Walk & Climb the Edges Meet – 22 September Gil Male.

Let’s start at the beginning. Simon Pape, Chris Wilson, Roger and Tom Larkam, Mike, Helen and Tom Hayes and Gil Male (meet leader) were surprisingly on the starting blocks at High Neb at 8.45. Correct me if I’m wrong but this must be a first. We toddled off from High Neb at the allotted time.

Start	High Neb car park	08.45
2 miles	Stanage (popular end)	09.30
3.5 miles	Burbage North	10.40
4.5 miles	Burbage South	11.30
6.5 miles	GROUSE INN	13.00
7.5 miles	Froggatt Edge	14.45
8.5 miles	Curbar Edge	16.00
10 miles	Gardoms Edge	17.30
11 miles	Birchens Edge	18.30
12 miles	ROBIN HOOD INN	19.00

The weather was good but with a little damp in the air. Ideal conditions for a fast route march across the top of Stanage. The fast pace was accompanied by much wittering and chunnering  but as always many world problems were solved in breathless talk without fear of contradiction. What a truly educated, adventurous and energetic bunch of potential world leaders.

So enthusiasm to the fore. Amibition, enthusiasm and sheep-like behaviour carried us forwards. Then there were more. At Stanage popular end Spenser Gray and Emily Ross joined in. Now we have a group of 10. Two miles and one climb done so onward to the Burbage Edges.

Unfortunately, there was a burger van at the top of Burbage North. At this moment discipline and timetable got dumped by the Oread al fresco dining club in favour of coffee and hot snacks. But no worries once the stomachs were filled the group was back to a cracking pace. We even picked up Mike Moss and his dog at Burbage South and Stuart Firth at Longshaw Lodge. That now made the group 12 in number plus one dog.

The pub was now in sight. Four and a half miles from Stanage and two climbs later we arrived at the Grouse Inn where we met up with Chris Radcliffe, Dave (Snod) Helliwell, Ruth Gordon, and Maurice and Martin Musson. This made the group 17 strong. It needs to be pointed out that this also swelled the numbers and girths of the Oread dining club who embraced the idea of tighter fitting harness by gorging themselves on Grouse bar snacks. Yes, this meet has everything.

Well, all good things come to an end but on the good side, only 4 more crags to go before the Robin Hood where more beer and bar snacks are served. So, onwards to Froggatt Edge and beyond.

Hey up! Who is this? Andrea Doyle and Jan Wilson appeared at Sunset Slab. The group is now 19 strong. So the group showed its mettle again with climbs on Froggatt and Curbar and another three and a half miles to Gardoms Edge. This is certainly a team to be reckoned with. Walking, climbing, eating and world problems solved without a single challenge to leadership. That’s how to do it Theresa!

So what of Gardoms Edge? Well, by the time we got there Ruth remembered that she had strategically left her car at the Robin Hood. Intelligent thinking, she could run Snod back to the Grouse at the end of the walk. Unfortunately, she remembered also that she had safely left her car keys in Snod’s car at the Grouse Inn, dumb eh. This has got to be a contender for the club dinner bent screw award!

Also, a major event of the day was Snod topping out on Apple Arete (a Dave Penlington first ascent) before the sun disappeared over the horizon. This however wasn’t the achievement. It was finishing climbing with Snod before disappearing into total pitch black darkness.

Well we made it to the Robin Hood happy and satisfied. That’s the story. A group of 19. The Walk and Climb the Edges Meet completed and many world problems solved. Next year come along. All you need to do is motivate yourself, turn up, do stuff and be sociable, irritating, boring or all three at the same time. We managed it. So can you!

I think that the aims of the meet were addressed and hope that those who attended agree. We climbed, walked, and met friends on a club meet and enjoyed a good day out. Definitely a meet to drag you from your armchairs!

Finally, thanks to all who attended and made the meet a success and good fun. Also, to Chris Wilson and Chris Radcliffe for the photos that add life to this report.