Wading up Crowden

Written by Haydn Williams

Paul, G and I took a wander up Crowden Clough in the Peak District on Sunday, in the hope of finding some ice to climb. Alas, all we found was snow. Lots and lots of snow, with Crowden basically banked out and walkable all the way up. Nevertheless, we still managed a bit of  a play about, even if it didn’t involve spiky tools, and had a lot of fun messing about with the mini-cornices which had formed over massive soft drifts. Well, that’s enough waffle; I know you only come here to look at the pictures anyway.

Paul checking out the mixed action in Crowden. Copyright Haydn Williams 2010
Paul checking out the mixed action in Crowden. Copyright Haydn Williams 2010
G bravely forcing a way up most extreme line of snow steps. Copyright Haydn Williams 2010
G bravely forcing a way up most extreme line of snow steps. Copyright Haydn Williams 2010
Squirming around at the top of Crowden. Copyright Haydn Williams 2010
Squirming around at the top of Crowden. Copyright Haydn Williams 2010
Playing "Guess what's solid and what's covering a 5ft hole" in Crowden Clough. Copyright Haydn Williams 2010
Playing "Guess what's solid and what's covering a 5ft hole" in Crowden Clough. Copyright Haydn Williams 2010
Fun with cornices. Copyright Haydn Williams 2010
Fun with cornices. Copyright Haydn Williams 2010
More cornice-bashing. Copyright Haydn Williams 2010
More cornice-bashing. Copyright Haydn Williams 2010
When good cornices go bad. Paul takes a ride as the whole lot collapses. Copyright Haydn Williams 2010
When good cornices go bad. Paul takes a ride as the whole lot collapses. Copyright Haydn Williams 2010
Avalanche debris? In the Peak? The aftermath of Paul's ride. Copyright Haydn Williams 2010
Avalanche debris? In the Peak? The aftermath of Paul's ride. Copyright Haydn Williams 2010
Ploughing our way out down Grindsbrook Clough. Copyright Haydn Williams 2010
Ploughing our way out down Grindsbrook Clough. Copyright Haydn Williams 2010