Yrcj 2003; 12(19)

Summer 2003 The Y R C Bulletin Issue 19

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ClubProceedings Letter Obituary Chippings ReportsMeet

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Cliff Large

Roy Denney

Tony Smythe

Michael Michael Smith

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Ben Alder SuttonAnother NickMunroist, kil of1927 teacher Leeds Report Out about and

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R.Ibberson

Ged Ged Campion

Nigel Dibben J

John Middleton

Albert Chapman

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ing Strolls in the Haute Savoie Haute ing the Strollsin

Fong Yen Fly Cats Fly Fong Yen TheMines Edge Alderley Gonone, Cala Sardinia Short Spr Drakensberg Trek

Clockwise from here: Michael Meacher, Duke of Devonshire, one of the original trespassers and Mike Harding

Foreword

One item that failed to make the last issue was a timely reminder from a member with a deep love for England’s wilder places. He noted the passing of a small man who had a large influence on rambling. Benny Rothman had died shortly before the 70th anniversary of his address to hundreds gathered at Hayfield quarry before the mass trespass of Kinder, then Derbyshire's ‘forbidden mountain’. In the short term it led to convictions and imprisonments for riotous assembly. Arguably, in the longer term it led to the formation of the Ramblers’ Association, the National Parks and the more recent Countryside and Rights of Way Act’s right to roam. A year ago, with over a thousand others, I joined another gathering in the same quarry to remember the spirit and sacrifice of those trespassers. With the improbable combination of the Duke of Devonshire and then Environment Minister, Michael Meacher, led by the Ramblers’ Association’s Mike Harding, we sang the Manchester Rambler, raising the marquee roof despite the rain. Attempts by a landowners-cum-hunting-lobby to provoke the crowd into a reaction were ignored and looked foolish. These memories were rekindled by a report in the paper of the recent passing of the last of the trespassers, Sheffield’s Bill Keen and Manchester’s Jimmy Jones. We are indebted to all those early campaigners and their successors who kept up the pressure for the access we now enjoy. As we tramp over new moors and fells we should take a moment to remember them.

Editor

"I am aware that I represent the villain of The Countryside and Rights of Way Act the piece this afternoon, but over the past "is not the seizure of the privileges of 70 years times have changed and it gives me the great landowners it is the restoration enormous pleasure to welcome walkers to of the normal, historic rights of access to my estate today. The trespass was a great the finest and wildest areas of moorland shaming event on my family, and the and mountain which, prior to the sentences handed down were appalling. Enclosure Acts of the 18th and 19th But out of great evil can come great good. centuries, had always been common The trespass was the first event in the whole land, open to all. What this is about is movement of access to the countryside reclaiming our common heritage". and the creation of our National Parks" Michael Meacher Duke of Devonshire ______

Secretary - Gordon Humphreys, 3 Mountbegon, Hornby, Lancashire LA2 8JZ

Editor - Michael Smith, 80 Towngate Road, Worrall, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S35 0AR [email protected] Copy for next issue by September 2003.

The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the YRC nor its Officers

The YRC Bulletin 1 Summer 2003

Contents Drakensberg Trek ...... Albert Chapman ...... 3 Fong Yen Fly Cats ...... Ged Campion ...... 8 The Alderley Edge Mines ...... Nigel J Dibben ..... 14 Cala Gonone, A Rock Climbers Paradise ...... John Middleton ..... 20 Short Spring Strolls in the Haute Savoie ...... Rob Ibberson ..... 24 Ben Alder ...... Tony Smythe ..... 26 Another Munroist, Nick Sutton ...... Michael Smith ..... 29 1927 Report of Leeds teacher killed on Great Gable ...... Cliff Large ..... 30 Out and about ...... Roy Denney ..... 31 Club Proceedings ...... F David Smith ..... 40 Letter ...... 42 Obituary, Graham Watson ...... 43 Chippings ...... 44 Meet Reports: Robertson Lamb Hut, Langdale ...... September 2002 ..... 45 Lowstern, Clapham joint with Alpine Club .. October ..... 47 Dinner, Kirby Lonsdale ...... November ..... 50 Christmas Meet, Osmotherley ...... November ..... 52 Snowdonia Meet, Ogwen ...... January ..... 55 Tulloch, Creag Meagaidh ...... February ..... 58 Low Hall Garth, Langdale ...... March ..... 62 Ladies Meet, Pateley Bridge ...... April ..... 64 Rhinogs Meet ...... April ..... 65 Ardgour, Scotland ...... May ..... 66 Gaping Gill ...... May ..... 68 Tuesday Meets...... January – April ..... 69

