Fine rewards for the hardy
UNDAUNTED by the prospect of a stiff, eight to nine mile walk and a good soaking, our hardy band gamely followed leader Jake Ezair out of the car park at Barber Booth in the beautiful Vale of Edale.
After passing through woodland, we were soon heading up towards Upper Booth and into open countryside.
The 320m/1,056ft of ascent that lay ahead criss-crossed Crowden Brook as we made our way over craggy edges with loose stones and uneven surfaces, while all around us the air hung like a damp cloak from the previous night’s rain.
Nevertheless, we were feeling optimistic as we climbed through the valley in the direction of Crowden Tower.
At the tower a grey mist descended in wispy lines to semi-shield us from the hills. Then, suddenly, the rain moved swiftly over us until it was driven aside by the force of the wind to reveal miles of rugged hills in all their splendour and beauty.
The walking became easier as we passed the Woolpack and other rock formations created from the interaction of rain and wind over the centuries.
After stopping for lunch at Noe Stool, where we could absorb the clear curves of hills and cloughs, Jake decided to meander over Kinder Low past the 636m/1,918ft trig point until we could see Kinder Reservoir in the distance below and then turned down a lower path back to arrive back at Barber Booth via Jacobs Ladder full of soul-felt satisfaction.
Footnote: the tiny hamlet of Barber Booth in Edale featured in the BBC television series The Village, starring John Simm and Maxine Peake.
For further details go to ramblerseast chershire.org.uk