In the Slow Warts’ quest for points of interest in the Dark Peak, there was one which had eluded us for quite some time. So, a more determined and specific expedition was suggested by Andy to find the “other” memorial stone for the three scouts who died on the Four Inns Walk in 1964. The prominent one had been visited as a check point in Nicky’s Summer Series Way Out West race and on other outings. That one was about half way up the western side of the Alport valley near Grindlesgrain Tor, the other was thought to be close to the river.
So, ten of us, including a welcome return for John (D) and Bob gathered at the Westend car park for a slow grind up the track which was relieved by branching out into the bilberry (there’s a lot of it!) and heather to cut across to the edge path. There has been much mockery of the Met. Office mountain weather forecasts which are considered by the “hard” members of the Slow Warts, to be over pessimistic. The feels-like temperature was expected to be about 6⁰C, and it was very much so at the windy edge path which, together with the rain, prompted a flurry of extra layers to be put on.
However, what a view of the majestic Alport valley greeted us! The wriggling river seemed to be a text-book example of meandering although I suspect the Slow Warts are also equally capable of doing this. The valley narrowed and emphasised the steepness of its sides as we were, of course, to find out. Where was the other memorial? There was a distinct right-hand bend as the river curled around and this was to be our general search area. It was simple to select this but to get there involved a significant contour across the steep side, mainly on a narrow sheep trod. The sheep have a good sense of maintaining height, but, if only they had wider feet, or I had narrower ones. To add to the joy of contouring, the continuing deep bilberry bloom and the slalom of negotiating the plastic tube sapling protectors, tested patience, balance and stamina. It’s all good for the soul, perhaps?
Despite this we did reach the valley bottom where Bob and Tim spread out along it to search for the memorial stone. On a level bit of ground, there was a smallish rocky cairn with a protruding stone which had some carving on the upstream facing side. As far as we could tell, it read,
“RIP THOSE WHO DIED ON THE FOUR INNS WALK”
It was very sad to think of the three youngsters suffering, lost in the cold of the snow, wind and rain. Our thoughts go out to them.
Having admired the steep valley sides for long enough, it was now our turn to climb one of them. The bilberry, fresh bracken and heather now actually proved useful by providing something to grab on to as we scrambled up the also soggy and rocky steep exit from the river. Of course, it was a hard climb complicated by where we thought we were going. Some of us had not got the message to miss out a visit to the Alport trig. So, we went to it and very pleasant it was. It was satisfying to know we had the moral, and literal, high ground., We now had the gloating rights.
Once found, there is a path, indistinct in places, from near the trig down to the edge of the forest north of Fagney Clough. It’s possible then to pick up a very overgrown forest track leading to the main drag up the Westend. Andy and I were picking our way through the brashings when he veered off to the left but, as ever, I chose what seemed to be an easy way through the wood, it was slow but led me to the bottom track and then to the cars. Andy so enjoyed track running (?), his left-hand variation took him further up it so delaying his finish to a successful discovery of the other memorial stone.
The YBI was packed so whilst the nine of us were offered a possible table, we had managed to squeeze cosily around a table for four to declare it had been yet another good outing. Thanks to all.
Graham
