2023 : The Year of the Ethels
Ever heard of Slitherstone Hill, Snailsden Pike or Sough Top – no ? Me either until a family New Years Day walk around Eyam up to the Trig Point at Sir William Hill and a discussion around New Years resolutions led to a fresh air inspired declaration from me that I might just try and bag all the 95 Peak District Ethels this year.
1 down – only 94 to go 😊
What is an “Ethel” ?
The Ethels for those not yet in the know are the Peak District equivalent of Munros and Wainwrights, 95 hilltops which are either over 400 m in height (with Kinder Scout being the biggest) or a significant lower prominent hill (Thorpe Cloud and Bolehill – Cromford for example). They include 6 county tops and span the entire Peak District, from West Nab in the north to Musden Low (Ilam) in the South. Unlike their Scottish and Lake District counterparts, a small number lie on private land – so to complete them all a strong belief in the right to roam is fundamental (although there is a perfectly acceptable ‘ as close as possible without trespassing’ option). They are named after Ethel Haythornthwaite from Sheffield, a leading pioneer in the creation of the National Parks & Access to the Countryside Act which led to the formation of the Peak District National Park
A slow start…
So having taken on this resolution on January 1st, I spent most of January and February waiting for better weather, acquainting myself with the invaluable Ethel Ready app and route planning as if I was going to visit them all I was hopeful of some good weather and also needed some long days for the bigger loops.
Lets Add 95 Trigs into the Mix
March arrived – and Chicken Run fell race seemed as good a way as any to really get started, so having bagged Lantern Pike the mission was on. Any free days or free time were dedicated to walking or running up Ethels – well until I got to Cown Edge (not the best one) where I met a seasoned fell runner – one of those who wear Walsh’s and look like they spend their whole life effortlessly gliding up and down fells – who told me that my challenge was on the easy side for a runner and that I would enjoy it more if I did Trigs as well ? At that point 95 Trigs got thrown into the mix as well.
Highs… and lows
Lots of hi-lights followed – the Harriers Outside Hope Valley round, some big days out in the Dark Peak bogs with Becky (Spine Sprint training), melting on Axe Edge with Rachel on the hottest day ever ( but worth it for the 3 Shires swim), an ever strengthening belief in the right to roam (Durham Edge) and persuading Rhiannon and Ash (and Rocky) that fording an in spate Crowden Great Brook was a great idea on the way down from the top of Manchester (Black Chew Head).
There were some less good moments – carrying Rocky (who has joined me on over 70 summits) for a kilometre offpath through the waist high heather to the summit of Harland Edge (Beeley Moor) was not fun, and realising it was easier to climb up the Trinnacles than it was to get down was a bit of a crisis moment (but I did it !! ) on an Ashway Moss/Alphin Pike loop. I also questioned my choices when I added an extra mile and an extra climb onto the 20 mile Hathersage Hurtle just to bag Shatton Moor
Local Focus
The Trigs have added to the challenge – but in a good way, giving some local focus – finding a Trig in a front garden in Mackworth, the hidden away Chevin Hill Trig and still needing to dodge the Drum Hill security guard to claim Little Eaton’s local stone pillar
Current totals are 92 Ethels and 77 Trigs – a Ladybower loop (Back Tor and Lost Lad) and Sponds Hill will see the Ethels done, hugely improved nav skills (not yet up there with Alan’s who seemed to lead me and Wendy to the true top of Kinder with mystical abilities), lessons learned that the Trig is not always the summit (Snailsden Pike End – Thanks Andy P for the tip off) and a sense of privilege that I have spent so much time in and seen so many new parts of the beautiful Peak District and a massive personal sense of achievement!
I just need to plan a few more Trig routes if anyone is up for a social – I can’t do Curbar Commotion but I’ve got a great Flask & White Edges route planned ?
– Nicky Owen 92/77 & Counting