The YRC Bulletin 2 Summer 2003

Drakensberg Trek September 2002 Albert Chapman With no real hope of being accepted I filled in an application form a year ago for the joint British Mountaineering Council and Mountaineering Club of South Africa KwaZooloo-Natal Section (or Zoo for short) Trekking Exchange due to Avenger). be held in the Drakensberg mountains. To my surprise (not having been, until All the Brits made their own way by then, a notable supporter of the BMC) air to Pietermaritzburg arriving on the I was one of the seven selected to go. Friday “Vomit Comet”, not without Once selected, though, I thought the some excitement since the cloud base whole concept commendable. Not to closed in just after we landed making my surprise I was the oldest by far. for an interesting approach diving The youngest was Tom, twenty-one. through the clouds. Gavin whisked everyone off to their various hosts, and The BMC gave us each £100 for the then later all reunited for a communal purchase of food at a local supper. supermarket and we were driven to the Saturday saw the Brits spending their start of our trek. £100 (courtesy of the BMC) at a local It was wonderful to experience these supermarket provisioning for the trek mountains so rarely visited by we Brits and then a gathering at Gavin and so do read on. The BMC contingent was myself, most commonly referred to as "Yorkshire", Fiona, Davy and Elaine, Gilbert, Brian (or "Irish"), Tom and Ian. While the Zoo consisted of Steve ( called the Indecisive), Dylan (Rambo) and Ian (known as the Dark

The YRC Bulletin 3 Summer 2003

Barbara’s home for a braai. The herb in our couscous which had a evening began with a Greig Stewart doubtful influence on the quality of slide show on the conservation later sleep. I immediately established challenges facing the Drakensberg, a feedback mechanism to the and giving a flavour of sights in store leadership using a scale from two for us. thumbs up (A-OK) to two thumbs After, in my case, a bad night on a down (kill me, things are desperate!) It settee, Sunday was hardly an alpine is worth mentioning through out the start as we drove into the Mnweni in trip that we never got below 1½ four vehicles with Gavin, Glenn, Frank thumbs up! Certain apparently well- and Cesar kindly stepping in to drive connected Brits who shall remain the cars round to Cathedral, our nameless, were praying for all sorts of endpoint. A quick visit to the Mnweni weather, so after midnight a visitors centre, resplendent in its coat thunderstorm swept over the valley of orange paint, before we got the keeping us all awake. The three packs out of the car to begin the great zoological specimens took up trek. residence in Ian’s “stately pleasure dome”, and the Brits in various As soon as we set off we got lost, abodes, the least of which being fortunately no one noticed, not even Fiona’s single person tent dubbed the the leader and a pleasant detour via a Badger Trap. waterfall and some settlements not previously visited saw us back on An early start on day two was required track. The day was balmy and a in view of the 1500m of height gain in leisurely lunch below Mlambu’s kraal 6km on the menu. In the cool of the was followed by a hot afternoon slog morning we threaded our way through into a campsite near Shepherd’s cave. the lush undergrowth of the Mbundini We Brits tried several sprigs of local Valley. By 9am we were at the junction of the Fangs and

The YRC Bulletin 4 Summer 2003

Mbundini passes, and the task ahead of morning the wind freshened. Without us was blatantly obvious as the top of another option, we donned our full set the pass looked so close despite of wild weather clothing and set off for seeming almost unreachable. Ledger’s Cave. Things went well until We Brits found a wee ‘berg adder on the snow that was forecast for the the ridge, and soon we began the southern ‘berg arrived in the north. interminable traversing into the pass Buffeted about by an ever increasing gully. wind, and faces stung by blizzard snow, we fought our way to lunch to cower in the lee of a buttress above the Mnweni Pins. Being out of the wind was almost surreal, but we came down to earth with a bang as we set off once again into the gale. The realization that we were unlikely to make Ledger’s Cave before night fall saw us set up camp behind an outcrop in a cwm above the hanging valleys. The wind persisted I suppose in spring one should expect through the night. changeable weather, and during lunch another thunderstorm swept first south and then back north pelting us with hail. We trudged on amid amazing scenes of light, storm and rainbows, summiting late in the afternoon to camp in the jaws of a thirty knot wind from the northwest. Overnight temperatures plummeted to -17°C in the bell of the tent and in the

