As the evening’s route from Dennis Knoll was being discussed, developed and decided upon, there was a clear determination to go to at least two stone circles. The initial plan was to do Maurice’s race route (from earlier this year) in reverse this time including the pond and, of course, the two circles, one on Hordron Edge just above the Cutthroat Bridge car park and the other, between the quarry on Bamford Edge and Dennis Knoll.
As occasionally happens, plans tend towards fluidity so the visit to the pond was fairly quickly ditched and the group set off directly for Buck Stone at a healthy pace on the main track to Stanage. From the Stone, the next check point was the “bus shelter” near to High Neb on Stanage. This was reached without much incident apart from the impressive Wall Walking Warts’ high level climb to the Edge, which proved to give a significant advantage. Beyond Crow Chin, it was decided that there wasn’t enough time to visit the Hordron Edge circle so a descent was made through some classic Warting terrain, swamp, rocks, rushes and the usual “stuff” towards Jarvis Clough holiday home! [the editor would like to make it clear that we did visit Hordron stone circle] on the way to the tin-roofed hut.
There was no room to stay there, so one of the Pillars beckoned. The elderly group didn’t quite make it and so joined the main group, who did make it to a Pillar, for another fast line to the quarry. Our last chance to reach at least one circle was now with us. Straightforward, was the general view, head north-westish for the ruined wall, follow it to almost its end and then head westish. Well, firstly, the ruined wall was not found although claims of crossing it were made. The fast group made a long northwest passage without finding the circle before deciding to turn around and head for the car park.
The slow group made better progress and whilst getting close to the circle (unknowingly), also did not make it and drifted off to the car park. All this navigation (?!) is available for us to see on the tracks. So after this experience, there may a call for another race to be run over the Bamford and Stanage Edge Monuments including huts, Stones, pillars and circles, all perhaps in the dark (?). Any offers?
Graham
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