Having walked in the Peak District hills most Sunday's as a kid, trailing behind my parents and sister, to places such as Edale, Castleton and the Ladybower Reservoir, walking the Great Ridge from Mam Tor and visiting the magical Blue John Cavern, I guess the seed of walking for pleasure was planted early on, without me even realising. We'd walk the White Peaks and picnic through the summer at the weekends. My dad loved the countryside and it was a cheap family day out........well he was from Yorkshire.
As an adult I continued to walk regularly in both the White and Dark Peaks after getting married, visiting Bakewell, Buxton and favourites like Hartington and Monyash, enjoying a day out on Kinder Scout.
By my early 30's I was a father to two wonderful kids, who loved their sport of football and netball, which would take up most of my spare time for many years. Driving up and down the country supporting them, as any good parent would. So 'me time' took a back seat.
They are now in their 20's, working, and independent, leaving my wife and I to enjoy more free time outside of work of course.
How did I change from an occasional walker with his jeans tucked into his socks into a regular hill walker? I hear you ask. (well maybe not)
To be honest, I'd had an argument with my wife, which had got to the point where nothing more could be said, I love her dearly but she does like to get the last word in.
I needed some space to cool off, (come on married men we've all been there) I jumped into my car and drove. I could have driven in any direction, but it just so happens it was into the Peak District, maybe in my subconscious i was looking for some peace.
Having stopped the car at the side of Mam Tor, I found myself walking the Great Ridge again, towards Lose Hill, taking in the views over The Vale Of Edale on one side of the ridge and Hope Valley the other.
The walking soon cleared my head, calmed me down and I rediscovered the enjoyment of worming my way through farmland in the valley again, bringing happy memories back after too many years away.
So I started walking the Peak District again, but as always, I'd pick a good day and hopefully stay dry.
I was telling a colleague at work, Andy about my experience, and having done some walking in the Lake District, he suggested we walk up onto Kinder Scout on a very cold February day in 2011. I'd been there many years before, as you now know but not in winter weather conditions.
Andy didn't know the Peak District very well, but he'd been up a few mountains in the Lakes, which made me feel better about winter walking up here.
However the navigation on Kinder was left to me.
We parked in Hayfield, and walked the William Clough route onto Kinder Scout, then Sandy Heys and Kinder Downfall. heading south, we left the plateau at Red Brook.
Here I am, no real gear, slipping all over the place in £15 Decathlon boots, with a tea cosy on my head, and a cheap DWR coated Sprayway jacket
Kinder Downfall
Andy standing in an alien world to me. The shot was taken in the Kinder Downfall area.
I'd never normally venture out onto the hills in these conditions, but I loved it up on Kinder Scout, climbing up William Clough then following the western edge of the plateau in the ice and snow, It was just fantastic and felt like much more of an adventure than I was used to.
I'd managed to navigate in mist without any problems and that boosted my confidence.
so I guess this was the start of future adventures, it was this day that changed the way I saw walking........and I was hooked.
