Crook Hill – the Severe climber

Walking up Grindsbrook Clough to get onto a windy Kinder Scout.

Thomason Foss near Beck Hole, North Yorkshire.

Climbing the problem Tweedle Dum (VB 4a) at Stanage Far Right.

Me climbing the problem Steps at Stanage Far Right.

With the weather completely changed, I went back to Stanage Far Right. Here I’m climbing Steps (VB 4a).

Trying to climb Gribble Nipple (V1 5b) at Stanage Far Right.

Climbing Fishy (V0 4c) in the Little Quarry at Curbar Edge.

Climbing the fun Pooh Bear (V0 4c) at Froggart Edge.

The gritstone top of one of the two summits of Crook Hill in the Peak District, with the other summit in the distance.

Climbing an unnamed problem on Boulder 9 at Boulder Valley, below the Old Man of Coniston.

Climbing an unnamed problem on the Jacko Boulder at Settle Earth Boulders, in Longsleddale.

Climbing the problem The Black Cross (3) on the Jacko Boulder, at Settle Earth Boulders.

Climbing an unnamed boulder problem on the Bottom Block at the Langdale Boulders.

Lud’s Church. It was used as a secret place of worship by the Lollards in the early 15th Century. The Lollards were followers of John Wycliffe, an early church reformer.

Me climbing Easy Groove (VB) inside The Cellar area of The Roaches.

Trying again (and failing again) to climb the problem Right Whale (V0 4c) on The Whale boulder at Burbage South Valley.

A fantastic view of Stanage Edge from near Green’s House, north of Hathersage.

The other weekend I got reminded that a great walk doesn’t have to be up the highest peak, or to a famous summit that everyone wants to tick off their list. I had a brilliant time walking up a hill that’s just lovely for being in a great location, a bit different, and with an interesting character.

Crook Hill is in the High Peak area of the Peak District. It sits at the bottom of the two arms of the Y-shaped Ladybower Reservoir, where the Woodlands Valley splits off from the Derwent Valley. It’s a commanding location that makes it easy to imagine that Crook Hill was the once the site of a hill fort (although I’m not aware that it ever was). Read more →