Final confirmation that the annual Marsden-Edale will take place on this coming Saturday – 6th January. The forecast is for perfect weather – dry with sunny intervals and gentle breezes – exactly as I predicted! So come along and join the fun!
Some final details:
Start – 7:45 at the end of Wessenden Rd (GR SE048107 OS South Pennines OL 21 map) – finish at The Ramblers in Edale.
For those arriving by train, the 6:58 from Manchester Piccadilly arrives in Marsden at 7:29 which is perfect timing. From the other direction, the 6:54 from Huddersfield arrives at 7:05 (6:30 from Leeds).
Carole Smithies will be doing her usual “counting them out and counting them all back in again” (many thanks Carole!). She will be at the Marsden end from about 7:30 so please make sure she gets your name on the day – and even more importantly crosses you off at the end of the day in Edale (she will be at The Ramblers). If, for any reason you do not make it to Edale, please make sure Carole knows about it so that we know you are safe – note there is no mobile reception at the Ramblers but, if necessary, you can phone the pub and pass on a message (01433 670268). If you are planning an earlier start, please let Carole know
Sadly, there will be no support in the form of soup/Tea/cakes on route this year so make sure you carry all you need (many thanks to Granville for spoiling us in previous years)
Trains for the return from Edale to Manchester are at 16:47, 17:47, 18:47, 19:47. Trains towards Sheffield are at 16:32, 17:32, 18:32, 19:32.
The route I’ll be taking is:
- Wessenden track then Pennine Way to Black Hill.
- From the trig point down via Crowden Meadows to cross Crowden Little Brook at SE074023 then to pick up the shooting track to Crowden Great Quarry and round to the car park on the start of the old road to Glossop SK082993 for a lunch stop.
- South along the Trans Pennine Trail to the stile at SK071985. Up the Western Edge of Wildboar Clough following the fenceline. Pick up the main path higher up the stream and then follow to pick up the Pennine Way at SK092966 and on to Bleaklow Head.
- Follow Pennine Way down Hern Clough and round to approx SK098942 before dropping off right down to Upper North Grain.
- From the Snake Road, drop down to pick up the path down Lady Clough to cross the river via the footbridge at SK114902.
- Ford Fairbrook then up the shooting track via Gate Side Clough and directly up to Seal Stones
- Short crossing of Kinder Scout to SK118877 and then straight down to Grindsbrook and through to finish at The Ramblers
According to OS-Maps it is 21 miles and 4300ft of ascent. Alternative routes via Tooleyshaw Moss and/or Lawrence Edge are of similar length for those who prefer them.
I have attached a pdf showing the route
Marsden Edale via Wildboar Clough
and also a GPX file for download
I hope to see as many of you as possible on the day.
For info for those doing the Marsden-Edale. If you should drop out, please let Carole know on:
07786 485 485 or if you can’t get through pass on a messsage via The Rambles on
01433 670 268 so we know you are safe.
Thanks
Ian
George Hostford writes:
Is anyone walking from Edale (and I am not asking about the doublers)? Its just that the use of trains from Chesterfield to Marsden seems to ensure I don’t get much sleep on Friday night versus using a car to drive but if I park at Marsden then I have to take a train from Edale back to Marsden to pick up my car; looking at timetables there is a train at 18:47 from Edale which arrives at Marsden at 20:30 which seems to be a better option than all train and bus. I would appreciate any advice on options apart of getting much fitter so I can just do the double!
George Hostford