From Edale Rail Station to top of Kinder Scout and return. Started walk at Edale Rail Station. Walked past the Moorland Center and the "Old Nags Head" to the gate post signed for Foot Path. Crossed the Foot Bridge over Grindsbrook and up the hill onto the pathway to Grindsbrook Clough. Light wind and light rain on the path to Grindbrook Clough. Visibility good, though the top was in clouds and mist. As I gained elevation in the Grindsbrook Clough wind and and rain both increased. It had been raining for several days and the Grindsbrook was running fast, the rocks were wet and slippery (slowing my pace) and the ground saturated and mushy. Reached the top of Grindsbrook Clough and the plateau. Wind was now high at 25 to 30 mph (measured with my Kestrel wind meter), and the rain was mixed with sleet. Cloud layer was moving around on the plateau with variable visibility. However, the path is well marked on the plateau until I reached Crowden Clough. Around the "Wool Packs" and Pym Chair" visibility was down to ~10 to 20 meters. Rain and sleet was blowing horizontal at times. At this point the well marked path disappears as many paths diverge around rock formations and much scrambling around deep black peat bog. All navigation up to this point had been relating the map to the terrain with no difficulty. However, as visibility was impaired by the clouds and rain/sleet the relatively flat terrain of the Moor and peat bog, with no identifiable terrain features, it became clear I was off of the main path while trying to not sink into the dark peat. Took a spot check with Garmin GPS. I was at SJ0855/8703. Took a compass baring directly South for only about 15 meters and regained the main path (which was a trough of mud). Maintained the path to Noe Stool. Started descending and connected with the Pennine Way path. As I descended, rain and wind decreased, and I descended under the cloud cover so visibility was good. Pennine Way path is flagged with stone and easy to follow, though erosion had turned parts of it into running streams. Descended Jacobs Ladder to Lee Farm, and then turned North at Upper Booth onto sheep/livestock fields back to Edale and Old Nags Head for an ale, then finished at the Rail Station for train back to Manchester. Total miles: 8.7. Time: 5 hours 10 minutes. Tried the Harvey 1:25,000 Superwalker XT25 Dark Peak Central map because it was easier to carry and fold. However, I think the OS map detail is better for the Peak District because the details I saw as clutter are actually helpful, considering low visibility and minimal geographic features. Clothing selection was effective. Waterproofs with a wool base layer and wool mid layer were plenty warm despite the cold wind and rain/sleet. During the scramble up Grindstone Clough to the plateau dumping heat and perspiration was difficult because I was closed up to block wind and rain. Cooled back down quickly on the Edale Moor plateau.
Area :Dark Peak
Is situated between Sheffield and Manchester. The underlying rock is Millstone grit which is often exposed at the edge of the higher peat bogs for which the area is famous.
From Edale Rail Station to top of Kinder Scout and return. Started walk at Edale Rail Station. Walked past the Moorland Center and the "Old Nags Head" to the gate post signed for Foot Path. Crossed the Foot Bridge over Grindsbrook and up the hill onto the pathway to Grindsbrook Clough. Light wind and light rain on the path to Grindbrook Clough. Visibility good, though the top was in clouds and mist. As I gained elevation in the Grindsbrook Clough wind and and rain both increased. It had been raining for several days and the Grindsbrook was running fast, the rocks were wet and slippery (slowing my pace) and the ground saturated and mushy. Reached the top of Grindsbrook Clough and the plateau. Wind was now high at 25 to 30 mph (measured with my Kestrel wind meter), and the rain was mixed with sleet. Cloud layer was moving around on the plateau with variable visibility. However, the path is well marked on the plateau until I reached Crowden Clough. Around the "Wool Packs" and Pym Chair" visibility was down to ~10 to 20 meters. Rain and sleet was blowing horizontal at times. At this point the well marked path disappears as many paths diverge around rock formations and much scrambling around deep black peat bog. All navigation up to this point had been relating the map to the terrain with no difficulty. However, as visibility was impaired by the clouds and rain/sleet the relatively flat terrain of the Moor and peat bog, with no identifiable terrain features, it became clear I was off of the main path while trying to not sink into the dark peat. Took a spot check with Garmin GPS. I was at SJ0855/8703. Took a compass baring directly South for only about 15 meters and regained the main path (which was a trough of mud). Maintained the path to Noe Stool. Started descending and connected with the Pennine Way path. As I descended, rain and wind decreased, and I descended under the cloud cover so visibility was good. Pennine Way path is flagged with stone and easy to follow, though erosion had turned parts of it into running streams. Descended Jacobs Ladder to Lee Farm, and then turned North at Upper Booth onto sheep/livestock fields back to Edale and Old Nags Head for an ale, then finished at the Rail Station for train back to Manchester. Total miles: 8.7. Time: 5 hours 10 minutes. Tried the Harvey 1:25,000 Superwalker XT25 Dark Peak Central map because it was easier to carry and fold. However, I think the OS map detail is better for the Peak District because the details I saw as clutter are actually helpful, considering low visibility and minimal geographic features. Clothing selection was effective. Waterproofs with a wool base layer and wool mid layer were plenty warm despite the cold wind and rain/sleet. During the scramble up Grindstone Clough to the plateau dumping heat and perspiration was difficult because I was closed up to block wind and rain. Cooled back down quickly on the Edale Moor plateau.
