The July Peak District weekend was a typical Backpackers Club event with 24 members from London, Berkshire, West Midlands, Shropshire, as well as from the counties bordering the Peak District. Several were on their first club weekend, but soon were comfortable at the Friday night pitch at Monsal Head, and at the pub 200 yards up the road.
From 8.30 to 9.30 on the warm Saturday morning, small groups of 2, 3 or 4 set off, most following a route suggested by the event arranger Geoff Gadsby, along the Monsal Trail to Litton Mill, then over the top to Taddington and over Sough Top to Chelmorton for lunch.
Up and over Sterndale Moor and Hitter Hill, across the Dove Valley, climb to Longnor, then a couple of miles down the Manifold Valley, and a final climb to Reaps Moor - no wonder Geoff calls this event 'Across the Grain'. The reward for this tough day is a pitch in the field next to the homely 'Butchers Arms' where big appetites are satisfied by the large plates of excellent home cooking. As we left the pub after a very agreeable evening, the rain made us pity poor Pete and Val Cannon who were using their tiny bivvy tents, while we were cosy in our decent sized tents. They insisted they were as comfortable as the rest of us, don't really believe them though!
Sunday morning dawned rather murky, but dry. Again, most took the suggested route, a slightly easier southern crossing of the Manifold and Dove, with Monyash cafe arriving conveniently at lunchtime.
Magpie Mine, Sheldon and the steep drop to cross the Wye valley at Ashford in the Water left us with the sting in the tail, a long climb up to Monsal Head and back to our cars.
Tony Wilson
29 July 1999
Last updated: 22 January 2000.
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