I set off on one such morning for a run around the Burbage and Stanage area. Getting out of the car the air is cold and damp without a breath of wind. Moisture hangs heavy on the branches of the trees, half stripped of their foliage now as November approaches.
Misty Autumn morning
Visibility is only a few hundred metres but I set off on the familiar path heading south down the Burbage Valley. I must have run in this valley hundreds of times yet I never tire of it, there is always something that catches my eye as the seasons change and the weather, flora and fauna likewise.
Running down the Burbage Valley
I make my way down to emerge at the road and cross over, through the trees down to the little footbridge over Burbage Brook. The run seems to have awoken my senses and I notice the smell of damp leaves and hear birdsong, clear in the still morning air. Up the other side and across the road again I now head up to Winyard’s Nick hoping for signs that the fog is lifting as I reach higher ground but the blanket of moist air remains. A heavy dew covers the grass, bracken and rush as I take the familiar route towards Mitchell Field, dropping down through the fields in order to climb again up Callow Bank. I pass a couple of isolated trees which emerge out of the gloom as I approach.
Trees above Mitchell Field
I run hard up Callow Bank and as I stop to catch my breath at the top there is a very faint hint that the conditions are brightening. The change in light is barely discernible and at first I think I am imagining it – light headed from my exertion, but it’s real, there is the merest hint of sun in the sky.
The first hints of brightness
Ater crossing the road and taking the path up towards Stanage I stop. The conditions are changing rapidly, visibility is improving and distant features are emerging from the mist. The rocks ahead of me are crisp and clear whilst behind me the fog is fragmenting to reveal some features whilst still cloaking others.
In less than 2 minutes the scene has changed dramatically.
Rapidly improving visibility
Fog dispersing
I head up onto Stanage and run north-west along the edge for a while, enjoying the clearer air and the views to the east whilst the Hope Valley is still under its canopy of fog below me to the west.
I would love to run all day but my schedule doesn’t allow and I need to head back. My planned route would drop me down back into the damp blanket of fog so I decide to retrace my steps along the top of the crags in order to remain in the weak autumn sunlight which is now breaking through.
Running along Stanage Edge
Running along Stanage Edge
Dropping down past the Cowper Stone I pass through some remnants of fog again before emerging into clearer air at Burbage Bridge. The valley below me was in thick cloud an hour ago, now tendrils of mist cling to the flanks of Higger Tor but the sky above is clearing and weak sunshine is reflecting off the puddles and dew on the clumps of rushes.
What started as a cold, damp morning has changed and given the promise of a beautiful autumn day and I am glad that I got out early to see the grey skies turn to blue.
Remnants of mist on Higger Tor
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