Meet Report: 22-24 March 2019.

This meet was based at the Watson Scout Centre in Carlton-in-Cleveland, a small village on the North West fringes of the North Yorkshire Moors. Even before the start of the meet members were already racking up their excursions: Iain and Mick taking in Kildale, primroses, Captain Cook’s monument and the broad moor of Great Ayton behind. Mike and Helen followed a similar route but also took in the views from Roseberry Topping and inspected the supposed home of the young James Cook. Roy and Martyn walked along the Rye from Rievaulx. After setting up base at the Watson Scout Hut, Christine and Jim completed a short round walk to Faceby with many lapwings and curlews.

Saturday was also a productive day with fair, if breezy, weather. The climbing contingent of Alan, Helen B, Jamie, John, Mike, Richard and Ros headed out for some classic climbing on the Wainstones. For Ros and Jamie this was their first (and successful!) foray into outdoor climbing.

It is worth noting that some of the original pioneers here were YRC members Ernest Roberts and the Burroughs brothers, who put up many of the original routes. Somewhat later Alan Linford, with the Cleveland MC put up more.

Iain passed by the Wainstones to see the fun, before walking onto the Beak Hills ridge. After not finding an easy way down to Carleton, he then went on to Scugdale and back via Faceby. Also passing the Wainstones were Fliss, Helen S, Fiona, David B and Simon who were walking the edge. The latter, upon finding a laden skip, tested his Tetris skills by discovering how much insulation could be packed in a fully laden car around the other walkers. David Hick, Tim and Mick drove over to Glaisdale Station and did a high level circuit of Glaisdale and Egton moors. There were plenty of wild daffodils around the hamlet of Delves. They then dropped down to East Arnecliff wood to follow the Esk Valley walk back to Glaisdale, with its lengthy and well-preserved pannierman’s causeway above the river, stopping for coffee and cake at the excellent Kildale Cafe on the way back.

Roy and Martyn went over Roseberry Topping and Captain Cooke’s monument, which with over 1000ft of ascent was a severe test of Roy’s bad back and Martyn’s patience. Also at Roseberry Topping were Christine and Jim who had followed a good route from the North York Moors National Park website, which took them via Great Ayton and Captain Cook’s Monument; they were treated to varied terrain and excellent views.

Arthur and Barbara meanwhile started from the Scout Centre and walked up the Raisdale Road to its junction with the Cleveland Way and turned south here to follow walk 1469 as listed on the web for ‘Walking Britain’. Leaving the Cleveland Way in Scugdale they joined it again at the saddle at the top of Raisedale, before climbing up Kirby Bank to the view point on the northern edge of Cringle Moor. About halfway round the route Arthur had a sole destroying moment where he lost the tread on first his right, then his left boot making the descents very challenging. 

The evening saw good food, good company and good beer,the combination of which in front of the open fire led to a few succumbing to a few good zzzz’s.

Sunday was windy. Tim and Helen B returned to the Wainstones and managed 5 routes before retreating to shelter to defrost. Jamie and Alan also returned to the crag but were content with discussing climbing theory. 

Dave, Fiona, Fliss, Helen S, Mike and Richard went for a walk, hidden from the worst of the wind around the Westerdale valley – noting that any residents of the antique bee hives on the route would have been long blown away. 

Iain, Mick and Simon headed to Commondale for a short round over White Cross and Siss Cross before descending the not-so-well-preserved pannierman’s causeway to pick up the Esk Valley walk. The silver birch wood of Danby Park providing them welcome shelter from the cold breeze.

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Arthur and Barbara went to the coast to follow the Cleveland Way coastal path from Runswick bay to Saltburn, accidentally creating a much more challenging day by walking headlong into the strong winds.

Christine and Jim completed walk 23 (Whorlton Castle) from North York Moors (western) by Paul Hannon. Starting and finishing in Swainby, they noted the lovely round would be even better when the profusion of bluebells along the route were out.

After clearing up and securing at the Hut, John and Ros made their way to Fountains Abbey for a walk around the grounds.

Thanks must be given to John and Ros again for organising the meet and providing us all with substantial and tasty subsistence throughout the weekend.

RS

Attendees: Alan Linford, Arthur Salmon, Barbara Salmon, Christine and Jim Harrison, Dave and Fiona Booker-Smith, David Hick, Fliss Roberts (G), Helen Brewitt, Iain Gilmour, Jamie Parker (PM), John and Ros Brown (Leaders), Martyn Trasler, Michael and Helen Smith, Mick Borroff, Richard Gowing, Richard Smith, Rory Newman, Roy Denney, Simon Raine, Tim Josephy.