Wed 25 May 2016 - Evening Walk - Hoad Hill, Ulverston

With panoramic views over the Lake District fells and the bay, Hoad Hill is worth every step!

Meet time: 18.00 hrs
Walk start: 18.15 hrs
Distance: 3 miles
Walk meet: Outside “The Original Factory Shop”, The Gill, Ulverston, LA12 7BN. Approx. grid ref SD 284 784. This is next to a pay & display car park.

Grade: Leisurely

Please text Suzanne (07887 942038) by 9 pm the day before to let her know you are coming.

Sun 22 May 2016 - Mellbreak and Lanthwaite Woods

Car Parking: Lanthwaite Woods National Trust car park, Loweswater. Grid reference NY 149 215

Start Point:    At Lanthwaite Woods car park

Meet Time:     09.45 am

Start Time:     10.00 am

Description:   This walk is a mixture of mountain trails, moorland walking and forest paths. It is a circular route.

Route:            Viewed from Loweswater village, Mellbreak rises up steeply and appears as an imposing sentinel, standing guard over Crummock Water. In this walk, we will ascend Mellbreak directly, following the path up its steep northern edge before making a complete traverse of its ridge-like form.

Starting from Lanthwaite Woods, we walk for about a kilometre on country roads (care required) until we reach Kirkhead. From here we take the path that leads to the base of the northern nose of Mellbreak. The path steepens as we continue, and it becomes rocky. However, this section will not be rushed, and people will be free to progress at whatever pace is comfortable for them. Soon – after stopping occasionally to “take in the view” – we will be past the steepest of the ascent and ambling over to the northern (lower) summit of Mellbreak (508 m). Our route continues southwards, firstly into a shallow col and then gradually up to the highest point of our day, and Mellbreak’s southern (higher) summit (512 m).

The views are fantastic from Mellbreak’s skyline, with the imposing bulk of Grasmoor to our east and the entirety of the Crummock & Buttermere valley stretching to the south.

We continue southwards and begin to lose height. Soon we will reach the shore of Crummock Water. The walk back northwards is lovely, and having a splash and a paddle in the lake is hard to resist!

As we reach the north end of Crummock Water, we cross the source of the River Cocker and head back into Lanthwaite Woods. At this time of year, the blue bells will hopefully be putting on a show for us, covering the forest with a carpet of delicate purple flowers. From here it’s just a short wander back to the cars.

High Point:     Mellbreak summit (512 m) (approx. 540 m height gain)

Distance:        Approx. 6.5 miles (10.5 km)

Time:              Approx. 6 hours

Grade:            Moderate, although the ascent directly up Mellbreak is steep and strenuous

Leader:           Wayne

Please let Wayne know in advance by 6.00 pm on Saturday if you are coming on this walk (text 07753 121168)

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.

Fri 20 May - Evening walk and planning meeting

6pm - meet by the toilet block in the lower White Moss Common car park (GR SD 348066) for an easy walk that circumnavigates Rydal Water via Loughrigg Terrace and the old Coffin Route. Length 3 miles, 140m ascent. Grade: Leisurely/Easy.

7.30pm - walk planning in the Badger Bar, Rydal with the option of a meal for those who would like to eat. Parking available in the hotel car park and also on the 555 bus route. All members of the group (not just regular walk leaders) are welcome to attend and share ideas. We need to plan walks for the coming months but also socials.

Please let Sarah know by commenting by text -07818 366665 if you plan to attend. You are welcome to attend either or both of the walk and social/planning meeting.

Sun 15 May - A Wainwright Round From Cow Bridge, Hartsop

Start Time: 9:30am
Start Point: Cow Bridge Car Park, Hartsop. Grid Reference NY403134. The car park is situated on the A592 and has an honesty box.

Description: Five of the eastern Wainwrights -Hartsop Above How, Hart Crag, Dove Crag, Little Hart Crag and High Hartsop Dodd. Don't be put off by thinking that we will be going up and down five separate hills. The summits are achieved in a sequence that means that we don't lose any altitude between them that we would then have to regain. The ascent has great views of the craggy cliffs of Hart Crag and Dove Crag with the Priest's hole cave clearly visible. At the summit of Hart Crag there are wide views over much of the Lake District. The return route takes us down to the valley and alongside Brothers Water.

Distance: 8 miles
Highest Point: 822 metres
Time: Approx 5 hours+
Grade: Strenuous

Contact: Dave (07767416090). Please let me know via text by 6pm on Saturday if you are planning on coming.

Wed 11 May 2016 - Evening walk - Bardsea to Conishead Priory

Wednesday, 11th May 2016 – Bardsea Beach to Conishead Priory

A stroll along the beach with a gentle meander through the peaceful grounds of Conishead Priory. Bring along a drink and snack as there is a nice seating area in Conishead Priory gardens.

Meet time: 18.00 hrs
Walk start: 18.15 hrs
Distance: 3.5 miles
Ascent: 58 metres
Walk meet: Car park at the beach south of Bardsea village, near the “Olde Mill” pub (LA12, 9RB).  Approx. grid reference SD 301 742. 

Grade: Leisurely

Parking along the beach stretches along to an ice cream kiosk called Chill and Grill. If you arrive early there may be a chance for an ice cream. Opening is weather dependent so I hope it is a sunny night.

Please text Suzanne (07887 942038) by 9 pm the day before to let her know you are coming.

Sun 8 May - A Wainwright Round from Mardale Head

Meet Time: 9.15am
Walk Start Time: 9.30pm
Start Point: Mardale Head NY469107
Car Parking: Small free car park at Mardale Head
Description: On this walk we cover 5 of the far eastern Wainwrights (W). From the car park we cross Mardale Beck and follow the path along Haweswater reservoir to The Rigg before heading up the steep path to Kidsty Howes. The path broadens out and the gradient relents as we ascend to Kidsty Pike (W). We will detour from the main path to bag Rampsgill Head (W) before continuing on to High Street (W) and the trig point at Racecourse Hill. We then follow the trail above Blea Water round to Mardale Ill Bell (W) before dropping down to the wind shelter at the top of Nan Bield Pass. Finally we ascend to the summit of Harter Fell (W) before heading back to the car park via the main Gatesgarth Pass track.
Distance: ~8.5 - 9 miles
Highest Point: 828m
Grade: Strenuous
Time: approx 5-6 hours.

Notes: If the conditions are bad I reserve the right to modify the route or cancel the walk. Length and time are approximates as I've not done this exact route before but have extended a walk that I've done a few times in the past.
Contact: Please let Mel know by 6 pm on Saturday if you are coming on this walk 07584303975 or meggleton9@hotmail.com

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.