A trig point & a cabin

The route for today's run took us over Chunal Moor, starting with the climb up to Wormstones crag from Gnat Hole. Views over to Glossop are superb from up there. On the way up we were joined by the cuck-oo cuck-oo call of a cuckoo down in The Twitchlins, a cluster of trees at the bottom of Whitehorn Clough.

At Wormstones crag

Continuing on we reached Harry Hut trig point at 440m, so a climb of about 225m in 1.6km...a superb challenge for us all and rewarded by views up to the Kinder Plateau.

Approaching Harry Hut trig point

From the trig point I took us on a little trod (sheep track/little path for runners delights) across the top end of Whitehorn Clough, and down Chunal Moor to the shooting cabin. Along the way we saw a few grouse and a few hairy caterpillars.

I think this might be an Oak Eggar?

http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?bf=1637 please correct me if you can correctly identify this little one.

Dropping down the moor to the shooting cabin we practiced our downhill aeroplanes - a great technique for giving you balance on descents.

Aeroplanes

Looking back to Wormstones from the cabin

From here we were able to enjoy the downhill path towards Brae Clough and back to the road at Derbyshire Level. The predicted rain didn't arrive - we even had to stop to take off jackets it was so warm!

View from road showing most of today's route on a sunny Chunal Moor

Guided Wreck Run

Low cloud hung over the trig point at Higher Shelf Stones this morning...I can see it from my house....so I knew it was going to be claggy on the tops. With waterproofs, emergency kit and my mudclaws laced up I set off to meet a couple of runners and guide them to the trig, visit the B29 Over Exposed plane wreck nearby, and bring them safely back down to Old Glossop.

As I expected, it was fairly blustery on top with a little moisture in the air from the low cloud, but visibility was fairly good. There's no getting away from the fact that your feet will get wet on the hill - combined with the wind today my toes got a little chilly. As we started to descend back down to Glossop we could see the sunshine on it's way, bringing some welcome warmth to our hands and feet! Enjoy the photos...

James Thorn in the cloud as we ascend up Doctors Gate

Running up Doctors Gate, Higher Shelf Stones are just tucked under a cloud at the far left

Looking back down Doctors Gate and where we came up

Heading along the top of Crooked Clough with the waterfall down below

Approaching the trig point and highest point of the run at 621m

Spot the runner among the plane wreckage

Two walkers approaching the wreck site from a different direction,
barely visible in the low cloud

Is the trig point that way? Nope! Good job I know the way :)

Heading towards James Thorn

Sunshine way below us lighting up Mossy Lea Farm and Shire Hill

Still misty up the top of Doctors Gate as we descend

and now the cloud has lifted off James Thorn

For more pictures at the wreck from a different run up there have a look at this post. If you are interested in learning more about the history of plane wrecks in the Peak District this is a good site to start: http://www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk/pages/peakdistrict/peakdistrict44-61999.htm

Dog Rock Delights

Super glorious sunshine greeted us today for our Running Delights session. I'll let the photographs do the talking...

Guided runs on a one-to-on basis or for groups can be organised....contact me for more information or have a read of the Guided Running page. Organised Running Delights sessions will be posted on the facebook page.

Wreck Running: B29 Superfortress 'Over Exposed'

There are numerous aircraft wrecks out on the moors of Bleaklow and Kinder Scout, many are hard to find and quite often there isn't much to see. However, there is one aircraft wreck which has literally hundreds of pieces left strewn over the peat moorland. Wanting an easy run out I decided to take the quickest way to this wreck by driving to the summit of the Snake Pass. From there it is only about 3km away, and once you find the trig point at Higher Shelf Stones you are quite close. This is what you can expect to see if you want to venture out onto Bleaklow and find the wreckage of the B29 Superfortress:

View from Snake Pass summit

Path on the way up to Higher Shelf Stones

Looking over towards Kinder Scout

Higher Shelf Stones trig point, with Glossop way below

The B29 aircraft wreck

Memorial plaque at the wreckage site

Running along Crooked Clough

If you are interested in learning more about the history of plane wrecks in the Peak District this is a good site to start: http://www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk/pages/peakdistrict/peakdistrict44-61999.htm

Guided runs on a one-to-on basis or for groups can be organised....contact me for more information or have a read of the Guided Running page. Organised Running Delights sessions will be posted on the facebook page.

Hail does not stop Happy Running

Brilliant running by everyone on today's guided Running Delights off-road session. The weather was mixed, with a cold westerly wind blowing and rain showers threatening (my spare gloves and buff were appreciated). Thankfully the heavy rain held off, but we did have one delightfully exfoliating hail shower just as we reached the summit of Cock Hill!!

Heading up from Old Glossop past Blakemoor Plantations

Climbing up Blake Moor

Not far to Cock Hill summit trig point...and that lovely hail shower!!

Everyone at the trig point with Swineshaw Reservoir way below us...
...you can just make out the hail falling but sunshine behind us!

Descending down through the quarry

Approaching the plantations

Very poor photo of my first 2014 lambs

Dropping down through the trees

Washing our shoes in the brook

If you want to join me on a guided run head over to the Running Delights facebook page where I have the dates for upcoming runs scheduled in the Events section. Guided runs on a one-to-one basis or for groups at other times can be organised, just contact me to get a date fixed up. More information about guided runs here as well.

Benches, Boulders & Brooks

With the Sahara desert and European pollution seemingly making an appearance up on Bleaklow I planned today's run so that I would hopefully avoid being in the mirky smog. My plan was to stay off the higher parts of Bleaklow, as I didn't fancy breathing in whatever was up there. It appeared like cloud base was at around 450-500m, who knows if it was just clag or not-so-good-stuff, but my run kept me below 400m and thankfully my breathing didn't seem to be affected. Here's some rather mirky photos for you to enjoy: