It is rare for the Serious (Slow Warts) to venture to the more “civilised” south west corner of the Dark Peak, (dangerously near to the White Peak) but, with a touch of trepidation, we brave five did (Tom was cycling in Normandy, Andy was on honeymoon duties in the Solway Firth). Ablutions over, including the removal of Moz’s tick, we set off at a cracking walking pace, to Dalehead, bringing back memories of last year’s Club Championships, Gavin’s race and Penny’s night run from Chinley when there was a dash to reach Edale station before the last train left for Sheffield!
It is a hard climb up a mainly pathless steep slope and although we had a plan to go to the big memorial cairn this dissolved into a vague idea to reach the even vaguer and almost flat Horsehill Tor. There was no celebration, if, indeed, we had actually arrived there. There was some slightly higher ground in the near distance but we chose to ignore it and strode on towards Brown Knoll on a fine, soft sheep track. However, after enjoying the comfort of the vegetation, we reached the Brown Knoll trig with its partially surrounding fence and slabs.
I was assured by the bone specialists (Tim and Roger) that running in studs on the slabs, is good for strengthening bones, although nothing was mentioned about the effects on the joints, ankles, knees, hips, back and neck, maybe it’s also beneficial for them too (?). Fear not, it’s Harmerian Westend next week
I’m not sure our bones and joints benefitted from the pounding we imposed on them and, I have to confess, I did occasionally stray from the straight, narrow and hard flags on to the soft peaty verges; Apologies (and thanks) to all the workers and volunteers (?) who laboured to put the slabs in place and to Andy who has a fearsome objection to using them. Shame on us! Having cogitated long and hard (really) on our route, Edale Cross provided an opportunity to review our haphazard progress so far. Roych Clough was quickly dismissed before we started even moving, as insufficiently elegant (and, more likely, too much climbing). At the Cross, it was decided to reach Crowden Head to descend into the valley. However, we fell in to the temptation to descend earlier and directly from Noe Stool over the very vegetated and rocky ground to the foot of Jacob’s Ladder.
Yes, we took to the track; shame on we Warts, maybe we were, by now, tired and emotional? Nevertheless, we strode on resting occasionally to finesse our route (straight on) until Roger guided us through the labyrinth of farmyard tracks, paths and gates on to the grassy short cut to the rail viaduct.
It didn’t take long to decide that tonight’s pub would be The Rambler where there was a meet of Morris Dancers in black hats, some black make-up and colourful outfits or were we hallucinating after our two and half hour outing or was it the beer (too cloudy) three pints of which were quickly withdrawn from us by the landlady and replaced with clearer beer? However, it was worth waiting for!
It had been a splendid warm, breezy and sunny evening which we all enjoyed. Perfect!
Thanks to all.
Graham
