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Three Shires Head - Peak District Walk
Wednesday 10th January 2007
According to the weather forecast it was going to be dry and, I quote: "You would have to be very unlucky to catch a shower." I am clearly very, very unlucky. At the start of the walk I was in cloud but that lifted, although the rain kept coming, along with the hail and a bitterly cold wind. I had chosen this route for two reasons: 1. Because I knew that it was on good, wide paths so hopefully no picking my way through mud for hours on end, but even they are now becoming a sea of mud. 2. So as that I could 'bag' a couple of new summits, a Dewey and a county top. The Dewey I bagged. The county top I simply couldn't be bothered by the time I got there to fight my way through the bogs and back to get to it, but it's not going anywhere so it will get done on another day.
Start: Cat & Fiddle Inn (SK 0010 7188)
Route: Cat & Fiddle - Whetstone Ridge - Danebower Hollow - Three Shire Heads - Cheeks Hill - Dane Head - Cat & Fiddle
Distance: 6.25 miles Ascent: 265 metres Time Taken: 3 hrs 55 mins
Weather: Rain, hail and a strong cold wind.
Pub Visited: None Ale Drunk: None
![Macclesfield Forest Macclesfield Forest](2007-01-10/macclesfield%20forest.jpg)
Looking in the direction of Macclesfield Forest from the start of the walk.
![Shining Tor Shining Tor](2007-01-10/shinning%20tor.jpg)
Shining Tor was constantly in and out of the cloud. Seen here across Whetstone Ridge.
![Shining Tor Shining Tor](2007-01-10/shining%20tor.jpg)
Zooming in on Shining Tor it is possible to make out the trig point on its summit.
![Whetstone Ridge Whetstone Ridge](2007-01-10/whetstone.jpg)
Following the stakes across Whetstone Ridge made for easy navigation.
![Whetstone Ridge summit Whetstone Ridge summit](2007-01-10/whetstone%20summit.jpg)
The summit of Whetstone Ridge with Shutlingsloe behind it. Officially my first 'Dewey', a list I discovered thanks to O.F.C. member David Mould. The one thing about 'bagging' tops that I really like is that they often take you to places you would never otherwise visit. I have often walked on the path below the ridge but never ventured onto it and on a better day than today it would give you some fabulous views.
![Cheeks Hill Cheeks Hill](2007-01-10/cheeks%20hill.jpg)
Looking across to Cheeks Hill from Danebower Hollow.
![Turn Edge Turn Edge](2007-01-10/quarries.jpg)
Turn Edge is probably the hill furthest away.
![Cut Thorn Hill Cut Thorn Hill](2007-01-10/valley.jpg)
Looking down the valley and path I was to follow to Three Shire Heads.
![Three Shire Heads Three Shire Heads](2007-01-10/3%20shires%20head.jpg)
Approaching Three Shire Heads as the rain moves in again.
![River Dane River Dane](2007-01-10/river%20dane.jpg)
The River Dane from Three Shire Heads.
![Cheeks Hill Cheeks Hill](2007-01-10/cheeks%20hill%20summit.jpg)
Looking across Cheeks Hill, the summit is out of shot.
![Goyt's Moss Goyt's Moss](2007-01-10/goyts%20moss.jpg)
Looking across Goyt's Moss, Combs Moss is the light green plateau that appears to be getting some sun.
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