A group of hill walkers enjoyed the Peak District at its best last weekend with a spectacular walk led by BMC volunteers on Kinder Scout.

This time last year, the BMC Peak Area led an 'eventful' walk around Combs Moss near Buxton The walk saw participants battling wind and torrential rain. Nevertheless there was an appetite for another walk, but with better weather!

Both requests were answered last weekend with a perfect day for a walk on Kinder.  

The walk was led by BMC Peak Area Hill Walking Rep Peter Judd. Whereas the previous walk was a head down day, this was definitely a heads up day - allowing the walkers to soak in the views of blue skies, contrails and a day long inversion that enveloped Edale and the other Peak District valleys as far as the eyes could see, to the south, east and west.

Walkers with homes from all around the Peak clock-face , including Warrington, Stoke-on-Trent, Derby and Sheffield, converged on the rendezvous point to have a great day in the hills and learn more about the BMC. Once out on of Edale the sight of BMC-sponsored path repair work below Ringing Roger (see 'Path repairs kick off on Kinder Scout with 40 tonne airlift') led to a discussion of the BMC's award winning Mend the Mountains campaign whilst watching Edale disappear under a sea of mist.

Peter, supported by new Peak area hill walking representative, Austin Knott, took the group over Grindsbrook Knoll and up to, and along, the Kinder plateau's edge path.   A quick and fortunately straightforward crossing over the plateau's groughs and hags took the 10 walkers to the northern edge then onto Madwoman Stones before regaining the edge path and continuing until descending to Edale via Ollerbrook Clough.

There was lots of chatter throughout the day and the opportunity for plenty of stops to talk further and take photographs of the great panoramas. Other topics of conversation included the recent controversy of the BMC's proposed name change, engagement with BMC members in the peak, access issues and local mythology.  

A quick replenishment in Edale's Ramblers Inn completed the day, with comments encouraging further BMC led hill walks.

Austin Knott, BMC Peak Area Hill Walking Rep

Photos by Austin Knott

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