SMoG went camping in the Peak District over Easter. Although the club was scheduled to go to the Lake District over Easter many club members took advantage of the long weekend and went to Scotland. Myself, Nigel, Vernon, Lucy, Tony, Ian, Bob, Dave and Mally, didn't so much fancy the long drive up to those Northern parts and decided to check out the Peaks. And yes, OK, the location decision was a little biased as neither Nigel or myself had been to the Peaks before!

We based ourselves at a campground on Haddon Grove Farm. I can recommend it for the free hot showers, however some of the other patrons were rather boisterous at 1am! The weather was surprisingly good given it was still March. It didn't rain until Monday, and even then it was only sporadic. But cold! On Thurs/Fri nights the temperature was down to around -2C during the night. Brrrr!

Easter was a multi-activity holiday. Some of us walked, others climbed, and there was even a mountain biking trip. The walking was interesting - especially to a Kiwi who hadn't been to the Peaks before! One day through rocky limestone outcrops, and the next through a black peat bog.

Friday, we enjoyed the sun though the Lathkill Dale just 200m from the campsite. A very pleasant dale walk along side a burbling river filled with trout. It was even warm enough to stop for icecream. We really tried to find a pub but that would have involved a stiff climb up into the village so we made do with icecream and tea instead! From Lathkill Dale we joined Bradford dale, to Cales Dale, and then up over Calling Low to Monyash where the pub awaited us. The day finished with a wonderful walk home in the late evening sun. With no-one else around the Dale was calm and tranquil place.

Nigel on descent into Lathkill Dale

Saturday was a more energetic day with the walkers heading for Kinder Scout and the edges up from Edale. Hey, I always thought Kinder was a type of chocolate egg! Again this Kiwi found the scenery amazing especially how the plateau arose from the valleys around it. The gritstone and sandstone edges competed with the cloughs for being the most fascinating sight of the day. Needless to say, that when we were following a track through the middle of the cloughs we became slightly "navigationally challenged". Thanks to Tony and some excellent compass work we found our way to the far edge for our descent without too much climbing in and out of these peat ravines! Thanks to the fine weather it was an excellent days walking!

While we were out conquering the Kinder Edge, Nigel and Bob conquered several routes at Yarncliffe Quarry. According to all reports they started at one end of the quarry and enjoyed fine and sheltered climbing following the sun around to finish on Cardinal's Crack. However, I understand they really finished up at Grindleford Cafe!

Kinder Edge

Sunday saw those of us who had brought our bikes check out a route which had been published in MBR. The ride was good, but lots of up hill and as I wasn't too fit it was hard work. The circular route started and ended in Bakewell taking in back country lanes, bridleways, as well as some fairly technical single track, and lots of cycling over paddocks. Highly recommended!

The whole weekend was great fun. We all went off to the pub most evenings to discuss the activities of the day, the state of the nation and the our dreams of going to Corsica/Peru/Tibet/Alaska/Georgia/Turkey and all those other places in the world where there may be interesting climbing and trekking. :)

Last Updated: 13 Oct 2005	© Slough Mountaineering Group	contact us