Peak Routes - Birchen Edge - Time Lapse

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.

listen to ‘Peak District - Birchen Edge Time Lapse’ on Audioboo

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.

Peak District - Kinder Scout - Northern Edge

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.

More Images and Words coming soon.

listen to ‘Peak District - Kinder Scout - Northern Edge’ on Audioboo

Peak District - Beeley Moor & Chatsworth

I sense a change coming, a change from the feeling that a walk has to be long, have lots of climbs and to feel as remote as possible. Ever since I first got in to walking these 3 aspects were essential every time I planned a route. Now days however they are not as important. Don't get me wrong, I love a big walk, the sense of achievement, that tired feeling afterwards and the mood enhancing chemicals a good exercise releases.

[caption id="attachment_2026" align="alignnone" width="600"] Hob Hurst's House[/caption]

These days it seems that the most important thing is just getting outside, getting out in the elements come rain or shine and lapping up all that nature has to offer. I've found that a short walk close to home or a nice scenic stroll feels just as rewarding. I've climbed all the big routes in the Peak District I want to climb so now I'm focusing on another aspect, the history. I'm totally amazed at how much the area has to offer, from the mills in the Derwent Valley to the Bronze Age Burial Mounds up on the moors.



[caption id="attachment_2025" align="alignnone" width="600"] Information Board at Hob Hurst's House[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2024" align="alignnone" width="600"] Relaxing at Hob Hurst's House[/caption]

Today I paid a visit to a spot I'd been meaning to go to for a while now, Hob Hurst's House up on Beeley Moor. A 3,000+ year old Bronze Age Burial Mound that was one of the first monuments in Britain to be taken in to state care. I'll leave you with this AudioBoo, the following images and I'll come back and right some more words very soon.

listen to ‘#AudioMo - Day 19 - Hob Hurst's House Burial Mound ’ on Audioboo

[caption id="attachment_2020" align="alignnone" width="600"] Beeley Moor Packhorse Track[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2019" align="alignnone" width="600"] Beeley Moor Foxglove[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2023" align="alignnone" width="600"] Emperor Stream[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2022" align="alignnone" width="600"] Dobb Edge[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2021" align="alignnone" width="600"] Baslow from Dobb Edge[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2015" align="alignnone" width="600"] Chatsworth Hunting Tower[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2014" align="alignnone" width="600"] Chatsworth Hunting Tower Cannons[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2017" align="alignnone" width="600"] Looking down at Chatsworth[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2018" align="alignnone" width="600"] Waterfall at Chatsworth[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2013" align="alignnone" width="600"] Chatsworth House and Aquaduct[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2016" align="alignnone" width="600"] Logging at Chatsworth[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2012" align="alignnone" width="600"] Autumn Leaves at Chatsworth[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2011" align="alignnone" width="600"] Beeley Moor - Stone Circle[/caption]

listen to ‘Peak District - Beeley Moor & Chatsworth’ on Audioboo

Richard Arkwright - Cromford Mill

I'm fascinated by history, by the great things people have achieved and by the stories they have left behind. While I type this I immediately think back to one of my trips to Australia, I had been researching the history of that great land and knew that I had to visit Botany Bay where Captain James Cook first landed on saturday 28 April 1770. As I sat there alone by the water's edge at La Perouse in deep thought I could just picture the ships out in the bay... Thankfully back in blighty if I want to experience some great historic sites I don't have to travel so far, there is a local landmark that has world wide significance right on my door step. The place I'm talking about is Cromford Mill that was built by the legendary father of industry Sir Richard Arkwright, just 1 year after that famous Captain landed in Australia.

[caption id="attachment_1881" align="alignnone" width="600"] Sir Richard Arkwright's Mill Number 2 at Cromford[/caption]

I feel ashamed to say that as I live so close to this great place I have passed it bye many many times, I never really gave it a thought when I was younger and I do regret that now. Cromford Mill is a very popular place for local schools to visit, sadly I missed out on that trip as I had moved for one year to a small village near Stocksbridge in Sheffield at the time. I really should have visited before, like I say I had passed so many times and kept telling myself I would stop one day for a look. Today, I decided it was high time to come and learn some of the great history this place holds.

