Had we not briefly broken in to a slow run during our climb from Blackden, our amended group title (thanks to Bob) may have remained, although our conversations alone may well have justified continuing with the name. The choice of Blackden was made because of the imminent closure of the Snake Road for about a week so it was important for us to have our Snake experience fix to inspire some of us, especially, to oratorial eloquence at the AGM following the run.
A downhill start is usually welcome and Roger was reminded of his full-length muddy slide during a previous winter trip to Blackden. No such danger this evening after a few days of dry warming weather had created a rock-hard path to the river crossing so we bravely descended to the start of the climb. Of course, there were variations, a robust up and over the summit of Dean Hill (Tom’s line) or round and up (the rest of us). Whichever way up, it’s a classic Dark Peak climb, steep, well vegetated with heather, bracken, sadly now with fresh shoots appearing and deep bilberry, all there to slow some of us down. As we arrived breathlessly at the rocks on Blackden Edge, we were subjected to a sort of interrogation/quiz; were these rocks Madwoman’s Stones? Answers, as always, were varied; yes, no, the middle, the first or the last set of stones, such was our combined intimate knowledge of the area. Having decided we really didn’t know, Roger halted our continued rambling by using the technology to identify that we were actually at Madwoman’s Stones. But then, our rambling did continue with speculation about our ability to find them on a cold, wet and dark winter’s night. Something to look forward to, perhaps?
We were able to dispel our increasingly rambling reputation by actually running, but disappointingly slowly, on a fast path via the headwaters (a trickle) of Jagger’s Clough over to Druid’s Stone. What would we do without trigs, rocks and stones to find and run to? Accordingly, Blackden trig followed and where Ben’s mountaineering dog showed his prowess and we gathered for a vanity pose.
What next, but a visit to Bob’s Rock for a spectacular view of the Blackden valley and, having surveyed possible lines, there was an inevitable descent and climb out of it to Blackden Moor. Alternative routes were sought and found, the higher route having the benefit of a serenading flypast by the local (?} cuckoos and meadow pipets. What a splendid display! A fine descent to the river was next, where Andy threw down the gauntlet to run up to the gate at the car park, yes, I managed but it was just as quick to walk as Andy proved, the competition continues!
It was agreed that we’d had a grand outing which was followed by a trip to the Yorkshire Bridge Inn for some and to the AGM at the Norfolk Arms for others to remind the rest of the club (by the way called DPFR) that the Slow Warts still remained reasonably, rambling well.
Graham
Track, thanks to Clive
