A Walk Around Lingmoor Fell and Great Langdale

We woke to find the weather hadn't improved. The temperature had risen to at or just above freezing as the thaw set in and the forecast was for cloudy summits. Dave, who owned the guest house, suggested a low level walk starting at the nearby village of Elterwater. So, as we had no better ideas, we decided to follow his suggestion.
We followed the road from Ambleside towards Great Langdale making slow progress due to the snow and slush. After passing Elterwater, we were puzzled as Pete and Keith continued for quite a distance before stopping at a parking area practically in Great Langdale. When we asked why they had gone that far, they realised they really didn't know where we planned to start from!
So, we turned around and headed back towards Elterwater to park at a road junction leading to the village.
We followed the minor road towards the village and then onwards along the lane heading towards Little Langdale Tarn where we followed a path soon leading across a small and narrow hump-back Slater Bridge crossing the stream leading from the Tarn.
Following a walled lane with lots of slush and inches-deep water, we reached the narrow road leading up from the Wrynose Pass near a cattle grid and followed this road downhill as far as a gap in the wall by a stile.
After crossing the stile we followed a path across Blea Moss and reached track continuing through a small wood by Blea Tarn. After a kilometre or so we skirted the campsite at Great Langdale where there were several hardy campers and then followed a section of the Cumbria Way leading up a slope. We followed the route of the Cumbria Way as it wended alongside Great Langdale Beck then crossed a bridge and onto the Great Langdale road.
All that remained was to walk along the road for a bit over a kilometre back to where we started.

Christmas Break in the Lakes - Skiddaw

Karen and I had arranged a trip to the Lakes with Keith and Pete Collins. Leaving Winster at around 07:00 we drove towards Cumbria. There was a little bit of snow remaining at home and a sprinkling on the roads in Buxton but we found quite a lot of snow on the M6 as we approached Tebay Motorway Services where we stopped to have breakfast.
There was a Heron walking around in the car park probably because the nearby ponds and lakes were frozen. As we were eating breakfast, Pete and Keith arrived to join us.
Breakfasts finished, we continued on our way to drive towards the village of Applethwaite a short distance North of the town of Keswick.
Once off the main roads, there was quite a lot of snow and slush lying on the roads and Pete found he couldn't get his car up a sloping section so he headed back to the main road and approached from the opposite direction.
We had parked at a road junction where there was quite a lot of room since we assumed Pete wouldn't be able to reach the nearby car park which was around a tight, uphill corner and then up a long sloping section of road. He managed to get part way up thus uphill section and park in a layby.
Once we had got our boots on we waited for Keith and Pete to join us as we were parked further along our intended route.
Continuing on foot on the minor road towards Millbeck, we followed a Public Footpath sign along a track leading to a continuation up a long steeply-ascending slope leading to the top of the small hill of Carl Side. It was difficult going walking up the slope due to the covering of snow, which, although not deep, was enough to cause it to be slippery.
Karen decided to pause and put her Kahtoola Microspikes on and I decided to do the same as she had bought me a pair for Christmas.
This enabled us to walk up the slope much faster and we soon joined Keith and Pete where they had stopped for a drink.
Looking around at the views, we could see the frozen water of Derwentwater far in the distance beyond Keswick and the surrounding fells which appeared to be a monochrome picture due to the overcast and misty conditions.
Continuing on our way, we followed a gradually-rising path which we expected to soon join the path leading along the broad ridge heading to Skiddaw's summit. We arrived at a large frozen cairn and looking at the map expected that we were about 500 metres from the summit, which we couldn't yet see because of the mist.
I set a bearing for the summit as the ridge was broad enough to cause us to veer off and miss it if not careful and after about 250 meters (measured by step counting), which both Karen and I agreed on, we reached the ice-encrusted trig point and nearby topograph.
We paused for a few photos as there was a very cold wind blowing, which, because it had been coming from behind us, hadn't been as noticeable on the way to the summit.
Soon we were heading towards our descent route following a bearing and counting steps, intending to intersect a field boundary some 500 metres to the South-East. We passed a few cairns and also footprints in the snow, but in the current conditions, without a map and compass, we wouldn't be sure that this was the way we wanted to go.
A fence loomed out of the mist ahead (this was the field boundary) and after looking at the ice formations formed by the wind on the wire, we walked the 100 metres or so to the stile which crossed the fence.
Again after checking with the compass we set off down the continuing bridleway passing another fence as we skirted the smaller hill of Little Man. As we had a late start, by now it was beginning to get dark and we had dropped out of the cloud and mist. We could see the streetlights of Keswick far below and the dark shapes of the surrounding fells looking even more like a black and white photograph especially with the thick, dark clouds which looked like storm clouds in the rapidly dimming light.
We reached yet another fence. Our route led down by this fence until we reached the car park where we had intended to start our walk from.
By now it was dark and we returned to our cars and after removing boots, drove to Ambleside to where we were staying at “The Claremount” guest house for Bed and Breakfast (where we had stayed last year).

