Peak District - Kinder Scout - Crowden & Grindsbrook

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]

listen to ‘Peak District - Kinder Scout - Crowden & Grindsbrook ’ on Audioboo

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.

[caption id="attachment_2160" align="alignnone" width="600"] Crowden Clough[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2163" align="alignnone" width="600"] Crowden Clough Waterfall[/caption]

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.

[caption id="attachment_2161" align="alignnone" width="600"] Crowden Clough[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2154" align="alignnone" width="600"] Crowden Clough[/caption]

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.

listen to ‘Peak District - The Woodbine Cafe & The Lonely Walker’ on Audioboo

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.

PeakRoutes - Kinder Scout - Ringing Roger

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 :-)

Peak District - Kinder Scout - Ringing Roger & Hope Cross

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 :-)

listen to ‘Peak District - Walking Up To Ringing Roger from Edale’ on Audioboo

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]

listen to ‘Peak District - Fog In the Hope Valley - Mindful Mountaineering :-)’ on Audioboo

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_2117" align="alignnone" width="600"] Crookstone Moor[/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_2113" align="alignnone" width="600"] Jaggers Clough Bridleway [/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.

listen to ‘Peak District - History & The Hitchhiker ’ on Audioboo

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 :-)

Peak District - Kinder Scout - Behind the Scenes

I set off from home this morning and headed through the rush hour traffic straight to Edale. It has only been a week since my last walk in the Peak District but I find the more I go.. The more I need to go. I feel thoroughly gripped by the need to explore every corner of the Peak District at the minute.

Peak District - Edale Skyline - Ring of Mild Steel :-)

This is another one of those fantastic Peak District routes that I have been wanting to do for some time now, I had seen it on the map and while out walking I could see there was a clear route all the way around. I decided to name it affectionately after the “Ring of Steel” in the Mamores in Scotland.. It is the Peak District’s very own “Ring of Mild Steel”.



I set off this morning from home and headed for Hope, I parked the car and got myself suited, booted and ViewRanger running ready to record another walk on Social Hiking. I set off along the footpath towards LoseHill Farm and then headed up to the top of Lose Hill. The weather today was absolutely perfect, a nice breeze and beautiful sunshine. You can get a fantastic panoramic shot in any direction from Lose Hill as it stands alone in a perfect position at the end of the ridge.

After a short picture break on Lose Hill I made my way along the ridge to Back Tor and then via Hollins Cross to Mam Tor. A coach load of kids were on the summit of Mam Tor today so I didn’t hang around, I kept on going down to the road and then began the climb up to Lord’s Seat. A couple of guys were flying rather large scale model Airplanes/Gliders at the summit so I paused to watch them very briefly as I was amazed at the control they had as the caught the wind rising up Rushup Edge. After walking over Lord’s Seat I swung North West and headed straight for Brown Knoll. The Cotton Grass was blooming today and dancing in the breeze.

Brown Knoll was its typical boggy self today as we have had rain in the last few days which makes path finding on here a pain at times, luckily it’s a pain I’m willing to endure

The next stop Edale Cross where join the Pennine Way for a short time on your way to Kinder Low Summit, I decided to have a lunch break at Pym Chair which is a fantastic looking rock formation. After my short break I kept on going over the boulder field at Crowden Tower. This area is the perfect place for Navigation exercises in bad weather as it can be pretty disorientating at times if you get caught out, We have used the area north of here for map and compass practice many times.

Next you head over Crowden Brook and then along the top to the top of Grindsbrook Clough. I love Grindsbrook Clough in all weather as it is a nice little scramble and becomes very interesting in winter when it turns to ice. The views down in to Edale Valley become really spectacular now and some of the Rock Formations here are well worth a look and a snap with the camera.

After you leave Grindsbrook you make your way over to Crookstone Knoll and it was here I chose to stop once again for a bask in the glorious sunshine. I stayed for a good half an hour just relaxing and enjoying the sound of silence, which was only interrupted every now and then by the Grouse.

The next part of the walk takes you off the eastern flanks of the Kinder Plateau and down to Hope Cross, I took the opertunity to snap some more pictures of the nice little stone sign that keeps you on course and off the farmers track. You then swing South Eastward and are hemmed in by the fences that have been erected to keep us dirty walkers and cyclists from disturbing anything we shouldn’t. the walk from here up the hill with the forest to your left is another high point for me, the wind was whistling in the pine trees and reminded me of my nights of Bushcrafting.



