Group walk report 27th March

‘Come on Graham, tell us where we’re going?’

Despite the promise of a fine week of weather, today didn’t quite live up to the expectations. A keen easterly wind greeted the group at Mam Nick Car Park. Under cloudy skies, our group of seventeen walkers led by Graham Bothwell set off for the short ascent to Mam Tor which today was not a place to linger. The summit which rises to 517 metres is crowned by a late Bronze Age hill fort and it is believed that it was occupied well into the Iron Age.
Heading northeast, our group continued along the good path to Hollins Cross which is the lowest point in the ridge between Mam Tor and Lose Hill. There was once a cross located here but it is believed to have disappeared over one hundred years ago.
The picnic benches at the National Park Centre at Edale was our intended morning break and to get there meant a long descent via field paths. At least at this spot there was more shelter from the wind.
From the village, the Pennine Way was followed west for the next mile before taking a path steeply up towards Grindslow Knoll. Some of the group diverted to take in the rocky summit of this spur on the southern edge of Kinder Scout whilst the rest of the group skirted to the west.
The lunch stop was taken at the sheltered spot at the upper reaches of Crowden Brook. Setting off once more our group now headed towards Swine’s Back via the maze of rocks known as Wool Packs. These curious gritstone rock outcrops litter the area and have been weathered into strange shapes.
To reach the western end of Rushup Edge our route took us over Brown Knoll. A good flag stoned path now aided our way across an area which can be boggy after wet weather. Turning east along Rushup Edge along the last leg of the walk we were now facing into the cold wind once more and along this section we did pass several rare White Park Cattle grazing.

The group gathered at Crowden Brook on Kinder Scout.

The back marker’s view as the group walks over Noe Stool on Kinder Scout.