Curbar Edge 12th November

Haven't posted for a while due to working away a lot and a few weekends where I have just gone out for a bike ride on my new mean machine. This was the last proper walk I did on a rare day off from work.

Wellington's Monument

Where's Mum ?

Weather was clear crisp and fresh. I parked at Curbar gap , and then did the circuit along the edges :-
Baslow edge to  Wellington's monument - White Edge - Froggat Edge - Curbar Edge.

Curbar Edge

A terrific walk which helped to lift my winter blues.

About 7 miles OS24 White Peak

Whatstandwell - Crich 14th October

Whatstandwell - Crich   -  14th October

Nice to get out on a decent walk, with not too much driving to get to the start point. I found a little car park just past Whatstandwell - right turn off the A6 just as the A6 takes a sharp left. So the difference to other times is that virtually the whole of the canal section is at the start of the walk rather than the end. Other than that , same as last time :-

Whatstandwell - Cromford Canal - Ambergate - Crich Chase - Crich - Crich Stand - Cromford Canal - Whatstandwell.

OS OL24 White Peak about 6.5 miles

Bits and Pieces

Bits and Pieces

Been busy at work since hols and haven't managed any big walks. However, I have done a few local walks from home and these have been variations on :-

Smalley - Smalley Dam - West Hallam - Smalley  - Woodside - Smalley

Smalley - Old Pit Lane - Shipley Park - Visitors Centre - Bell Lane - Smalley

Smalley - Bell Lane -Shipley Park - Osbornes Pond - Shipley Hill - Mapperley Resevoir - Bell Lane - Smalley

Between 4 - 7 miles

Lynmouth- Watersmeet September 7th 2012

As near a perfect walk as you can get. Rivers , woods, waterfalls, a climb a coastal path and a fantastic tea room half way around.

 

 

 

 

 

The weather was sunny with a light breeze – great conditions for walking. We (Anne and myself) headed out from the centre of Lynmouth and followed the footpath along the river Lyn. We had to cross the river a few times and at one point climbed away from it. I won’t ramble on about how beautiful the scenery was ….I’ll let the pictures do that. Eventually we reached Watersmeet which is an old fishing lodge where the Hoar Oak meets the Lyn. Before getting a cuppa we did a half mile detour to see a waterfall. The fishing lodge is now owned by the National Trust and is a visitor centre and tea room. We sat at a picnic table on the lawn soaking up the fantastic views and sharing our cakes with the chaffinches (well the crumbs from our cakes  !!).

 

 

 

 

 

At the back of the lodge is a footpath which climbs steeply up the side of the gorge. After several zig zags this emerges at a clearing at the top of the gorge which grand views all around. From there we walked along Tilly Ridge with is a gentle climb across to Countisbury Church which is just across the A39. From the church grounds there is a short path that leads to the coastal path. Again – I’ll let the pictures do the talking. Apart from going slightly wrong for about 50 yards where we ended up walking on the road this leg was a straightforward walk all the way back to Lynmouth.

 

 

 

 

About 7 miles 

Stanage Edge 4th September 2012

I am a lucky man – summer in September to coincide with two weeks off work.

 

I parked at the layby opposite Higger Tor on the Ringinlow Road. From there I followed the footpath to Stanege Edge. Rather than get straight up onto the edge I followed it on the slope below for about half a mile before climbing up. Great views on a lovely warm clear sunny day. I walked along the path as far as the turn off to Stanage Pole and then I turned right an headed that way. At Stanage Pole there are great views across to the edge of Sheffield and Redmires Resevoirs. Apparently, Stannage Pole marks the Southernmost point of Sout Yorkshire.

Looking across to High Neb near the end of the edge

 

I then backtracked the way I came right to the end of Stanage edge near the trig point, passing lots of walkers and climbers on the way.
 From there I took the path down to Upper Burbage bridge where I stopped for a drink and something to eat. Taking the Sheffield country walk path along the edge of Burbage valley with great view across to Higger Tor and Carl Wark iron age  fort. Higger Tor looked like quite a prospect from this angle. I then took the right hand turn which drops down into the valley at  the edge of the woods. Out of curiosity I took a reading on my Garmin so that I could work out what the climb was up to the top of Higger Tor. The path then led up to the Col between Higger Tor and the fort and then from there a good path becoming increasingly steep at it reached the summit of Higger Tor (400 feet of ascent from the valley bottom ). Stopped there for a rest to enjoy the views and take some pics and then down the other side to the car.

Stanage Pole

 

Looking down from Stanage edge

The final climb up to Higger Tor

 

According to Tracklogs 290m of ascent (951 ft)….didn’t feel like that.

