|
Reports on club meets from members who took part. If you would like to send in a report please mail it to the Hon. Editor. Reports of members activites.
2024 MEET REPORTS
|
Brecons Meet, Bwlch, October
Dartmoor Meet, Princetown, September
Tatras Meet, Poprad, September
Swiss Alpine Meet, Grimentz, July
N Wales Meet, Rhyd Ddu, June
Scottish Meet, Crianlarich, May
Peak District Meet, Ilam, May
Skills Meet, GSH, April
April day walks Sprotborough,
New Forest
March day walks Castleton,
Hampshire
February day walk Peaks, Selborne
Annual Dinner Meet, Glenridding, February
January day walks Ridgeway,
Cromford
Twixmas Meet, GSH, New Year
| |
|
Andy, Ed and I experienced the usual assault on the senses that is the M5 and arrived in peaceful Crickhowell early Friday afternoon to meet up with Steve Creasey. I hadn't seen Steve in over ten years so it was nice to be in his company again. A family emergency meant no evening meal was on offer at The New Inn in Bwlch so without the prospect of a welcoming fire and the familiar superb fare to which we have become accustomed, we forsook the usual pleasant amble around nearby Langorse Lake and plumbed instead for a perambulation along the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. Having secured a table in the highly recommended Dragon Inn on High Street for a later gastronomic indulgence, we set off under a grey sky and across the lovely narrow bridge that spans the River Usk.
It is the pride of Crickhowell and a Schedule 1 Listed structure. Its present form is Victorian,altered to cope with the requirements of modern vehicular traffic. Multi arched and picturesque it is well worth an admiring look back.
We soon fell onto the towpath and turned East,striking out with no particular intent other than enjoying a leg stretch and whatever we came across. Remnants of the canal's industrial past and its present boating utilisation made for an interesting afternoon but mindful of our six o'clock date with culinary delights and liquid accompaniment we turned around at the river Clydach and retraced our steps back to the welcoming arms of the Dragon Inn.
|
 Busy Bwlch
|
| Suitably replete we made the short trip to Bwlch and our first visit to The Star Bunkhouse which stands opposite The New Inn. We were welcomed by the lovely Emma (never met Pete) and found the place to be excellent in every respect. Clean, modern and well thought out,there are plenty of rooms, the showers are spacious cubicles and the kitchen is fully fitted with all mod cons and plenty of them. We noticed how warm and cosy the whole building was all the time. Lashings of hot water anytime and constant heating appears to be down to solar panels. A far cry from some of the gloomy,chilly and uninviting hostel experiences we've all had.
Far better facilities it has to be said and first choice for the future I would suggest.
| |
|
Saturday morning saw us enjoying a cooked breakfast in civilised surroundings with other guests when decisions were made as to who was going where. The weather was lovely, the sun was up and it was going to be grand day.
Ed and Steve C had plans for an adventurous day in the mountains so we said cheerio and Andy and I made for nearby Llangynidr village.
|
Eds account:
It’s a glorious Saturday morning and Steve Creasey and I are winding our way up to the Storey Arms car park in his MX-5 with the top down – that’s one itch scratched for the day. We avoid the top car park and the masses heading up towards Pen y Fan, instead heading out along the other side of the valley to the trig point at Fan Frynch. The track round crosses a few streams, but they have not been too swollen by overnight rain, unlike our foray in this area last year. It’s also noticeable that there’s hardly anyone on this side of the valley, something that continues for most of the day. We meet a solitary local on the top who has this as part of his normal constitutional – no wonder he is shifting like a gazelle.
|
 Early start above Storey Arms
|
|  Heading down the rib of Fan Fynych, Fan Need on the left
| |
|
After the top of Fan Frynch we head westwards down the main rib of the mountain and pick a good line that drops us straight out onto the line of the old Roman road (Sarn Helen). This area is part of Cwm Du nature reserve and there are buzzards and ravens about, and we take time to enjoy their aerial antics and calling. Beyond Cwm Du, we climb up the line of the Roman road and find a suitable lunch halt, before heading up Fan Need, which has been beckoning to us from the top of Fan Frynch.
We cross some indeterminate ground, avoiding the bogs to left and right, to reach the minor road heading to Ystradfellte. Coming up the track is an elderly gentleman on his e-bike, who has the specific intention of taking several photos from the pass to add to his collection from the same location. It turns out he’s a bit of a local historian and tells up about the origins of the walls on Fan Bwlch Chwyth to our left and, as importantly, gives us some ideas for walks in that area.
|
 Fan Need and Fan Gyhirych
|
|  Steve Creasey on top of Fan Nedd
| |
|
It's not a long pull up to the top of Fan Need and its tabletop peak with both a large cairn and a trig point. And the elderly gentleman was right – on a day like this, you can see way into the Swansea valleys. In fact, the views all around are tremendous. We follow the south-eastern rib off the mountain and drop down to the car park at Afon Llia, where we pick up the Brecons way for our return leg.
A bit sketchy at first, the track then heads up and over Fan Llia and Fan Dringarth – two whaleback hills that are bathed in autumn sunshine lighting up the moorland grasses – just superb. Our route back is then a classic orienteering choice – stick on the big path on the ridge and take the long way round, or pick up the distinct path on the ground that contours round to the final saddle that we need to cross. We’re feeling good, so we opt for the more direct route, which works very well until the final pull over the col and we find ourselves in some really boggy ground. Luckily the boots remain dry, but it was a close call.
|
 The journey back - Pen y Fan in the distance
|
|  Autumn light on Fan Dringarth
| |
|
It’s then just a short distance to join our outward route and back to the car, where I enjoy one last session with the top down on the way back. What a great day!
| |
At the impressive 18th Century bridge over the Usk we stopped to chat with a bunch of intrepid kayakers contemplating how to tackle the daunting flow of a river in spate. It was a fierce freshet of thunderous, churning,tumbling water between the arches but those already in the river had found quieter eddies around the stonework from where they launched themselves into the torrent, paddling furiously between the rock channels as they were swept at speed towards the hopefully calmer waters of Crickhowell.
|
 bridge over River Usk
|
| At the impressive 18th Century bridge over the Usk we stopped to chat with a bunch of intrepid kayakers contemplating how to tackle the daunting flow of a river in spate. It was a fierce freshet of thunderous, churning,tumbling water between the arches but those already in the river had found quieter eddies around the stonework from where they launched themselves into the torrent, paddling furiously between the rock channels as they were swept at speed towards the hopefully calmer waters of Crickhowell.
| |
 Canoeists sheltering from the flow
| |
|
Exhausted by it all we found a pot of tea and a slice of home baked cake a great reviver at The Walnut Tree Cafe.
Thus fortified we were invigorated to explore westwards along the canal further than we had ventured on previous visits. The weather was holding nicely,blue sky and warm sunshine enhanced an autumnal landscape of amber foliage with fallen leaves carpeting our pathway and afloat on barely moving water. A pleasant excursion spent chatting to ladies of formidable expertise in the arts of lockgate etiquette and their menfolk equally proficient in the skills necessary to manoeuvre fifty foot of boat at the heady speed of two miles per hour with the sailing capability of a crisp packet.
|
 bridge over River Usk
|
|  Churchyard
| |
|
A sign to Llandetty Church aroused enough curiosity for a deviation from the canal and we found ourselves passing through a farm and squeezing between a thorny hedgerow and abandoned lorry permanently blocking the gateway to keep out the unwanted.Undaunted and somewhat scratched,we found a lovely little local parish church serving, unsurprisingly, the tiny hamlet of Llandetty. This is a little gem built in the twelve hundreds, simple and austere with little adornment. There are the traditional ancient Yew trees and very many centuries old gravestones. The most moving is a single monument to 310 ex-servicemen all once residents of nearby Buckland House when it was a British Legion home. These gentlemen were veterans of both world wars who died of their injuries.They are still in the care of The British Legion which makes this site a rather unique war grave - 'Lest we forget'.
On a lighter note,there is a bullet hole in the priest's door put there in 1660, when the puritan priest objected to Charles 11 returning as monarch. He left and never came back.
Back on the towpath we said hello again to all the boaters we had been talking too earlier as try as we might we couldn't help overtaking them. Lunch beckoned and we sat on a bench with faces to the sun atop the 343 metre long Ashford Tunnel built to hide the canal as the landowner way back then objected to having to see it. A little further on found us at Talybont on Usk and as it was still warm and sunny we felt it in order to visit The Star Inn who's beer garden sits conveniently adjacent to the towpath as a marvellous example of forethought and consideration.You may be surprised to read we opted for no more than a refreshing pot of tea.
We had to leave our canal walk here and make across country for Bwlch. A walk alongside the A40 for a while was the only downside of the day but we were soon back on softer ground taking paths in the direction intended.
A reference to 'castle remains of' on the map was too good a challenge to ignore and after some detective reasoning as to the name 'Castle Wood', we found the small woodland in which lie partial ruins of Castle Blaenllgnfi, one of the many which was battered constantly by anyone who was anybody in the medieval world.
|
 Dinner time!
|
| It was only a short walk back the The Star Inn and tea and cake before a freshen up and a convivial evening with excellent food and fine beer in The New Inn,courtesy of mine host Neil and his wife Sarah. Always a pleasure and never likely to disappoint.
Sunday greeted us with the tail end of Storm Ashley. Steve decided on a short day in order to get home at a reasonable time so we said goodbye till next time. Though wet and drizzling, colder and far from inviting,nevertheless Andy, Ed and I made for the 4 Waterfalls Walk at the head of The Vale of Neath.
| |
|
|
We settled for a starting point at Cwm Porth Car Park with all the necessary facilities.
Advertised as a five and a half miles round trip the main path is well maintained and flat making for easy going,especially on a wet day. None of the waterfalls are visible from the trail.
The track to each waterfall has its own,very detailed information board showing a map and degrees of difficulty. All require a descent down rocky pathways and a climb back up. The wet weather made going down an interesting experience and care has to be taken.
Apparently once down there is an old trail linking each waterfall which precludes a climb up but it follows the riverbank, is dangerous and not on the information boards. Avoid at all costs.
| |
 Waterfall in full spate
|
| I seem to have seen more than just four waterfalls throughout the day such was the impressive sight of the enormity of so much water.
Andy and Ed had been there previously but had not seen it as we did that day. Whatever had fallen on the Brecons overnight had found its way down to the rivers Mellte and Hepste in a magnificent display of raw power we should be lucky to see again.
It is hard to describe a sight such as these. It needs to be seen to be believed. Photos are all we can rely on.
| |
|
Each one has its own identity and interest. Where the waters abated some hardy souls had gathered in swimwear to plunge into water barely above freezing. One or two were a funny shade of blue and it was a relief to see them move. I had a conversation with a group of young things dressed in wetsuits and wearing crash helmets of some sort. They said they were going to jump into water from on high. I thought they were bonkers till one recognised my accent and said he was from Mansfield- - explained it all.
I considered it an experience to don waterproofs and walk behind the noisy cascading waters of Sgwd yr Eira.
|
 Andy and Steve C emerging from behind the torrent
|
|  On the walk
| |
|
The whole walk is a unique encounter with diverse landscapes, taking you along riverbank, through woodland and various pathways. All very verdant and unspoilt and for us at this time of year,very beautiful in its autumn hues. Ed spotted the remains of various buildings, now almost lost to nature but revealing of a time when the area must have been a hive of industry. We must have lingered somewhat over tea and chocolate cake as we were in danger of finishing in the dark but we made it back to Cwm Porth well in time for a drive to Abergavenny and steak and chips.
A stunning round trip and one I'd like to enjoy again.
All in all a thoroughly enjoyable weekend with old friends. One of varied weather, scenery and experiences and no reason not to do it all again next year.
Paticipants: Andy Burton, Ed Bramley, Steve Coulton and Steve Creasey.
Report by Steve Caulton
| |
|
|
The Plume of Feathers public house and bunk rooms was home for the weekend for Andy, Mike, Judy and Paul.
The Baldwins stayed in a nearby guest house.
|  Mike at the 'avenue'
|
|  standing stone
|
| Andy and Mike arrived at Merrivale early afternoon for a late lunch. After lunch they visited the stone age hut circles, the standing stone, a kyst tomb and the double rows of stones. A very interesting place with great views - an exceptional place to live!
We gathered on the Friday evening for a meal and refreshments with plenty of discussion about the walking routes to be taken the following day.
|
|
| | |
After breakfast on the Saturday we gathered to set off on our first walk of the weekend. We were joined by Paul's brother-in-law Ian Wren. It was tremendous early morning weather with clear skies and very decent visibility.
