Please come and join us for the fifth Summer Solstice event in the Peak District.
This year the event is on Combs Edge near Chapel-en-le-Frith, which provides great views up the valley towards Whaley Bridge and beyond (not to be confused with Coombes Edge from a couple of years ago which is somewhere completely different!).
The Event
The event takes place at the given co-ordinates between 9:00pm and 9:30pm, on the evening of the Summer Solstice - Friday, June 21st 2019.
The sunset will officially occur at 9:41pm - due to the land layout here it may have disappeared slightly earlier behind another hill. So we might be there slightly after 9:30pm, we will depart shortly after the sun has set (assuming it is visible!).
As with previous years, I hope you will choose to join us for a social walk from Combs, as outlined below. However, this is not mandatory and isn't part of the event - there are various other locations you can walk in from. The event can be approached from laybys on Long Hill, or from Buxton, Dove Holes or Chapel-en-le-Frith station - all will include a moorland walk to GZ.
The location has been chosen as there is a clear view up the valley to the North-west which should give us a good view of the sun going down, but also because it showcases some great views from the Peak District regardless of the weather. It is easily accessible from the Manchester region as it is only a short distance from the end of the A6, and equally you can get across from Yorkshire and other locations.
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 - an announcement will be made confirming exact timings nearer the day (the times of the event will not change).
The provisional plan is to meet in the centre of the village of Combs (outside the pub, see waypoints) between 6 - 6:15pm. You should be able to have an informal pint (food service only starts at 6pm), this is not part of the event nor have I checked with the pub. We will be leaving at 6:15pm for a two and three quarter hour walk to the event coordinates. The route will be circular and the walk back down will be around an hour or so, arriving back in the village soon after 10:30pm as the light fades. In the weeks before the event I will go to check the possible routes and some caches may be placed. Announcements in the days before the event will confirm the walk timings and other details.
The sunset last year at the South Head event
So far the weather statistics have been good, we've had 3 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!
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 route isn't too taxing, it's only a climb of about 160 metres and then a flat ridge walk with good views all the way to the event. The event times will not change for those anyone making their own plans.
Summer Solstice
Summer Solstice occurs on June 21st this year (2019). 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 4:49am and the sunset is 21:41pm giving a day length of 17 hours, 01 minute and 50 seconds (a whole second longer than last year - enjoy it!). This is compared to only 7 hours 28 minutes and 28 seconds on the shortest day in December later this year.
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.
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 may drop when the sun has disappeared. Twilight is officially 22:34, we aim to be back by then but be prepared.
The event is at approximately 425m above sea level at the highest point. There is around 160m of height gain on the guided walk, generally on tracks, paths, and probably some minor roads. A good portion of the walk is flat along the ridge, but paths may be uneven and any caches will involve leaving the paths. Mud is unlikely at this time of year but not impossible and it is exposed up here... Please dress appropriately.