Southport Fell Walking Club

  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