From the Plume of Feathers we made our way through Princetown to the start of the path to North Hessary Tor (509m). At the top we were treated to views right across the moor to Plymouth Sound. The tall TV mast on the top of North Hessary Tor makes a great navigational aid in good weather.
Passing herds of Dartmoor ponies we walked to the rocky top of Great Mis Tor (538m) which is the highest point in the Southern area of Dartmoor. This Tor is used for Royal Marines training with bolts for belay/abseiling protection, the Tor is right on the edge of the Military training area.
|
 Great Mis Tor
|
|  Great Staple Tor
| |
|
With the only OS marked path from the top retracing our steps back to the road we had crossed on route we decided to go "off piste" and make our way across a boulder field to a stream crossing and a visible path to the top of our third top of the day Great Staple Tor (455m). Brilliant views from this Tor convinced us to stop for some early lunch refreshments.
We followed the path along a weak ridge line to Roos Tor (454m) and then onwards to the stone circle atop Langstone Moor (445m) which is part of the Petertavy Great Common. A second lunch was taken at the stone circle. Up to this point the paths had been reasonably dry given the recent bad weather in the West Country. However, after lunch this did not continue as we crossed three or four extremely boggy stream beds on route to the final top of the day, Black Dunghill (492m). The route continued to follow tracks back across the moor to a road section just on the outskirts of Princetown. This last section of the walk is dominated by views across to Dartmoor Prison.
|
 Lunch at stone circle atop Langstone Moor
|
|  view across to Dartmoor Prison
| |
|
On return to Princetown we stopped for tea and scones at the Fox cafe. Very nice! Saturday evenings meal was taken at the Dartmoor Inn in Merrivale where we immersed ourselves in the sensory journey of direct live-fire cooking over the bespoke Ox Grill.
|
 Church on the top of Brent Tor
|
| On Sunday morning we awoke to howling winds with forecasted heavy rain due in at around 11am so after breakfast we decided that walks along the Lydford Gorge would be best given the conditions. But on arrival at the Gorge the National Trust had shut the site due to the weather.
So quickly laid plans enabled us to snatch a very swift walk to the church on the top of Brent Tor (334m). As we returned to the cars the heavens opened and the weekend was complete.
| |
|
Participants:Andy Burton, Mike Goodyer, Judy Renshaw, Paul Stock, James and Belinda Baldwin.
Report by Paul Stock
| |
|
After a pleasant journey around the Tatras from Krakow, we reach our base for the week, Poprad, in Slovakia. We’re based in a B&B on the edge of the old town, with a good view out across more modern parts of the city. It doesn’t take us long to drop our bags off, and then take the short walk up into the old town, a pleasant location, and we’re soon chilled out with food and a beer – just what’s required after the travel.
Poprad is set a little distance from the Tatras, so most mornings involve an early rise walk or taxi into town to get the modern narrow-gauge railway up to one of a series of resort villages at the base of the mountains. It’s about an hour for the journey, so on big days we’re getting the 6:30am train up to the mountains. Lovely scenery though as the train rises out the valley and then contours along, stopping at many former eastern bloc holiday resorts.
Our first day is our longest, with an ascent of Rysy planned from Štrbské Pleso (lake), so it’s up early to get the 6:30 train. We arrive at Štrbské Pleso at 7:45 and the path out of the resort is straightforward, winding its way through open pine forest to near the lake of Popradské Pleso.
|
 Pine forest track
|
|  Dwarf pines
| |
|
|
|  laddered section
|
|  Voll chrbát
| |
|
The path is now through dwarf pines with lots of cobbled stones jutting out. In places, flatter stones have been laid to smooth the path. Eventually the dwarf pine dives way to bare boulder fields and in one place there’s a laddered section, complete with chains, wires and an up and down system. All the way along, there are lots of people out on the route – perhaps not surprising, as this is the weekend. Reaching the Rysy hut (Chata pod Rysmy) at 2,250m is a welcome milestone on our upward journey.
|
|  Steve Creasey on Rysy summit
|
| It’s not far over the boulder fields to the summit, but I’m finding moving increasingly difficult. The route skirts over a final shoulder, with great views of Voll chrbát ridge and all that’s left now is a small protected technical section to the summit.
On the way down to the hut, there’s a short five-minute rain shower, which is going to be the pattern for several of the days, and then it’s into the hut for refreshing soup and sherpa tea, accompanied by an opera singer at the piano, and later on the fixed wires. Not a bad introduction to the week.
| |
|
|
|  Green Lake
|
|
Given the efforts of the first day, the second day is more laid back, with a minibus picking us up to take us to Bielej Vody. Our path is less broken than yesterday and is a straightforward walk up to the Green lake and associated mountain hut.
Sherpa tea is again a good call, accompanied by pancakes filled with soft cheese, bilberries and cream. We’re back at the main road by 3pm and the minibus is waiting to take us back to Poprad.
| |
|
|
| 
|
Our third day, Tuesday, is another early up and train ride to Štrbské Pleso.
The fine weather is holding as we walk up the main street, past wood carvings and a curious metal structure to the chair lift, which is running!
|
| 
|
| 
| |
Having contemplated the route the night before, changing the route to a clockwise direction means we can use the uplift, rather than potentially missing it at the end of the day. At the top of the uplift, we head left and descend through dwarf pines and the by now familiar associated lumpy underfoot terrain, into Furkotská dolina (valley).
|
|  Top lake and Bystrá lávka
|
|  Ascent to the col
|
| |
This part of the route has two distinct boulder steps that we need to ascend, and behind each is a lake. Much of the path is boulder, but effort has been made to create a flatter route through. The rim of the second lake is made up of rocks of many colours and is very striking. Off to the right, high up, we spot the col we need to cross through – Bystrá lávka. It’s a steep pull up and people are coming from both directions through this narrow rock doorway. Eventually it’s our turn and there’s about 25ft of chains on the far side to descend. After that, we can step to one side onto the path. Almost immediately we have a short hail shower, lasting no more than 10 minutes. From that point, it’s a steady descent of the Mlynická dolina, with the scenery and going very much a mirror of the first valley.
|
|  Vodpád skok
|
| Part way down the valley is a large rock step with a waterfall, Vodopad skok. Handily, there are a set of chains down the easiest ground. We’re then left with another 5km back to the station through the dwarf pines and pines.
The beer at the station is a welcome round off to the day, before we get the train back to Poprad.
|
| |
Wednesday sees us depart the train at Stary Smokovec, another resort village with obligatory coffee and cake stop. To further aid our travel, we have a funicular that takes us up to Hrebienok, from where the waterfall trail starts. The initial part of the trail passes an old hotel and descends to the first waterfall, which is gently cascading over a big set of rocks, before repeating the process further down the valley. Travelling upstream, the next substantial waterfall goes over even more distinct rock steps and forms several pools.
Nearby is an old mountain hut (Rainerova chata), complete with a collection of climbing gear even older than I can remember. Further on, we pass the highest waterfall, Obrovsky vodopad, before reaching the mountain hut Zamskovskéno chata for a lentil soup and sherpa tea lunch – just what the body needed. Beyond the hut, we head out onto the belvedere and viewpoint at Lomnická kzatelnica, before retracing our steps back to the funicular, which is a proper rush hour experience.
Thursday is our last walking day and by now we’ve sussed the quickest way to walk to the station. We alight the train at Popradské Pleso and head up the made road to the hotel of the same name. It’s a very popular destination for tourists and after a coffee and cake interlude, Steve and I head up to the viewpoint at Ostrva Sedlo.
|
|  Steve at Ostrva viewpoint
|
|  Steve on the Belvedere
|
| |
The path is well made with plenty of zigzags right the way up. At the top a cold wind picks up, but we find a sheltered spot for lunch and enjoy the stunning viewpoint. After lunch we follow part of the Tatranská Magistrata along an undulating belvedere. At first, the path is well laid with slabs but further on becomes more of the mixed boulder terrain. Near the lake of Batizovské Pleso we turn off the Magistrata to head south, through dwarf pine and boulder underfoot, which requires some concentration.
After about a mile of this, we emerge into pine forest, which is then our terrain for the final couple of miles to Vysné Hágy station, complete with a small bar selling Radlers. Our timing is perfect as no sooner have we finished our drinks then the train arrives to take us back to Poprad. That night we have a local meal of pumpkin soup, followed by chicken with cranberries, pork, vegetables and potatoes.
A great destination for a week in the hills, with plenty left to explore.
Participants: Ed Bramley, Andy Burton, David Clear, Steve Creasey, Philip Hands, Roger James.
Report by Ed Bramley
| |
|
After the Covid pandemic in 2020 resulted in the cancellation of the Alpine Meet in the Val d’Anniviers, it was good to finally have a Meet in this beautiful valley surrounded by high peaks. From Sierre the road climbs southwards alongside a deep gorge to reach Vissoie, where it divides into three branches: south-west leading to Grimentz and Moiry; due south to Zinal; and south-east up to St Luc and the highest village of Chandolin. Linked by an efficient post bus service, they provide a wealth of walking and climbing possibilities.
We were based in the picturesque village of Grimentz, its narrow main street lined with traditional wooden houses and old barns on stone stilts, all decorated with window-boxes of colourful geraniums. In the centre a water-wheel activates a sawmill and a flour mill, both still in use. During our visit there was a weekly market and then a folk music festival, with small groups of musicians performing outside the hotels, the highlight for us being the group of five men playing alpenhorns up and down the main street.
|
 Hotel de Moiry
|
We stayed in the Hotel de Moiry, in a quiet location at the edge of the village yet not far from the lifts and the bus stop for access to the other resorts in the valley. It is a small hotel run by Andrea and Aurel Salamin, and we filled most of their rooms.
We all appreciated the outside terrace for breakfasts as well as drinks after our daily hikes, and we had our own private dining-room.
The dinners were always delicious as well as artistically presented, with edible plants and flowers from the garden decorating the plates, and a mouth-watering cheese fondue one evening.
All the rooms contained wildlife photos taken by Aurel, and one evening he showed us the film he had made of a pair of golden eagles which had nested in the valley, and the fledging of their one surviving chick.
|  Alpenhorns
| |
|
The weekend before we arrived there had been torrential storms in this part of the Valais, with flooding, landslides and rockfalls closing roads and trails. The direct road from Vissoie to Grimentz was impassable while we were there, necessitating a longer diversion to St Luc and Chandolin, though the road to Zinal was still open.
|
 Storm damage...
|
At least 10% of the walking trails in the valley had been damaged, and we were lucky that so little of this affected our hikes.
The worst destruction we saw was on the eastern side of the Lac de Moiry, where rockfalls had resulted in the closure of the road to the glacier, and above Zinal, where trails had been flooded and some of the bridges washed away.
|  ...more damage
| |
|
|
 Lac de Moiry
|
| Fortunately, the storms were over by the time we arrived, and the first morning of the Meet dawned bright and sunny for our group walk from the Lac de Moiry at the head of the valley. Five of the group headed off on walks around the lake, either on the high level or the low-level circuit, where they all found clumps of edelweiss growing beside the track.
| |
|
|
 Spring gentians
|
Meanwhile, the rest of us took the uphill path towards the Lac des Autannes and the Col de Torrent, past slopes of alpine flowers. There were bright blue gentians, pink alpenrose, several kinds of orchids, the rare yellow bellflower and many more, a foretaste of the flowers we were to see on all our walks.
|  Trumpet gentians
| |
|
We soon reached the pastures and farm building of the Alpage de Torrent, and then the small Lac des Autannes. It was a lovely spot, with the snow-covered peaks of the Dent Blanche and Grand Cornier rising above the Moiry glacier at the end of the valley.
|
 Alpage de Torrent
 Lac des Autannes
| |
|
|
 Group below the Col de Torrent
|
| Some of the group continued through the snow up to the Col de Torrent, at 2916m one of the highest points reached on the Meet, from where a path leads down to Evolène in the neighbouring Val d’Hérens. The peak of the Sassenaire is a short distance above the col, but the amount of snow unfortunately made it too dangerous to continue. Later in the week a few returned to Moiry to explore the southern end of the lake and icefall, but Don Hardy, the oldest member of our group, was the only one to climb up the steep rocky zigzags to the Cabane de Moiry at 2825m, overlooking the jumbled icefall.