[caption id="attachment_1882" align="alignnone" width="600"] Sir Richard Arkwright's Mill Number 1 at Cromford[/caption]

I knew about Sir Richard Arkwright, how could I not. The history lessons at school covered him in great detail, I must admit it was great to finally be stood inside the court yard of the place this great man created. The weather today was perfect, a fresh autumnal morning and the sun was casting a great light over the area. I walked to stand beside the watercourse and recorded an AudioBoo.

listen to ‘Cromford Mill - Sir Richard Arkwright’ on Audioboo

So here are the facts. Cromford Mill was the first water-powered cotton spinning mill developed by Mr Arkwright. The power of the water from Bonsal Brook and Cromford Sough were harnessed to power his patented Water Frame. The patent was later over turned as it was found that the design was sold to him by a gentleman called John Kay, a clock maker and mechanic who had helped Thomas Highs build the original invention of the water frame. It was Arkwright however who made the system work and housed it in Mill number one in 1771 creating the worlds first factory. A second larger mill was built at Cromford between 1776 and 1777.

[caption id="attachment_1883" align="alignnone" width="600"] Steve Messam's "Twisted" in Number 1 Mill at Cromford[/caption]

The Mill buildings have seen many uses over the years, Water shortages began to become a problem in the second half of the 19th century so they were diversified. One housed a laundry, others a brewery, then the site was eventually sold on to a company who produced colour pigment for paint. Thankfully however, the entire site is now owned by the Arkwright Society. They have set themselves the task of returning it to its former glory to provide an educational resource and to preserve this great historic place. They have stripped away some of the newer buildings that were not part of the original plan and you can find out more on their great website at http://www.arkwrightsociety.org.uk/. They have done such a great job that the site has been recognised by UNESCO and is now part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.

[caption id="attachment_1884" align="alignnone" width="600"] Steve Messam's "Twisted" in Number 1 Mill at Cromford[/caption]

Inside Mill number one there is currently an Art installation that was designed by Steve Messam and is called "Twisted". It is 70,000 metres of Red polyester thread, 2 frames at either end of the building are connected by thousands of red thread and it twists half way down. It looks like some kind of vortex as you look down the centre towards the other side of the Mill.

listen to ‘Cromford Mill - Inside Mill Number 1 Built In 1771’ on Audioboo

Inside Mill number 2 which was finished in 1777 there is a room which houses a great exhibition/museum of facts about the history of Mr Arkwright and his work along the Derwent Valley. It was great to wander around and learn some great facts and fill in some of the blanks in my knowledge about the man and his work. For some reason I had always thought the mill had been powered by the River Derwent but thankfully that miss information was corrected here today, As I mentioned earlier it was actually powered by Cromford Sough and Bonsal Brook... You Learn something new every day, which is the way I like it :-)

[caption id="attachment_1885" align="alignnone" width="600"] The Original Mill Bell from 1771[/caption]

I'm so pleased I visited today, after walking the Derwent Valley Heritage Way and my walk last week from Cromford to Via Gellia I knew I had to visit the Mills. If you haven't visited I would highly recommend you go and you can find more information over at http://www.arkwrightsociety.org.uk/, http://www.derwentvalleymills.org/ and http://www.cromfordmill.co.uk/.

Peak District - Cromford & Via Gellia

The Peak District has a wealth of routes to take, interesting spots to see and has historical tales by the bucket load. I do feel lucky to live within a close proximity of this great national park and I'm reminded how lucky I am on a regular basis. The area I have frequented the most over the years is the eastern peak, Bakewell, Chatsworth and Matlock. I have many happy memories that are burned in my mind in these scenic spots and new entries are being added all the time.

[caption id="attachment_1851" align="alignnone" width="600"] Sir Richard Arkwright's Mill number 1 built in 1771[/caption]

Although not officially in the National Park the area around Matlock, Matlock Bath and Cromford are places I have spent the most time. There is plenty to do and see around there. Cycling the High Peak Trail, ride the cable car to the Heights of Abraham, do a spot of climbing at Black Rocks or take in the historic Cromford Mill.

