Eskdale
31st March-2nd April 1995

Twenty-three members, one prospective member and two guests arrived in Eskdale at the Centre bunkhouse hired from Cumbria County Council.  The original leader, Andrew Duxbury, had had to withdraw due to a family bereavement and Arthur Salmon stood in.

The weekend started unpromisingly for the writer – a bogging down in the field alongside the bunkhouse was followed by a visit to the wrong pub.  Arriving in the YRC-favoured hostelry he overheard an intriguing snatch of conversation,     ” . . . she argues even when I’m agreeing with her”.  Later after falling down the step into the gents he was told by an older member who had done the same at some cost to his face and spectacles, “I’m delighted to hear it happened to you as well.  It proves I wasn’t drunk”.

After a night of heavy rain Saturday dawned grey, misty but dry, the valley hauntingly beautiful if still short of daffodils after the long wet winter.  Five members ascended Great Gable, four of them so deep in conversation that early on the path was missed, then rediscovered in the cloud by a steep climb up part of the mountain never previously visited (thus averting a headline in the Westmoreland Gazette, ‘Ex-President of Famous Northern Climbing Club lost on way to Styhead Pass.  Equipment a Disgrace Declared Rescue Leader … ‘ etc).  A clearance in the afternoon lured one Gable summiter into a traverse of Lingmell, only to be embarrassed by a return of the thick cloud.  Ravens and Buzzards were seen and attention was drawn to an abundance of loose comb-like pieces of yellow grass, one side trimmed straight, the other with roots.  It was thought that they had been torn out by browsing sheep and as each member of the group could remember seeing them all his life it was clearly not discovery new to botanical science.

Scafell was a popular choice with twelve members climbing it in 4 separate parties, but all were denied a view by persistent mist, one of our most experienced members asking a young lady with two dogs if she know where she was (shorthand for “can you help me, I’m lost” and twigged by the lady!)  The President dropped his flask forty feet down a hole, converting it instantly into an ordinary water bottle, albeit a heavy one.

Members also explored the Hardknott Roman fort and climbed Harter Fell.  There was an ascent of Easedale and return across the tops, but mention should be made of Ian Crowther’s effort – Yewbarrow via Wastwater followed by Red Pike, Haycock and Seatallan and stoic refusal of a lift from Eskdale Green – and especially Rory Newman’s twice broken-spectred Wastwater round of Scafell via Slightside, Ilgill Head, Middlefell, Seatallan, Haycock, Pillar in sunshine, Black Sail pass and back via Burnmoor in time for dinner.

Dinner was vegetable soup followed by a splendid beef bourguinon followed by superb apple crumble and custard.  The meet leader, always a perfectionist, was however disappointed that his ‘bargain sack’ of potatoes which had that ability to remain hard in spite of much boiling and then suddenly going floury, were more of a bargain for the supermarket than the consumers.  Arthur and his helper Frank Wilkinson are also to be congratulated for their daytime dash over Hardknott and Wrynose to Low Hall Garth for larger cooking pots and repair of the water supply there while they were about it.

At dinner a new Club post of Official Obituary Writer was proposed, with this writer unaccountably offered the first appointment – a position he has gladly refused, even before the Committee gets to hear about it.  There were ribald remarks about who would write the obituary for the obituary writer.

After dinner members of the forthcoming Himalayan expedition gathered to continue discussing their arrangements.  An important recommendation was to be sure of using anti-malerial drugs if stopping in any Indian airport even for a short transfer.

On Sunday in improving weather 4 members and a visitor climbed Harter Fell.

It is believed all drivers managed to escape from the field for their homeward journeys.  Maybe next time some will favour the nearby acres of hardstanding of the Eskdale Railway terminus car park, especially as the Pay and Display machine appeared to be terminally defunct and wardens absent at that time of year.

T S

Attendance

The President – Derek Bush Alan Brown Ian Crowther Eddie Edwards Mike Fountain (G) Mike Godden Dave Hick Jeff Hooper Howard Humphreys

Jason Humphreys Alan Kay Mike Kinder David Laughton Dave Martindale Kevin Naylor  (G) Rory Newman Mark Pryor (PM.)

