Our group of ten were undecided about our route for the evening from Westend. However, the lure and the opportunity (Andy was flitting around various summits in the Lakes) of using tracks and paths was too tempting for us. So, we dashed (it felt like that) up the track to the edge of Alport Castles where the midges were still in irritating form. Either they had chased us from the valley or a fresh batch had hatched for our annoyance.
Our path fetish continued as we headed down towards the Tower but, as is the nature of Alport Castles, the place is strewn with large rocks as a result of an ancient and cataclysmic landslide (?). Our enthusiasm for paths was now beginning to wane. This continued more significantly as we started the climb to The Tower. The combination of damp rock, grit, exposure and precarious rocky hand and foot holds increased the feeling of jeopardy. We nevertheless made it to the top though there is a problem accommodating ten Slow Warts together in one photogenic pose, with Louis having to stretch himself across two rock pillars.
It was equally challenging to come down the other side, thus confirming the saying that “when you’re going up, it’s worse going up and when you’re going down, it’s worse going down”. You can’t win! There was some relatively easy running through the various grassy (yes!) lumps and hummocks below the edge which looked a long steep way off. Just to add a bit more “spice” to our adventure, a crossing of a barbed wire fence on wobbly or broken posts was our next obstacle. When crossing it, the close proximity of mostly bare inside legs to this wire makes for a bit of nervous quivering which boosts the quivering and resonance tendency still further. Truly, a vicious circle! It could be worse; Moz recounted a tale of climbing an 8ft deer fence, not in Scotland but in the White Peak area. Fortunately, he’s still here to tell the tale.
Whilst it’s not the longest climb, it is nevertheless hard won to the edge even with the marginal assistance, now, of the fence to hang on to. At the top, it was clear that we had split into two equal groups, the fast Slow Warts and the slow Slow Warts. There was a plan (gosh!) to go along the edge path, leave it and go around the top of Fagney Clough and eventually into the wood in the Westend. The fast Slow Warts dashed off quickly and the slow Slow Warts poddled on, following our group navigator Pete. Inevitably the ground was not path like and we made up for so much previous path running by having our quota of Harmerian heather and bilberry then with a branch strewn forest crossing. A welcome track and path followed to the car park. There was some glee in the slow Slow Warts camp because the fast Slow Warts finished at about the same time, having done a giant zig zag across the moors to the forest, resulting in extra 1 km more than we had run. Thanks Pete!
Of course, we went to the YBI where Andy’s Lake District adventure to the “Bishop” on Barf near Braithwaite was much discussed. As Dave H cheerfully announced this painted rock is a notorious Mountain Rescue hot spot where some walkers get to it but fail to get back. However, Andy did both though coming down was troublesome, the tree routes were useful going up but not so on the descent. Difficult up and difficult down, what’s new!
We all had a great time in the Dark Peak. Thanks to all.
Graham
