Meet Report: 2-4 September 2022.

By Friday evening most of the meet had arrived at Lowstern. A populous tented village had sprung up outside and the kitchen was busy with people cooking their evening meals.

During the afternoon several parties were out. Mick Borroff climbed Ingleborough from Newby Cote, descending via Gaping Gill and a bone dry Fell Beck. He noted that the valley below Trow Gill looked bare after extensive felling to control Ash Dieback. Steve and Wendy Richards with Michael Smith spent the afternoon climbing at Hutton Roof; Conrad and Beverley set off to join them but foiled by a road closure, retired to the Lake House (formerly the Reading Room) in Clapham for a pre dinner drink. Tim Josephy cycled up Long Lane to Thieve’s Moss, descending to Austwick and back to Clapham. Passing the Lake House he was waylaid and found a large contingent of Wayfarers and YRC in residence.

Saturday saw just about everyone out on or under the fells. Martyn Trasler pottered around the hut and prepared the evening repast. Alan Clare, who is waiting for a new hip next month and currently is not very mobile, along with John Lloyd went to inspect the archimedes screw in the River Ribble at Settle. This machine, using 3^rd century BC technology was installed in 2010 to generate electricity but owing to the extremely low water flow rate was not operating.

Two Wayfarers, Mark and Will, went to Kingsdale. Rain, possibly heavy, was forecast and anticipating rapid run off should that occur they were reluctant to commit to any serious caving. They went to Yordas Cave and descended all the entrances including Yordas Pot. They then went to the Valley Entrance and spent an entertaining hour or two rigging the roof traverse above the master cave. They were rather disappointed that no rain arrived so their caution was unnecessary. Still, better safe than sorry.

A party of five Wayfarers climbed Ingleborough from Newby Cote, descending past Gaping Gill and the Ingleborough estate.

Bruce Hassell, having had little walking following an operation and wanting an easy day went with Michael Smith on a tour around Oxenber, Wharfewood, Moughton, Whetstone, Sulber Gate then back via Norber and the New Inn.

Bruce’s easy day at over 22km left him rather dazed and in need of restoration.

Steve Crossley met a local friend and the pair enjoyed an excellent cycle from Malham Tarn along the bridleway to Litton Cote, down the road to Kilnsey Crag then back along Mastiles Lane to the Tarn.

Mick, Wendy, Steve, Conrad and Beverley followed the “5 mile wall” from Scar End up to the summit of Whernside which was thronged with 3 peakers. They picked their way down to the Kingsdale-Dentdale col to pick up the Occupation Road round to the disused quarry, where an unmarked narrow trod leads up the southern edge of Great Combe to its eponymous summit. The County Stone was examined on the descent and the ridge followed almost to Gragareth before cutting down to the Turbary Road for some pothole entrance spotting. After passing Kail Pot they descended through the tiers of limestone pavement back to the car to conclude an excellent walk.

Tim followed a mountain bike route called the Ingleborough Round. Up Long Lane to  Thieves’ Moss, Sulber, Borrins and down to Horton which was overrun with 3 peak support parties. From there a tricky climb was negotiated up the eroded track to Sell Gill Holes then on via High Birkwith, Ling Gill, Gearstones and a welcome tea and bacon roll at Ribblehead. The final off road section took him under the viaduct and along the lane past Gunnerfleet and Ivescar farms, the surface slowly deteriorating to grass and mud with occasional exposed limestone. Quite testing for a novice rider. Eventually a steep and sometimes rocky descent reached tarmac at Ged Campion’s house and all that was left was a cruise along the back road to Newby and Lowstern. At 50 km it sounds impressive until you learn that he had the assistance of a little electric motor.

With the arrival of Arthur Salmon, Frank Wilkinson and Wayfarer Peri Stracchino, 22 sat down to Martyn’s three course dinner. Utilising fruit and vegetables from his allotment he gave us cucumber soup, spaghetti bolognese and fruit crumble which, judging by the speed at which it disappeared was enjoyed by all.

On Sunday Mick, Conrad and Martyn headed over to Hutton Roof for a relaxed circuit of the Crags through the lovely wooded limestone pavements over to the more open calcareous grassland at Farleton Knott and Holmepark Fell. They even saw some Speckled Wood butterflies enjoying a late summer fling.

A considerable party of Wayfarers headed off to make a tour of Norber Erratics, Moughton and Crummackdale.

Steve Crossley and Peri went to Giggleswick North to climb whilst Tim repeated Steve’s previous day’s cycle circuit from Malham Tarn. He dropped in at Giggleswick North on the way back but the climbers were just wrapping up.

Michael Smith, having been away from home for several days set off back but found time to stop near Skipton and traverse Sharp Haw and Rough Haw.

Despite an unpromising forecast, rain didn’t appear and mild temperatures apart from on the tops made for very pleasant conditions. We had a very successful and sociable meet enjoyed by all.

Wayfarers:

Bruce Hassell, Lynn Thompson, Peri Stracchino, Martin Tomlinson, Clair Wilson, Ian Wilson, Mark Hyde, Steve Crossley, Gary Mellor, Sue Mellor.

YRC:

Martyn Trasler, Mick Borroff, Michael Smith, Steve Richards (PM), Wendy Richards (PM), Beverley Eastwood, Conrad Tetley, Tim Josephy, Alan Clare, John Lloyd, Arthur Salmon, Frank Wilkinson.