Southport Fell Walking Club

  It was a beautiful day and the weather was perfect for enjoyable walking. The Oldhams were first off the coach near Skipton with Sharp Haw their first objective and Flasby Fell part of their return over Linton Moor to Grassington.13+m Stuart’s group left the coach at Rylstone to follow the Dales Way for Threshfield Moor. From here they followed Mastiles Way to Kinsey and Conistone and up the Dib to Grassington 12miles. Gerry led his group up Skirethorns Lane heading for Higher Heights Holes. They returned to Grassington through Coniston by a newly devised route up grassy route by-passing the rocky Dib. 9+ miles Simon led his group on his usual trade mark Nature Trail along the bank of the river though the woodlands and Scars and back to Grassington. Just co-incidentally he happened to be available for a bowls match on Grassington’s Green – first day of the season. From Threshfield Steph led her group up Moor Lane Track and on to the Moor. From there they went down to Kilnse

  After a week of intermittent but heavy rain, we enjoyed sunshine throughout the whole day. The Oldhams were first to leave the coach at Birch Vale, just before Hayfield. It was a serious walk of about 16.5 miles and 4,000 feet of ascent starting with Foxholes Clough on the Pennine Bridleway Ridge and finishing at Winnats Pass above Castleton. Howie’s verdict: ...one of the best...! Stuart‘s group also did a lengthy ridge walk of 12 miles from Hayfield. They accessed the Ridge at Coldwell Clough and along Edale Cross to Horsehill Tor and Rushop Edge and so on to Lose Hill Farm and Hall, passing most of the other groups at some stage of the walk. Lesser mortals did a mere 8 or 9 miles along the ridges using different starting and finishing points. Mike J led his five Maidens along the ridge from Hayfield to Mount Famine on the Pennine Bridle Way and then on to Mam Tor and Hollins Cross to descend by the very precarious muddy slope down to Hollowford Road. There was a path there

                                                 What a wonderful day’s walking !         What spectacular scenery and conditions !   With reports that the Kirkstone Pass was blocked by snow the route was amended so that the coach entered the valley from the Pooley Bridge end. Some groups revised their planned walks but most were just delighted to see a good depth of snow on the fells above about 1500’ and had come prepared for it, Stuart’s group was first off the coach near Pooley Bridge to commence a 12 mile walk along the eastern side of the Lake - through Howtown, Sandwick and Silver Bay with panoramic views of the snow on Helvellyn and its close neighbours. Pat and Simon’s groups started from Watermillock to visit the popular local waterfalls and then followed the newly established lake side path to Glenridding. The Oldhams also alighted at Aira Force but they headed up to Dockray to follow the Dodds Ridge along to Raise and Stang and then down to Glenridding. The othe

  Coniston via Ambleside offers a wide range of walks across a variety of fells at different heights and so the Walks today exploit this diversity. Stuart’s walk starts, as he often does from Ambleside RUFC and he heads for Belham Tarn and Hawkshead Hill. From here he crosses to Tarn Hows and picking up the Cumbria Way to arrive at Coniston. Shortly afterwards, Steph’s group leave the coach at Clappersgate. They too head south through Pull Garth Wood to Loanthwaite and Hawkeshead heading for Monk Coniston and the head of the Lake. Skelwith Bridge is the next departure point. From here the Oldhams set off for two medium fells - Black Fell and Holme Fell - as an approach to the higher fell of Wetherlam from Tilberthwaite, and finally descend Coniston by Red Dell. Mike J also led his group up Black Fell but from Fullscar Plantation, then over to Arnside Intake, Oxen Fell and down to Hodge Close. From here they head into Coniston by High Yewdale. From Skelwith Bridge and Little Langdale, M

  It was a gloomy day with very strong winds high on the fells and rainy intervals with patches of watery sunlight. Five led walks and two private walks braved the testing conditions to visit the notable features of the area – The Nine Standards, the impressive former railway structures and the Eden Valley castles. The Oldhams of course covered all three in a taxing 13/14 mile trek from Ravenstonedale over Ash Fell Moor to Birkett Common, Pendragon Castle High Pike and the Nine Standards, Rigg and Birkett Hill. A demanding route and little time for photographs. Mike B’s group also started out from Ravenstonedale with the Oldhams, but within a very few minutes they were specks in the distance. Mike B's group crossed Wharton Fell with the Settle Carlisle Railway in the Tunnel beneath them. They descended into the Eden Valley and lunched Pendragon Castle and had afternoon tea at Lammerside Castle ! At Wharton Hall they met Alan and Edwina who were returning from their ascent o

  We were warned – and it was as bad as they had forecast: ferocious gusty winds and driving rain. Three groups, Paul’s and Mike’s and Stuart’s all left the coach at the Ponderosa Cafe at the top of the Llangollen Pass. For some miles they separately headed in the same direction over Bryn-y-odin to Cae’r-hafod and Eglwyseg. Here the routes diverted – Stuart’s group and Paul’s group crossed the valley to join Offa’s Dyke Path below the escarpment while Mike’s group followed the lane leading to the Panorama Walk and the Castle. From here each group continued towards the Canal. Mike’s group at accessed it Llandyn Hall. Paul’s group continued further along the path to Trevor Hall where they too crossed to the Tow Path. Stuart carried on further again all the way up to the Boat Yard and the Pontcysyllte Aquaduct. The Oldhams were determined not to be deflected from their plans. From the Britannia Inn they struck out across the Maesyrychen Mountain with a string of Welsh peaks to follow.