BRAITHWAITE - 21st June 2026
It was another great day on the
fells for the members of Southport Fell Walking Club. Great walking, eight led
walks on offer, sunny and dry. What more could you ask for! Certainly not
another coach air-con drama!!!
A few weeks back on the
Grassington walk, the coach developed an issue with the air-con unit on the
return journey. It was a hot day and the journey back proved uncomfortable.
This week although all was well on the way up, Gerry the driver discovered
during the afternoon that the air con had failed again!! And on one of the
hottest days of the year!!!
He took the coach for a run up
the A66 and back to test it, to no avail. Still no air-con. So all credit to
Don Fraser who decided that the only solution was to send out a replacement
coach.
The defective coach headed down
to Tebay Services with roof hatches tilted open, relieving
passengers somewhat of the stifling heat. The rendezvous with the
replacement coach was made at Tebay Services which was used as the return 'loo
stop'. During this interlude, Howard Fraser and Gerry, assisted by a few
members, transferred all the members' bags, boots and other Chattels into
the new coach!
They were soon underway again, in
a nice cool coach. Big thanks to Howard and the team at Don Fraser Coaches, for
looking after them with so much care. What a great firm. The coach, incidentally,
will be heading back to the specialist company in Leeds to be repaired AGAIN!!!
And so to the walks…
Geoff’s group completed a
much changed route in the end with Knott Rigg & Ard Crags being omitted
as it looked a little unfeasible on the day and the heat. In the end they came
up Coledale hause heading for Eel Crag, Crag Hill, Sail, Scar Crags &
finally Causey Pike. They scrambled down the pike heading for Rowling End the
81st Birkett for Paula! Good scrambling
training for the upcoming walk!
10 miles 3,200ft in the end.
Darren got 3 new Wainwrights. And back in time for a welcome pint in
Braithwaite.
Paul C’s group set off
prepared for a lot of uphill walking and weren't disappointed! The clarity of
the air resulted in spectacular views in all directions. After having lunch
below Outerside, and with Sail and Crag Hill looming ahead, the summit of
Outerside was skipped. The rest of the route proceeded as planned, with very
welcome refreshments back at Braithwaite. A wonderful day, 9.1 miles but over
3,000 ft of ascent.
Martin’s group went to
plan, starting with a mile or so on road because of closed off paths, and then a
quiet and relatively gentle ascent of Cat Bells from the South. From
there they went on the main, busy path down to Hawse End, through Fawe Park to
Portinscale and back to the coach.
9 miles and 1,700 feet.
Because of traffic delays on the
way up Alan had to slightly shorten his solo walk. He started in
Braithwaite, took the bridleway to Braithwaite Lodge and along the east side of
Barrow to Stoneycroft Gill, then climbed Causey Pike via Sleet Hause. He'd
forgotten how steep the scramble was up to the actual summit, but the views
when he got there were fabulous. From there he climbed up on to Scar Crags,
where he met Geoff's group, and then went down to Sail Pass. He had intended to
climb Sail, but was a bit worried about time, so instead descended via High
Moss towards Stoneycroft Gill. Realising he did actually have some time left, he
went to Barrow Door and from there up on to Barrow. He descended the north
ridge back to Braithwaite Lodge and into Braithwaite. About 9 miles and 2,800'
ascent. The weather was perfect throughout and the mountains looked stunning.
Stu’s walk - Ele and Stu
planned a clockwise circuit of Derwent Water, a low-level walk to 'test'
Ele's leg following an injury.
Passing through Keswick, where
the running section of the Keswick triathlon was taking place, they soon
left the crowded town centre, heading for the lake. Anyone who has walked the
shores of this, or indeed so many of Lakelands waters, will know how beautiful
the scenery is.
They cast their eyes up to the
summits to the west of the Lake, where they knew very many of the other members
of the Club were walking, then at Mary Mount Hotel, a place they had enjoyed
staying at many times, they paused to enjoy a cold drink from the bar.
The food going past them from the
kitchen did make them wish they had more time to spare!
Pressing on and crossing the
south end of the Lake, they joined the Cumbria Way footpath, following this all
the way along the western shoreline.
At Hawse End, they met Martin's
party, who had just descended from Cat Bells, and were enjoying ice creams.
Continuing north through woodland
brought them to Portinscale and the busy A66, beyond which the coach was waiting
on the old road alongside.
The Coledale Inn and The Royal
Oak did well from SFWC members after their walks. Who wouldn't want to enjoy a
drink or two after such a warm day's fellwalking?
Garry’s group suspected,
as soon as they got off the coach, that it was going to be a hot and sunny day.
