ABMSAC - Reports

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

North Wales Meet - Rhyd Ddu, 7/8 June

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.

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

Scottish Meet - Crianlarich, 18-24 May

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.

Peak District Meet - May day weekend

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.

on the Tissington Trail approaching Biggin

Ilam Church with Thorpe Cloud behind

Hot Air balloon over Thorpe Cloud

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.

Ilam Rock

Bridge over the Dove at Ilam Rock

Ed, David and Steve at Dove Holes

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.

Skills Meet - George Starkey Hut, April

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

North day walk, A fishing expedition..? - 9 April

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

South day walk, New Forest gambol - 9 April

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

North day walk, Castleton and Mam Tor - 12 March

“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

South day walk, Churches around Oakley - 12 March

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

North day walk, February

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

South day walk, February

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

Annual Dinner, Lake District, February

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

Ridgeway & West Ilsley, January

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

Cromford, January

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

Twixmas Meet, New Year

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.