Fri 21st May - Day 35, Hayfield to Wessenden Reservoir (18 miles)

It had been a cold night but the sun was shining as I left early at 07:15 with eager anticipation, wild and remote places are my favourite areas.

Passing Kinder Reservoir I took the path up William Clough to meet up with the Pennine Way on the top of the moor, I met fell runner, Mel, out for an early morning run with his dog.

Once on top I was met with a cold NE wind, due to erosion the path was now a line of stone slabs all the way to the road crossing at Snake Pass, no getting lost here.

I saw red grouse and mountain hares.

Crossing the A57 you could really see the effects of erosion as the paths were cut so deep into the peat that you couldn't see anything or where you were going, but the higher you go the easier it gets.

From the high point at Bleaklow Head it was down to the dam at Torside Reservoir then on the track on the other side towards Crowden.

Just before Crowden the path took to the hills again walking below the crags of Black Tor and Rakes Rocks then above Laddow Rocks before following Crowden Great Brook up onto Black Hill. On top the bleakness really hits you, it is such a contrast to the previous 550 miles, the sudden change in scenery is almost intimidating.

The erosion here is very evident, with the OS trig pillar left standing a metre or so above the present ground level and stone slabs laid along the route.

I had arranged to meet up with my brother Mick tomorrow so I was looking for somewhere convenient to pitch the tent tonight and after coming down the hill I found a good spot at Wessenden Head, it was 17:15.

Todays 18 miles have been some of the more challenging, I met 4 people today, Mel and 3 folk who were producing a report for path maintenance but no other walkers.

577 miles completed.