I was surprised discover (while browsing Wikipedia!) that I had only climbed two of the five Marilyns (hills with at least 150m prominence) in the Peak District area. To remedy this, I headed to the south-western corner of the National Park for a walk over Gun and The Cloud, starting near Rudyard Reservoir. Now it just remains to visit the highest point of Kinder Scout!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/VfogwAsNkkSCWCSb9

My parents visited me for the weekend. On the Saturday, we did a morning walk in the Derwent Valley near Crich, then headed to Carsington Water to meet up with my uncle and his family. On the Sunday, we did a longer walk from Taddington, through Monsal Dale and Chee Dale.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/VLYBFRAMUfJv2rrN6

After the previous day’s trek to the furthest reaches of the Peak District, I fancied something closer to home. A sunny walk from Wirksworth, taking in both sides of the Derwent Valley as far north as Matlock, fitted the bill nicely!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/6RvEGrmSXmxvbbDV6

After a few weeks of dry weather, I decided it would be a good time to explore some of the peat bogs in the far north of the Peak District! My circuit from Crowden took in Black Hill (which I last visited on my Duke of Edinburgh Gold practice expedition seven years ago!), West Nab and the hills around Dovestone Reservoir.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ms2mLgY49dKWtTFH6

I returned to the Peak District for an increasingly-sunny walk starting in Beeley. My route passed through the Chatsworth estate and along both sides of the Derwent valley as far north as Grindleford, including one of my favourite areas: Froggatt and Curbar Edges.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/wURXs7mSDrQF2KuT7

My parents and Ruth visited for the weekend. We enjoyed warm weather and excellent visibility for two walks in the Peak District: in Dovedale on Saturday and to Derwent Edge on Sunday.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/PgaFV3TMegcvT3q4A

I made an early start to explore some of the the moorlands SW of Buxton, enjoying a clear, crisp, sunny morning with a dusting of snow! The route passed through Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire, with notable landmarks including Axe Edge, Oliver Hill, Three Shire Heads (where the three county boundaries meet) and Birchenough Hill. I had planned to continue to Shutlingsloe, the ‘Matterhorn of Cheshire’, but unfortunately had to cut the walk short to head into work to look at some engine test data, hot off the test-bed!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ETM11WJ8F6cLFjLg8

I headed to the Cheshire corner of the Peak District for a relatively easy walk to start breaking in my new boots. My route took in Wincle Minn, Sutton Common, and the Dane Valley.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/X4XJWUPzPjKTQ9yg7

I made an early start for a brisk round of the Edale skyline, starting in Hope, with the aim of finishing before the forecast afternoon rain. Surprisingly, this was only my second local walk of the year so far! The rain never actually materialised, but at least the early start gave me time for some gear shopping in Hathersage!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/sKEy5bRx9eBTjdg28

My first local walk of 2009 was in one of the nearest parts of the White Peak, starting in Brassington. I took in a few minor summits including Rainster Rocks, Roystone Rocks and Aleck Low, as well as parts of the High Peak and Tissington cycle trails. Unfortunately, the cloud was lower than forecast (i.e. I was in it all day despite staying below 400m!) so I didn’t get any views.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/RRbAGCspC8QAMBGn7

Enjoying the continuing good weather, I took a Sunday walk on the eastern edge of the Peak District. From Robin Hood, I headed north along White Edge to Totley Moor, and returned via Froggatt and Curbar Edges. The walk also passed by Nelson’s and Wellington’s Monuments.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/f73CkJvCh8Mi2vAd6

Ruth visited me for the Edale trip weekend. On the Saturday, we walked in the White Peak, starting at Ashford-in-the-Water. We passed through several of the most exciting nearby dales, including Deep Dale, Monk’s Dale and Monsal Dale.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/HosKRkNtZtpg33gD6

I spent a day exploring another area of the White Peak that I had not visited before: the upper reaches of the Manifold and Dove valleys, south of Buxton. The highlights of my route from Longnor were the three steep peaks of High Wheeldon, Parkhouse Hill and Chrome Hill.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/7ZXRfd6iVEaJyT886

I headed up to the Hope valley for a fairly long walk on the hills around Castleton. The highlights were Cave Dale, Win Hill, and the flowering heather on the moors.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/snxke1Lvrdpf4S5y5

I went for a local morning walk with my parents, starting in Bonsall. Our route took in Matlock, the Derwent valley, and Wensley.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/WQWB2mpgjSMpUNg6A