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Shining Tor - Peak District Walk
Wednesday 9th January 2019
I opted to head west today as the weathermen promised the skies would be clearer towards the west of the Peak District. I knew it would be cold but I certainly wasn't expecting to see snow, however light.
Start: Lay-by at Cat & Fiddle ( SK 0011 7188)
Route: Lay-by at Cat & Fiddle - Stake Side - Errwood Hall - Foxlow Edge - The Street - The Tors - Shining Tor (TP) - Lay-by at Cat & Fiddle
Distance: 7.25 miles Ascent: 412 metres Time Taken: 4 hrs
Terrain: Clear paths
Weather: Cold with occassional snow showers.
Pub Visited: None Ale Drunk: None
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Looking across to a very cold looking Macclesfield Forest as I pick up the path to Shining Tor.
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The path was frozen in places and by now my gloves were on for the first time this winter.
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Just above the farm Shining Tor comes into view, time to decide which way round I'm going to walk.
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I decide to head down into the valley first and save the ridge for later. My reward is a view across to Kinder, where the clouds are just catching the top of the plateau.
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The other advantage of doing the route this way is the view of the reservoir as you descend.
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Looking across towards Foxlow Edge and I debate whether or not I'm going to walk below it or on it.
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A final view of the reservoir before I head into the trees.
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As I head into the trees and pick up the path to Errwood Hall it starts to snow.
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A few flakes are caught in motion as I take a shot of Errwood Hall.
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I decide to do a bit of exploring and find a different route onto Foxlow Edge.
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Shooter's Clough from Foxlow Edge.
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Looking back down the path and across to Wild Moor and Burbage Edge, somewhere I must make the effort to visit this year.
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One reason for heading onto Foxlow Edge was for the views, here looking across to Combs Moss. It's a long time since I've walked there.
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Looking across the Great Ridge, with Win Hill visible beyond it.
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I reach the end of the edge and head for the gate onto the road.
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As I head up The Street Mam Tor is caught in sunlight.
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The path up the side of The Street can often be a bit of a bog-hopping experience, not today.
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Windgather Rocks come into view as I start along the path to Shining Tor.
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Foxlow Edge from the path along The Tors.
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As I pass Oldgate Nick the colour of the sky beyond Andrew's Edge attracts my attention.
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Looking behind me I can't but notice that Kinder has disappeared and it looks like a snow shower is heading my way.
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I grab a few more shots of the view across towards Shutlingsloe.
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Croker Hill and Shutlingsloe from The Tors, just before the snow shower arrives and the camera is packed away.
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By the time I reach the trig the snow shower has passed over so I make the obligatory trip into Cheshire.
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Kinder is once again in view as I look back along The Tors from the trig point.
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Now it has stopped snowing I enjoy a very cold lunch looking out across the moors as blue sky finally makes an appearance.
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I have the place to myself, which is I think a first. As the sun comes out I can make out the Edges beyond Hope Cement Works.
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If it wasn't so cold I could have sat for hours enjoying the view.
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As I head down from the summit of Shining Tor the sky continues to clear.
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I can't resist taking another shot of Shutlingsloe and Croker Hill set against the orange sky.
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All that remains now is to retrace my steps back to the car, avoiding the ice.
All pictures copyright © Peak Walker 2006-2023