The impending club championships from Cutthroat Bridge set our Slow Warts, including a welcome return of Tom W, to start from there, though we didn’t yet know the details of the course, apart from “the Ladybower area”. And, we nine were offered a choice of routes by Andy, either north of the A57 or south of it, there was one taker for the north (me) but the overwhelming choice was for the south. As a choice for a reconnaissance for Saturday’s championship route, it was a failure, as we discovered when it was revealed later, that is north of the A57. However, I suppose we’ll come open minded (?) to the champs.
Of course, there were the usual discussions of our kit for the conditions, snowy with a feels like temperature of -10⁰C, how many Buffaloes, two in my case how many thermals, how many layers of leggings. Basically, we were well equipped, no one should be hypothermic though we made doubly sure that Pete G had all the right gear.
There was plenty of soft snow which, like the leaves last week, covered all the hazards of holes, rocks, ice and any other imaginable obstacle for our delight. Our first target were the pillars of Moscar Fields, a rather grand name for some old gate posts to a sheepfold (?). It did seem a long way to reach them but the journey in the Arctic conditions was almost enjoyable. This was largely flat, in Slow Warts’ experience, so it was inevitable we had to go up, to Stanage End and on to the ruined quarry hut which had some strange cut out grooves in the walls, for shelving or we know not. Yet another Slow Warts’ curiosity.
A bit of a dog’s leg followed on, then under, the Edge to the track down past the grouse butts to Jarvis Clough and the shed there. We did some half-hearted singing and then left for the stone circle where we were pleased to celebrate John’s birthday, with some full-hearted singing this time.
Although the Slow Warts tend to shy away from politics, it did dominate conversations in the YBI which as usual was warm and welcoming. There were no serious arguments as we covered farming and the US elections, Gentle disagreements were more likely to be about the best lines to take in the Dark Peak.
Another splendid outing. Thanks to all.
Graham
