Location: Derbyshire Peak District
Distance: 33.4km
Date: August 2013
Kit: Tent (Vaude Power Lizard)
The third wild camp, second attempt at a 2 nighter and second attempt at Bleaklow.
Since the first wild camp in 2012 ended in disaster I wanted to complete the route and wild camp on Bleaklow and redeem my damaged inner adventurer.
The route starts at the Snake Inn where I retreated back to in 2012 during the deluge that stopped wild camp 1 in its tracks. The kind landlady agreed to let me park in their carpark for a couple of nights and wished us on our way. The route starts its climb behind the Snake Inn over Cowberry Tor and passes the shooting cabin located on the path that heads north towards Alport Moor. Snaking along the River Alport to The Ridge that climbs up to Bleaklow Head before turning west to Grinah Stones. It took a little while of searching before we found a perfect spot that looks north towards Huddersfield we pitched tents and cracked open the stoves. The views were clear for miles into the distance which made for a pleasant wild camp. The weather was perfect all evening and woke to a sunny dry morning. The route backtracked to Bleaklow Head to visit the site of the RB-29 Superfortress crash site. From there the route joined the Pennine Way south to Kinder. Although the Pennine Way is direct and quick that particular part of the Pennine Way is made up of large flag stones which become boring and uncomfortable to walk on. Looking forward to leaving the Pennine Way the route takes a steep climb up onto Kinder near Ashop Head. It’d been years since visiting Kinder Downfall so we opted to follow the edge path anticlockwise round to the downfall. It was a hot summers day so I was looking forward to topping up the water supplies. We stopped at Kinder Downfall for lunch and to admire the views over to Kinder Reservoir before setting off across the plateau. Crossing at the narrowest point and able to see the ariel mast over to the north we experimented without a compass. Using the mast as a point of reference it was amazing how quickly you lose your sense of direction on the Kinder Plateau without a reference point. After messing around we got back on track and arrived at the Kinder north edge. Following the edge path east we arrived at the mighty Fairbrook Naze a little ahead of schedule. As the unwritten rule number 1 of wild camping states “pitch late, leave early” we sat admiring the views out towards Derwent Reservoir for a couple of hours. Falling asleep for an hour or so in the sunshine! As the evening drew in and dusk fell tents were pitch on the top of Fairbrook Naze. The usual Wayfarer meal and a few drams of Laphroaig made for another perfect wild camp. That night was extraordinarily windy to say the least. Morning was greeted by wind rain and fog. Dropping the tents trying not to let them blow away or blow me away we hurried down Fair Brook back to the Snake Inn and departed for home. See my Wild Camp Map for more route info.
This was the first 100% successful wild camp adventure, a long circular route, a mix of weather, two perfect wild camping spots, not too busy (except the Pennine Way) and amazing clear views.
Lessons learnt:
1. Trust the kit you have and carry less (within reason)
2. Its better to assume you can’t maintain a straight heading without a compass or reference object
3. The Pennine Way is hard underfoot and very busy
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