Members: Michelle Harvie, Trish Cranston, Laura Collier, Mark Garrod, Al Metelko, Dave Shotton, Colin Maddison, Iain McCallum (8).

Classic by name, classic by nature! I now appreciate why the KMC has had a number of 16-stoner meets over the years. It is certainly a challenge, whatever the route and identity of the 16 stones the meet leader chooses to include, both in the planning and on the day, the latter being (unwittingly) different from the former in our case. The route covers a variety of terrains, with the upper reaches of the Derwent valley being particularly scenic. The views, should you get weather as good as we did, are excellent throughout, and when the sun shines, as it was, you are always walking towards it. Even the early hours lower cloud we had on Bleaklow added atmosphere, especially when clearing in the morning sun. It also makes you appreciate the various stones that dot the Dark Peak landscape, rather than just walking past them. Finally, it captures the spirit of the KMC; the great outdoors, challenge, and sociability; all those who came on the meet entered into it in true KMC tradition.

5am: Trish, Laura, Michelle, Al, Dave and Mark met on Snake Pass, half asleep, chilling quickly in the cold mist and wind, and determined to give it a go. The locations below relate to what I assumed they were on the walk, with true locations in brackets (note to self – use glasses when map-reading), and the times are those relating to when all the party had arrived. Trish and Laura started with the intention of dropping out at Ladybower, even though that still probably meant a difficult return journey to home via Bamford and then the train to Manchester.

5.35am: Colin arrives at Snake Pass and sets off after us. He nearly catches us at Barrow Stones, then manages not to see us waving at him, and heads off the long way over some extra stones (and bogs) whilst the main group follow the previous KMC routes down into the upper Derwent valley on the direct route to Horse Stone.

10.32am: Colin catches us yet again at Bull Stones, and during his day proceeds not only to add an extra 6 Stones to the route (Lower Shelf, Hoar, Dean Head, Shepherds Meeting, Marjory and High Stones – last two with the main group), but also ascend all tricky looking Stone ascents that merit his attention. Colin also speeded up in the finishing straight to confirm my estimate of 16 hours (for his 34-35 mile route), it took him 15-55, and the main group (Al, Dave, Michelle and I at the finish) 16-39 for the ~33 mile route we took.

Many thanks to Iain for his company from Back Tor to Ladybower, plus bringing up loads of water up the hill in case we were short, and then ferrying Trish and Laura home from there – great to have support like that – in the true KMC-spirit of things.

Given that we had a lot of daylight hours, and excellent weather, we managed a good few stops en route, including a particularly fine breakfast stop at Barrow Stones, lunch at Back Tor, and a well-earned pint and/or cup of tea at a very sunny Ladybower Inn. Leaving there, at 3.30pm, for the long walk to the start of the ascent of Kinder, and knowing we had another 6 hours and 15 miles to do, was mentally very tough, especially as we went the long way round along the south side of Ladybower to keep off the road, but the departure just pipped a second pint. Silence descended for most of the hike alongside the reservoir, or in Colin’s case, his motivational music – don’t know what was on his MP3 but it worked! Just before 8pm the final Stones were eventually behind us, having located Kinder Gates, but that still gave us around 2 hours walking to get back to the cars on the Snake Pass, just as darkness fell.

Well done and thanks to everyone who came along and entered into the spirit of the day, and a long day it was too!

Hope your training is in full swing for this classic KMC yomp? The outline, and flexible, plan is to start very early on the Saturday morning at 5am (if were getting up early, might as well do it properly), leaving cars at the top of the Snake Pass, and then head over Bleaklow, round the watershed at the head of the Derwent Valley, and on to Margery Hill. Continuing down to cross the viaduct over Ladybower, we then head up  to the end of the reservoir, and up Kinder from the east.

As the name suggests, the route is intended to take in 16 named stones en route, and my crude view of the distance is 36 miles, so expect 16 hours walking (this is a total guess – I haven’t reccied the route). Best advice I have suggests the stones are:
 

• Bleaklow:  Higher Shelf Stones, Hern Stones, Wain Stones, Bleaklow Stones, Grinah Stones, Barrow Stones. (6)
   
• Derwent Edge: Horse Stones, Rocking Stones, Crow Stones, Bull Stones, Dove Stone, Wheel Stones, Hurkling Stones. (7)
   
• Kinder Scout: Madwoman Stones, Seal Stones, Kinder Gates. (3)

But on or near the route there are also: Dean Head Stones, Shepherds Meeting Stones, Hoar Stones, Margery Stones, and High Stones, so no shortage of “extras” if we need them. 

To get round this lot in a day, you do need to be fit and able to keep going at a reasonable rate over sometimes rough-ish ground. The problem we have is that anyone not wanting or able to complete the round for any reason (which may include me!) may well have to be self-sufficient in terms of getting back to a car or your home. I am not yet sure if the summer season 373 bus runs over the Snake Pass to Glossop, but if not, you will need to walk back to your car, hitch, get a taxi, or get a bus to Bamford and then pick up a train to Manchester from there.

So, pack plenty of butties, spare socks, compede or plasters, and definitely let me know if you are intending to join us for a great and full day out on the moors.    

It would also be great if anyone fancies joining us for part of the walk, to have a slightly shorter day whilst still enjoying our company – suggest arranging a meet-up based around Ladybower reservoir. Let’s hope for good mobile reception.