The YRC Bulletin 5 Summer 2003

Day four dawned bright and clear and brooding above us to the north, and the the wind lost some of its edge. The grandeur of the Cathedral range to the plan now was to “cut the corner” and east. try and catch up the four kilometres we We Brits members caused all sorts of had not covered the previous day. A cardiac palpitations for the locals as splendid day‟s trek was had, as we we posed with legs over the edge to walked a long gently descending arc get photos like those in the postcards. into the confluence of the Orange and the Koakoatsi, and then trundled up the latter lunching at a delightful spot behind the North Peak of the Saddle. Irish determined that the valley above us was no more than 600ft high and since the map required a 1000ft high one, insisted that we find something bigger to help us while away the long afternoon. Cresting the ridge as we looked down into the valley that feeds Ntonjelane Pass, we were once more in the wind, and another strategically Various mutterings like “enough of placed “copout” campsite in a valley this character building stuff, let‟s get reared its ugly (but welcome) head, off the mountain while we‟re still dissolving whatever remaining resolve able” prompted a democratic process was left for a determined finish to the which by unanimous vote meant that day. It was at this point that I we would descend a day early via the remarked “I jus luv this trip, since nun Mlambonja Pass to stay in Xeni Cave. of us knows what‟s going to „appen in A quick call to Gavin to rearrange the next ten minutes, „cos Steve jus‟ transport was made, and we rested keeps changing his mind!” This easy knowing that relief was in sight. unnamed valley was bordered on the Little did we know. east by the level escarpment edge, with Another day in paradise dawned clear a spectacular view of the South Saddle and bright, and we made good time to

The YRC Bulletin 6 Summer 2003 the top of the Mlambonja Pass still in the path down to the valley. Another the freezing wind. No sooner had we welcome campsite was found as the begun the descent and our progress ridge path hit the valley and Gavin was hampered by stops as we all in soon joined us to a hero’s welcome as turn flung off our arctic apparel, like he produced beer from his sac. butterflies emerging from cocoons. I Needless to say our start the next hasten to add that our appearance morning was a leisurely affair using lacked the pristine beauty that a some spare time to visit the Spionkop butterfly exhibits, and it was our sense battlefield where the Boers massacred of smell that needed to harden, rather several hundred British soldiers. than freshly formed wings. “Only a 1000 metres down to the contour path” We wound up the entire proceedings announced Steve. The first half went with a splendid dinner at the Hilton quickly enough, but the second half Hotel, where Tom made a passionate taxed our quads to the limit, and then I speech and impressed us all. Gavin decided to practice flying by stepping presented each of the Brits with an on a loose rock turning my ankle and MCSA Journal and the Brits gave the bashing my head, all in a single MCSA two magnificent books on flawless flight. Elaine our Scotland and Ireland. professional physiotherapist strapped Eleven people, almost all of whom did up the ankle, and while this was in not know any other member of the progress, Irish and Gilbert upped the party came together to trek through the stakes for the title of Rambo by Drakensberg. We faced extreme charging off with my sac across the weather and personal challenge and we contour path and down into the all got along as though we had known Mlambonja River valley. Soon each other a lifetime. I continue to be enough the path ran out for them and amazed how people who are they peered upwards to see the rest of passionate about mountains can do this the party high above them on the path. more often than not. Gilbert immediately engaged in self- flagellation by cursing and throwing It was a great privilege to participate in the third sac upwards ahead of him, as this meet and I look forward to helping they made slow but steady progress host MCSA members on the return leg towards us. The contents of my sac when they visit the UK. Incidentally I were then divided up amongst the discovered the MCSA was founded in others. I kept an eye on this lest they 1891 just a year before ourselves. were going to leave me for dead and stroll off with the spoils. We soon gained the path on the ridge down to the Mlambonja, but when Steve, in a rare break of character, decisively set off down a steep slope to enter the Xeni, mutiny broke out, and once again our quest to sleep in a cave was overtaken by expediency as we followed

