Too busy to go far afield for the late August bank holiday, we decided to do a little exploring on our (new) doorstep instead. After dropping into Nottingham to top up Dave’s collection of “smart casual” wear (essential for evening duties and the like), we headed for the most southerly crag in Eastern Grit, Black Rocks near Wirksworth. It sounded like a good bet: “a fine cliff” with a large number of routes in the low grades, including some stars and some long(ish) routes. But we should have paid more attention to the warning signs (“some routes are not climbed that often”; “tends to be green after poor weather”…)
In fact it looked like no-one had climbed there for years, which was unsurprising when we discovered how much broken glass there was around the belay spots, and we quickly abandoned the idea of doing any serious climbing. We did manage to salvage the visit by soloing two Mods, and having a nice potter around Cromford Moor. We’d only really gone there as it was on route to the Roaches, where we’d agreed to meet David for a walk the next day, so we didn’t mind too much, and continued happily on our way.
Displaying his usual impeccable Google Earth skills, Dave had found a fantastic van spot on the high road near Merryton Low, where there somehow seemed to be extensive vistas in every direction. We had a little wander around, spotting Parkhouse and Chrome Hills, Shutlingsloe, Shining Tor and even the Wrekin (mostly retrospectively when we asked David about them the next day). Then we found an inviting-looking pool and couldn’t resist an evening swim. It was relatively warm (or maybe we were just hardened by our Baltic dipping), so we enjoyed a few laps with views of the Roaches bathed in evening light.
Sunday was perfect bank holiday weather, sunny and warm. We reminded ourselves how nice the Roaches are, explored the Dane Valley, and after emerging onto the upper slopes of Gun from a flourishing jungle of stinging nettles, brambles and thistles, Jo remembered why shorts are not usually advisable in the Peak District. We then made our way back to van via New Zealand, Frith Bottom and Windygates, feeling rather more tired than we felt was deserved!
Yellow Van Mountaineering 