Moiry Icefall with Cabane de Moiry just visible high above
|
| |
The easiest way to gain height from Grimentz itself was to walk through the woods or take the gondola lift to Bendolla, from where a plethora of walking paths radiated in all directions.
|
 Panorama Bench
|
One of the shorter walks wound up past banks of different species of orchids to the Marais Restaurant and Panoramic Bench, which has carved wooden marmots at one end and a large wooden eagle on the other, and glorious views across to Chandolin, St Luc and the Hotel Weisshorn on the other side of the valley.
| |
|
Mike and Marian headed off on a little used traversing trail to Moiry, while others walked up to the waterfalls below the Becs de Bosson, although Don was the only one to reach the Cabane des Becs de Bosson, at 2982m the highest point of the Meet.
Another easy way to gain height was to take the cable-car up to the Espace Weisshorn, constructed only ten years ago and not on all maps. From here a short rocky path leads up to the Corne de Sorebois, 2895m, but although the view of the surrounding peaks is magnificent, it is a bleak and stony site.
|
The small café at Sorebois, reached by the gondola lift heading to Zinal, is in a much more attractive setting, next to a bronze ibex sculpture, and from here we watched marmots playing in the grass. Many of us continued in the gondola down to Zinal, the Zinalrothorn, Besso and the Matterhorn coming into view as we neared the valley.
| |
 View from Sorebois
| |
|
A few of the group took the forested path from Grimentz to Zinal, but the direct bus was the quickest option. From the end of the village the Cabane du Petit Mountet was an obvious objective, starting with a flat walk up the valley towards the twin peaks of Besso, with the Weisshorn coming into view above the Cirque d’Arpitettaz.
 Walking towards Besso
|
 Weisshorn at the end of the valley
| |
|
|
 Storm damage
|
 Newly repaired
|
The path then climbs steeply upwards past slopes of alpenrose, at times protected by chains, crossing waterfalls and small streams where one of the bridges had been destroyed in the recent storms.
The hut is perched at the top of the moraine above the rubble-strewn glacier, and the views of the Dent Blanche above the end of the glacier were magnificent.
| |
| |
Later in the week a group returned to Zinal to attempt Cicerone author Kev Reynold’s favourite walk in the Valais, the Roc de la Vache, a circular walk beneath the Pointe d’Arpitettaz. It is a steep and rocky climb of nearly 1000m, but it was worth the effort for the views at the top extended from the Wildstrubel range across the Rhone valley to the nearer Weisshorn, Zinalrothorn and Dent Blanche. The path on the way down proved more difficult as one of the bridges had been washed away, and the group had to walk back up to find a safe crossing point over the stream.
|
 Trail up the Roc de la Vache
|
 Summit cross
| |
|
Our next group walk was from the funicular at Tignousa, 500m above St Luc, on the second half of the annual Sierre to Zinal Mountain Race. Ours was a 16km hike with a steep descent of over 900m at the end, while the whole race from Sierre is much more challenging - a gruelling 31 km, with 2200m height gain and 1100m descent. Not all of us were planning to walk the 16km to Zinal, but everyone was keen to reach at least the Victorian Hotel Weisshorn. As we set off along the Planets Trail, past scale models of the planets in the solar system, a pair of golden eagles soared over our heads, easily identifiable after Aurel’s film the previous evening.
|
 Leaving Tignousa
|
 Golden eagle soaring above the peaks
| |
|
After passing the group of planets closest to the Sun, and then the models of Saturn and Uranus, the track became steeper, and we finally crested the rocks to see the large hotel building above, with its attractive terrace.
|
 Hotel Weisshorn
|
This was a welcome rest stop, where we enjoyed the hotel’s specialty of tarte aux myrtilles. Seven of us stopped here – my excuse being that I had completed the section to Zinal twice in the past - but the rest continued on an undulating trail past the model of the final planet, Pluto.
The trail, well signed with yellow Z markings, wound round a bowl in the hillside, crossing scree and boulders and occasional streams, with the majestic 4000m peaks of the Weisshorn, Ober Gabelhorn, Dent Blanche, Zinalrothorn and finally the Matterhorn dominating the view.
| |
|
|
 The end of the valley
|
More golden eagles were spotted, as well as marmots and a group of deer.
The trail ended with a steep descent through larch trees into Zinal, where the ‘A’ team arrived in record time to catch the 4 o’clock lift up to Sorebois and back to Grimentz.
Perhaps the most delighted to arrive was Alan, for he had completed the whole run 15 times in the past and was now doing the walk with his daughter Rebecca in memory of those achievements.
| |
 Alan on the trail
| |
|
Another lovely walk from Tignousa is the Sentier des Lacs, the Lakes Trail, which Alan and I had discovered while staying at St Luc on our “Meet for Two” in 2020. This is one of my favourite walks in the valley, and I was pleased to introduce it to others. The trail starts along the Planets Trail but turns off before the Hotel Weisshorn to reach the first lake at Plan Torgon and then the Lac d’Armina from where the high peaks of the Val d’Hérens can be seen in the distance. The final lake is the Lac de Bella Tola below the summit of the 3000m peak, and then it was a rocky scramble down to the Cabane de Bella Tola and back to the funicular station.
Above St Luc is Chandolin, the highest village in the valley and the last to be visited by our group. A chairlift wafted us quickly up to Tsapé, and from there we started on a circuit around several small lakes on another of my favourite walks for its variety of alpine plants. The first lake we reached was the Lac Noir, which had flooded so badly in the recent storms that gentians were flowering under the water.
|
From here there was a steep and rocky scramble down to the Illsee, where on our previous visit we had been overtaken by a group of French botanists. The rocks at the start were covered with pink alpenrose, creeping azalea and moss campion, with gentians and yellow pulsatilla anemones in the grass nearer the lake.
|
|
 Illhorn summit
|
The path then climbed steeply up towards the Pas d’Illsee, where we found tiny pink primulas and white rock jasmines clinging to the rocks, and late flowering crocuses and delicate soldanellas just below the snow at the col.
The Illhorn, 2716m, was only 30 minutes above the pass, and ten of the group climbed it, one of the few summits to be reached on the Meet. The summiteers returned to Chandolin on the lift while the rest of us walked down a botanic trail to the welcoming Cabane Illhorn for a well-deserved drink before returning to Chandolin.
| |
|
The last day came all too soon, but those of us not rushing off for a plane back to the UK were able to make the most of the sunshine with a final mountain expedition. As we left, we realised how many other hikes there are in this beautiful valley, with more high huts to be visited and peaks to be climbed. I am sure that many of us will return before long to what is one of the loveliest valleys in the Swiss Alps.
But for me this is an ending, for after organising 22 Alpine Hotel Meets since 2000, the first 12 with Alasdair and the last 10 with Alan, it is now time to pass on the organisation to someone younger and fitter. Fortunately, Andy as Meets Secretary has agreed to take this on, so the club can look forward to many more years hiking in the Alps.
My final words are of thanks: to Alan for all his help on recent Meets, to the committee for their support during these years, and to the “Bhutan Group” who have accompanied me on most or all of my Meets since our trip in 2011 - though this year we sadly missed Rick and Carol Saynor, and John Dempster and Dinah Nichols, present on all previous Meets since that time.
Participants: Pamela Harris & Alan Norton, Daniel Albert, Andy Burton, Geoff & Pauline Causey, Heather Eddowes, Celine Gagnan, Philip Hands, Don Hardy, Richard & Katherine Heery, Roger James, Margaret Moore, Rebecca Norton, Mike & Marian Parsons, Max and Vivien Peacock, Mervyn Powell, Jay Turner, Bill & Rosie Westermeyer, and our local expert Caroline Thonger who joined us on most days.
Photo contributions from Daniel Albert, Andy Burton, Heather Eddowes, Céline Gagnan, Pamela Harris, Alan Norton, Rebecca Norton, Max Peacock, Bill Westermeyer, Rosie Westermeyer
Report by Pamela Harris
| |
|
Always a classic favourite with people, this years’ North Wales meet did not disappoint. Several of us arrived early on the Thursday evening, to get an extra day of walking in the next day.
On the Friday, three of us chose to revisit a walk that I had done last year – a round of the Carneddau. We were up early to avoid parking difficulties and were at the parking at Gwen Gol Isaf just after 9am. From there, it’s just a short walk along the Snowdonia Slate Trail before crossing over to the north side of the A5.
A diagonal track ascends to some buildings and then almost directly to the bridge over the catchwater, which is the start of the broad gentle ridge heading up to Pen yr Helgi Du.
|
 Bwlch Eryl Farchog from Carnedd Llewellyn
|
Once again, we enjoyed clear and sunny weather, but with a distinctly cool breeze higher up. From the top of Pen yr Helgi Du comes the one of the ‘interesting’ parts of the route, descending to the saddle of Bwlch Eryl Farchog. Not difficult, but still requires full attention. From the col, we can see the remains of the old slate quarry to our right. There is a slightly less steep pull up onto the summit of Carnedd Llewellyn, and part way up we are treated to the sight of a small group of ponies enjoying the upper fells.
|  Ponies
| |
|
|
We make use of rocks on the north side of the summit to provide shelter for our lunch stop, and we are out of the wind as well.
|  Lunch near Carnedd Llewellyn Summit
| |
|
 Looking down the Black Ladders (Ysgolion Duon)
|
The afternoon is ridge walking at its best, taking in Carnedd Dafydd and Carnedd Fach, before reaching our final summit of Pen yr Ole Wen. We’ve definitely got the best of the weather, as Snowdon (yr Wyddfa) summit is cloud covered. There are stunning views north into the valley of the Black Ladders (Ysgolion Duon) and south, as we look down on Tryfan, and we’re all caught up in enjoying this great day out.
At Pen yr Ole Wen, it’s back to work time again as we descend the steep western shoulder into the valley of Afon Lloer. It’s evident that there has been work on the path over the past twelve months, as the final section down to the A5 is distinctly less tiring than it was a year ago, and from there, we pick up the Slate Trail again back to the car.
| |
|
Putting the cherry on the cake, the Red Arrows fly down the valley, banking over Llyn Ogwen as they head down Nant Ffancon, and we then remember that the day before was the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
|
Celines view: On Friday morning, Judy and I set off hut with Ed who drove us to the Ogwen Valley. The plan was to take on the Southern Carneddau for a beautiful – and energising – 10.6 miles in the wind. We parked the car at the Gwern Gof Isaf farm and campsite on the A5.
Suited, booted and having paid our fiver for the parking, we started our walk across the campsite and along a small brook… on the wrong side. We quickly found the path, crossed a footbridge and then the A5 northwards to start our circular walk anticlockwise. Most guides and websites seem to suggest doing the route the other way round, but I think this gave us the best panoramas.
From the Helyg hut we took the track to the reservoir then followed the slopes up to the top of Pen yr Helgi Du (820m), along the broad grassy ridge of Y Braich and passing Cwm Bychan on our right. The wind was stronger and colder that it should be in June, but the sun and the fabulous landscape opening in front of us made up for unseasonable temperature.
We then clambered the steep, rocky path down to a col along the Bwlch Eryl Farchog ridge, with great views on the Ffynnon Llugwy reservoir on our left and a disused quarry on our right. Being on a mountain range, we had of course to climb all this back up (and more) on another steep path towards Carnedd Llywelyn (1,064m).
The sky was clear enough to afford us great views of the Menai straight on route. We had a close encounter with a small herd of wild horses, who took some delight in posing for a few photographs. I have read somewhere that the Carneddau range is home to the UK's only population of wild horses – what a treat! We found a sheltered spot for lunch on the extensive and rocky summit plateau, enjoying all the beauty surrounding us.
After lunch, we made our way on a large track along the ridge to Carnedd Dafydd (1,044m) and its imposing cairn. The descent started gently to Carnedd Fach and Pen y Ole Wren (978m), then got much steeper as we scrambled down on the right of Ffynnon Lloer lake towards Afon Llafar. We followed the gentler paved path along the stream down to Tal y Llyn Farm and back on the A5. We joined a track along the road that took us back to the car park, watching a group of climbers on the mighty Tryfan to our right
A great day in lovely company.
| |
Saturday sees many of us embark on another favourite, an ascent of Cnicht, ‘the Welsh Matterhorn’, from Croesor, to take in a round of the Croesor slate quarries. The first half mile of the route is about getting onto the open fell, but once there, it’s a great ridge to ascend and much more straightforward than its nickname would suggest. Part way up I meet a fell runner from Delft in the Netherlands who has specifically come over for the weekend to enjoy the Welsh mountains – Now that’s commitment.
|
 Marcus crossing disused dam at Croesor quarry
|
From the summit of Cnicht, the ridge gently melds with the rest of the landscape, until we are in an undulating area at the head of several valleys. Again, knowledge from previous years comes in handy and we find the best route across the mixed ground to the quarries.
