Sunday, 25th January 2009

Walk:	Lose Hill , Back Tor, Hollins Cross, Mam Tor, Oxlow Rake, Limestone way, Cavedale, Peveril Castle
Start Point:	Castleton car park	Grid Ref:	SK 150 830
Distance:	10.3 miles	Ascent:	2,450 feet
Weather:	A dry and sunny day with a cold wind on the ridge
Accompanied by:	7 members of the club
Comments:	Having completed this walk in the opposite direction some years ago I was looking forward to walking in this area again. Having expected some rather bleak weather we were pleased to have a sunny start as we headed up to Lose Hill. From here we could see the undulating route to Mam Tor and were soon on our way. A short pause on Back Tor gave us time to explore (visually) the Edale Valley before the steep descent. Back Tor would look much more impressive if approached in the opposite direction. Passing Hollins Cross there was no sign of the sheep that tried to take sandwiches out of my backpack on my last visit! From here the route is paved almost to the summit of Mam Tor and the A625, which was swept away by a landslide in 1974, can be clearly seen. Reaching Mam Tor we found it encircled by a number of plaques displaying items that may have been used here when it was an Iron Age hill fort. Mam Tor, or 'Mother Hill', is also known as “The Shivering mountain” due to the frequent landslips of shale after each heavy rain. Following an easy descent we continued across the moor to Conies Dale before heading up Oxlow Rake to join the Limestone way. Finally we made our way down the narrow, steep descent that is Cave Dale. When we had time to raise our eyes from the rocky terrain we were able to admire the Keep of the 11th century Peveril Castle.