[caption id="attachment_1854" align="alignnone" width="600"] Cromford Mill Buildings from Mill Lane[/caption]

Cromford Mill which was built by the Legendary Sir Richard Arkwright was the starting point for today's walk. He built the first mill way back in 1771 and he became the Farther of the industrial Revolution. From the Mill Car Park (Proceeds go to the Arkwright Society) we then headed up to the cross roads in Cromford itself, We crossed the road and walked up past the Greyhound Hotel which was built by Richard Arkwright in 1778. After passing the Inn you then walk past the Workers Cottages which are also sites of historic interest. We joined the footpath which runs at the back of the house and continued to climb out of the valley.



We climbed up hill towards Black Rocks, joined the High Peak Trail and then followed it until we came to the bottom of the Middleton Incline. The Middleton Incline is a 1 in 8 slope where the trucks with their loads were pulled up to Middleton Top. They were taken on this voyage while being dragged upwards by a beam engine built by the Butterley Company in 1829. I once hid a Geocache up here but sadly it is long gone :-).

[caption id="attachment_1856" align="alignnone" width="600"] Middleton Top[/caption]

We continued along the High Peak Trail after a brief stop to check if the cafe was open at Middleton Top, sadly it wasn't so we had to make do without caffeine :-)

[caption id="attachment_1857" align="alignnone" width="600"] Middleton Top[/caption]

I haven't been along the High Peak Trail for a few years and if I'm completely honest I'd forgotten about Hopton Tunnel. It's only a very short tunnel but still impressive and it reminded me of being in the very similar ones on the Monsal Trail.

[caption id="attachment_1858" align="alignnone" width="600"] High Peak Trail - Hopton Tunnel[/caption]

After passing through Hopton Tunnel we made our way along towards Harboro Rocks, another spot I visited over a decade ago in search of a Geocache. It wasn't long before we were leaving the High Peak Trail and heading northward on the Limestone Way to Grangemill.



We walked over the fields while getting a great view down into the valley at Via Gellia, I'd not seen it from this angle before as last time I was here I was in low cloud. We descended down to Grangemill, crossed the road and then climbed back up a steep path towards the road that leads to Ible. Ible is a sleepy little farm hamlet, it's a lovely peaceful area and I can imagine not a lot of traffic comes through here. Great looking stone farm buildings, cattle being drive down the road and it looked to me like it could have been straight out of BBC Radio 4's The Archers :-)



After you pass through Ible the Limestone Way goes back across fields again as it works its way across to Bonsal. I think I lost count of the amount of gates we went through, its small field after small field across the moor here.

We eventually turned off the Limestone Way and headed along the path which takes you through the old Bonsall Mines. It's a fascinating spot with some great history. Hundreds of little sunken holes that look like bomb blast pits. They are however old disused Lead mine shafts dating back around 150-200 years. The site itself is called Fool's Venture and you can find a great run down of what is at the site by looking at this PDF from the Peak District Mines Historical Society Newsletter. To find out more about Mines in the Peak visit http://www.pdmhs.com



After the mine field we descended down towards Slaley, once again we found another idyllic High Peak village. It is a small group of houses perched on the hillside with great views across the valley. There looked to be some fantastic houses here, they would require a lottery win I think to be able to afford one.


We eventually arrived down in Bonsall, turned right down towards the Via Gellia Road and came out at the old Mill building. A short wander down the road and we then crossed over the river near Slinter Cottage, it is owned by the Arkwright Society and you can find out more details there website at http://www.arkwrightsociety.org.uk/content/slinter-cottage-details.

listen to ‘Peak District - Cromford & Richard Arkwright ’ on Audioboo

After a nice wander through the woods following Bonsall Brook we arrived back in Cromford. We passed the Mill Pond, rounded the corner, crossed near the Greyhound Inn and then crossed the A6 to walk back to the car near Arkwright Mill / Cromford Canal.

A great little afternoon wander that takes in some great historical parts of this corner of the Peak District. I have since been back and paid a visit to Cromford Mill so keep and eye out for my blog post from there. Thanks for stooping by :-)

Karrimor - Alpiniste 45+10 Rucksack Review

Regular viewers of the site will remember that in recent months I have been involved with some projects for Karrimor with Terrybnd. He was making some videos of their latest kit and I was very kindly lent some afterwards to test/review. Naturally I wanted to give it all a thorough hammering first so as to give you an honest opinion, so you can decide weather to go out and buy it or not :-)



The latest in the video series Terry has produced is one featuring the great new rucksacks from Karrimor. I have been using and abusing the Alpiniste 45+10 so here are my thoughts on this nice looking item of kit.