This time, we opt to follow the Snowdonia Slate Trail from the first set of quarries to the main Croesor quarry, so that we can make use of the large track heading steadily down. At the quarry, there’s an area that’s been previously put behind barbed wire and there is also an adit you can follow for some distance into the hillside. Some background reading afterwards informs me that ICI used to use the quarry tunnels as an explosives store for many years but was quickly emptied when it was realised that a fault ran straight through the site and joined up with the pumped storage reservoir at Ffestiniog!
| |
|
For the communal Saturday night meal this year, the starter was a tricolour of mozzarella, tomatoes and avocado with a honey and chilli dressing, accompanied by olive bread. This was followed by mains of vegan mushroom vegetable ragu and pappardelle pasta, whilst dessert was a mix of the usual pies and puddings, with either vanilla custard or cream topping. With suitable amounts of wine as accompaniment.
On Sunday, the weather just about held for walking, with some of us opting to walk down to Beddgelert for some comestibles including the obligatory ice cream, whilst others were more adventurous and pulled in Moel Hebog as part of their excursions.
As ever, the meet offered a number of alternatives for people to do something that suited them best during the day, as well as being able to meet up and exchange stories over another well received meal.
Attendees: Ed Bramley, Andy Burton, Steve Caulton, Heather Eddowes, Celine Gagnon, Don Hodge, David Matthews, Margaret O'Dwyer, Mike O'Dwyer, Judy Renshaw, Marcus Tierney, Michele Tierney.
Report by Ed Bramley
| |
|
Eight club members participated in the Scotland meet this year, a good turnout. We were lucky with the weather, as Scotland has often seen drier conditions and more sunshine than England this year, so some good routes were achieved. We stayed at the SYHA hostel in Crianlarich, which proved to be a useful base for a range of Munros and Corbetts (those over 2500ft), as well as other interesting tops. It is within easy walking distance of the train station and the West Highland Way. With its excellent road links from Glasgow and being situated at the junction of the A82 and the A85, many possible walking destinations were available to the eight of us during the week.
The hostel was efficient and friendly, providing all we needed, as well as having a shop and pubs nearby. I had brought a new guidebook for the local area, but regretted having left behind the Cicerone Munro guidebook (to reduce weight) as we ended up doing a couple of routes that were further away. Later, after the routes had been done, I discovered there was a copy in the hostel lounge after all!
|
 Judy atop Stob Binnein
|
Three groups set out on the first day (Sunday) to do some local Munros, Corbetts and other tops. Max and I set off from a bridge about 5 miles East of Crianlarich to do a round of tops leading to the Munros Stob Binnein and Ben More. After some uncertainty and changes of plan, reached a track through forest then headed up to a ridge just below Munro height in long tussocky grass and bilberries. The ridge had no path, so we continued through long grass and heather over several steep ups and downs to the highest point. Then we were finally above the valley we needed to cross in order to reach Stob Binnein and were able to see where we were heading.
The day was dry but with persistent cloud on the higher tops, so some navigation had been needed to keep on track. Once we were on the Munros it became easier and we also had some views as the cloud had shifted around in the afternoon. Thankfully a real path led to the top, then down and up again to Ben More, the highest summit in the area at 1174m. Up there we met a few other people, the first we had seen all day. A descent down the NE ridge was much easier than expected, with short grass and good views, before we traversed back along a fence to find our original track. It had been quite a hard 8 hour day but very satisfying.
| |
|
|
Andy: With the weather on our side Paul, Celine and Mike and I started the week by walking from the hostel on a route recommended by one of our wardens.
Making our way onto the nearest stretch of the West Highland Way following the Old Military Road to the farm at Keilator where we crossed the road, railway line and river to walk alongside the River Falloch and up onto Grey Height at 686 metres, we continued along the mostly unseen ridge to Meall Dhamh at 814 metres where we had lunch.
Celine and Paul elected to carry on up Cruach Ardrain at 1046 metres. Mike and I turned round and made our way back to the tall stile over the deer fence into the forestry that sits above Crianlarich.
|
 View from Meall Dhamh
| |
Here we negotiated our way through the rows of conifers and the various patches of boggy ground that James the warden had warned us about, to pop out lower down on one of the logging roads and find our way back to the path that brings you out in the corner of the hostel car park. Cold beers all-round and a good start to the week.
| |
|
Philip and Roger: We drove to Invergaunan in Glen Orchy, where we parked to climb two Corbetts, Beinn Udlaidh and Beinn Bhreac-liath from the North. The weather was perfect, sunny, mild and hardly a breath of wind. At the start we followed the Allt Ghamhnain, the lower reaches of the path being extensively afforested but after about a mile this gave way to open hillside. We followed a remarkable line of quartz rock, which lead us to the first summit, Beinn Udlaidh where we had lunch. We then continued down to the col at 600m between the two hills where Roger decided to return down the glen to our starting point. I continued on to Beinn Bhreac-liath, climbing steeply at first to reach the flat top and continue the circuit, and descended by the long North ridge.
| |
We all went out to eat at the hotel in the evening, which everyone enjoyed, although the manager had needed persuading to take a booking for 8 of us and had put us onto 2 separate tables. We did notice a number of other people from the hostel who were there too.
|
 Judy on central summit of Ben Arthur
| |
Max and I wanted a slightly shorter day next so decided to visit Ben Arthur, otherwise known as The Cobbler. This meant a half hour drive to Loch Long and along well-trodden paths though forest the along the valley towards the 3 craggy tops. Near the crags we met a group hoping to climb but wanted to wait for the cloud to lift, as had been forecast. Fortunately we did not wait as it failed to lift all day. The first, north, top was straightforward, rocky but easy, though lacking any view that day. Then we followed the ridge to the central top, which features a famous window, though which you have to scramble onto a ledge then carefully ascend on exposed holds to the top. It was slightly intimidating in the cloud but we both made it before stopping for a welcome lunch on a flatter area.
| |
We had to backtrack a little as we went slightly in the wrong direction at first, corrected it, then somehow managed to miss the main south top in the mist. We looked around for a while then descended via a circuit over a minor top and grassy ridge running South East. Quite a long way from the top we were surprised to see Andy and Celine heading uphill around 3pm. Since there was plenty of daylight they were happy to take their time and have a late finish. The rest of us went to the local pub for a meal later on, which was very good, although the portions were too large for some of the group.
|
 Mike and Paul on a misty top
|
Mike and Paul went to the Pass of Leny and climbed up through the forest to the ridge path to the summit of a misty Ben Ledi (879m). They chose the steep NE ridge down and back via the tranquil Queen Elizabth Forest Park.
On the way back they stopped off a Balquhidder church to see the grave of the local 'hero' Rob Roy. An interesting and respectful place.
| |
 The grave of Rob Roy
| |
|
|
Andy: Celine and I elected to drive to Arrochar and walk-up Ben Arthur (The Cobbler), a hill I had in my sights since my Dad pointed it out to me on our first family trip to Scotland, having climbed it when he was stationed up there in his Royal Navy days.
We parked at the little Ardgarten Forest car park off the A83 crossed the road and walked along part of the Three Lochs Way/Cowal Way onto a very substantially reinforced forestry road. With Celine picking up the faint path that goes up into the trees at the side of Allt a’Bhalachain we were treated to the often-elusive scent from the numerous stands of bluebells in the various clearings as we scrambled our way through the boulders and woodland that surround this beck.
|
 Bluebells on the approach
|
We popped out of the scented forest close to the weir and dam and made our way across the open moorland dotted with occasional groups of white orchids to An t-Sron at 614 metres.
Between here and Arthur’s Seat we met Judy and Max descending from the tops which were still part wrapped in clouds, whilst the views to the south along Loch Long towards the old refuelling station were starting to show signs of the sun breaking through.
| |
 White orchid
| |
|
Passing under the south tower (858 metres) the path climbs steeply up its southwestern flank. Here the clouds began to swirl away to reveal glimpses of the rocky summit, before closing back in again. As we reached the platform area just below the summit of Centre Peak the highpoint on Ben Arthur at 884 metres the clouds lifted to reveal the eye of the needle allowing Celine and I to explore through the eye and up to the summit with ever improving 360-degree views appearing as we did so.
|
 The eye of the needle
|
 Climbers
| |
|
Returning to the platform we enjoyed a late lunch and looked over towards North Peak where several groups of climbers were steadily working their way up its eastern face. We then made our way up to the top of the North Peak and I spoke to a couple of climbers who had just topped out. They had just completed Punsters Crack, a severe in the summer. We were able to see that the main path back to the pay and display car park at Succoth took a longer route around the back of this tower so we descended back to the narrow col between centre and north and descended steeply under the north tower giving us some great views of the remaining climbing teams clearly enjoying their day out on the rock.
Eventually we crossed the Coire a’ Bhalachain not far from the Narnain Boulders and continued all the way down the tourist path till it joined the main forest highway and joined our route up back to the car at Ardgartan.
|
 Loch Lomond in the early evening
| |
By the time we arrived back at the car a drying wind had swept all the remaining cloud away and we were treated to a blue-sky evening journey back to Crianlarich, with a stop at the An t-Archar (Arrochar) fish and chip shop for tea, followed by an evening leisure drive back along the shores of Loch Lomond from Tarbet. We stopped at the viewing point and jetty near the HEP station at Inveruglas, to take some photos across the still lake towards Ben Lomond, plus a further stop at the Falls of Falloch to have a look at this beautiful place with its sizeable plunge pool at the foot of the main fall drop that must be a mecca for the lovers of wild water swimming and every day tripper who likes to cool off on a hot summers day, to top the day off, I really felt that the old man was definitely on my shoulder today.
| |
Philip and Roger visited the Cruachan hydro-electric scheme and continued to Oban for lunch.
The next day started clear and sunny and had the best forecast of the week, so we all wanted to make the most of it. Max and I decided on the round of Ben Cruachan, a spectacular round with 2 Munros which he had not done before and it had been at least 16 years since I had been there. We drove round to Loch Awe, which was about the same distance as the previous day, and parked near the electricity pump storage visitor centre. It took a while to find the start, under a railway footbridge through a gate that was extremely difficult to open (having the correct guidebook would have helped us here!) and up through forest on a steep and intriguing winding path with plenty of tree handholds.
|
 Looking at the Cruachan ridge
|
 Max and Judy on summit of Ben Cruachan
| |
|
After the forest we continued past the dam for the pump storage scheme and onto the ridge to the East. On this route there was a path almost all the way, which made it reasonably easy, although quite long. The sun stayed out all day and there were wonderful views all the way, across to the coast and islands, as well as to the highest tops including Ben Nevis. We reached the first major top, Stob Garbh, before midday and took in the views. We also noted orchids and other flowers on the hillsides and a raven flying around. The ridge continued to the first Munro, Stob Daimh, where we stopped for lunch. Though sunny, the wind was quite cold, so I put on a few layers and a windproof, but kept to my shorts. The ridge sections were rockier than I remembered so some reasonable scrambling was required, on good quality granite, with nice friction. We were on the final top of Ben Cruachan (1126m) around 2.30, where we met a few people, having seen almost no one up to then.
The decent was easier and less rocky than expected, with a few people now coming up. Most people appeared to have gone down from a first col to the reservoir and along a track to the dam, but we decided to take a ridge route over a final smaller top, Meall Cuanail. This then led down a grassy hillside and across country below the dam to pick up the forest path again. We were down just 5 minutes before the visitor car parked was due to be locked, so were glad we had not parked there! Everyone cooked meals in the hostel that evening in different groups, but all sat together, catching up and checking the forecast for the following days.
|
Andy: Tuesday’s bluebird option was planned out by Paul and transport for Celine, Paul and I provided by Mike, closely followed on by Phil and Roger.
Taking the A85 along Glen Dochart and crossing the river at Killin we made our way along the northern shore of Loch Tay taking the left turn at Edramucky up the hillside to the Scottish National Trust car park at 420 metres. Reciprocal parking rights and 400 metres height gain, what’s not to like. Here we took the path that meandered alongside the Burn of Edramucky among young silver birches and many rowan trees into open ground through the new Trust controlled double fencing gates and up to the cairn marked col at 850 metres.
