Exploring The Peaks With 20 Strangers - Day One
When I told my friends that I was disappearing to the Peak District for a weekend with 20 strangers, I got some very mixed reactions. Some found it really cool, getting to go hiking with 20 others who all share the same interests. However, others weren’t so keen on the idea, what if you don’t get on with anyone or everyone clashes? Well there is only one way to find out & that is to go.
The trip was planned by Owen Nutkins - a great guy and even better photographer - so check out his Instagram. While the trip was Friday night to Sunday, a few of us decided to head up Thursday night & get a couple of hikes in on the Friday. A couple of lads were staying at The Dog & Partridge Inn, so we decided to meet up there before those of us camping in cars/vans would go find a spot. But the pub was great, allowing us to stay in their car park, a much quieter and flatter option than the lay-by across the road.
Waking up nice & early, I grabbed myself a coffee with Ryan & Coby in his van, before everyone else woke up and we were ready to head on out for our first hike of the day.
Middle Black Clough Waterfall
With a weekend full of hiking planned, it was great to start of with a short walk along the river, with a waterfall at the end. We had Laura and Emily meet us at the car park before we wandered into the woods, when I say this is an easy hike, I mean it. As long as you keep following the river, you’ll come up to the waterfall at the end. There are a couple of sections to cross, but these are relatively easy and there is even a couple of pools deep enough for you to have a dip.
On our way back, we found a rocky section of the river which acted as a natural slide, so the four of us lads decided to brave the cold and have a winters dip. Coby tested it out for us and if you follow me on Tiktok or Instagram you’d have seen how much fun it was. A wholesome moment for sure, but the best part is that it was only a short walk back to the cars.
Break for lunch
Once we got back to the cars/vans, it was time to warm up with a cuppa and have a bite to eat ready for our next hike of the day. I have to give a huge shoutout to Ryan though, throughout the trip serving me hot drinks wherever we are, this guy is truly the greatest.
Exploring a crash site
Whenever I explore a wreck, whether that be on land or in the water, my imagination goes wild, thinking about what it must’ve been like, what the people felt, saw and generally what life was like back then. On November 3rd 1948, a B-29 Super Fortress called Overexposed crashed into the hills on Bleaklow Moor, killing all 13 onboard.
Nowadays it is a popular hiking spot & a must for those planning a trip to the Peak District. So refuelled from our lunch, we headed up to Snake Pass, parking on the lay-by. We had about an hours walk to the crash site through the muddy moors.
Finished with a spectacular sunet
There really is no better way to end such a good day than watching the sunset, especially in the Peaks. The others carried on to our Airbnb, but me and Emily found this little mound that was a perfect place to watch the sun set, the colours in the sky were incredible.
