Four members attended and successfully parked at Birchen Clough-although only just!
We then took the new forestry track out of the Snake Plantation and headed up Ashop Clough,which was easy going until we were forced to join the “normal” path near the top of the valley where some “mudness” was encountered.
After joining the Penine Way we climbed the steep ascent to the western shoulder of Kinder,where we stopped to recover,have a tea break and admire the view-the tower blocks of central Manchester clearly visible in the distance.
We then followed the northern edge of Kinder with views down the impressive Ashopton glaciated valley and beyond.Passing the rock feature known as “the Boxing Gloves” Geoff felt the urge to climb it,but the rest of us resisted the temptation.
Continuing our eastwards progress we headed for the northernmost tip of Fairbrook Naze, a surprisingly windy spot,for lunch.We rapidly put our jackets back on and sheltered in the lea of the crags.A nearby raptor gave us an aerial display,but we weren’t able to positively identify it.
Continuing our traverse eastwards we soon reached Seal Stones where the steep descent took us onto the the easier path above Gate Side Clough to the sheepfold at the bottom of Fair Brook.Once over the ford we continued to the bridge over the river Ashop and into the former area of pines,sadly now all felled.We followed the path through the contorted untidy remains in a scene reminiscent of a war painting by Paul Nash.
Emerging from this depressing area we escaped from the edge of the A 57 into the Snake Plantation and followed the path through the woods back to the cars. Mike.
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