Our return from the extended Mediterranean heatwave coincided with quite a change back in Blighty. A “Siberian High” weather pattern dominated by a huge area of high pressure centred over Scandinavia,  with its outer perimeter affecting the UK, bringing a week of blue skies and sub-zero temperatures. A great opportunity for enjoying some wintery fun in the magic of the Peak District.

Beguiling unbroken sunshine and Jake’s enthusiasm had us packing mats, flasks and beannies and setting out for Stanage before I’d fully researched the forecast. The car thermometer showed 0C as we pulled up in the High Neb parking, calibrated as we crunched through iced-up puddles.

We had a vague plan to check out the Blue Circuit which would allow Dad to get off the ground while also taking in some adjacent territory that might entertain Jake.

Immaculate dry rock and great friction made up for frozen fingers and the occasional highball horror-show and, as is the pattern on my occasional bouldering forays, I surprised myself by quite enjoying it!

Also pleased to be around for spotting-duty (not that he needed it!) as Jake did a couple of the classic Plantation Highballs: DIY, F6b, and Daydreamer, E2 6b. As Jake said of the latter: “mad that this was done in 1960!”

The last of the light illuminated the hoar frost in the bracken and prompted a dash for the warmth of the car. I was happy to head home to a roaring fire, but not before dropping Jake at Burbage for a lamp-lit second session with Ollie – now that’s keen!

Snow followed soon after, and for a couple of days it was too cold to boulder but too soon for anything more wintery – ideal conditions for a gentle resumption of my running career. Spectacular cloud formation over Manchester seen from the Coombe above Charlesworth:

… and a couple of days later a magnificent snowscape from Mill Hill on my favourite loop over Kinder and down Sandy Hayes.

Defrosting that evening, my ruminations on how to make the most of the forecasted “Splitter Day” of -5C (feels like -11C) were disturbed by a WhatsApp notification:

… Sounds like a plan – time to crack open the box with the pointy toys!

Dovies, a.k.a. Dovestones Quarry is a largely neglected and infamously loose, tottering quarry in the Chew Valley. It’s lack of popularity and northerly aspect combine to offer frozen turf and icy cracks, making it an unlikely, if esoteric, winter playground, only a few miles from Manchester. A Lu Te was Andy’s chosen objective (I defer to his far greater experience in these matters) a one-star Severe in summer transformed into a VI, 5 mixed winter route (at least according to Over the Moors). A good dusting of powder and occasional solid turf placement made the feat respectable, though it’s debatable whether crampons were a help or hindrance. No doubt about it being wintery though, and a great lead by Andy!

With one more bluebird day before the big thaw, Helen and I were keen to get up high, and where better than a visit to Bleaklow Head.

We weren’t alone with that idea, but once the few other teams had taken the turn for the aircraft wreck (which seems to be the main objective nowadays!) we had the Pennine Way pretty much to ourselves.

In an encouraging sign for biodiversity there seemed as many sets of hare prints as boot marks.

Amazing to have this Arctic wilderness only a few miles from The Snake (the main road connecting Sheffield and Manchester)

On days like these, The Peak really does offer a Winter Wonderland!