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

Higger Tor - Burbage Brook 22nd July

Just a short walk today.  Wasn’t planning on one but the weather was so good I had to get out.

Some walks you have to work hard before you are rewarded with great views. This one has great views from the start and all the way through without much effort.

From Hathersage I drove up the Ringinlow Road and parked at a layby just below Higger Tor. Cross the road and a short climb to the top of Higger Tor. Great views across to Stannage Edge , Burbage brook and Burbage Rocks. A gentle scramble from the top down to the well marked path that leads to Carl Wark Fort. I didn’t know before that this is the remains of an Iron Age fort. As I reached the top I thought  ‘that is a massive dry stone wall’.....no it was the remains of the fort. Again great views back to the Higger Tor and Burbage Valley. From there I dropped down to the path that leads to the A6187 near Toads Mouth. Just after I crossed Burbage brook I took a left before I got to the road to get on the Sheffield Counrty Walk which is an excellent wide path leading along the other side of Burbage valley and under Burbage rocks and then climbing gently to Upper Burbage Bridge.

From there it was a walk along Fiddlers elbow and another climb to the top of Higger Tor before dropping back down to the layby.

I am definitely going to do this again and make it a longer outing taking in the round walk down into Hathersage and along Stannage Edge.

OS OL1 dark Peak area  About 4 miles.

Linacre Resevoirs 1st July 2012

This is a walk out of the AA 1000 Walks in the UK. Walk number 739.  I haven't tried this before and it was very enjoyable countryside walk in this quiet North East corner of Derbyshire.

Parked in the resevoirs car park and followed the path down through the woods to the corner of the middle resevoir.  From there up through the woods to a path that came out near the dam wall of the top resevoir. The path through the woods then climbs up and you lose sight of the resevoir. The path didn't quite match what my instructions were saying, and after a steady climb along an overgrown track I came out well above the top resevoir oi the corner of a farm field. At that point I took a bearing from my Garmin to check exactly where I was - bottom of a field with wigley Hall farm at the top of a gentle slope.

Middle resevoir

From there on the instructions were spot on. Up to Wigley Hall farm, and thenleft along the road for a couple of hundred yards before picking up Bagthorpe Lane. walking along here reminded me of Bell Lane in Shipley park. The track took me through a couple of farmyards with mean looking dogs on the end of chains.....I know why folk do that but it just seems cruel to me.

Top Resevoir

At the top of Bagthorpe Lane I took a left turn along westwick Lane to BroomHall farm. Just before the farm a path turns left down over the river hipper and then up the valley side to Old Brampton.

Left into the picturesque village of Old Brampton for about 100 yards, and then therre is a track just after a phone box to the right which takes you to the edge of Linacre wood. From there I could see the edge of the bottom resevoir and a short descent through the woods brought me to the edge of the resevoir.

Bagthorpe Lane

From there a pleasant stroll along the top of the resevoir and then up through the woods to the car park.

A really nice walk which is a real contrast to recent hill climbs.

About 5 miles OS OL24 White Peak area

Kinder Scout - Mud , Sweat and Tears - June 17th 2012

It has been a least a couple of years since I had climbed Kinder via Grindsbrook Clough, so after a couple of really wet days on Friday and Saturday, Sunday was my last chance this weekend.

 

With Grinds Brook magnificent in full flow, I really enjoyed this scramble, and was really pleased to find it took me exactly one hour from leaving the car park at Edale to the top of Grindsbrook Clough (and that included stopping for photographs). After stopping for a break at the top for a drink and to soak up the views I set of on the Western edge path towards Crowden Tower.

Start of the walk

way up Grindsbrook

Top of Grindbrook Clough coming into site

Grindsbrook in full flow

The last time I did this ascent I also did the plateau crossing to Kinder downfall. This was with Richard, and I don’t recall any drama or difficulty. So I thought I’ll give this a go on my own. I remember following the stream path up from Crowden tower and pretty much following it is a north westerly direction until you hit the wide sandy bed the river kinder which takes you to the downfall. However, the big difference between then and today is that was in the middle of a hot dry spell and this was after and extremely wet spell. This resulted in about 90 crappy minutes making the crossing.

