A prompt start from a busy car park saw us heading in what, to some, appeared the wrong direction before doubling back across fields to Upper Booth and the start of the path up Crowden Brook. Blue skies and sunshine prevailed and there was some shedding of outer layers as the gradient increased. We paused for coffee just below the path heading up leftwards from the brook. About 5 walkers took the path and 13 plus a dog (Cocoa, Coco, Koko?) favoured the brook and subsequent pleasant little scramble up the cracked rock at the side of the waterfall. We reunited on the path round the edge which lead through the Woolpacks (Whipsnade) area where one member attempted a backward somersault only to become wedged like a tortoise on its back between two boulders. He was extricated before photographs could be taken. We found a sunny lunch spot at the Pagoda, then continued to Noe Stool which JB ascended ignoring all holds between the ground and the jug at the top.
An uneventful descent of Jacob’s Ladder followed before we regrouped to consider an alternative scenic finish. Sensible people continued along the main path whilst quite a large number ignored the advice of the local farmer (3 lots of bog) and headed across fields and 3 lots of bog towards Dale Head. This pleasant diversion rounded the walk off at almost 7 miles.
Frank