When I first saw the line up of bags that Karrimor had sent my eyes were instantly drawn to this one, its bright red colour is great and it is now my bag of choice for all scenarios. It is however available in Blue or Black if the Red doesn't take your fancy.

[caption id="attachment_1839" align="alignnone" width="600"] Karrimor Alpiniste Rucksack - Backpacking in the Peak District[/caption]

For me it has been perfect for anything from a day walk to an over night backpacking trip. I have used it in all conditions and I can honestly say I've been very happy with it. Here is what Karrimor have to say about it...

The Karrimor Alpiniste 45 + 10 Rucksack has a rugged design, with a protective front print, splashguard zips and a mitt friendly grab handle. This backpack also includes an extendable lid, a main toggle compartment and pockets on both sides offering additional storage.


[caption id="attachment_1839" align="alignnone" width="600"] Karrimor Alpiniste Rucksack - Peak District Photography[/caption]

Here is a spec run down.... Mitt friendly grab handle - 3 point haul system - External hydration sleeve access - Bungee system and extendable lid - Easy access gear loops - Rope compression and top tension straps - Splashguard zips and protective front print - Axe loops and retainers - Adjustable padded shoulder straps - Chest and side compression straps - Removable hip belt - Large main compartment - Lid pocket with key clip - Expansion side pockets - Air mesh back system with removable Fform frame - Weight: 1460g -Capacity: 45 + 10L - Back length: 63cm.

I like to travel as light as possible during my backpacking trips and I easily managed to fit enough inside for a couple of nights out this summer. I also used it over night on my wild camp up on the moors in the Peak District and it was a breeze to carry.

[caption id="attachment_1839" align="alignnone" width="600"] Karrimor Alpiniste Rucksack - Ffromat Back System[/caption]

The Fformat system works very well and the overall fit is superb either with or without a heavy load. I have had a play with removing the Fformat system to use it as a sit Matt but I can thankfully say I haven't had to use it as a splint as yet :-)

[caption id="attachment_1839" align="alignnone" width="600"] Karrimor Alpiniste Rucksack - Ffromat Back System Removed[/caption]

I've been scrambling with it, I've clambered through dense Welsh forests at the WRC, It's been subjected to lots of mud while Mountain Biking, It's been hammered by the worst rain and wind the Peak District has to offer. All I had to do was wipe it clean and it was ready for more. After all that it shows no signs of wear or tear and has firmly become my favourite bag for all occasions.

[caption id="attachment_1839" align="alignnone" width="600"] Karrimor Alpiniste Rucksack - Mountain Biking[/caption]

I've been out with it today in the white peak area of the Peak District national park and it was raining hard again. The bag doesn't come with a rain cover but I was surprised at how well it kept the water at bay. My valuables in the top pocket remained dry even after a heavy half hour of rain.

[caption id="attachment_1839" align="alignnone" width="600"] Karrimor Alpiniste Rucksack - Walking in a wet Peak District[/caption]

I would happily recommend this piece of kit to anyone who is after a medium sized bag for all activities. It has been designed with climbers in mind as it has room for ice axe storage too. It is comfortable, light, well fitting, robust, durable and most of all it won't break the bank. It can be picked up for around £70 which I feel is pretty reasonable for such a great product. I will certainly be buying one :-)

Head on over to the Karrimor Website to have a closer look. It can also be found over at http://www.fieldandtrek.com.

Snowdonia - Carnedd Y Cribau - Wild Camp

Regular viewers of the site will remember that in the last few months I have been involved with some kit videos for Karrimor. Thanks to Terry bnd I have been given the opportunity to appear in some more productions, this time for the outdoor manufacturer Vango. I have just returned home from a fantastic nights wild camping in Snowdonia, more precisely Carnedd Y Cribau overlooking the stunning Snowdon Horseshoe.