A Return to Kinder

The forecast was for a sunny but very cold day and as Karen decided on an day relaxing at home, I though the best option was to have a walk on Kinder Scout as it is at its best on a clear and freezing day.
Although the roads were no problem, I arrived at the car park at Edale to find only 3 cars there which is a surprise on a Sunday with such excellent conditions. As I approached the car park there was an amazing view of the edge of Kinder Scout in bright sunshine with a cloud bank flowing over the top. I should have stopped and taken a photo!
I repeated the route Karen and I had walked recently, walking up the path below Ringing Roger then along the edge path. Sadly, as I neared the top of Ringing Roger, the cloud rolled in and it remained misty for the remainder of the walk.
I followed the path and after the top of Grindsbrook Booth took the path leading to the summit of Grindslow Knoll. I had put my crampons on after nearly slipping over a couple of times as there were often deep, frozen puddles beneath the snow.
At the summit of Grindslow Knoll I met a group of Asian youths out enjoying the conditions but they had arrived on mountain bikes. Unfortunately, they weren't really supposed to be there on mountain bikes as there are only footpaths in that area, which means walkers only.
Except for them, I had only seen a young female National Park Ranger, a solitary man out walking from Sheffield and a small group sitting down at the top of Grindsbrook Clough. It certainly was very quiet despite the excellent conditions.
I sat in the shelter of a boulder as there was a cold breeze blowing and had my sandwich and a drink of hot chocolate from my flask.
Finishing the snack, I dropped down the path from Grindslow Knoll then back to the car park where there were a few more cars.

 Edale Chucrh with a sunny Kinder Scout behind

 Starting the route up Ringing Roger

 Looking across to Grindsbrook Clough

 Mountain Hare tracks (with my boot for scale)

 A Frozen Boulder

 A Boulder covered with Hoar Frost

Animal Tracks (Grouse, Mountain Hare and something Very Small!)

A Walk Up Lose Hill

Leaving the car in Hope, we walked along the road leading to Ollerbrook Booth, Grindsbrook Booth and the other villages and hamlets in the Vale of Edale then turned down a side road after a few hundred metres and near the village school followed a Public Footpath leading along a wide track.
This brought us to a junction with another Public Footpath which we had followed before on a previous walk up Lose Hill. Continuing straight on we followed the route through fields then a gradually-rising route which carried us past a lovely barn conversion.
The views across the Hope Valley were extensive despite the somewhat misty conditions and there was still enough snow to cover the ground since the last snow fall a couple of days ago. Since then the temperatures had been below freezing and the snow hadn't melted.
I was wearing the new Scarpa Manta boots I bought last weekend and was pleased to find them very comfortable and very good in the conditions of frozen ground and snow.
Karen was wearing the Kahtoola Microspikes she had bough last year and found them to be excellent.
Soon we were at Ward's Piece and following the gradually-rising stepped path leading up to the summit of Lose Hill. After a look at surrounding views of both the Hope and Edale valleys while standing near the stone-built topograph, we sat in the shelter of the nearby drystone wall as there was a bit of a cold wind blowing, and ate a snack and had a hot drink.

