High Peak Marathon

Day One

It was 08.30 on Saturday 11th November, we set off from Upper Booth
(280m) in the direction of Edale. Our plan was to walk the High Peak
Marathon in two days, in daylight. Arriving at Edale we headed south
to the first hill of the day. Upon reaching the col, Hollins Cross
(400m), it was clear it was going to be a very windy day, and it most
definitely was. Following Barker Bank (426) to Lose Hill (476m) we
could see our next hill and views of the Hope Valley. Dropping down
into the valley we crossed the River Noe at Killhill Bridge (170m).
Rising again to Win Hill and then to the trigpoint on Win Hill Pike
(426m). From here there were fantastic views over Ladybower Reservoir
to the north, however we were getting blown off the top so we
descended once more through a wood and down and amazingly steep set of
steps to Yorkshire Bridge (163m). Tarmac bashing east we then headed
north across Moscar Moor to Moscar Lodge. It was spitting at this
point so we moved as fast as we could into the punishing head wind
north west to the crosspaths under Lost Lad at Bradfield Gate Head
(510m), it really was two steps forward one step back kind of style.
Finally, losing height and light we descended to the edge of Derwent
Reservoir and circumnavigated to Slippery Stones (290m). Arriving at
17.30 after 32km of walking at 17min/km.


Day Two

Morning. 08.30. We meandered the valley upto Bleaklow Hill (630m)
following the River Derwent. Somehow we lost the path and so the GPS
was turned on and we did some bogtrotting up and 'cross the top until
we hit the staked path which we then follwed with slight deviatedion to
the Pennine Way which for some completely unexplainable reason we
headed in the wrong direction on. We turned round. Marching down
Bleaklow over Snake Pass (512m) and upto Mill Hill (544m). We then
headed onto the Kinder Plateau through the wind and rain closely
follwing the edge around the Kinder Downfall, where we again lost our
way and made an unexpected but non-the-less pleasing visit to the
Kinder Low (633m) trigpoint. Again, stumbling in circles we
eventually got on the right path. Now, sheltered from the howling
wind, we wandered leisurely down the steep descent of Jacobs Ladder
and then along the final few fields to Upper Booth. Again, arriving
at 17.30 after 28km at a pace of 18.6min/km.