It is time to step up the training, and this long weekend sees an opportunity to put some miles in. Karen, Rufus and I have managed to blag 3 of my 17 remaining days A/L to actually use rather than lose, so we are off to Winster in the Derbyshire Peaks for 5 days to relive a previous glorious holiday 5 years ago when Rufus was only 4 months old! We did some fantastic walsk back then, and Karen was in remission back then, so we felt all was rosy on that front, and Karen was well.
How wrong could we be that this was a good opportunity for some long walks.Winter is back in Winster with avengence, with probably the worst March on record. We managed to arrive on Thursday, before the weather closed in. I was planning to do a walk from the cottage in Winster over to Tissington disused railway trail and up DoveDale to return back to Winster - about 20 miles in all. However, we have had over 6 inchs of snow over night, so I scaled down my ambitions.
Today I changed the plans to a 12 mile walk to Elton, along Gratton Dale and up to Middleton and Youlgrave and then connect up to the Limestone Way via Robin Hoods Stride dropping back down to Winster. Believe me, in the conditions I experienced, this was way more hard work for both me and especially Rufus than the routine 20 mile walk originally planned.
We got up at usual work time, and after a hearty breakfast, we were ready to leave at 8.30 in the morning. It was bloody cold, and the snow was still falling, but I had all the gear.
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| Ready for the Arctic! |
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| I may be gone for some time! |
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| This would be last time we saw a path |
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| Spot the path |
Luckily I had my trekking sat nav so just followed that to each marker. Once I was across the fields, I got onto the Limestone Way and things were a little easier to visualise. At this stage it was reasonably easy underfoot.
The problems started as I got through Elton and up to Dale Farm at the start of Gratton Dale. What on the map looked like a lovely path through a green valley was simply a river through a gorge.
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| This is supposed to be my path. |
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| Rufus looking miserable with bunch of snowballs on front paws. |
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| Look closely. That is a snowball as big as a football on Rufus' right paw. He literally couldn't move at this point. |
Video of Rufus struggling with his snow balls
The path through the dale was lovely, but bloody hard work. You couldn't tell where your foot was going to land. Either in a river or in a massive hole. The snow was quite deep along here.
We had to turn right after about 2 miles in the middle of nowhere. It was so remote and isolated, but beautiful.
After another 2 miles, I had to start the climb out of the valley to the tops to make my way to Middleton. Unfortunately, once out of the valley, the wind picked up, and the snow was drifting. In parts, I was up to my waist in snow as we crossed walls. At these points, I literally had to dig Rufus out and pick him up using his carry harness to lug him over the styles. It was really cold now.
Once through Middleton, we dropped down to Youlgrave where e picked up the Limestone Way along the River Bradford. This was a truely lovely stretch of the walk. The river had been dammed in sections, to produce a series of stepped lakes enveloped in trees.
Once out of the seclusion of the valley things returned to bleak, cold moorland with no paths to be had in any way. Not even friendly and reassuring footprints. I was heading for Robin Hoods Stride where I had walked 5 years before with Rufus as a puppy. Eventually we made it to the familiar rocks. In better weather, I was climbing all over these, but not today. I needed to crack on!
The snow was really deep here, with the going tough. In places, up to 2 feet deep.
The views were stunning in the snow. However, very remote and disorientating. Thank God for the sat nav.
By now, I'll be frank, Rufus was getting on my nerves with his bloody snowballs. I was knackered from wading through the deep snow, and had to keep stopping to bash his lumps of ice off his legs. It was solid, and I had to use my sat nav to break them up. In utter frustration, I decided to carry him on my ruck sack wrapped around my neck, with legs either side of me! He weights 18kgs or 3 stone. I carried him like this for 2 miles until the snow thinned out a little. He felt really stupid, but it was better than stopping all the time. No pictures of this folks, for obvious reasons.
In fact no more pictures at all from this day. I was cold and tired by now. We dropped back to Elton where I decided to go the road way back to avoid the deep snow I had already covered on way out.
In total we did 12 miles, but in the conditions, more like 20, and a good workout.
Saturday 23rd March
I decided to go over to Birchover see if the pub would be open for lunch, and then back to Winster to pick up Karen, to go back via the road.
