The geologists in the Slow Warts have spent some time (!) discussing the differences between, and characteristics of, drumlins and moraines so it was one such geologist who suggested an outing to a moraine, thought to be on the slopes of Kinder. On the day however, Tom was struck down by chilblains and missed our nine-person exploration team (including Penny after her latest trip) from the Snake bridge. We were therefore deprived of any of Tom’s edifying comments at the moraine, should we find it supposedly near Middle Seal Clough. Assistance was at hand in the form of the last vestiges of daylight on our 5pm start and whilst the days are lengthening, the low temperature enhanced by a strong westerly, is not yet spring like.
Leaving the warmth of the cars, the combination of the wind and the lie of the land at the bridge and in Fair Brook somehow created a surprisingly early chilling blast and a harsh introduction to our quest for the moraine. We should have known, the mountain forecast was for a “feels like” temperature of -7⁰C so we cracked the ice on the path up the stream before crossing it, avoiding, if possible, a stimulating foot dunking, to climb up Middle Seal Clough. Whether it was a deliberate moraine search tactic or just random Wartism, we spread out to the right, the left, and the centre, passing a slightly mounded and underwhelming feature with the comment, “That could be it”. Any more talking was much curtailed by the sharp increase in slope, and breathlessness, up to Seal Edge where eight of us regrouped for our crossing of Kinder to Grindslow Knoll.
Whether the cold stimulates or deadens the thought processes, I’m not sure but I was reminded of crème brulee as we cracked through the surface ice into some softer semi-frozen custardy-peat during our Kinder crossing on an 180⁰ bearing. The dark outline of the Knoll could be seen but without seemingly to get any nearer, however, perseverance paid off as we arrived at the southern edge path, not quite at the exact head of Grindsbrook. A slight readjustment, west along the edge path was needed though there was some speculation that the very bright torch light on the Knoll summit belonged to Bob who had taken a more right-hand line on the crossing. Whose light that was, though, was left unresolved as we then went on to meet Bob at Grindsbrook head. Here, darkness prevented us seeing the precipitous drops as we gayly skipped over the rocks and sat unknowingly and comfortably on the edge of darkness. There was a call here for a change of plan, after all, we had been meandering for about 90 minutes so, the trip to the Knoll and its light source followed by a direct crossing of the Brook via the infamous fence climb, was abandoned and we continued, instead, back along the edge path and on to Hartshorn.
At the head of Grindsbrook (it doesn’t look precipitous!)
Our dose of path running along the edge was enough to encourage us back to rough ground Warting from Hartshorn towards Seal Stones, though, in the dash for the cars and the pub we reverted to uncomfortable stony paths for the final descent to Fair Brook. To continue the Warts’ hair shirted approach to any outing and because we had largely kept our feet dry, it was necessary to plunge our feet into the Brook’s icy waters for an utterly enjoyable experience.
Our enjoyment was continued as we approached the blazing lights of the Yorkshire Bridge Inn. Our last two visits there had been disappointing, it had been closed but we were able to enjoy again their hospitality. There were serious discussions about the relative merits of the grip of different shoes from the old days, Reebok, Walsh, Adidas and the use, by Andy in his prime, of spikes on the Crookestone Crashout (should I admit to owning a pair of kangaroo skin Adidas spikes in the sixties?). There was even speculation on whether to use spikes at the winter Olympics race next weekend (18th February). All this serious talk doesn’t disguise that tonight’s moraine expedition was declared to have been cold, windy and wonderful. Thanks to all!
Graham
Our track for the night, many thanks to Chris and also for the outing details, distance, height, etc.
