March 15-17 Dark Peaks of PEAK DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK
Details
Exact address and directions will be sent later.
The Peak District has something for everyone. In the northern area you can roam on wild open moorland with magnificent views overlooking sites such as the Derwent Dams. Further south, stroll alongside sparkling rivers in wildlife-rich valleys far from the hustle and bustle of town.
http://www.visitpeakd... (http://www.visitpeakdistrict.com/)
The Peak District National Park suffers from a split personality with its contrasting White and Dark Peaks. Within easy distance from Manchester, Sheffield and the Midlands there is much for the visitor to see. The contrast between quiet limestone dales and wild upland moors provides the basis for a diverse range of walks within this National Park with scenic variety the keynote.
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Designated Britain's first National Park in 1951, the area has two distinct landscapes. In the south are the gently rolling hills of the limestone White Peak.
To the north, west and east are the wild, heather-clad moorlands of the Dark Peak peat bogs, superimposed on millstone grit. Predominantly in Derbyshire, parts of the national Park also extend into the neighbouring counties of Staffordshire, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.
THE DARK PEAK - a complex area of high land best studied in four distinct areas. Although the underlying gritstone is hard and enduring, the thick layer of peat covering the area can be energy sapping. After heavy rain paths can be waterlogged, requiring frequent diversions into banks of drier heather. The best time for walking is either at the end of dry spell in summer or after a heavy frost in winter.
We will have 2 or even 3 different hikes on each day, led by different, experienced hike leaders. You may choose your hikes according your fitness level and abilities. There are options with different distance, accent and pace.
The breathtaking views span in every direction as far as the eye can see, whilst a climb to the top of one of the hills gets the heart pounding and really makes you feel alive. Alternatively, a stroll around one of the beautiful nearby reservoirs is a pleasant way to spend a day.
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The Edale Valley - the most popular area in the Dark Peak for walkers, it contains the Kinder Plateau to the north of Edale, and the Castleton Ridge to the south of the valley. The village of Edale is the southern terminus of the Pennine Way and is a perfect base for walks in this area. The Kinder plateau is exactly what its name suggests - an area of flat land around 2000 feet above sea level with up to 12 feet of peat covering the gritstone. Almost all the way around the plateau the underlying gritstone outcrops forming "edges" that provide excellent walking and brilliant views down into the surrounding valleys. One superb place to rest awhile is the Kinder Downfall - a waterfall that plunges over the edge. Exposed to the westerly winds, there are days when the water goes up rather than down! The Castleton Ridge includes Mam Tor and is another area where massive landslides have left their mark - to the point of closing the main road into Castleton from Chapel-en-le-Frith.
There are plenty of things to do here: hiking, caving, sightseeing.
THIS TRIP IS FOR ANY WEATHER!
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Take an incredible
Underground Journey by Boat
Enter the inner world of the underground cave system in the heart of the Peak District National Park and absorb the atmosphere as a watery silence echoes all around you.
Set at the foot of the spectacular Winnats Pass, high above the village of Castleton, Speedwell Cavern takes you on an incredible underground boat journey.
http://speedwellcavern.co.uk/wp-content/themes/twentytencavern/res/halfway-house.jpgDescend the 105 steps from the almost hidden cave entrance to the landing stage of an underground canal where you step on to your tour guides’ boat.
From here you glide quietly through the workings of a 200 year old lead mine. Picture in your mind what it must have been like to carve out these tunnels using only the most primitive tools as your guide recounts the story of the mine which opens into a network of natural caverns and underground rivers.
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Castleton is an outstandingly pretty village situated at the head of the lovely Vale of Hope, in the heart of the Derbyshire Peak District National Park.
On a hill, overlooking Castleton, is the ancient Peveril Castle.
There are 4 underground show caves, all worth a visit, for their own interesting features. These are Blue John Cavern, Speedwell Cavern, Treak Cliff Cavern and Peak Cavern.
