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A beautiful day for a beautiful walk. An early start , meeting at 9.00 at Fairholmes and then the 6 walkers were ferried over to Langsett and we were duly on the path by 0945. (Dick set off for acycle). We skirted the North side of the reservoir and then climbed gradually on mostly flagged path., giving way at various points to hoards of mountain bikers. (I welcome an appropriate collective noun here).
A coffee stop to admire the view and then onward to the trig point of Margery Hill for lunch. We posed for photos and then continued along Howden Edge to High Stones where the descent began into the Derwent Valley.
A small dilemma ensued at a fork in the path near Abbey Clough. we chose the left branch as this was a new path for Andy and Rosy. However we soon realised why this route is the lesser travelled – very boggy! Listening to curlews nearly all the way down to thee trees, we noticed many newly planted birch trees. A further drink stop ensued in the brilliant sunshine.
After a final romp along the track at the side of the reservoir, we skirted under the dam to ice creams and the cars. Final distance 10.3 miles.
A fantastic day out and a huge thank you to JB and Dick for driving us to required destinations.
Ali

Cut Gate 20 May 2018

Cut Gate 20 May 2018

Cut Gate 20 May 2018

Margery Hill 20 May 2018

ight CMC members camped at Summer Hill farm near Ashburton. Dave Beynon, plus two other climbing friends from the South West also joined us. The weather was glorious for the entire weekend.

On Saturday, six of us completed a 10 mile coastal walk from Salcombe, after a café stop for seafood sandwiches. Elen toured some country lanes on her bike and Dave et al visited the Dewer Stone for some climbing. That evening duck breast, steaks and sausages were cooked on Dave’s “Grilletto” (a new must-have piece of camping equipment I’ve decided), alongside various veggie options..

Sunday dawned bright and warm and the entire group headed to Hound Tor. The majority climbed all day and I’m told the highlight was a fine lead from Leon of Suspension Flake. Josie and myself walked over to Hay Tor, taking in some industrial archaeology along the way.

Monday, folks prepared for home with plans to take in some Devonian tourist sites. Sculpture parks, the country home of Agatha Christie, gardens, potteries, river swimming, tea shops, Brixham also formed part of the weekend itinerary.

A great value weekend in terms of company, activities location and weather. Thanks to all who came.

Ali

15 Castle members made it to the “hot rock” of Stanage High Neb yesterday. A super turnout bearing in mind
a number were away on the Devon meet. Many routes completed by most ranging from Diff to VS.
Great to see so many enjoying the glorious “Bluebird day” along with many other climbers from all over the country.
Pete

Ten of us had a good day climbing at Wildcat, Matlock .and routes from HS to HVS were climbed.
Some of the starts to routes were a little damp but this did not seem to matter. Luckily, the cold wind was blowing over the top of the crag so the climbing temperature was good. It was great to see potential new members Alex and Kyle climbing with us. For some it was the first time climbing on this great crag and even for some the first time climbing on limestone
David

ight made it to Agden despite a mixed weather forecast. One of the best views from any crag in the Peak was shrouded in mist, making for very atmospheric conditions. The rock was generally dry but with damp patches making route choice important. Two routes had been climbed by most and leaders were starting a third when the slowly increasing dampness definitely turned to rain.
Climbing was abandoned at about 2pm and everyone was back at their cars before heavy rain set in. We will be back!
David

Long but excellent bike on Saturday covering 45.6 miles from Winster. A bit of shedding winter gear as the day quickly warmed up with plenty of sun. Some lovely country lanes high up with great views. Main roads to a minimum. Lots and lots of lambs being cute as well as a few buzzards in sight. Harborough Rocks stunning in the afternoon sun. Majority of hills in the last half but conquered unwaveringley by the remaining bikers. Good reasons all for others doing alternatives eg animal rescue, planned shortening – although not always to plan given Dick’d previous post.
A long ride on this occasion which will not always be so. Thanks to all who came.
Mary

Great time and hut this Easter in Scotland. Loads of ticks on tick list crossed off with days out cycling, ice climbing, munro bagging and Corbett topping. Weekend weather particularly good with one of those special beautiful sun and snow days on the hills. Ideal for the Tower Ridge crew but brill for us all. Few drinks, a drop of whiskey and the great craic and company made it a memorable meet.
Mary

13 members crossed the Peak District for a suprisingly warm day of climbing on the Roaches. Early birds Jane, Pete and Rosa first tackled some damp routes on the lower tier before joining the rest on the upper tier. There we enjoyed a good number of classic starred long routes including Pedestal Route, Jeffcoat’s Buttress , Jeffcoat’s Chimney and Maud’s Garden. The weather was kind, the rock dry and a good day was had by all.
Kathy

A party of eight gathered on a very chilly morning and left Upper Booth for Jacob’s Ladder. We were soon much warmer after the steep climb, but on reaching the higher ground on Kinder Low the bitter north easterly wind ensured we did not linger too long to admire the far reaching views over Manchester and westwards towards Buxton. Someone suggested the wind-chill made the temperature feel like minus double figures!
We reached Kinder Downfall, a popular focal point for walkers on such a glorious day. The fall was entirely frozen, and climbers were enjoying the winter conditions. We negotiated the frozen river and pressed on, it being too cold to stop for refreshments. Descending from Sandy Heys we found some shelter from the wind and under a clear blue sky we took our first lunch stop, overlooking Kinder Reservoir. An hour later and having skirted the reservoir we sheltered against a wall and ‘sunbathed’ whilst we had our second lunch. A long and gradual climb followed to bring us to the Oaken Clough path, with good views of South Head and Mount Famine across the valley. The cold wind increased as we ascended to Edale Cross. We then made the final descent of Jacob’s Ladder to Upper Booth, and back to our starting point.
11.5 miles on a superb winter’s day. Thanks to all for your company.
Sean.

The 12 humans and 1 dog who assembled in Millers Dale were treated to a day of good weather and a varied walk. We crossed the dale and ascended the east side of the nature reserve before heading for Priestcliffe and Taddington. From the centre of the village a narrow path took us out and up to Sough Top, where a wall provided shelter for a coffee stop. By this time we were above snowline, and Ali’s snowman was enthusiastically destroyed by Lial’s dog. Onwards we went through Chelmorton, passing the IllyWilly well and the pub without deviation. The Midshires Way took us toward Deepdale, but a navigational error by the leader took us down too early, to Churn Hole. A pleasant lunch spot was found here though, at the expense of half a km of walk. Down we went to the Wye, and along to Blackwell bridge. A little further downstream we headed up the zigzag track to Meadow, where a deliberate decision was made to take the Pennine Bridleway toward Wormhill, restoring the distance lost earlier. This was possibly not universally approved, especially in the depths of the mud of the path behind Wormhill village. An escape was made through the churchyard and down to the river again. After a short muddy section downstream we climbed back up to the old railway track and back to the cars. A tad over 11 miles in all, in good company. Thanks to all.
and, a welcome to the Castle for Jacky – hope we’ll see you on future events!
Dave C

Ascending to Sough Top

Ali, snowman and snowdog

The White Peak

A slippery descent

Face to face