All posts in Meet Reports

Roaches walk Sunday 23 March 2025 – Report

Three of us, Bill , Weaver and myself had a really enjoyable day over the Roaches We did wait 10 minutes to accomodate any late arrivals but no messages received so we went,
Weather was much better than expected although North East wind on the skyline area and over towards the trig point was strong but not enough to cause any problem.

The scrambling was drier than i anticipated we only encountered a couple of damp bit s at the beginning otherwise the the rock was dry.

A good day had by all involved thanks for the company. Gordon

Meet report: Sun 16th March 2025

A rather confused start to this walk – fourteen of us left Baslow at the appointed time but after several messages and phone calls we had gained two more by the time we had reached the top of the steep climb to Chatsworth’s 16th century Hunting Tower. A delightful traverse of Stand Wood followed, with views over Paxton’s 19thC aqueduct folly and down to 17thC Chatsworth House (its 16thC predecessor, once the home of Bess of Hardwick, was closer to the river – only Queen Mary’s Bower remains of it). Next stops were the Bronze Age sites of Park Gate stone circle and the ring cairn of Hob’s Hurst House. In between we lost and regained two of the party who had back-tracked in an unsuccessful search for lost property. We had sight of a medieval guide stoop as we began the traverse of Gibbet Moor – its name a macabre reminder of crime and punishment in earlier times. We passed another stone circle, barely visible amongst the heather, before taking the tricky path above Umberley Brook. We crossed the site of Baslow Colliery, last worked in the mid 19thC with nothing remaining now to reveal its presence, and made our way along the top of Dobb (Chatsworth) Edge before descending through an old quarried area which once provided some of the stone for Chatsworth House. Passing the Jubilee Rock (commemorating the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria, 1897) we made our way back down to Baslow and welcome cups of tea in the Cafe on the Green. Thanks, everyone, for a very enjoyable day – 4 000+ years of history in 9.5 miles..
Steve W

Cave Dale/Great Ridge Walk 2/3/25

9 members and 4 dogs caught the sunshine on this classic walk . The conditions and the vistas were perfect, highlighting this area of the Hope Valley in the best light. It did however, invite many others to sample these delights and it was very crowded as well being caught up in the maelstrom of an 80 member charity walk. Hike with Mike is a charity rising funds to provide crises mental health intervention, so a good cause. We suppressed any grumbling and enjoyed a convivial walk of 9.1 miles in great weather, catching refreshments at the Adventure cafe in Hope on the finish. Thanks everyone for the great company. Karen and Fiona

Saturday 25th January 2025 walk-Report

After the horrors of storm Eowyn,Saturday 25th was a crisp clear day with little wind.
8 of us met at Litton and were soon on our way through Cressbrook Dale after the descent through Tansley Dale.
Leaving the Dale we headed to the summit of Wardlow Hay Cop blessed with extensive all round views.The permissive path then led down to the road crossing at the start of Hay Dale followed by a short climb past a disused quarry and on to the edge of Longstone Moor,where we stopped for a reviving tea break with more views to enjoy.From there we descended the bridle way to Dale Farm and Little Longstone to pick uo the Monsal Trail.
Following the trail we crossed the viaduct below Monsal Head and took the path towards to Cressbrook Mill,leaving this to gain the high level traverse above Water-cum-Jolly.
Lunch was enjoyed sheltered from the chil wind with views of Water-cum-Jolly ,Cressbrook Hall and the village above, not to mention the Ravens Dale cliffs.
Completing the traverse we descended to Litton Mill and climbed up to Cressbrook village and the sometimes tedious path through the woods above Cressbrook dale.After a bit of slipping and sliding we left the woods with the village of Litton ahead across the fields.
An absolute ace day enjoyed by us all.
Mike D

Ashop Scrambles Sunday 19th Jan 2025

Six Humans & 1 Dog departed Birchin Clough car park on crisp frozen ground and headed up Fair Brook, scrambling up frozen rocks and waterfalls to emerge on the Kinder plateau. Following the edge round to the top of Upper Red Brook the party then split in two, with Kial & Mike opting to descend the brook to the fence line to the bottom of Nether Red Brook and making the accent back to the plateau. The rest headed cross country to Kinder Downfall and we all re grouped along the Pennine Way while heading to intersect with Ashop River.
We all then enjoyed a sociable stroll back down the river, through woodland and back to the carpark. See the walking WhatsApp group for photos.
Thanks to all that attended. Kial

 

 

Report on New Year’s Day walk 2025

13 members gathered in unpromising weather near the bus stop by the Fox House at the very civilised time of 11am and were welcomed by this meet leader with a “Happy New Year, you silly buggers” and an outline of the proposed walk – probably not very far if conditions worsened or the Fox House was calling strongly. Then off we set on well known footpaths walking above the crags of Burbage South and then Burbage North, where we were joined by a familiar figure (my lovely husband!) wanting to do an even shorter walk.
At Upper Burbage Bridge 5 peeled off to head directly back down the Green Drive, while the remaining 9 headed upwards to brave the elements over Higger Tor (actually not too awful) before descending through waterlogged ground to the packhorse bridge to join the Green Drive ourselves, and then used the woodland paths to avoid walking on the main road, to arrive at the Fox house, where we managed to secure a corner seating area for a convivial gathering with various drinks (but sadly none of the hoped-for hot mulled wine).
A great start to another Castle year – thank you all for turning up and your usual excellent company.
Vanda B.

