David and Jacinta's Walks- 2023

Edale, Hollins Cross, Lose Hill and Hope Cross Monday's forecast was brilliant so we went off to Edale to make the most of the weather. After walking up to Hollins Cross, we followed The Great Ridge to Back Tor and Lose Hill in the company of many other walkers. On the way to Hollins Cross, with Back Tor and Lose Hill Grindslow Knoll and Kinder in dappled sunlight A great perch on Back Tor However, after Lose Hill the crowds fell away and we completed the rest of our walk with very little company. We dropped down to Hope and then up to Wooler Knoll as normal, admiring the clear and dramatic vistas to the left. Lose Hill and Kinder from Wooler Knoll At Wooler Knoll, the sheep had mad...

Castleton, Peak Forrest, Sparrowpit and Rushup Edge This was a walk that we didn't do last year, and it did not disappoint. We drove to Castleton and worked our way up the hillside beside the Norman castle to reach the path to Rowter Farm. It was great to see the usual features from a different angle. Mam Tor, Back Tor and Lose Hill with the Derwent Edges in the far distance As we walked towards the farm the clouds were in and out with the occasional drizzle, and a full rainbow. Rainbow with Mam Tor in the background As we passed Rowter Farm, a welcome absence of frisky cows meant that there was no need for detours and the way through The Portway and all the old lead mining workings seemed less obscure than in 2021. The route was a combination of grassy and vague paths, and tracks- some definitely not for the use of casual off-roaders! Giant Lego brick detering 4-wheel drives We made our way down to Old Dam and Peak Forest, and along Perry Dale, a section of the Pennine Bridleway, ...

Marsen and March Haigh We had a leisurely start and headed off to Marsen, where we had a pleasant Dark Woods coffee  at Arcade . We parked up in the station car park- always ample space, and no charge then walked along the canal to the start of the Standedge Tunnel. Just beyond this, there was a small enclosure with a number of beehives. Beehives at the Standedge Tunnel These had been set up and managed by a Syrian refugee. We made our way up towards the March Haigh Reservoir, by now a familiar route. On our way to the March Haigh Reservoir It's quite a stiff walk up to the top of March Haigh itself, and we stopped for lunch just before the very top. As we wanted to get home in good time to talk with Rachel and DK, we took a shorter route back, down Willykay Clough and down to Close Gate Bridge, where a passerby kindly took a picture of us. Portrait on Close Gate Bridge The return to the car was back along the outward path beside the canal- lots of toads about! 7.6 Miles, 320m asce...

Hayfield, Kinder Downfall and Kinder Low A better day than forecast, and by the end of the day it was beautiful and sunny. After leaving the Trespass Car Park it was lovely to see some signs of spring as we made our way up past the Kinder Reservoir. A quick break above the Kinder Reservoir. Kinder on the skyline We then took the long walk up William Clough, climbing through quite a lot of water, presumably the heavy snow last week contributed to the wet. On the way up William Clough- the dry bit! South Head and Mount Famine on the skyline At the top of the clough we stopped for a snack and to admire the view and made the final ascent to the plateau and the big cairn. Looking back to Mill Hill from the Kinder Plateau We made our way around to The Downfall, where we had our lunch, and walked on to get a view of The Downfall itself- flowing impressively. The waterfall had been nearly dry for most of the recent times we'd been there. The Kinder Downfall waterfall flowing as it should W...

A short walk above Glen Coe   Not very nice weather- John and I called it a day early! 1.8 miles, 270m ascent.

Ben Nevis Never has a forecast been so persuasive- even though I'd nominally thought of Ben Nevis as my "Last Munro", the weather and company left no doubt that this would really be the day to see the top! It made sense to take the standard "tourist track" which makes steady progress up the hill. Just past the Halfway Lochan, it's clear to see that The Ben is head and shoulders above most of its surroundings. Halfway Lochan- just below the snow line Looking back to the "tourist track" We stopped for lunch just before the summit push, taking advantage of the leeward slopes. Lunch Break Several summit shots were taken- this one by Steve: Ben Nevis Summit ...and Steve, with observatory in background Summit Pictures Snow Bunting- one of many Having a well-earned rest with John and Nick on the way down A fantastic experience- 9.2 miles, 1400m ascent.