There are a few parts of the Dark Peak that the Slow Warts rarely visit, including Monsal Dale, Castleton, Dead Edge, Woodhead station, Chapel and the upper reaches of the Edale Valley as we did to the latter on Wednesday evening from near the Upper Booth viaduct. There were detailed conversations on wardrobe for the wet and windy conditions which led to some hurried clothing rearrangements and contortions to get into them. Notably, Simon had no trousers at all but fortunately Roger loaned his spare over-trousers. Their height difference allowed Simon to show a bit of elegant leg with these wrong trousers. Of course, the regular fashionistas with their wear were on parade, in particular, the Barber Bloomers which are now well accepted and would have been most suitable for me in preventing an uncontrolled sprint on the descent from Brown Knoll.
First though, to do any descent we had inevitably to brave an ascent against the wind and the rain towards Horsehill Tor. A relatively short section of track took us towards open country via our first regrouping stop (so soon) at a NT shelter attached to the hostel at Dalehead. Then we made our first climb of Bob’s route where we remembered (between the heavy gasping) the Horsehill Tor race organised originally by Gavin W. The Tor hasn’t got any significant features at the summit though there is fine cairn below it which is a checkpoint on the race. It is very true that you must be careful what you wish for, as we struggled across the tussocks and bogs near the Tor looking forward to the path flagstones to Brown Knoll. They were slippery and hard on the feet and legs so it was choice of soft tussocks and bogs or hard slabs, anyway, we reached Brown Knoll and immediately left over the tussocks for the descent.
Oh, how I wished I had a pair of bloomers! The descent was surprisingly pleasant going towards the bottom of Jacob’s Ladder, however, the power of the wind and the state of my ballooning torn over-trousers conspired to almost trip me and send me in an uncontrolled hurtle down the steep and tussocky hillside. Legs were just about able to stay ahead of body so preventing a high-speed crash. All this movement loosened the head torch and brought the balaclava over my eyes so, part-blinded and staggering, I passed a few of the others calmly descending and watching in some astonishment. This way of increasing speed for overtaking is not to be recommended; the price paid was a lack of dignity and the time needed to adjust head torch and balaclava to regain full vision. All could be avoided with a pair of bloomers which would not entangle my feet, so, Chris you’re right!
We did, nevertheless, reach the foot of Jacob’s Ladder where Moz and Pete decided they’d had enough enjoyment so left on a direct line to the car park despite the next check point being Moz’s Nipple. Another good steep climb was enjoyed to the CP, a small cluster of rocks, which provided minimal shelter from the gale. We didn’t stay long there and descended into sheltered Crowden Clough for a contour around the lower slopes of Grindslow Knoll. A pleasant canter through the fields of Upper Booth to the viaduct and car park completed Bob’s two and half hour splendid and testing outing in “foreign” country.
Only connect! Moz and Pete had already left for The Rambler in Edale and our decision to go to The Old Hall Hotel in Hope, supposing, without evidence, The Rambler would be closed, gave Moz an opportunity to phone us and ask, in the best possible taste, where we were. So, they missed the post run analysis of our route but what a splendid and tough outing it was, thanks to Bob and all.
Graham
Thanks to Chris (yet again) for the track and stats of the route