Axe Edge Moor - Peak District

30th January 2010
10 miles (originally 7.5miles and described as strenuous)
Weather was cold and windy, but sunny with gloriously blue sky

The plan was to walk Axe Edge Moor near Buxton. The weather had prevented previous attempts due to the roads being snowed up to the hilt. This was our first chance to attack it.
I’d been to Abi’s leaving do (for Qatar) the previous night, so I had gotten in around midnight and up again at 04:30. This was probably not the best start. I crawled up the M6 (down to 1 lane through the road works), but still managed to arrive in Crewe at 07:30. It was starting to get light – great news. Longer days will soon be upon us.

We packed up Martin’s car ready for our trip to the Cat & Fiddle. Nick and Paul were also going to join us.

The last bit of the journey to the car park was most treacherous due to still being very icy, but we had committed ourselves and there was no going back.

As we got togged up, Paul realised he’d forgotten his boots. He was wearing white pumps so he decided to still make the effort despite lack of waterproof, warm footwear.

I’d covered heels in compeed, liner socks and walking socks. I was all set to wear old blister boots with maximum protection.

We set off, Allen using his marked out waterproof map, Kirsty with her route destructions. The ground was frozen which was probably for the best as it would have normally been very boggy.
Within seconds, Paul had soaked 1 foot. Fair play to him for not turning back though as I am not sure I’d have even started the walk without my boots.

The route marked out was meant to be 7.5 miles and should have taken 4 ¾ hours to complete. We had completed most of it taking in picturesque views of gorse and moorland landscapes when we decided to stop for lunch by a ‘lone’ chimney. Martin dropped crisps into the poo and Nick consumed 400 pasties. Paul had 25 penguins and I had my usual boring sandwiches.

Martin managed to fall in a hole right up to his knees and got reminded about the usefulness of gaiters.

We then carried up the hill to the road, which was probably the most strenuous bit for me. This was partly due to the frozen snow, steep incline and lack of confidence.

At the Cat & Fiddle we decided to carry on for another hour and half to make our journey there more worthwhile and the weather & light were holding out.

We crossed the road and Martin saw someone drive past that he knew – freaky.

We walked across fields of frozen snow with some parts so deep they were level with the top of the fence.

I also managed to use the SheWee for the first time outdoors. No leakage, no spillage onto boots and all while behind a wall talking to Kirsty. Major triumph for me!

Kirsty came a right cropper when crossing from woodland to the road. Sheet of ice across the path flew Kirsty onto her back scraping her hand and jolting her arm and hip.

Got back to Cat & Fiddle, quick drink, plaster up Kirsty, and then back to Crewe.