A snowy stomp across Shining Tor – 5th 12th January 2025

3_cloud inversion in the Goyt Valley

This meet provided an early post-Christmas chance to get out onto the highest part of our club’s home county.  Originally planned for 5 January, the arrangements were interrupted by ever more foreboding forecasts, with a solid band of heavy snow predicted for exactly when people would have been trying to get to the meet. With some reluctance the meet leader decided to re-arrange the meet until the 12 Jan. Even then, the plan was disrupted by the increasing likelihood that the roads into the Upper Goyt Valley (the original start point) would still be closed. He therefore re-arranged the starting point as well, to one on the main A5004 just south of Whaley Bridge.

4_eying up the climbs at Windgather

After all this, 5 of us eventually turned up to be greeted by a promising start to the day with our climb up to Windgather Rocks being enlivened by views of a cloud inversion in the adjacent valley. Unfortunately, these proved to be transient, and we soon climbed into the heavy fog which began to drape the hills. We then plodded along the 4 miles or so of the ridge to Shining Tor itself. Having had a brief lunch by the summit wall we then made our way down into the Upper Goyt, where we had a good (and justified) grumble about the hillside being completely churned up by a load of what looked like scrambler bike tracks. We then had a pleasant valley-bottom stomp alongside the Errwood and Fernilee Reservoirs, and the River Goyt itself back to our starting point.

6_four handsome guys at the top

We found an encouraging sign by the layby, directing us to a warm welcome at the Shady Oak Country Inn, just up the road. Unfortunately, this did not materialise as the pub was closed so with a philosophical shrug of their shoulders the assorted attendees made their separate ways home. However, the day had provided an enjoyable 10 mile or so round. 

5_on the ridge towards Shining Tor

Attendees: Martin Astley, Nev Croston, Tim Gould, Rob Parkinson, Jon Clarke

6_four handsome guys at the top

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2_cloud inversion in the Goyt Valley

 

 

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