A Walk on the Northern Edges of Kinder

19/01/2020

The meet leaders (Phil C and David A) joined the seven others who would form the walking party just before 9.30am at the Birchen Clough car park. It was a beautiful, clear sunny day – a real bonus after the wet and miserable weather which had characterised much of the later part of 2019 and the first few weeks of the new year. But was it also a cold one – the day had begun by defrosting cars and on the way the thermometer remained resolutely below zero. Britain was enjoying the strongest high pressure system for many years (at least according to the Radio 4 weather forecast) – a point endorsed by those who had consulted their barometers before departure!

Starting through the woods of Lady Clough, the party was soon following the River Ashop into the open country below the northern edge of Kinder. A little bit of verglas on the rocks as we crossed the side streams gave a hint of what was to come. We crossed the Ashop and then followed the true left bank of Nether Red Brook (the first and more prominent the brooks to bear this name) towards the point where it turns left (towards the east) and climbs more steeply to become an impressive, rock enclosed clough. Just before this point, we dropped into the stream bed itself and scrambled upwards among the rocks. The scrambling was in the main easy, but the mossy and occasionally icy rocks requiring some care. Nearer the top, the Brook steepens further and includes a couple of rock steps of about 10 – 12ft. Climbing up the first of these, Goodier found the flat rock above to be covered in ice – not something to pull up and stand on! Those following close behind readily took up the suggestion to climb the easier but steep ground to the left and were soon followed by Syd in walking above the stream to reach the plateau. Here we were rewarded by great views along The Edge to Mill Hill and north to Bleaklow. Crowson was coming up with the rear guard – he too attempted the first rock step but soon came to the same conclusion as Goodier.

After a rest at the top of Nether Red Brook we made directly for the Downfall. After the solitude of the northern edges, the crowds around the Downfall were striking but understandable on such a day. Crowson and Goodier set off to scramble down behind the waterfall, but soon returned with news that the rocks were too icy, to the relief of most of the party I think. Nothing to it but to enjoy lunch in the sunshine. This was very pleasant – there was hardly any wind (not usually the case for lunch hereabouts) and the view across Kinder Reservoir to the higher ground beyond could be savoured for once.

After lunch we followed the River Kinder to Kinder Gates. The half frozen peat typically held your weight, but occasionally gave way. From the Gates, a combination of Armin’s compass and Goodier’s instinct brought us directly to the head of Fair Brook. From here we followed Seal Edge eastwards to Blackden Brook and beyond. The party became more spread out along Seal Edge. Co-leader Armin waited for Co-leader Crowson who was conscientiously walking with those making more leisurely progress on this fine day (although the extended conversation on various matters this entailed had apparently not been entirely a pleasure to Geoff P!)

Shortly afterwards the potential perils of having two co-leaders became apparent. Armin, as per the route on the Meet Notice, led the first group towards Madwoman’s Stones. The natural route to the Stones, although not detailed on the Meet Notice, is via the 590m (1937ft) trig point towards the eastern edge of the plateau. This entails leaving the edge fairly soon after Blackden Brook. Six members of the party reached the trig and took a short break there. It was about 3pm now and, surprisingly after a bright day, low cloud was forming to the west and starting to drop down into the Woodlands Valley. Moreover, it would be dark within an hour and half or so. Crowson and the rest of the party were not in sight. In fairness, if they had not seen us head towards the trig then there was no particular reason for them to do so. It was agreed there was no point in waiting for them here, so we headed off towards Madwoman Stones to begin our descent towards the Woodlands Valley. Crowson and his charges (Skelton and his guest) were not to be seen again until much later in the day …

The descent to Alport Bridge was aided by a Landrover track which serves a shooting box. We were at last heading back west towards the cars from Hayridge Farm, although the route is not straightforward. The path through the rough pastures below Cowms Moor is distinctly up and down, particularly the steep ascent by the forestry after crossing Oyster Clough to join the course of the old Roman Road. This provides a real sting in the tail, and was disheartening to some party members, particularly in the darkness of a January late afternoon. But in the view of Co-leader Armin there is no reasonable alternative route along the Woodlands Valley, given the terrain and the absence of any other footpath.

With the aid of torches, this group made it back through the forestry to the cars at Birchen Clough. It was gone 5pm and the tables were booked at the Ladybower Inn for 5.30pm. So we set off for pub, agreeing that Crowson and party would be able to make their way there in Skelton’s car.

At the pub, the climbers had already got back from a day on Stanage Edge. Soon we were able to tuck into hearty servings of fish and chips or similar, washed down by a beer. After half an hour Crowson and party had not yet appeared. This gave rise to curiosity as to their whereabouts, if not yet concern given the confidence that they would turn up. Which indeed they did shortly afterwards. It transpired that they had lost sight of the advanced guard as we made our way towards the 1937ft trig point. They then assumed that we must have already have begun to make our way back towards Birchen Clough. So they descended steeply from Blackden Edge and had to cross rough ground towards Fair Brook. Here they found the water too high for an easy crossing, so had the distressing experience of climbing back up towards Kinder to find a crossing point. In the dark, they then missed the track through the forest back up to the car park (which isn’t obvious) – and eventually had to climb over a fence and make their way back down the A57 to the car. Having looked like we would keep the party together until mid-afternoon, the DPC tradition of walking parties almost inevitably splitting up was again upheld!

So, for those who found the route back from Hayridge Farm tiresome, there is reason to be relieved that they did follow the ‘official route’. The distance was probably nearer to 12 rather than the advertised 11 miles (and indeed felt longer). In any event, I’m sure it will be the great views from the Kinder Plateau and across the Downfall which will live long in the memory …

David A