Southport Fell Walking Club

 Photo: by Laura Well what a day it turned out to be? After an ominous and overcast sky with light drizzle at the motorway services, the clouds slowly cleared as the 37 fellwalkers headed west to Windermere, and the first two groups disembarked in warm sunshine, which held out the whole day. After a late start, but with the weather looking promising, Geoff’s group set off for their first fells Man Scar and Holme Fell, and the first of the day’s Birketts. They then headed north towards Low Fell which was a very scenic but tough and boggy walk. After lunch they carried on and ticked off another 9 Birketts which were more accessible, finishing at the Black Bull in Coniston for a well-deserved pint. An enjoyable but tough walk with great views that was enjoyed by all. Mike B’s group set off from a busy Skelwith Bridge to explore the network of paths from Stang End to Tilberthwaite and Hodge Close. It was a delightful mix of grand original woodland. After pausing to watch the anti...

 Photo: by Pam T What a great day for walking with 37 members of the SFWC making the trip from Horton-in-Ribblesdale to Hawes. Most of them were lucky and stayed dry, with a few catching a light shower towards the end of the day. At least the coach journey was uneventful (compared to recent trips) although those who were beginning walks from Hawes didn't begin until after 11 am due to the distance. But no-one complained after a wonderful day walking the Yorkshire Dales. For Geoff’s group, after a late start at Hawes and the weather looking promising, they set off to Appersett Viaduct then Cotter Force Waterfall which looked very inviting in the by then warm and sunny day. They were very tempted to go in for a swim but declined as they had no towels. Next stop was the Green Dragon pub for an excellent Sunday roast and were surprised to find it was still sunny when they came out to set off to Hardraw Force waterfall. Then a leisurely walk back to Hawes for an ice cream and a ...

Photo: by Gareth A healthy total of 43 SFWC members undertook the trip to the Langdales and were rewarded with another largely dry day, to maintain the current run of fabulous summer walks. An impressive 11 walks were organised including four private’s, with a spectacular set of photos the result. Geoff’s group followed a great route taking in Bowfell, Crinkle Crags & Cold Pike. AND birketts galore for most of them, visiting White Stones (just Paula), Shelter Crags, Gunson Knott, 4th Crinkle, 3rd Crinkle & 1st Crinkle. Pike O Blisco was omitted as visiting the pub seemed to be in order. They ascended via The Band up to Bowfell (omitting the slab due to poor weather) & could see little until approaching Crinkle Crags (again weather forced a bypass of the bad step). Cold Pike and the descent offered better conditions. The 6 of them completed about 10 miles and 3600ft. Martin’s walk matched the walk description, “a pleasant stroll through a lovely valley”.  As they started...

 Photo: by Darren The days outing began fine as usual with the promise of a great sunny day ahead. But things started to go awry on leaving the motorway and heading west on the A66, when poor Gerry our gallant driver, began experiencing engine problems with the coach unable to exceed 30 mph. The fault appeared to be engine / gearbox management related. So the tried and tested method of stopping the coach, switching everything off and starting it up again, seemed to rectify the problem, only for it to then recur. The first two drop offs, near Mungrisdale and at Threlkeld took place, the coach rejoining the A66 to continue to Keswick, where it completely stopped! Gerry, consulting with Howard Fraser, nursed the coach into Keswick. A replacement coach was driven up by Howard himself, luggage swapped over whilst we were all enjoying our walks, and the vehicle limped to one of Howard's fellow coach operators in Penrith. Howard, bless him then opted to get a train back home! Br...

 Photo: by Geoff This was yet another fabulous walk - a real scorcher, but with a slightly cool northerly breeze which was a Godsend for those who climbed high. There was a bit of mind changing on the journey up, with Martin abandoning his walk with just Jason opting to accompany him, then Mike James also abandoning his private walk with Gerry. All four of them decided to team up with Mike Birkby, so all worked out in the end after Stuart had crossed out and amended the transport sheet (twice)!! Everyone had a fantastic day and there were no signs of heat exhaustion. Mike B’s joined up group which comprised Mike J’s, Martin’s and Gerry’s groups - decided that just one group made sense, and so all set off together for Helm Crag via Green Burn Waterfalls.  After a quick visit to the Falls they climbed Bracken Hause to the col and then up Helm Crag. They then descended by a perilously steep path through waist high bracken down to Stythwaite Step waterfalls in Easedale....

 Photo: by Darren Thirty-three members of SFWC made the trip to Betwys-y-Coed and were rewarded with a fantastic day. The weather was dry, warm and sunny (again) with the wet and miserable walks of the recent past an almost distant memory. And because of the nature of the area, it was decided to try a new strategy in dropping off and picking up. Rather than all groups finishing their walks in Betwys-y-Coed, four of them did so at Bethesda. This required a logistical change and everyone to know exactly where to be and at what time. Thanks to great co-ordination by Stuart this drop off and return journey pick up at Bethesda went well. As Gerry drove up to the bus stop in Bethesda at 5.59, Stu breathed a sigh of relief as he counted all nineteen members of the four groups waiting there! So after a late start at Lyn Ogwen the weather was looking promising and Geoff’s group was looking forward to a great scramble up Tryfan North Face. It didn't disappoint. They all had a go climbing ...