Hill and Moorland Leader (HML) Assessment Day 1: Navigation from Grindleford to Hathersage Moor, Carl Wark, Burbage, Padley Gorge, and back to Grindleford. After morning briefing, headed out from Sir William Hotel, returning after 7 hours of micro navigation. Group of 3 equals being assessed, plus the Assessor. The Assessor provided a location to navigate too, usually an obscure point. For each leg we took navigation in turns.
Weather was overcast with light mist in the morning. Mostly gentle breeze, with more wind on the open Hathersage Moor. The ground underfoot was mostly dry, with the exception of Hathersage Moor on the walk from the edge to Carl Wark, was boggy, as it always is.
I gave my 10 minute talk on the History (Legend) of the battle of Win Hill/Lose Hill between armies of Northumbria and Wessex in 626 CE; what is known from The Anglo Saxon Chronicles (Bede); What is not know (the actual location), and made my case that the actual location was more likely at Carl Wark, an Iron Age Hill Fort that meets all the criteria. We were stopped at Winyard Nic, a location with Win Hill, Lose Hill, and Carl Wark all within view.
Ended the day back at Sir William for outbrief and prep for Day 2.
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.