The YRC Bulletin 7 Summer 2003

Fong Yen Fly Cats Ged Campion An account of one adventure from the international 2002 Hidden River Expedition to Guangxi Province in Southern China. As deputy expedition leader Ged joined a number of YRC members and others to explore one of the most extensive areas of limestone in the world. The main focus of the expedition was to follow a major river into the mountainous area and discover its route through to its resurgence. However other major features were also explored and a total were closing down in the big passage, of thirty kilometres of new cave the river disappearing contemptuously passage discovered over a period of and tantalisingly down a hading slot, six weeks. too perilous for any caver to enter. As I ventured to the edge of the drop We had descended Fong Yen 18 in front of me the scale of this huge months previously to approximately chasm became apparent, mist and 200 metres until we had run out of water vapour rising from the depths rope and time. Just imagine a huge gave it an eerie feel, a savage place but canyon that’s begging for a roof well somehow enchanting. A stone to test that’s what this gem of a pothole is the size of the drop fell silently for a like. It was a major objective on our long time then inaudibly clattered minds and the way it just kept cutting away into oblivion as if to defy any down held promise for us to relocate attempt to gauge the awesome the Hidden River. After the second day dimensions. A few breeding birds rose exploring its vertical walls with a full squawking from the shadows to mark days rigging behind us we reached the their disapproval. We would be the point of our previous exploration, 200 first explorers to disturb the sanctity of metres down, and for the first time had this place with our whirling drills, to fire up our carbides and leave unreeling ropes and silly chatter. A daylight behind. We were to discover beam of sunlight filtered through the however that we were not entirely trees dissolving the dank mist below to alone in this huge mystical place. reveal some of the secrets that lay Quite curiously, at the bottom of the beyond. This place would be ours now longest vertical Bruce to his as the noise of the 36volt Hilti drill amazement noticed a small creature in thundered across the void. a rock recess by a pool. On closer Fong Yen was to swallow almost a inspection with our limited knowledge kilometre of rope before it gave up. It of Chinese mammalia we eventually seemed a promising exploration as understood it to be a flying squirrel, news from the teams in our main locally known as fly cat (fay mow). It objective Dashiwei, suggested things was just sitting there seemingly oblivious to the seriousness of our exploration. Apart from a slightly

The YRC Bulletin 8 Summer 2003 disjointed back leg it seemed in good as a dragon’s breath just as if someone health. Whilst skimming through trees had turned on an electric fan heater. high above this fly cat must have We had witnessed this sort of soared too close to the edge of the temperature change in Oman, but precipice, lost altitude and spiralled never before in China. A further 20 helplessly into the void .We hadn’t metre pitch led disappointingly to a seen it the previous day so it must sump at 500 metres. Once again the have landed the night before after we Hidden River had eluded us, only had exited the cave. Stewart offered it silence and sediment remained. Our the leftovers of his luminous Chinese thoughts turned to the journey out and sausage but full of life and furiously our awaiting mammalian friends. independent it repelled any advances As we returned to our quarry, we of help. Roman and Pascale, our consoled ourselves with the fact that Swiss/French contingent, the more we had at least been inoculated against philosophical amongst us felt that rabies but that didn’t help as we nature should take its course, but anxiously avoided being bitten by Bruce, Stewart and I had ideas about these whirling, growling, spitting fur reuniting it with its family in the forest balls as we cornered them. Mr. Chen above. So temporarily leaving it our Nanning TV caver and behind to give ourselves plenty of time cameraman, in true David to ponder on a suitable rodent catching Attenborough style excitedly recorded strategy, we continued. We were just the whole episode. After a number of about recovered from the excitement failed attempts to bag our quarry the of our unusual discovery when Roman technique of basically grabbing the yelled up from the bottom of the next creature by the tail and holding it at pitch, ‘another squirrel’. By now a arms length and dropping it into an seasoned scurridean expert, Bruce open tackle sack was the simplest and confirmed the find. This one was even most effective method. After all they more animated than its estranged were tired and hungry and became companion, growling and bearing his suitably compliant. Each squirrel had sharp talons as it crouched within the its own bag in case they were of the security of its rocky recess. same sex or of course the opposite! But for now we had to go on to find Prusiking back up the 700 metre of out what other surprises Fong Yen rope far from being the normal lonely held for us. The nature of the passage experience was quite entertaining with changed quite dramatically, muddier the two rodents wriggling around on and less airy. Gloomy chambers and a my back but after twenty minutes or so cracked mud floor gave way to a more familiar with their temporary quicksand floor that was only possible home, they were fully resigned to their to cross with the aid of tree trunks evacuation. judiciously placed at intervals that had It was very late when we arrived on been conveniently washed into the the surface and the Chinese support chasm during times of flood. After a team dutifully waiting, anxious to few metres a more stable floor led to a inspect our quarry as they had been low arch requiring kneeling for the listening into the radio conversations first time. Beyond, the passage from below. Convinced that we were enlarged considerably with an going native and wanting more than incredible temperature change as hot just the delicacies that the hotel could

The YRC Bulletin 9 Summer 2003 offer us, gesticulated a number of of this conservation showpiece. methods of preparing the squirrels for After fully researching our interesting supper. However, we dispelled any finds we were to discover that our such ideas and set about the business Flycats were in fact Giant Flying of finding a place to free our furry Squirrels (Rodentia; sciuridae, genus friends at a suitable distance from the Petaurisa alborufus). These flying hole. At the foot of a large tree, magicians are nocturnal and arboreal, although at first a little reluctant to usually located 15-30 metres in the leave the security of the tackle sacks, trees. They spend daylight hours in they eventually dropped out one by hollow trees or branches and become one to the forest floor a little active after dusk. They travel through dishevelled, but once re-orientated the treetops in a squirrel-like manner, they scurried away finding refuge in but when a branch or a tree is too the tree. Once again, Mr Chen was distant to reach by an ordinary leap, carefully choreographing the filming they go to a higher branch and leap

Their head and body length ranges 305-585mm, tail length, 345-635mm, and their weight is about 1-2 kilograms. The soft fur is fairly long on the back. The upper parts are yellowish grey, bright brown, chestnut, or black. Their underparts are yellowish buffy, brownish or white. The tail is generally the colour of the back. These squirrels have short broad heads; complex molars; and a tail that is bushy, cylindrical, and as long or longer than the head and body.

The YRC Bulletin 10 Summer 2003

toward the objective, extending the China, they have been seen to be so membrane as they spread the arms engorged with young leaf and flower forward and out, and the legs buds that they probably could not glide backward and out. At first the glide is with such alacrity; they are noticeably downward at an angle, but as they heavier at this time of the year. And approach the objective, they ascend for this may have been why our squirrels the last metre or so before alighting. had misplaced their leaps! Some apparently can glide up to 450 Another theory as to why we metres! encountered two in the duration of a These squirrels seem to have a basic single trip was that our caving activity knowledge of aeronautics, since at the previous evening with an array of times they may ride on ascending lights may have disorientated them so currents of air coming up from deep much that they had missed their clefts or caves. In flight they are perches and fallen therefore we had actually capable of banking and on possibly played a significant part in some occasions they have been their misfortune. It seemed justifiable observed to make several banks in the therefore that we should have made course of a single glide. The diet of such bold attempts to rescue them these rodents consists of fruit, nuts, from the murky depths. young twigs, tender shoots, leaves, and Giant flying squirrels have been sometimes insects and larvae. In hunted intensively by local Chinese springtime (March-April) in Southern and have in the past served as important food items at certain times of the year. However, the loss of forest habitat and killing by people led Wang Zheng and Kobayashi (1989) to classify them as endangered. The existence of a number of small bones 200 metres in the chasm confirmed that other fallen fly cats had not been so lucky in the past.

YRC members exploring Fong Yen were: Ged Campion, Alister Renton, and Bruce Bensley.

The YRC Bulletin 11 Summer 2003

The YRC Bulletin 12 Summer 2003

The YRC Bulletin 13 Summer 2003

before and during the First World War but these ended in a sale of equipment The Alderley in 1926. From the 1860s onwards there have Edge Mines been many thousands of visitors to the mines, many - including the earliest - Nigel J Dibben with good lighting and experienced History Copper and lead mining leaders. However, many other is known to have taken place at visitors, especially between 1940 and Alderley Edge since the 1690s. Firm 1960, were ill-equipped and evidence of earlier mining exists in the unprepared. This led to a series of form of crudely shaped stones and an tragic accidents that gained the mines oak shovel found during the nineteenth a notoriety that still haunts them today. century near Brinlow. These have The West and Wood Mines were been identified as Bronze Age tools finally blocked in the early 1960s. from around 1750 BC. Roman mining In 1969 the Derbyshire Caving Club has been found at Engine Vein where a obtained permission from the National forty foot deep shaft and passage were Trust (the owners) to re-open Wood dug down to reach the vein below the Mine. Since 1970 thousands more Bronze Age workings. The shaft has visitors have been provided with been dated to the first century AD. miners’ lamps and helmets and led in From 1693 to the mid-1800s various safety around Wood Mine and Engine people are reported to have explored Vein. In 1975 the owner of West the Edge for copper. Work was done Mine allowed the Caving Club to at Saddlebole, Stormy Point, Engine make a new and safe entrance to that Vein and Brinlow. It is likely that the mine. In 1981 the Engine Vein was near-surface sections of Wood Mine capped for safety and added to the were investigated during this period. Caving Club's lease. One operator of note was Charles Roe In the late 1980s an Open Day was of Macclesfield who worked the mines inaugurated by the Club and for one or from 1758 to 1768 before moving over two weekends each year the public can to Anglesey on the discovery of major visit a selected mine without making deposits of copper at Parys Mountain. prior arrangements. These have In 1857, a Bristol man, James Michell, become popular local events but we started work at West Mine and moved still take other groups around the on in the 1860s to Wood Mine. His mines a couple of times a month. company lasted 21 years (the length of Until the end of the seventeenth the lease) although Michell died in an century, explosives were not available accident in the mines in 1862. During and all rock had to be cut by hand. At this working period nearly 200,000 the Edge, where the rock is soft, this tons of ore were removed yielding practice continued into the early 3,500 tons of copper metal. The West nineteenth century and pick marks can Mine closed in 1877 and the be seen in many places in Engine Vein Abandonment Plan of 1878 shows all and Brinlow mines. Throughout the the workings open at that date. All Wood and West Mines (which were equipment was sold in 1878. There mainly worked in the nineteenth were some small and unsuccessful century) the rock was drilled by hand attempts to re-open the mines just

The YRC Bulletin 14 Summer 2003

and blasted with black powder high. Inside, the mine consists of two (gunpowder). The ore was roughly parts divided by a fault. sorted at the face and “deads”, the In the first part, the Main Chamber is waste rock, were left behind in heaps. the largest single void in the mine at The good ore was trammed to the around 500 feet long by 50 feet high surface where it was crushed and the and 100 feet wide. From the Main copper extracted using acid. The ore Chamber, a railway tunnel leads down gave about 2% copper. In the second to the Sphinx Chamber and then half of the nineteenth century, some through a now-buried section to the 200,000 tons of ore were raised from second part of the mine. By climbing all of the Alderley Edge Mines, a ladder, ascending a steep passage yielding 3,500 tons of copper worth and crossing the infamous Plank Shaft, £3,000,000 at the time. the scene of many accidents in the Wood Mine Wood Mine was past, the Great Arroyo is reached. worked for copper, lead and, possibly, From here, there are two and, further cobalt. Although Wood Mine is not on, three routes to the end of the mine. the largest mine, it is a good These pass through the Lion Chamber, illustration of mining techniques and the scene of one chapter in Alan minerals. The mine is mostly the Garner’s novel “The Weirdstone of result of working between the early Brisingamen”, past several ore chutes 1860s and 1877. The mine was to a dead end. Legends abound that worked on three beds or levels and the this tunnel or another nearby continues ore was removed through one of two down to the cellars of the de Trafford adits; one is the present entrance and Arms in the village! the second is the Hough Level. Despite the legends, you still have to There were five shaft entrances to return out by the same way as you Wood Mine, four were probably went in, as there is only one open driven to find the extent of the ore and entrance. When the mine was the fifth, a 90 feet deep shaft, to working, there were two air shafts – extract ore straight to the treatment one at the middle and one near the end. works. Later, two adit entrances were At some stage in the development of made, one connecting with the bottom the mine, another five or more shafts of the deep shaft and the other, the were open to the surface but these present main entrance, connecting with have all been capped with stone slabs. the upper levels of North End Engine Vein This mine gets its name Chamber and Sand Cavern. This latter from a deep shaft which required an adit would have been useful in engine (probably a horse gin, not extracting ore from quarries, now steam) and the fact that it is mainly infilled, which lie above Wood Mine. dug along one mineral vein. The name West Mine By contrast with is quite old. Within Engine Vein, you Wood Mine, West Mine is immense. can see evidence of all periods of It is by far the largest and longest of mining from 1750 BC to 1919 AD. the Alderley Edge mines at around six There are Bronze Age pits, large miles in length. The current entrance Roman galleries, narrow mediæval is a small hole in the corner of a field “coffin levels” (so-named from their but previously the entrance was a shape) and worked out stopes blasted massive open cutting, 50 feet deep by gunpowder. leading to a gaping entrance 30 feet

