Upper Derwent Stones 2024

Upper Derwent Stones 2024 on Sat 23rd Mar 2024

Only a week ago many Dark Peakers were basking in the Todmorden sunshine (not a sentence I expected to write). Today, however, saw a return to true winter conditions with some wild weather befitting this foray into some of our wildest territory. The headwind and driving hail between Bull Stones and Horse Stone brought back memories of the infamous 2007 Edale Skyline. To the relief of the (last minute stand-in) race organiser conditions ameliorated for the second half of the race although the terrain underfoot remained sapping. The north-westerly wind helped propel us across the boggy ground of Ridgewalk Moor and down the magnificent final descent of Linch Clough to the relative calm of King’s Tree. Everyone survived to tell the tale. Basil Moss earns special kudos for walking from home and bivvying out in Howden Clough the night before the race – a very “Dark Peak” approach.

Tom Brunt, March 23, 2024