Blue John Cavern and Treak Cliff contain the treasured, pretty blue and yellow fluorspar called Blue John. It was first mined at Treak Cliff and by 1770, 16 mines were extracting the stone and selling it to several firms in Derbyshire who turned it into ornaments, vases, clocks and jewellry. Blue John is only found in this area of Britain, andsmall pieces of the mineral are still plentiful, large pieces are now rare.
Peak Cavern, also known as the Devil's Arse (called so because of the flatulent-sounding noises from inside the cave), is the source of the village river, Peakshole Water and as such it is the only Cavern that has to be closed during the winter due to flooding. In the mouth of the cave, the largest in Britain, rope makers use to live and work. Their cottages have been demolished but 'rope walks' are still to be found. The show cave is only part of a much larger cave system which attracts cavers from all over the world.
Accommodation:
We booked high quality 4 star hostel accommodation just for our group,
with maximum 4 people in a room!
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newly re-built hostel and activity centre. It's also a great base for walking the surrounding high plateaus and moors of Dark Peaks.
Price includes:
2 nights accommodation,
Financial Consumer Protection according Package Holidays and Tours Regulations 1992,
guided hikes by Mountain Leader trained at Plas Y Brenin ( The National Mountain Centre http://www.pyb.co.uk/... (http://www.pyb.co.uk/)) ) guides, and certified First Aiders
and all meals
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(AAA aims for home-made healthy food, catered for vegetarians, vegans and anybody else. Meat we use for our meals is always Halal)
but NOT transport.
Trip Itinerary
Friday:
6 pm onwards arriving
8 pm dinner - some vegetable soup, ham, cheese and AAA London Group "speciality" - home made banana cake http://img2.meetupstatic.com/7721728740974823239/img/smileys/tongue.gif, drinks (variety of tea, cocoa, coffee or your favourite ones if you have brought it with you http://img1.meetupstatic.com/614102232183174521616/img/smileys/wink.gif.
Food is available until midnight or the last person arrived!
Saturday:
8-8:45 am breakfast ( fresh brewed coffee, juice, just made for you porridge with choices of toppings, cereals, yogurts, sausages, eggs, baked beans)
8-8:45 am making your own sandwiches for lunch from some food provided plus fruit, crisps, chocolates
8:45 -9 am tidy up a kitchen and a dinning room
9-9:20 am all equipped and ready to go gathering for hike briefing
( we usually have 2-3 hikes organised on the same day for you to choose from with different distance and pace to suite you according your fitness level, abilities and gear.) Hikes are led by experienced leaders/First Aiders.
We can not tell you the hike routes until the morning on a day. All depends on the weather. Safety first!
Hikes may vary from 7 to 14 miles, return at about 4 pm
4-5 pm Cream Tea time http://img2.meetupstatic.com/7721728740974823239/img/smileys/tongue.gif ,have some cookies, cakes with tea, coffee, favourite drinks.
8 pm dinner
Sunday:
8-8:45 am breakfast, making your packed lunch as on Saturday
8:45 -9:30 am tidy up a kitchen and a dinning room, pack your bags and put them in cars, getting ready to go
9:30 am all equipped and ready to go gathering for hikes briefing
10 am leave hostel for shorter hikes for 6-9 miles
2:30 - 3 pm pop in the pub for a hot drink
3:30 - 4 pm leave for London
AAA prides itself for great organisation but this itinerary is subject to change due to weather and other uncontrolled circumstances.
Remember that you should be aware of and accept these risks as you are responsible for your own safety and you should not undertake anything beyond your abilities. It is also your responsibility to be correctly equipped for the weather and activity you have chosen to participate in.
Everyone in the group has to obtain appropriate insurance.
The BMC: https://www.thebmc.co.uk/modules/insurance/Landing.aspx offer excellent policies for all outdoor enthusiasts at competitive rates.
Sponsors
March 15-17 Dark Peaks of PEAK DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK