DGH and JRH Walks- 2022

 Jacinta and David decided to have a walk at Wessenden Head as that offered plenty of flexibility. Unfortunately, David's navigation was on autopilot and the destination was set to Marsden. As The Arcade Cafe offers good (Dark Woods) coffee and the walks from Marsden are also flexible, it made sense to go for a walk from there. The weather was clear and bright and we made our way up to March Hill via the March Haigh Reservoir. March Hill and March Haigh Reservoir We had a bracing picnic lunch at Standedge Edge and made our way down, via Thieves Clough Bridge, to the Redbrook Reservoir. On the way down from Standedge Edge, we had a view of the Brun Clough Reservoir and its car park, the site of Peter's Pennine Way Cafe, where David spent an unplanned night on the Pennine Way after the supporting vehicle crashed. Peter allowed us to watch Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walking on the moon on his black and white TV. Brun Clough Reservoir and the site of Peter's Pennine Way Caf...

 The weather forecast was excellent for most of the day and we were able to make the most of it. Julian D, Paul B, Tim G and David made for the relatively close hamlet of Fersit from where we started the ascent of Stob Coire Sgiodain. Once off the farm track, the ground was alternately firm snow and surprisingly boggy, but as we progressed, the snow was more consistent and much more pleasant to walk on. On the way to Stob Coire Sgriodain- Tim and Julian On the way to Stob Coire Sgriodain- Tim and Paul (and my shadow) Stob Coire Sgriodain is certainly imposing, but the way up is a little less forbidding that it might appear. Stob Coire Sgriodain- Way up is over the ridge to the left For the first time in many years, crampons were needed for the final ascent as the snow was hard and a little steep in places. Final Approach to Stob Coire Sgriodain, with an initial view of Lock Treig Tim and Paul arrive at the summit of Stob Coire Sgriodain Admiring the views at the summit of Stob Coir...

 The weather forecast was dire but we all really wanted to get to a summit of some kind. It made sense to have a modest objective that was not too far away and where we could reach a sensible starting point by car. A few hills close by Glen Roy were scoped out and all five of us piled into Paul’s Freelander which had four-wheel drive and a snow setting as well. Although we’d planned to park at the viewpoint car park, it seemed inadvisable to be the first to break the snow on a twisty, turny hilly no-through-road. We parked up near a dumped Nissan Micra on the basis that if we parked in front of it, we wouldn’t be blocking any access that wasn’t already blocked.  We then plodded on to the viewpoint car park.  The car park was well marked an there was even a plaque telling us what the views were. On a day with views.  The chosen objective was Bienn a` Mhonicag and, during the ascent, we were treated to an occasional view.  However, by the time we reached the ...

 David and Paul B decided to see what they could do, despite the grim forecast. We chose a (potential) pair of Munros southeast of Loch Lagan, Creag Pitridh and Gael Charn.  Having parked up and remarked on the torrential flow of the River Spean, we made good headway up a forest track until Paul expressed doubts that we were on the right path. Clearly too much chat about future plans and not enough attention to where we should be going. We retraced virtually all of our steps and started on the right path. Whilst our (theoretical) objective was thoroughly obscured by clouds: The view back to the Creag Meagaidh Range was impressive, even if the pictures don’t really do it justice.  By the time that we arrived at the southwestern corner of Lochan na H-Earba, the wind was picking up and the rain coming down even more enthusiastically so we decided that honour had been satisfied and our planned objectives would involve just a little too much discomfort. After looking at a coup...

 There was a really good forecast, so we headed out to Edale. It was clear and cold, though not much (of the promised) sun. As ever, we stopped off at The Penny Pot Cafe. Last time that we were there Chris, the proprietor, told us that the bird of prey hanging above the woodburner had been made out of the old hot water cylinder that had been taken out during renovations. Made from the old hot water cylinder! Despite the lack of sun, we had a great walk, starting with the ascent of Ringing Roger where the view is great and there's a good excuse to have a break for a rest and a snack. Jacinta at the top of Ringing Roger. Win Hill to her left and Lose Hill, Back Tor and Hollins Cross to her right Left to Right: Ringing Roger, Lose Hill, Back Tor and Hollins Cross. Nether Tor in the foreground We walked round to the top of Jacob's Ladder, stopping for lunch at The Wool Packs where we saw the greatest little daschund with her fur-lined coat, hopping over the path. Working our way th...

 A short, but pleasant walk with the Davises and Premiers. We met at The Cat and Fiddle and enjoyed a variety of coffees and drove the short distance to the car park at Derbyshire Bridge. Our route followed the road down Goyt's Clough. As it was a weekday, we only encountered a handful of cars and, despite being a simple walk, the scenery was rewarding with good views. About 2 miles in all. Garmin Track of Goyt's Clough Walk

Out on a Monday to Ladybower- past the reservoir and the amazing sight of the two overflowing spillways. Overflowing Spillway- Ladybower East Our walk then took us up steeply beside the stream in Parkin Clough, a nice climb through the woods.  At the top we had amazing views, as ever, very atmospheric with mist and light rain coming in and the bonus of a full rainbow. Rainbow from Win Hill We followed the ridge- Hope Brink- down to Wooler Knoll and descended the forestry track leading back to Ladybower. We found a pleasant spot with a bench for our lunch and then had a gentle amble along the reservoir to get back to the dam and the start. Ladybower Reservoir and the A57 bridge from our lunch spot A good walk, 7.1 miles, for a day which called for just a familiar walk to stretch our legs.

 Jacinta was in London for a few days, so I decided to do the old familiar Black Hill Stomp from Crowden. However, on the way out, the massif of Bleaklow caught my eye; I'm always saying that I'd like to do more on Bleaklow and now was a good day (only a little mist and the occasional drizzle) so I parked up at the old Woodhead station, next to the three defunct rail tunnels. I easily had time to do a walk of a decent length so I made my way up the shooters' track beside Far Black Clough- precipitously deep for the first section but becoming flatter after a couple of kilometres.  Far Black Clough beyond the end of the shooters' track I was very lucky as it was a good hare day- I saw four or five, the doubt being whether one that I saw was actually the same as one that had run away from me a few minutes beforehand. The Bleaklow Stones are spectacularly wind-sculpted with a panoramic view. They're a great place to have lunch as there's always a place to sit in the...

 A modest walk today, as we'd had a pretty good week in the lakes and didn't have much time (coded speak for "we got up late"). Shining Tor is always good value for money but we felt like a variant on our usual walks and go down to Errwood and back up to the ridge. We parked at the usual spot, the Pym Chair car park walked down the muddy path next to "The Street". I love all of the varieties of dry-stone walls; they are built by craftsmen and, sadly too expensive to maintain, in general. Dry-Stone wall beside The Street As we reached Errwood, although the weather was chilly, the light was moody but bright. Errwood There were lots of dog-walking parties as we walked up from Errwood to the ridge just south of The Tors and, as ever, whilst most of the southern Dark Peak seemed to be in the shadow of the clouds, Mount Famine and South Head were in the sun. Mount Famine and South Head- in the sun, as usual The return to the car was via The Tors, Cats Tor and Oldg...