Snow, Sledging and Skiing

What an absolutely cracking wander up onto Bleaklow. Today was guaranteed to be blue skies, low wind and stunning views with the blanket of snow that is laying over the hills, all the way down to Glossop town. Utterly irresistible to get out there, yet for the majority of our walk/ski/sledge on Bleaklow we had the hillsides to ourselves. Bliss.

Myself, Tim and Dave wandered over to Mossy Lea together, then they put on skis+skins and headed over to James Thorn via Doctors Gate. Me and my walking boots (sledge in bag for the downhills) headed up to the pond at the back of Shelf Benches. None of us found the going easy with snow drifts ankle, knee and even thigh deep in places. The guys on their skis had to contend with tufty grass and uneven surfaces - it looked easier on the way up than down! Massive fun though, well worth the effort. I took lots of photos, this is just a small selection (possibly not in order), though still numerous....enjoy!

Janathon #14

A bright patch in the otherwise grey sky appeared. Quick put on the running shoes and go run, I say to myself! My route took me through Manor Park, past Shire Hill hospital, up and round Swineshaw reservoir (right through the very boggy fields, splish splash through the puddles with a grin on my face), back to Old Glossop. In a spur of the moment decision I decided that the probable 6km total wouldn't be enough so I turned left not right and circumnavigated around Shire Hill and back home via Mossy Lea.

Swineshaw Reservoir looking towards Cock Hill - the latter being obscured by the mist/fog

same reservoir but a little further around, looking towards Shire Hill

Waterfall flowing in full force at the bottom of the reservoir

Total run today was 8.7km in 48:03, with and average pace of 5:31/km. I really pushed on the descent down into Glossop, getting my pace to about 3:45-4:00min/km. Good to get the legs turning quicker, even with gravity helping them along.

Bog Trotting

Lovely run up onto Bleaklow today, quite windy blowing in from the west but beautifully clear. Here's a few photos to give you an idea of the terrain I was on...

Looking towards Grinah Stones from Higher Shelf trig

Higher Shelf trig point, and the highest point on today's run

New-ish mudclaw 300s enjoying the boggyness of the run and performing very well

Near Dog Rock, looking over to The Pike, with Shelf Benches and James Thorn behind

Looking up Dowstone Clough

I was nicely surprised to reach the trig point via Doctors Gate in just under an hour, I reckon that is my quickest time up that route to date. Here's my strava log:

Early walk

A few photos from my early walk today (set off at 7am):

Taken at Spring Cabin at the end of Shelf Benches - clag is lurking on Dog Rock

Looking back from the same spot towards Glossop - Shire Hill the one with trees

Near Ferny Hole, The Pike in the clag

Looking down Wigan Clough....Dog Rock is over there somewhere

Taking shelter from the claggy rain at Dog Rock, looking east towards Dowstone Clough

Another view from my shelter spot...everything wet

New boots seem to be wearing in nicely. 4hrs yesterday, 4.5hrs today and no issues.

Crunchy

I had a delightful fell run today up onto Bleaklow with a fellow Glossopdale runner and her daughter - and it was a wonderful run for her first time on the fells. Our route took us up from Glossop via Lightside, Yellowslacks and Dog Rock then across Dowstone Clough and to 621 trig at Higher Shelf Stones...then down via James Thorn, Shelf Benches and Mossy Lea. Conditions underfoot were lovely, crisp and crunchy with some solid chunks of snow still there from last week. We even had a delightful glimpse of a mountain hare bouncing across the frozen terrain. Here's a few photographs:

Running towards Dog Rock

our three shadows

the route across from Dowstone to the trig was directly into the sun - almost a perfect natural bearing

one of the large snow patches still remaining

frozen grass

dropping down from Higher Shelf Stones to James Thorn

almost back down to Mossy Lea