Members Present: Zoe Talks, Martin Heaton, Linda Crossley, Phil Ramsbottom, Chris Thickett, Iain McCallum, Frank Williams, Margaret Williams, Tony Gask, Alan Peck, Dave Dillon, Mark Ashley, Jim Gregson, Sandy Gregson, Derek Seddon, Dave Wylie.

The weather forecast for the day predicted blustery showers. This proved to be fairly accurate, as one of them gathered at the Hollingworth Lake Visitor Centre car park in the morning to go for a walk...

Initially it looked like the weather might brighten up a bit; however, by the time we reached Piethorn Valley, more rain was blowing in from the West. When we reached the planned location for "elevenses", at Readycon Dean reservoir, the rain laden wind was blowing directly up the valley. We pressed on, rather than stopping there, hoping to find better shelter further along the track. Fortunately the rain did start to ease off, so a very late elevenses/early lunch was taken sheltering behind a wall just short of the southernmost point of the walk.

As we headed North again, along the Pennine Way and over White Hill, the last of the rain disappeared. We began to dry out slightly in the powerful wind, which increased in strength as we gained height. Further refreshments were taken sheltering amongst the boulders at Blackstone Edge - the wind up by the trig-point was pretty impressive! The majority (unanimous?) decision taken there was to come down the quick way, rather than do the extended version of the walk.

As we passed the small crag up at the Edge we found, to our amazement, that there were a couple of climbers out doing routes! They were not of KMC stock, though. Evidently even the extreme KMC members are not hard/mad enough to go out in those conditions.

Contrary to the hypothesis of one of the members, the walk was not all uphill. Admittedly there had been very little downhill so far, but the descent of the "Roman Road" quickly lost all the height that had been so gradually gained. The gentle finish via Lydgate and back to Hollingworth Lake got us out of the wind and there was even a hint of blue sky to finish off the short day.

The offer of a cuppa back at Dave W's was taken up by Linda, Zoe, Martin, Phil, Chris, Tony, Dave D. and Mark. Extra points go to Mark, for travelling to the meet by bicycle (from Middleton). Points have to be deducted from Linda's car, however, for needing a push-start to get going for the trip home.

Thanks to everybody who came along and braved the weather.

* Local to me, that is!

Meet outside the Hollingworth Lake Visitor Centre, grid ref. SD 939 152, at 9:45am for a ten o'clock start. Parking is Pay and Display, unless you happen to know somebody who lives nearby...

The plan is to do an anti-clockwise circuit starting out South, then East, past the Piethorn and Readycon Dean reservoirs. We'll then head up to join the Pennine Way to for a few miles, North over Windy Hill and on to the Blackstone Edge. Depending on conditions (of both the Weather and the Walkers!) we can either make it a short day and head down via the "Roman road" and Lydgate, or continue North to the Warland reservoir before dropping down to the valley to return along the canal towpath. About 12 or 16 miles, depending on which of the alternative finishes we choose.

If you're very good, you might get invited back to my place afterwards for a cup of tea!