Meet Report: 27-29 October 2017.

By dusk eighteen members, prospective members and guests had assembled at Low Row West Barn, two miles West of Reeth. Most had taken advantage of a beautiful autumn day to do something on the way in. The meet leader with Ros and David, having unloaded the weekend supplies, went for a stroll along the Swale to Low Row and Feetham. Alan and Dotti walked along the lane towards Low Houses from the bunk house. The Smiths and Christine Harrison walked from West Burton in Wensleydale to Aysgarth Falls and back visiting the lovely rock garden at Aysgarth en route. The area around the Falls was fairly busy as it was half-term. Martyn and Tim driving over from the committee meeting at Lowstern had independently been up Pen-y-Ghent and must have missed each other by a matter of minutes.

The atmosphere in the bunkhouse was warm even if the temperature initially was distinctly chilly. About half the group ate out in the various pubs of Reeth – the rest eating at the barn. Later on that evening Michael Smith gave short presentations of the club’s snowshoeing meet to the Jura (France), the ski tour in Norway and the backpacking and climbing expedition to the Wind River Mountain range in Wyoming, all projected onto a white mattress propped against the wall. Your scribe mentions the word “mattress” as later on that night, she was rummaging around the dormitory in the pitch dark failing to find a mattress more comfortable than the one she was failing to get to sleep on with its springs virtually through.

Saturday dawn was rather disappointing weather-wise with low cloud and strong winds, so plans were adapted to take this into account. The meet leader with Ros and PM Simon Raine walked up beside Gunnerside Beck, crossed over near the top near the ruined Blakethwaite Smelt Mill and spent some time looking at the old lead mining remains. But once on high ground it was cloudy so the views were disappointing. After a very steep descent they made their way along the other side of the valley and back down into Gunnerside. John has always wanted to visit this interesting valley so was very pleased finally to have done so.

The Smiths, Tim, David, Richard T and Christine drove to Gunnerside and set out in less than encouraging conditions though the threatened rain never appeared. They walked west to Muker, seeing dippers and roe deer, and then for some distance along a rather muddy and slippery Pennine Way to Kisdon Force for a photo shoot. Shortly after they were caught up by one of the party, breathing very deeply, who had turned back to retrieve his walking pole having carelessly left it behind during a comfort break. Lunch was hastily eaten at a windy Crackpot Hall. They continued briefly along the Coast to Coast path and then down the length of Gunnerside Beck, inspecting the numerous mine workings along the way back to Gunnerside – followed by a welcome pint(s) at the King’s Head.

Alan, Frank, Dotti and Richard G did a good eight mile walk to Healaugh, Reeth (where they stocked up on meet essentials i.e. toilet rolls) and Grinton. They returned by the river and for at least two of the party this was followed by a second visit to the Punch Bowl.

Helen Brewitt and Daniel spent two days exploring Swaledale, covering a lot of ground on their mountain bikes using the network of old lead mining tracks. On Saturday it was up Harkside Moor to Gunnerside and back.

Martyn decided to take a walk up the valley towards Muker and headed from the hut along a series of bridleways, initially following Low Lane and then Dubbing Garth Lane almost to Gunnerside. He then followed the river to Ivelet and stopped for lunch at a strategically placed bench near the Ivelet Bridge. He continued over fields towards Muker but with some twinges in his dodgy foot decided that was enough and took the track back to Gunnerside, then to Low Row Pastures, descended to Feetham and finally to the Punch Bowl for a swift pint and WiFi to get a quick message home. Leaving Feetham meant a climb to Gallows Top, following the track to Hilltop before dropping down through the old quarry and the short stretch of road to the Scabba Wath Bridge and to the hut – a round of some thirteen miles.

The bunkhouse was a hive of activity in the evening with John and Ros preparing a tasty meal which was very welcome after the day’s energetic activities. The bunkhouse was open plan so cooking could be observed by everyone which was a bit alarming for the chefs but surely observing the cooking process is the modern trend in restaurants?

The sun shone brightly on Sunday morning so many decided to make the most of this lovely day with its rich Autumn colours. Ensuring that at least one mountain was climbed this weekend Richard T went up Great Shunner Fell from Thwaite and added Little Shunner Fell for good measure. Harvey returned home pausing on the summit of the road leading to Askrigg for a coffee with fine views of Swaledale and later on he cycled up to Stainforth Force to watch salmon leaping the waterfall. Helen B and Daniel cycled a loop up and over Reeth Moor. Dotti drove over to Wharfedale and had a lovely day with family walking a circular route from Hawkswick via Arncliffe and Kettlewell. The Smiths, Tim and Christine drove to Middleham and walked by the River Ure: inspected the ruins of Jervaulx abbey: forced themselves to have coffee in the excellent tea rooms and then made their way back to Middleham via a Halloween themed East Witton.

The meet leader and Ros drove to Reeth, parked in the square and then walked up to the top of Fremlington Edge. The views from the top were stupendous and it was a great and airy feeling to be walking along. They descended down towards Langthwaite and then headed back south towards Reeth following a path along the river. It was, “A great day to end a great weekend”.

Many thanks to John and Ros Brown for their superb organisation and excellent catering.

HJS

Attendees: John Brown (Meet leader), Ros Brown (G), Helen Brewitt (PM), Daniel O’Leary (G), Ian Crowther, Richard Gowing, John Jenkin, Tim Josephy, Alan Linford, Christine Harrison (G), Dotti Heaton, David Hick, Harvey Lomas, Simon Raine (PM), Helen Smith, Michael Smith, Richard Taylor, Martyn Trasler and Frank Wilkinson.