All posts in Meet Reports

Just as I was thinking that it was safe to abandon this walk and go home away from the gales and rain, one hardy soul appeared, keen to keep a promise to join in this meet. As the road to our start point was already flooded and likely to get worse, we agreed to retreat to lower Bradfield and had a pleasant soggy quite sheltered walk admiring the foaming streams and impressive overflow from Agden reservoir. Lots of ponds on the road home too. In retrospect I should probably have cancelled the walk in advance, but in any case it is now saved to enjoy another time. Thanks Chris K for your company.
Marian

Well the weather said it all really.
4 brave souls and soggy scottie dog headed from the shelter of Blacka Moor woods into the headwinds across Houndkirk Moor towards Burbage Edge. And it wasn’t just rain, there were hail showers beating in our faces too. We continued on, splodging through boggy ground. Before long the meet leader took pity on the drenched folk and cut a few corners off the orginal route. This was fortunate and we were blessed with a beautiful double rainbow near Higger Tor. We turned southwards and got slight relief from the weather. The meet leader then decided to make another short cut and the mention of a hot drink at Longshaw cafe was sound to people’s hears. When we arrived at the visitors’ centre we were disgraced to hear that dogs weren’t allowed in the newly renovated cafe. So to not risk people getting cold, we decided to drive on and up over Totley Moor where we saw a herd of red deer. On the descent back to the car, there was a spell of blue skies and it felt almost pleasant.
~9 miles in total. Thank you to Hugh and Alison and Archie for bravely turning up. I hope you’ve dried out!
Photos on facebook.
Gemma

The start of the headwind

Double rainbow over Higgar Tor

Sun shining (briefly) at Longshaw

Eight humans and two dogs took advantage of the weather window between Storms Malik and Corrie to make an enjoyable ascent of Black Hill from Crowden. We were joined by Alison who has moved to Stocksbridge from South Wales and was out with the club for the first time.
The first section of the walk, along Crowden Great Brook, involved a lot more boulder hopping and crossings of the brook than some of the participants had anticipated. But as usually happens karma intervened and the only person to fall in was the meet leader. We then crossed open moorland to the summit of Black Hill, stopping to investigate the remains of the two Meteor jets which crashed on Siddens Moss in 1951.
We descended via the long ridge over Tooleyshaw Moor enjoying extensive views. On Hey Edge we attempted to set a record for the most number of people to attach themselves to a trig point – a fairly hazardous exercise as the trig point was surrounded by a deep moat! The walk ended with an exploration of Great Crowden Quarry. Geoff assured us that he had climbed there in the past but judging by the massive chunks of rock which looked like they had recently come away from the main face we suspected that his routes now lie in pieces at the base of the quarry. Our safe return to the carpark was celebrated with slices of chocolate swiss roll generously provided by Geoff. Paul.

8 of us met at Torside reservoir carpark to find the parking God firmly on our side – the ticket machine being out of order meant free parking all round 😊
We set-off at a leisurely pace along the Trans Pennine Trail before heading off into woodland to join the bottom of Wildboar Clough. With very little water flowing we found ourselves deep in the middle of the riverbed hoping across moss covered rocks. We soon arrived at the first major obstacle with each of us finding a different route up the waterfall, Bill taking the direct line and straight up the flowing water!
Several waterfalls later and only the odd damp foot we made it to the top of the clough and headed across moorland to pick up the Pennie Way.
We followed this for a couple of miles before heading West towards the B29 crash site (the whole of Sheffield seemed to have had the same idea, all blindly following there mobile phones) and then to the trig point at Higher Shelf Stones. From here we followed the path West before cutting across moorland, heading North towards Yellowslacks Brook which provided a welcome lunch stop.
We followed this to Wain Stones and then on a compass bearing headed across moorland to pick up the Pennine Way at the top of Torside Clough.
We split up at this point with 3 members opting for the quick way back down the Pennine Way while the rest of us did more rock hoping, stream crossing and scrambling down Torside Clough. We then picked up the Pennine Way and followed this back down to the Trans Pennine Trail and the flat walk back to the carpark.
11.5 miles covered in a thoroughly enjoyable day, thanks to everyone that turned up.
Kial
P.S photos on facebook via this link
https://www.facebook.com/groups/365080970512881/permalink/1573575146330118/

