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ON THE HILL
Mountain introductions, Troop B style
May 2004
May bank holiday weekend has traditionally been a time for us to hit the hills and get anybody in the troop who is interested out on the mountains. It's done at an introductory level, with the aim of getting everybody better equipped for bigger adventures later in the summer.
![[Climbing at Stanage]](img/oth_may04_2.jpg)
Derbyshire
Our location was Derbyshire and the Peak District. More specifically, Hathersage, which is a good central location for all the action.
The Byre
We rented a bunkhouse just outside Hathersage to act as basecamp. Great little retreat, and you know you're on a farm when you open the door in the morning and get a blast of manure! The cows provided an adequate, though erratic, alarm clock and we discovered on our return that group chairman Dave Clark had been camping with 1st Hersham here before 30 years ago!
Sun, sun, sun
My word, it was sunny. Blue skies and sun three days running - made even better by the constant rain they had back at home (ha, ha). What waterproofs?
Bog hopping, bouldering and mountain walking
Everybody completed a climb and traverse of Kinder Scout, the Peak's highest mountain. We hiked then scrambled to the top, then climbed all the boulders up there and just across (and into) the peat. Award for most intrepid mountaineer goes to Gareth I, from here forward known as 'the Stuntman'. Beautiful views against a backdrop of summer.
Gorge
walking
The scouts scrambled, walked and swam their way up and along Fair Brook. Soaking and refreshing this was voted one of the favourite activities of the weekend.
Abseil at 12.07am
We went back to Miller's Dale and the best abseiling venue about. We did this at night, with people abseiling until 12.07am. It was great, the scouts learned how to do it, we got to test our shiny new climbing gear, and we did a bit of freefall. James C will wear a wetsuit next time though.
Stanage
On Monday we hit Stanage and gritstone climbing. Some Scouts belayed at the top, whilst other Scouts climbed routes ranging from Moderate to Severe. All did fantastically well and it was a fine way to round off a great trip.
Cars vs. minibus
Our minibus was knackered so we had to make do with a complex back-up of leaders' cars. Thanks to Alison, Alan and Jane for helping us out of a sticky one in the eleventh hour.
![[Fun on Kinder Scout]](img/oth_may04_3.jpg)
Heather
rolling
The gorge walkers invented this and it sounds like a bizarre though fun thing to do. It's rolling down heather, in case you hadn't guessed.
Nevisport
A quick plug for a very friendly and helpful outdoor shop in Hathersage, who were generous with their discounts and advice when we were buying lots of climbing gear.
Incredible weekend really, and the weather definitely helped. Let's hope the scouts can put their new skills into action in North Wales this summer and in the Rockies next year!
May bank holiday weekend has traditionally been a time for us to hit the hills and get anybody in the troop who is interested out on the mountains. It's done at an introductory level, with the aim of getting everybody better equipped for bigger adventures later in the summer.
Derbyshire
Our location was Derbyshire and the Peak District. More specifically, Hathersage, which is a good central location for all the action.
The Byre
We rented a bunkhouse just outside Hathersage to act as basecamp. Great little retreat, and you know you're on a farm when you open the door in the morning and get a blast of manure! The cows provided an adequate, though erratic, alarm clock and we discovered on our return that group chairman Dave Clark had been camping with 1st Hersham here before 30 years ago!
Sun, sun, sun
My word, it was sunny. Blue skies and sun three days running - made even better by the constant rain they had back at home (ha, ha). What waterproofs?
Bog hopping, bouldering and mountain walking
Everybody completed a climb and traverse of Kinder Scout, the Peak's highest mountain. We hiked then scrambled to the top, then climbed all the boulders up there and just across (and into) the peat. Award for most intrepid mountaineer goes to Gareth I, from here forward known as 'the Stuntman'. Beautiful views against a backdrop of summer.
Gorge
walking The scouts scrambled, walked and swam their way up and along Fair Brook. Soaking and refreshing this was voted one of the favourite activities of the weekend.
Abseil at 12.07am
We went back to Miller's Dale and the best abseiling venue about. We did this at night, with people abseiling until 12.07am. It was great, the scouts learned how to do it, we got to test our shiny new climbing gear, and we did a bit of freefall. James C will wear a wetsuit next time though.
Stanage
On Monday we hit Stanage and gritstone climbing. Some Scouts belayed at the top, whilst other Scouts climbed routes ranging from Moderate to Severe. All did fantastically well and it was a fine way to round off a great trip.
Cars vs. minibus
Our minibus was knackered so we had to make do with a complex back-up of leaders' cars. Thanks to Alison, Alan and Jane for helping us out of a sticky one in the eleventh hour.
Heather
rolling The gorge walkers invented this and it sounds like a bizarre though fun thing to do. It's rolling down heather, in case you hadn't guessed.
Nevisport
A quick plug for a very friendly and helpful outdoor shop in Hathersage, who were generous with their discounts and advice when we were buying lots of climbing gear.
Incredible weekend really, and the weather definitely helped. Let's hope the scouts can put their new skills into action in North Wales this summer and in the Rockies next year!