Sat 21 Feb - Upper Gilpin and Winster Valleys

21st February (Saturday), 11 am.
Upper Gilpin and Winster Valleys: A walk through dales and hills
6 miles, 1,200 ft ascent, three to four hours, grade: moderate
This walk over grassy paths, stony tracks and quiet lanes explores hills and dales around the upper reaches of the Gilpin and Winster rivers. The scenery is varied and includes over Windermere to the fells beyond. Park in the rough lay by just above the white cottages in a sharp bend on the B5284 Crook Road, quarter of mile east of the Wild Boar Inn (SD 437 951).
Please text Sarah (07818 366665) before 9pm on Friday 20th February if you plan to come along.

Sun 15 Feb - Loughrigg Fell and Tarn

Start Point: Roadside parking beside the River Rothay / Rothay Park, Ambleside
(G.R. NY 371 044 @ 10.00)
Description: We'll walk, from beside the Rothay, up, past Lily Tarn, onto the S end of Loughrigg Fell. After reaching the trig. point at the summit (335m), we'll descend (beside a wall) to the lane at the 'back' of Red Bank. After turning L, we follow the lane only for 250m'ish to a footpath on the L. We follow that around the N side of Loughrigg Tarn to a path / b-way jcn. We turn L then follow the b-way all the way back to the lane beside the Rothay.
Distance: 5 miles (8 km)
Total Ascent: 425 metres (1395 ft.)
High Point: Loughrigg Fell - 335 metres (1100 ft.)
Time: 4 hours
Grade: Moderate (?)
Leader: Dan (on 01229 832 840 or 07919 831 237)
You MUST let Dan know you are coming by the preceding evening (Saturday), at the latest! If no-one has contacted Dan on Saturday, the walk will be cancelled.

Sun 8 Feb - Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks

Start : Roadside parking at the bottom of Honister Pass on the Buttermere side (free)
Start Time : 10am Grid Reference : NY 204 148
Description : This is a middle distance walk for a winters day with varied terrain and good views on a clear day.
Route: Bottom of Honister - Fleetwith Pike - Haystacks - Buttermere Fell - Gatesgarth - Bottom of Honister
Distance : Roughly 5.5 to 6 Miles
Highest Point : 648 metres
Grade : Strenuous - I have given it this grading as it is a mountain walk although it isn't particularly over strenuous
Time : 4.5 to 5 Hours
I reserve the right to modify the route in bad weather, good winter clothing, footwear and headlamps/torches needed.
Leader: Malcolm Tel: 07918652802 Email: oakwood@tesco.net

Sun 1 Feb - Steel Fell, Helm crag and Grasmere

A classic Lakeland fell walk taking in two of the most iconic hills that overlook Grasmere. Taking the path off the main road to Ghyll Foot, crossing a tributary of the river Rothay via stepping stones on the way, the grandeur of Steel Fell can soon be seen. A gradual ascent to the summit (553 m) is followed by a gently undulating ridge walk to Calf crag, Gibson Knott and eventually Helm crag, with its dramatic rock architecture known as "The Howitzer" and "The Lion and the Lamb". A short descent into the valley of Easedale takes us into Grasmere, where we can find a welcome teashop, before returning back to the starting point.

The route is weather dependent and an alternative route will be followed in the event of poor conditions. Please contact the walk leader if you are thinking of coming.

Distance: 7.5 miles
Time: 4.5 hrs
Total ascent: 600m
Grade: Moderate
Start: 10.00 am at the layby on the A591 opposite The Travellers Rest pub (approx. 1 mile north of Grasmere village centre, postcode LA22 9RR).
Grid ref: NY336088
Leader: Phil (07958 698905)