Bleaklow walk 17 July 2016 – report

[Andy Smith]

Four Club members assembled at Fairholmes for an all-day
walk across Bleaklow, visiting the “Seven Stones”. The
walking was mostly on paths (often ones not shown on the OS
map), but with some sections where either there was no path
or we did not find one. One needed to be on the lookout for
holes, small streams and bogs, well hidden by the summer
vegetation. The weather was perfect: warm, dry and sunny,
with just enough breeze to avoid overheating.

We caught the shuttle bus to Kings Tree (free as we all had
our pensioners’ bus passes). We started up Linch Clough and
took a good track to the top of Lower Small Clough. A slight
drop to cross Grinah Grain was followed by a climb up to
Grinah Stones, the first of the Seven, where we paused for a
coffee break and to admire the view. A short flat section
brought us to Barrow Stones and our highest point of the day
(1927 ft). We dropped down to cross the River Derwent and
ascended the opposite bank to Swains Head. Heading east, on a
pathless section, we passed Dean Head Stones and Shepherds
Meeting Stones. After lunch at some unnamed (on the map)
stones, we crossed Coldwell Clough, following a new fence
and crossing numerous grouphs, to reach the impress Horse
Stone.

Following better paths now, we knocked off Crow Stones and
Bull Stones, completing the Seven, and pushed on to Cut Gate.
The next stop was Margery Hill, a chance for a photo, cup of
tea and (in one case) a snooze. The final high section was
along Howden Edge and over High Stones before dropping down
to the bottom of Abbey Brook where we stopped to read about
the hydro scheme which is being installed there, which will
make use of some old disused water pipes. After final mile
and a half on the flat, by the reservoir, we arrived back at
Fairholmes.

A great day out on our local moors, and we had it almost to
ourselves. We only saw two other people until we got near
Margery Hill. We rounded off proceedings with a pint at the
Ladybower Inn.

15 miles, 2350 feet of ascent, 8 hours.

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[Andy Smith]

Historical Addendum

2008. 19 October. The club did the seven stones walk in the opposite direction,
starting up Cut Gate (after the bus to Kings Tree). This was led by JB, the rest
of the party being Andy & Rosy, Charles Knowles, Marion Birkett, Andrew Milne,
Leon Dowling, Gordon Riley and new member Mary (Reape?). Lunch was taken at
Horse Stone and we finished the 12 mile walk at West End in time to catch the
bus back to Fairholmes.

1991. 21 June (Friday). Midsummer Night. After work, a party consisting of myself,
Sue Miller, Ian Barton, Charles Knowles, Hugh Dowling and two others took bivvy
gear up to Grinah Stones and arrived in the gloom but dry. We had mulled wine
and then bivvied down. There were just a few spots of rain overnight. We woke
about 5am to see the sun shortly after it rose. At about 6am we got up and
cooked breakfast (tea, bacon butties etc.) before walking back down to Kings
Tree. As it was now Saturday, the road was officially closed, but we drove to
Fairholmes anyway, for another brew-up.

1951. 12 April. An Airspeed Consul TF-RPM of Icelandic Airline crashed between
Crow Stones and Bull Stones (Grid Ref. SK 1740 9661). It was on a delivery
flight from Croydon to Iceland via Liverpool and Prestwick and the crew
became disorientated. All three on board were killed. Some of the wreckage is
still there and we passed it on our walk yesterday. The same day the RAF lost
two Meteors in the Peak District.

[Andy Smith]

Sean has sent the attached photo, taken at Dean Head Stones:

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