Southport Fell Walking Club

  Close roadside parking from Ambleside to St John’s suggested there would be plenty of walkers on the popular fells – less so on Armboth and Bleaberry Fells. Stuart and John were the first off the coach at Wythburn to follow the range on the west side of Thirlmere. Here they found sections ‘extremely boggy’. High Tove to High Street had good solid pavers but Bleaberry Fell was very wet. But they still managed to do 13.5 miles and 2700’. There was a mass exodus at the Swirls lay-by. Mike J led his group along the eastern side of the A591 to Stanah and Wren Crag and then crossed to ascend High Rigg. From there they crossed to the Old Railway path and into Threlkeld. 8 miles and 1300’. Martin also took his group north but along the western edge of Thirlmere to the Dam and then crossed to High Rigg. The undulating ridge took them to St Johns and then across the Keswick railway line. 8 miles 1300 Geoff’s group headed for the heights of Raven Crag and Castle Crag and then crosse...

  After a week of varying forecasts the day turned out to be very acceptable – no rain and still a bit of snow and ice on the very tops. The first groups left the coach at Ambleside with Stuart setting off on a solo trek round one of his favourite areas – Tarn Hows and Hodge Close and Elterwater returning over Red Bank to Grasmere. 15m Also from Ambleside Martin led his group over Miller Brow to Loughrigg Tarn then round the Terrace to the Caves. Leaving the caves they crossed the Beck at Rydal to follow the Coffin Route back to Grasmere. A route many others used during the day! Pat and Steph followed the old road to Rydal Mount and then the Corpse Road to Grasmere. On the day a popular route. The rest of the groups started from Grasmere. The Oldhams headed for Mill Bridge to commence the Steel Fell – High Raise - Sergeant Man - Tarn Crags circuit of five Wainwrights. It was very cold on the tops with plenty of ice. 12.5 Geoff’s group set off up Easedale past the Tarn a...

  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...