LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

Midland Hillwalkers  No. 62                Total 765.5 miles
'B'  Walk led by Bill Murrow

Time Taken:  5.00 hrs   Distance:   Enjoyment:    Weather:   N/W Wind
 10:45 am - 3:45 pm       8.5 miles          80%             Cold, Windy and Rain

Temp:     Cloud:     Rain:    Visibility:    Ground Conditions:     Wild Life:
   5oC         95%       10%       Average               Wet         Birds, Sheep dogs

Total AA:    Total MH:   Total LD:    Total AW:     Other:    Total Distance:
  759 mls     765.5 mls   1700.5 mls     121 mls       898 mls       4244 miles

Companions: (Derek) John, Ken, Lynn and the contents of Trevor's coach.

Points of Interest:
Hayfield         River Sett        Kinder Bank         Coldwell Clough
The Ashes       Oaken Clough       Mount Famine         South Head
Dimpus Clough        Kinderlow End       Brown Knoll      Horse Hill Tor
Colborne       Chapel Gate Track        Barber Booth         Edale

Brown Knoll 1867 feet (569 metres)

General:
Started from Hayfield and walked down Valley Road to pleasant riverside walk,
besides the River Sett. Steep ascent up green lane besides Hill Houses from
lane and reservoir. Continued along hillside and through the pleasant
homestead of 'The Ashes' and past the barking sheep dogs. Long break
sheltering from wind behind wall next to River Sett at bottom of Oaken Clough.
Steep climb up Dimpus Clough to track and unusual sign just below conical
summit of South Head. Excellent views of Mount Famine and Kinderlow End.
Long steady climb in rain through peat bogs to OS column at summit of Brown
Knoll, broken only by a lunch break in a small gully. Continued bog hopping
down Horsehill Tor and Colborne to Chapel Gate Track with great views of Edale
and Mam Tor. Smoking castleated air shaft on Colborne kept us wondering if a
steam train had passed through the tunnel. Crossed the railway track in the
gloom at Barber Booth with a good view of Cowburn Railway Tunnel at base of
the High Peaks. Crossed fields and through a multitude of sprung gates to
Edale Village and coach by railway station just before dark. A well earned
pint in The Rambler Country House was enjoyed by all the group.
www.streepmap.co.uk Start 403700/386750, finish 412370/385295,
via 408340/385115

Hazards:
Everyone survived the bogs. All seats re-filled on the coach for the return
journey to Kenilworth. At least two walkers per group recommended when
crossing peat bogs in wet conditions. Trevor apologised for taking the coach by
the new M6 Toll motorway and into a closed M42 motorway at Junction 6 (A45)
instead of diverting down the A446 or onto to M6 to Coventry. It cost us a good
hour and in some cases lots of Brownie Points, but we will forgive him only this
once. Or until the next time. Merry Christmas & Happy New 2004 to all walkers.