Sunday 12th August, Milly’s Edale Round

OMer Stephen spends much of his time in the States these days, his current visit to Europe was celebrated by a weekend of Peak District walks arranged (she wouldn’t be happy if I said ‘organised’) by Milly, a fellow OMer.

OMer, for those not in the know, is the description for one who frequents Outdoors Magic, a website with excellent forums, dedicated to those who do outdoors stuff. Like me.

Saturday’s walk had been in in the White Peak, whilst today’s walk was in the Dark Peak. I couldn’t get to the Saturday walk so today’s would have to suffice.

Seven walkers met at the Edale’s P&D car park, ready for a 10am start.

Although there was high cloud it was a very warm morning and I was happy to let my knees come out to play. Milly marched us out of the car park in the direction of the Nags Head…perhaps we were going to get all sociable before we hit the hills? Ooh, goody!

Disappointed, I was steered away from the pub in the direction of Grindsbrook Booth and Upper Booth. The Plan had been to go up to the southern edge of Kinder by using the tourist route by Jacob’s Ladder. At Upper Booth, local lad Jim pointed out an alternative way to the top avoiding the boring Jacob’s Ladder bit.  A lovely footpath climbed, gently at first, up Crowden Clough towards Crowden Tower. This was definitely a nicer route than Jacob’s Bloody Ladder. I’ll use it again.

Milly, being a shy and retiring sort, hiding from the paparazzi 

Crowden Brook had to be crossed a couple of times as we climbed, some found it more difficult than others:

The sun was out now and it was bakingly hot as we climbed up towards Crowden Tower, fortunately we all had plenty of water. Once high up on the edges we stopped for our Official Lunch – as opposed to our Unofficial Lunch….which we didn’t seem to get round to. Curious.

Poor Maria seemed to be suffering from an embarrassing ‘problem’:

We didn’t like to mention it, not in front of friends anyway. Don’t worry Maria, help is available these days. She’s such a nice girl. I’ll have a quiet word with her next time.

Our task-master pushed us on, through the weird shaped tors of the edges, in the direction of Edale Cross.

It was a bit clearer up here compared to my last visit with Lynsey and Alan. And it was much warmer.

Rounding Swines Back I spotted the figure of one of the Peak Park Rangers ahead of us. He stopped to chat to us in the way Rangers do. There was something strangely familiar about this man but I couldn’t place him. Then it clicked: ‘Are you a Challenger?’ I asked. His face lit up – it was John Burt who I had met for the first time in the Monadhliath on my 2011 Challenge.

John Burt, veteran of 14 Challenges 

Maria had been thinking of applying for TGOC2013, John’s enthusiasm for the Challenge had all but convinced her to apply. Well done John!

John walked with us as far as the trig-point at Kinder Low, then he had to continue his Rangering duties as we turned East (East is good) to walk back towards Crowden Tower. It was lovely to see John, he’s one the Challenge’s gentlemen.

The good path along the southern edge of Kinder is very popular with those out for a short walk, today was no exception – there were crowds on the path. It was a bit concerning to see that nearly all of them were woefully equipped for even this easy walking. It was rare to see a waterproof – and as the rain had started to do what rain does best, it must have made for uncomfortable walking.

Crag rats on the edges

The Plan was to drop off the edge by Ringing Roger. By the time we arrived there it had stopped raining and our waterproofs were packed away for the rest of the walk.

Stephen (the other one) calling his wife to explain why he was late

The steep drop from the high edges soon had us walking over soft, grassy ground – a welcome change from the hard gritstone of the edge:

Final Approach

We arrived back at the car-park at around 4pm. All good things must come to an end and this had been a good day in great company. Just a pity I couldn’t have done the Saturday walks too.

Thanks to Milly for making it happen, to Stephen (the other one) for being the reason for it happening in the first place, and to everyone else for being such good company.

Stephen and Stephen. No idea which is which though….

The day’s (approx) vitals: 12–ish miles with about 2300’ of up.

Jim plotted the route in a rather more accurate manner using a GPS thingy.

Oh, and there are more pictures of the day here.

Milly’s (rather better) photographs of both days of walking are here.