Today I did a walk up Kinder Scout with carolina2k9. There were a lot of fell runners in the area competing in the Edale Skyline challenge and I wondered if I'd find a parking space but fortunately some kindly farmer had offered the use of his field as a car park for the fell runners leaving the main car park in Edale free for walkers and I had no trouble finding a space. Once parked and with boots donned I headed to Edale station where I met Caroline just before 10am.
After becoming aquainted we headed up through Edale village to the start of the Grindsbrook path. There were quite a few people about enjoying the pleasant weather.
Caroline on the bridge over Golden Clough stream.
Looking up Grindsbrook Clough.
Caroline and I on the path up.
Nearer the top of Grindsbrook Clough where it gets a bit rockier.
Caroline hadn't done any scrambling before so was a little anxious about what lay ahead. With a bit of reassurance and guidance from me we carefully made our way up through the boulders. Caroline did really well on the scramble and deserves to feel justly proud of the achievement.
The boulders on the final part of the ascent.
The Grindsbrook parrot watches over us.
Nearly at the top. You've done well!
Looking back down Grindsbrook Clough from the top.
At the top of Grindsbrook Clough we took a well earned break. Despite the sunshine there was quite a cool breeze on the plateau. We had a bite to eat, drink and a natter before heading west along Kinder Scouts southern edge.
The walking boots, one of Kinders many wierd and wonderful gritstone formations.
The edge path with Crowden Tower visible in the distance.
The top of Crowden Clough.
Stood on the top of Crowden Tower and looking across to the Castleton Ridge.
The Wool Packs, one of Kinder Scouts unique landscapes.
Kinders rocky edge.
Pym Chair.
The path heading towards Edale End.
We stopped for another break when we reached Noe Stool. I decided to climb onto the top of Noe Stool as I've seen others do it before but never managed it myself. I'm not sure why I struggled before as I found it quite easy to climb onto the top today. I'm hoping Caroline will post the photo of me on the top.
Noe Stool.
Looking back along Kinders southern edge.
We started to see a few of the fell runners competing the Edale Skyline race at Noe Stool. Some seemed to be sticking to the path whereas others were running off path through boggier ground. One group of runners disturbed a mountain hare, still in it's white winter coat, that ran right across the path in front of us. Far too fast to get a photo of it though.
We headed to Edale End where we dropped down onto the Jacob's Ladder path. We followed Jacob's ladder back down into the Edale valley. There were a few mountain bikers about and one took an impressive dive over the handlebars near the pack horse bridge but only his pride was damaged.
The old pack horse bridge at the foot of Jacob's Ladder.
From the pack horse bridge we followed the path back to Edale, stopping briefly at the walkers shelter near Lee House Farm. Once back at Edale we had a well deserved drink in The Old Nags Head.
It was a pleasure to meet and walk with you today Caroline and a big well done for completing your first scramble!
I hope you can forgive me for the aching muscles!
