LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

Midland Hillwalkers  No. 58              Total 715.5 miles
'A'  Walk led by Brian Smith

Time Taken:  5.25 hrs   Distance:   Enjoyment:    Weather:  Hazy Sunshine
  10:15 am - 3:30 pm      11.5 miles          80%             Warm with no wind

Temp:     Cloud:     Rain:    Visibility:    Ground Conditions:     Wild Life:
  11oC         0%        0%    Hazy Sunshine       Very Good          Birds, Sheep

Total AA:    Total MH:   Total LD:    Total AW:     Other:    Total Distance:
  668 mls      715.5 mls   1655.5 mls      100.5         889 mls      4028.5 miles

Companions: (Derek) Ken, Lynn and the contents of Trevor's bus.

Points of Interest:
Marsden     Butterley Reservoir     Kirklees Way     Blakeley Reservoir
Wessenden Reservoir        Pennine Way        Wessenden Head Moor    
Holme Moss Transmitter       Twizle Head Moss       Withens Edge
Wike Head        Woodhead Railway Tunnel Vents        Gallows Moss

Black Hill		1909 feet (582m)
Britland Edge Hill	1716 feet (523m)
Gains Moss	1637 feet (499m)

General:
First day's walking on 'Peak District North/South Traverse'.  0 to 11.5 miles.
Started from cafe in Marsden Town Centre at 10:15 am. Brisk pace and steady
climb up track past Butterley Reservoir. Cliff noticed a very unusual stone
sculpture called 'Still Life'. Excellent views across reservoirs and moorland
although very misty towards horizon. Passed impressive waterfall on moorside
between Blakeley and Wessenden Reservoirs, surrounded by bushes. Continued
on Kirklees Way to A635 and Pennine Way (Alternative Route) paving slabs.
Strictly single file. Good views of Black Hill and Holme Moss Transmitter from
Wessenden Head Moss. Steep ascent to Black Hill Trig Point and acres of black
bog. Gingerly crossed mounds of peat and lakes of bog from Black Hill summit
past Holme Moss mast to Holmfirth road A6024 and lunch on grassy slope
overlooking the Yorkshire Dales. Continued along boundary fence over Twizle
Head Moss to Britland Edge Hill. Excellent views of Withens Edge to Gains Moss,
passing Woodhead Railway Tunnel vents. Vents looked like oil storage containers
except that the top had a grill to circulate the air. Coach parked on A628 at
Gallows Moss. Another fine pint was enjoyed by all in ale house a mile along
'A' road towards Sheffield.
Thanks once again to Bill and his leaders for another wonderful day on the hills.
 
Hazards:
Jack when the pub is visible at the end of the walk. Usual care required
crossing moorland fences. The 'B' group found a convenient large stone by a
fence and phoned us. This aided us ('A' group) to scale the problem fence easily.
Great care required in wet conditions to avoid the boggy areas.