Topograph, Summit of Lose Hill

Continuing on along this section of the Great Ridge which divides the Hope and Edale Valleys, we met the first people we had seen today as we dropped down the steps at Back Tor.

 Back Tor

 Karen looking along the Great Ridge

The Great Ridge with Mam Tor in the distance

A short way further along the Ridge, we stepped over the wooden fence at a stile and then followed the path leading down to the village of Castleton. We had seen very few people about and even Castleton was very quiet. Maybe because of the conditions or the proximity of Christmas with last minute Christmas Shopping.
Popping out into the main road through Castleton at the dog-leg which runs past the Technological Speleological Group's hut, The Old Chapel, we first had a stop at the public loos then returned to the bend and followed the road to the village's Market Place where we sat on the circular bench around a tree in the centre. Here we finished off the rest or our lunch.
Returning to the main road, we turned right and headed back towards Hope but then followed a Public Footpath which leads along the river across fields and the Hope Cement Works mineral railway to bring us to a road leading back into Hope village, where we had started.
Later in the evening we joined fellow cavers living in Winster, Mat and Nikki, in the Miners Standard for a meal and later on a visitation by the Winster Guisers.

A Very Quiet Castleton

Winster Christmas Tree

After returning home, we walked down Main Street to the Market House to see the Winster Village Christmas Tree Lights switched on. There were many villagers there drinking mulled wine and listing to the Darley Dale Brass Band playing Christmas Carols until the time came to switch the lights on. After a countdown “10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1” the switch was pressed, the lights came on, everyone cheered – and the lights went off again!
After few minutes fiddling behind the scenes, again the Winster Christmas Tree lights were shining!

A Walk in Wolfescote Dale and Biggin Dale from Hartington

Hartington Village Shop

After parking in the centre of the busy village of Hartington, Karen and I walked a short distance towards the village Public Toilets, where there was a notice pinned on the door saying “Frozen Water” as the pipes must have been frozen after the recent frosty weather!

Behind the toilets there is a small gate leading to a path which immediately leads to pastureland and wide views of the surrounding countryside.
The sky was clear and the sun was shining straight at us from its winter low angled position as we carefully crossed large frozen puddles. Luckily the few muddy sections were mostly frozen as well, which is the benefit of walking at this time of year.

The route brought us to a gate leading onto a small plantation which was made of a range of deciduous trees such as ash, oak and sycamore.
Soon we were walking along the bank of the River Dove with the neighbouring county of Staffordshire on the opposite side and after crossing a wooden footbridge by a ford, we crossed a large field and through another gate into the start of Wolfescote Dale. Unfortunately the clouds moved in and except for the small odd spot of sun, it was overcast for the rest of the day.

There is a flat path most of the way along this dale right next to the river, and we noticed that there weren't many birds around other than a Dipper and a Heron.
As we approached the junction with Biggin Dale, we heard the sound of hounds and men shouting in the distance with the odd tootle on a hunting horn and could see several hounds high up on the daleside with a few men scattered about.

Frank i'th' Rocks Cave

We sat on a flat area near the junction and ate our lunch before leaving the River Dove and heading up Biggin Dale as far as another junction next to a ruined building constructed of drystone walling. Here we followed the left-hand branch heading uphill out of the dale to a walled path.
This led to Reynard Lane, a quiet minor road which leads straight back to Hartington village.

