trig point (458 metres) during the walk along Stanage Edge. Our route back was via a very stony/rocky path to Dennis Knoll. A land rover and several scrambling bikes tried to manoeuvre up and down the very treacherous ground.
We had drinks at the Yorkshire Bridge Inn before returning home.

Again this was a fantastic day which was enjoyed by all. Can’t wait until the next meeting!!



Bookmark with:What's this?

Reddit!Del.icio.us!Facebook!StumbleUpon!Yahoo!
 
RSS

Join Us

Want to participate in the OFC? Then why not join the Yahoo Message Board




Please Support

Advertisement

The Lost Sheep

Advertisement

"If you dear readers should get a bit of grit in your boots as you are crossing Hay Stacks in the years to come, please treat it with respect. It might be me." A Wainwright 1907-1991