Southport Fell Walking Club

  Happily the morning rain did not continue over the day and the groups enjoyed a range of walks from promenades, coastal paths and open moorland. Geoff’s group were the first off the coach at Rhos on Sea to start the Coastal Path all the way round the Great and Little Orme and eventually into Conway. 13m. Mike J’s group was next to leave the coach at Llandudno Junction to follow the A547 over the Bridge and then paths over Conway mountain to view   Conway from both sides of the river. 8.5m Pat and Steph’s group left the coach at Penmaenmawr to follow the Coastal Path past Penmaenbach Point, the Marina and into Conway.   8.5 m The other three groups started their walks on the other side of the river. From Llanfairfechan the Oldhams headed for the back of the steep sided Penmaenmawr Quarries area and followed the Clip yr Orsedd ridge round to Conway Mountain and down to Conway.   13m Paul’s and John’s combined group started from Aber following the North We...

  It was an encouraging start to the New Year with an almost full coach of members and one or two new members. The miserable weather influenced the walks but none were fully abandoned. Stuart’s group were first off the coach at Ings on the A51. They planned to link three Wainwrights by bridleways, footpaths and two good ridges. Unfortunately they had to miss out Wansfell because the icy conditions but managed 12.5 miles and over 2,000 feet. Pat and Steph led out from Windermere up Orrest Head and along the route to Troutbeck, Skelghyll and the Jenkin Crag paths to Ambleside. The Skelghyll Wood View Point became an feature meeting point for two or three groups coincidentally arriving at the same time. Martin, Gerry and Mike’s groups had been frustrated by the hazardous icey conditions on Wansfell. From half was up the fell they warily descended to the Woods below and headed for Troutbeck. At the same time Paul, Suzy and Simon’s groups had the same views in mind. Leavin...

                                                    Cancellation of the Elterwater Walk   The weather forecasts and predicted conditions both on the fells and in the valleys, and very importantly amber warnings for road travel (asking people not to travel unless absolutely necessary), made the decision to cancel the walk obvious. The whole committee decided the outcome and virtually all members who had been booked to attend the outing, replied to Ele's email with positive comments to the effect that it was a very wise and necessary decision. Many thanked us too. We want to reassure Members that as a responsible Club we do not take risks, or put unnecessary demands on the Emergency Services, Mountain Rescue etc, and that we take the safety and the wellbeing of our members very seriously. Hopefully the weather for...

Sunday's outing  to Hebden Bridge, with the intention to rejoin the coach at Haworth, began with some 'technical' problems! There was a short diversion on the M65 due to a serious accident closing off a section. We rejoined the motorway but unfortunately left at the wrong junction and ended up heading for Keighley. However, a warning came through on someone's phone that the road between Todmorden and Hebden Bridge was closed due to a collapsed culvert, which meant that we wouldn't have been able to reach that destination anyway! Continuing on towards Keighley with snow accompanying us, it was decided that we should go straight to Haworth, and so all four leaders quickly planned circular routes accordingly. The Oldhams party of 10, followed the Bronte Way to Bronte Waterfall and up to Top Withens and found a sheltered lunch stop. From there they descended to Walshaw Dean Middle Reservoir, headed south to join the Calder/Aire Link path to Oxenhope, where they enjo...

It was a very pleasant day – dry all day with the occasional snatches of sunshine. Hard to believe after the drama of the previous few days. It was an early start to the walking day – no stop en route - and the first party led by Pat and Steph left the coach at the Mc Donald roundabout at roughly 9.15. Using the Wiswell footpath they headed for Pendleton Hall, on to Mealey Hall then and across to Clitheroe. Stuart led his group from the roundabout up to Wiswell Wireless Station, over the Nick of Pendle, up Ogden Clough and over the Beacon. They dropped down to Downham and the Assheton Arms and eventually down to The Calf’s Head. The Oldham group left the coach at Clitheroe with a target of three seasonal visits – firstly to Waddington, the Edisford Bridge and finally Clitheroe. They happily achieved their targets, Gerry’s group started from Clitheroe’s extensive crematorium, followed and crossed the Ribble at various stages, visited the shrine at Waddington, and returned by the...

   Please note the change of route for the 8 th  December walk from the M65 to the A59. We knew it was going to be wet – and it was wet – but it could have been worse. As it was the water was cascading off the hills over the fields, surging rivers and flooding the roads. The first to leave the coach was the Oldham group, at Shap with an 18 mile trek over Harter and Kentmere Fells and Ship Knotts. They still had time to visit for lunch one of the most remote refuges in Cumbria. Stuart and John departed at Huck’s Bridge and seemed to cross a remarkable number of bridges..Bannisdale..Garnet.. Hucks..Staveley and 12 miles of fellside. Garnett Bridge was the next stop from where the next three groups departed. Ian’s group headed down Longsleddale heading for Brunt Knott and Potter Tarn and then down to Staveley. 10 miles and 1000’ wet feet. Geoff also followed Longsleddale, heading for Sadgill and then crossed over by Head Fell for Staveley. 12 miles and some very w...