
Start in the Village of Hayfield. Hiked the Snake Path, passing Kinder Reservoir, to William Clough. Weather in the valley was mostly clear skies. Temperature of 1 degree C with light wind. Winds increased as I continued on the Snake Path along Kinder Reservoir, passing the Shooting Cabin. Entered the bottom of the William Clough and nearing the top, wind and clouds increased as a squall line hit at 10:15 AM, with mixed sleet and snow. At the top of William Clough, turned West in the Mill Hill saddle and ascended to the Kinder plateau. During that ascent the SW winds accelerating up the steep incline to over 30 MPH, with horizontal blowing snow. The wind and blowing snow, combined with snow and ice on the rocky path made climbing onto the plateau a challenge. Blowing snow, high winds, and low visibility while traversing the ridge line to Kinder Downfall. At Kinder Downfall the high winds were blowing water upwards in a steady stream of ice crystals covering the trail. Turned South from Kinder Downfall, past Red Brook , hand railing the Pennine Way path, to Kinder low. Visibility improved around Red Brook and was I able to take a few photos of the valley and Kinder Reservoir below. At this point I took a bearing towards Kinder Cavern/Kinder End to join a path West towards Hayfield and the end point of the walk. Total Distance 10.67 miles; Total Time: 5 hours 27 min: Elevation Gain: 2,454 ft.
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.