Seasonal Stagger and Tea Party – Sun 22 Dec 2024 report


With the cycling abandoned, somewhere in the region of 24 new and old members, plus three dogs, arrived at my house for the walk, though I will never cease to be amazed by the capacity of one honorary member (who arrived late) to get lost within 50m of the starting point. The wind had actually dropped a bit since the previous day, but we headed down into the Rivelin Valley with occasional bits of sleet, crossed the river and climbed up the other side towards the Hallam Golf Club. We decided to forego the coffee break at a couple of benches with a view over the Rivelin Dams as the wind hadn’t dropped that much, and there was clearly more weather heading our way. The pub was already in sight, and we reached it just as our missing honorary member caught up, and the doors opened. The Sportsman’s staff were most helpful and efficient in distributing hot roast sandwiches and home-made soup to those who wanted them, and after about 50 minutes we were on our way again. A couple of members (and two of the dogs) dropped out at this point, and the rest of us descended a steep and muddy path below the Three Merry Lads, directly to the Rivelin Dam. There was a minor diversion as one member, doubtless recalling his enthusiastic climbing days of years past, headed up towards Rivelin Edge, rather than taking the gently ascending traverse path through the woods below it, which led eventually to Woodbank Road. The fields above this provided the worst mud and strongest winds of the day, but after crossing the Riggs Road, we were able to take shelter in the woods overlooking the Loxley Valley. A rising traverse, just below the ridge, brought us back to Stannington, and the traditional tea-party, where we were joined by a few additional non-walkers.
Many thanks to all who came, the staff at the Sportsman Inn, those who brought contributions of mince pies, scones etc., and the washers-up. It was great to chat both to old members I hadn’t seen for ages, and to newly-joined ones. Unfortunately since everyone went home I have gone down with a horrendous cold (main symptoms: sore throat, hoarse voice, and total lack of energy), so I hope I haven’t given it to anyone else (Covid test is negative). Merry Christmas to all! JB

Roaches Walk Report Saturday 14 December 2024

Eleven members plus 2 dogs turned up at various points under the Roaches at 9,30am. The drive over seemed promising with blue skies and sunshine. However, the western Peak seemed to be shrouded in low cloud! An atmospheric romp up Hen Cloud revealed sculpted rocks and numerous mini scrambling areas. Some even spotted climbs completed eons ago. A contour of the hill led us back to the ridge where we continued through the murk, passing a fenced off Doxey’s Pool. Soon after, we sheltered behind a huge boulder for drinks and a snack before the trig point (tick) and second Ethel of the day.
A descent and woodland path led to Lud’s Church, a deep rocky chasm that you can walk through, now dripping with lush green ferns. It boasts some history of early Christian worship and a legend of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
Lunch and a brief bit of drizzle gave us the impetus to continue the circumnavigation of the ridge crossing fields and following tracks and a minor road back to cars.Nine miles completed and we enjoyed some clearer westerly views in the afternoon. We were back at the cars by 2.30pm. A few then went on to Whitehouse Cafe chez Bill and Elen – many thanks for your hospitality. And, thank you to everyone who came out. An enjoyable day.
Ali

Christmas 2024 away meet report

The club members who volunteered to cook were on their way, the accommodation was booked and the weather was set fair. Thirty four of us came, from all points of the compass, to Hornby Laithe bunkhouse (near Settle) for this year’s Xmas dinner away meet.

The Friday evening involved arriving and settling in, catching up and vigorously chopping vegetables in preparation of some dishes for Saturday night’s meal. The organisation was exemplary. This organisation carried on into Saturday’s activities with a large party doing a walk that involved caves, waterfalls and finished with a hidden gem, the huge Hoffman Lime Kiln. Other party’s activities included a 23 mile cycle with a lung busting 900 metres of ascent, a trip underground into the awesome Long Kin West pot, and a run over (on foot not in a car!) to Horton in Ribblesdale to check out a new café. On return the cooks got to work on the meal and others adjourned to the barn for a mini table tennis tournament (led by Linda the club’s table tennis supremo). The three course meal was a triumph of preparation, flavours, taste and variety of dishes. Following the meal and washing and tidying up there were further activities in the barn with no less than 24 members taking part in circle dancing (led by Vanda the club’s dance supremo) and a few shaking out to some tried and tested disco tunes – who needs to watch Strictly with this much talent to be seen live on the dance floor. After this it was time to relax and in Lorna’s case go to bed in the barn where unnatural noises during the night meant she was never sure whether she alone or …

Sunday was a less hectic day with walks to see salmon leaping up waterfalls and a walk over to the café in Feizor.

All in all this was a great weekend. My thanks go to the cooks and mulled wine specialist (Alison, Bill, Ali, Bron, Elen, Simon and Lorna) all who led the activities, all who helped wash up, clean and serve food and everyone for coming.

Where to go next year? Can I face organising another Xmas meet? IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS AS TO POSSIBLE VENUE(S) GET BACK TO ME or if you fancy the rare opportunity of taking over the rewarding job of Xmas meet organiser get back to me/the committee.
Cheers
Andrew

Walk Saturday 16th Nov 2024 – Report

Meet report. A great walk from Alport Bridge on the A57 Snake Pass up Bleaklow’s “finest and wildest glen.” Passing the historic Alport hamlet and Britain’s largest landslip we made steady progress beside the River Alport until the vague track petered out. Striking steeply up hill we located the small path that took us above the now steeply sided valley to Grains in the Water. This is the point where several small tributaries (grains) convege on open moorland. While we were lunching here low cloud rolled in so we abandoned plans to walk to Alport Head and Bleaklow Hill, instead heading south east for Over Wood Moss. Sometimes following faint sheep tracks, sometimes on rough moor we traversed Alport Moor and into the top of Oyster Clough with dramatic views of the waterfalls in Alport Dale on the way. Oyster Clough Cabin provided a welcome break and much laughter. The route was now much easier – down the Clough to pick up the line of the Roman road which took us back to our starting point. A great exploring day away from sizable or any paths. We saw no one from Alport hamlet back to the Snake. Some said that we had a whale of a day! David