The afternoon and night spent on Carnedd Y Cribau is one I won't forget in a hurry. The conditions were near perfect and we witnessed one of the most stunning sunsets I have seen for a very long while.

listen to ‘Speechless in Snowdonia’ on Audioboo

The video we shot that evening has now gone live and you can view it in all its glory below. I was really impressed with what Terrybnd has pieced together, When I first saw it I was reminded of what a great trip it was. If you enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed appearing in it... Then why not head on over to YouTube or Terry's site and leave a comment or hit "Like" :-)

Peak District - The Roaches & Lud's Church

Post and podcast from my walk in the Roaches coming very soon.

Peak District - 9 Edges Challenge

I initially thought that this would sadly end up being a walk free week, work and other commitments had conspired against me it seemed. Thankfully situations and arrangements changed so I had Saturday free to go off and do whatever I wished. I had read an article a few weeks ago about a route called the 9 Edges Challenge, it was a charity event run by the Edale Mountain Rescue Service. I decided that i would give it a go as I'd got the whole day free, I opened up ViewRanger in my iPhone and began plotting a route. I hadn't managed to find any route files or descriptive blog posts so I just plotted away as best I could.



The 9 Edges in question Derwent, Stanage, Burbage Upper, Burbage Lower, Froggatt, Curbar, Baslow, Gardoms and Birchens. The start point was going to be Fairholmes at Ladybower then the eventual end point was Robin Hood near Baslow. My girlfriend Lisa very kindly offered to give me a lift to the start point, so that was all the pieces in place.

[caption id="attachment_1352" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Derwent Dam Wall"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1361" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Derwent Reservoir"][/caption]

I arrived at Fairhomles at around 10:00 and didn't waste any time in getting on my way. I set off from the car park and headed off towards the Derwent Dam wall. I took the path off up towards the walls eastern side and then joined the road heading north. I then begun the climb up Walkers Clough at SK 17369090 towards my first edge of the day which is Derwent Edge, more specifically though my first peak which was Back Tor.

[caption id="attachment_1354" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Walkers Clough"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1353" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Lost Lad"][/caption]

The views today were stunning, I had been really lucky with the weather thankfully and the views in all directions were great. I arrived at Back Tor in no time at all, there was no time to hang around at all today so I was tramming along at full speed.

[caption id="attachment_1355" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Back Tor - Derwent Edge"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1363" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Derwent Edge"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1362" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Derwent Edge"][/caption]

After Back Tor I begun heading south along towards Doverstone Tor via Cakes of Bread. Once again no stopping today so I moved straight on from there towards the Wheel Stones and then I swung south east towards Moscar. After a short little section eastwards along the road I turned back to the south again to begin the second edge of the day which was Stanage.

[caption id="attachment_1372" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Stanage Edge"][/caption]

Stanage is the longest edge of the challenge, a haven for climbers and a very popular area especially at weekends. I decided to have a quick lunch break for 10-15 minutes on High Neb, I sat just off the main path on the edge and admired the views across Bamford Moor down to Bamford Edge.

[caption id="attachment_1373" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Stanage Edge - High Neb"][/caption]

As i'm the sort of person the likes to have the hills to himself (selfish) I tend to avoid walking at weekends. I'd never been to Stanage at a weekend before and I was surprised at just how many people were out enjoying the outdoors today. There were hundreds of climbers tackling the numerous routes up this world renowned Gritstone Edge today, the jangling of clips and carabiners was a constant back drop to my wander along Stanage. There is some serious climbing to be had along here, I do believe that when doing the official 9 Edges Challenge climbers have to tackle a route on each Edge. I'm very in awe of anyone who can climb well, its something i've never had the oppurtunity to try seriously yet. I'd love to give it a go so would welcome an invite from anyone who wouldn't mind a total newbie tagging along :)

[caption id="attachment_1371" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Stanage Edge - Climbers"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1374" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Upper Burbage"][/caption]

After Stanage my next edge of the day was Upper Burbage, I was making great time as I'd been going at a good pace for the last hour or so. I crossed the road at SK 26038300 at the Bridge over Burbage Brook and then joined Edge number 3. these next 2 edges are pretty short indeed. It was very long before I'd finished Upper Burbage and was heading on to number 4 which is Lower Burbage. I had been toying with the idea of stopping for a coffee or some form of refreshment at the Fox House Inn, As I crossed the boggy moor towards the pub I didn't feel the need so I just kept going. I crossed the road and then headed down into the Longshaw Estate.

