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I think this two trails loop must have a jinx on me – last time I led it we lost Andy with a broken saddle and my pannier rack broke., This time Chris K had to turn back with a slowly deflating rear tyre (suspected damaged rim), and we never even found Hugh (or rather he never found us).

Anyway, a nice mixed 28 mile circuit which was enjoyed by the completing team of Kathy, Kial and me. Up the Monsal trail from Coombs Lane with colourful leaf displays and great views, then a haul up the Pennine Bridleway (even Kial had to push through lack of traction) and over to the High Peak Trail on farm tracks and minor roads. Parsley Hay cafe was open, providing welcome hot drinks and a lunch stop, then down to Friden where we caught a shower. Onto road from there, we wheeled down through Middleton to Youlgreave, where we found Phil Bartlett just leaving his house with new dog. We took the road route back to Bakewell, avoiding the nice but muddy bridlepath from last time (the author has to confess pushing up Quiet Lane) and back down Coombs Lane to find Chris K’s car gone, but Hugh’s there…. a few texts established that he had tried to catch us up, but was at that time soaking wet at Parsley Hay. He got back merely damp. I understand.

Thanks to all for turning out.

A tad under 4 hours, next time I might lengthen the route a bit – if anyone will join me!

Dave C

The seven Castle members [and one dog] were in good spirits as we set off from Elton at 10am, despite the dank weather and an extremely irate local who wasn’t impressed with how we’d parked – ”You are not welcome here!” – so the unanimous decision was to just ignore him and quickly leave. Heading southwest in mist over the large fields of Elton Common with no paths visible, Sean kept us safely on track with his compass bearing, until we reached the road, and could soon turn off to join Long Dale with greatly improved views. Then a welcome coffee break under the larches of Little Bolderstone Plantation, before leaving the dale and heading vaguely towards Middleton. The option of a short diversion to explore the tumulus at Kenslow Knoll was rejected, as there now was some concern about the actual length of today’s walk [the meet leader’s piece of string representing 8 miles might have been doubled up in the planning stage]. Luckily route-finding and passing the very grand grounds of Mount Pleasant Farm, with great views down towards Youlgreave, provided some distraction from the vague possibility of finishing in the dark. Floyd, the dog, also provided entertainment chasing thrown sticks and expecting to be helped each time over all of the numerous stiles. Eventually reaching Youlgreave we turned sharply right to start heading directly back towards Elton, through more fields filled with cows [which Floyd didn’t like] and some steepish hills. Thank you Chris, Pete, Sean, Mary [and Floyd, Leon and Josie for your excellent company. There were no deviations that day on this, as usual, non-recce’d route, and no need for head torches as the 2 GPS’s said we’d completed either 9.4 or 9.9 miles in 5 and ¼ hours.
Vanda Boyd

A fresh and sunny autumn morning tempted eleven club members (along with associate members Molly and Poppy) to come to the Dover’s Wall area of Stanage at one stage or another. Five members actually climbed other’s stopped for chat. Amazingly as it got to midday there was sufficient warmth in the sun to make the climbing pleasant rather than a freezing fingers ordeal. The meet leader warmed up by soloing Bumbler’s Arete and A Black Yin two not to be missed mods that both must be at least four metres in length. Other harder routes followed in what is one of Stanage Popular End’s quieter areas yet packed with quality routes. The climbing came to an end following a hail shower in mid- afternoon. Thanks to all who came on the meet whether for a chat or to climb. That could well be the outdoor climbing finished for the year though three of us had a great afternoon at a sunny Froggatt yesterday so you never know.
Andrew

The die was cast at 6.0pm Saturday when the meet leader checked the forecast, for showers from midday on the Sunday, and diverted the meet to the Foundry. Sunday dawned – bright and sunny. The meet leader dutifully exhausted himself on all the self-belay routes available at the Foundry – meeting up with Jo for lunch, and then moving out to sunny Stanage. There we met three other Castle members – who had been sunning themselves for the morning. The drizzle dutifully arrived – the others left – we did a couple of climbs, walked through the glorious plantation woods and back over Carr Head rocks in the late evening light. Went over to Wharncliffe on Thursday – did some fine routes in the Hell Gate area, and green stuff around Long John’s stride. Wharncliffe deserves another meet.
Geoff

Eight club members, 3 others and 4 dogs met on a cool but sunny sunday morning. We ascended to Rushup Edge via the Chapel Gate track and picked up the penine bridleway to South Head. We met Frank at South Head as he completed the route in reverse, reaching South Head by Jacobs ladder. Couple of stops for coffee and lunch en route and we stopped to admire the great views towards Manchester and Hayfield on such a clear, if windy day, where group photo was taken by Tim ( see attached).
All agreed to skirt the southern edge of Kinder rather than descend to Upper Booth via Jacobs Ladder . We followed the path to Grindslow Knoll and followed the nice but steep descent back to Upper Booth. Chris noted that we had clocked 12.9 miles.
Lovely Walk and great company. Thanks to Sean for such a good route.
Fiona

