Southport Fell Walking Club

   Stuart’s group was first to leave the coach during the marathon drive up the valley. They headed up the east side of Coniston over High and Low Bethcar, and Parkamore to reach the Water Head path and into Coniston. 12.5 m At Water Yeat Paul’s group was next off the coach, heading for Carron Grag and following a similar route to Stuart’s. With time to spare at the end of the Lake they explored Hollin Bank Farm. 11m Shortly afterwards John and Debbie also slipped off the coach to follow the Lawson Park tracks and paths on the same side of the Lake. At Torver village the Oldham’s, Martin’s, and Pat and Steph’s group all left the coach. Pat and Steph headed up to Ash Gill and the Quarry, over Torver Bridge and up to Goat’s Water. They returned to the Walna Scar Road and down to Coniston. 8m. Geoff and Mike and The Oldhams led over Walna Scar Road and up the Old Man to commence the circuit of the ridge to Swirl How. It was colder up there than they expected. Martin’s group

  There were four walks available this week, and three private. In fact, five of the groups followed very similar routes – but at different speeds, obviously ! Starting from Barden Park - Paul’s, Geoff’s and Stuart’s groups headed for Castle Knott and the Calf Top ridge. Following the ridge north, they turned at Combe Scar to descend by Long Bank and Brown Knott to the valley. Here they picked up the Dales Way and Pennine Journey path to Sedbergh. Approximately 12 miles.  And then the rain really started ! Meanwhile the Oldham Group had travelled south east from Barbon to cross to the Marble Steps Pot area and ascend Grargarath Fell. They followed this ridge to Great Coum and down to Dent and back to Sedbergh - demanding 17.5 miles. Two groups stared from Sedbergh itself. Pat led her group over the Settlebeck Bridge to follow the twists and turns of the River Rawthey till it joined the River Lune near the spectacular Lune Viaduct, and then back through the lanes and farms of Sedb