Fri 29 Apr-Mon 2 May - Scotland weekend

Early May Bank Holiday weekend Scotland trip - updated.

I am planning a trip to Glencoe on the weekend of the early May bank holiday (i.e. travel up evening of Fri 29th April & return evening of Monday May 2nd).

This is going to be a camping trip, staying at http://www.redsquirrelcampsite.co.uk unless (& this would very much depend on who comes) we decide to wild camp some/all of it. We can just turn up at the camp site without booking as it is 22 acres! But please do let me know if you are coming as we will need to arrange a rendez-vous for the Saturday morning - I am assuming most people will be pitching up late Friday and we may not find each other before the morning.

The Clachaig Inn is only a short walk from the site, and I suspect we will end up there for dinner both Saturday & Sunday.

Plenty of great walking in this area of course! If the weather is kind, the problem will be choosing what to do. I will turn up with a few ideas - high-level, strenuous & probably a little technical is the general idea - the mountains up there are still in Winter conditions so I will be packing crampons & axe - keep an eye on the SAIS site & blog for more info. If you want to come along but do your own walks in the day & only meet up in the evenings, that is good by me as well. Apologies if you are looking for more precise details on the walks but I really cannot say at this point - if you are thinking of coming but aren't sure, please do contact me directly & we can have a chat about it.

So far I think we number ~5/6 (Tom, Dave, Andy, Mel, myself, possibly Michelle), and I will be looking for confirmation by the middle of the week before we go. I am going to be away in Scotland for work on Friday 29th so am heading straight to the campsite, but will endeavour to help arrange lifts for others as necessary.
Alastair - 07584300306

Useful links:
http://www.sais.gov.uk/glencoe/
http://glencoeblog.sais.gov.uk/
http://www.redsquirrelcampsite.co.uk
http://www.clachaig.com/

Sun 17 Apr - Morning Walk and Pub Lunch: Pavey Ark and Harrison Stickle

Start Time: Meet at 9:15am for a 9:30am start. Start Point: The large Stickle Ghyll National Trust Car Park next to the Stickle Barn Tavern LA22 9JU (Grid Reference NY 292 063). 

Description: This route offers a chance to get up on the tops for some great views, without an arduously long trek. We’ll summit two of the Langdale Pikes, Pavey Ark followed by Harrison Stickle. We begin by joining the popular path running alongside Stickle Ghyll as it ascends steeply up the sheltered valley towards Stickle Tarn. Emerging at the tarn, from this vantage point it is easy to pick out ‘Jack’s Rake’, a scrambling route that traverses the cliff face below Pavey Ark. We however will not be ascending via that route, instead skirting through the East Gully before climbing up to the summit where we can soak in the views of the surrounding mountains and Lake Windermere in the distance. It is then a short walk over to Harrison Stickle, which we'll reach soon after. We descend to the north of Dungeon Ghyll, surrounded by impressive crags and steep gulleys. Upon our return we'll be stopping for a pub lunch in The Stickle Barn Tavern, which is right next to the car park. 


Distance: Just under 5 miles
Highest Point: Harrison Stickle summit (736 m) 
Grade: Strenuous. 
Time: Approx. 3.5 hrs

Contact: Please text Dave by 6pm on Saturday if you would like to go on this walk 07767416090. 
Notes: If conditions are bad I reserve the right to modify the route or cancel the walk.

Sun 10 April - Cat Bells to High Spy: A "Star Wars" Ridge Walk

Route Description

This route takes in some of the hills used as a key backdrop to the main battle scene in Star Wars: Episode VII.

From Gutherscale, we ascend up to Skelgill Bank and then head southwards to reach Cat Bells (451 m), our first summit of the day. Gaining height as we go, this broad, grassy ridge continues for about 3 more miles, going over Maiden Moor (576 m) and the highest point of our day, High Spy (653 m).

The ridge offers great view across the Derwent Fells to the west, the Skiddaw massif to the north, Derwent Water to the east and beautiful Borrowdale to the south – and who knows, if we are lucky we might even catch a glimpse of an X-wing or a TIE fighter whilst we are up there!

We continue southwards until Dale Head tarn, and then return to the start point via the miners’ track in the secluded Newlands valley, taking in a lovely waterfall as we go. After the walk we will find a spot for a drink and slice of cake (at the Mos Eisley Cantina, perhaps?!?)

May The Force Be With You! 

Car Parking: Gutherscale car park (free), below Cat Bells, grid reference NY 246 211 (Gutherscale is south of Portinscale, near Keswick) 

Start Point: At the Gutherscale car park, grid reference NY 246 211 

Meet Time: 08.45 am 

Start Time: 09.00 am 

Distance: Approx. 9.5 miles (15 km) 

Height Gain: Approx. 850 m 

Time: Approx. 6 – 7 hours 

Grade: Strenuous 

Note: This walk has been graded as strenuous as it is a relatively long walk, with a fair bit of ascent. However, the walk won’t be rushed, so those people who are used to my “moderate” walks and want to try something a little bit harder might like this. 

Leader: Wayne

Please text Wayne (07753 121 168) by 6.00 pm on Saturday if you are coming on this walk.

If the conditions are bad I reserve the right to modify the route or cancel the walk. If insufficient interest is shown in the walk it may be cancelled.

Sun 3 April - Coniston

Walk details for Sunday April 3rd.
Coniston Old Man & Dow Crag/Wetherlam circuit
Meet: 0930-0945 at Walna Scar car park (NY288971) for a 10am start

Grade: Strenuous / technical
Description:
I'm going to leave the exact route open until the day, but it will start with an ascent of the Old Man, possibly via an optional scramble on The Bell if conditions & enthusiasm combine to allow it! Then depending on preference within the group, I was thinking of either completing a circuit anti-clockwise either via Dow Crag and Buck Crag, or going clockwise to Wetherlam via Swirl How and the Prison Band. This will also depend on ground conditions as it could still be a little wintry up there (i.e. come prepared for winter - spring has not fully sprung just yet on the fell tops). We could expect to be out for 5-6 hours either way.
Apologies for the late notice for this walk, I have had a lot on recently. Please let me know by Saturday evening if you are planning on coming.
Al
07584300306