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SEDBERGH via RAVENSTONEDALE

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  It was another sunless day, but that didn’t spoil the walks. Ravenstonedale to Sedbergh meant long high level walks across the beautiful but remote Howgill Fells. The first three groups left the coach at Wath. Geoff’s group headed down Bowderdale, over the Calders   (just like that !), descended by Cautley Spout and along to Sedbergh. 11 miles and 2400’ Simon and Steve J headed for West Fell and the Calders to descend by Arant Haws and Winder. 9.5 miles and 2300’ And Paul led  his group  along the Dales Way over Hazelgill Knott and the Calf , and descended into Sedbergh.      10 miles and 2100’. Also from the north but from Ravenstonedale,   Mike J led his group over Adamthwaite and Wandale Hill and down to the Cross Keys. From here they followed the Beckside, Underbank route down the valley to Sedbergh.       9.5 miles and 1000’ And then finally from the north - the Oldhams followed the Dales Highway Way over Harter Fell, a Pennine Journey over the Calf and Calders, and th

BUXTON 27th October 2024

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  The journey across to Derbyshire looked very promising, with blue skies & sunshine all the way. Robbie drove expertly up the Cat & Fiddle road, stopping at that famous ' highest pub in Britain', which is no longer such. It has in recent years, after a long closure, been transformed into Britain's highest whisky & gin distillery and visitor attraction, at 1,689 feet above sea level!   At this highest point on the pass, Paul, Stu and Steph's three parties each began their day's walking.   Mike J began his first 'test' private walk here too, after absence due to injury.   Steph Hoggett’s party left the coach the Cat & Fiddle summit with the objective being  Errwood Reservoir, then to follow path along Goyt Valley to Derbyshire Bridge, then on to Buxton via the Turret and Buxton Country Park.   Keith Oldham’s o bjective for his party was Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill. Then following the ridges from Axe Edge Moor, Dove Head, Thirkelow

KESWICK 13th October 2024

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  This was certainly a walk to remember - it started at 8.30 am instead of 7.30 am. The driver made a mistake and we were an hour behind for the rest of the day! The air conditioning in the coach was faulty – freezing going out and boiling coming back – and we still had a good day’s walking! And with an additional half hour’s walking, most groups continued with their planned routes. Three groups left the coach at Wythburn heading in a similar direction. Ian and Stuart’s groups crossed the Central Fells by the Harrop Tarn and Blea Tarn paths and dropped down into Borrowdale by Watendlath and Ashness Bridge. Just as Stuart’s group reached the shore of Derwentwater – there was the Launch! Just too good to miss.    Both groups did 11.0 miles and over 2000’ The Oldhams followed down the full length of the Central Fells ridge from Greenup Edge, over the Saddles and Grange Fell all the way up to Shepherds Crag and Keswick.   15 miles and 3000’ From Bridge End further down the valley, P
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  It was a very pleasant day for walking made all the more enjoyable by the comparison with the previous and subsequent days of continuous rain. Steph’s party were the first to leave the coach at Ings, to follow the Dubbs Road over the ridge to the Troutbeck Valley. They followed the path on eastern sides of the river up to Hagg Bridge and returned on the western side to the Old Post Office Tea Rooms and eventually Limefitt Park.   11m   1200’ Alan and Edwina started their walk by going over Orrest Head then using the Dubbs Road and Garburn Road to Troutbeck. From here followed the river using both the Ing and Hagg bridges and eventually back to Limefitt Park. 10m 1500’ The Oldhams set off on a mission. Keith wanted to do the Kentmere Round. It involved crossing the Garburn ridge, down Kentmere Reservoir and up the Nam Bield Pass and back along High Street and Thornthwaite and down Hagg Gill. 16 miles and 4000’   Mike and Gerry led their group up the valley to ascend to the Ton

LEEK & THE ROACHES 14th September 2024

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  Stuart has kindly drafted the following account – Thank you Stuart   All five walks followed much of the routes sent out to members, however there were a few small diversions, owing to the persistent drizzle during most of the day. Rushton Spencer - Dane Bridge – Luds Church chasm – the Roaches - Rock Hall – Churnet Way and Leek. Views from the Roaches across Staffordshire for the two groups who did climb them, were non-existent. In fact the valleys on either side of the Roaches were not even visible for most of the time. Neither did those groups who stayed on lower routes get any sighting of the top of Roaches Four out of five groups left the coach at Rushton Spencer to begin walking, whilst Martin began from just north of Leek. John and Debbie followed the Coombs and Churnet Valleys and returned to Leek. Pat and Steph led their group along the Stafford Way beside the Rudyard Reservoir and then over to the Tittersworth and so to Leek. Everyone finished walking (gratefully!) in Leek

GLENRIDDING via the KIRKSTONE 1st September 2025

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It was a different walking day. Accompanied by members of the Fraser Family, Mark’s ashes were scattered on the slopes of the Kirkstone Pass. It was a sad yet happy occasion and we were sure Mark would have appreciated our acknowledgement of his cheerful and professional contribution to our Club. And the walks started from the top of the Pass. Stuart led straight up Pike How with the target of six Wainwrights and a total ascent of 3000 feet. They crossed the Threshwaite and Thornthwaite divide, along High Street, Kidsty Pike and down by Angle Tarn and Boredale Hause. 11 miles and 3000’. Martin also led his small group up Raven’s Edge and on to Stonycove Pike to descend steeply into Haweswater Gill and down to Hartsop and Patterdale. 8m and 1700’. From the Inn Mike and Gerry led their group down the Pass (through a group of very black cows!) across to Sykeside and along the Hartsop – Beckstones path to Glenridding. 8m Steph and Pat followed a very similar route tracing Kirks

BETWS Y COED 18th AUGUST 2024

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  It was a summer holiday weekend and Betws was very busy. But four groups had already left the coach before the final stop. First off was Geoff’s group at a remote Pont Dalgarrog Station (a former quarry stop) a mile or so before Llanrwst but it gave easier access to the Llyn Cowlyd Reservoir Dam. From the dam they headed south through the Hendre Forest to Capel Curig and picked up the Slate Trail to Betws y Coed. 14 m and 2,400’. Alan and Edwina started from Llanrwst, crossing the river to follow the Gwydr Forest Path heading for Lyn y Parc down to Diosgydd – uchaf and then the Miners’ Bridge and into Betws.7m Stuart also started from Llanrwst heading across to Llyn Geirionydd, Cors Bodgynydd Nature Reserve, south to Lyn Bodgynydd, on to Llidiart y Gwynt and so to the Miners’ Bridge. 10m 2,000. Finally three groups left from a busy Betws car park. Mike and Huw headed up the path to Lyn Elsi, shortly overtaken by a speedy Paul Cutner group. From the Reservoir they took a path south fo