 

About 7 miles  951ft of ascent OS OL1 Dark Peak area

Helvellyn 11th August 2012-08-15

Glenridding - early morning

As I was just about to start Striding Edge after a long climb from Glenridding I had a chat with a group of fellow walkers. I explained that I had taken a wrong turning at the start of my walk , but had  done a U turn to get back on this route because I wanted to go up this way as it was the first time for me. One guy looked at me and said with complete understanding ….’yes – it has got to be done’. I agree - for me , this is definitely one of those walks that ‘has got to be done’

Red Tarn and Helvellyn

 Arrived at Glenridding car park at 7.10. Misty , cool, and no other cars parked. Got myself kitted up and set up. The footpath signs from there are quite good but I made a wrong decision and headed up the Glenridding valley before realising I wasn’t climbing enough. After checking the map, I set of back the way I had come – already tired from yesterday and two miles on the clock…bugger.

On the edge

The long steady climb up the side of Birkhouse Moor in the hot morning sun was tiring and I kept stopping for a rest and water. As usual though the scenery was stunning. Eventually, I could see the top of Catstye Cam sticking up beyond the crest of the ridge I was heading for, and then finally I could see my target for the day – Helvellyn…with Striding Edge and Swirall Edge forming a giant amphitheatre, with Red Tarn in the middle.

After another steady climb past the ‘hole in the wall’ I reached the start of Striding Edge. There was already a lot of folk in front and behind me. I started with the premise that I would walk the ridge rather then the path just below the edge to the right (despite not being good with heights). So I set of and was fairly comfortable despite a few tricky bits. After about two thirds of the way across I was feeling really tired and a bit shaky so I dropped down to the path. However, the path doesn’t run the whole length so I eventually had to get back on top, and it was at that moment I had a bit of a panic and froze ….just for a few seconds…no choice really but to carry on. I soon got tom the bad step and probably because I am not very flexible I split my shorts on the way down which provided some much needed ventilation !! Just after that there is the final ‘hump’ of the edge , and not fancying that I spotted a path of sorts around it to the right. I think this was a bad decision because it dropped down and I was left with a really difficult scramble on loose ground to get back on the main path to the summit. The final climb to the summit is a steep tiring bit, but eventually I reached it. The top was fantastic – loads of folk around arriving from all the different routes to get there. There was a fellow there selling tea , coffee and bacon butties, to support his mountaineering expedition to Pakistan. Mountain bikers , families, young folk , old folk…..the British at play. I bought a cup of tea nad sat down for my lunch enjoying the splendid panorama in front of me.

Striding edge from Swirall Edge

After about half an hour I had to decide which descent I would take. Before the walk I had the grand idea of walking the ridge towards Fairfield and then dropping down to Patterdale via St Sunday Crag, but there was no way my battered body was going to take that. In the end I compromised and took the stroll along the ridge to Nethermost Pike to bag my final peak for the day. From there I headed back to Helvellyn to make my descent via Swirall Edge. The steep scramble down to the path was quite entertaining , but easier than Striding Edge. Once I got to the path the going was downhill all the way on the good path down to Glenridding. The day had got really hot by then so I took my time and stopped for plenty of rests. The scenery throughout was magnificent.  A great day out which will stay in the memory for a long time.

Nethermost Pike

view from the top

Around 14 miles. OS OL5 Lake District District Eastern Region

Great Gable 10th August 2012

Fantastic weather forecast for the weekend, so too good a chance to miss. I had Friday off work and booked a nights stay at the Honister Hause YH.
Up at 4 AM. Off at 4.30. Arrived Honister Hause just after 8 AM.
Headed up from the YH straight up (literally) the steep footpath to Grey Knotts. Hard work in the warm morning sun. On my first stop for a breath, looking down across the spectacular views across the pass, there was no breeze...silence...except my heart thumping away. It is little magic moments like that that make hill walking so rewarding. On my second stop – just before I crested the first ridge before losing sight of the pass, I stood sipping my water and an RAF jet zoomed along the pass with a huge roar of sound....what is amazing is that I was looking down on it. What a contrast, but I really enjoyed the noisy break also. Steady climbing brought me to the summit of Grey Knotts with a short scramble to the top of the rocky outcrop on the summit. Taking heed from Wainwright that heading east of the summit leads to sudden death, I set off on the path along the fence towards Brandreth. I must admit that it is great to have an easy summit thrown in now and again amongst these Wainwrights , and the ½ mile stroll to Brandreth is one of them.

looking back on the slate mine on the way up Grey Knotts

The one mile steady climb to Green Gable was also straightforward with superb views across Ennerdale and the ominous north face of Great Gable looming ever closer.

