A good day out – it didn’t rain and it wasn’t too hot. The guys with high tech gizmo’s reckon it was a 12 mile walk so my late 20th century pre walk measurement was pretty good. Benji the cocker spaniel probably ran and walked 25-30 miles and his terrier buddy Otto must have done15-20 miles on his stubby, wee legs. I certainly felt I had earned my post walk pint in the Cheshire Cheese.
Thanks everyone for your company. Rob.

A party of 8 set off in the sunshine along the Duke’s Way to Back Tor for a well deserved break at Back Tor before turning down to the reservoirs. Dinner was taken overlooking the valley with views and conversation of Boots Folly. Before a minor rebellion by the male members of the party re a right of way, we headed away from views of Dale Dyke to exchange them for ones of Agden Rocher from Wilkins Hill. There then followed a pretty walk through woods before turning up the short steep hill of the day and returning back. Lovely weather all day and great company. Thank you all for coming.
Mary

This took place last night in clear weather. Prior to the event possible numbers had fluctuated wildly but 6 people attended 5 of whom requiring some input. One person left very early due to a clothing malfunction.
The session went well with some features included to be deliberately challenging in order to highlight various teaching points. which was successful according to feedback.
Thanks to all who came

Gordon

The weather came out to play for this 10.4 mile walk from Eyam. 13 members happy. to be walking in full sun ( and a fresh. breeze) rambled via Highcliffe, Eyam Moor, stoke Ford, Offerton Moor, Abney Moor, Great Hucklow, Grindlow, Foolow and back to Eyam. Wide Sweeping views from Offerton and Abney Moors. where we. detected the sound of skylarks and a sense of spring in the air. A brief interlude at Great Hucklow incorporated a degree of surrealism into the day where we observed a mannequin dorned in a woolly hat under a monkey puzzle tree…….all judgements withheld, Walking in sunshine with great company…Whats not to Hike Thanks everyone. Fiona.

The weather came out to play for this 10.4 mile walk from Eyam. 13 members happy. to be walking in full sun ( and a fresh. breeze) rambled via Highcliffe, Eyam Moor, stoke Ford, Offerton Moor, Abney Moor, Great Hucklow, Grindlow, Foolow and back to Eyam. Wide Sweeping views from Offerton and Abney Moors. where we. detected the sound of skylarks and a sense of spring in the air. A brief interlude at Great Hucklow incorporated a degree of surrealism into the day where we observed a mannequin dorned in a woolly hat under a monkey puzzle tree…….all judgements withheld, Walking in sunshine with great company…Whats not to Hike Thanks everyone. Fiona

We converged on the SMC hut, which was relatively close to Newtonmore – in the big scale of Scotland. Matt and Kial had come from 5 days guided climbing. I’d had 3 days around Aviemore.
Friday 13th – we warmed up on the Geal Charn above Spey Dam [there are lots of them]. Fine weather.
14th – Most did the Fiacaill ridge from Coire an t-Sneachda. Another very fine day.
15th – a ten mile restful walk in the Rothiemurchus forest.
16th – Most grappled with a blizzard on Sgor Gaoith, West of the Feshie. I rested with books.
17th –Most did a mass ascent of the E ridge of Beinn a Chaorainn. Gorgeous weather. Crisp, clear and crampons. I did an anti-clockwise round of Creag Meagaidh with Pete’s friend Karen.
18th – Most attempted Meall a Bhuachaille from Ryvoan bothy but were repelled by ferocious wind. Two took a more sheltered route around Loch Morlich. All retreated to the Ryvoan café in Aviemore, for continuity and ‘cos consensus is it’s the best coffee.

Overall we were blessed by some of the best Scottish winter days. The hut was well positioned for the hills and was a good base. Thanks to all for a good trip. The best pictures are on the walking whatsapp group. We are looking at booking a bigger place for the same time next year.

Geoff

Five of us drove out to Earl Sterndale in mist.
“It will soon lift “we thought (according to the met office it had already lifted). But, of course, it didn’t!So we negotiated the muddy trail with no views.
Approaching Parkhouse the dramatic hill was invisible beyond the rising ground at its base.
As planned, we traversed the base to reach the east ridge of Chrome Hill which we ascended by its slippery slope. The summit ridge with slippery limestone pinnacles was traversed with care and we then continued along the muddy trail past Stoop Farm and the grassy descent towards Booth Farm where we climbed to the airy summit of Hollins Hill.
Sitting there with visibility down to a few feet in the stubborn mist we stopped for lunch. Afterwards we continued along the concessionary path on the edge of Hollins Hill. Towards the end of this we at last got some limited views into the valley below, but Chrome Hill and the higher ground remained hidden.
Passing through Hollinsclough we returned through the upper Dove valley to the western base of Parkhouse Hill, which alone amongst the surrounding tops, was now visible. However, after our experience on Chrome Hill we had no appetite to repeat it on Parkhouse Hill with its steeper slopes-so we continued south eastwards to High Wheeldon, which we climbed by its steep south eastern approach.
All that remained then was to return to Earl Sterndale by High Wheeldon’s north eastern approach and the impressive Aldery Cliff. There was a moment of drama, however, when one member of the party slipped and fell while negotiating a rocky obstacle- fortunately without injury.
An odd form of enjoyment, but good to get out and complete the route in a different area of the Peaks with the company of those who came and shared the experience.
One to repeat in the spring or summer in better conditions!
Mike D
Mike’s pics:

View from High Wheeldon

Nick’s pic:

The weather didn’t look very promising as the four of us were leaving Sheffield in thick fog, but things had definitely improved by the time we met up with four others in Peak Forest, and by the end of the walk, there was blue sky and sunshine. This was a walk I’d led a few times before, but in the opposite direction [so noticing and appreciating things from a completely different viewpoint today]. This time we headed south, initially across a few fields, before soon walking down Dam Dale, Hay Dale and Peter Dale, where it was time for the coffee stop. At the top of Monk’s Dale, we left the valley, and climbed uphill on a narrow track between stone walls, towards Wormhill and then followed some paths new to me, always nice to do. One of the recurring themes of the day [as well as all the stone walls almost hidden by their luxurious covering of amazingly green moss] was managing the great variety of numerous stiles, some of them quite challengingly high, with slippery limestone steps and loose top-stones to avoid pulling on. We passed a cow with 999 stamped on its hindquarter, looking somewhat bemused at the photographic interest we were taking in its rear. Then through Hayward Farm, certainly the muddiest section of the walk, with the highest stile yet seen, which fortunately was not on our designated route. Definitely time for a well-earned lunch-stop with clear views over typical White Peak countryside, before dropping down towards Dale Head, and then some walking on quiet roads before joining the path across Loose Hill, and a few more challenging stiles before Peak Forest, where we all enjoyed tea and cakes in the Devonshire Arms.
As ever, thank you all for your excellent company, being taught to appreciate the beauty of tractors [!] and to Hugh for giving lifts to those of us with car problems.
Vanda Boyd [Distance walked was more than the suggested 8 miles]

Alison’s pics

Richard’s pic