Crook Hill

Crook Hill has two peaks. The crags around the peaks have been weathered into interesting shapes. Despite their low height there's great views of the surrounding peaks and edges. I crossed over to the second peak and admired the vista of Win Hill and Ladybower at its foot. My elation was tempered somewhat when on the descent I came across the remnants of a human toilet. There must have been half a roll of used toilet roll strewn over the hillside. The vast majority of wild campers aren't this inconsiderate.

Further towards Crookhill Farm I came across some new born lambs. The mother started moving towards me and for one moment I thought she might charge. I made a strategic move around them. After Crookhill Farm I came across some Canadian Geese in a field. Normally they'd fly off, but these just gave me a hard stare as I walked by.

Hurkling Along

I crossed the Ladybower Viaduct. A few fishermen were out in small boats on the reservoir. The ascent up to Derwent Edge seemed easier than my uphill efforts early this morning. Maybe I was getting my land-legs back. When I reached the edge itself another walker reached the same point from the other side. He'd come up from Cutthroat Bridge. We both admired the superb view down along the Derwent Valley. There was still a little climb remaining and I decided to stop for lunch at the Hurkling Stones. I'd overslept this morning and my lunchbox contained a bizarre mix of a hot cross bun, a Wagon Wheel and two Hob-Knobbs (non-chocolate). It wasn't very healthy and I decided to make more of an effort for my next walk. I know of some other Hurkling Stones further north from here. I made a mental note to find out what Hurkling actually means, when I got back home. One definition is:

'To hurkle or hurple is to draw one's limbs in and scrunch up the shoulders in reaction to the cold or in a storm'.

Looking at the stones, I decided that they had been named appropriately.

A couple of Typhoons flew down the Derwent Valley, banking over the viaduct and continuing down the valley towards Hathersage. Too far away to get a good photo.

Back To Back Tor

The path along Derwent Edge passes some of the most impressive stones in the Peak District. I'd just had lunch at the Hurkling Stones, and it was only a short walk to the massive and magnificent Wheel Stones. Further on is the White Tor outcrop and beyond that the shapely Salt Cellar. The finale to this stone celebration is the jumble of large stones that is Back Tor. It requires a bit of a scramble to get to Back Tor's trig point. I couldn't be bothered to pack my cameras away to get to it, and so I stopped within spitting distance.

Back Tor is an Ethel, and my next stop, Lost Lad is another one. Lost Lad isn't that far away from Back Tor although there is a bit of a drop between them. There is a circular compass plaque on the top of Lost Lad. A legend says a young boy became lost in a blizzard and died on the top of Lost Lad. His body was found by a shepherd who found the words 'Lost Lad' written on a rock.

Derwent Reservoir

It is all downhill from Lost Lad to Derwent Reservoir. Well, nearly all downhill. The final descent to the reservoir is quite steep and I was glad I brought my trekking poles. There are fine views up and down the valley and I was hoping the Typhoons might come down the valley again. No luck though.

The track alongside the reservoir is usually quite busy but I was nearly at Derwent Dam before I met anybody. My thighs squealed as I descended the steps down to the area below the dam. Three weeks without walking is obviously far too long.

I've walked along Derwent Edge dozens of times. I'll probably walk it dozens of more times in the future. It's a classic Peak District walk that is always interesting.