Todays walk in detail

20 members joined me on Sunday for the walk from Crowden. We started gently uphill towards the imposing crag of Laddow Rocks that we were aiming for.  Avery stiff climb up, in places on a near vertical narrow rocky path, which took us from the starting height of 222 metres to 504 metres. Here we stopped for a drink and a snack. The views across the Longdendale Valley and on towards Bleaklow Head were quite stunning. After a well earned break we left Laddow Rocks to cross the moors. (4 members officially left the group at this point to bag an "Ethel" before rejoining us). Passing a tripoint and following Hollins clough we reached Lads Leap for lunch. It was as we began our onward journey that the heavens opened and we were pounded by torrential rain and distant thunder. By the time we had descended down through the Quarry to Torside Reservoir and feeling a bit like drowned rats we took the slightly shorter route along the disused railway line and Tinsel School Woods back to the car park. We had mostly dried out at this point so many stopped at Wortley Working Mens Club for a well earned drink. Thank you everyone who came on this walk and actually said they had  enjoyed it (despite the hard ascent and near drowning) because of the great views, the yomp across the moors and the variety of the terrain. Thankyou for your kind comments and for your company.