ITTH in the Peak District

The prospect of a along weekend in the White Peak with a group of 70+ Scouts and Guides from Hertfordshire presented a range of interesting challenges. Arriving at Orchard Farm centre in Staffordshire mid-afternoon meant I was in advance of the minibuses which would arrive later in the evening. Two others were present busy erecting tents around the grounds & we soon had the final tents ready for their incumbents.

An early alarm call at 5.45am was greatly appreciated by all present on the first day of activities. ITTH gave the Scouts & Guides an opportunity to take part in a range of outdoor activities. They would spend half-days climbing, cycling & orienteering and a whole day walking. My involvement was with the latter and each day I had a different assistant with the mixed group of Scouts & Guides.

Saturday – The Roaches

The walk started at the small car park at Gradbach near the Youth Hostel. A short walk to the forest and the track leading up to the rocky chasm known as Lud’s Church. There are various stories behind its name, but it is a most atmospheric place and considering the numbers of people in the area very tranquil.

After an exploration we ascended back into the forest and then uphill through the moor to the boundary and on towards the minor road at Roaches End. From here the path meanders along the top of The Roaches with opportunities to explore the millstone grit outcrops. These provided ample scope for simple scrambling and other activities.

 

Descending before Hen Cloud we saw many enjoying the afternoon bouldering and climbing. By the road we met Rangers from the Wildlife Trust and National park who were observing a nesting pair of Peregrine Falcons. The powerful scopes enabled the group to get a close view of the birds.

Sunday – Shining Tor

It was a different group of Scouts & Guides today as we drove up to the ruin of Errwood Hall, beside Errwood Reservoir in the Goyt Valley. The mansion had been demolished in the 1930s following the construction of the reservoir, but its foundations and plantings were still evident.  We headed off through the woods and eventually came to a small chapel or shrine.

A section of minor road led to Oldgate Nick, where we walked across the ridge along at times a made up path of flagstones and other materials. The destination was Shining Tor at 559m from where we could see the valley below us and the surrounding countryside. A pleasant walk back past Shooters Clough returned us to the car park and the awaiting minibus.

New Year Walking Resolutions

The New year has got off to a mixed start. My intention to join the annual hike from Marsden to Edale failed miserably as it proved exorbitant to go by train and the logistics of going by car proved too difficult. However, I did manage to get some climbing in on a indoor wall and compensate myself with some new climbing gear. While the train companies lost out the independent Outdoor Shop in Stony Stratford benefited from the diversion of funds.

Next weeks trip to the Lake District is looking good with some promising weather and transport all sorted. Hopefully the trip to North Wales at the end of the month will prove equally successful but the organiser doesn't seem totally on top of things so time will tell.

Looking ahead I'm planning out my assault on Alfred Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk. I have just got the second edition which has been updated by Chris Jesty and I'm working out how best to approach it. I have used his updated books for various walks in the Lake District and find the picking out of the paths in red very helpful and the various amendments compliment Wainwright's style.

Whether I can get a two week period free is another matter so I am currently considering breaking it into two sections. The first being St Bees Head to Kirkby Stephen which is five days through the Lake District, and then a second week to complete the trip to Robins Hood Bay. The reason for breaking the walk at Kirkby Stephen is that it has a railway station on the picturesque Carlisle to Settle line and booking in advance can give some fantastic deals. So watch this space.

Lots of other weekends and the odd week walking are planned so I hope to get up a lot of hills this year and if time permits even the odd Munro or Corbett.