Sunday 30th September 2012 - Ravens Clough to Edale

Distance: 16.4km Ascent: 410m Time taken: 6 hours including breaks

We'd arrange to set off to 8am sharp.  I woke at 6:50 so I had time to have a coffee before packing up.  Myself and Carl were both ready and waiting for Andrew at 8am.  Andrew was late - admittedly only by 2 minutes, so by train operating standards on time but in my book late!  Anyway after our delayed departure we set off down the Clough.  The new plan was follow the Clough down to Howden reservoir before cutting cross country to Edale.  After deciding to stay on the east side of the river rather than Carl's suggestion which would have led to us crossing the river several times we set off.

Andew sets off down the Clough

Looking back up the clough showed the steep slopes we traversed yesterday.

Looking back up the Clough

The going like yesterday was tough - going up and down the hillside and through bracken.  Carl set off ahead and managed to choose routes through the most bracken possible.

Carl finds a path through the bracken

We then came across a barbed wired fence - given the sizeable hole in it I'm not sure who it was meant to kept out, certainly not sheep!  Me and Andrew crawled underneath.  Eventually after continuing through more rough pathless terrain we reached the vehicle track and were able to make faster progress.

Andrew & Carl on the vehicle track

The vehicle track joined the road along Howden Reservoir to Derwent Dam.

Derwent dam

We followed the road alongside Derwent Dam before turning off onto a vehicle track at Gores Farm.  After a tiring walk down the clough my legs noticed the ascent up the track.  As we went up the track we were passed my a number of Mountain bikers.  Whilst the majority were very nice - the first did not slow down and soaked Carl!  Eventually we descended passed Haggs Farm to the Snake Pass.  After some route finding we started ascending towards Crookstone Barn.

Carl points the way (It's actually the other way!)

On the way down to Jaggers Clough it became apparent that we were following the route of a fell race.  As we approached Jaggers Clough it appeared that there was some one injured at the bottom of the clough.  Initially I thought it was a jogger who had earlier stumbled receiving treatment on his knee.  Unfortunately when we got closer we discovered it was a horse rider who had fallen from her horse after it was spooked by a mountain biker.  Luckily she was already been treated by a fell runner who was either a doctor or member of the MRT as he clearly knew how best to treat her.  After checking they didn't need any more assistance we left Carl's space blanket to keep her warm and headed on.  Whilst we headed towards Edale Youth Hostel we saw Mountain Rescue arrive and a helicopter trying to land. Luckily we found out via facebook that the girl was OK.

We arrived back at Carl's car a little after 2 and headed to Coopers Cafe for tea and a bacon and sausage bap - or in Carl's case, two!  Carl and Andrew then dropped me at the station so they could begin the long drive back to Suffolk. 

It was a great backpack in fantastic company.