It seems that the Slow Warts and other Dark Peakers are particularly attracted to various Dark Peak curiosities which can often end up as check points in races. They include old wrecks (please, no comments), sheepfolds, ruined buildings, bridges, rock formations, springs, shooting cabins, shooting butts and even caves. Today, therefore, seven of us were enticed into a sort of speleological exploration, though we first had to find our cave.
In days before retirement from the works on Shelf Brook near Old Glossop, lunch time runs were constrained to the nearby areas of Lightside, Cock Hill, Yellowslacks or wherever was within an hour to return to work. One such run involved a climb up Lightside, a steep descent into Yellowslacks and a climb back out on the northern side to the edge path. The challenge was to run up this steep rocky hillside, without stopping! The reward (?) was to have a rest in a small cave near the top followed by a relaxing descent back to work. Having mentioned the existence of this cave, the Slow Warts were inevitably drawn into a search for it. In a previous outing earlier in the year, a cave had been found but on the southern side of Yellowslacks so my disappointment and indignation prompted the helpful suggestion, “Well, you………….find it then!”
So, in a torrential downpour we set off on our cave quest from the Doctor’s Gate car park near the Snake summit. The path to the PW motorway was very helpfully paved so attracting the results of the shower thereby allowing our dirty shoes to be thoroughly washed until the cooling effect became tiresome when we dived into the open arms of the adjacent muddy tussocks. It’s important to report that our crossing of the PW was kept to a strict minimum so maintaining our low trail/path contact record.
The planned route was to minimise unnecessary climbing so saving our big effort for the climb out of Yellowslacks hence Crooked Clough and Higher Shelf Stones were dealt with fairly quickly, anyway, at least, for Slow Warts. It was now gloriously sunny for November and downhill all the way via Lower Shelf Stones, James Thorn and Wigan Clough where we paused to spot the cave on the opposite side.
On the way down to Wigan Clough (Thanks to Jim)
This done, the climb was almost every man for himself with various lines being taken with Bob and Moz waiting for us at the cave. It was as I had remembered but there seemed to have been a serious grand design and refurbishment with an elegant wall around the entrance, presumably to keep out the drafts, and a simple entrance way, though sadly no door, maybe by the next visit?
The Grotto
The joy of finding the cave and renaming it a grotto led to speculation that Santa Claus could take up residence here for the benefit of inhabitants of Old Glossop; business may not be so brisk though. There were no volunteers for this task though the fur lined red coat and hood could have been an inducement. We left the Christmas cave for a classic Slow Warts’ crossing of the moor back to the car park just before the fading light did actually fade. But, what a treat to finish the outing, a big almost white and sprightly hare was spotted in Crooked Clough.
Having visited the Yorkshire Bridge Inn quite a few times in the last year or so we were finally recognised by the bar staff who noted we were early, so we could now feel we were proper regulars!
An excellent afternoon outing of about two and a half hours, not including the pub visit, of course.
Graham
Thanks to Clive for the track below. The cave is near the letter H in the top left-hand corner of the map.