Overnight it was snowed constantly. The snow is now twice as deep. it is unbelievable, and totally impossible for Rufus. I decide to leave him and pick him up later when I am sure it is OK for him on the road route.
This is what greeted me as I opened the front door.
I set off across the fields on a compass reading, and am literally up to my waist in snow, as this is a very steep climb, and the snow has drifted badly.
When I get to the top of the fell, I see the signpost pointing in 2 directions, neither of which seem to point to anywhere I can make out!
The snow drifts here were literally 4 feet deep.
I couldn't help it, I just had to dive right in!!!
After another 2 miles, I had to start the climb out of the valley to the tops to make my way to Middleton. Unfortunately, once out of the valley, the wind picked up, and the snow was drifting. In parts, I was up to my waist in snow as we crossed walls. At these points, I literally had to dig Rufus out and pick him up using his carry harness to lug him over the styles. It was really cold now.
Once through Middleton, we dropped down to Youlgrave where e picked up the Limestone Way along the River Bradford. This was a truely lovely stretch of the walk. The river had been dammed in sections, to produce a series of stepped lakes enveloped in trees.
Once out of the seclusion of the valley things returned to bleak, cold moorland with no paths to be had in any way. Not even friendly and reassuring footprints. I was heading for Robin Hoods Stride where I had walked 5 years before with Rufus as a puppy. Eventually we made it to the familiar rocks. In better weather, I was climbing all over these, but not today. I needed to crack on!
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| 5 years previous, I had a photo of me looking pensively to the horizon from the top of here with Rufus on a tight lead to stop him jumping over. |
The snow was really deep here, with the going tough. In places, up to 2 feet deep.
The views were stunning in the snow. However, very remote and disorientating. Thank God for the sat nav.
By now, I'll be frank, Rufus was getting on my nerves with his bloody snowballs. I was knackered from wading through the deep snow, and had to keep stopping to bash his lumps of ice off his legs. It was solid, and I had to use my sat nav to break them up. In utter frustration, I decided to carry him on my ruck sack wrapped around my neck, with legs either side of me! He weights 18kgs or 3 stone. I carried him like this for 2 miles until the snow thinned out a little. He felt really stupid, but it was better than stopping all the time. No pictures of this folks, for obvious reasons.
In fact no more pictures at all from this day. I was cold and tired by now. We dropped back to Elton where I decided to go the road way back to avoid the deep snow I had already covered on way out.
In total we did 12 miles, but in the conditions, more like 20, and a good workout.
Saturday 23rd March
I decided to go over to Birchover see if the pub would be open for lunch, and then back to Winster to pick up Karen, to go back via the road.
Overnight it was snowed constantly. The snow is now twice as deep. it is unbelievable, and totally impossible for Rufus. I decide to leave him and pick him up later when I am sure it is OK for him on the road route.
This is what greeted me as I opened the front door.
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| The car is on right with roof box. Doesn't look like I will be getting back for work on Tuesday! |
I set off across the fields on a compass reading, and am literally up to my waist in snow, as this is a very steep climb, and the snow has drifted badly.
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| Where? |
The snow drifts here were literally 4 feet deep.
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| Snow drifts 4 feet high here. |
I couldn't help it, I just had to dive right in!!!
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| Rufus thinks I am mad. He is right! |
The above was on return journey to Birchover with Karen if you are wondering why Rufus is in shot and wondering who took the picture.
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| Nice picture of Karen as we set off again. |
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| Well done Mummy! |
Monday 25th March
Today I wanted to make up for lost time and opportunities for training for the challenge. I had always wanted to walk from Monsal head into the valley, but was not sure until Sunday if we could even get through. Since we had got to Bakewell the day before, I asked Karen to drop me near Bakewell on the Monsal trail. I would then walk down the old rail line to Monsal head and over the viaduct and head off over the fell tops. This turned out to be another 12 mile walk in really tough conditions, so worth at least another 20 miles.
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| Rufus ready for the off |
The first 2 miles to Monsal Head was lovely with about 12 inches of snow, and whilst tough walking, was relatively easy once you got into a rhythm.