Here we passed into another complete valley system and walked along the contouring path under Beinn Ghlas up to the col at 1100 metres, Creag Loisgte, where the final 300 foot pull led to the summit of Ben Lawers at 1214 metres. Great views from the summit trig all around, including Ben Nevis, with some residual snow to be seen on the top of Aonach Mhor, as well as long stretches of Loch Tay as it revealed itself below us, and a large part of the Grampian Mountains and Schiehallion showing themselves off too.
|
 Group on Ben Lawers
|
 Looking back to the summit of Ben Lawers
| |
|
A quick lunch on the summit was enjoyed by all, and after the obligatory group photo we made our way back down to the col. Here Roger and Phil descended using our ascent route, and we four followed the ridge path onto Beinn Ghlas and made our way through Coire a’ Chonnaidh down the steep path to the Old Shielings, that Roger and Phil had ascended, before we all came together again at the deer/cattle fence gate, and in glorious afternoon sunshine followed the Burn back to the cars.
Philip ‘Tuesday was another fine weather day. Roger and I climbed Ben Lawers from the car park located near the site of the old NTS Visitor Centre. Our route took us over Beinn Ghlas and onto Ben Lawers, where we met Andy, Celine, Mike and Paul. We descended via Coire Odhar to make a bit of a round out of the walk.
| |
By the Wednesday we had all had several good days out and were feeling a little tired. In addition the forecast had been threatening rain for some time, mainly after midday, so most people expected to have a less energetic day. Max opted to go up to a local viewpoint above the village and I decided to investigate part of the West Highland Way, which was almost on the doorstep. Andy and Mike took a car drive to places along the coast, but Paul and Celine decided at the last minute to take a rapid jaunt up Ben More from the front by the shortest and steepest route. Philip and Roger visited Inverary.
The West Highland Way, a long distance path from just north of Glasgow to Fort William, is popular with people from all over the world, some of whom were staying at our hostel in Crianlarich. From the hostel it took me around 15 minutes to reach the well-signed path, on which I went south, the opposite direction to most of the walkers. It was fairly quiet at first but later I met more people. The route went gradually up and down, past farmland and looking up at the high hills. It was interesting to join a section of the route, which felt almost like a pilgrimage trail, with everyone heading to a given destination, comparing notes with each other and making friends as they went.
|
 Falls of Falloch
| |
I noticed that there were many women on the route, travelling alone, from many different countries. I went just beyond the Falls of Falloch, which are better viewed from the other side nearer the road, but still interesting, then turned around, aiming to get back to the hostel for late lunchtime.
I met a Belgian couple and chatted with them for a while before turning off on the way back to Crianlarich. They went ahead to get as near as possible to their destination before the rain came. (They were surprised to find that I was doing 18Km of their route on my ‘rest’ day).
I made it back just in time for some lunch outside before the rain started in earnest. It was good to have some time to relax and chat, before later going to the local pub for dinner.
| |
The forecast for Thursday was for very strong winds again and some rain. Several of the group wanted to do Ben Lui by a short route from the West. As I had done this top some years ago, I decided instead to take the northern section of the West highland Way and Max decided to attempt the local Munro, Cruach Ardrain. He said it was a bit of a battle through the forest at the bottom and a lot of wind at the top, though not in between, if a bit cold! My route was enjoyable and gave the opportunity to see some different places, as well as being a full day out, with more distance and more ascent than the previous day. The wind was surprisingly cold, so I was glad not to be up high. The path went up and own through forest before crossing the valley and leading into Tyndrum, the largest centre in the area. I passed a campsite where I had stayed some 17 years ago, which had become more upmarket and offered many ‘glamping pods’. Although I was back by early afternoon, most others were there before me, some having had to retreat from the col below Ben Lui in the strong wind, and another having almost lost himself in a forest.
|
Andy: Thursday’s walk for Celine, Paul and I was to be Ben Lui / Beinn Laoigh at 1130 metres. Parking in a recently revamped pay and display car park just off the A85 in Glen Lochy we crossed over the river via some wobbly stones and crouch/crawled under the railway line and followed one of the many streams draining through the forest down to the river.
Crossing the stream at a little rock step and the forestry service road to continue up through the trees avoiding the worst of the boggy ground we came out of the trees and skirted alongside them till an obvious path became visible up Fionn Choireih all the way to the col. As we stepped over the col we met the full force of the wind coming through the gap and after enjoying the busy cloudscape view towards Ben Oss and beyond we agreed to continue up along the ridge towards Beinn a’ Chleibh to see if there was any easing of the wind. There was not. Easing was found about 50 metres back down over the col from whence we came. Returning to the car park to enjoy our scran on some picnic tables installed on a little noddle was also short-lived as the midges zeroed in on us very quickly.
A retreat to the Green Welly shop at Tyndrum, where I resisted the temptation to buy in the whisky shop as I wasn’t offered a free tasting, was backed up with a cake and a cuppa stop at the café next door.
| |
|
Philip: Thursday's weather forecast was for heavy rain and gales but we ventured out in hope but not expecting to complete a walk. In the event, the weather was much better than forecast. No rain or gales, just cloudy but even the cloud base was above the summit of our hill. We climbed Beinn Chuirn, located to the west of Tyndrum from Dalrigh. Walking up the Cononish Glen, we passed the entrance to the gold mine then Cononish farm where we struck up the hillside to gain its southern ridge of Beinn Chuirn. We returned by our route of ascent.
| |
|
Andy: Back to the hostel for a wash and brush up before we returned in two cars to the Tyndrum Inn for our final evening meal of the week together. We all agreed that Judy had organised another great May week in the mountains of Scotland for us, and next years possible destinations were liberally discussed over good food and a pint.
| |
This was our last evening of the meet; we had a lovely meal the pub in Tyndrum and back for a chat in the hostel lounge, sharing thoughts about possible options for next year. We had all had a really good time and everyone was keen to come to Scotland again. During the week we had seen a variety of wildlife, including birds such as buzzards, green finches, swallows and sand martins and heard cuckoos on most days.
Present: Andy Burton, Celine Gagnon, Judy Renshaw, Max Peacock, Mike Goodyer, Paul Stock, Philip Hands, Roger James.
Report compiled by Judy Renshaw with contributions from Andy, Roger and Phil.
| |
|
This years Peak Meet following on from last years stay at Hartington Hall YHA which allowed access to the northern end of Dovedale, was based at Ilam Hall YHA at the southern end of Dovedale about five miles north of Ashbourne.
With the Tissington Trail only a couple of miles away, Dovedale with its iconic flat-topped hill, Thorpe Cloud, at its entrance, overlooking the Stepping Stones, just 20 minutes’ walk from the front door of the hostel, and both the Manifold valley with its own cycle trail, and the Hamps valley all within easy walking distance of this beautifully maintained Hall and its associated village and Church, this fully catered hostel nestling just inside Staffordshire certainly did not disappoint.
|
 Ilam Youth Hostel
|
 Group outside Youth Hostel
| |
|
Eight of us arrived at various times during Friday from both North and South and places in between.
We all quickly made ourselves at home. Parking after offloading was in the Trust car park, free to members and available to visitors using the hostel at a discounted daily rate.
|
 Ed atop Thorpe Cloud
|
Ed and I walked across the fields behind the Izaak Walton Hotel down to the main Dovedale car park and round the back of and up Thorpe Cloud. We were greeted with a gentle mizzle of rain on top and made our way carefully off this quite lumpen limestone tabletop and back to the hostel in time for meeting some of the others and joining them for evening meal.
| |
|
Don and Judy arrived just in time to avoid being locked out, and this years group was complete, and off to their respective bunk beds for some well-earned rest as the journey for most had been a tedious rainy one.
Saturday morning brought dry weather albeit a little overcast. Five elected to cycle and three were going to set off on foot in the general direction of the Manifold valley.
Margaret shot off to the Tissington Trail Bike hire centre near Mapleton to rent a velocipede and Myles and I started up the hill towards Thorpe village on our own bikes. At the four ways corner by the Old Dog pub a figure in black lycra whizzed by as Myles and I were checking the map.
It was Ed, and he quickly disappeared out of sight on his road bike having elected not to use it on the trails. Myles and I made our way onto the trail and just before the cycle hire who should come cycling towards us, none other than Margaret Moore on an electric bike.
We turned round and started along the No. 68 trail heading north. We were passed by Don going the other way, and after ascertaining that he was happy doing his own thing, we carried on up the trail heading north.
At the bridge over the road to Biggin we took the off ramp, and crossed over the busy A515 onto route 54, which was an unmade road that was clearly popular with the green laners especially after a day of heavy rain. Letting a group of trail motorbikes go ahead Myles and I ended up walking some of the lumpier bits until we crossed over the lane between Pikehall and Parwich where the track took us smoothly round and up onto the High Peak Trail at Longcliffe. Here we were able to use the new bridge installed to replace the one made unsafe by a lorry striking one of the stone abutments in April 2019, and enjoy extensive views across most of Derbyshire to the south. This stretch had a profusion of primulas (cowslips) on either bank and both verges, as well as various bits of industrial archaeology dotted along the trail to both inform and entertain.
Passing under Harboro Rocks, which had a fair smattering of people climbing on the little limestone outcrops, we took the offramp down and crossed over the road into Wirksworth and took the lovely long downhill curve all the way into Hopton with its well-kept estate managed landscape, past the Miners Arms and across the B5035 onto the trail that goes alongside Carsington Water, where suddenly it was much much busier.
Here at the Severn Trent visitors centre we secured our bikes and took advantage of the very reasonable facilities for lunch. Our route then took us away from the Water, across the B5035 and through Bradbourne, one of only 14 Doubly Thankful villages in the country.
Crossing back over the busy B5056 just where the road going back into the Tissington Hall estate goes through a ford. With the water being well over a foot deep and flowing strong, we all used the little wooden footbridge and started off up the quite steep hill.
Here Margaret’s electric bike paid even more dividends than it already had, as she sped off up the hill saying she would save us a seat at the café built into the Hall wall in Tissington village itself. As a result, we were able to enjoy a mug of tea and watch the staff close up the cafe.
Margaret then returned back along the trail to the Bike Hire centre, and Myles and I cycled across the A515 through Thorpe village back to the hostel, where Ed having done 10 miles more than us was already waiting for us.
|
Taking the long way round - Eds solo ride
As the tyres on my road bike were not suitable for the various trails Andy had planned, I’d organised myself an alternative excursion around this part of the Peak District. Any notion that anyone else wanted to do likewise were soon dispelled, so off I set, after switching on my journey beacon.
It was a glorious morning as I rode along the bottom of the Dove valley, but all of that was about to be rudely interrupted with the climb out of the valley towards Thorpe. It was then I remembered why biking straight after a full breakfast was not a good idea. As the gradient steepened my pace slowed, finally coming to a stop for a quick breath before it was a push onto the top, and the steepest climb of the day completed.
From there, it was on to Tissington and then to the ford near the B5056 – no chances taken – I used the bridge, before turning off to Parwich, with its trees in and around the village green looking resplendent in their May blossom. I then head NNE out of the village, following a lovely wooded dale that climbs slowly to meet the main A515 Buxton road. It’s still a bit cool in this shaded Dale, but you can hear the bird chattering in the trees – a great time of day to be out. As it's not yet warmed up and it rained in the night, there are still the occasional patches of grit or grease or grit, which require some care, especially when conering.
After crossing the A515, I drop down Back Lane, which is one of those roads with grass in the middle of it, before skirting Biggin and crossing Biggin Dale to connect up with Long Dale. This is another lovely biking Dale that rises slowly but surely, and with great limestone scenery all around. Two or three peletons of riders pass me, the only warning being their rhythmical swish of pedals as they come past like pistons on a steam train. Reminds me of the pace that good cyclists are moving at!
|
 All quiet now!
|
All too soon, I’m up on the tops looking down on Aldery Cliff and across to Parkhouse and Chrome Hills, before I arrive at my turning point in Earl Sterndale. Alas, it appears that The Quiet Woman pub is no more; one of those time warps of quirkiness we occasionally used to enjoy. From there, I drop down to Crowdicote and up the other side to Longnor, where I pull in at the café for an early lunch refuelling stop. As I’m awaiting my order, another cyclist comes in and orders double espressos for himself and his two friends. On enquiring, he tells me they’ve already come from Rotherham this morning, and still have about a hundred more miles to complete in the afternoon!
| |
|
|
Heading out from Longnor, my general direction is west and, more importantly, up, climbing all the way to the top of the moor near Ramshaw Rocks and the main Buxton to Leek road. It’s decidedly chillier out of the valley, and the wind direction provides no assistance on the climb, so it’s low gears all the way to the top at Morridge. Then it’s payback time, with a four mile descent into Warslow and Hulme End – Up through the gears, keep off the brakes and enjoy the wind whistling past as the miles drop off. A further recharge of liquid and comestibles at the café at the end of the Manifold trail sees me fortified for the final miles.
| |
 Long descent from Morridge
| |
The remainder of my route back seems remarkably free of long or steep climbs, wending its way between valleys and limestones hills, to arrive at Wetton. From there, I connect up with Stanshope Lane and I’m looking down on the pub we’ve chosen for tomorrow’s lunch stop. Straightforward from there, or so I thought, until I manage to derail my chain on one of the minor inclines in my haste to select lowest gear and fall slowly onto the verge. After picking myself up and refitting the chain it was a quick reminder to self to go through a full gear check when home, to prevent a recurrence. All that remained to finish the ride was a steepening descent back to Ilam Hall, which was grit and grease free, so could arrive back with a flourish. A great run out – far enough this time at 40 miles to test both myself and the bike.
| |
Saturday’s evening meal was enjoyed by all eight of us in the Izaak Walton Hotel, a fifteen-minute walk across the fields from Ilam Hall.
