An icy day in the Peak District - The 'Duke's Drive' near Burbage Bridge

Winter had definitely arrived, and looked as though it might hang around for a while.  This usually means ice-axe and crampons, and perhaps a look at something steep and icy.  Chris, however, doesn’t do ‘steep’ or ‘icy’,  and although ‘Mist’ has 4X4 traction with fitted ice grips (or claws if you prefer) I didn’t think she would be up for anything serious.  That wasn’t to be a problem, as a bit of snow on the ground transforms the most mundane walk into something interesting.

Carl Wark with Higger Tor beyond

That’s not to say the circuit of Higger Tor and Burbage Rocks is a mundane walk.  The route starts from the National Trust car park near Longshaw Lodge and initially follows the ‘Duke’s Drive’, a way taken by a former Duke of Rutland to reach the grouse moors at Burbage.  From there we were going to head for the intriguing monument of Carl Wark, followed by the summit of Higger Tor, before heading back down the Duke’s Drive.

The Duke’s Drive – well frozen!

One thing was quite clear – the Duke hadn’t gritted the path!  Fresh snow over the preceding weekend had been trampled by a good number of feet – the snowpack had then thawed and re-frozen a couple of times so that the surface of the track was now like an ice rink.  Fortunately we had come prepared.

Grivel Spiders

Kahtoola Mini-spikes

Chris has been using Grivel Spiders for a couple of years now – they are a simple but effective development of the old idea of instep crampons, with ten small points that bite into ice and hard snow.  Our usual method is for Chris to wear her Spiders, and for me to slither about on icy paths because my 12-point mountaineering crampons are in the car.  Today was different – competitors and staff on “The Spine” race had all been given a set of Kahtoola Mini-spikes for the event, and they were about to go into action for the first time.

The 18th Century bridge just below Carl Wark

We stopped for food and a coffee by the 18^th Century stone bridge below Carl Wark before hitting the first slope.  I did the decent thing, and let Chris use the Kahtoolas – the Spiders were a better option than nothing for me, and ‘Mist’ seemed happy to get along with what nature had provided.

The final section to the top of Carl Wark

Higger Tor from Carl Wark

Although it only rises to just above 370 metres, Carl Wark dominates the approach from Burbage Bridge to the south.  Once thought to be an Iron Age fort, it has now been suggested that there may be older links to the Bronze Age or earlier.  The existing natural cliffs and boulders have been reinforced by gritstone blocks, making a wall over two metres high, and although it was probably not permanently occupied, it would have provided a stronghold in time of danger.  The unusual name may be Old Norse, meaning The Old Man’s Fort, the Old Man in this case being the Devil!  Carl Wark must have looked ancient and mysterious even to the Danes.

Chris on the rocks below Higger Tor

Chris and ‘Mist’ at the summit

From Carl Wark it was a short stroll over to Higger Tor – at a mere 434 metres it proved once again that you don’t always have to go high to have a good day out.  The light for photography was disappointing for the second week running, but you can’t have everything.

Climbers at Burbage Rocks

Steep rock climbing problem!

More slithering about on the Duke’s Drive below Burbage Rocks

We carried on to Upper Burbage Bridge before returning down the Duke’s Drive.  Burbage Rocks have their own history, at least as far as rock climbers are concerned – the rocks have been an important climbing area from the earliest days of the sport, and even in the cold conditions we encountered, a couple of groups of climbers were in action.

Carl Wark (left) and Higger Tor, seen from the return route

We slithered on, back down the Duke’s Drive to the car park – although the Grivel Spiders have previously given good service, the Kahtoolas were a total success and I’ve already put in an order for a second set.  The other bit of ‘kit’ I’ve started carrying recently is a Jetboil stove – it’s amazingly fast, and weighs about the same as a flask.  Hot chocolate at the end of the walk never tasted better!

Back at the car park - more kit!

Text and images © Paul Shorrock