Please come and join us for the seventh Summer Solstice event in the Peak District.
For this year we visit a summit located relatively centrally in the moors so we can enjoy the sunset setting over the hills. We will be having a guided walk up but there is also good accessibility for those who don't/can't join us for the walk. You've probably driven past South Nab on your way over the Woodhead Pass many times but not so many stop and visit.
The Event
The event takes place at the given co-ordinates* between 9:15pm and 9:45pm, on the evening of the Summer Solstice - Wednesday, June 21st 2023.
The sunset will officially occur at 9:42pm - we do have quite a good view over the lower hills, looking down the Longendale valley from here, but it's likely the sun will drop behind the hills a little before this time.
As with previous years, we will be having a social walk up to watch the sunset, the intention is there will be some new caches placed in conjunction with the event for those who join us on the walk. We encourage you to join us for the walk up as it is usually a good laugh. The walk is on open moorland/rough ground/peat and will require good walking boots.
However, due to the proximity of the Woodhead Pass, it will be possible to park in a layby and walk a short distance on a good path up to the trig point if you decide you don't want to join us on the walk or can't get there earliy enough on a work night. It would be great to see others join us up here to hopefully watch the sunset, or else enjoy a pleasant summer evening. I'm sure it won't rain...
South Nab is a scenic hill summit, it looks down the Longendale valley towards Manchester in the general westerly direction, where the sun will be going down. NW is Black Hill and the Holme Moss mast, then to the north you have a great view overlooking Winscar Reservoir, and the two Windleden Reservoirs. To the east there's a good view looking across South Yorkshire, and to the south you have vast moors.
* The event coordinates are at the trig point, the intended location for the event if the weather is good. It could move slightly if there's a gale or rain, into nearby dips or behind the wall as it is important people stay warm. Check the event page for an annoucement if you are in doubt.
The Walk
Traditionally we walk as a group to the event, this is optional and you can make your own way there. The timings for the walk given here are an estimate at the time of event publication - check for annoucements in case of any changes but they are likely to remain the same (the times of the event will not change).
The provisional plan is to meet at the Dunford Bridge car park (recently improved but still free) between 6:45-7pm with a view to getting underway with the walk just after 7pm. I've allowed two and a quarter hours for the walk so we don't need to rush. It's a really scenic walk up along the side of the Windleden reservoirs but we will be utilising the open access. There are rough paths for some of the walk but there is some walking through heather and open moor that is rougher and good boots are required. It's not a great distance to the trig, it's less than two miles from the car park as the crow flies although our route will be between two and three miles up.
The return walk goes over the top of the moor where it may be slightly wet in places in the peat but isn't too bad generally, following rough paths down a clough until it meets a shooting track which takes us down. It is a shorter route which is likely to take around an hour, so we hope to be back at the car park by 10pm. There are no pubs/shops in Dunford Bridge so please ensure you bring food or eat before you come. The total walk shouldn't be any more than five miles.
Attendees enjoy the sunset in 2022 at the Alphin Pike event
So far the weather statistics have been good, we've had 5 great sunsets and one cloudy but warm evening. The weather can't be guaranteed but we can hope once again! People often bring a little picnic to the event, sharing cake has become a tradition so please leave some room! It can be a little chilly when we stop for the event as the heat fades around that time so bring an extra layer!
Please log a will attend as I will make announcements in the days before the event which could include revised walk timings, information about caches and weather updates. These will automatically come through to you providing you have logged a will attend. The event time won't change. The group route will involve moorland walking, some paths, some open moorland. How wet they will be will depend on the weather in the weeks before the event but proper walking boots and clothes are recommended. It is a fairly exposed summit potentially, but we'll know more about what to expect from the weather nearer the time - hopefully still and warm!
Summer Solstice
Summer Solstice occurs on June 21st this year (2023). This is the longest day of the year, in terms of the length of daylight, with the shortest length of darkness at night. Day-length will then decrease as the season progresses after the solstice. On this day the sunrise is 4:39am and the sunset is 21:42pm. That means on this day we will have 9 hours, 33 minutes more daylight than on the day of the December solstice.
Though the summer solstice is an instant in time, the term is also colloquially used like midsummer to refer to the day on which it occurs. The summer solstice occurs on the day that has the longest period of daylight – except in the polar regions, where daylight is continuous, from a few days to six months around the summer solstice. Worldwide, interpretation of the event has varied among cultures, but most have recognition of sign of the fertility, involving holidays, festivals, and rituals around that time.
To give more technical details, the summer solstice occurs when the tilt of a planet's semi-axis, in either the northern or the southern hemisphere, is most inclined toward the star (sun) that it orbits. Earth's maximum axial tilt toward the sun is 23° 26'. This happens twice each year, at which times the sun reaches its highest position in the sky as seen from the north or the south pole.
Group photo at the end of the 2022 Alphin Pike event
And Finally..
It will be light on the way there, and will probably stay largely light coming back, but light will be dropping and it could go dark before we get back. Don't forget a torch and be aware the temperature will drop when the sun has disappeared. Twilight is officially 22:34, we aim to be back before then but be prepared.
The event is at approximately 460m above sea level at the trig point - this is 6 metres lower than Alphin Pike last year. You will be looking at just under 200m of height gain on the guided walk which is 1/3 less than last year on Alphin Pike, but the going is a little rougher here. Although not excessively steep, we are generally climbing all the way to the event so we will try not to go too quickly - however a certain level of hill walking fitness and ability to deal with rough ground is needed. The route back is entirely downhill. Some paths may be uneven and any caches will involve leaving the paths. Please dress appropriately.