All posts in Meet Reports

Walk report: Sunday 13th March 2022

10 of us and 2 dogs congregated on Sir William Hill Road in sunshine but with a chill wind. We followed footpaths up to the trig, along the ridge and down to Gotherage plantation. Here we took an early coffee stop to allow 1 additional walker to catch up, bravely cutting down open moorland at speed.
We wended our way down through Bretton Clough, then up again to Abney and on to Offerton Moor, where we found another sunny but windy spot for lunch.
Carrying on to the top of the moor we had fabulous views of the Hope Valley , Ladybower reservoir, Bamford, Stanage and Millstone.
Another descent took us down through Callow wood to Mount Pleasant Farm then Highlow Brook.
The only way was up after this, passing Hog Hall to join a path taking us back up the eastern end of Eyam moor to the start.
Thank you all for a very enjoyable and sociable outing. Kathy

On Sir William Hill; photo by Steve Warwick

Crossing Offerton Moor; photo by Steve Warwick

In Callow Wood; photo by Steve Warwick

Hazelford Hall; photo by Steve Warwick

Sunday 6th March 2022

Start: 09.30 Rails Road
Distance: 16k/10miles
Time : 4 hours 10 mins
Weather :dry
Company: 7 wonderful collaborative and chatty members. This really was a combined effort!
We walked along to the Head Stone, squeezing out of the cave above Wyming Brook (new to me) and eventually a quick scamper up the Head Stone for those inclined. Return was via Rivelin Rocks and mud. Finally a dip in Rivelin Plunge Pool.
Thank you all.  Helen

Photo: Dave Crowther

Photo: Dave Crowther

 

Report for Sunday 20th Feb 2022 walk

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

Sunday Walk report – 6th February 2022 – Totley Moor

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

Crowden walk report 30th January 2022

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.

Meet report from Kial’s Wildboar Clough Scramble 23/1/22

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/








North Wales long weekend 13th to 16th January 2022

North Wales Meet Report:
6 of us meet at Capel Curig Thursday morning and set off past the impressive gorge of Afon Llugwy and headed up to the disused quarry on route to Moel Siabod. Although the weather was clear and sunny it wasn’t hot enough to tempt any of us to take a dip in the water pool crater of the quarry!
After a quick coffee stop, we pressed on to reach the southeast ridge of Daear Ddu and the start of the scramble up warm rock to the summit of Moel Siabod where we enjoyed the views across to Snowdon and Tryfan, both looking impressive with the clear blue-sky backdrop.
After a quick bite to eat we headed back down the northeast ridge to pick up the outbound path back at the disused quarry.
We then all headed over to Coetmor Mill to unload our gear and claim a bunk. The rest of the evening was then spent pondering over the next days activities.
Friday saw us splint into 3 groups. One group headed out to Foel-fras taking in Foel-ganol, Pen Bryn-do and Llwytmor on this circular walk. Llwtmor providing stunning vistas over Anglesey.
The other two groups opted to go climbing, one group heading over to Tremadog and the other opting for Grooved Arete on Tryfan which turned out to be elusive to find with climbing not starting until after lunch. The climb was topped out just as the sun was falling below the surrounding mountains leaving us to don headtorches to find the route back down the mountain, arriving back at the digs close to 9pm!
Friday evening also saw the arrival of the remaining 5 members, growing our number to 11.
Saturday we split into two groups with 6 people heading out for a walk straight from the hut taking in Moel Faben, Ilefn, Gyrn, Drosgl & Gyrn Wigau.
The remaining 5 headed over to Snowdon. Leaving the masses behind on the Pyg Track from Pen-y-pass we headed up to Crib Goch, scrambling along the ridge to Garnedd Ugain and then to the summit of Snowdon. After a spot of lunch we headed back down the Watkin Path to Bwlch Ciliau then continuing along the ridge line to Y Lliwedd and descending down to Llyn Llydaw reservoir where Matt couldn’t resist a quick swim with many cheers from passes-byes. Then a quick walk along the Miners Track to complete the circular route around the Snowdon horseshoe.
Saturday evening proved to be very sociable with us all contributing to cooking up a communal curry and a few drinks.
Sunday the weather finally let us down, turning wet and windy. We all went our separate ways, some heading straight home while a couple of brave souls headed up to Glyder Fawr via Bwlch Tryfan & Glyder Fach and returning via Devils Kitchen.
A great weekend was had by all, photos on Facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/castlemountaineering/posts/155162610184070
Kial Wright

Southeast ridge of Daear Ddu

Approaching the summit of Moel Siabod

Summit of Moel Siabod

First pitch of Grooved Arete, Tryfan

Pitch 5 of Grooved Arete, Tryfan

Crib Goch ridge

On Snowdon

Report on Sunday 16th January 2022 walk

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

Sunday Walk 9th January 2022 – Report

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