Sunday dawned and along with the sunshine we were joined by Steve Caulton, who single handedly and valiantly held the fort for the day visitors this year.
After breakfast we said cheerio to Myles who was hotfooting it back home to get ready to fly to visit family in the USA on the Tuesday. We all set off past the church in the hall grounds and back across the fields to Dovedale itself, where we all successfully negotiated the stepping stones, despite them being officially closed for repair, and just relaxed into walking along this beautiful and very popular dale in the sunshine.
In Milldale we stopped briefly to use the facilities and enjoy a homemade ice cream before disappearing up the footpath onto Sunny Bank and across the fields to Alstonefield. Here we found a footpath that quickly took us out of the village and across the fields and down into Hopedale, where after about quarter of a mile on the road we arrived at the Watts Russell Arms, our lunchtime watering hole. As there was no food available at the pub, we were able to enjoy a pint with our own sandwiches, sat in the sun without having to suffer the ire of the staff.
Retracing our steps back along Hopedale and up out of the dale and into the collection of houses known as Stanshope, we found ourselves walking down a beautifully spring green grassy sward path into Hall Dale where the orchids gave us a very fine display.
Turning right at the bottom where this dale meets the river Dove, we quickly found ourselves, albeit on the opposite bank, back at the footbridge close to Ilam Rock. Here the two Dave’s bid their farewells as they were driving back home to Sunderland that evening.
We swung round under Ilam Rock now festooned on its vertical faces with at least half a dozen rock climbers and climbed up the steep path behind the tor out of the dale and up onto a footpath that skirted along the edge of the woodland.
Passing through Ilam Tops and down around and under Bunster Hill we found ourselves back in Ilam village close to the memorial, where Margaret yet again led the charge to get in the National Trust café in the hall before they closed.
Again, as a direct result, the staff were very generous with their timekeeping, everyone who wanted a cream tea got one. Judy and Don managed to meet up with their friend Joan at the Royal Oak for dinner. Ed and Margaret and I enjoyed another righteous meal in the hostel.
|
 Ed in the Manifold valley near Castern Hall.
|
 Don on Thorpe Cloud
|
Margaret decided to drive home in the quiet Sunday evening period that a Bank Holiday weekend often affords. That left Ed and I a free hand to do another twelve miler on the Monday in the Manifold and Hamps river valleys, and Don and Judy to climb up Thorpe Cloud.
With this area being new to us from Ilam Hall we were afforded a day virtually free of people with steady rising paths onto belvedereing tracks along ridge tops and edges with old mine sites, vibrant gorse scrub and woodland, with visits to the villages of Wetton and Grindon, nestling on opposite hilltops with a walk past a very busy Thor’s Cave between them.
| |
| |
With a strong coffee and just one more homemade ice cream each we both left Ilam Hall with a desire to return again to explore this quiet corner of Staffordshire sat right next to one of the most visited Dales in this part of the country, anytime soon.
The attendees were: Myles O’Reilly, Margaret Moore, David Clear, David Blackett, Judy Renshaw, Don Hodge, Ed Bramley, Andy Burton and Steve Caulton.
Report by Andy Burton. Photos from Andy, Ed, Dave and Judy.
| |
|
This, the third, ABMSAC ‘Skills’ meet took place at our club home in Patterdale over the weekend of the 5th-7th April 2024. As well as a fantastic opportunity to learn new skills and become immersed in the mountains, it was also a celebration of 50 years of the much loved birthday boy Jonny Dixon, who had chosen the weekend as one of his ‘fifty things to do at fifty!’
Thursday
Nine of us trundled from all across the country to the hut, in anticipation of ‘pizza night’ and some pre weekend birthday celebrations for Jonny. It was an evening of convivial company, catching up with old friends old and meeting new ones.
Friday
We awoke to windy wild weather with storm Kathleen approaching from the west and made the decision to walk to Brotherswater, with a suggestion from Andy to find the Priests’ hole which he’d seen on a postcard and had wanted to see for years. In the valley, a pair of mink were spotted, a male Goosander and numerous toads.
|
 ABM rainbow: Mary, Andy, Simon P, Heather, Jonny T, Louise, Celine, Simon C, Jonny D, next to Brotherswater
| |
After a snack above the lake looking over Dovedale, the hunt was on for the Priest’s hole. We did eventually find it but it was looming 50m above us and the wind was so strong we decided not to pursue it further. However we did ascend Hart Crag and encounter gale force winds along the ridge which at times blew us over and was a lesson to us all in communication and decision making.
It was a relief to descend Hartsop Over How via Hoggil brow, Gale Crag and Blueberry Knot, with myself at 6 months pregnant finding I had walked farther than planned, and with the exertion against the wind, was suffering new injuries.
For the evening meal, Jonny T and I cooked up a vegan Bolognese for all to enjoy. With Heather’s special apple crumble for dessert. The group were joined by Mike and Marian. And later Nan, Anna, Will, Martha, Paul and Charlie arrived after a long day spent on the M6.
Saturday
For the main training day of the meet we headed to Honister Pass where Andy shared some navigation challenges from mountain leader Nicky Merrett. Two teams set off to find features within this new area and rugged landscape, testing compass, GPS and micro navigation techniques learnt in previous years.
|
| |
After lunch up above the pass, the brilliant Gnash and Jonny led our Via Ferrata training session at Honister slate mine. Before heading to the wire we learned about confidence roping (with pulley, karabiner and rope), climbing skills and other safety techniques, practiced knots and got kitted up into VF gear.
| |
The wind was so strong that the waterfalls had become water-ups and the spray was blowing up and covering the outdoor via ferrata routes. And so the group were taken inside the old mine for a rather different experience than expected. There were three tiers within the old mine, with traversing tunnels, climbing ladders, suspended wire bridges, zip lines and stapled climbs. It got a little Lord of the Rings at times, although no dragon spotted this time…
There were demonstrations of how to rescue a person who had fallen off the staples (Jonny T rescued Simon and instructor Jonny rescued Charlie in single pulley rescues). The whole group enjoyed climbing inside the mountain and appreciated the shelter too! Looking ahead to a potential Dolomites trip now to practice what’s been learnt.
To celebrate a successful day of VF training, we ate a delicious dinner at the Langstrath Pub, a great find, just down the road from Honister in Stonethwaite. Upon our return to the hut, Nan held a late night birthday quiz in which was very much enjoyed by everyone (especially Jonny)!
|
Celines thoughts on the training day at Honister:
After a morning spent practicing our navigation skills (more or less successfully – I overheard a conversation about an elusive sheepfold) with a series of suggested exercises, whilst trying to keep our paper maps from flying away in the wind, we all regrouped to get ready for an afternoon of via ferrata practice at Honister Slate Mine, one of the oldest mines in the UK.
Gnash and Johnny, our guides, welcomed us in the gear shed to talk through the afternoon’s activity and how to stay safe. We learned and practiced the Figure of 8 Knot, put our helmets, harnesses and via ferrata kits on and set off for the mountain. By the time we reached the path though, the wind was so strong that Gnash decided to take us inside the mountain to climb for our safety as well as our enjoyment.
Inside, we followed the route of the original underground mine workings, clipping and unclipping as we completed the route with vertical climbs, rope-bridge crossings, steel ladder ascents, a run-away zip line and a Tarzan swing.
We are grateful to both of them for sharing some gear advice, Via Ferrata climbing skills and safety techniques to use on the wire. I don’t know how many of us will remember how to make a Figure of 8 Knot, but we should get there faster next time.
I think everyone enjoyed climbing inside a mountain under expert and calm guidance. We also appreciated the shelter it offered from the gales raging outside! We will see in the coming months how many of us now feel confident enough to go on via ferrata trips in the UK or the Alps.
| |
|
Sunday
We had a relaxed start to the day before heading to the Patterdale Mountain Rescue base for a tour with two of the team, Dan and Ken. They showed us the RIB rescue boat, their three land rovers and talked us through some rescues and response procedures. It was so brilliant to be welcomed into the base and see the operations of a mountain rescue team!
Celine presented them with a cheque for £150 from the ABMSAC as a token of our appreciation and to support their voluntary efforts. Andy has since sent a letter of thanks and a couple of ABMSAC beanies to keep them warm out on the fells.
| |
 Heather contemplating applying for the team!
| |
It has been a pleasure to run the ‘new members’ meet since 2015 and the ‘skills meet’ since 2022. Thank you to everyone over the last 9 years who has attended, become ABM members, trained us across many disciplines and generally supported us in the hills and on this spring time meet. And thank you to the ABMSAC committee for subsidising the training this year. It was such a fantastic opportunity for those new to Via Ferrata and has already inspired a couple of members to tackle some VF routes on the costa Brava in Spain. May there be many more adventures to come!
I shall be handing over the reins for next year’s meet, as Jonny T and I take on a new challenge of raising a human! Yes, it is an extreme way to secure new ABM members, but we’re doing our bit! Wish us luck! And hope to see you in the not too distant future, Mary x
Attendees: Nanette Archer, Anna Kaszuba, Simon Palmer, Mary Eddowes, Jonny Taphouse, Martha King, Paul Clarke, Heather Eddowes, Andy Burton, Jonny Dixon, Will Priestly, Charlie Rawson, Louise Mundy, Simon Coleman.
Report by Mary Eddowes
| |
|
As there was only Ed, Michele and Marcus it was decided that the group would go off piste and visit an area quite well known to Marcus through his fishing exploits. Meeting at Dixie’s cafe near Sprotborough just outside Doncaster (or Donny as those from Scunny would call it) meant fuel could be taken on board in the traditional breakfast way. A short drive up the road was made to a car park in Sprotborough where the walk was to start.
|
 Lock at the weir
|
The walk headed down hill on the road for a short distance before a footpath led along the River Don towards Doncaster. Michele and Ed revelled in Marcus’s exciting tales of huge gudgeon and Roach caught some thirty five years previously.
The path continued along the river and passed under the A1. How many times have we driven that section of road and not realised what a brilliant piece of engineering the flyover is? On this section there is also a line of crags known locally as Mo’s Buttress where chalk marks indicated that it was used by climbers.
| |
|
Eventually crossing over a small footbridge the route continued along the Trans Pennine Trail before unfortunately coming to a path closed sign. This meant a diversion back to the road near to Dixie’s cafe and through a housing estate, meaning the walk became very urban.
After the diversion we crossed the trail and entered the grounds of Cusworth Hall. The Hall was built in the 1700’s for William Wrightson a local land owner. If it can be said, there were good views across towards Doncaster.
|
There is nice cafe called the Butlers tea room where the group took shelter from the rain and partook of scones, tea and coffee.
The final section of the walk crossed fields and continued through a tunnel under the A1. Walking through the underpass felt like a scene from Harry Potter but fortunately without the Dementors.
| |
 Michelle viewing the local art
| |
The walk ended up back in Sprotborough after a modest eight miles or so. An unusual walk compared to our usual Peak District haunts, but very enjoyable nonetheless the less.
