Third Poynton Plod – High Raise

The third Poynton Plod went pretty much on course and schedule. 6 hrs on the hill again, 7 miles covered, 5 +700m peaks bagged, including High Raise and Pike ‘Stickle.

Pavey Ark above Stickle Tarn

There was a little bit of scrambling involved, we covered some nice ground away from the regular Langdale tourist paths and we went from bright and sunny to thick hill mist blowing across the summits and reducing temperature and visibility to a few degrees and a couple of hundred meters.

Then, after a long, long descent down Mark Gate, a welcome pint in the New Dungeon Ghyll.

Next stop, Snowdonia

BMC Youth Meet – Froggatt



A well packed boot!

I had a great time, a couple of weeks ago, as a volunteer on the BMC Youth Meet at Stanage. I was a bit worried that my meagre climbing standard wouldn’t be up to scratch these days. The youth of today are, as they say, crushing goals at an alarming rate indoors. However, there is much to be passed on with 30 years of cragging behind me and a little local knowledge goes a long way. Also, a grit VS is still a real climb, no matter how cool you are on plastic.

It's Snow Time!

We had a nice 8 ish mile circular from Hayfield on Sunday. As forecast, the weather cheered up a bit by mid morning and stayed good till dusk. The snow line began at the top of the common and ascending via Three Knolls kept us away from the masses till lunch. Bumped into an assortment of happy hikers on the way over to Williams Clough and a rather optimistic cyclist pushing a bike up the clough. Lots of grouse to be seen and one hare on a mission between Red Brook and the Downfall. And, we didn't have to dig out the torches, good day all round.

Running Mountain Hare - Andy Smith

Hayfield Hike - Sunday

The current forecast is for a miserable morning but better afternoon. There is snow on the tops but it doesn't look like it is sticking lower down and the freezing level looks like it is going to hover around 600m tomorrow. I'm therefore going to go ahead and be at Kinder Bank around 9:30.

Sucessful Kinder Canter

A bright but breezy day was had by all on the Kinder plateau on Sunday. With a total party count of 13, ranging from 12 years old to, well, a lot older, it was a pretty mixed group. But, everyone seemed to rub along OK and by late afternoon we were all approaching a very windy Grindslow Knoll in good spirits. Just one short climb then down to the pub for a well earned beer!

Sunday Bog Trot.

OK all.

The forecast is cool, clear and breezy. Sounds about as good as it gets for the time of year so I'll see you in the car park at 10. Don't forget to bring some pound coins, it is pay and dismay.

Back with the BMC

 

 

Snowdon seen from Capel Pinnacles

It was the weekend of the BMC Student Safety Seminar at Plas y Brenin again. Nearly 90 students and a lot of volunteer leaders. There was good weather, free cakes and a lot of enthusiasm. I spent the best part of 2 days rigging around the Pinnacles. There were also other PyB courses going on, so lots of opportunity to swap stories and experiences. Roll on next year.