Five of us gathered in Monyash carpark at 10 am on a slightly misty morning, before heading out on initially familiar paths and tracks, to join the Pennine Bridleway heading northwest, south of Pomeroy and under two bridges [not marked in my White Peak map book, for some reason]. After crossing the main A515 Buxton to Ashbourne road, we then walked along unfamiliar tracks with distant views out to the east, meeting quad bikes, cyclists, joggers and dog walkers. Skirting the Sough Top trig point, we dropped down towards Taddington, looking for a suitable lunch spot out of the cool wind. After lunch, on the southern outskirts of Taddington where 5 footpaths meet [always a confusing challenge on an un-recced walk] we were rewarded after opting for the unknown one, by discovering a shelter donated by a baron for the locals to enjoy a nearby playground, and a natural well with surrounding protective wall. The sun came out for the muddiest section of this walk, as we headed south back towards Monyash, joining Wheal Lane above Deepdale and then across fields and numerous stiles [which seemed to get higher, more slippery and with bigger drops each time, or perhaps we were just tiring] back to our cars. Thank you to Mike, Chris, Gavin and Lin for your company, and a special thank you to Chris for her GPS when there was uncertainty of our exact whereabouts. The walk was somewhere between 10 and 11 miles long, completed in just under 5 hours.
Vanda Boyd

17 walkers set out from Litton in clear dry weather with sufficient sunshine to make it difficult to see in front-somewhat better than the rain and sleet in the forecast!
Half way across the third field it became apparent that another 2 had arrived late and were trying to catch us up.After a short wait the party size then increased to 19 (including 5 non members).We then continued to Cressbrook village following the sloping and muddy path through the woods.
After Cressbrook we descended to Litton Mill before crossing the river and ascending above the disused railway to follow the high level path above Water-cum-Jolley Dale.The disused railway,busy with walkers and cyclists,then led over the Monsal Head viaduct and the tunnel beyond.
Leaving the railway we found an elevated spot well above the muddy path for lunch and then continued past Little Longstone to Dale Farm where a short stretch of road led to the steep wooded bank below Longstone Moor.
A steep pull got us up the bank and onto the moor from where a path led across to Wardlow and then over to an impressive viewpoint above Cressbrook Dale stretching below.Care was needed on the slippy descent to the floor of the Dale,which unlike in its normal summer state, had a fast flowing stream and large pool half way down.
A short walk then led along the Dale to the junction with Tansley Dale.The group then had the option of a short finish up Tansley Dale or a longer finish continuing up the Cressbrook Dale past St.Peter’s Stone with a climb up to the western rim of the Dale and courtesy path back to Litton along the Dale edge.
The party split 50/50 (ie 10/9 !) with each group returning to Litton by their chosen route.
Back in the village some of us rounded off the day with a celebratory pint or a meal in the “Red Lion”.
A great walk in unexpectedly good weather.
Thanks to all who came.
Mike

At 10am on a rather misty Sunday morning, a cheery group of 10 of us gathered outside our home, for the traditional pre-Christmas Seasonal Stagger. Leaving the houses of High Storrs behind, we dropped steeply down into the Porter Clough valley, to then follow it out into countryside past the tree freshly decorated with baubles [another Christmas tradition] pausing at Oliver’s Bridge, to eventually reach the convenient collection of benches near the top for our coffee stop. Then it was across muddy fields, before skirting around the Lady Canning plantation, and heading for the Norfolk Arms for hot mulled wine. Duly fortified, we then followed the Limb valley gently downhill for a while, before cutting across to Ringinglow Road , the houses of Bents Green and finally the High Storrs allotments. Unfortunately, wanting to be cautious and safe around Covid and Omicron, the expected gathering inside our house for the usual tea and cakes after the walk was cancelled this year. But thank you all for your good company and conversation on the walk [of approx 8 miles] and Paul for leading it.
There are several of today’s photos on the CMC walking WhatsApp.
Vanda Boyd

Eight of us met for this, inspired by Bill in his caving kit. The tour took in crevices on Higger Tor, Lime Juice Chimney on Carlswark, and three clefts in Burbage North and South. Not everybody fitted in all the holes, and some only just got out of them. There will be some pictures on other media. Geoff

A great weekend thanks to all the 27 people. Ali led a walk on the Saturdayfrom Waterfall approx eight miles. Weather could have been better very strong winds and rain so Mary wisely cancelled the bike ride. Bonfire lit and mulled wine and mice pies on the go and then amazing food cooked including paul’s Paella and Mike’s barbique, Great piano playing by Paul G rising to a crescendo during the tug of wars. Vanda organising singing and dancing and Gemma’s great games. Not much cooking on the bonfire, i think Kial managed some Salmon and I managed some chesnuts before the rest exploded. breakfast in the big barn in the morning again being cooked on Paul’s Paella. Elen then led a walk up over the Weaver hills stopping off at a sculpure garden and then an ice cream farm before returning to the big barn for tea and great cakes, Anyway the excess cash £55.00 will be forwarded to Hayfield Mountain rescue. Bill Boley