It's sunday, it's 7am and I have a hangover. What could be better than a scramble in the Dark Peak? Snuggling back under the duvet and nursing my head quite possibly, but as I'd already arranged to go I bolted breakfast, hastily packed a sac, and headed over to meet Guido and Crofty. Two hours later we met Alan and Kate, a couple of New Zealanders based in Leeds, and headed up the path towards Bleaklow.
Wildboarclough is a grade 2 ravine and waterfall scramble starting just above the Longdendale reservoirs and winding its way up the hillside by a combination of streambed walking interrupted by short vertical sections up waterfalls. Its a beautiful location with stunning views back down into the valley, and not too technically hard – this was kates first scramble ever but she managed fine.
The biggest hazard was the VERY slippery rock – not surprising for a waterfall in november – but the holds up the vertical pitches were reassuringly positive. We reached the top exhilarated, in brilliant sunshine and almost cloudless skies. Thoughtfully, erosion has provided a nice flat boulder right at the top ideal for a quick coffee and pie stop while admiring the gorgeous view.
Lunchtime over, we continued onto the walking part of the day – an 11 mile route over the top of the moors to Shining Tor. Along the way we startled five mountain hares just coming into their winter white coats. This may have been a good colour scheme before the days of global warming, but it makes them stand out a mile against the heather now. One young hare just crouched rather than running so we got a really good look at it, although we werent cruel enough to scare it by going close.
Guido did a good job of picking his way between the peat hags which at one point resembled a maze, even so I still ended up with one foot in black sucky mud up to mid calf (you could have pretended to be sympathetic, guys). We descended underneath Shining Tor, taking plenty of time out to admire the soaring cracks – it looks like a really nice crag for summer but is green as a very green thing in November. Walk over, back to the cars and a pint in Tintwhistle. An excellent day!