Whilst I've been getting 'climbing fit' over the summer, aerobically, my fitness levels are to be frank, quite shocking! So, I've known this day would come for some time and here it was, time to get the boots out, dust off the compass and map case and get out into the hills and explore.
I currently own the grand total of 2 ordnance survey maps, one for The Lakes and one for The Peak. The weather forecast for The Peak District was horrendous, the forecast for The Lakes was really really horrendous, so I chose The Peak and in particular, a summit called Shining Tor.
I planned the route beforehand, loosely ( I wanted to keep my options open and pretty much go where the path took me) and worked out that my proposed route would be about 6 miles long.
Now 6 miles is nothing for a mountain walk. My plan is to get up to double that and be able to do at least 2 consecutive days at that level. But for now, 6 miles on testing ground in serious conditions would at least give me a benchmark as to where I am in terms of both fitness and just how rusty my map and compass skills are.
I parked at Pym Chair car park and immediately set off in a southerly direction along the escarpment of Cats Tor with the views out towards the fertile fields and valleys of Cheshire to my right and the peaty barren uplands of the Peak on my left........although the view in either direction was pretty poor through the low cloud and drizzle.
I found the initial walking fairly steady. The ground is rising here towards the Tor but at a steady and manageable gradient. About half a mile from the Tor itself though, the ground gets a little steeper and I could feel the burn in my calves as I fought against the gradient and elements.
But summit we did, Lester and I and what a view we would have had if only for better weather!
From here, our path struck a south easterly direction towards Stake side and Goyt's Moss but on reaching the edge of Shooters Clough ( I love these names, conjuring up images of a hard but simple life in a bygone age!), turned sharply NE and down through the clough itself.
A 'clough' is a valley or ravine and the walk through this, with the wood on my right, the escarpment of the tor to my left and Errwood reservoir in front of me, was really very pleasant.
Before reaching the reservoir itself, my path turned again and I now began to head NW through the woods and now abandoned grounds of Errwood Hall. I think this place would be quite magical in the summer. Walking through the woods, you can still see signs of a former life. Derelict walls in what looks like it was once a walled garden. Stone steps leading off in different directions. I bet the grounds were beautiful back in its day but you know, in its now wild and unkempt state, I thought it was simply stunning anyway!
The path begins to steepen again here and after what was a very gentle stroll through the woods of Errwood, now became hard again. Rising up towards Foxlow Edge, we broke through the woods and back out into the open and the elements. The rain and wind were in our faces for this last hard section. We passed an old building. I've no idea what it is, the cross on top leading me to think it was some sort of old chapel, but tiny!
The path continues north easterly for a mile or so before hitting the road known as 'The Street' and this would take us the last half mile back to the car park.
I absolutely loved this walk for many reasons. I'd never done it before so everything I saw was new. I was happy with my navigation skills, maybe like riding a bike, you never forget! But mostly, I was really very pleased with my fitness levels, which, on evaluation, weren't as bad as first feared. It took me around 3 hours, with stops for photos etc let's say 2.5hours of walking, on rough terrain and in pretty bad weather so I hadn't done too badly. I have to keep pushing myself, even small successes, small improvements, make a difference. There were times on this walk when my legs were complaining, especially my calves. But I'd take it to the point where it was really starting to burn and then pick a spot in the distance to aim for as a rest point. The idea being to push myself to the pain barrier, and then to keep going!
I'm looking forward to bigger and better things to come. It will not be long before I'm in amongst true mountains. This weekend I will be in The Lakes with my son (the 2 legged one Joe although Lester will be coming too!) doing Helm Crag. This will be our first proper fell walk together! My fitness levels and confidence will soon improve and then it's Blencathra and Sharp Edge, Scafell, Helvellyn and Striding Edge, The Langdale Pikes et al!
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