Win Hill was the last summit of the day and it was the first time I had actually come to the very top too, I have skirted around numerous times but was impressed with the viewpoint you get from here. Ladybower was looking rather calm and majestic this evening and the light was perfect as the sun was fading off to the east. I recorded a short video, took some panoramic shots and then made my way off the rocky summit.

The walk down the grassy bank becomes rather steep at times on the route that I took and would be rather slippery in wet weather I can imagine. The road was upon me before I knew it and as I passed underneath the train line I was on the final stretch back to the car. What a fantastic day it had been, what a great route this is and hopefully the Social Hiking Map will look pretty good too. Those were the thoughts in my head as I drove home after what has been another day to remember in the beautiful Peak District.

Download the KML file so you can view the route in Google Earth ]]>

Peak District - Castleton and Kinder Scout - Loop Walk

I've just got back from another great walk in the Peak District, once again I recorded it using ViewRanger and Social Hiking. I'm getting rather addicted to using the Social Hiking website as you may have noticed if you were following our progress along the West Highland Way, while i'm on the subject here is a quick link for you to view our WHW Map for 2011. Right, back to today's walk. I met up with Andy at Castleton at 10:00, we got kitted up and then headed off along the road past Odin Mine and up towards Hollins Cross.

The weather was rather overcast today but I don't mind that as I'd seen the forecast earlier in the week which promised rain. After we arrived at Hollins Cross we headed back down the other side of the hill in to Edale, past the Nag's Head Inn and then up Grindsbrook Clough on to the top of Kinder Scout, we proceeded across the top to the cairn at Kinder Low.

From Kinder Low we headed down to Edale Cross and then over to Brown Knoll, It was rather boggy on this section as we have had rain recently. Great views across to Manchester and also down in to Edale Valley.

After Brown Knoll we headed across to Lord's Seat, down to Mam Tor and then back down the broken road to join the normal route back in to Castelton. We had parked the cars just up from the Devil's Arse Caves so we dropped our bags and headed in to Castleton for a quick drink.

I was using ViewRanger and I had it set to post a Beacon to Social Hiking every 2 minutes. The map at the top of this post has some great detail because of this. if you visit the routes page on the SH website you will be able to view all the details about our elevation and distance covered. here is the link to Castleton and Kinder Scout Loop on Social Hiking. Overall the route was 24km and we had approx 756m of height gain over the 5 hours we were out for.

Peak District - Edale Loop

Peak District - Kinder Scout - Wild Camping

Wild Camping in the Peak District is something I haven't done for a while, I suppose as its so close to home its easy enough to cover lots of distance on a day walk and still be home in time for tea. I've walked up Kinder Scout more times than I can remember but decided to go for a wander and see where I ended up. I started by getting the train from Chesterfield via Sheffield to Edale, something i've never done before so enjoyed the novelty of it.

The first part of my journey took me up the never boring Grindsbrook Clough, a nice little scramble in summer or winter. Its here where I decided to have my first stop and have a quick go at some slow exposure water movement style photography, that is my technical term so is undoubtedly wrong.

The image below will give you an idea of what the upper part of Grindsbrook Clough looks like if you haven't been, it was rather misty but you get the general idea. a bit of a boulder field and allot stepper in person than it looks in the picture.

Next I pushed on along westward along the southern edge of the Kinder Plateau, It gets rather boggy at times and I had very low visibilty today. Luckily I always go prepared so had my map, compass & gps, even though I've been here many times before I never risk it as the path goes to nothing at times amidst the bog.

I stopped for lunch at the trig point at Kinder Low and took a few photos, they haven't made it onto the sight as i've probably taken the same view more times than regular viewers of my site could stand. I headed off north along the western edge towards Kinder Downfall, it was rather still there today with just a small amount of water trickling over the edge down towards Kinder Reservoir. I pushed on and it didn't take long before you reach the north western edge of Kinder. It was then that I swung east along the northern edge, an edge that is less wandered by others and have only been along a couple of times myself. The path is non existent at times and your met with knee deep bog but the plus side is you have an edge to follow.

I managed to get as far as I had planned to get today which was the eastern tip of the Kinder Plateau, It had gone dark by the time I had got there and had walked with the head torch for around half an hour before. The long days walk through the bog had taken it out of me whilst carrying my kit, I was certainly ready to pitch up and have a break for a while. I'd had no mobile signal all afternoon but luckily it re-emerged as I got to the edge so could update Lisa of my location.


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