Arthur Salmon John Schofield David Smith Derek Smithson Tony Smythe George Spenceley Peter Swindells Robin Swindells Frank Wilkinson

Snowdonia
12th-14th May

After the scorching hot weekend the week before I was surprised to be driving up to Wales in a blizzard with snow over all the mountains.  The forecast for the next two days didn’t look too promising either. The meet was being held at the Wolverhampton Mountaineering club hut near Llanberis, not the easiest of places to find as it was hidden up above the town of Deiniolen. A suspect grid reference also made the initiative test that much more interesting but did not stop nine members eventually finding the place on Friday evening.

Saturday started off with clear blue skies and warm sunshine. Two groups set off to climb various peaks on Snowdon while the rest of us set our sights on the Glyders. Starting from the hut David Hick and David Martindale walked off up past the dam while the other five of us drove round to Tryfan and started from there.  We hoped to exchange car keys on the top somewhere. The walk up over the north side of Tryfan and Bristly ridge was done in glorious sunshine with no wind and a light covering of snow over all but the warm rocks. On the top of the Glyders we met up with the two David’s as planned and continued on our way. The clouds had arrived by now and it was snowing slightly, but this didn’t last long. We made good progress and arrived back at the hut quite early ready for several large mugs of tea. By now there were eleven members with the arrival of Ged Campion and Tim Josephy earlier in the day.

Shaun and Ralph then prepared the evening meal and as a consequence were put on the approved list of camp cook’s for future meets. A short visit was then made to the local pub in Deiniolen where the regulars were having a whale of a time singing and dancing on the chairs.  We had one drink and made a quick exit down to Llanberis.

Sunday arrived rather overcast in the mountains so we decided to go climbing down at Tremadoc. Due to a car boot sale being held outside Eric’s cafe most of the climbers seemed to have driven on by leaving the crag relatively free. I quick coffee and a look round the various stalls and then we were ready for action. First we drove down the road to Craig Y Castell to do a few routes. The four of us first did ‘Mensor’.  Then David Smith and Tim Josephy joined the queue on ‘Creagh Dhu’ Wall just managing to avoid the falling rocks.  Meanwhile Ged and I set off up ‘Tantalus’. After this it was back to the cafe for a large fry up before tackling a few more routes on the main Crag. Tim recommended a route called ‘Kestral Cracks’ which although didn’t have a star by its name was still well worth doing. Then finally to round off the day we did ‘Belshazzar’, at least we think we did as the description in the guide wasn’t too clear. This was a somewhat contrived route which was good in places.

Another fry up at the cafe, jump started Ged’s car and we were off home by seven. Thanks go to Shaun and Ralph for organising a very enjoyable weekend.

 TJB.
        

Routes

Mensor VS**
Tantalus HVS*
Kestral CracksHVS
BelshazzarHVS
Creagh Dhu WallHS***
Valerie’s RibHS **
One Step in the cloudsVS**
MeshachVS**

Attendance:

Ralph Atkinson
Tim Bateman
Ged Campion
Ian Crowther
David Hick
Tim Josephy
Richard Josephy
David Martindale
Shaun Penney
David Smith
George Spencley

Low Hall Garth
7th – 9th July

The hut wardens started the meet on Thursday and by Friday evening most of the cottage interior had been painted and fireplace had been replaced.  This means that any member who fancies a stay in a comfortable Lakeland cottage need look no further than Little Langdale.

On Saturday most of us ascended Wetherlam by various routes before crossing over to Coniston Old Man where we were entertained by part of the Paragliding Championships.  Seeing more than thirty paragliders lift off at a signal from a hunting horn was an impressive spectacle.  Within a few minutes the competitors were on their way to Keswick, mostly by way of Grasmere and Dunmail but two favouring Red Tarn and Stake Pass.  Afterwards we made our way over Brim Fell and Great Carrs where we were overtaken by other groups of paragliders taking advantage of the wind conditions to fly over to Wrynose and Langdale.

The two younger members on the meet apparently took a more serious view of the weekend as they had been over to Gimmer and had enjoyed climbing both Kipling’s Groove and Bracket and Slab Climb.  After dinner everyone visited the Three Shires where we met a further member and his guest who appeared to be getting some satisfaction from carrying their bicycles over the fells.

On Sunday the Gimmer exploits of the previous day had a dramatic effect on the President as he went off with David Smith to climb Gordon and Craigs Route on Dow Crag. However, the last word remains with Tim and Alister as they added Slip Knot in White Gill to their successes.  A very satisfying meet.

