Edale
Car Park - Edale - Grindsbrok Booth - Pennine Way
- Upper Booth - Jacobs Ladder - Swines Back - Edale
Rocks - Kinder Low - Kinder Downfall - Kinder Gates
- Crowden Head - Edale Moor - Grindsbrook Clough
- Grindsbrook Booth - Old Nags Head Inn - Edale -
Edale Car Park
TAKEN
FROM MY OFC PEAK DISTRICT WEEKEND (27-28th OCTOBER
2007) REPORT
The
Peak District Weekend started on Saturday morning
in the main Edale Car Park (close to the start of
the Pennine Way). The weather was not perfect as
low cloud dominated most of the day. However rain
and drizzle held off until the crossing of the Kinder
plateau. The numbers for the first days walk should
have been higher but with illness and car problems
we finally started with 8 (myself, Angela and her
husband John, Richard Ratcliffe, Sue Kennerley and
husband John, Steve
Procter, and Lorraine. We all headed off out of the car park and up the road
to Grindsbrook Booth and the start of the Pennine Way.
Our route then followed the Pennine Way across fields
to Upper Booth. The peaks to the south of us were just
keeping out of the clouds (Lose Hill, Back Tor, Mam
Tor, and Lords Seat) whereas the direction in which
we were heading to the north (Kinder Scout) the peaks
were in the cloud. We did not rush as we did not know
if Simon (who had car trouble) may join us on the walk
(unfortunately he had to turn back home instead). We
continued on to Jacobs Ladder and ascended up onto
Swine’s Back. At this point the majority of the steep
ascent had been completed and all had made it to the
top in one piece.
The route continued to follow the Pennine Way to Kinder
Low and it’s trig point. Here we took a few photos
in the mist and low cloud. This is not the highest
point on the Kinder plateau at 633 meters but is the
point where many feel that they have conquered the
Kinder Scout summit. In fact the true summit is slightly
to the North West at 636 metres (and not very easy
to find). After a short time after leaving Kinder Low
we found a sheltered spot to have some light refreshments.
Steve had already had a big breakfast so he was not
too hungry. However we all sat down and enjoyed a well
earned rest. Lots of walkers passed us while we were
there. We had some great views over to Kinder Reservoir
which was basking in the sun!!! The OFC then made their
way along the Kinder Edges to Kinder Downfall. What
a great sight behold us. The water at the downfall
was actually flowing (gusting) upwards. This was a
very strange sight but a lovely surprise.
The next part of the walk was quite adventurous. Following
a compass bearing and using GPS and map we guided ourselves
across the Kinder plateau with the aid of Angela’s
husband John. The terrain had now transformed into
peat hags and groughs. A grough is a channel carved
into the peak which can be 20 feet or more deep and
a hag is a peak mound left after water has created
the channels. The going was very slow and we needed
to keep together through the misty conditions. We had
to cross many groughs which proved difficult at times.
The peat was wet and slippery and as we all descended
and ascended in and out of the groughs the ground got
more muddy and slippery with each walker passing by.
However it was a great challenge which we all took
in our own stride. While crossing the plateau we met
several walkers who were also trying to find their
way. Two of the walkers joined our party as we helped
them back to the Kinder Edges. Not a very sensible
place to be without a map and compass.
Eventually we arrived back at the edge of the plateau
and then headed for Grindsrook Clough. We descended
the clough which was steep and rocky to start with
and then we followed the stream back to Edale. Back
at Grindsbrook Booth we all had a deserved drink at
the Old Nags Head.
The day was finished with a meal at the George in
Castleton. It had been a great day with lovely company
and it was so nice to meet with more members of the
OFC.
Photograph
at top of webpage - Kinder Surprise Walk Group
Photo – Richard Ratcliffe, Lorraine, Neil Haslewood,
Angela
Clarke,
Steve Procter, John Kennerley, and Sue Kennerley. (John
Clarke took the photo)
Photograph at Kinder Low Summit Trig Point
– Richard Ratcliffe, Steve Procter, Lorraine, and Sue
Kennerley.
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