Walk 05/2008 – Crowden

Saturday 23rd February 2008

9 of us drove up from Peterborough in convoy and met Nigel (A) at Crowden Hostel to make it 10 walking today. We started on foot from the hostel and most of us completed a circular walk of 10 + miles ascending up and down the ridges and valleys to about 750 metres. The majority of the walk was transversing across the peat moors negotiating large heather bushes and boggy marshland, and under quite blustery conditions. The terrain caused great entertainment at times, as we had to put full trust in the bouncy soft heather not really knowing how far down our next step would be landing! We were particularly grateful to the heather softening our tricky pathways across Laddow Rocks. We were lucky to observe a white hare resting in the heather before charging across the moor with his elegant skip and then we observed another of his mates later in the day. Several Grouse were also spotted, as they like to live among heather and on the moors.

We enjoyed our chilly lunch break perched on a ridge overlooking Chew reservoir, perhaps at the time not really realising just how far we still had to walk. Cathy and Chris opted out of the final lap at the 6–mile point due to their special needs and spent the next two and a half hours recovering in ‘The Old Oak’ in the small village of Tintwistle. Two lads in their 20’s seem much appreciative of the ladies long stay in the pub! [Ed – are you sure it wasn’t because they thought you were street walkers?]

The rest of the group more ambitiously completed the remaining 4 miles completing in dusk light and requiring torches to assist the final descent. It was reported to be quite a challenge as more heather and boggy marshland was experienced. [Ed – this walk demonstrated the need to carry a torch, particularly in the winter. We had five torches between eigth of us, so we managed. But a torch each would have been better. Also because of the difficult terrain, head torches came into their own.]

We all enjoyed a welcome home cooked meal back at the hostel with the majority choosing a hearty meal of chilli and rice followed by a delicious syrup pudding and custard. [Ed – Cathy, you missed out the bit about “Do you want a fork?” Still probably wouldn’t be as funny for those not there.]

After a full day of travelling and walking we were quite tired and therefore enjoyed lots of chat and a few beverages in a restful lounge not dissimilar to a doctors waiting room. Unfortunately there was no television signal at the hostel and so no-one was able to catch up on the rugby 6 nations challenge. Perhaps that was not a bad thing as we were all then able to share quality time together revisiting our moorland hike, before settling for our sweet dreams in our dormitory.

Report – Cathy

Pictures – Alan

Walk rating – very good but challenging especially after dark!

The new hostel at Crowden.

The initial climb.

A little bit of water to cross.

We climb towards Laddow Rocks.

The Crowden Great Brook valley.

We get in amongst the peat bog.

Chew Reservoir.

Chew Brook valley looking towards Dovestone Reservoir.

There was some not–very–friendly ground to cover.