The Warts were on a mission to not just to go for a run from Doctor’s Gate but to find a cave which had been spotted in Yellowslacks on a previous outing which I had missed. Our excitement about this expedition was such that we planned to go directly to the cave. There had been some discussion on whether to dignify it with a name. I had often visited a cave on my lunch time runs with workmates from Old Glossop and it had involved a very steep climb from the bottom of Yellowslacks to it. By the time we had climbed to the cave, we were truly wrecked and just wanted to die, hence its nickname of Mausoleum Hill. There was also a suggestion to call it Tom’s cave since, I think, he had been the one to spot it.
Unusually, we had the pleasure of sunshine for our direct line via Crooked Clough to Higher Shelf Stones where we had memories of much more serious conditions of wind, rain and darkness to contend with. More memories were evoked as we left the trig, of the Shelf Stones race which followed a significant and good going groove to the head of Yellowslacks. However, we did not bear off to the head but continued to the edge near Wigan Clough. I expected that we were being led to the foot of Mausoleum Hill but having contoured around a rocky outcrop (Pike on the OS map), it was announced, to my astonishment, that we were at the cave, a very fine one indeed.
The cave, in shadow, at Pike
“My” cave was on the opposite side of Yellowslacks further down the stream and near a wall! A lesson was learned, never assume that there is only one cave in the valley. The Warts decided that the other cave would be worth a visit another time and that there is now the opportunity to give each of them their own name. Any suggestions?
Warts are keen to avoid paths so we remained on the southern edge of the valley to reach Dowstone Clough before crossing over the moor to Wain Stones. In the mean-time our wild life count was accumulating; mountain hare (total about 7), ring ouzel (2), a buzzard and curlew; glorious! It was only a short hop then to Bleaklow Head where Pendle Hill could be seen and when Andy had devised a route back to avoid Hern Clough and the Pennine Way so a conference was held to select a bearing to some rocks above Fork Grain.
A Warts’ conference at Bleaklow Head
Bearings of 85⁰ and 100⁰ were selected and one group headed on each, losing sight of each other on the fairly bumpy terrain. Whether this area has some of the properties of the Bermuda triangle (referred to as the Burmese triangle at one stage) or the effect of a bubble affected compass, the groups managed to merge close to the rocks. Here, the Warts decided this was a fine place worthy of eulogising about.
The rocks
Currently, there is a bit of a theme in the Dark Peak for landslides, with road restrictions and stream blockages, so, to continue on this theme, we headed for an old landslide above The Swamp and then we made for a one and a half-mile dash (?) along the fence and back to Doctor’s Gate.
There was a further (car) dash to The Yorkshire Bridge Inn for wide ranging and exotic discussions on such things as chilblains and club subscriptions. Most importantly, though, our thoughts were on the wonderful evening we had spent in good company and glorious scenery.
Graham