Sunday March 20th

 A glorious spring day in the Peak District. We decided on a shorter walk today and so to Crowden. As the path over the Torside Reservoir dam was open, we crossed over it, admiring the engineering of the spillways and outlets, and (of course) the views.

A spillway (from the Woodhead Reservoir?) feeding the Torside Reservoir

Outlet from the Torside Reservoir

Crossing back over the Woodhead Road, we wound our way up to the Tintwistle Knarr Quarry (climbed, in the distant past, by my former manager Paul F. with only "traditional" protection- that is to say, none).

Tintwistle Knarr Quarry- truly "hard" climbing

It was pretty breezy once we reached the summit plateau and we found shelter at the notch of Lad's Leap. As the stream was low, we were able to stop for lunch in the lee- a great spot, out of the breeze and with great views across the Longdendale Valley.

A dry Lad's Leap- the perfect, sheltered lunch spot

After lunch wwe more or less ambled our way around in the sunshine, looking at the map every so often as Jacinta got to grips with contours.

Striding down from Lad's Leap

Jacinta reviewing the contours with Crowden (not so) Great Quarry in the distance

Even the Crowden campsite shop was open at the end, so we were able to do some more sitting in the sun with a drink and a crafty Almond Magnum before going home. A very pleasant 6½ miles, which we found much easier that we did the first time, a few years ago.

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