For a long time now I've been wanting to make a video featuring one of my favourite Peak District Edges. I'd had an idea a while ago about doing a time lapse from different angles, today was the day I finally got to do it. I firstly started by updating the firmware on my Canon 550D DSLR last night, I then applied the fantastic Magic Lantern upgrade. Magic Lantern is an enhancement atop of Canon's firmware that frees your Canon DSLR, allowing you to use many useful features. It is an open (GPL) framework for developing extensions to the official software.
First thing this morning the weather was looking rather dreary, I decided to hold off for a few hours and eventually headed out to Birchen Edge at 11am. The wind was blowing, there was an icy cold snap in the air but thankfully the rain had passed. I parked at the car park next to the Robin Hood Inn and made my way up to Nelson's Monument.
I spent around 2 hours up on the edge, I filmed different angles of the Monument, The Three Ship Stones and also the Trig Point. It was nice to have a few moments of peace and quite while the camera was doing its thing. Thankfully I had my new Berghaus Down Jacket with me as the temperature must have been below zero due to the wind chill. I made my way home after a nice practice with the new Magic Lantern features, I have stitched aspects of today's footage together and i've embedded the results for you to view at the top of the post or on YouTube. I also recorded an AudioBoo while I was there which is also embedded above.
The 8th episode of the Peak Routes podcast comes from a very famous location in the Peak District, Kinder Scout. Kinder is one of the Peaks most iconic hills and the starting point for this walk is from the historic Bowden Bridge Quarry. This episode follows the classic Hayfield Route, we visit great spots like William Clough, the Canadian Sabre Jet Wreckage, Kinder Downfall, Kinder Low and The cave at Kinder Low End.
If you would like to download this episode or any of the others then you can visit the Podcast page of the site. You can also subscribe to get them delivered to you via Feedburner.
I don't usually have favourites but there is one place that I can never get out of my mind, that place is the forestry plantation in Lady Clough. I'm a sucker for a pine forest and this one in particular is one that I day dream about while at work. I know this type of forest isn't native to the area, I know some say the pine is a blot on the landscape, I just can't help falling for the serenity and the relaxing feeling down there by the river.
As always we arrived at the car park at Birchin Clough bright and early ready for another great days walking. We got kitted out in cold weather gear and headed over the snake road then down in to the forest.
The weather in 2012 has been a real wash out at times, especially when it comes to walking days. We've walked in everything this year, drizzle, hail, torrential rain and the odd thunder storm. Luckily however I work continental shifts which means I work 4 days and then get 4 days off. Doing this sort of shift pattern means I have those 4 days off to select which day is going to be the most suitable, thankfully I chose well this week and managed to pick a non torrential day. There was only a very small weather window though and it meant being finished by 15:00 in the afternoon.
[caption id="attachment_2159" align="alignnone" width="600"] Kinder Scout from Barber Booth[/caption]
Once again I headed for Kinder Scout, I was accompanied by my friend Andy this time and we met up at the Barber Booth car park. It had been a last minute change of plan which meant we were arriving later than usual at 11:30. As it was later it only gave us a short amount of time to get up and down before the heavy rain arrived at 15:00
I've been trying to tick off as many new routes as possible in the last year or so. I decided to focus on finishing the last few remaining routes up Kinder I had still not done, I've walked Kinder hundreds of times in different ways but have never approached it up Crowden Clough. From above it looks stunning and I have passed over the top of the clough many times, I thought today would be the perfect opportunity to tick it off by doing a rather small route.
[caption id="attachment_2162" align="alignnone" width="600"] Crowden Clough - National Trust Sign[/caption]
We set off from Barber Booth, proceeded along the road and then headed up Crowden from Upper Booth. It was a rather dull overcast day today which was a real contrast from the stunning wintry conditions last week (Peak District – Kinder Scout – Ringing Roger & Hope Cross). The ascent was very gentle at first as we kriss crossed Crowden Brook a dozen or so times.
All of a sudden it gets pretty interesting, you can either choose to climb straight up the brook or you can take the steep path that skirts along the valley side. As the river was running pretty quickly (and we didn't want wet feet) we chose to use the tough but rewarding climb up along the side of the valley. It is currently very eroded, very slippery and lots of fun. There were signs at the very bottom and the top of the clough indicating that improvement work is going to be happening soon. The path is feeling the strain of the thousands of boots which have passed this way. I would be interested to see how the route looks once the new path has been built.
I was back in very familiar territory once we topped out of the Clough and met the edge path. I have passed this way many times in the past, I have really fond memories of it as we walked this way the very first time I set foot on Kinder back in 2006 (Deanread.net - Kinder Scout - Peak District).
