15/12/2019
The main party assembled at the hut at the allotted time, for slow gin, coffee and mince pies. The cavers had a more leisurely start, meeting at 11am for their descent of Longcliffe Mine above Speedwell, whilst the motley group of walkers embarked on their toil of reaching the Grouse.
The day was good, chilly but clear to start, however by Sir William Hill the party split threefold, with Skelly and Hoody going off to tick the trig point, a rash decision which Hoody later regretted. The Leading party pulled away and by Leadmill Bridge the stragglers were nowhere in sight. Meanwhile the stragglers were unaware they were about to have an epic – what do you expect when Crowson was in tow. They knew when he emitted those immortal words – “Trust Me”. Fences, undergrowth, woods, barbed wire and angry fisherman all contributed to the epic status, indeed the party split yet again, with some giving up whilst they were still capable, only to discover that Crowson, after meeting his wife, went home to shower.
This left the sub group of stragglers to battle on eventually to make the pub. Meanwhile, the Leader group completed an 8 mile circuit to arrive at the pub, only to find the original straggler group had been there sometime having taken a massive short cut from their trig point. Hoody felt short changed and appeared jealous to see the leader group and sub group (in particular – sporting epic Crowson wounds) arrive weary but fulfilled, in dribs and drabs. It was soon realised that it would not be long before darkness, so the Leader group, sub straggler group and original straggler group reunited, except for Skellie and Stout, who formed their own individual groups, and went off to shower. What is it with the residents of Grindleford? In the gathering gloom, the reunited group stayed together over Froggatt via a small adventurous scramble, to then descend the hillside to the Curbar boulders. It only remained in the darkness to drop down into Calver and complete the 13 plus miles on concrete pavements, although Syd was hinting about going cross country, but he had no takers.
The cavers were taken down Longcliffe Mine above Winnats by Phil W, of the TSG in Castleton. They then returned and helped Ed and Sam deliver a filling and healthy dinner, well done to them all. Travis delivered a plentiful supply of free wine and thanks to him, whilst the evening finished with Rob winning the Travis Trophy for the first time.
Geoff P
Derbyshire Pennine Club 