ART OF LISTENING HAS BEEN LOST

My First Walk in the Peak District

A Visit to Higger Tor

Location: Higger Tor, Peak District
Date Walked: 15th February 2017
Starting Point: Longshaw Estate
Distance: approx. 4 miles

Introduction

This post will be a series called, 'The Art of Listening has been Lost'. It is about my walking experiences in the Peak District, providing routes, information, videos and photos.

In today's sound bites and selfish behaviour, everyone is busy staring into their mobile phones, computers and social media. The art of listening has been lost! Nobody has time or wants time to spiritually reflect. On several levels walking for me is very important. It isn't just to take photos of the landscape or for my physical well being but is also good mentally and for the soul. Without being too pretentious, if you do decide to walk in the Peak District, I strongly recommend to stop, sit and relax and focus on sounds of the landscape. Expunge the negativity of modern society and mainstream media — be one with nature!

My First Walk in the Peak District

I have lived in Sheffield most of my life and always wanted to walk in the Peak District instead of just driving through it. There were two instances in my life that prompted me to start walking in the Peak District. Coinciding with my dad dying in February 2014 and noticing I wasn't fit as I should be. I decided to invest in some walking boots and a Garmin Oregon 700, just to be sure I did not get lost, and off I went on my first adventure. My first walking route was Higger Tor and Carl Wark.

Walking Route

I decided to plot a route from the Longshaw Estate car park and walk up to Higger Tor. Arriving at the car park in the early hours I was happy to see loads of spaces available. I got my free National Trust car ticket and started walking across a little bridge on the estate. Although I was a little nervous everything was going to plan by following my plotted route from Garmin's clunky Basecamp app.

The route took me across B6521 road and through a gate. I then proceeded along Longshaw's wood. This quickly led me to the main path, heading towards Burbage South Edge. The path is very good and you keep on this all the way up to Upper Burbage. As you walk up this path you can see Higger Tor and Carl Wark on your left and Burbage rocks to your right.

Along this path I saw a seat so I decided to have a rest and contemplate about various things. I started to tune into the sights and sounds of this wonderful landscape and I suddenly remembered a project I did on my art foundation course, many years ago. The project was about drawing objects with each of the senses and it made the point that artists over rely on one sense, sight. From this I really concentrated and focused my attention on the sound of nature and I really do believe this helped me through arduous times in my life. I also started to think about reinvigorating my own artwork and start a task of recording videos and sound.

Points of Interest

Iron Age hill fort (Carl Wark)
Fiddler's Elbow
Kit-Kak stones

Quote

I will leave you with a quote from Ludwig van Beethoven. You can imagine that he would have loved Higger Tor and the surrounding landscape of the river and rocks.