Pennine Way Day 1 Edale to Crowden 13th September 2023

 The plan was to do a three day trek from Edale to Hebden Bridge. Due to my left ankle waving the white flag on day 2 I had to settle with one day.

Edale Start

I planned this at short notice which was probably a contributory factor to only managing one day. Anne gave me a lift to Langley Mill where I got on the train to Sheffield and then onto Edale, where I arrived around 8:45. Given the distance (16 miles) , the terrain and the amount of daylight available I decided I needed to up my normal walking pace and keep breaks to a minimum. 

The conditions were perfect for walking. Clear , warm, gentle breeze and no rain. 

I have done the walk out of Edale along the PW up to Kinder Downfall many times, so navigation on this first leg was straightforward with no map reading required.

Kinder Low

Kinder Resevoir from the edge of Kinder

As I was dropping off the North West corner of the plateau I bumped into a couple (in thier fifties I reckon) who were starting off on thier third Pennine Way adventure. I caught up with them a few times but every time they overtook me later on !. The trail over Mill Hill and then onto the A57(Snake) summit was flagged all the way which made for good going and easy navigation. When the PW was first opened this section was a notorious boggy slog.

View from the edge looking South West

The trail down from the plateau

The first part of the route from the A57 towards Bleaklow summit is a good ,cear path but fairly soon (after the turn off to the aircraft wreck) it becomes very boggy and sketchy. 

Bleaklow Head

One of the few  direction markers you get on Bleaklow

Once I had reached Bleaklow Head I was feeling very tired with aches all over. I guess I am not used to carrying a 28lb pack over this sort of distance and terrain. The final 5 miles or so following Torside Clough is what I think did for my ankle. Verry narrrow and rocky path.

The trail between Kinder and the A57

Torside Resevoir

Tarmac path across the top of the Resevoir

A brilliant days walking. I should have done more training to ensure I was in one piece to carry on the next day.

Here is a link to a few clips from the day PW day 1 clips

I arrived at the campsite around 6:30 which gave me an hour to check in and pitch up before it went dark. The camsite manager was great - he knocked me £10 of my booking fee down to a 'backpackers rate'

I awoke in the morning to heavy rain and a sore ankle. After some thought I decided I could do more damage if I carried on. I have walked the first half of day 2 and the climb up Laddow rocks is steep and rough. Anne came to my rescue and picked me up by about 9:30. 

End of the walk

Disappointed but not deterred. I'll be back.

About 16 miles. OS OL1 Dark Peak.