Please come and join us for the eight Summer Solstice event in the Pennines.
This year will be the first time the event has taken place outside of the Peak District, be it just a mile or so beyond the boundary. Although listed as being in the Northwest, we are right on the boundary with Yorkshire here so if you stand on the east side of the trigpoint you can be in Yorkshire or the west side for Lancashire....not that either side is better of course!
Standedge is a beautiful ridge of gritstone rocks that offer a clear view towards the sun should it choose to make an appearance. Below it are the Castleshaw Reservoirs and superb views over the region.
The Event
The event takes place at the given co-ordinates* between 9:15pm and 9:45pm, on the evening of the Summer Solstice - Thursday June 20th 2024.
The official solstice occurs at 9:50pm - it occurs when one of Earth's poles is tilted toward the sun at its most extreme angle. The sunset in Manchester is due at 9:41pm on this day. The way the weather has been going this year hasn't seen as much sun as usual - so surely we are due a brighter period - still, I can make no promises for a sunset! Fingers crossed. If we do get one it is beautiful up here.
As with previous years, we will be having a social walk up to the event, 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 exact nature of the walk is still to be planned but it is expected we will walk up from Castleshaw car park on footpaths and moorland and back down following tracks and minor roads.
Once again this year, there is nearer parking for anyone who would like a shorter flatter walk in - so even if you don't fancy the full walk, please join us at the event. There is a fairly easy going path along the edge gently rising about 70 metres from the car park. A parking waypoint is given for anyone who would like to come from there, it is about one mile from the car park to the trigpoint.
* The event coordinates are at for the trigpoint. We will be closeby either basking on the rocks in the summer sun or hiding behind them if the weather doesn't cooperate. 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). I haven't planned the final route and will update once this has been done.
The provisional plan is to meet at the Castleshaw Reservoir car park between 6:45-7pm with a view to getting underway with the walk just after 7pm. That would allow two and a quarter hours for the walk so we don't need to rush. It's a really scenic walk around the Castleshaw Reservoirs, mainly on paths but we will be utilising the open access in one part of the walk. Good boots and appropriate walking gear is suggested.
The aim of the walk is for us to stay as a single group and enjoy chatting. I've allowed plenty of time for a slow pace and would ask those at the front not to rush too far ahead. Of course it's fine to go ahead to find a cache but please let the group catch up and see it before moving onto the next one. It is meant to be a pleasant social walk and it tends to put those at the back under pressure to rush if the pace is too fast.
The return walk takes a shorter route with easier tracks and roads, with the advantage of all being downhill, we hope to be back at the parking by around 11pm. There are no pubs/shops in the immediate area so please ensure you bring food or eat before you come. The total walk is likely to be around five miles.
Attendees enjoy the sunset in 2022 at the Alphin Pike event
So far the weather statistics have been good, we've had 6 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 - feel free to bring food for yourself or to share, 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 flat ridge and there are rocks to take shelter behind if the weather is inclement, 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 20th this year (2024). It often falls on the 21st but it can vary and this year it is the 20th which 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 21:41pm. 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 2023 South Head 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).
The event is at approximately 448m above sea level at the trig point - this is 12 metres lower than South Head last year. You will be looking at just under 200m of height gain on the guided walk which the same as last year but the going will be generally easier. 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 finding caches could involve leaving the paths. Please dress appropriately.