KA

Attendance

The President – Derek Bush,
Ken Aldred
Tim Bateman
Eddie Edwards
Mike Godden
John Martin  (G)
Shaun Penny
Alister Renton
David Smith
Peter Swindells

Lowstern
Mid-Week Meet
13th to 15th June 1995

A very good meet was enjoyed by a select band of six members. Four arrived soon after 2 p.m. on Tuesday and were soon off to geologise at the Norber erratic boulders, returning via the fell above to the Clapdale Valley and Long Lane down to the village. The weather, which had started in Teesside and the Peak District like bleak cold March, had brightened up enough to make an excellent half-day. After dinner we were joined by a fifth member with strange tales of the Three Peaks, Australian girls and pub landlords!

Wednesday continued cold and breezy but reasonably bright with excellent views. Gaping Gill was visited, Ingleborough climbed and a circuit made of Sulber Nick and the Moughton limestone pavements, returning through very pleasant lanes to Wharfe hamlet and dinner. The Wild Boar fell area was explored by another member. At dinner we had a very welcome second visit by our local member Albert, this time in resplendent mohair business suit; it made us all feel very shabby. After dinner the six of us walked to the village in splendid evening sunshine; we avoided the temptation of the New Inn, walking on instead to the Flying Horse at the station for a quick half-pint!! An impressive full moon was coming over the horizon as we got back.

On Thursday an early start was made, all breakfasted and hut cleaned before 8.30 a.m. The party set off in the direction of Bowland fells with the weather fine and warm at last. We followed lanes to Keasden then a footpath to Burnmoor heading for Catlow fells. At this point the writer, who unfortunately had some afternoon business to attend, retraced his path to Lowstern and home. A reported new pot on Fountains Fell was also investigated.

Our thanks to Alan Linford for organising the meet and for the excellent meals we enjoyed (not forgetting to thank Angie). It was a splendid idea to have a mid-week meet, enjoyed by all present.

J.G.L.

Members Attending:

Derek Clayton
Ian Laing
Gerry Lee
Alan Linford
David Smith
Derek Smithson

The Long Walk:
The Reiver’s Ramble
23-25 June 1995

This year’s Long Walk broke new ground thanks to the First Moffat Scout Group who, with their tents and catering, enabled us to spread the walk over two days out and back by different routes, with a maximum total distance of about 50 miles.

After a cool early June, the weather had brightened during the week into what has turned out to be the beginning of this record summer.  Driving up the M6 past the Howgills under a cloudless sky, anticipation increased as the border was crossed and the outliers of Burnswark and Queensberry passed, through Moffat to Annandale Head where Corehead Farm nestles under the hills of the Devil’s Beeftub. There Mr. Williams indicated the extensive field available for our camp, with the ground firm all over for tents and cars and some shady trees to park under.

The Moffat Scouts soon arrived and served us a welcoming coffee. The early arrivals were just setting off to seek supper in Moffat when a Reliant Robin sped to a halt bearing the local press, so we piled out for group photographs before repairing to the Annandale Arms. On returning to Corehead we found a row of Icelandic tents pitched ready for our occupation.

With the close proximity of our base to the hills, reveille was later than customary on these occasions, at 5 a.m. and after breakfast served by our hosts we set off about 6 a.m. steeply up Great Hill.  To our surprise and disappointment the tops were in cloud, however route finding on the first stage was simplified by the fence which links the tops, following the Regional boundary between Dumfries & Galloway and the Borders over Hart Fell, Raven Craig and Firthhope Rig to Firthybrig Head.  Here, the route turned east for a half mile to Lochcraig Head to descend off Nickies Knowe to the feeding point near the Megget Stone.  Our party missed this turning, going over Molls Cleuch Dod to slope off Carlavin Hill, down in sunshine to the road, where David and Edith Stembridge had their frame tent for the support party, with welcome food and drink.

