Celebrations were the priority this Christmas season. So, the fixtures committee decided that both the Christmas and New Year’s Eves Wednesdays’ outings should be brought forward a day. Not only that, but they should be held on the Tuesdays and in the mornings, firstly at 8.30 from Cutthroat Bridge and then the following week, from Strines, at 9,00, for the benefit of the later risers. Such was the shock of these revolutionary changes to the Serious Warts’ routine that we were honoured by the presence of Penny and Sarah on the first outing and by Polly on the second, all three, of course, being heartily welcomed.
Our first outing on the eve of Christmas Eve was a grand tour of Bamford Moor where we track ran to Jarvis Clough, the fragile shed still remains to provide a bit of shelter. Great Tor next although we needed a little adjustment to actually reach it but that it is the nature of Serious Warting. Unusually, we continued our long track running whilst admiring the view over the Hope Valley on the way to the Hordron Edge stone circle. Here we were reminded, with delicious fondness, of the birthday cake made by Penny last year and carried all the way around the route. Thanks again Penny!
Our next eve of eve outing was from Strines where we joined by Polly, hot-foot from working in Chamonix which is a bit more spectacular than Strines Moor and the towering peaks of Howshaw Tor and Cakes of Bread. It’s all we’ve got!
However, returning to normality (some may dispute whether we are normal?) on a Wednesday and the darkness, last night, we were given the pleasure of a significant and cold north-north-westerly blow which was not in our favour as we ascended The Wicken (10 of us, including Chris just back from Portugal, Roger fresh from his youthful 60th birthday and Tom from his injuries and holidays skiing and a trip to Hong Kong). Tim was keen to voluntarily demonstrate his cold-water tolerance by diving into the stream at the foot of the climb and then proceeding to run at a more urgent pace. Perhaps this is his secret pre-race tactic, your secret is out Tim. Though, I must admit I’m not such a keen follower,
It was a long and mainly snowy climb, against the wind, to Seal Edge where the speedy Serious Warts were gathered, claiming the warmth of the rocks there, it’s all relative! Whilst it may be quite normal, John’s offer of Haribos (?) was very welcome and provided the warm feeling we needed (thanks John). As is normal practice, the state of ourselves, the weather and the underfoot conditions had been carefully considered as we dropped our plan to visit Hartshorn and instead to go round the Blackden rim to Bob’s Rock.
But, we paid for our decision by fighting against the now more forceful wind whilst balancing in the deep and snowy narrow trodden path. Thankfully our round brought us into a favourable wind direction but still with the balance challenges. We crowded into the wind free nooks and crannies in Bob’s Rock before our descent, eventually, to Dean Hill. Andy’s shout was to stay high which we did despite our tendency to drift down and spread out across the hillside. I think it did pay-off because eventually Dean Hill top was reached. Please note it is not by any means a significant looking top from above, unlike its almost apparent Alpine profile from the valley.
We’d had wind, snow, cold and undergrowth but the greatest challenge was to come, the ascent from the river back to the car park. At the start, the descent was tricky enough with a steep icy slope requiring some imaginative lines through a series of prickly hawthorn bushes thereby swapping one hazard for another, but that’s Warting! In the summer of my youth and in the summer, the challenge was to run without stopping, to the car park gate. Not today though, I had to stop and rest from walking (yes, walking), half way up. Later of course, we had a fine welcome at the YBI where discussions included Roger’s birthday, (a big one), the Warts’ programme for the next couple of weeks and all manner of useful fell -running nonsense.
But, what a splendid outing, thanks to Andy and all,
Graham
