There can be a snag in referring to the Met. Office mountain weather forecasts which I did before setting off from Snake Bridge. The “feels like” temperature (apparently a 1⁰ drop for a wind speed increase of 10 mph?) was forecast to be –3⁰C at Kinder Low, so with four inner layers and two Buffalo tops, I thought I’d be well prepared. In fact, I was too well prepared! 

Andy’s planned route was firstly to the fourth spring (in Mike Hayes original Four Springs race) to sip the clear Kinder spa waters bubbling out of the ground. However, there was a dose of mud to traipse through before then, as we took the Fairbrook path towards Upper Seal Clough. The mud was washed off crossing Fairbrook and shoes were fully scrubbed clean through the heather, as we climbed steeply out of the valley on a vague path. Whether it was the taking of the spring waters or not, there was a pronounced spring in the step of the younger Slow Warts up the impressively steep climb into the mist at Seal Edge. This is when I discovered the folly of my wardrobe choice, I was overheating, hyperthermia?!

At the fourth spring

Apart from its welcome cooling effect, there is also some sort of time warp when moving through mirk and darkness. It seems to take much longer in these conditions than in broad sunny daylight, which, I suppose is no surprise. It took sometime before we heard the welcome sound of running water at the head of Fairbrook. We were like the early sailors clinging to the edge of land to navigate their way. Gathering here in the mist and torch light, I glimpsed an artificial Brocken Spectre but despite my efforts to align torch, shadow and mist, I could not repeat it. I will try again!

Having now established where we were, we set off determinedly along the edge path, like early sailors again, towards the Naze. Except, we didn’t, instead we found ourselves going towards Red Brook on the northern edge of Kinder. Chris’s “technology” was brought into action, thus forcing us to take a 360⁰ turn back towards the edge path. This extra running may have helped Pete who was cold (hypothermia) and later resorted to running back and forth across our path to try to warm up. Fortunately, he survived. We did reach the Naze although only after we made an attempt to go part way along the northern edge, so requiring another 360⁰ turn. 

We were surprised to see at least three other torch lights at the Naze; were we going round in circles or were we not alone? There were three tents with occupants who turned down our requests for a brew, we thought we were mad but spending a night there was even more mad. Heroic!

There are a few descents from the Naze and in the interest of speed (an unusual concept for the Slow Warts), we took the most direct line down the ridge so that we could enjoy the benefits of the well-watered deep peat. A fine end to the two and a quarter hours’ outing.

The YBI was its usual welcoming self and we declared, after a couple of pints, of course,  that it had been another glorious adventure. Thanks to all.

Graham

Our track, using Chris’s technology
Categories: Warts