Dark woods, tussocks, rocks, a little snow, a bit of a wind, a string of lights and some uncertainty are characteristics of a Wednesday night Warts’ run and tonight was no different. Immediately from the start at Fairholmes, the uncertainty of the route to Lockerbrook (yes to Lockerbrook!) appeared as we headed off on an easy going trail. There was a correction by one group taking a direct route through the woods and brashings before the whole group recombined for more forest leading to open country at Lockerbrook Heights.
From here on there was a touch of serendipity, although this was not recognised at the time. The intention was to reach the wood on the east of Alport Grain and then tip toe through the rocks on the opposite bank before heading off to Alport. However, there was a drift to the left (west!) which meant we only crossed the upper reaches of Alport Grain. A decision was taken to go directly, via tussock and some snow, on to the edge where we would now happily have time to visit The Tower which never disappoints, with wind, vertigo, whisky, jelly babies and a view of a string of lights staggering around. For a bonus, the pond was also visited before a stiff climb back to the edge.
The route back was then straightforward on the flagstones apart from the strong wind. However, Andy and I thought we could carry out a devastating Worsell (for younger members, a short cut!) by using a direct route from the start of the official descent path (south of Lockerbrook Farm) which had often been used in days gone by. This proved useless! Undergrowth had now developed into overgrowth and more saplings had grown so not only did we not catch up the front group (fat chance!) but the group previously behind us (Fi, Steve and Tim) were already at the car park and well on the way to being changed and ready to go to the pub. Oh well, it was still a great adventure!!!
Graham
And due to a tear in fabric of spacetime I can reveal that a week later a select group of Warts will spend considerable time going round in circles not finding Low Tor.
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