SKINS \'6 in the Peaks\'
The Only Way was Up: Skins Six in the Peak, Round 2.
Press Release / 27.03.2008
The second round of the SKINS ‘6 in the peak’ adventure series was held in the North-East Peaks over the weekend, with the start/finish at Grindleford. Torrential overnight rain put paid to the planned river crossing ‘special section’ and the decision was made to reduce the time from the usual 6 to 5. The fast flowing water also ensured that the planned CP’s in the local ‘culverts’ had to be removed, which was a perhaps a blessing considering the freezing temperatures and the wind chill giving a feeling of temperatures of well below zero.
There was, however, still room for a lengthy orienteering section, with 12 out of a total 30 controls available to be found on the 1:10000 scale map on Longshaw estate, a regular home to orienteering events.
Grindleford nestles nicely between the White Peak and the famous Derbyshire Dales and the big hills of the Dark Peak. One thing was for certain was that which ever route you took the only way to leave Grindleford was up!
The route choice on the bike was particularly challenging, with the big points spread far and wide and the vast range in speeds achievable on the varying sections making it very difficult to predict how long any particular section would take. There was the added carrot of the hill climb challenge to the west, but a closer grouping of controls to the east. Whichever route was chosen, one thing remained the same – you had an awfully long climb to get to the top! From the start/finish at 128m the most popular choices were to head up the steep hill challenge from 1-2, situated at the top of Sir William Hill at 429m or to brave the long drag up to 7 at 424m.See All Event Posts
