Dave Rambles on and on...: Sunday 31st July 2011

Saturday, 6 August 2011

Sunday 31st July 2011 - Kinder Scout The Edge

For some reason I decided it would be a good idea to walk the entire rim of Kinder Scout. From Edale this is approx imately 20 miles. Bloody hell !! - My ageing frame is used to 6-9 mile walks so this one was quite a challenge for me.

Starting point Edale Car park. Up to the edge via the Nab. I did the short scramble to the top of Ringing Roger and then started anti-clockwise. Great views from here across to Mam Tor and the Great Ridge. Keeping to the path I reached the Easternmost point of the walk Crookstone Knoll with a nice view of Ladybower Resevoir, and Derwent Edge.

From here turn west and start along the Northern Edge. This was the bit I was looking forward to as I have never done this section of Kinder before. Fairly soon after leaving Crookstone I lost the path. There was a path leading up to Mad Woman's Stones , but not the direction I needed. I kept heading in the right direction, but it was hard going in the heather. Eventually after about 20 minutes I found the path. The Northen edge has some faboulous views across to the North - Bleaklow , Featherbed Moss , Ashop Moor - see pics below. Seal Stones next , then Fairbrook Naize. At Fairbrook Naize I had to walk in towards the plareau along the edge of the gulley until it became shallow enough to scramble across to the other side. The views North East and West from here are magnificent. After five hours since the start I stopped for some lunch on Ashop Moor Edge. At this point I was probably half way around. It seemed like slow progress but the views are so stunning I had to keep stopping to take pictures.

Keeping west the path finally meets the Pennine Way and then turns South East towards Kinder Downfall. More brilliant views down to Hayfield and Kinder Resevoir. Stopped at Kinder Downfall for some fruit. What is it about the sheep around there - they are not like normal sheep - cheeky buggers come up close and try to nick your food. - one was trying to nuzzle it way into my rucksack !!.

My legs and back were starting to complain by now , so the last couple of sections were a bit more endurance than a nice yomp along the edge. So along the western edge to the trig point at Kinder Low - turn East towards Pym chair and the Woolpacks, and then along to the top of Grindsbrook and the last leg back to Ringing Roger, and back down the same way via the Nab.

Now my aches and pains have subsided the walk is now a pleasant memory and an achievment, but if I am honest I would say (given my fitness levels) it was a few miles too far for enjoyment.

The whole thing took me 10 hours.