Breakfast at Castleton YHA: stock up, as it’s going to be a long day. Taxi arrived at 08:30 to take us to Edale for a 9.00 start and so far everything is looking good. Weather is fine, with some showers expected but otherwise overcast and fine…good walking weather.
A photo call at the Nag’s Head in Edale is, of course, compulsory. Then, approach the start line actually, the “No Parking” white line, and we’re off! Up Peat Lane, over the first stile and along the side of Broadlee-Bank Tor, slowly climbing. Gentle stuff, no-one in sight (strange for a Saturday morning) . At Upper Booth, disappointed to find they no longer sell local ice-cream but we plough on nonetheless steadily approaching
Jacob’s Ladder: Margarette’s nemesis. We came down this a few years ago and she had exaggerated its height and difficulty till she was convinced it would be her downfall. Of course, she is so fit now that she sailed up it (like a barge, but still got to the top!).
Just in time for a hail storm to hit us. A rather slow change into wet weather gear under the shelter of Swine’s Back. Onwards, swaddled in waterproofs, in heavy rain. For 10 minutes. Then sunshine. A pattern which repeated itself for the next 4 hours. Finally, the rain lifted and we were able to dry out.
The walk along the escarpment to Kinder Downfall was easy going, but now with a string of other walkers off into the distance. Busy place. On to the cross-roads at Mill Hill then off North East towards Glede Hill and the A57 road. By now, we were getting used to the long stretches of slab pathway which had been laid to both prevent erosion of the Way and also make crossing the peaty moorland much easier. Some people complain that this isn’t aesthetically pleasing, but it makes a significant difference to average speeds and a major contribution to opening the Way to families.
As we crossed the A57,the path was fine for a short while, but rapidly deteriorated into follwiong a series of rocky brooks with short paved paths. Very difficult and unsafe, but also greatly reducing our speed. Our average became about 1 mile per hour. By the time we reached Bleaklow Head we were getting tired and initially missed the poor signposting towards Crowden. I took a bearing based on the map and we followed a rocky, shallow gully for a few miles. As some confirmation, some sensible soul had scratched PW into a rock at the start of this part of the Way…otherwise, no signs of any kind.
The gully was initially wide and easy walking.
This soon changed into a narrow, rock strewn and dangerous – from an ankles perspective – channel. Speed again dropped as we carefully picked our way along, only improved in one or two places by short pathed stretches. This patter followed Wildboar Grain, clinging (most of the time – sometimes eroded away) to Clough Edge, with a steep drop of about 200’ for the careless. Not a walk for the faint hearted or height conscious! We emerged on the hillside overlooking Torside Reservoir – currently dried out - then descended and crossed into Crowden.
The YH is easy to find as long as you stick to the directions given on the signs…don’t take a shortcut as you are likely to end on the wrong side of the village. Crowden YHA is a relatively new, purpose-built Hostel. Again, really friendly and helpful staff who supplied a wholesome 3 course meal (bring your own wine!).
Weather forecast for tomorrow (Sunday) is pretty poor, so an early start is probably best based on how tiring we’ve found it on other walks to walk, navigate and climb safely in those conditions.
A photo call at the Nag’s Head in Edale is, of course, compulsory. Then, approach the start line actually, the “No Parking” white line, and we’re off! Up Peat Lane, over the first stile and along the side of Broadlee-Bank Tor, slowly climbing. Gentle stuff, no-one in sight (strange for a Saturday morning) . At Upper Booth, disappointed to find they no longer sell local ice-cream but we plough on nonetheless steadily approaching
Jacob’s Ladder: Margarette’s nemesis. We came down this a few years ago and she had exaggerated its height and difficulty till she was convinced it would be her downfall. Of course, she is so fit now that she sailed up it (like a barge, but still got to the top!).Just in time for a hail storm to hit us. A rather slow change into wet weather gear under the shelter of Swine’s Back. Onwards, swaddled in waterproofs, in heavy rain. For 10 minutes. Then sunshine. A pattern which repeated itself for the next 4 hours. Finally, the rain lifted and we were able to dry out.
The walk along the escarpment to Kinder Downfall was easy going, but now with a string of other walkers off into the distance. Busy place. On to the cross-roads at Mill Hill then off North East towards Glede Hill and the A57 road. By now, we were getting used to the long stretches of slab pathway which had been laid to both prevent erosion of the Way and also make crossing the peaty moorland much easier. Some people complain that this isn’t aesthetically pleasing, but it makes a significant difference to average speeds and a major contribution to opening the Way to families.As we crossed the A57,the path was fine for a short while, but rapidly deteriorated into follwiong a series of rocky brooks with short paved paths. Very difficult and unsafe, but also greatly reducing our speed. Our average became about 1 mile per hour. By the time we reached Bleaklow Head we were getting tired and initially missed the poor signposting towards Crowden. I took a bearing based on the map and we followed a rocky, shallow gully for a few miles. As some confirmation, some sensible soul had scratched PW into a rock at the start of this part of the Way…otherwise, no signs of any kind.
The gully was initially wide and easy walking.
This soon changed into a narrow, rock strewn and dangerous – from an ankles perspective – channel. Speed again dropped as we carefully picked our way along, only improved in one or two places by short pathed stretches. This patter followed Wildboar Grain, clinging (most of the time – sometimes eroded away) to Clough Edge, with a steep drop of about 200’ for the careless. Not a walk for the faint hearted or height conscious! We emerged on the hillside overlooking Torside Reservoir – currently dried out - then descended and crossed into Crowden.The YH is easy to find as long as you stick to the directions given on the signs…don’t take a shortcut as you are likely to end on the wrong side of the village. Crowden YHA is a relatively new, purpose-built Hostel. Again, really friendly and helpful staff who supplied a wholesome 3 course meal (bring your own wine!).
Weather forecast for tomorrow (Sunday) is pretty poor, so an early start is probably best based on how tiring we’ve found it on other walks to walk, navigate and climb safely in those conditions.
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