Southport Fell Walking Club

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  Members knew that Pooley Bridge would be busy - and so it was. But we were not staying there – we were all heading south – to Shap. The Oldhams were on a tight schedule to get their 18 mile route over the smaller peaks beside Haweswater before turning for Shap. They sped over Helton and across to Hugh’s Laithes Pike, and Wallow Crag and turned for Rosgill Moor and Shap Abbey. Three other groups also started from the village - Stuart’s, Martin’s and Mike J’s . They followed the straight forward route over Askham Fell to trace the River Lowther down to Whale, Knipe Hall, over the Suspension Bridge, along to Grange and Rosgill and finally the Abbey. Meanwhile the coach was returning to Shap, dropping off the final three groups. Mike’s group left at Lowther Hall and Castle to explore the extensive grounds and parkland and to join the general trail at Bampton. Starting from Shapbeck Gate, Alan and Edwina crossed Knipe Scar Common and   joined the route at Bampton. Fro...

  We held our breath on Saturday – would the beautiful weather last the weekend?       And it did – just ! At Mungrisdale there was a mass exodus as parties left the coach. And at very different speeds four groups followed the path alongside the River Glenderaterra to leave it at different places. Mike J led his group up White Horse Bent on to Mungrisdale Common and over to the Cloven Stone returning to Threlkeld on the Cumbria Way round the   edge of Blease Fell. Paul led his group up by a similar route to Mungrisedale Common and then headed up Blue Screes to Atkinson Pike and so on to the top of Blencathra. At a more sedate pace Mike and Gerry’s group followed the river to Mousthwaite and then up Souter Fell. They returned from Scales where they had enjoyed a pint served by the grand-daughter of a former colleague of Gerry’s ! And then across the fields beside the Glenderamackin to Threlkeld. The Oldham Group went north up Mosedale   heading for...

  This week the Club returned to an area used less infrequently in recent years   but offering a range of interesting walks on the north western fells. Grisedale Pike and Hopegill Head featured largely in the list of walks. Mike C’s group followed Grisedale Beck up the valley to the Hause and on to Sand Hill and Hopegill Head. They returned by Grisedale Pike and Sleet How paths. Stuart followed a similar route in reverse by starting with Grisedale Head from Heavy Side and Sleet How and returning by Hope Gill Head and the Hause. Suzy and Jenny followed the same Grisedale Beck and returned from Crag Hill by Eel Crag, Sail and Outerside. Gerry and Huw headed for Barrow. They followed the ridge up to Outerside and then traced Stonycroft Ghyll back down to Stair and Braithwaite. The Oldhams looped north round Capelbeck into the Whinlatter Forest to Swinside Plantation then over Hope Gill Head and on to Crag and Sail. Mike J led his group up over Steel End to Outerside...

A return to Langdale and there was a fine range of ten groups on the Fells – some braving the summits and some kept in the valleys but all enjoying the typical ‘Lake District weather’. John G sent a delightful account of his walk and with his permission I attach his walk account Only had the one taker (Bill) for my climb up to Loft Crag & Pike o'Stickle. Because of the blowy conditions we opted out of the detour to view Gimmer Crag and the rest of the walk went as planned and it was I thought a very rewarding day. Top of Pike o'Stickle, which we reached by a short scramble, provided grand scenery. We had plenty of time for the descent and with the route over Martcrag Moor now much improved we were soon at the top of Stake Pass where we bumped into Geoff & Mike's group. On the zigzags down into Mickleden we stopped awhile to watch a pair of sheepdogs rounding up a flock of maybe 150 Herdwicks and moving them to higher pasture. Sheepdog Meg was clearly havin...

  It was a beautiful day and the weather was perfect for enjoyable walking. The Oldhams were first off the coach near Skipton with Sharp Haw their first objective and Flasby Fell part of their return over Linton Moor to Grassington.13+m Stuart’s group left the coach at Rylstone to follow the Dales Way for Threshfield Moor. From here they followed Mastiles Way to Kinsey and Conistone and up the Dib to Grassington 12miles. Gerry led his group up Skirethorns Lane heading for Higher Heights Holes. They returned to Grassington through Coniston by a newly devised route up grassy route by-passing the rocky Dib. 9+ miles Simon led his group on his usual trade mark Nature Trail along the bank of the river though the woodlands and Scars and back to Grassington. Just co-incidentally he happened to be available for a bowls match on Grassington’s Green – first day of the season. From Threshfield Steph led her group up Moor Lane Track and on to the Moor. From there they went down to Ki...

  After a week of intermittent but heavy rain, we enjoyed sunshine throughout the whole day. The Oldhams were first to leave the coach at Birch Vale, just before Hayfield. It was a serious walk of about 16.5 miles and 4,000 feet of ascent starting with Foxholes Clough on the Pennine Bridleway Ridge and finishing at Winnats Pass above Castleton. Howie’s verdict: ...one of the best...! Stuart‘s group also did a lengthy ridge walk of 12 miles from Hayfield. They accessed the Ridge at Coldwell Clough and along Edale Cross to Horsehill Tor and Rushop Edge and so on to Lose Hill Farm and Hall, passing most of the other groups at some stage of the walk. Lesser mortals did a mere 8 or 9 miles along the ridges using different starting and finishing points. Mike J led his five Maidens along the ridge from Hayfield to Mount Famine on the Pennine Bridle Way and then on to Mam Tor and Hollins Cross to descend by the very precarious muddy slope down to Hollowford Road. There was a path t...