Ten intrepid and brave members met at Clough House car park with the sole intention of scaling the north face of the Matterhorn (the Cheshire version). With enough provisions packed for elevens’s and lunch we set of with the aim of making base camp one at Chapel House by mid morning. With the warm sun on our backs, spirits were high and we indeed made elevens’s in good time. Afterwards, we continued to make good time, enjoying some respite from the relentless sun as we traversed our way through Macclesfield forest. But then – disaster! On our route round Ridgegate reservoir we all saw what could only be described as a dog attempting to swim the entire length of the reservoir – because, well, that’s what is was. We all stood rooted to the spot wondering if Fido (or was it Rover?) would make it. Well, he did, but only after the most circuitous route you could imagine – good job he wasn’t leading this expedition! Anyway, much time had been lost and we hadn’t even had lunch. So, onwards and upwards we went stopping half way up Nessit Hill for lunch before leaving base camp two for the final push to the summit. We donned our crampons – and then took them off when we realized there was no snow or ice to contend with – and headed up to the summit. It was a long hard slog but we made it. The views were out of this world – if you looked up, and of the Cheshire plains if you looked horizontally, and of your boots if you looked down! But we couldn’t stay up there for too long – there was beer and crisps to be had in the Crag Inn below to celebrate our achievement. So off we trundled with smiles on our sun-burned faces and a sense of immense satisfaction in our hearts.
Pete & Helen
Stockport Walking & Outdoor Group 