I know the Slow Warts are allegedly hard core but we enjoyed (yes, enjoyed) a fantastic outing from Snake Bridge. It was warm and sunny and we were full of the joys of spring or so we thought. We even survived the crossing of Fairbrook without wet feet though this might not have been to everybody’s liking. Roger took over navigational leadership from the absent Andy and Tom who had withdrawn with sniffling colds.
Chris had specifically requested a climb up Gate Side Clough for our five-strong expedition to the “Aztec” stone and the summit of Kinder at Crowden Head. It was a nostalgic climb reminding us of the latter stage of the original Marsden to Edale race. Our pace was probably no faster even though we’d only come from the Snake Bridge. After all, we are the Slow Warts and needed to maintain our reputation. I would describe the climb as exponential, with an increasing gradient the higher we went which, of course, justified our pause at the top to check the bearing for the Aztec stone which thanks to Tom has coordinates of about SK107883. We settled on a bearing of 210⁰ which gave us a few groughs to cross to get there. The Kinder plateau is not flat despite the general lack of map contour lines. Was the stone worth all the effort to get there? Initially not, it was distinctly less than the distinct carving expected, on first sight, only a couple of black blobs. But, it’s all about the lighting. From a different position the shallow carving’s shadow could be seen, so it had been worth it.
Another “pause” for the summit attempt gave us a bearing of about due west, again against the grain of the groughs, so quite energetic. However, we were diverted by the discovery of a plane wreck, sadly only a few feet below the highest point of Kinder. The engine block (five and a half cylinders), a spring and some bits of fuselage with a window opening, remain. Chris discovered it was a Dragon Rapide biplane which crashed in December 1963 with no fatalities.
So, this was another excuse to pause before continuing our summit search. We did make it, but again, another underwhelming feature with no sharp summit, just a few boulders. There, again, we paused.
Our next traverse of Kinder, about due north, was to Fairbrook Naze via Fairbrook which didn’t have enough water in it for any more immersions as during our last two outings. The Naze is an over-whelming feature worth pausing (fifth pause) at for the spectacular view over the valley.
Our challenge from here was to find the Landrover track for an easy descent to the Snake bridge. However, first find the track. We did but at different points along the way. A fine end, in the glorious sunset, to a splendid outing.
Our reward, of course, was at the YBI where we met the Slow Warts graduates, the “Old Slow Warts). A fine time was had by all.
Thanks to all.
Graham
