Even though there was a bit of light in the twilit sky, some head torches were turned on in our first foray into the dark at the start of our latest outing. It was noticeably good weather for the Serious (Slow) Warts, with no rain, a gentle wind and a bracingly low temperature; all was set fair as we climbed up and over the path from the carpark at Cutthroat Bridge. In our days from here, the traffic seems to have increased making us have to wait before we can cross the road, there was even a suggestion for a crossing to be installed, particularly for the over seventy-year-olds. Anyway, all ten of us made it.
In a break from our usual ascent to Derwent Edge, we used the main track instead of the heathery moor crossing to Whinstone Lee, in so doing possibly upsetting our absent leader, Andy, who was on sabbatical leave in the north western Lakes. Our aim was to find a ruined farmhouse with a massive lintel over the old fireplace. Our search for curiosities continues. However, despite the fact we had a world class orienteer amongst us, we the slow Serious (Slow) Warts group, including previous visitors to the ruin, failed to find it. The fast Serious (Slow) Warts who were ahead, did enjoy telling us gleefully later that they did find it.
Getting there, or nearly getting there, did involve a steep descent into Grainfoot Clough and, for the slow Serious (Slow) Warts, a steep climb out again, such is the lot of any fell runner, the latter description flattering to our group; we walked up! Having extricated ourselves from the Clough, we decided to leave the NT shelter hut (our original plan) for another day and took a short cut to the level path following the wall. Here, a strange darkness fell in front of me and then disappeared, my torch had blinked. Oh well, it disappeared (if darkness can?). However, a couple of repeats later up to Salt Cellar finished with a constant but feeble light, which was just manageable but slowed progress significantly, so I accepted Clive’s generous offer of the loan of his spare torch. Thanks Clive, much appreciated.
Our combined and improved lighting, took us along Derwent Edge and the “Coach and Horses”, then turning off the main track and across the moor and, eventual[y, to the car park. Like last week, (c.f. last week’s blog), our checkpoint count was incomplete having missed out the ruined house but reaching Salt Cellar. We did thankfully manage to reach the YBI.
We were honoured to be joined by properly young Dark Peakers including Tim Rutter who, at his tender age, of late 40’s, was bemoaning he couldn’t keep up with youngsters in his group who had just gone back up Win Hill for a bit of extra training. A gentle reminder of our ages did, we hope, put his mind at rest, Meanwhile, our older groups reminisced about checkpoint confirmations, clippers, marshals, dibbers, GPS devices, dissolving eco dye sticks and a bucket of dye to splash on competitors’ legs (in the Hallam Chase).
A normal outing with a normal set of incidents, yet another adventure, thanks to all.
Graham