The sun was now out and the clouds gone (we’ve seen very few since!) as we climbed up Cairn Law and the south shoulder of Broad Law to its summit, at 2855 ft the highest point on the route, with an important radio beacon for the northerly airways.  The ensuing walk was delightful in the sunshine, with easy walking in short dry heather and cloudberry, extensive views over the surrounding border hills and the trilling of golden plovers and curlews, over the Cramalt Craig to Fifescar Knowe and a short diversion to Dollar Law.  Southeast then past Fifescar Knowe to Notman Law and Greenside Law towards Redsike Head.  From there we were offered a choice of three routes, the longest continuing the main District boundary ridge to Dun Rig to descend the Douglas Burn to the A708 road.  The fittest took this route to arrive in good time at the camp, pitched by our hosts between the A708 and Tarrow Water, near Dryhope Farm. Others took intermediate routes dropping off Blackhouse Heights down the Douglas Burn, or from Black Law over Deepslack Knowe and down the Dryhope Burn to the camp.  I took the shortest way from Redsike Head, over Conscleugh Head and Deer Law to drop down to the Kirkstead Burn, with a good bridle road down to Dryhope Farm and the camp.  By 8 o’clock all were down to enjoy a substantial dinner, with a selection of wines and beers available at cost, in the scouts’ marquee. Supporters then kindly ferried those walkers who could stay awake to the nearby Gordon Arms, the remainder making straight for the tents, to which our overnight gear had been ferried during the day.

With a shorter route – maximum 23 miles, we were allowed a lie-in on Sunday morning, rising at 7am for a cooked breakfast in the marquee.  By 8 o’clock we were following the Southern Upland Way on a pleasant path along the SE shore of St. Mary’s Loch to the yacht club and the Tibble Shiels Inn.  From there we followed a path rising above the Loch of the Lowes, up the side of Peat Hill to join the ridge on Pikestone Rig leading SSW to Peniestone Knowe.  The route then swung west to join the ridge which parallels the A708, at Herman Law.  This ridge gave a very pleasant upland walk over several 600 metre-plus tops: Trowgrain Middle, Mid Rig. Andrewhinney (is it Andrew hinney or Andre Whinney?)  Hill, Bell Craig to Bodesbeck Law, whence a steep descent led to a col with a good track down  to Bodesbeck Farm.  This 15 mile stretch ended with a sting in its tail: heading down the slope towards the feeding point tent clearly visible, we encountered one of those tricky little bits  of valley navigation to find the way past the farm and across the Moffat Water to the feeding point comprising the Stembridges and their tent with supporters.

This was reached at times between 1300 and 1540 by a total of 15 of whom 9 carried on the remaining 8 or so miles back to Corehead, up the shoulder of Nether Coomb Craig to Swatte Fell, whence some continued over Hart Fell to finish by the headwall of Annandale and down the Devils Beeftub to Corehead, while others descended the Auchencat Burn to a 1½ mile road walk back up to Corehead.  These fit folk finished between 1615 and 1905, meanwhile the six who had run out of time or energy or both were ferried back to Corehead, where we saw some of the earlier finishers arrive before we left for home.

Our thanks for a most successful and enjoyable weekend are due to:  the Meet Leader Ian Crowther for conceiving and organizing this two-day walk; the members of the First Moffat Scout Group for providing tents, food and service, all excellent, not to mention their cheery company, at the two camps; David and Edith Stembridge for providing the tent, equipment and organisation for the two feeding points and Cliff Large, Roy Pomfret and Ian Crowther for support at the feeding points and for ferrying personal gear between the camps.

R. G.

Those attending:

In support

Ian Crowther (Meet Leader)
David & Edith Stembridge
Cliff Large
Roy Pomfret

Walkers:

Denis Barker
Derek Bush, President
Albert Chapman
Iain Gilmour
Mike Hartland  (G)
David Hick
Jeff Hooper
Howard Humphreys
Tim Josephy
Alan Kay
David Martindale
Arthur Salmon
Graham Salmon
David Smith
Frank Wilkinson

Lowstern Meet
19-20 August 1995

Weather.  

Hot and dry beyond the dreams of most of us.

Saturday  

The President and the Meet Leader were joined by Ian Crowther, the Josephy brothers and Nick Welch in a descent of Tatham Wife Hole.  (See separate caving report by Richard below)  Alister, Ged and Bruce did a digging session at Close Depression  (this is a geographical expression not a clinical one).

Walking was the favoured activity for Ian Carr who inspected Norber boulders and for John and two Mikes who went up Long Lane subsequently covering Moughton Nab coming back by Wharf, Fiezor and Austwick.

A late arrival, your scribe, found some easy rocks to play on at the south end of Gragareth c. 685761.

