Hardly surprising given the forecast, just nine souls braved what looked like a proper miserable day (for which read classic Bogtrot conditions), the plan being a circular of the Pennine Way alternatives across the Peak District’s ‘Sgurr Dubh’. What we had was a bit different, as the threatened rain held off until we’d reached the summit area, halfway round. An early start (9.40) paid dividends and we made good fast progress up to and over Laddow Rocks. Too fast, really; such is the urge to get miles behind us that once the party had posed for pictures on a rock immediately above Laddow Cave, everyone then suddenly dashed on ahead, ignoring – um, the Cave itself, 25m below, the planned coffee stop and one of the few interesting features of the walk.

Now we’ll have to do it all over again.

A short break was taken just before the many wet crossings of Crowden Great Brook, after which it was easy stuff on flags, most of these submerged, to the summit trig point. The bright waterproofs had come out, and John Buckle was seen modelling the latest in luminous orange kit, complete with dangly designer label. I think it was a reward to himself for completing the Munros a few weeks earlier.

Lunch on a Bogtrot of course means cake, and the bakers among us rose admirably to the occasion with supplies of tiffin and muffin, a great boost as the weather closed in and (maybe) spirits began to flag. With a quick compass bearing, we easily found the onward path (if ‘path’ is the right word). It then rained steadily all the way down over Tooleyshaw Moss and White Low, all quite featureless terrain, before eventually dropping to Crowden Little Brook and the car park at the unprecedented early hour of 2.30. Job done, and anyone pondering what to do for the rest of the afternoon was directed to the Bulls Head in Tintwistle (same as last year).

Present were: Tim Gould, Martin Astley, Jon Clarke, Richard Barker, Phil Moore, Nev Croston, Malcolm Barr, John Buckle and me.

Simon Jefferies