[caption id="attachment_2155" align="alignnone" width="600"] The top of Crowden Clough[/caption]
As the weather was due to get allot worse as the day progressed we decided that the best route off of the plateau would be Grindsbrook. This has got to be one of my favourite ways to get on or off Kinder, it's a great scramble and I have done it in all weathers. One of the most memorable times was when I walked it in winter back in 2009.
[caption id="attachment_2156" align="alignnone" width="600"] Looking down Grindsbrook from below Upper Tor[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_2157" align="alignnone" width="600"] Looking up Grindsbrook from below Upper Tor[/caption]
While we were descending Grindsbrook Clough we came across a guy who had lost his friends, he looked pretty panicked and I instantly thought that it would end up being another job for mountain rescue. I couldn't quite make out weather he had lost them or if they had lost him :-) He said they had left him up there and he had been wandering alone up on the plateau. We hadn't seen any signs of anyone matching the description he gave so he continued running down Grindsbrook. I can happily report that when we eventually arrived down in Edale we spotted him with his friends outside the Old Nag's Head, so all is well that ends well.
[caption id="attachment_2153" align="alignnone" width="600"] The Great Ridge from between Edale and Barber Booth[/caption]
From Edale we made our way across the fields towards Barber Booth and we came across what looked like Moors for the Future's stockpile of stone. There were around 40 or so bags filled with stone waiting to be lifted up for them to continue their path building work. I must admit I have seen the helicopter landing in this area in the past so maybe we had stumbled across their improvised Heli Pad.
[caption id="attachment_2158" align="alignnone" width="600"] Moors for the Future - Stone Bags[/caption]
It was a short but sweet walk today and we managed to beat the rain and make it back before it arrived. We decided that as we were in this area we would head to the Woodbine Cafe in Hope. The warm drinks, cake and nice warm fire were just what the doctor ordered.
This may well be my last Peak District outing this year and it will certainly be my last before Christmas. The next walk I'll be doing will be over on the northern edge of Kinder, I'd still like to tick off another route on that side and I'll most certainly bring you the story at PeakRoutes.com.
I've been making videos while walking for some time now, They have been rather sporadically appearing and I realised that it was high time I made some more. This is an introduction to future videos i'm hoping to make in the Peak District. They will feature walking routes, places of interest and also the odd interview thrown in for good measure. I have gone for a very "Over The Top Epic" feel for this one but the future instalments will be of a more laid back nature :-)
I'm having a great run at the moment it seems when it comes to walking weather, I had checked the advanced forecast and selected Thursday the 13th of December to have a wander this week. When the day finally arrived I still hadn't chosen where I was going to walk, I quickly checked my Dark Peak Combi Map on ShareYourAdventure.com and had a look what gaps need filling in. I decided to go for a walk I have done before but I haven't tracked it while Social Hiking. I got all my cold weather gear ready, set up my map on ShareYourAdventure.com, loaded the car, made coffee and off I went.
[caption id="attachment_2126" align="alignnone" width="600"] A frosty start in Edale[/caption]
When I arrived in Edale I was met by a beautiful winter scene, hoar frost, valley fog, and the sun piercing through the clouds into the valley. I managed to grab a parking space next to the school, put my boots on and then went over to the Old Nag's Head to film a snippet of video for a short film I had planned to make during my walk today.
I had been planning on making this short movie for some time, one of those projects that I dream up in my head while at work and then take a while to get around to actually doing. sadly, allot of my projects are still on the "to do" list but this one has made it through to completion :-)
The views were stunning down in to the Vale of Edale as I climbed up towards Ringing Roger. The cloud was slowly dispersing and the sun was peeping out from behind Mam Tor to fill the valley with light.
[caption id="attachment_2125" align="alignnone" width="600"] Vale of Edale[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_2127" align="alignnone" width="600"] Kinder Scout - Grindsbrook[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_2130" align="alignnone" width="600"] Moors for the Future - Workers Tools[/caption]
I spotted a couple of guys who were working on the footpath on behalf of Moors For The Future. They have been doing some great conservation work over the last few years, not only have they been building or repairing paths, they have been planting various things to help keep the moors in good condition. You can really see how the vegetation they have planted is taking hold and protecting the bare peat.
[caption id="attachment_2129" align="alignnone" width="600"] Ringing Roger on Kinder Scout[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_2128" align="alignnone" width="600"] Moors for the Future - Bags of Rocks[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_2121" align="alignnone" width="600"] Moors for the Future path work on Kinder Scout[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_2122" align="alignnone" width="600"] Ringing Roger on Kinder Scout[/caption]
The final part of the video was filmed up on Ringing Roger itself, I had envisaged myself looking out over a valley at the crescendo of the movie and this was a great spot to choose. The views from Ringing Roger are stunning as you look down to Edale and up Grindsbrook. The cloud was lingering at around 600 metres today so I had to go for a slightly higher shooting angle. The video itself was only really ever supposed to be a bit of fun, i'm hoping that a few more serious walking route videos will follow soon.
