Meet Report: 8-10 December 2023.

Above Kettlewell, at 467m high on the slopes of Great Whernside, Hag Dyke has a special place in the hearts of long-standing members, having seen a string of meets in living memory. It was the finish point of the seven peaks long walk in June 1978 when the start was near Dent and the going ‘perfect for walking, sunny but not too hot, with firm going underfoot’ for Crag Hill / Great Coum, optional Green Hill, Whernside, Ingleborough, Pen-y-Ghent, Fountains Fell / Darnbrook Fell, crossing Old Cote Moor to reach Buckden Pike and Great Whernside.  January 1982 saw Great Whernside shrouded in cloud throughout and some had difficulties in navigating to Meugher’s top, this being pre-GPS. January 1983 gave cold, dry, windy conditions.  More snow in 1984 with mention in the meet report of a blizzard. There was a September meet there in 1993 for which memory fails. Another Christmas meet with good snow cover was in 1999 when one member had to thaw his car’s frozen brake drums with a camping stove, down in Kettlewell. 

However, the forecast for this 2023 meet weekend was dismal: wet, windy, and accurate.  Another portent that this was not to be a sparkling end-of-the-year meet was the string of late cancellations each for a plausible reason. One prospective member thankfully stayed home to avoid passing his stomach bug to those attending, another broke a femur falling from his bike, and a third bounced off the bonnet of a car after it had pulled out suddenly in front of him. That last one is clearly made of sterner stuff as despite badly damaged ribs, he made it to the meet for the Saturday night. A couple of members cancelled because of a spell of poor health and another had damaged his back lifting things.  Sixteen other members and guests made it up the two-mile uphill path to Hag Dyke, most arriving in reasonable health, windblown and dripping.   

The farm track up to Hag Dyke had suffered in the recent heavy rains and we were advised not to take vehicles up there, although Tim, in his daughters pickup managed it fairly comfortably along with Alans Clare and Linford and a supply of beer. One of the Hag Dyke wardens kindly arranged a 5pm rendezvous at the car park and took the food and a few rucksacks up in his Land Rover. This allowed several members to fortify themselves in the Blue Bell Inn for the ascent.  That Friday afternoon, three of them had warmed up (perhaps ‘already tested the waters’ would be a better expression) with a round from Bolton Bridge taking in the Valley of Desolation and The Strid.  The Lathams had been out cycling in the Kilnsey area, close to where another member had been out dealing with estate business. 

Arriving in pitch dark and lashing rain, some had difficulty finding an openable door to the Scout hostel which had been a large farmhouse until 1947.  Once in, they were greeted by another warden, Andrew, who ensured that their wet and muddy gear was stowed in the right place.  Andrew was ever attentive assisting with advice regarding the fires, cooking, and such as he had done during our 1980s meets.   

After the rigours of arriving, all welcomed Tim’s individual steak pies, peas, and chips with a rich gravy followed by fruitcake and cheese. After a convivial chat, everyone headed off to the comfortable bunks. These were designed for boy scouts and suited all but our longest members. 

It took a while to get going as Saturday dawned- not on account of the weather but a slowness in locating the master light switch which reinstated daytime lighting after the overnight emergency lights only circuit.  Power restored, breakfast was prepared with Steve patiently using tongs to toast bread by glowing embers. 

Several small determined groups set off east, straight up towards Great Whernside. With each step up to a higher bench the bogginess increased, the wind strengthened, and more rain found a way into clothing. So only six members made it to the less boggy top and its trig point.  The others retraced their steps, heading down to Kettlewell for valley-based outings. 

Peter Chadwick determinedly headed off south to Sandy Gate and the rough country of Conistone Moor walking the boundary of the Sheep Gait there, checking what repairs may be needed to retain the flocks on this shared grazing area.  He found brief respite in a shepherds’ stone shelter. A round of about 10 miles and a return as the light was failing. 

Paul headed off east following Stone Beck towards Angram Reservoir returning over the flanks of Little Whernside. Another round with an outward route over rough country. 

The others, Smiths and Richards, separately made their way north to the Leyburn road, then towards Kettlewell either via Starbotton or near Dow Cave. 

Setting off north from Hag Dyke, Tim and Iain walked past abandoned East Scale Lodge and down the road to Kettlewell. 

Wherever they were, everyone found tricky stream crossings as water was pouring out of every small hole in the hillsides. The bridge over to Dow Cave was under the water.  Many assembled in either the Kings Head or the Blue Bell Inn to dry out a little, take refreshment and spin out the afternoon until a return could be made to arrive back at Hag Dyke as darkness was falling.  

Peter and Verity Elliott produced an evening meal to put right the rigours of such demanding conditions: soup and rolls, cottage pie with peas and carrots, fruit pies and custard with cheese to follow.

The wind roared overnight. As breakfast was being prepared, there was a brief clearing and a red glow across the clouds. It did not last.  After clearing up the hostel, most were making their way down and either home or, in the case of the Richards, to the Lake District. 

Thanks go to the Ben Rhydding Scouts and Guides for the use of the Hag Dyke and to Peter, Verity and Tim for organising the meet and seeing to the catering.   

Attendance:  Peter Chadwick, Peter Elliott, Verity Elliott (G), Iain Gilmour, David Hick, Tim Josephy, Anne Latham, Pete Latham, Alan Linford, Alan Clare, Paul Magson, Lewis Preston (G), Steve Richards, Wendy Richards, Fiona Smith, Helen Smith, Michael Smith, Conrad Tetley.