Walk 13/2007 – Black Hill from Crowden

Sunday 16th June 2007

Oh Cathy, as the walk reporter, what a walk to miss. Plenty of incident and plenty of laughs all round.

After a weather forecast suggesting it would be a fine day, when we got to Crowden, it was overcast and soon started drizzling as we commenced the climb up the Crowden Little Brook valley. Because of recent rain the brooks were running high and there was quite a lot of water coming over one of the waterfalls where we stoppoed for a coffee. The map had suggested that the path did not continue all the way along the valley, and this proved to be the case and we had to pick our way along the side on the valley which was tricky in places. Eventually we cut away from the brook and climbed up onto the ridge. The GPS came in useful here as there were no clear paths. We followed the ridge towards the top of Black Hill across the typical ups and downs of peat bog. In one place a stile at first sight appeared to be sitting in the middle of a lake.

On reaching the summit, we took a break. As we did, the only walkers we had seen came along the Pennine Way which passes across Black Hill. And would you believe it, it was someone that Alan used to work with. It turned out the chap was walking with his 28 year old daughter, but Alan excelled himself by not only getting the age of his companion wrong by about 16 years but also the sex; effectively asking him if he was walking with his 12 year old son as he had done some years ago himself! (Ed – well she was very small and had lots of clothes on – I’m much better at identifying women when they have less clothes on!)

We moved just off of the top for lunch. By now the weather was starting to clear and the sun eventually came out. In fact walking in the afternoon was quite warm. The walk returns down the Crowden Great Brook valley which not unexpectedly had plenty of water in it. At a couple of points there was no way round but to cross the brook. Alan in these situations demonstrates why a towel is on the kit list and discards his boots and paddles. The more athletic found a spot to leap across at great risk of a sprained ankle on landing. Christina and Owen started to try and build a crossing by heaving great rocks into the flow, but to no avail. With all other options exhausted, Alan, being the gentleman that he is, eventually gave Chris a piggy-back across the stream.

The second crossing proved a little easier and with the help of Graham’s walking pole to assist with balance, everyone got across. However, by this time, there were not many people with dry feet as the earlier rain had already tested the water tightness of most people’s boots.

As we came down towards Laddow Rocks (where we stopped for a drink), the view down into the Longdendale valley opened out and by this time the weather was quite good. There were now less challenging brook crossings as we made our way back to Crowden car park.

There were one or two blisters on this walk and this is to large extent due to getting wet feet. The value of good footwear can not be over stated. Plus of course a towel, so that you can paddle and dry your feet afterwards!

Walk rating – pretty good as it turned out

A typical scene thoughout the walk.	The path was not very evident in places.
We stopped by this waterfall for coffee.	We have just come up here but there is no sign of the path.
These styles on the top of Black Hill were just about accessible.	We reach the top of Black Hill despite the boggy bits.
To jump or not to jump?.	Still stranded on the wrong side of the brook, Chris and Danielle consider their options.
Meanwhile Christina and Owen try to build a bridge with rocks.	Simon follows Alan’s lead and paddles. Come on in, the water’s lovely!
The guys rescue the damsel in distress! (Ed &ndash I thought you were a bit heavy; you could have taken your rucsac off!)	Danielle practices her skiing stance – but she’s lost a pole. Bend zee knees!
Chris eventually makes the second crossing. Alan tries to get her to overbalance by asking her to smile for the camera.	The views develop as we return to the Longendale Valley.
The group take a rest on this good view point (Laddow Rocks).	Chris celebrates as she eventually crosses a brook with ease.
Still plenty of water around.	The water is more peaceful as we near the end of the walk.