Bleaklow & The B-29 Superfortress, Glossop [18/09/2021]

Bleaklow Summit via B-29 “Over Exposed” Superfortress Crash Site & Lower Shelf Stones

The first walking club in a very long time saw us tackle a 9 mile round-trip to the summit of Bleaklow via the Superfortress crash site.

Setting off from an industrial site on the edge of Glossop, we made our way up to the paved footpath near Snake Road (A57) & over the boggy moorland to Higher Shelf Stones for a spot of lunch.

The view overlooking Lower Shelf Stones with Manchester City Centre in the far distance was breathtaking & crystal clear.

Post-lunch, we headed to the now-famous B-29 Superfortress “Over Exposed” crash site & were overwhelmed to see so many people picnicking among the debris. One guy was letting his son climb all over the wreckage & move pieces about. It’s pretty much signposted from the A57, so anyone with a car & the hunger for Instagram fame can add to the weathering of the site. Shame.

After a brief photo stop (every wide shot had people in the background, it was that busy!), we moved on to the summit of Bleaklow – any more time spent at the crash site may have ended in a few choice words to the disrespectful few.

With achy legs & feet, the sight of the car was very welcome. It’s been quite some time since I walked this far!

For more information about Bleaklow & the boggy peat moorland it occupies, check out the Wikipedia page here.

For more information about the crash in 1948, check out the Wikipedia page here.