The Dark Peak 15 Trigs                                                    UK Ultras

Part of Dark Peak folklore for nigh on a quarter of a century, and with access restrictions lifted, this little gem has finally emerged from the swirling mists of time ready to tease and torment a new generation of fell runners!  At some 55 miles with 8,500 feet of ascent it is a round linking 15 trig points on the Harvey Dark Peak Map.  It was conceived by Andy Harmer of Dark Peak Fell Runners and first completed by the trio of Peter Jones, Bob Segrove and Alan Yates in 1985 as a prequel to the club's tenth birthday celebrations.  There is a time limit of 15 hours thus allowing one hour per trig. Use of the road between Emlin Moor and Back Tor is strictly forbidden, otherwise, it is intended to be an informal outing without road or fell support although pubs and shops may be used.  So as not to incommode their brethren on the other side of the Pennines (as DPFR have put it!) it can be started from the Royal Hotel in Hayfield (GR 037 870) as well as The Sportsman at Lodge Moor.  It may be completed in either direction.

Those not sated by its subtle charms can combine it with a further 11 trig points from the southern, White Peak, section of the map to create a round of 26 trigs: a worthy 24-hour challenge.  The only known completion so far is by Pete Simpson in 1991 (see below).

Route

Schedule

Click on the icon to view/print a (pdf) 15 hour schedule that includes summit names, grid references and heights.  Use in conjunction with the Harvey Dark Peak Map or OS Explorer map OL 1 - The Peak District: Dark Peak area.

Completions

There is no formal register but Alan Yates would be interested to hear of any completions.

Email: ayay@talktalk.net

The current 15 trigs record is 9-58 by Simon Bourne, CVFR (2009) which replaced Andy Harmer's long-standing time of 10-04, DPFR (1987).

The current 26 (27!?) trigs record is 23-49 by Pete Simpson (1991).

Links and Further Information

□   The 26/27 Trigs  - schedule and report of Pete Simpson's winter round in 1991

□   Simon Bourne's 15 Trigs Record (2009) - Simon's account and schedule

□   Ten Years of DPFR (1976-1986) - a rare and ancient manuscript recording early pilgrimages round the 15 trigs.

□   Over the hill... and far away - a treble at 60! ,Tony Wimbush (The Fellrunner, Autumn 2010) - an article which includes a brief account of a solo run on the Dark Peak 15 Trigs.

□   2011 Report and Map Plot - Attempt starting from Glossop by Tim Budd and Dan Calverley (Glossopdale Harriers)

□   27 Trigs - grid references/OS names  - Rob Woodall's list

Win hill trig point (Steven Ruffles)

© Copyright Steven Ruffles and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.