Entrance to Hell

Pretty soo I had to leave the stream bed as it had turned into a steep peat grough with plenty of water in the bottom. This is where the problems started…in order to make any progress I was up and down the groughs and across open boggy ground. As the peat was soaking I was soon regularly in up to my thighs. This is a very exhausting way to make any progress. After a while I saw what I thought was the start of the wide sandy bed of the river Kinder, so after a slow  bog trotting journey I arrived at a small rock outcrop – not the river Kinder. There were two sheep there…how did they get there and why were they there….a small rocky island in a sea of peat bogs !!!

I then had a panicky ten minutes or so as all options from here looked difficult, and my compass and GPS didn’t seem to agree where North was. I set off and soon got stuck in the peat, so I retreated back to my island. I checked the grid point on the GPS and I was pretty much where the non existent path was supposed to be. Was I going to have to call out a rescue ?. After a while I got my brain in gear. Sat down on a flat rock, had a drink of water and got the map out. I put the grid reference for Kinder Downfall into my Garmin and clicked on ‘navigate to’.  Confident I was heading in the correct direction I set of on a bee line to my target. This took quite a long time as I ws continuously having to negotiate a safe way around the more treacherous patches of peat and steep groughs. I used my walking pole as a probe before setting foot down.

Kinder Downfall with the water blowing back

Eventually, I arrived at the sandy river bank and that final walk to the downfall was quite enjoyable as the ground was a lot firmer. My boots and feet were soaking – I had left my gaiters in the car as one had a stuck zip and I didn’t have a pen knife to fix it !! At no point in that crossing did I see anyone until I got close to Kinder Downfall.

A nice pit stop at Kinder downfall fro some lunch and to enjoy the view. The rest of the walk was uneventful, but very enjoyable. Along the edge to Kinder Low trig point, and then Swines Back, Jacobs Ladder, Upper Booth and then back to Edale. Surprisingly, I still felt I had something in the tank at the end of this – I must be getting fitter!!

Kinder Low

On my return home there was a Fathers day gift from my daughter – Bear Grylls autobiography – ,Mud , Sweat and Tears’ – a very appropriate end to my day.

So, another great walk on Kinder. I am really glad I got myself out of the pickle on top. I think for the future plateau crossings, I will do with other companions, and probably in drier conditions.

Around 10 miles (allowing for the backwards and forwards and ups and downs on the plateau) OS OL1 Dark Peak

Crich 10th June 2012

I have done this walk several times before, so I thought I would try a slight variation which I think actually improved the walk.

So instead of parking at Ambergate station, I drove on up the A6 and found a small lay-by / rough patch next to a gate on the right (driving towards Cromford). I parked there and then over the stile and a short track brought me to Cromford canal. Exactly the same route as previously but this splits the canal section in half – 1 mile at the start and 1 mile at the end rather than the whole stretch at the end. Also, no car parking fee.

Along the canal path towards Ambergate , and then across the third bridge and follow the way marked path through Crich Chase. At the top edge of the woods turn right through a stile across two fields. Right on Chadwick Nick lane for about hundred yards and then take the path to the left across the fields to Crich. Path eventually ends in Crich, not far from the Market square. Left at the market square and then right to Coasthill which eventually end in a footpath. Follow this across two fields, and then right down the road with the entrance to the tramway village. Follow road around to Crich Stand.  Sat down there for a drink of water and to soak up the fantastic view across South Derbyshire

The footpath leads around the top of the quarry and drops down across the tram tracks. Path drops down past Wakebridge farm to the road. Cross road and footpath continues just to the right. Follow path down through woods, along the side of a small river for a while and then past old quarry workings before reaching Cromford Canal. About a mile along the path back to the car.

This one is a good walk with plenty of interest and variety. Woods, river, canal, old quarry workings, great views, and about 650 feet of uphill.

Pictures to follow

From Crich Stand looking over to Alfreton

 

About 6.5 miles OS  OL24 White Peak