Sun 28th Feb - Clougha Pike

Trail magazine rates Clougha Pike as one of the 100 best hills in the UK. On a good day it has clear views across Morecambe bay to the Lake District. We will also summit Ward’s Stone, the highest point in the Forest of Bowland with two trig points for those who collect them. The area is known for the bird that is the symbol for the Forest of Bowland AONB. That is the endangered Hen Harrier. I've been fortunate to watch one for 5-10 minutes whilst it was hunting near the path. You might be lucky to see one.

Distance: approximately 12 miles.

Grade is mildly strenuous - the ascent is fairly gradual, though, but the walk is quite long, and likely to be very muddy in places. I'd put it a 3 or less but that is just my opinion.

Please note that dogs are not allowed on this walk. This is not my decision but is part of the access rights due to the area being a grouse shooting estate. You will see plenty of grouse on the walk.

Leave the M6 at junction 34. Turn right at the lights heading towards the East, then continue to Caton. At Caton (just after the 30mph speed camera) turn right towards Quernmore. Follow this road as it bends around Caton then out into the countryside. After a short drive you will come to a junction with signs directing you towards Lancaster and other places. Turn left to take the junction that goes downhill (note that coming back it is difficult to see to your left when exiting this juntion). Follow this road past some cross roads, then a school and a Church, continuing on until you see a narrow road turning off sharply to the left. Take this and the carpark is a short way along the road on the right. If you miss the turning onto this road you will get to a crossroads next to a few buildings (the crossroads earlier have no buildings), if you reach this turn back.

Start time is 9.30am.

Start point is at Rigg Lane car park (free) near Quernmore GR is SD 526 604.

Unfortunately there is no obvious pub nearby for after the walk. We could head to Caton where there is a pub apparently, but I can't remember it (wasn't driving when I went there).

Leader: Paul B (07752 116979)

Sun 21st Feb - Scafell Pike Winter Walk

Scafell Pike Winter Walk From Wasdale Head, Via Brown Tongue, Micledore to Scafell Pike, Descent via Lingmell
Start Point Wasdale Head Parking Area NY 187085
Start Time 10.30am
Car Share Low Wood 9.30am (suggested time as I won't be there)
Distance 6 miles (approx)
Time 5 hours (approx including stoppages)
Grade 4 Winter Walking Gear Advisable as there has been a recent fall of snow. (Crampons and Ice Axe) If the conditions worsen on the day the route may be revised or shortened
Leader Malcolm Contact 07826486155

Sat 20th Feb - Meal & Cinema

Meal and cinema night Saturday 20th February Zefferellis

Meal at Zefferellis, Ambleside, at approx. 6:30pm, followed by film at approx. 8pm (two course meal and cinema ticket £17.95).

The cinema is unable to say what films will be showing but should be a choice of 2 possibly 3 as they have 3 cinemas in the village. Please can people text to let me know if they will be coming by Sunday 14th February, as I have to pay a £5 deposit when booking on the Monday. I know it is a bit of a risk with the film choice but people can have the meal together then choose a film they would like or we could all go to the same film if preferred.

Hope lots of you can make it.

Clare A 07729021534

Fri 19th Feb - RLPO at Sands Centre, Carlisle

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra is returning to the Sands Centre in Carlisle on Friday 19th February.
The programme details are below:

Conductor Vasily Petrenko
Soloist Freddy Kempf, piano
Weber Invitation to the Dance
Ravel Piano Concerto in G
Rachmaninov Symphony No.3

Tickets are £27 or £29. Contact Ruth (07950 085 070) by Monday 15th February or buy your own from the box office (01228 625222).
Meet for a meal beforehand (5:45pm) in Adrianos.
Hope we can have a repeat of last year's gathering!

Photos from 14th Feb - Barbon Low Fell

Sun 14th Feb - Barbon low fell and Barbondale

The steepest climb of the day is out of the way first with a climb up onto Barbon low fell. From there we walk to Brownthwaite with a view of Casterton stone circle. We descend onto the fell road and then up to Bullpot farm and caving club joining the bridleway back down the fell into Barbondale. We across Barbon beck and enter Barbon manor woods, through Barbon manor park and back to the car. There is an option from Barbondale to walk an extra mile and half taking in Eskholme pike, an excellent viewing point of the Lune valley (weather permitting).

Distance: 8 miles (plus 1.5 optional extra)

Time: Approx. 4.5 hours

Highest point: 420m

Grade: 2/3

Start: 10:30am @ Barbon Church (OL2–Yorkshire Dales 631 / 825 SD)

Free parking on the roadside beside the church.

Leader: Peter 07884408269

Photos from 7th Feb - Gummers How

Sun 7th Feb - Gummers How / Strawberry Bank

Start Point: Car park almost at the top of the Gummer's How road (heads NE opposite Fell Foot Park @ the S end of Lake Windermere - G.R. SD 389 876 @ 11.00)

Description: Gummer's How / Blake Holme Plantation / Moor How Park / Great Hartbarrow / Hollins / Masons Arms (re-hydration??) / past Burblethwaite Hall(!) / Raven's Barrow / Sow How Tarn & Lane

Distance: 7 miles (11.3 km)
Total Ascent: 385 metres (1263 ft.)

High Point: Gummer's How - 321 metres (1053 ft.)

Time: 4.5 hours

Grade: 2

Car Share: Meet at the Low Wood Hotel @ 10.30 (without leader!)

Leader: Dan (on 01229 832840 [eves.] or 07919 831237)

Sat 6th Feb - Keswick to Barrow training walk (cancelled)

** Cancelled due to work. To be resheduled **

Carnforth - Pilling. Linear walk
This is ALL on tarmac. Walk goes towards Morecambe. Curves back to Lancaster and follows the lancashire cycleway to Pilling. Occasional small bits of tiny country lanes to avoid fields. Route description for those who want to walk alone as fast as they can. Option for tea shop on route for those who stay with me.

Distance 25 miles.
Meet 8am tescos in Carnforth to organise car shuffle. We will not be leaving cars at tescos parking at a different location.

Claire D - 07511259791

Photos from 31st Jan - Lingmoor Fell