A short circuit of Bleaklow Head from Old Glossop, approaching via Cock Hill and Torside Clough and returning via Doctor’s Gate.
Another January and another rare single-day walk, again to take advantage of a narrow window of good weather. The east was most promising and the nearby Dark Peak was a good choice for an easy high level circuit to start the year and get on the scoreboard, although it didn’t feel like a winter walk at all: very mild, no snow anywhere and virtually no remaining ice.
5 Comments
Many many years ago when I lived in Hulme in Central Manchester we used to catch the number 53 out to Glossop and climb Bleaklow via Old Glossop. A favoured route was onto Shelf Benches and then Dowstone Clough which I seem to remember offered a little easy scrambling. After that a number of different options are available, although I think that we often returned via Doctor’s Gate. On one memorable, over ambitious occasion, we dropped down past Alport Castles and then climbed back up the path over the Snake. Happy days.
Mark,
Yes indeed, the Peak District offers so many quiet routes off the beaten paths for connoiseurs that don’t mind some rough stuff. I’ve never ascended within Dowstone Clough but I did the approach above it along the rim once. I still have a few 500m tops to visit yet, and being so close I can see the area coming back into favour for a backpack or two.
Any trip out is better than none, even if its only a day walk. Its years since I’ve been down in the Peak District, I think the last time was back in 1999 when I was doing my Summer ML I did my assessment with White Hall Park, which is one of DCC’s outdoor centres.
Gary …
Gary,
Having backpacked for so long, it’s hard to muster enthusiasm for getting the car out for a day walk, and on return we barely feel like we’ve been out. It’s always enjoyable once we’re up on the hill though.
I didn’t know you had ML experience, it must be satisfying to have recognised credentials.
Geoff, apologies for the delay but I’ve been busy updating things on my web site and haven’t been keeping up with the posts! Yes, I did my Summer ML and my SPA many years ago, I also started on my winter ML back in 2003 but illness put paid to that and I’ve never picked it all back up after my recovery. All of my hillwalking these days is purely for pleasure, and I’ve not got back into the rock climbing at all i now find it very uncomfortable to wear a harness and I’m not crazy enough to solo the routes!
Gary …