Visit 2 - Brunts Barn (Sat 18th March)

Ranger: Graham Chapman
Weather: Cold, overcast, snow on high ground, sunny spells in the afternoon
Start: Chatsworth House
Finish: Chatsworth

Arrived at the very busy Brunts Barn briefing centre, only 20 minutes late this week. There were two other trainees already there and this was the first time I'd met anyone who was going through the course this year. I was 'assigned' to Graham a bit of a gadget man like myself so got on really well and have now got a few more items to add to my wishlist (JetBoil camping kit for my Birthday anyone?).

This wintery weather really does seem to be lingering, or is it just me? This must be the fourth visit I've been on this year where there's still been some snow on the higher ground. It was one of those days where I was really glad that I wore my gaiters as the the melting snow has completely saturated the ground and everywhere's as muddy as anything. We started and finished the patrol from Chatsworth (www.chatsworth.org) walking via Calton Leas, Big Moor, Robin Hood etc

*Wildlife Watch*

Visit 1 - Marsh Farm

Ranger: Andy McGraw
Shift: Sunday B
Weather: Cold & Sunny, snow and ice on the ground

Marsh Farm briefing centre is situated near Tittesworth Reservoir close to Leek. It covers the South Western region of the National Park including The Roaches and Warslow Moors. Snow overnight made the roads a bit treacherous (more later ...) in Longnor but had virtually gone when dropping down to lower levels at Marsh Farm. So much for the start of spring! However the wintry conditions and blue skies did make for some wonderful views and great photos.

My first official visit involved meeting up with my mentor to collect my log book and discuss the training course before going out and about. We quickly ran through the stuff I should know over tea (but no biscuits, very disappointing!!). We then went off to practice a bit of Winter driving :) over Axe Edge and down to Derbyshire Bridge in the Goyt Valley. Great fun. A word of warning: don't leave any valuables in your car around these remote places as break-ins a pretty common and another car had been broken into over night.

Plenty of people were out enjoying the weather down in the Goyt Valley sledging and even skiing!

*WildlifeWatch*
1 Snipe, 2 buzzards

Training starts here ......

I've just completed my initial 4 pre-visits to briefing centres around the National Park and have now been assigned my mentor for my training 'proper'. This will involve 8 training weekends over six months covering everything from the role of the ranger to navigation and first aid. In addition to this every trainee has to visit at least 10 briefing centres which are spread all across the National Park. My first official trip out will be from Marsh Farm near Tittisworth Reservoir in the Staffordshire Moorlands on Sunday. It's a great spot and is close to the Roaches, a popular Peak District climbing area. Great views and well worth a visit if you enjoy walking. Should get some good pictures if there's still some snow about.

Welcome to the Peak Ranger Blog!

I've recently been accepted on the Peak District National Park's volunteer ranger training course and thought it might be vaguely interesting to share some of my experiences of the process and record some of the places I visit and people I meet!