[caption id="attachment_2123" align="alignnone" width="600"] Kinder Scout Upper Tor[/caption]
These 2 Bambuser Videos were being broadcast live while I was stood up there on Ringing Roger. The first one ends abruptly as I received a phone call, the second one ends after 9 minutes as my phone decided to switch off :-).
[caption id="attachment_2124" align="alignnone" width="600"] Win Hill and Lose Hill valley fog[/caption]
As I walked across towards Crookstone Knoll I witnessed a fantastic sight when looking down towards Hope Valley. The fog was rolling up the valley, it looked stunning as it was framed by Win Hill and Lose Hill. I recorded the AudioBoo above while I was stood there totally amazed :-)
[caption id="attachment_2120" align="alignnone" width="600"] Looking down Jaggers Clough[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_2118" align="alignnone" width="600"] Crookstone Moor - PeakRoutes Logo Sign[/caption]
I always like visiting Crookstone Moor, The sign post there has got to be one of my favourites now. I have kind of adopted it as the logo for PeakRoutes which means I look at it allot now days, Its always nice to physically go back there and see it in person.
[caption id="attachment_2116" align="alignnone" width="600"] Roman Road to Hope Cross[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_2115" align="alignnone" width="600"] Great Ridge looking from Bridleway near Hope Cross[/caption]
I'm not sure which farm owns the land up here but they really do not want you to stray off the path. They have done everything than can to keep you "Off My Land" here. The Bridleway down to Edale and the Old Roman Road down to Hope is rather hemmed in.
[caption id="attachment_2119" align="alignnone" width="600"] Looking up Jaggers Clough[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_2112" align="alignnone" width="600"] Jaggers Clough River Crossing[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_2110" align="alignnone" width="600"] Win Hill and the Vale of Edale[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_2114" align="alignnone" width="600"] Lose Hill looking frosty[/caption]
By this part of my walk the skies were totally clear and the sun was streaming down in to the valley, Lose Hill looked impressive with its icy northern flanks and I even snapped one of the many trains running through the valley.
[caption id="attachment_2111" align="alignnone" width="600"] Bridleway from Hope Cross to Edale[/caption]
It had been a great walk again today, infact every walk in the Peak District is great regardless of the weather. I would go out if it was chucking it down, I need to get my walking fix or all is not well with the world :-)
[caption id="attachment_2132" align="alignnone" width="600"] Grindslow Knoll & Grindsbrook from Edale[/caption]
I finished off the day by going for a pint of 1577 at the Old Nag's Head. It was lovely and warm in there which felt very welcoming after being out in the sub zero temperatures all day. I got chatting with the lady behind the bar about history and she very kindly fetched a book for me to read. It was her copy of the History of Edale and it had a great wealth of information to soak in about the area. I have added it to my list of reading material to locate in the library the next time I go.
[caption id="attachment_2131" align="alignnone" width="600"] Edale - Old Nag's Head[/caption]
I headed back to the car after I had finished reading and drinking. I scraped the ice from the windows and then begun to drive home. I spotted a chap who was trying to thumb a lift at the entrance to the main car park in the village. I thought.. what the heck, i'll give him a lift. I've never picked up a hitchhiker before and he turned out to be a thoroughly nice chap. He was a fell runner who had been out on Kinder researching routes for an upcoming fell race in January. I gave him a lift to Hathersage and we chatted about running, the Peak, the Lakes, Scotland and Snowdonia.
I'm hoping to be out again towards the end of next week, I shall bring you another bucket load of images, video and audio for you to sample. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read, watch, listen or just look :-)
It always seems that when my friend Andy and I go walking we always get rain. We don't mind though as we will walk no matter what the weather, today however the roll of bad luck had finally ended. We got the most beautiful wintery conditions with perfect blue skies, snow, ice and the hills to ourselves. We sett off from Birchin Clough at around 09:45, headed down in the Lady Clough and then up the path through the Pine Forest. We crossed over to Doctors Gate, walked along the Roman Road and then swung northward along Devil's Dike. We had a great walk up to the summit of Bleaklow, swung eastwards to Bleaklow Stones and then headed back down via Grains in the Water. We climbed over the moors once again and then made our way back to Lady Clough via Upper North Grain. It was a lovely winter wander that I will write more about very soon... For now why not have a look at the images, the Social Hiking map and have a listen to the 3 AudioBoos from today.
[caption id="attachment_2097" align="alignnone" width="600"] Lady Clough Forest[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_2096" align="alignnone" width="600"] Lady Clough Forest[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_2095" align="alignnone" width="600"] Lady Clough Forest[/caption]
