Southport Fell Walking Club

As we headed up the M6 the weather did not look a very promising. But in the event we all enjoyed a mild and dry day with breathtaking autumn colours. Stuart was first off the coach at Ings with a low level route, from Borwick Fold, through Heathwaite to Orrest Head inevitably involving a bit of railway history and garden waterfalls on the way. Then finally Ambleside by Troutbeck, Robin Lane and Skelghyll Wood. Next off the coach was Pat’s group at Windermere heading for Orrest Head – down to Troutbeck and over to Skelghyll Woods and Ambleside. From Ambleside Helen and Graham started their neat circular route: up to Rydal Park and the Hall and back along the other side of the Rothay to Ambleside. Alan and Edwina headed for Wansfell via Skelghyll Wood but then took a much preferred and little known route (thank you Alan!) up to Kelswick Scar and the summit of Wansfell and then on to Troutbeck and Robin Lane. Martin and Richard also went up Wansfell using Stockghyll Force and d...

  Shap this week - and there was frost up there !   and it was beautiful sunshine all day. As usual groups were dropped off at different stages all the way up the A6 from Kendal (which we enjoyed twice !) up to Shap village. At Matclose just short of Borrowdale Bridge the Oldhams were the first to leave the coach. They headed up White Howe just above Bannisdale and Mosedale and then on to Harrop Pike. From there with many more peaks to cross they reached Sleddale and on to Shap. 13m From further up the A6 John G led his group straight up Thorney Bank and over to Sleddall Hall. From there they headed further north over Gambling Crag to Seat Robert through the remote and very wet hills above the Abbey. And then over to Shap. 11m The next three groups went south west from the A6. Ian and Gerry led the group from Hucks Bridge to follow the Breasthigh Road to Bretherdale and up to Salterwath and Shap Hotel. They returned through Shap Granite Works and up Wickers Gill...

Betws y Coed did not let us down. It was dry in the valleys and only wet on the hills. But it was the rivers and waterfalls that stole the show. Pat and Steph’s group were the first to leave the coach – at Llanrwst. They followed forestry roads, tracks and paths beside Llyn Geirionydd to take them over the hills to Llidiart y Gwynt and eventually down to the Miners Bridge and into Betws y Coed. Mike J led his group on a tortuous route to the Conway Falls, Gethin’s Bridge and then up Llyn Elsi. It was a trial of patient map reading and following indistinct paths to bring the group back Betws. Stuart led up the steep path to The Monument overlooking Elsi Reservoir. Then following forest footpaths they reached the forgotten quarrying village of Rhiwddolion to drop down to join the Llugwy at the Ugly House and down to the Miners Bridge. From Plas y Brenin the Oldhams headed for Moel Siabod. The weather was unfavourable and the rocks dangerously slippery. They carefully descended fr...

The venue was Glenridding and the day was described as ‘mild and mainly dry – and very pleasant walking conditions..’ By the time the coach had reached Glenridding most of the walkers had left to start their routes. Starting from Aira Force Martin led a large party from the Falls to Glencoyn Brow. From here they contoured round the Dale to Nick Head. They then ascended Sheffield Pike and descended by that steep Rake to Glenridding. Both the Oldhams and Stuart’s groups crossed through Pooley Bridge to the other side of Ullswater The Oldhams headed for Arthur’s Pike and Kidsty Pike. And after many more hills, pikes and knotts and raises they arrived at Boredale Hause. 16m and 3,600’ Stuart’s group walked the full length of Ullswater eastern shore – through Gale Bay, Auterstone, Geordie’s Crag, Sandwick, Howtown Silver Point and eventually into  Glenridding. Described as a ‘level walk’ of 2,400 ‘ and no escape routes ! Paul led his group from Watermillock Church up to Litt...

  Sunday’s fell walking trip – Mungrisdale to Keswick - is one of those days to remember – glorious sunshine all day – not a cloud in the sky and picture postcard views. Pat and Steph’s group were first off the coach at Walt Bridge to tackle an ambitious walk to Keswick. They encountered fields of long grass, ill defined paths and generally a taxing 10 mile trek. They were glad to get to Keswick. After a textbook three point coach turn by Mark at Mungrisdale, the groups left to follow somewhat similar mountain routes to Keswick. The Oldhams headed for Bowscale Tarn and Fell, Bannerdale Crags, Blencathra and finally Latrigg and Briar Rigg. 13m Mike J’s followed the river Glenderamackin to Scales Tarn and ascended Blencathra. They then descended by the steep Knowe Crags to Derwent Folds. Paul’s group headed for Blencathra by Scales Fell and descended to the Blencathra Centre and through Brundholme Woods to Keswick. Stuart led his group up the steep south side of the Tongu...

As the coach headed for Coniston, John G’s party left it at Newby Bridge – a worryingly early departure point. But a neat bit of planning was to take them diagonally across the fells to Coniston - over to Finisthwaite, High Dam, Satterthwaite, Grisedale and Hall Wood. They   short cut the trip down to Greenodd and then back up to Penny Bridge.             11m and 2000’ With Beacon Fell in mind, the Oldhams alighted at Penny Bridge. They crossed Lowick, High Common and Kirkby Moor and Beacon Fell. Although their mileage was vehemently   disputed, -   according to Dawn’s feet, - it was certainly more than their leader had promised!   3200? 18+ m? Mike B's group were next off the coach at Water Yeat, to cross the valley to Selside and the high level route along the east side of Coniston from where there were panoramic views of the Lake and the Old Man. They lunched outside the delightful original Lakeland ‘Cotta...

  It’s quite a long run to Hartington – and it wasn’t helped by a traffic jam just beyond Buxton which added 20 minutes to the trip. But it certainly did not spoil the day. It is a beautiful and interesting area, and all seemed to have a very enjoyable day. John   and Paul’s groups were first off the coach on the main road from Buxton to Hartington. John headed for Park House Hill, a small but distinctive ridge described as ‘an abrupt rock tor with a scary scramble on the top’!             And of course they did it...and then had to get to Hartington. From the same point, Paul ‘s group headed for the Green Lane - Tissington Trail to follow it to Biggin Dale and then down to Coldeaton Bridge and Alstonfield. The excitement of their day seems to have been the testing of the electric cattle fence !   Yes – it was turned on ! Pat and Steph’s group and Mike B’s group both set off at roughly the same time although i...