An evening escape from everyday life can be every bit as rejuvenating as a full weekend away, if you know where to find it. In my case, it was the rugged edges of Kinder Scout on a crisp, clear night, combined with a lightweight pack, a brisk pace, and a touch of old-school gritstone scrambling.
I hopped off the train at Edale Station late on a chilly afternoon, my rucksack feeling reassuringly light. I’d packed only the essentials: bivvy bag, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, a flask of tea, a toothbrush, a warm hat, and a few sandwiches. Under a stable high-pressure forecast, I hoped for a clear sky, though it meant racing the dwindling daylight on my scramble up Crowden Clough.
From the station, I set a lively pace, weaving through Edale village and skirting past the Old Nag’s Head, that famed start of the Pennine Way. Instead of continuing via Jacob’s Ladder, I veered off toward Barber Booth, farmland underfoot, eager to reach my chosen route before night fully fell.
Cresting a small rise, I joined the track that follows the river toward Crowden Clough. With only a trickle of water, the scramble was a delight – rocky steps that demanded hands-on focus, but nothing too daunting. A final steep section near the top offered a few possible lines: a fun chimney, an exposed arête, or the gentler right-hand side. I chose the latter, picking my way up damp rocks and making sure each foot placement was steady.
By the time I topped out at Crowden Tower, the sun’s last golden rays poured across Kinder’s high plateau. I paused, breathing in that sense of achievement and the bracing wind. No midges tonight, at least.
Scanning the edges, I found a slight hollow offering a measure of windbreak. Nearby, two small tents were tucked discreetly away – a reminder that others, too, seek these quiet corners for wild camping. I unrolled my mat, slipped my sleeping bag into the bivvy, and donned my hat. As the temperature dropped beneath the clear sky, my flask of tea proved invaluable, warming me from the inside.
Early in the night, the wind rattled my little bivvy cocoon. But it soon calmed, leaving me with a dazzling canopy of stars. Lying there, jacket as a makeshift pillow, I felt the sense of remote wilderness that Kinder can offer even within arm’s reach of a train station. Slowly, I drifted to sleep under the silent sweep of constellations.
Morning arrived with a bite in the air and a heavy dew on my bivvy bag. Not quite cold enough for frost, but definitely enough to make numb fingers fumble with stuff sacks. Within minutes, I’d packed my mat, sleeping bag, and bivvy, stowed them on top of my rucksack, and set off to get the blood pumping. The plateau’s edge spread out before me, the Dark Peak stretching off into the distance, the Great Ridge visible in the pale winter sun.
Time was tight. My train wouldn’t wait. The Grindsbrook Clough descent demanded care – those steep, slick rocks can be as tricky going down as coming up. Though part of me yearned to snap more photos, the practical side of me pressed on, chasing that train back to reality.
Once I emerged at the bottom of Grindsbrook, the village of Edale lay just ahead. A quick jog along the lane brought me to the station, gear still slightly damp, mud on my fell shoes, and a grin stretching ear to ear. Not even 24 hours since I left my desk, but it felt like I’d squeezed in days’ worth of adventure.
A couple of hours later, I stood at my office desk in a fresh shirt, hair still a tad dishevelled, heart still alight from the night’s escapade. There was something indescribable about that “post-microadventure” buzz – a sense that I’d stolen a piece of the wild before 9 a.m. and brought it into my everyday life.
This was my classic 5-to-9 trip: a fleeting outing, maybe less than a full day, but loaded with the spirit of exploration. Kinder Scout’s edges, gullies, and starlit bivvy spots provide the perfect venue for testing yourself. No annual leave required, no extensive packing list – just a train ticket, a light bag, and the will to walk out under the night sky.
If you’re keen to break free from routine, remember that sometimes all you need is a free evening, a sturdy pair of shoes, and a willingness to embrace the hills in darkness. The next morning, you’ll find yourself back in the “real world,” but with a new reservoir of energy and a memory that reminds you adventure is always closer than you think.