Future Meets

 

Directions. Leave Coniston Village by road next to “The Sun” public house and follow rough track up the Coppermines. Drivers of cars with low ground clearance need be careful. Cottage on right next to Coniston Coppermines YH. Car parking - no restrictions.

History
This lovely valley is honeycombed with old copper mines. Begun around 1600, they eventually became the largest and most profitable in northern England. Some of the shafts were 335 metres (1,100 feet) deep. But output steadily declined, and the death blow came when world copper prices fell in the late nineteenth century.

Activities
The activities for the meet will depend on the weather conditions. Be prepared for snow/ice, torrential rain or sunshine. I will lead a long-ish expedition on Saturday over Weatherlam and the Old Man of Coniston and a mountain bike route on Sunday, for those who wish to be led. On Sunday, I plan to do the 10ml North Face mountain bike ride in the Grisedale Forest. See Links for further details.

Bob Finnegan

 

This is the first workmeet for the new hut subcommittee.

 

The hut is reserved for members and their guests. Walks emerge by an informal process of planning and discussions, often marked up on the board in the hall the day before. Please fill in a route card - new ones available in the Chamois end. Easter is usually a very sociable meet at the hut.

 

The only 3000 foot mountains accessible from the glen are Mayar and Driesh, and will hopefully be the first targets given good weather. For another day I would like to have a go at a round involving Broad Cairn (from the neighbouring Glen Doll). There are numerous smaller mountains and foothills if the weather is too severe to venture up high. At the time of going to press 16 were booked on the meet – looking forward to seeing you all there.

Toby Harling

 

On Saturday we will be exploring the upper Dove Dale area and on Sunday we head south west towards Ramshaw Rocks. Both walks will start promptly at 9.15 am.

For the climbers the Roaches are a 20 minute drive away and just up the road there is a small but interesting limestone crag marked Aldery Cliff on the map.

By the time you read this Spring will have sprung and we can look forward to basking in glorious sunshine in this somewhat less frequented area of the Peak District. Don’t forget you will need to bring your shorts and sleeveless tops with you.

Sue Hodgkinson

 

The location provides plenty of scope for hill walking, scrambling and rock climbs. The Arrochar Alps include four Munros, three of which can be done in one longish day, with good scrambling opportunities. There are two Classic Walks routes: the round of the Cobbler with lots of excellent scrambling possibilities, and the ascent of Ben Lomond which can just be fitted in with the Loch Lomond ferry times between Tarbet and Rowardennan. There are also three Classic Rock routes, all near the summit of the Cobbler, including the superb Punsters Crack (S).

Nick Jeffery

 

The hut is reserved for members and their guests.

Many thanks for the reports and photos which have been sent in – keep them coming (Ed.).

 

The start point is the Millers Dale station car park, Grid Ref SK 138734 , Map OL24. The walk will depart at 9.30. If you have any problems in getting there on time my mobile number is 07811 852 441. The car park is a pay and display costing £3.50 for a full day.

The present plan is to walk west along the Monsal trail towards and through Chee dale, Wye dale and Deep dale and then on to Chelmorton. Depending on fitness and time I would then visit Taddington and join Millers Dale at Litton Mill to rejoin the Monsal trail again and so back to the cars. If people were feeling really fit I would be keen to go from Taddington to Monsal head before rejoining the trail back through Cressbrook.

I tend to make up my mind on the day as to which route I intend to walk so if you come, be prepared for some minor changes. There is a nice pub in Chelmorton but I have never dared go in as I am always covered in mud when I get there so this could be the chance for a lunchtime lemonade.

Paul Glover.

 

Mike Hawkins

 

Directions to YSS. Turn off Settle/Horton Road, cross railway line and River Ribble, pass pub on right, then quarry road, destination is next building on the right.

Car parking. Do not park in the quarry road. If bunk-house car-park is full there is a very large one other side of the road and wall.

Rail Travel. If you can connect with the Leeds/Carlisle line I can pick you up at Horton-in Ribblesdale by arrangement (but not if you are taking a bike!).

Saturday Evening. The adjacent pub has an excellent menu, and that is where I will dine. If you let me know in advance I will attempt a block booking.

Multi-Activities
1. The Yorkshire 3 Peaks can be tackled from the Hut without using a car and would be a good warm-up before attempting the 14 Welsh 3,000’s a fortnight later. [I will be doing them on the Friday].

2. A mountain bike trip is being planned by John Roche and Judy Bedford for the Saturday. There are several good cycling routes in the area ranging from 12.5 miles (quiet lanes) to 30 miles (some B roads, quiet minor roads and bridlepaths). (Due to imminent grandparenthood on 20th June, J&J may be called away at short notice, and in this event Liz Jeffery will bring a copy of the map/route).

3. Cave exploration will be led by Mel, for which a helmet, a reliable headlamp and a good sense of humour are essential. You WILL get wet feet! Proper caving helmet/lamp sets are available for hire in Ingleton, either from Inglesports (015242 41146) or from Bernies (015242 41802) who can additionally hire out full caving clothing. Saturday Morning: Upper and Lower Long Churn and Wilson’s Cave; Saturday afternoon, through trip from Calf Holes to Browgill (one 11m pull-through abseil, bring harness and abseil device). Sunday morning: Kingsdale Master Cave via Valley Entrance; one abseil inbound and a ladder climb outbound. Sunday afternoon for competent and confident abseilers only: Swinsto to Valley Entrance, a succession of 8 spaced pull-through abseils.

4. Why not mix-n-match?

Mel Owen caving
John Roche and Judy Bedford biking

 

More information in the May newsletter.

 

There is a weekend meet at the Agnes Spencer Hut in Patterdale 8th - 10th October and it is hoped to make arrangements for those intending to go on both these meets, to stay on the Sunday night also at the Patterdale Hut.

Anybody not booking by March 6th cannot be guaranteed a place in Glaramara as another group often books the same week

John and Judy Harling

 

For next year’s ski meet we hope to book a chalet in St Anton in Austria for the week of 22-29 January. In order to find suitable accommodation for a large group (there were 18 of us this year) we need to know likely numbers as soon as possible. Therefore if anyone is interested in joining the group can they please contact me (nick.jeffery@chamois.org.uk) by the end of March.

Nick Jeffery