Stanage Edge from Hathersage

I'd been thinking of buying a pair of winter-capable mountaineering boots for a while to replace my ancient pair of Scarpa Fitzroys. These are a great pair of winter mountaineering boots but compare to current offerings, they weight a lot more – on of them weight sabout as much as a pair of modern boots.
“Outside”, the gear shop in Hathersage was having a sale of Scarpa and several other makes at 20% off today and as I was interested in looking at a pair of Scarpa Mantas, I suggested to Karen that we have a walk based on Hathersage and I could visit “Outside” first to have a look at some Mantas.
So, we drove over to Hathersage and arrived just before opening time at 09:30. As the shop across the road, “CCC Outdoors”, was already open, we had a quick look around there first.
Returning to “Outside”, we went I just as the doors had been unlocked and I tried on a pair of Scarpa Manta boots which seemed to fit quite well and were very comfortable, at least while I tried them out in the shop. So, I decided to buy them.
As the Manatas would be worn mainly in winter, I would be sometimes by wearing crampons. Of course the set of crampons I have, an old pair made by Grivel, wouldn't fit the Mantas as they are a “clip-on” type and have a wire “bail” at the front, so depend on the boot to have a lip at the front and the rear. While the old Scarpa Fitzroys I have doe have these, the Scarpa Mantas only have a lip at the back.
This meant buying another set of crampons! Luckily the sort I was interested in, also made by Grivel (“Air Tech NewMatics) were also in the 20% off sale.
Once the purchases were made. Karen and I went upstairs to the café for breakfast.
After breakfast, we returned to the car to drop off our new goodies (I bought Karen a Rab PowerStretch top in CCC Outdoors) and get our boots and rucksacks.
There was very little of the recent snow as we left the centre of Hathersage by following a lane from the main road, then along a signed footpath leading to the village church. After a quick look at “Little John's Grave” (Robin Hood's right-hand man Little John reputedly came from Hathersage) we continued on through the churchyard and onto another lane. Leaving this second lane, we followed the route as it rose through a wooded area then through a door with a stone surround in a fence to follow a curving ancient track which brought us to a farmyard.

Hathersage Churchyard

Hathersage Church

A 'Grotesque' on the Church

Little John's Grave

It wasn't clear where the public right of way was routed so we followed a tractor trail to a drive leading to where we wanted to be: the minor road leading from Hathersage up to the gritstone crag of Stanage Edge.
Following the road led to the parking area at the “popular end” of Stanage Edge and the path leading from the car parking area up onto the path leading along the top of the crag.
I know Stanage Edge very well after spending many days climbing there in the past, but I have never walked there before.
There were some climbers making the best of the milder and sunny conditions, plus the lack of deep snow impeding the drive to the crag, and quite a few other walkers. With views across to the Hope Valley in the distance and the remains of snow, we followed along the top of the crag and found a seat on a boulder which was in a sheltered spot. Even though it was a lovely clear and sunny day, there was a cold wind blowing, so it was nice to have a sheltered spot to eat lunch.

The 3 1/2 Miles of Stanage Edge stretching into the distance

Climbers on one of the hundreds of climbing routes

Some remaining snow

While we were eating our lunch, my mobile phone rang and I found it was Steve White of the Orpheus Caving Club who was asking me to pass on the message that he was unable to get to tonight's Orpheus CC Christmas Dinner as he had to work during the day, and as he lives in Essex, he wouldn't be able to make it.
After lunch was finished we continued along the crag-top path until we reached a path which led down to our left which had a bit of snow at the start but we were soon following well-worn gritstone slabs. The path led to another car parking area near the North Lees campsite and, after crossing the minor road, we followed a path leading us towards the impressive house of Brookfield Manor.

Part of Brookfield Manor

There's a tarmac track leading from the Manor which ended at another minor road close to the centre of Hathersage and we were son back at our starting point.

Karen on stepping stones at a ford

After a few hours at home, we drove to the Orpheus CC Cottage at Parsley Hay to join the others for Christmas Dinner at The Duke of York pub a few miles up the A515 towards Buxton.