Mini-METHS, Derbyshire,
England - July 1998
A
thinly attended stalwarts-only meet consisting of Pauline & John Green, Ian
& Sadie Mason, Jane & Brian Sayers ... and excellent evening meals were
provided by the Greens. The main walk
took place on the Thursday with the weather starting out indifferently. The route began at the Ladybower
Reservoir and went over the spectacular Derwent Edges. Rain and low cloud obliterated the view. A pit stop took place
at the first peak, Black Tor, then down to the Park centre for lunch. Only two stalwarts did the second leg,
Commissioner Green and the Mad Axeman, but were rewarded by a fine afternoon
and magnificent views. The leg took in
the even more spectacular Alport Castles, an unnamed trig. point (our second
peak), and Grains in the Water, where afternoon tea was partaken. Then on to the 3rd and highest peak, Lower
Shelf Stones, 2,020 feet. Fantastic
views to the North. Pendle Hill was
positively identified and, further afield, Penyghent and
Whernside. Then it was down to Old Glossop to the finish.
The recovery
meet on Friday to the edge of Kinder Scout was abruptly terminated, when Axeman
fell down and broke his leg. Perhaps that incident should, more correctly,
be reported in Members' Movements. The
Glossop Mountain Rescue Team were terrific and were on the scene in 2.5 hours
after the accident (just as Mason finished his last can of McEwan's Export). A helicopter was called up to evacuate the
casualty to the nearest car park, where a transfer to an ambulance took place. There was no time or chance for a quick pint. No praise can be too high for the help and the
way the Greens and the Sayers rallied round after the accident. Axeman is recovering well at home and he is quite
mobile on his crutches, but not yet up to any fell-walking.
(He soon recovered and attended many
more years' meets. ed.)
© WDYFO, 1998/2018