Distance 18.72 miles, cumulative 747.42 miles, time 8 hrs 45 mins, walking time 7 hrs 25 mins, pace 2.8 mph, Camped – Cooper’s Farm campsite.
Just when we thought the midges could not get any worse – they did. We skipped breakfast and just packed and got on the trail. As we climbed Bleaklow and got out into the breeze we gradually escaped them. It was a steep ascent and difficult underfoot. We crossed the A57 at the top of Snake Pass and followed the flagstones up onto Kinder Scout.
From tiny flying pests we saw a huge flying machine at close quarters when an Emirates Airbus A380 flew directly overhead as it descended towards Manchester Airport – it made the other planes look quite small.
Kinder Scout was busy with day walkers and Duke of Edinburgh Award groups. The views were fantastic but a photo does not do them justice.
We passed Mermaid’s Pool where legend has it that if you see the mermaid you will enjoy eternal life. One man walked up to the pool every year and lived to the age of 104.
Kinder Scout is an iconic location for walkers. In 1932 it was the location of a mass trespass by ramblers and five of them were arrested. The protest and subsequent campaigning eventually led to the creation of the Peak District National Park in 1951.
Having walked along the Kinder Scout ridge we gradually descended to Edale and the final sharp drop down Jacob’s Ladder.
We passed the sign saying we had reached the end/start of the Pennine Way which marked a significant milestone for us, as the PW provided the backbone of our route from John O’Groats to Land’s End.
We enjoyed some of it, especially the Yorkshire Dales and Northumbria but it would not be our first recommendation for a long distance trail to walk.
Edale was busy but we whiled away an hour in a cafe, as the rain came in and having passed two campsites which were full we found a campsite with space and pitched up.
We spoke to soon about how well our kit was holding up. Lynn’s left boot is slowly falling apart so over the next few days we will have to sort out replacements, hopefully in Ashbourne or Uttoxeter.
To celebrate finishing on the PW we took a selfie at the trig point on Kinder Scout. Our selfies are really getting very good now.
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