Sunday

Richard and Nick went pot-holing again, (report attached) Ged and Bruce resumed digging and Ian Crowther went to buy gear for the Himalaya.  Are prices lower on Sundays?  Tim, Harvey and Derek went to Attermire where they climbed Fantasy, Flakey, Pythagoras, Alcove Slab, and A Climb.  

Following an unsuccessful attempt to locate it on the March Lowstern Meet, Alan Brown reported to me that the Crummuckdale Fossil had been removed.  So I drove round to Crummuckdale, parked in the lane and walked up towards Beggar’s Style. I spoke to the farmer who was reluctant to give me permission to climb because of vandalism and potential litigation.  He cited a recent accident in Gaping Gill as grounds for his fear.

I was so impressed with his arguments that I did’t in fact climb but just checked up on the fossil which turned out to be OK and walked back over Norber.

After lunch there was time to go to Attermire where I watched Tim lead Pythagoras and begged a rope on Alcove Slab after Harvey had led it with great aplomb.  A very enjoyable meet with the usual first class catering by Harvey.

B. T.

Caving Report

We decided on Tatham Wife Hole under the Western scarp of Ingleborough for the Saturday.  The hardest part of the trip was the steep walk up from the road in hot sunshine with full caving kit and tackle for the five pitches.  There was a surprising and refreshing amount of water in the cave, including a duck requiring almost complete immersion.  Most of the cave was negotiated without difficulty.  However, a short but awkward traverse caused the presidient to go into a state of temporary immobility.  This worried the rest of the party because the meet leader and chef for the evening was on the wrong side of the blockage and we were already looking forward to our dinner. We soon got moving again and reached the bottom, about 155 m down.

It is always nice to emerge after a caving trip, but particularly so on this day, coming out into the hot afternoon sun with the limestone sparkling silver across the valley.

Only two cavers on Sunday:  Richard Josephy and Nick Welch.

We did the through trip from Swinsto Hole to Kingsdale Valley Entrance, putting a ladder in place first for the climb our of the master cave.  Again there was a surprising amount of water considering the drought, making it a very enjoyable trip (and nearly all down hill!).

R. J.

Attendance:

The President – Derek Bush
Meet Leader – Harvey Lomas
Bruce Bensley
Ged Campion
Ian Carr
Ian Crowther
Mike Godden
Mike Hartland  (G)
Richard Josephy
Tim Josephy
Alister Renton
John Schofield
Bill Todd
Nick Welch  (G)

Ladies’ Weekend
Holmfirth
1-3 September 1995

Members and their wives started to arrive late  Friday afternoon with those members who live in the area arriving in time to join the walk in the Saturday morning.  The Old Bridge Hotel is located right in the centre of what is now a bustling town.

At 9.30 hrs sharp on Saturday morning a party of 33, led by the President, started to move off in slight drizzle.  After crossing the Old Bridge and skirting the cafe which provides one of the locations for scenes in the television series “Last of the Summer Wine” we mounted a staircase by a church into a lane and followed it climbing fairly steeply before descending into Holme Valley bottom, past Washpit Mill to Cartworth Moor and up to the reservoir by Hollin Hill.

By now the sun was shining and with a clear sky we had good views of the surrounding hills.  A considerable amount of renovation work has been carried out on old farm and mill properties along our route.

Our first stop was at Hades for a short coffee break.  Moving on, we traversed a hillside before crossing over another reservoir by way of the weir at Netherby Braw, then down through fields to Holme, where Gerry and Margaret Lee had ordered sandwiches at the Fleece, a local hostelry.  

After lunch, Arthur Salmon returned to Holmfirth to spend the afternoon with Shirley.  The remainder of the party made their way up Meal Hill onto Issue Road which is a dead straight track running WSW over Stopes Moor, providing, in the clear conditions, distant views of the York plain.  About ¾ mile along the track we turned north onto a path down to Blackpool Bridge, then east to Digley reservoir via Nether Lane and Greaves Head. All three reservoirs circumvented in that day were to all intents and purposes empty, showing the effects of the dry summer.

Our walk then took us through several meadows by Flush House, Car Green and Hogley Green to Newlands, where refreshments were taken at the Inn.  There-after, another 1½ miles of bridle paths led us back down into the valley and Holmfirth.

