Southport Fell Walking Club

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...

  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 ...

  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...

  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...