Brilliant weekend. Fully booked and lots going on. Russ came down from Scotland and Su cane up from Norwich on her way to Scotland. Climbing at Giggleswick, Robin Proctor Scar and Oxenber. The latter had a few gems and a particular sandbag!
Walkers had a good day walking from the hut up Ingleborough. And then Penygent on Sunday.
Cycle rides to Slaidburn and also up Kingsdale to Dent and round, plus a mountainbike route up and over..
So something for everyone!
The meal on Saturday night came together very well thanks to people’s skills and effort. The fire was well looked after by John.
All very sociable ,energetic, and a beautiful part of the country to visit. Thanks for a great weekend. And for once as far as I know no one left anything behind!!
Linda

Photos by Dave Crowther:

Ali at the top of the haul up Ingleborough

Ingleborough and its guardians

Oncoming traffic on the road bike ride

About 10 of us, plus 2 dogs, braved the blue skies and dry rocks of Neb Buttress to enjoy a full day’s climbing at Bamford. Multiple routes from Mod to HVS were ascended on a lovely day. An unexpected non climbing visitor arrived in the shape of Dave Dunk who is threatening to attend a Thursday walk to catch up with old friends.
Later in the day the majority moved towards Wrinkled Wall whilst Vanda and I attempted our 1st VS lead for about 5 years. Suffice to say an ascent was (eventually) made and we were joined by 2 charming gents from Warwick who removed all the gear😊
Thanks to all who defied the weather forecasts and attended.
Paul and Vanda

Just three of us met in Old Glossop for this meet. To be honest it was two more than I expected given that there was an away meet and a climbing meet running on the same day. However Sean J, Chris K and I were rewarded with a fine day out on Bleaklow to make the lengthy drive over worthwhile. After disentangling ourselves from a large group of Dearne Valley Ramblers we left the town along Shepley St and passed a rather noisy clay pigeon shoot before leaving the main track and climbing steadily up the ridge towards Yellowslacks. Ahead of us was a tantalising belt of blue sky but we were uncertain whether it would extend in our direction. Doubts were resolved a short time later when, as we took a short break, the sky cleared and we were bathed in sunshine for the rest of the day. We passed Hern Stones, joined the Pennine Way for a short distance then wandered over to Wain Stones and the much photographed ‘Kiss’. At the large cairn of Bleaklow Head we were approached by a couple who had wandereded up by Torside Clough using a ‘phone app. ‘Which is the best way down?’ they asked. ‘The same way you came up,’ was our considered advice.
We had met only a few people on the hill so far and we had the next stretch completely to ourselves. We made our way towards Bleaklow Stones across dry ground and through swathes of long grass rippling gently in the breeze – a truly freaky experience for those of us who remember the stark, peaty morass which preceded the ‘Greening of the Moors’ project; the transformation is remarkable. Grouse, buzzard and mountain hare were seen before our lunch stop at the Stones and then it was down The Ridge to Grains-in-the-Water and the Swamp. Even after our long, dry summer there was some damp ground here but it was easily avoided and we were soon across it to follow the narrow track up Hern Clough and to rejoin the Pennine Way. From there it was a brisk mile to the top of the Doctor’s Gate track which we followed down through its sinuous, steep-sided valley (more regeneration here too, in the form of an extensive tree planting scheme) and back to Old Glossop. A really enjoyable day out – the only time I have ever come off Bleaklow with clean, dry boots!! 13 miles
Steve

Seven of us met up at Kildale camp site. Saturday we climbed on the Wainstones. The highlight was Sphinx Nose Traverse – an improbable looking wander into space on surprisingly good holds. Rain stopped play briefly. Two of us explored Park Nab; which we could walk to from the camp site; and was a fine evening venue. Sunday was wet. We walked to Cooks Monument, Rosebury Topping, Highcliff Nab and back over the moors. Highcliff nab is in the guidebook, but exceedingly green. Monday, we climbed at Scugdale – short routes but great variety. It was interesting to explore new crags and a new area. Some great views from the Cleveland way and the crags. A neat and conveniently positioned camp site, and a lot of local mountain biking. Maybe an option for another meet in a couple of years.
Geoff

A lovely sunny day for 9 of us to cycle from Low Bradfield to Langsett and back in a sort of figure of eight going through Bolsterstone on the way out and back but otherwise taking different roads. After several miles we were still passing signs saying 2 miles to Bradfield but in my defence we had gained height ‘relatively’ painlessly. After refuelling at Langsett café we returned and despite my efforts to give confusing directions, Leon kindly retrieved half the group who had gone the wrong way. After that everyone waited patiently at every junction just to check.. Apparently 26.4 miles and 3370ft of ascent …approximately.
A very enjoyable cycle with great company. Thanks to all who could make it.
Marian