Members present: Mark Ashley, Alan (H) Jones, Iain McCallum, Alan Peck, Phil. Ramsbottom, Keith Williams.

Guests present: Christine Jones, Sofia Paterna, Alex Rodreiguez.

Animals present: Two dogs.

Gale force winds and snow on high ground were forecast for the day and that is what we got for most of the day apart from some brief sunny spells. We started with a hearty welcome to our two guests, Sofia and Alex, on their first time out with the Club. Leaving Moorfield, we followed the track alongside Bray Clough, then up the path to the shooting cabin below Harry Hut. Here Christine left us, taking one of the dogs with her. Following the line of butts above the cabin we soon joined the "Yellow Brick Road" leading to Mill Hill. With a following wind (gale) and the fleeting cry "gobak, gobak" from grouse in our ears, we made good progress, past the aircraft wreck, over Mill Hill and onto Kinder Scout. Lashed by strong winds and hail we ploughed on along the edge to Sandy Heys.

Descending the ridge we were struck by a very violent hail storm which brought us to a halt for a while. It was difficult to stay on ones feet but we eventually edged our way down hill to more sheltered ground and a welcome pit stop among the rocks.

After dropping downhill towards the Kinder reservoir we swung into William Clough and then followed the path up White Brow to the white shooting cabin at the top. Here we were rewarded with good views of Brown Knoll, South Head and Mount Famine before making our way down to the Royal Hotel in Hayfield. Mothering Sunday! The place was packed but Keith managed to order soup and rolls while Alex and Sofia insisted on buying us all drinks to celebrate their first day out with the Club - a Spanish tradition!

Things improved in the afternoon, the wind and hail showers abated and even the sun shone from time to time. Minus Alan(H) and dog who had gone on ahead, we left the pub headed towards Lantern Pike and the track leading to Matley Moor Farm. By now Kinder had acquired a winter mantle. Hail storms continued to lash it intermittently. Alan P. left us when we reached the top of the pass and the main road close to the Grouse Inn. From here we followed the track to Burnt Hill. Back on the "Yellow Brick Road" led by Phil we made such rapid progress towards Mill Hill that we missed our marker from where we were to leave the track for the shooting cabin below. Bashing through the heather we descended the hill side, disturbing a white suited mountain hare on our way down into Bray Clough, and so back to the cars at 4pm.

What an exhilarating day! Thank you all for your support.

Route: Moorfield - Shooting Cabin - Mill Hill - Kinder Scout - Sandy Heys - White Brow - Hayfield - Little Hayfield - Matleymoor Farm - Burnt Hill - Shooting Cabin - Moorfield.

Distance 11/12 miles.

Map : OS Explorer OL1 - Dark Peak Area.

Meet at 9.30am for 9.45am start at Moorfield (Off the A624 Glossop to Hayfield Road - GR 046926 - Can be approached from Glossop on A57, turn right just as you leave Glossop at the bottom of the Snake). Refreshments : Available at the Royal Hotel in Hayfield.

A good walk on paths and tracks around the Kinder and Lantern Pike area. ETA in Hayfield at the Royal Hotel is between 1pm and 1.30pm. If anyone wishes to join the walk at Hayfield I am prepared to give them a lift from Moorfield back to Hayfield.