Kinder Downfall Square Chimney Exit (variation)! Led my wife Marion. Planned with reference to Cicerone Guide " Scrambles in the Dark Peak" . We were in Nottinghamshire for a wedding and fitted in a day's outing en route back to Edinburgh. Stayed overnight on the 15th at Hayfield. Walked in from Kinder Reservoir Car Park, about 2 hours, in overcast but warm conditions. The previous week had been warm and dry, so we were hoping to do the main Kinder Downfall scramble, but a drizzly damp day on the 15th was enough to scupper that plan - the waterfall was trickling, and the adjoining rocks were greasy and unappetising. Decided to try the Square Chimney Exit instead, as it looked mostly dry from the base of the route. Both wore harnesses and helmets, carrying 25m of single rope, some slings, friends and wires. Straightforward moving together with a few coils dropped occasionally, up to base of chimney. Disappointed to find it damp and greasy. Marion belayed while I tried to "back and foot" the chimney a number of times, using different angles of attack, gave up after about 45 minutes and climbed some small crags to the right, towards the Downfall. Breezy and much cooler when we topped out, descended via Sandy Heys prior to a long drive home. Will need to practice Back and Foot and maybe pick a drier day if we come back!
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.
Kinder Downfall Square Chimney Exit (variation)! Led my wife Marion. Planned with reference to Cicerone Guide " Scrambles in the Dark Peak" . We were in Nottinghamshire for a wedding and fitted in a day's outing en route back to Edinburgh. Stayed overnight on the 15th at Hayfield. Walked in from Kinder Reservoir Car Park, about 2 hours, in overcast but warm conditions. The previous week had been warm and dry, so we were hoping to do the main Kinder Downfall scramble, but a drizzly damp day on the 15th was enough to scupper that plan - the waterfall was trickling, and the adjoining rocks were greasy and unappetising. Decided to try the Square Chimney Exit instead, as it looked mostly dry from the base of the route. Both wore harnesses and helmets, carrying 25m of single rope, some slings, friends and wires. Straightforward moving together with a few coils dropped occasionally, up to base of chimney. Disappointed to find it damp and greasy. Marion belayed while I tried to "back and foot" the chimney a number of times, using different angles of attack, gave up after about 45 minutes and climbed some small crags to the right, towards the Downfall. Breezy and much cooler when we topped out, descended via Sandy Heys prior to a long drive home. Will need to practice Back and Foot and maybe pick a drier day if we come back!