It didn't disappoint!! They set off on a reasonably level path to Thornthwaite
mostly shaded by trees. Along the way was the first indication that the walk
may not proceed as expected, as a footpath into Whinlatter forest was closed
for forestry work. Fortunately they weren't going that way anyway, so continued
on.
In Thornthwaite they passed a
lovely cottage with Beatrix Potter sculptures as well as Paddington and others.
Shortly after the path turned hard left and up the steep grade heading up to
the top of Barf. The path was hard going and hot and they were grateful when they
went under tree cover again. Once in the trees though they had to scramble up a
river and cross it in what was quite a precarious crossing, which would have
been much more difficult had it been wet. Getting to the top of the steep climb
they found a second sign of closed footpaths, this one indicating that the
route back to Braithwaite from Whinlatter was closed.
Carrying on to the top of Barf to spectacular 360 degree views, and quite a crowd on top including a kid helpfully making it higher 1 mm at a time. They decided with the weather so nice they would stop for lunch right on the top. After lunch they headed to Lords Seat and its views to the west which it was blocking from Barf. After a day of basically dry walking they headed to Ullister Hill where the surprise bog surrounding it wasn't exactly appreciated by everyone. It was from this point that they started really seeing the forestry operations which caused issues as they had erased all signs of the next path to take. After a quick diversion through the woods in the general direction, they re-discovered the correct path and headed to Whinlatter top.
With time starting to catch up on
them and an unknown route back to Braithwaite, they decided to skip Brown How
and make their way back to Braithwaite. This required heading to the south side
of the pass instead of the north side and using the tracks through there. With
constant diversion and closure signs they found a reasonable route to get back
onto the planned path hitting the bottom of the Grisedale pike climb and
descending back to the pass and onto Braithwaite.
John G set off in on his
solo walk and was quickly overtaken by Geoff Ryan's fab four!! His route though
took him via the dramatically sited Force Crag Mine, on a stony track which
threaded its way below Eel Crag before veering off to the col east of Hopegill
Head and, eventually, to Grisedale Pike. There were plenty of stops to take in
views including the Solway Firth, Scottish hills and Isle of Man.
With the sun shining brightly and
not a cloud in the sky, Keith's group set off from Braithwaite to
complete the Coledale Horseshoe with Grasmoor added on. This is one of the
group's favourite walks however the fantastic weather took it to a new level.
As the group climbed up Grisedale Pike, it soon became clear that this was
going to be a day to remember. With very little wind and such clear skies, the
views in all directions were stunning! The Isle of Man looked like it was in
touching distance and all of the mountain ranges across the Lakes were clear to
pick out in the sunshine. Everytime the group had previously been on Grasmoor,
the wind had tried its hardest to blow them off but on this walk they were able
to admire everything Crummock Water and Buttermere had to offer. Unfortunately
the group had to leave the fells to head back to the coach with just enough
time for a relaxing drink in the beautiful garden of Coledale Inn. Overall an
amazing day with 13 miles and 5000ft of ascent completed.
Thanks to the whole host of leaders this week: Alan, Garry, Martin, Keith, Pat G, Gerry, John G, Paul C, Geoff, Stuart, Suzy & Gareth. And to the amazing photographers including Anne, Darren, Geoff, Howie, Jason, Kath, Keith, Martin, Monika, Nancy, Pam B, Ray, Alan, Stuart & John G, who captured some magnificent images of blue skies, green landscapes and groups of happy fellwalkers. Fabulous.
Click HERE to open the photo album.
Click HERE to open Darren's video.
Click HERE to open Dawn's 'Coledale Horseshoe with Grasmoor' video.
Next Walks:
Sunday 5th July 2026 – Betws-y-Coed via Ogwen
5.30 p.m. departure
M57 south, Mersey Gateway Bridge, M56, A55 westbound to junction 11, A5 through Bethesda, Ogwen, Capel Curig and on to Betws-y-Coed. Park in Betws-y-Coed. Return via outbound route. Morning coffee stop at Chester services, M56.
Sunday 19th July 2026 – Wythburn to Grasmere
5.30 p.m. departure
Northbound to Preston, M6 north to junction 36, A590/A591 though Ambleside and over Dunmail Raise to Wythburn, where the coach will turn round and return on the A591 to Grasmere. Park in Grasmere. Morning coffee stop at Burton services.
Sunday 2nd August 2026 – Keswick via A66
5.30 p.m. departure
Northbound to Preston, M6 north to
junction 40, A66 to Keswick. Because of new parking constraints in Keswick, the
coach will drop off in Keswick if required (but not in a car park) then park
outside the town, returning to park in the usual Booth’s car park around 3pm. Morning coffee stop at Tebay services.
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