Participants:Marcus, Michelle and Ed
Report by Marcus Tierney
| |
|
We all met at the New Forest car park at Fritham, five regulars and a Northern visitor - Andy. It was trying to rain (not again!) and we all donned our waterproof coats and some even went all the way to include overtrousers. This seemed to work as the light rain soon stopped, but is was quite windy.
|
 Walking on Hampton Ridge
|
 At the end of the Ridge
| |
|
Setting off trough the woods we quickly reached heathland and walked on the Hampton Ridge. This gave us extensive views of the North part of the New Forest. This area has a bit of WWII history, as Steve recounted. The Ashley Walk Bombing Range was operational from 1940 until 1946, and was used for target practice by aircraft from RAF Boscombe Down, Salisbury, as well as explosive and bomb testing. There were airstrips, control and observation towers, as well as different target types within its boundary, which enclosed a total of 5000 acres.There is very little evidence today.
|
 Leaving Hyde after brunch
|
 Heathland
| |
|
We arrived at the Potting Shed cafe in Hyde, which providing us with brunch. We returned via Hasley and Sloden Inclosures. A good 10 miler with great views. All well planned and booked by Steve Creasey, who also found us the Green Dragon at Brook to finish.
Cheers one and all.
Participants:Mitch, Paul, Mike O'D, Steve, Mike and Andy
Report by Andy & Mike
| |
|
“One lump or two” said Andy to Marcus, as we sat in Tilly’s café, watching the rain come down. I wasn’t sure whether he was talking about the rain, or sugar cubes. But I needn’t have worried – by the time we had left the café, the rain had stopped, and the weather was slowly brightening up.
 leaving Castleton after the rain Our route started inauspiciously down a small ginnel in one of the back streets in Castleton, but soon became a proper limestone gill, with water running down what should have been a dry path. As we went higher up Cave Dale, it was clear why this limestone valley was so named. Both hillsides were dotted with cave entrances, and from one (with a grille on), there was a low whistling noise. “That one connects to Peak Cavern” remarked Marcus, sharing some of his caving knowledge of the area.
|
 Cave Dale
|
 Peveril Castle
| |
|
|
 Remains of Slitherstone mine
|
Higher up the dale, we took a path right, which offered up great views of Cave Dale and Peveril castle, and as we went further, Winnats Pass and Mam Tor. Before long, our route swung to join the line of an old mining rake, which could be traced from the far side of Cave Dale, to where we were heading for. At the top of the rake, near Rowter farm, we came across several old shafts and spoil heaps – the remains of Slitherstone lead mine. “Titan is only just above us” remarked Marcus, referring to the cave shaft that was rediscovered in 1999, and is the deepest in Britain at 464ft.
| |
|
It's a straightforward track out to the road beside Mam Tor, and we take the opportunity to detour to Windy Knoll cave, (a fissure cave) where a large number of late Pleistocene bones were found in the late 1800s, including bison, reindeer, bear and wolves. From the road, it’s a short pull up onto the top of Mam Tor and the ditch remains of the middle and late bronze age hill fort. A cracking view, including the next part of our route, which has been dubbed ‘The great ridge walk’. It's certainly a favourite of mine. We move easily along the path, which now has flagstones to protect it along part of the way. A short pause for lunch at Hollins Cross before ascending Back Tor (looks like a mini Eiger from this aspect when it’s got snow on) and along to the top of Lose Hill.
|
 Winnats pass and Mam Tor
|
 ‘The great ridge’
| |
|
From there, we descend to Crimea farm, and then follow several good tracks back into Castleton. And we still had time for a finishing cuppa at the same café we started at.
Participants:Marcus, Michelle, Andy and Ed
Report by Ed Bramley
| |
|
It was yet another wet winter’s walk, this time starting and finishing in Oakley Hampshire.
The route started in the village centre avoiding main roads we were quickly on footpaths, heading towards Bulls Bushes Copse the first of many deciduous woodlands that we walked through on this 11 mile circuit. On leaving there Copse, we picked up the Wayfarers Way long distance path, for only a short distance before we diverted to Steventon and St Nicholas Church where Rector Austen, (1731-1805) the father of Jane Austen was in residence in the mid 1700s.
|
 St Nicholas church
|
 Inside the church (Library photo)
| |
|
|
On leaving St Nicholas Church we walked through the grounds of Ashe Park (42 acres) and caught a glimpse only of Ashe House, before crossing the B3400 to the official source of the River Test, famous for its trout fishing and allegedly the birth place of fly fishing.
| |
 Source of the Test (library photo)
| |
Stopping in the porch of the Holy Trinity Church for lunch, continuing on through Ashe Park with a significant diversion as the underground tributaries to the River Test were above ground and ankle plus deep. We by passed All Saints Church at Deane as it was cut off by flood water.
|
 Deane church cut off
|
 Passing the flood at Deane
| |
|
Picking up again the Wayfarer’s Way back into Oakley via Keith Able’s newly plant vineyard - he of Able & Cole Organic food supplier fame. Finally we welcomed hot drinks and homemade cakes at Jolly Ollie’s Cafe
All the churches are Commonwealth War Grave Commission sites.
Participants: Margaret, Judy, Mike G, Paul, Mitch and Mike O'D
Photos: Mike G, Mike O'D, Judy
Report by Mike O'Dywer
| |
|
Today’s walk began at the Outside shop at Hathersage. After breakfast and and drinks the group left Hathersage via the A6187 for a few yards before ascending through High Lees. The walk continued topping out on Owler Over Tor. At this point there were great views over the Burbage valley and across to the Longshaw Estate.
Group on the march
The walk continued across to the Hathersage Moor sheepfold and with bad weather expected we stopped and took stock. Keeping an eye on the weather the walk continued past the huge leaning block of Higgar Tor. At this point Marcus explained how ambition and ability weren’t evenly matched when he attempted the infamous climb called the Rasp in 1987. However he looked stunning in his purple and blue tie dyed outfit so it mattered not whether he climbed it or not, looking good was more important at the time.
|
 Cave dwellers!
|
The group continued to Stanage Edge with a fine drizzle beginning to obscure the views as the route passed the Cowper Stone. This is an area where Ring Ouzels regularly nest each year. It is virtually guaranteed to see them here and along the North end of the nearby Burbage Edge at the right time of year.
With the weather still worsening the group descended on to the Balcony by Robin Hoods cave. Unfortunately the main cave was full of water but shelter was found in order to have some lunch, Andy and Ed looking like a pair of troglodytes.
| |
|
A decent was made to Dennis Knoll where a decision to descend at this point was made. The route descended through the North Lees estate under North Lees Hall. This was a building regularly visited by the Brontes and the building itself was the inspiration for Thornfield Hall in the novel Jane Eyre.
The walk ended at Hathersage and coffee and cake was most welcome as the drizzle was heavy with little visibility left on the tops so the timing was good.
Keep smiling
Andy, Steve, Marcus and Michele later stopped for a drink on the way home in Mansfield to celebrate a significant birthday for Steve. Congratulations Steve.
A very good day thanks to all who came.
Participants:
Andy, Steve, Ed, Heather, Ian, Marcus and Michele.
Photos by Andy, Ian and Marcus.
Report by Marcus Tierney
| |
|
The South walk started in Selborne, with the rain coming in early. Waterproof trousers were donned at the start, which is never a good sign!
An enjoyable 10 mile walk, despite the persistent rain. A lunch time respite in the Rose and Crown in U Farringdon was welcome. I'm assured by Paul that there are fine views to be had on this walk - we must do it again in good weather and see!
Wet group at the top of the Zig Zags
The Selborne Common track was very muddy but the Zig Zag path at the end led us quickly to afternoon tea at the cafe at Gilbert White's House and Garden.
Participants:
Margaret M, Margaret O'D, Judy, paul, Mitch, Steve and Mike
Report by Mike Goodyer
| |
|
The 2024 Annual Dinner Meet started for me in the time-honoured manner with a drive up to Calverley to collect young Edmund. The main difference is now we are retired that the driving takes place in daylight, and on Thursday, avoiding all the delights of driving the motorways of Britain on a Friday evening!
After a lovely lunch with the Bramleys, including meeting the newly walking Isla and catching up with all the building works at Jen and Stews, Ed and I set off for the hills.
With all the various reports of landslides and road works causing delays over Kirkstone we elected to drive straight to the Hut and go for a short walk from there.
Finding Suzanne already in residence, your Editor out on the fells somewhere and Don and Judy arriving as Ed and I were donning our boots for a stroll up to Boredale Hause and back, the meet was well underway.
Beautiful evening light greeted Ed and I as we walked back through Side Farm to the ever-welcoming Hut now with its lights on and a curl of smoke emanating from the chimney.
Evening sun
Ed set to with preparing dinner for four, whilst I drove to Penrith and collected Celine from the railway station. Julie Jones and Pip arrived in their hire car and together with Celine began their communal catering.
Suzanne returned later having been invited by Mike Parsons to an Alpine Club evening lecture and together with Marian we all spent the rest of the evening catching up and making plans for the morning.
Celine, Ed, Mike and I elected to take the first ferry from Glenridding to Pooley Bridge and walk back along one side of the Ullswater Way and the four M’s were going to join us.
With strong winds the main feature of the weather forecasting we should not have been surprised that when we arrived at the ferry office all sailings had been cancelled.
On the Ullswater Way
A quick revision of our plans and we set off along the Ullswater Way to Aira Force. Here a coffee stop in the National Trust café allowed everyone to catch up before we walked around Gowbarrow to the Ullswater viewpoint.
Here it became abundantly apparent why the ferry had been cancelled and continuing on round to Airy Crag where no one tarried for a photo reinforced the decision, not to go any higher. The work on the path down towards Dockray had gone on apace since the President’s meet, making the descent much easier.
The Royal was open, and the stove was on and well alight, so we dried off a bit externally and rehydrated in equal measure, before returning via the Aira Force grounds till we joined the way we had come in the morning.
Aira Force
Another communal meal on the Friday night prepared by your Editor was enjoyed by Ed and I as more people steadily arrived to take the number up to fifteen staying at the Hut. Several of us made our way down to the Inn on the Lake to join the twenty or so staying in the hotel for the weekend. As always, the conversation flowed regardless of how long it’s been since we last met.
Saturday morning three separate walking groups formed at the Hut and what follows are accounts written by individuals from each group, starting with the first group ably cajoled out the door, by Elsbeth Robson.
With a reasonable forecast (apart from seriously strong winds) a party of six ABMSAC members (Mary Eddowes & Jonny, Celine, Vice-President Daniel Albert, Andy Hayes and Elsbeth Robson, the author of this piece) set off from the GSH aiming for Birkhouse Moor.
| |
|
|
|
Through the lovely churchyard of Patterdale church clumps of snowdrops lifted our spirits with thoughts that spring might not be too far off. There was lots of chatter as we ascended the road above the beautiful beech woods alongside the rushing and tumbling Grisedale Beck below flowing through the grounds of Patterdale Hall.
We took the route via Lanty’s Tarn (very full of cold, dark, clear water) and after looking at the old icehouse, diverted over the stile and up the hill to Keldas to enjoy the delightful view over Ullswater. After a snack or two we retraced our steps onto the open access land and following the wall gradually ascended towards the upper reaches of Mires Beck. Lunch was had in the chilly shelter of a tumbledown sheepfold with lovely views of the fells and the lake.
| |
Fortified, we continued the climb up to the cairn on the summit of Birkhouse Moor. A Wainwright bagged at 718m. The wind was pretty ferocious forcing us to crouch and sit down low to the ground. Given the conditions we decided against the possibility of continuing along the ridge to the Hole in the Wall and descending via Red Tarn. Instead, we retraced steps to our lunch spot and descended on the path along Mires Beck. Just above Glenridding Beck the party split up – most making their way down into Glenridding but the author contoured back to Lanty’s Tarn for a little foray into the woods and enjoyed the shafts of evening light piercing through the clouds above Eagle Crag.
| |
During the outing we spied quite a lot of hikers out walking above us up towards Helvellyn including on Striding Edge and questioned their judgement given the extremely strong winds.
Everyone was back at the GSH in time to transform themselves into very smart attire for the evening’s AGM and with a hearty appetite worked up for the several courses of dinner at the Inn on the Lake.
| |
|
| |
|
Mike, Ed and I left the Hut shortly after Elsbeth and the gang and headed back up Boredale Hause with three of the 4M’s catching me up as I crossed the Goldrill Beck bridge. The fourth M, (Margaret O’Dwyer) having elected to walk to Brotherswater at her own pace.
Very quickly after the Hause, Ed and the two Mike’s crossed Freeze Beck and made their way up to Beda Fell Knott and out of sight. Michele, Marcus and I stopped close to the Knott and looking round to Buck Crag at the top end of Bannerdale we saw several deer silhouetted against the skyline. As we watched they made their way out of sight towards that area marked Deer Forest on the map.
|
 Bracing winds
|
 Coming back to the Hut
| |
|
We then enjoyed a windswept but quite sunny walk along Beda Fell, stopping for a sandwich at the cast iron bench on Howstead Brow, enjoying clear views of the obelisk on Hallin Fell, Sandwick Bay, and through the Coombs above Martindale towards Howtown, and out towards the Pennines.
|
|
We then made our way past the lovely little church among the trees and along the grassy path around Hallin Fell to Waternook and back along the lakeside path among the trees to Sandwick.
