Last weekend was the second one of my open walking weekends and it was a smaller group this time, but just as much fun. The weather challenged us and was worse than the forecast had led me to believe, particularly the wind speed.
We took the train to Edale but found Kinder Scout, unsurprisingly, wreathed in cloud, forming and reforming as the wind whipped across from the north-west. This time we headed southwards as that gave us more options and escape routes if the high level weather was as hostile as it could be.
We climbed up the northern slopes of Mam Tor to Mam Nick.
 |
| Climbing up to Mam Tor with the Edale valley below |
It was muddy underfoot but not raining and we did get views across the Edale valley behind us.
But at Mam Nick things got a little more serious. The wind howled through the gap and battered walkers on the upper slopes of Mam Tor.
 |
| Wet weather looking back from Losehill towards a cloud covered Mam Tor |
We were undaunted and stomped to the top where we forgot any British reserve and walked arm in arm, hoods up and our backs to the gale. We continued on towards the Losehill Ridge, skirting below the crest to stay out of the worst of the weather. From here our path dropped down to Hope and a welcome cafe stop.
 |
| Surely that cafe can't be far now? |
After a break we continued from Hope via Navio, the Roman fort at Bradwell, then Townfield before reaching the station at Bamford.
Sunday was a better day with showers, heavier but less continuous than the day before. From Hathersage we climbed up via North Lees towards Stanage Edge where the small streams that drain over the Edge were being blown back up in fountains across the moor above.
 |
| Ben and Val threading their way through boulders towards the top of Stanage |
We stayed below the Edge following through the maze of climbers' paths which thread their way under the cliff.
 |
| Val and Anna reaching the trig point on Stanage - camera lens blurred with rain! |
 |
| Anna and Val at the trig. point |
Eventually, we braved the winds to climb to the summit trig. point which marks the southern end of Stanage.
 |
| Walking the medieval hollow way across Lawrencefield with no rain |
 |
| Sunshine in the fantasy birch woods of the old Bolehill Quarries |
From here we chose to go down the Burbage Valley to reach Padley Gorge before heading northwards again, below the angular quarried cliffs of Millstone Edge. After that it's just a short finishing stroll to regain our start point in Hathersage, just in time for the train out of town. No prizes awarded for speedy walking but lots of ambling conversation.
