Fun…in the Sun !!

Another couple of days at home, doing what needed to be done, until the temptation was too great – the snow was still on the ground, there were prospects of a sunny day, so what could I do ? – give in , obviously and head up to the hills to see what was going on…although up early to se the sunrise, I took my time getting ready, and wandered up into the hills mid morning, even so, frightening the ‘local sheep’ !! who eventually found a gap in the world to disappear through ..! I’d got to the base of Williams Clough, my normal ascent route, however today, I’d decided to go and have a ‘mooch’ at Kinder downfall, which I knew to be frozen, although whether it was in great ‘climbing’ shape, I was to find out ? As I meandered up and along the river that flows from the downfall,it was very pleasant, deep powder snow, and dripping water frozen along the banking, and me jumping back and forth, as I tried to keep my feet dry –although the nice sunshine would have dried me out !

Up and up I danced, as I neared the frozen downfall, and impressive from the distance..(even more so from underneath !) even managing a look behind me occasionally, viewing the Alpine looks of home..

I eventually found myself beneath the mighty frozen Kinder Downfall, and looking up at all the icicles ‘flowing’ down… I looked up at the enticing ice sculpture…really  ‘tempted’… good job I’d not brought my axes with me, I’d have ended up in trouble !

I arrived just after some climbers, and happily sat under the overhanging rocks ( so making sure that softening ice crashing down, didn’t land on my head !) and watched whilst they climbed up the ice away from me..and I ate my sandwiches and a nice hot drink .

I followed all the moves up the thin hard ice, all the time wishing I was there, until eventually … success !, whilst on the main fall, some other climbers had started, but soon found the ice to be crashing down all around them, and were beaten back…

great views and excitement all round, although having sat in the afternoon sunshine, listening to the crash and ‘thump’ of ice falling, it was time to go – I’d been there for over two hours ! A last survey of the scene, stamp my frozen feet, and back down the gulley, ready to head back up onto the plateau, to hopefully catch the sunset…

I soon warmed up, and I had to make my own trail up through the deep snow, traversing the hillside, up,up and up to the top, which was a lot harder than I expected ( but did warm me up !) As I broke out onto the plateau, I was greeted with another Alpine sight, and I soon wandered around to the top of the frozen downfall, ready to catch the sunset, from my favoured spot – you can go anywhere in the World, but sunset …(especially in the snow )

from Kinder downfall has always been special to me …( I even slept here once..) What more do you need ?

I kept traversing the plateau, watching the ever changing sky and scenery, with a fierce wind blowing in my face, as the warming sun had disappeared .. and I soon had frozen cheeks ! What great fun I thought as I slipped and slid down the rocks off Kinderlow End, my only slight miscalculation being the Full moon was hidden behind the clouds  and no head torch with me… Ooops ! I did make it down safely though, and clunked my way home for a satisfying bath – what a great day, real ‘fun in the sun’ !!!