A 2-day linear trek to the Black Hill massif with a long eastern approach via the Don valley and Winscar reservoir.

The outward line follows the westernmost section of the Upper Don Trail (UDT), coincident here with the Transpennine Trail, to Winscar reservoir and ascends to follow Snailsden Edge to the group of deeply incised ravines around Ramsden Clough. The ascent to Black Hill from the Holme Moss mast is via Heyden Head. This approach is new territory for us, one of the very few pockets of the Dark Peak unexplored in our many years of walking here.

The return initially follows the Pennine Way towards Laddow Rocks and diverges to Black Chew Head. This time we continued on another new line to its sister top Featherbed Moss, sporting a trig point just 1m lower, and descended another new route via Millstone Rocks to Tintwistle Knarr and its impressive rock faces, finally joining the Longdendale Trail to Hadfield.

On one of the strangest weather forecasts we’ve seen for ages, containing a varying mix of dense mist down to valley level and warm sunshine depending on location and timing, the Peak District gave the most favourable odds overall. The conditions were quite good: sunny periods, a lot of cloud but no clag and very humid.

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A 2-day traverse of the Stainton fells in the far south-west of the Lake District.

The outward line climbs Black Combe by the usual well worn path from the south-west, continues to Whitecombe Head and crosses Black Dub to ascend to the first of the Stainton summits and Whitfell.

The return line is firstly through the remaining summits to Woodend Height and down to Devoke Water, then crosses a saddle in the hills to Brantrake Crags and descends to the Esk valley. The Esk trail is followed to Muncaster Tarn for an easy return and final descent to Ravenglass.

The weather forecast suggested the north-west as the best bet for a couple of days of fine hiking in the mediocre general weather stream, an opportunity for a short visit to one of the very few parts of the Lake District we still felt any inclination to backpack. The views turned out to be thick and hazy but this was a highly enjoyable trek.

Silecroft and Ravenglass are obvious choices for a short linear trip by public transport and a few variations of this route have been on our books for years. Apart from the initial ascent to Black Combe and, in this variation, the Esk Trail finish, the route was deserted and is excellent backpacking for those prepared for some wild terrain combined with excellent pitching ground.

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