13 April 2013: 36km. Started 08:00. Arrived 17:00
This was a longer day and a prompt breakfast at 07:00 meant that I could leave by 08:00 and my hostess could get to Parkrun. My first destination, with only one wrong turn on the way, was the picturesque village of Monyash with church, pond and shop.
The weather was perfect – dry and sunny. However I came across increasing amounts of snow and it had drifted on to narrow tracks between fields. Where it was melting in the sun, the ground was waterlogged, making for muddy and wet boots. Even some of the roads were covered with snow drifts.
The descent into Castleton was impressive down a deep dale with views of a castle perched high above the steep valley. Castleton turned out to be very busy, full of tourists and I bought a new rucksack cover from one of the many outdoor shops. In the end, I never used this cover as my repairs to the torn cover were adequate; attached covers are always better than separate ones which can blow away.
By the time I left Castleton, it was raining which was a pity as the views over the hill and into Edale would otherwise have been even more impressive. In Edale I bought two very expensive but indestructible and lightweight Harvey’s maps for the first two thirds of the Pennine Way. These were advertised as a good week’s walk on a single map. The only problem for me was that I was planning fourteen walking days plus one rest day to cover three of them. Actually although they are expensive they are so easy to use and remain intact even after being stuffed into a pocket and soaked through so I have gone on to buy and use similar maps on many expeditions. They are also extremely light. The 1:40,000 scale is fine although takes a bit of getting used to.
The weather became MUCH wetter as I took the path with multiple gates (rather than the easier road route) to Edale Youth Hostel. I wasn’t keen on a further one hour return walk to the pub in Edale so opted to eat at the hostel. I was fortunate to have a six bedded room to myself so once I realised no-one else was likely to arrive I spread my possessions and made the most of electrical sockets to charge phone, Garmin GPS and camera. I did entrust my soaked boots and gaiters to the drying room.
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