The Roaches, Staffordshire (White Peak Area): From Gradbach Mill public parking lot southwest to Lud's Church, then east to Roach End and the Roaches Trig Point (505m), along the ridge line passing 'Doxey Pool', to Hen Cloud summit (410m), then returning west on lower trails behind The Roaches back to Bearstone Rock, then down into Gradbach Wood, back to Gradbach Mill and the parking lot. (Very strange that Gradbach Mill and the Scout Camp, which are prominent features with numerous buildings and extensive infrastructure are not shown on the OS map. Since this was my first visit to the area I was surprised at what I saw there.). Distance: 16.25km; Duration: 5 hours, 10 minutes; Elevation Gain: 840m). Walk plan included weather check of Met Office Mountain weather and Met Office weather for Gradbach and the Roaches, and MWIS for the Peak District. The low pressure and associated rain from the past week had passed off to the east leaving High Pressure over the UK. The pressure charts showed little air movement (1 millibar over the entire country, except one additional over northern Scotland). Temperature around 6 degrees C. However, the ridgeline of the Roaches was actually very windy. Route was planned on OS OL 24, Peak District (White Peak Area). Skills practice was focused on using the map, and particularly contour lines to identify location, direction, and visualizing contour lines in 3D on the ground.
Area :White Peak
Lies to the south of the Dark Peak where the underlying rock is limestone - hence the name. Tends to be a little lower in altitude and also may be known as the Derbyshire or Staffordshire Dales.
The Roaches, Staffordshire (White Peak Area): From Gradbach Mill public parking lot southwest to Lud's Church, then east to Roach End and the Roaches Trig Point (505m), along the ridge line passing 'Doxey Pool', to Hen Cloud summit (410m), then returning west on lower trails behind The Roaches back to Bearstone Rock, then down into Gradbach Wood, back to Gradbach Mill and the parking lot. (Very strange that Gradbach Mill and the Scout Camp, which are prominent features with numerous buildings and extensive infrastructure are not shown on the OS map. Since this was my first visit to the area I was surprised at what I saw there.). Distance: 16.25km; Duration: 5 hours, 10 minutes; Elevation Gain: 840m). Walk plan included weather check of Met Office Mountain weather and Met Office weather for Gradbach and the Roaches, and MWIS for the Peak District. The low pressure and associated rain from the past week had passed off to the east leaving High Pressure over the UK. The pressure charts showed little air movement (1 millibar over the entire country, except one additional over northern Scotland). Temperature around 6 degrees C. However, the ridgeline of the Roaches was actually very windy. Route was planned on OS OL 24, Peak District (White Peak Area). Skills practice was focused on using the map, and particularly contour lines to identify location, direction, and visualizing contour lines in 3D on the ground.
