Kinder surprise
Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2016 11:59 amSnow in mid-November, in England anyway, is a very welcome surprise. Well I guess not if you're commuting to work - but if you are have a walk planned...
The unexpected winter conditions certainly enhanced our walk on Kinder Scout.
A wintry vista near Hayfield, our starting point for the walk.
IMG_1317 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Two signs at our starting point: the tablet commemorating the Kinder Mass Trespass, and an opportunistic bit of art.
IMG_1325 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
IMG_1323 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
A few autumn colours remained on the lower hillsides as we set off, chatting on the easy first ascent of the day. The American election, Brexit and Strictly Come Dancing were declared banned subjects of conversation during the walk.
(Obviously, the bit of the ban relating to Strictly didn't last long)
IMG_1328 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Along the shore of Kinder Reservoir. Sandy Heys and Kinder Downfall on the skyline ahead.
IMG_1340 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Ascending the narrow gulch of William Clough.
IMG_1343 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
On the last bit of the ascent onto the plateau.
IMG_1354 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Deeper snow on the plateau. In the background are the moorlands rising towards Bleaklow Hill.
IMG_1373 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Looking from the rocks at Sandy Heys across towards Kinder Low.
IMG_1378 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Gritstone formations on the skyline.
IMG_1387 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Shining Tor tops the skyline on the left. At times we wondered if we could see Moel Famau over to the right.
IMG_1396 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Starting the slight descent towards Kinder Downfall.
IMG_1404 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
More gritstone and fluffy clouds.
IMG_1406 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Approaching the Downfall.
IMG_1414 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Across towards Kinder Low.
IMG_1421 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
A closer view.
IMG_1422 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
A handy boulder for a lunch stop.
IMG_1428 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The river Kinder.
IMG_1444 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The waterfall in the Downfall.
IMG_1449 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Setting off along the plateau edge towards Kinder Low.
IMG_1448 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Boulders as the plateau starts to rise.
IMG_1456 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Along the plateau edge.
IMG_1459 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Wintry skies...
IMG_1480 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Looking north-west: Manchester in the distance
IMG_1482 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Kinder Low summit.
IMG_1506 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Summit view towards Shining Tor, with possibly a glimpse of Shutlingsloe's summit to its left.
IMG_1508 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The trig. Some discussion ensued about the highest point of Kinder Scout: it looks as if there is higher ground to the north-east, but very flat and featureless: it's understandable why the OS built the trig here and also why most people are content to regard Kinder Low as the summit of the fell.
IMG_1494 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The first steps on the way back down to the pub...
IMG_1511 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The unexpected winter conditions certainly enhanced our walk on Kinder Scout.
A wintry vista near Hayfield, our starting point for the walk.
IMG_1317 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrTwo signs at our starting point: the tablet commemorating the Kinder Mass Trespass, and an opportunistic bit of art.
IMG_1325 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrIMG_1323 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrA few autumn colours remained on the lower hillsides as we set off, chatting on the easy first ascent of the day. The American election, Brexit and Strictly Come Dancing were declared banned subjects of conversation during the walk.
(Obviously, the bit of the ban relating to Strictly didn't last long)
IMG_1328 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrAlong the shore of Kinder Reservoir. Sandy Heys and Kinder Downfall on the skyline ahead.
IMG_1340 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrAscending the narrow gulch of William Clough.
IMG_1343 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrOn the last bit of the ascent onto the plateau.
IMG_1354 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrDeeper snow on the plateau. In the background are the moorlands rising towards Bleaklow Hill.
IMG_1373 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrLooking from the rocks at Sandy Heys across towards Kinder Low.
IMG_1378 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrGritstone formations on the skyline.
IMG_1387 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrShining Tor tops the skyline on the left. At times we wondered if we could see Moel Famau over to the right.
IMG_1396 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrStarting the slight descent towards Kinder Downfall.
IMG_1404 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrMore gritstone and fluffy clouds.
IMG_1406 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrApproaching the Downfall.
IMG_1414 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrAcross towards Kinder Low.
IMG_1421 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrA closer view.
IMG_1422 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrA handy boulder for a lunch stop.
IMG_1428 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrThe river Kinder.
IMG_1444 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrThe waterfall in the Downfall.
IMG_1449 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrSetting off along the plateau edge towards Kinder Low.
IMG_1448 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrBoulders as the plateau starts to rise.
IMG_1456 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrAlong the plateau edge.
IMG_1459 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrWintry skies...
IMG_1480 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrLooking north-west: Manchester in the distance
IMG_1482 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrKinder Low summit.
IMG_1506 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrSummit view towards Shining Tor, with possibly a glimpse of Shutlingsloe's summit to its left.
IMG_1508 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrThe trig. Some discussion ensued about the highest point of Kinder Scout: it looks as if there is higher ground to the north-east, but very flat and featureless: it's understandable why the OS built the trig here and also why most people are content to regard Kinder Low as the summit of the fell.
IMG_1494 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrThe first steps on the way back down to the pub...
IMG_1511 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Lovely stuff on a perfect day in the hills 