Great Gable on the horizon

So three peaks in less than 2 hours ...how easy was that. Hmmmm.....Great Gable is a different proposition!!

Windy Gap wasn’t very windy – the view down to Styhead Tarn beautiful at the lowest point of the dip. Then a steep walk with some scrambling to the top of Great Gable. It felt like a great achievement to get to the summit. Similar to Scafell Pike it is actually a harsh boulder desert on top but with fantastic views across to the Scafell range , Ennerdale valley and Pillar.

Great Gable

I stopped for a break to soak in the views and mentally pat myself on the back. I had a chat with a fellow walker and I explained I might now have a go at Kirk Fell. He advised that there is a path of the West face dropping down to the col. I followed a few cairns which soon disappeared and I found myself (like a muppet) on a steep scree slope. So slipping , sliding , falling down, crapping myself...yipee. Halfway down I saw my fellow fell walker strolling along the col below me. It took me an hour to get down ...in the end I adopted a sideways step and slide using my walking pole as a sort of break. Great to get down – but absolutely battered and bruised.

Great Gable summit

Windy Gap - Looking down to Styhead Tarn

Scree slope to the right - my unintended way down!

After lunch I started up Kirk Fell (reluctantly) and after about 200 feet I threw the towel in and headed back on the Moses Trod path to Honister Hause. Just before I got back met up with a fellow walker with a border collie heading in the same direction - had a chat about all things walking and dogs ...more reasons why hill walking is so good.

After a nice evening meal at the YH, I felt so guilty about saying no to Kirk Fell , I put my boots on and headed up Fleetwith Pike. A bit different from my normal MO – taking my time – stopping – taking pics . However, given the time and pressure to get back before dark, this was more like a route march. I had to stop at the end of the old tramway track – A couple (Dutch/German) stopped me to ask the way ... that was easy as they were stopping at the same youth hostel - spent some time explaining what the Slate Mine was !!, but they were pleased that they weren't far off.
At the summit I felt like an interloper as there was a couple on a wild camp. They were great – we had a chat about the beauty of the lakes , midges, and the fact I am a sad old git stumbling onto their special moment. After a few pics of Buttermere with the sun setting , I set of down the fell. Lost my bearings on the way down , so cheated and followed the Slate Mine track back down to the hostel.

Buttermere from Fleetwith Pike summit

I love this part of the world - I am so envious of folks who live in the Lake District.

Not sure of the distance - probably no more than 10 miles on the map, but I was out for 7 + 2  hours.

OS OL4 The English Lakes North Western Area

Win Hill Lose Hill 28th July 2012

A much more strenuous walk than last week and just what I needed after sitting for hour on Friday night watching the olympic opening ceremony.



I parked at Castleton visitors centre car park and met Richard there. From there we walked to the end of the village and turned right on the footpath than runs along the side of Peashole water. To our right we could see the summit of Win Hill which looked quite a long way away. The path crosses the railway line and there is a short stretch on the road just south of Hope before picking up a footpath towards the village of Brough. The big disappointment there was the site of the Navio Roman fort....there is nothing there apart from some raised earhworks. 

River Noe

 Footbridge over the River Noe and then a short footpath to the left brought us to the A6187. A short stretch on the road and then a footpath to the right took us to a footbridge over the track at Hope Station. The path then led us northwards to Aston and then up to a crossroads of paths just above Twitchhill farm. The path up to Win Hill is right from here and after a short sharp climb we had reached the summit. Win Hill is only 462 M high but it is a well defined rock summit with spectacular views all around. Ladybower resevoir , Bleaklow, Bamford Edge , The Great ridge , Kinder Scout. We just dropped of te top for some shelter from the wind to have some lunch and soak up the views.

Win Hill Summit on the horizon

Lose nd then The second half of the walk took back down to the crossroads in the footpaths and down to Twitchhill farm. A weel defined footpath took us down to the Edale road where we turned right for and walked on the road for a couple of hundred yards before turning left just after the railway bridge.

Lose Hill and the ridge to Mam Tor from the top of Win Hill

After another couple of hundred yards there is a right turn signposted for Lose Hill. We took that and soon the the path started climbing. This was quite a slog (harder than Win Hill), but soon we had reached our second summit of the day.

Ladybower from the top of Win Hill

 After soaking up the views we headed along the ridge and just after back tor and before Hollins Cross we took a left turn off the ridge and followed the path back down into Castelton for a well deserved cup of tea.

view from the top of Win Hill

About 10 miles OS OL 1 Dark Peak