Mermen in the mu
Our ambition in the heady atmosphere of the Plough at Bradfield last Wednesday was to do a “there and back” to Mermaid’s Pool from Birchen Clough. However, in the real world of the damp and misty conditions of the Birchen car park, our resolve dissolved in the rain, into a trip, suggested by Bob, to Sandy Heys trig and Kinder Downfall.
There were, of course, detailed discussions on the gear to wear, with a weather warning of thunderstorms and 100% rain, three of us chose leggings, including one pair of Barber’s Bloomers and the other three used the old tried and tested skin covering. At the start up the track through the Snake Plantation, there was some attempt to avoid the large puddles there. This caution was extended to taking a significant detour to the ruined cabin to use the bridge over the river Ashop. We were less cautious on the way back after our experience over Kinder. The climb out to the northern edge was, initially, almost pleasant (according to Tom) as we spread out (chose our own lines), variously, going directly, or via a low contour, then direct and a way in between. The sharp increase in gradient reduced the pleasant feeling which was then finished off completely when we reached the thick mist and strong cooling wind at the Edge. Regrouping, we continued to enjoy the bracing Edge before turning off the path towards the trig. This north western corner of Kinder seems to have its own characteristic terrain with fewer deep groughs and much vegetation (as a result of the replanting work?). Recognition of this and the fine compass work by Andy, took us directly to the trig, or trigs. There are two trig pillars, one rather sad prostrate one and another one, vertical and very tall on its foundations; could this one be the tallest combined pillar and foundation?
One day, when someone has time and inclination, all the tracks of the Slow Warts (many recorded by Chris) could be combined to show which areas are still to be explored. A new one (to me) was possibly created as we left the trigs for a short-ish crossing, avoiding the path, to Kinder Downfall which looked suitably sinister in the swirling mist. Spirits lifted as we turned back towards Fairbrook Naze to experience another botanical wonder, last week’s was Bog Asphodel, this time Rose Bay Willow Herb in profusion. Was this plant native to the Kinder plateau or an alien species, like the Slow Warts? Such pondering ceased as we reached one of the few remaining patches of bare peat which, it was suggested would make for a suitable recruiting poster for DPFR.
According to the map, there is the slight makings of a watershed once the central area of this northern bit of the Kinder plateau is reached, and we mainly followed this to the Naze where it was a relief to leave the steep descent for the deep heather below but then a very slippery (despite all wearing studs) descent to the river Ashop. There was no inclination to return to the bridge at the ruined cabin, we were thoroughly soaked by now, so we waded the river to join the track back to the car park passing a group of grown men playing with remote controlled model SUV’s.
This surreal experience encouraged a quick change of gear to get back to the welcome of the YBI and of Roy (S) and Mick (P) who entertained us with a geographic quiz: where is the highest point in England south of Kinder? The answer is apparently Lord Hereford’s Knob or thereabouts, so on that note we left after our epic adventure.
Thanks to all for a predominantly wet outing which probably contributed to the evolutionary modification of our feet into flippered mermen.
All wonderful!
Graham