As we made or way along the track towards Scalehow Force and the little footbridge two PMRT vehicles passed us and disgorged several of their team members, almost as the track becomes undriveable. They quickly made their way up the path towards Low Moss and by the radio traffic and their overall pace and demeanour they were attending a callout.
| |
|
| |
|
Blowing up to Sheffield Pike by Heather Eddowes:
We knew the Saturday was going to give the best weather for the weekend and so after a filling hotel breakfast Dave and I donned boots and rucksacks and headed out into the gusts and sunshine. We made our way through Glenridding, past the Traveller's Rest, up the Greenside Road, past the cottages and so to the path up through The Rake.
Shall we? Shan’t we? Yes let’s go up the Dodd first. So we followed the easy, steep path up to Glenridding Dodd (442m) and were rewarded with fabulous views along Ullswater, over to Place Fell and the summits behind us. A few gusts of wind but nothing to worry about.
|
A couple happily arrived shortly after us and obliged by photographing us with Sheffield Pike behind. This was in exchange for an explanation of the club’s logo on Dave’s beanie hat . . . . Association of what? Where? When? Who? And of course why? They seemed impressed with my explanation!
The view westwards had a couple of walkers silhouetted on the path up to Sheffield Pike. So that was it. Off we went.
As more height was gained so did the strength of the wind. The sudden gusts were particularly well timed to coincide with one or other of us crossing over an exposed step or two with only a branch of heather to steady ourselves. (I’m good for something!) We caught up with the walkers ahead as they left their sheltered lunch spot. So that was the place for our snack stop too. Perfect. Another 5 minutes of ascent had us in the full blast of the wind. The Pike wasn’t too far ahead but the wind slowed progress significantly. Overbalancing was to be avoided so all four limbs (in my case) hoicked me to the summit (675m) where Dave was waiting - naturally . . . It was very windy - yes very windy.
| |
 Nice hat Sir!
| |
The easy inclined path to descend the NW side of Sheffield Pike was hard work due to the ‘uphill’ wind and the wet boggy nature of the terrain. But the col was finally reached, and we turned right and followed the well-walked stony path descending Bleabank Side, beneath Black Crag into the Glencoyne valley and over the very uneven, stony path through the fallen trees from the storms a few years ago, to the Seldom Seen cottages.
An easy steady track brought us to the right fork up and so over a very small col over to the main road at Mossdale Bay. The lake side footpath brought us back to Glenridding and the hotel in plenty of time to prepare for the evening’s AGM and Annual Dinner.
A veritable posse of ABMSAC female members headed for the Annual Dinner at the Inn on the Lake in Glenridding, spurred on by the news that the President had, for the first time, invited a lady as Guest Speaker – the indomitable Kate Ross. What a treat!
| |
|
Pip and Julie Jones thoughts:
Not to be deterred by yet another rail strike, we came by trains and boats and ... no, seriously, we came by Avanti West Coast, by car, even hired a car to be there, deftly circumventing the cancellations of Friday by travelling up on the Thursday. The extra day gained dawned wet and very windy so my weekend guest, Pip, was persuaded to try the delights of Keswick rather than Kirkstone (closed) and a circuitous route back to George Starkey via Borrowdale.
Afternoon tea was thwarted by scaffolding at the Lodore Hotel but that left plenty of room for supper at the Brotherswater Inn.
Pip was not only a former Joint Alpine Meet participant at Randa, including a memorable overnight with unnamed ABM members at the Trift Berggasthaus, but she also came along as a prospective new member. Having lived in Bhutan for two years and worked extensively in Africa, her wry observations provided welcome feedback and fresh eyes.
And so it was to bed and the crushing disappointment of finding that the refurb of the ladies shower room had been postponed yet again by the need, this time, for roof repairs. We may enjoy the sobriquet ‘geezer gals’ but surely it is the turn of the female members in the year when we celebrated, nay embraced, the role of women in the hills. Even the BMC have a new initiative, OutdoorHer, to address such things although ‘Toileting in the Wild’ is, perhaps, a little too much information – sheep have been doing it for centuries.
Saturday was a joy from start to finish. Heading up to the Hole in the Wall mid-morning, well behind the trail-blazing men, we met hardened lady walkers coming back down having been blown over on the upper traverse by gusts of 40mph. A brief detour to idyllic Lantys Tarn brought us down at nightfall, just in time to change for the evening’s proceedings. The well-chosen menu, with vegetarian options, courtesy of Julie Freemantle’s unstinting efforts, lively conversation and general reminiscing made for another excellent Annual Dinner.
A wonderful, illustrated talk by Kate Ross, more a relaxed chat amongst friends than formal lecture, rounded off the evening, ably hosted by retiring President, Andy Burton.
Pip said she would be back when the loos are upgraded – the bubble wrap around the cisterns is not bio-degradable. These things matter nowadays.
| |
|
Arriving back at the Hut in time to get ready for the AGM and Annual Dinner I drove Ed, Celine and Mike up to the Inn on the Lake in readiness for the AGM, meeting our Guest Speaker Kate Ross and her partner Keith Lambley on completion of the AGM process which included introducing Daniel Albert, the next Club President to the assembled throng.
What followed was an interesting evening with good food and drink and diverting conversation all in the company of ABMSAC memorabilia on display followed by a riveting talk from Kate with great accompanying photos of her life in the mountains that was enjoyed by us all, if the positive feedback I have had is anything to go by.
With thanks to all those who worked in the background to make the evening a success, especially Julie Freemantle, and all who made the trip to join us at the Inn on the Lake.
I hope to see you all next year when I am back sat at the naughty table and Daniel is in charge of proceedings.
Report by Andy Burton with contributions from Elsbeth, Heather, Pip and Julie.
Editors Note: At the Annual Dinner there was a pictorial review of the 2023. Thanks to Don Hodge for compiling this review from the website and for Ed Bramley posting it on youtube.
Annual Dinner Walks -
Gowbarrow Round,
Bedafell Round
| |
Excellent Southern day walk on a clear winters day, organised by Margaret M, along the Ridgeway and countryside around West Ilsley. Stunning views, but a biting cold wind on the tops.
|
 Cold start at Bury Down
|
 View from Bury Down on the Ridgeway looking towards Harwell Labs
| |
|
On the Ridgeway we came across an early Iron Age round barrow (Scutchamer Knob). Legend has it that it’s the burial site of Saxon King, Cwichelm.
Group on Scutchamer Knob
|
 Lord Wantage Monument
|
We had short coffee break at the Lord Wantage Monument to Brigadier General Robert Loyd Lindsay. He was a Crimean War hero and he formed the British National Society for Aid to the Sick and Wounded, which later became known as the Red Cross.
His widow had it erected in 1903.
| |
|
Six of us walked along an enclosed trackway to Farnborough, which is the highest village in Berkshire (!).
|
 Badger Face Welsh mountain sheep
|
 Woodland walk on the way to West Ilsley
| |
|
We found a spot in the sun and out of the wind for a quick lunch before reaching West Ilsley and returning to the car park up the hill.
|
Welcome sight!
|
At the end of the walk we had a warm up and a drink in the recently reopened pub, The Harrow, in West Ilsley. This rounded off a great day.
The walk was a little over 12 miles and 650' of ascent.
| |
|
Attendees: Steve Butterfield, Mike Goodyer, Margaret Moore, Paul Stock, Judy Renshaw and Mitch Snedden.
Report and photos: Mike and Margaret
Tuesday 9th Januarys walk was a revisit to Cromford. With the advance party enjoying a cooked breakfast at the Tor Café nestling under the limestone outcrop of Willersley Castle Rocks, a trad climbing crag great for hot weather and summer evening climbing as it is north facing and overlooks the river Derwent and the castle house of the same name.
The contrast between the cool climbing area and its tree covered slopes to the river and the busy ‘T’ junction on the main road to Matlock that appears only as you top out, is quite marked.
Group wrapped up against the elements
Free parking was secured on the road alongside the entrance to the Mill for us and Heather and shortly after that Ed too. Martin and Pat parked in the Wharf car park close to the toilet block.
A wise move as the café didn’t open till ten and then the glass doors were found to be jammed! This did allow me to spot the various fish shoaling in the canal right by the Wharf café outside seating area. With Marcus coming across to verify my sightings of perch and pike and adding roach to the list, it was an auspicious start to this beautifully clear but cold morning.
As we started walking along the Cromford Canal we were treated to regular sightings of a dabchick (Little Grebe) feeding in the dark canal waters. By the time we reached Aqueduct Cottage I had counted five of these lovely little diving birds.
|
Aqueduct Cottage
|
Aqueduct Cottage, now almost fully renovated and landscaped, is occupied by the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, who had volunteers onsite to inform passersby on the progress of this site. Made no doubt a bit easier by the warmth provided by well-lit wood-burning stove.
| |
|
|
Returning back along the other side of the canal over the aqueduct above the Derwent River back to High Peak Junction with its bright red railway carriage which serves as an information centre on this major piece of local industrial archaeology.
| |
Information Centre
| |
|
On the incline
|
It also marks the start of the ramp that forms the incline of the High Peak Trail that leads from here all the way up to just beyond the Royal Oak pub and campsite at Hurdlow, a place many attendees on my Peak Meet have enjoyed visiting over the years. A great walking and cycling route for all to enjoy.
Everyone enjoyed this stretch in their own way, reaching the old Engine House built to house the winding wheels for raising and lowering the goods wagons on the incline, whilst enjoying the views that open out towards High Tor and Matlock.
| |
|
|
Ed and Marcus resisted the temptation to have a go at Railway Slab, and we all made our way up onto the main part of Black Rocks and reminisced about routes climbed on this substantial gritstone outcrop over all the years.
| |
Black Rocks
| |
|
Heather braves the wind
|
With Heather braving the nithering breeze to stand on top, Ed reenacting his first climb that he made with his Dad, Eric and Marcus showing us that he has still got it in his own inimitable way, we quickly hunkered down in the sun and out of the breeze to eat our butties and share various leftover from Christmas cakes and biscuits.
| |
|
With a downhill return to Cromford Wharf and its café for an early coffee and cake finish, to allow for Ed to get home in good time for his Zoom lecture on our adventures in the Karwendel in 2012, and for us all to be back home and tuned in to watch said lecture, ensured this was also the shortest day walk to date.
Attendees: Martin Whitaker and Pat Cocks, Ed Bramley, Heather Eddowes, Michele and Marcus Tierney and Andy Burton
Report by Andy Burton
The Twixmas meet this year was quieter than recent years but still good fun. Maybe people had been put off by the weather, which was significantly wet and windy, but had its dry and bright moments. Don and I arrived on the 29th, to find only Pamela and another AC member feeling cold as they had been unable to light the fire. Don sorted that out, then we had the first of 3 sociable evenings with Marian and Mike, first in the hut, next at their house, then in the hut with Pamela and Alan joining us for a very enjoyable shared meal, with contributions from all.
Glenridding from across Ullswater, photo by Marain
The next day had steady rain which turned to snow higher up. I did an ‘interesting’ route up the Hare Shaw approach to Place fell. The new snow fell deeply enough to cover all the paths, so I took a slightly wrong route near the top, corrected it to find the main top and decided that, in poor visibility, snow covered paths and no one around, it was better to descend almost to Boredale House and take the path around to Swanwick and back along the lake path. The mountain rescue team were out, helping someone who had broken an arm falling on the lake path. Don did various essential jobs around the hut and Pamela went up above Hartsop, finding it very windy.
New year fun in Ullswater, photo Judy
On the Saturday Daniel came over so we went up to Keldas, across the Glenridding YH and up to the col, descending down to Seldom Seen where we saw a red squirrel. On New Year’s Day several of us watched the crazy local swimmers at Glenridding pier while Marian was in charge of the cake stall at the village pop-up café. Don gave them some custom at lunch time while I had a quick jaunt up Glenridding Dodd and Sheffield Pike before setting off on the journey home.
Present: Marian Parsons, Mike Parsons, Don Hodge, Judy Renshaw, Daniel Albert, Pamela Holt (AC), plus Alan Hinckes and four AC members.
Report by Judy Renshaw
Archived reports from 2001 to 2023.
| |