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| Nice easy start to walk |
We came to a manor house on the rail route. I recall this on the Julia Bradbury railway walks programme. The guy was so filthy rich, he built his own station on his doorstep to take him to Derby and to his factory to crack the whip.
Eventually we came to the tunnel through the mountain leading to Monsal head. I was surprised this tunnel was now open to the public. it was closed off for years. We trudged on through the tunnel, and I soon realised Rufus was scared of the dark! He kept very close to me all the way through.
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| See the sign? Lights off at dusk and horses to keep to the left! Doesn't mention dogs, so Rufus went straight down the middle. |
You come out at Monsal Head viaduct, and are greeted by magnificent views in all directions.
The snow was getting deeper now as the high valley walls allow the snow to drift.
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| Getting deeper! |
I now found all the tunnels were open on the route which saved having to go down into the valley and back up the other side which is what i had to do 5 years ago.
There were hundreds of huge icicles hanging precariously from the tunnel roof with ominous signs of broken ice where they had come crashing down.
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| Like another world. It was weird waiting to see if any one of these hundreds of icicles would crash down and split your head open at any moment. |
Soon after and through yet another tunnel, we came to the point I needed to break away from the relatively easy terrain to strike on up the fellside to reach the tops. I had no idea what the conditions would be like up top, but experience from the other day with the steep climb to Birchover creating deep drifts was on my mind.
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| These are supposed to be steps! |
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| Rufus wondering what lies beyond. If only he knew, he would never have jumped over. |
I got halfway up the fell and looked back to a familiar view from 5 years ago. Then it was May, but look at the difference in the conditions!!
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| View March 2013 |
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| View May 2008! |
This was the last of the easy going folks. Rufus waits for me to catch up oblivious of the drifts ahead!
Then the going got really tough. I suddenly came up to drifts 3 foot deep and no way around them. I couldn't deviate from my compass direction as there was no paths and had to ensure I hit the styles at the right points. there were no features I could distinguish on a map. I took a video of me trying to walk through the first drifts.
By now it was getting alarming, but fun all the same!
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| The snow drifts here were at least 3 foot deep. |
I took another video of us trying to get over a style backed up with deep snow. As you will see, Rufus has no problems, but me on the other hand.....
We were near the top now, and I was looking for a track that would lead me along the ridge to the point of my descent back down to the valley bottom for a walk along the river back to Monsal Head. This is what greeted me! Due to the fact the track was enclosed by 2 dry stone walls, and trees, they had acted like a funnel, and the snow was now 5 foot deep and should have appeared impassable to a normal person...
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| This is a path! |
I on the other hand am not normal. So I said, well if this is the path, this is the way I have to go. I set about trying to cut steps to get on top, but just kept sinking up to my chin. Poor Rufus was following in my wake. I ended up lying on top of the drifts and trying to surf my way along until I came to my senses and tried another route.
Here I am trying to walk through these drifts. The telling point is when I say "this is madness, I can't go through here, can I?"
Once around the monster drifts, things got a little easier. I came to this sign near a farm in the middle of nowhere. I always love these signs indicating a path where there is no sign of one anywhere.
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| Keep to track! Which one? |
The trick now was to get to the bottom without falling down a cliff. there were no paths to help me. Luckily, someone else has made the trip earlier that day, so I followed the tracks, hoping the previous person was not like me, hopeless. I had a compass reading, but no idea where the actual path was. I imagined seeing the tracks tail off into nothing as the previous person had fallen to their death. Or they just ended with no sign where to go next.
I soon got to the bottom and had a lovely walk along the river back to Monsal Head
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| Lucky tracks to follow |
Even though it was only a 1.5 miles back to Monsal Head, it still took a while trudging through the snow. I got this gorgeous picture of Rufus. Again this reminded me of another picture i took of Rufus in almost exactly teh same spot 5 years previous when he was only 4 months old.
We soon got back to the viaduct and a short stroll around to the foot bridge over the river to make it all the way up to the top to enjoy the spectacular views.
Here are some of the views from the top.
Another enjoyable walk and good training for the challenge ahead. The next one will be the Rutland challenge walk, 25 miles around the reservoir and the peninsula. This will be done next week, over Easter.
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