[caption id="attachment_1369" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Lower Burbage"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1368" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Lower Burbage - Quarry"][/caption]

It had been a long while since I 'd last visited Longshaw, If I think back now it must have been back in 1997 while on a field trip with school. We had come to take depth measurements along the River Derwent and had made a side stop here. Longshaw was pretty busy today too but it wasn't something I minded, the more people who visit the more work the National Trust can do to keep this area in good order.

[caption id="attachment_1367" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Longshaw Estate"][/caption]

A short dash through Longshaw then I was back out on the road at SK 25947817, thankfully it was only a small road section down past the Grouse Inn. I then joined the footpath at SK 25407762 to head towards edge number 5 of the day which is the short but sweet Froggatt Edge. The midges were out in force in the forest leading along to the edge and I dashed through them quickly so as not to get eaten alive :-)

[caption id="attachment_1365" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Froggatt Edge"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1364" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Froggatt Edge"][/caption]

I stopped for a short break on Froggatt Edge at the point where it eventually turns into Curbar Edge. The remaining edges of the day are all pretty short so I knew that the challenge was in the bag as I felt in top shape.

[caption id="attachment_1359" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Curbar Edge - Highland Cattle"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1360" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Curbar Edge - Highland Cattle"][/caption]

Curbar came and went pretty quickly, the only obstacle here was the herd of Highland Cattle that blocked the path. I saw it as a blessing as I'd been meaning to get up here and take some pictures of them.

[caption id="attachment_1375" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Wellington's Monument - Baslow Edge"][/caption]

The 7th Edge of the day was the very short Baslow, there was a small group of Climbers and a couple of people Bouldering on the rocks below. At the bottom of edge number 7 I swung towards the east and headed straight for Wellington's Monument at SK 2642 7369. A short burst of rain had arrived by the time I got here so I was pleased to be heading down through the forest at this point. I worked my way down until I came to the bridge across Bar Brook, the house at SK 26827346 has a very cool looking bridge over from the road.

[caption id="attachment_1366" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Gardoms Edge"][/caption]

I crossed the road just as the rain had decided to turn to hail, no bother though as It was short lived as I marched on up to the 8th Edge of the Day. Gardom's Edge was the penultimate Gristone offering of the Challenge and it was totally deserted, not a soul about as I made my way along it before heading down towards Robin Hood.

[caption id="attachment_1356" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Birchen Edge - Forest"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1370" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Nelson's Monument - Birchen Edge"][/caption]

In what seemed like no time at all I was down at the road and heading along towards the Robin Hood Inn. I passed by the pub and headed up the path just after it towards the final edge of the day, Birchen Edge. As I walked up the hill at the base of the edge I passed another herd of Highland Cattle before climbing up to the top. I walked the last few hunded metres along to the finish point while listening the Mark Knopfler's song "Piper Till The End". The heavy dark clouds all around me suddenly begun to part and the sun broke through in spectacular fashion, it was a perfect way to end what had been a thoroughly enjoyable day. I'd never been to Nelson's Monument before and I lingered there for a while while recording some video and another piece for the Peak Routes Podcast.



[caption id="attachment_1358" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Birchen Edge"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1357" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Nelson's Monument - Birchen Edge"][/caption]

What a great day indeed. I'm not 100% sure how my route campares to the official challenge route but I did the distance and ticked off all the Edges. The day had passed so quickly and it seemed like a lifetime ago that i'd set off from Fairlholmes. According to ViewRanger it had taken me 6hrs 37minutes, covering a distance of 32.6km and with 994metres of height gain. If you would like to have a go yourself then why not download the route in the form of a GPX file here.... [wpdm_file id=5]

listen to ‘Peak District - 9 Edges Challenge ’ on Audioboo

Thanks for reading the blog post, If you would like to listen to an audio account of the day then why not download the "Peak Routes Podcast – Episode 3 – 9 Edges Challenge".

https://twitter.com/PeakRoutes/status/214759405110038528


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