After first suggesting that I would like to have a go at walking the Pennine way over a few years I was surprised that the other trad dads were not completely dismissive about joining me! And even more surprised when I mentioned that the first part would be Edale to Marsden in a single day that again it was not dismissed out of hand and that they may be interested.
Now granted I did say this would be just over 22 miles and that later turned out to be a bit of an underestimation, and even the revised distance that became apparent a few days before the walk of 26 miles would still be in the tone of Richard “Fu*#ing miles off” the 28.4 miles we actually walked. However as this was not known at the time, a plan was hatched for a grand trad dads day out on the Pennine way!
The initial group of 7 consisted of a few Trad dads family members too, however through the sudden realisation of wisdom and common sense that we were obviously not in possession of, the 7 became 4, namely Stuart, Richard, Robin and myself (Ryan).
The date was set for Saturday 10th July 2021, plans were drawn up, training was thought about, and a mountain of food and supplies were purchased. We decided to meet at the Yorkshire Bridge Inn in Bamford for tea the night before, and humble accommodation was booked at The Ladybower Inn. After an eventful trip on public transport we all finally met up at 8pm for dinner and once finished a short walk along Ladybower Reservoir to the Inn.
We woke early for our transport at 7am to Edale and as we were leaving too early to get a cooked breakfast (Something Richard will never forgive the Ladybower inn and by association me for) we had to make do with cereal bars, pastries and porridge made in the room.
And so it began!!
We left Edale at 7.20 and began our adventure, the first mile or two was a pleasant stroll through rolling countryside until we reached Jacobs Ladder which was our ascent onto Kinder Scout. The weather was overcast with light rain and low cloud which made visibility poor, but probably for the best as the climb was an early morning wake up that had us mainly staring at our feet and questioning our life choices that made us think this was a good idea! (a theme that was repeated a few times throughout the day!).
Once up on Kinder we made our way towards the downfall, and the weather brightened up giving beautiful views over Kinder Res. The weather held for the next few picturesque miles to our first stop off at the intersection of William Clough and the Pennine way, the first 7 miles and 1822 ft of ascent under our belt in just under 3 hours it was time for a quick snack stop.
The 2nd leg was a much flatter and less scenic affair as we crossed moorland on a paved trail full of wild cotton across featherbed moss, over snake pass towards Bleaklow. We could see heavy rain in the distance so we donned our waterproofs, but it never seemed to get any closer and we suffered only a slight shower as we made our way up Bleaklow through the peat ravines until we finally reached Bleaklow Head. From there the skies cleared and the sun threatened to show its face as we trotted along to Torside Clough and our lunch stop for the day, nearly 14 miles down in 5 1/2 hours.
Fully refreshed we set off on the 3rd leg of the day, which we knew would probably be the hardest, we climbed down the beautiful Torside Clough in the bright afternoon sun towards the Woodhead pass and our 2nd road crossing of the day before we started the climb back up towards Laddow rocks and Black Hill in the distance. This became the climb that never ends, where the silence was only broken by Richards questioning of my paternity, and his reluctance to see me next Tuesday for dragging him along! After a well fought 8 miles we finally arrived at Black Hill after 10 hours and just over 22 miles done. We felt jubilant now as the next stop was Marsden but the day was starting to take its toll!
We followed the path up and down small but draining dips and ravines until we crossed the A635 past the Wessenden Res and finally began our decent into Marsden where the New Inn awaits with promises of beer and food! The decent however was still a challenge after a long hard day and we were all ready for the finish line when we turned onto the A62 and the doors of the New Inn beckoned!
We did it! 28.4 miles in 12 1/2 hours! Trad Dads 1, Pennine Way 0!
Some how I think the enthusiasm for another of my big days may be lacking if It’s not a more Breakfast friendly start with a pub lunch available! But joking aside it was a memorable day, with great people on one of the most beautiful trails we have, and I enjoyed every second of it!
So to Robin, Richard and Stuart.
I salute you!
