It was a 3pm start for seven Serious Warts including Jim O who was doing his own thing on the opposite side of the Derwent valley. The remaining six of us were bracing ourselves for a classic brutal start from King’s Tree. In contrast, the short stroll to the river was pleasant. However, the crossing over the very slippery stones in knee deep water, certainly shook us out of our complacency and refreshed us in preparation for the coming climb.
Cold Side is a classic sort of climb in that the higher we climb the steeper it becomes until reaching the vertical rocks where we allowed ourselves a rest to admire the view.
But, there’s more ascent to be done before we get to a sort of summit on Long Edge. Thankfully, there was then a track downhill (yes) past the shooting butts and near to some mysterious stone structures built into the hillside which we didn’t see but worthy of another outing, perhaps? However, we were set on reaching our target of High Stones via Penistone Stile (why “Penistone” which is some way away?). We were reminded that High Stones is claimed to be the highest point in South Yorkshire, although there’s no need to plant a flag.
Our next summit required some serious bog trotting across an ever-widening path. There comes a width of boggy path when slabs may need to be laid but I guess it’s unlikely to be soon, so we can enjoy the pleasure for longer.
Our contemplation of bogs was interrupted by two fly pasts of a large plane which was filmed by Jim from the other side of the valley. However, returning back to bogs, they finish near the Margery Hill trig which is a-temporarily a bog free island continuing for a short distance only, downhill.
A longish boggy path then continues across Cut Gate and on to Bull Stones where we were surprised by a lone walker sheltering under the rocks.
We were promised a gentle descent to the valley bottom though it was interrupted by a crossing of a large area of prickly bracken. Once crossed, there was a grassy zig-zag descent to the stream junction and to Slippery Stones bridge. There was more distraction in the form of a quad vehicle (it’s not a bike!) followed by three greyhounds keeping apace. Do we need a club quad vehicle for training and rescuing members? It would look smart in the club colours. Speculation continued as we tackled the track back to the car park, finishing in full daylight. Summer is here!
Arriving a bit later than the others, we (MM, RW and GB) missed the fun that the earlier ones had at the YBI when they apparently forced (gently) customers from our table for the seven of us to use. Talk was of past glories particularly the Fifteen Trigs and its suitability for training for the BG and how the various changes made to the conditions on the route have now made it easier, so claim some older members of this distinguished elite group. We Warts still believe we are distinguished and elite though perhaps also disillusioned,
We certainly had a good outing, so thanks to all.
Graham
