28th: Rushup Edge

28th: Rushup Edge

16 Swoggers and 3 Dogs stepped out on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning in the peak district, our aim to conquer the wild and windy Rushup Edge!! 

Setting off from outside the Pennypot cafe in idyllic Edale village we meandered our way upto Back Tor the limestone rock glistening in the sunshine, from there onto the ridge and passed Hollins cross and onto the threatening and very very windy MamTor (you had to keep hold of your hat here) from Mam Tor on to Rushup Edge, oh by the way while on walking towards Mam Tor we met a somewhat sheepish looking character who claimed to have overslept? (Pete forgot to put the hour on) this made our group 17 we stopped for lunch near Lords Seat then carried on and down into Barber Booth.

All the excitement got a little to much for one member who took a short cut from here to have a lie down. Back to 16 the rest carried on to Upper Booth where we dodged some cows and skirted along the Pennine Way back into Edale and the Rambler Inn where a well earned drink was had. After a little rest our swogger had recovered and joined the rest of us in the Pub.

Your Roving Reporter, Chris R    

Click here to see the photos http://picasaweb.google.com/stockportwalkingoutdoors/RushupEdgeWalkByWendy

21st: New Mills walk

21st: New Mills walk

On Sunday 21st March, after a couple of changes to this walk (the date and also the leader), 26 of us met at New Mills station and Chris H led us on a walk over to Mellor church. Near the start, a few of us were discussing my recent blog and Chris said that it was probably him that kept losing walkers (see "Notes from the Archives" 15th March for details). This did not bode well but undaunted we carried on, marvelling at the wonderful weather following the previous day of cold, rain and gloom.

 

When we had climbed the first hill, we sat for a tea/coffee stop and I sent the walks report to Joan (walks secretary) who was at home waiting to update her statistics. Almost immediately three new people left the walk and returned to their car - I am not sure why this was, although I know that they had been hoping to go to Youlgreave which was the original destination on the printed programme and they had not seen the change on the website.

 

So I sent another text to update Joan - the numbers were down to 23. We carried on but Sue & Pete announced that they would not be staying for the whole walk due to family committments but they would stay until Mellor church. I am sorry to report that they did not even make it that far - after a while Pete's map came out and they took a short cut back to their car. We carried on and had lunch at Mellor church where I sent a further report to Joan back at base.

Down at the Roman Lakes cafe, Campbell called for an ice-cream stop and that was very welcome.

Thankfully we suffered no further losses and 21 of us made it back to tthe cars after a very nice sunny day, not too much mud and plenty of good views.

 

Thankyou Chris for an enjoyable walk

 

your reporter today was Sue T

Skiing in Chamonix

Skiing in Chamonix

In March, winter sports enthusiasts from  the group headed out to Chamonix ,situated in the Mont  Blanc Massif ,to enjoy  the excellent winter snow conditions. 

On Friday we skied in the  Les Houches area, and apart from one mishap when we ended up in the middle of the British Ski Academy training slalom, we enjoyed a perfect day on excellent pistes ,blue skies and  fantastic view of Mont Blanc and  the Chamonix Aiguilles.

Saturday took us to Le Tour  on the French - Swiss border when poor visibility saw us on scenic runs through Le Floret. 

Sunday  took us the more challenging Brevent slopes. Linda and Di proved the stars of the party when  along with Tim they tested their techniques fully with a descent the Charles Bozon Black run from the  summit of the Brevent. Sue, Campbell and Alison enjoyed winter walking and Sunday saw Campbell join a party of 6 women on a snow shoe expedition.  Campbell's style was cramped by the fact they spoke French and Russian !!!!

The Hotel didn't quite live up to expectations - the bar had disappeared from the description on the internet. Nevertheless we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and all the women in the group helped sustain tourism in the area by assisting our  gorgeous Swiss banker  with his questionnaire ( plus the hotel switched the heating off as we were drinking in the lounge !!)

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/stockportwalkingoutdoors/SkiTrip

14th: Youlgreave walk

14th: Youlgreave walk

Sixteen of us gathered at the car park above Youlgeave (Youlgrave) for a circular led by Nigel. Starting in a very windy, cold but sunny morning we went the wrong way up the limestone way to the head of Lathkill Dale, downhill with the river, normally underground, today it was in full flow. Visiting old mineshafts we arrived in Over Haddon for n excellent choice of good ales. Back to the walk and down below Youlgreave following the river past the swimming pool and back up to the cars. about 10 miles, The weather getting warmer as the wind dropped, and with a final walk uphill to the end some overheating was inevitable.

Steve

07th: Broadbottom walk

07th: Broadbottom walk

After the snow of the past three months, Sunday was a bit frosty but seriously blue skies, green fields and visibility in excess of 25 miles. Eleven of us met with Scott for a walk from Broadbottom, along bits of Cown Edge Way via Bothams Hall and up to Werneth Low for a stunning view of Ikea, well actually the whole of Greater Manchester, Bleaklow, kinder, huge view! Back down towards Glossop and lunch at a pond with views, up again to Mottram Church, yet more views, and around via Mudd (look it up on your map) to the start. Very nice pint at the finish. Along the way a very clean pair of boots and snow gaiters were road tested, and on the mud scale of Stockport this walk was found lacking, only two short stretches of the brown stuff. Good collection of dogs, horses,  and cats though, and a garden gnome. Many thanks to Scott