Gerry Lee’s knowledge of the local topography provided us with a most enjoyable walk and a good insight into what the area has to offer.  Margaret Lee brought up the rear and safely shepherded the stragglers back to base without anyone going astray.  The basic walk was about 12 miles, plus or minus 2 miles, dependent on which variant one followed..

Everyone assembled for dinner at 1930 hrs.  At the end of a convivial evening Yvonne Bush, on behalf of the ladies, thanked Gerry Lee for having arranged such an excellent and enjoyable meet and on everyones behalf expressed our pleasure at seeing Shirley Salmon at the dinner.

 
Sunday dawned overcast and wet and because the caravaners had to leave their site by 1200 hrs it was difficult for them to take part in the Sunday walk.  A party of 14 including the President drove to Langsett and, in drizzle mixed with heavy showers, walked through the woods alongside the almost empty reservoir.  Then across the moor to the Little Don Valley with its Scotch Pines reminiscent of the Caledonian Forest.

The weather improved steadily and by the second stop for lunch by the river the party lazed in hot sunshine.  After lunch the party climbed out of the valley on the Cut Gate track then turned across the moor to the reservoir and over the Dam back to Longsett.  Farewells were said about 3.30 pm.

Attendance:

Dennis & Joan Armstrong
Derek & Yvonne Bush
Ian & Dorothy Crowther
Mike & Marcia Godden
Richard & Elizabeth Gowing
John & Janet Hemingway
Ian & Una Laing
Gerry & Margaret Lee
Richard & Sarah Lee
William Lee & Christina Buthe
Alan & Angie Linford
Bill & Brenda Lofthouse
George & Irene Postill
Chris & Joyce Renton
Harry & Margaret Robinson
Arthur & Shirley Salmon
Roy & Margaret Salmon
David & Elspeth Smith
Michael & Helen Smith

Joint Meet
15-17 September 1995 at R.L.H

Amongst members arriving on Friday was one who, as part of his preparation for the Himalayan Expedition, had walked over from the Gritstone Club Hut at Thirlspot.  Others were content to stretch their legs as far as the local inns as they were not training for anything.

On Saturday a group of five YRC members and five Wayfarers went round to the Dudden Valley and followed a series of crags, including Brandy Crag, to the summit of Harter Fell.  A rope was used on a couple of occasions but mainly the route consisted of very pleasant scrambling on warm rock, away from the regular footpath.  In the past there has been a tendency for the club members to meet over meals but a welcome change in recent years has been the increase in the number of ‘joint’ parties on the hills.  A little time was spent on the boulders at the top of the fell, mainly in order to justify carrying the climbing tackle.  Three YRC members spent the day on Gimmer Crag while others set off up Dungeon Ghyll to complete the Langdale Round, eventually descending from Pike O’Blisco.

The Saturday evening meal, prepared by the Wayfarers, ended with a birthday cake for one of the YRC members.  The excellent cake had been kindly provided by the wife of a member but that didn’t prevent our tame misogynist from enjoying his portion as much as anyone else.

Sunday’s weather was as good as the previous day’s and very few attendees declined a second day on the rocks or fells.  A large party of YRC and Wayfarers, which eventually became three small parties, headed for Dungeon Ghyll where, because of the low water, it was possible to scramble most of the way without leaving the ghyll.  The rock climbers went to Upper Scout Crag to enjoy the warm sunshine on the south facing rock.  By mid to late afternoon members of the three clubs were returning to pots of tea taken in the car park of RLH, relating stories of this years activities and making arrangements for future trips.  Here we met a Wayfarer, an attendee of many Joint Meets of the past who had driven over from Filey in order to renew acquaintances.  His travelling was surpassed, however, by that of a member who called in from Australia.  Perhaps this is what this meet is all about.

K.A.

YRC: Ken Aldred Alan Brown Cliff Cobb Ian Crowther Eddie Edwards Mike Godden Arthur Graven Mike Hartland Mark Prior Alister Renton Tony Reynolds David Smith Bill Todd Maurice Wilson

Wayfarers’ Club: Mike Allan Steve Auty George Chambers Bernie Cook Bob Hughs Hal Jacob John Jacob Keith Rigby Dave Shufflebotham Colin Smith Arthur Watson

Rucksack Club: Neville Colville Bill Ryecroft