The YRC Bulletin 15 Summer 2003

Engine Vein is also deeper than any two other entrance shafts cleared other mine except West Mine with giving a small but interesting through workings on several levels starting trip between 30 and 60 feet below the from near the surface to 100 feet surface. The most recent discovery in below ground. However, deeper still this mine was a shaft in the floor of the is the Hough Level that connects all room used by the Club as an exhibition the mines on the eastern side of the space! The shaft was found during nineteenth century treatment works. building refurbishment and was This level is over 150 feet below the subsequently dug and lit out by the surface at Engine Vein and runs for Club. Named Tom’s Shaft in memory nearly a mile from Dickens Wood to of a Club member, this shaft is about the works. 40 feet deep. Visitors can now look straight down into the mine from When you enter Engine Vein, you start within the museum. Whether the mine in a side passage only 150 years old really was a cobalt mine is not certain but soon reach the main vein working but we know that cobalt was worked at with sections 2000 years old. Modern the Edge in the early 1800s and this steps take you down to a bridge mine has very little evidence of installed by the caving club, leading to copper. The likelihood is that it was the upper levels at the west end of the the cobalt mine but it is unlikely that mine. Stairs down from the bridge we shall ever get proof. lead to lower levels and give access to the vein in Blue Shaft Passage. Blue The other mines at the Edge include Shaft is a beautifully coloured shaft Stormy Point Mine, Saddlebole and leading down to the Hough Level. Finlow Hill Mine. Brinlow Mine Brinlow is a small but The Wizard and interesting mine as it has, like Engine the Beacon from a 19th century Vein, been worked in at least three mining different periods. There is evidence of company’s Bronze Age working at the surface and share certificate. th of 18 century mining in the form of a set of initials on a wall dated 1764. The Geology of Alderley Edge The initials include a typical I with cross bar and W formed of two Alderley Edge is made of sandstones overlapping Vs. Later mining is which dip from the Edge towards the shown by the Hough Level passing Congleton Road (A34) at about 12° to through Brinlow (which is partly the horizontal. The sandstone is not flooded here, making an interesting one solid mass but is in layers many caving trip) and another set of initials feet thick. Each bed is slightly dating to 1866. The entrance is a fine different in origin, hardness and coffin level but the main mine shows colour. All the rocks at Alderley were evidence of blasting. laid down about 180 to 250 million years ago. The youngest rocks are the The Cobalt Mine A few years West Mine beds which are formed ago, the DCC descended an innocent from air-borne sand and form the looking well behind the Wizard thickest layers at Alderley. Below restaurant and found that it connected them are the Wood Mine beds formed with a previously unknown mine, of alternating layers of conglomerate, unknown, that is, in recent times. The water-deposited sandstone and clay. mine was subsequently explored and Below these again are the hard beds

The YRC Bulletin 16 Summer 2003

Minerals found in the Alderley Edge Mines

Of all the minerals present at Alderley Edge, sandstone, consisting of quartz or silica (SiO2) grains is clearly the most abundant. The useful minerals are the metal ores which are found in the sandstone or in faults through the sandstone. The common minerals are listed below:

Malachite: Basic copper carbonate - Cu2CO3(OH)2 Green malachite is the most common economically viable ore at Alderley Edge and was the object of most of the mining. It was formed by the reaction of surface water containing dissolved carbon dioxide with “primary” sulphide ores such as chalcocite (Cu2S) traces of which are still present in the ore body.

Azurite: Basic copper carbonate - Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 Found with the malachite, the less common azurite is bright blue (especially when damp) and is formed in a similar way to malachite. Azurite is found in one unusual form in Engine Vein where small spheres, about 3 mm in diameter, are found dispersed in a grey clay.

Chrysocolla: Hydrous copper silicate - CuSiO3.nH2O Chrysocolla is also a secondary mineral and forms in abandoned mine passages from trickling water. It is a beautiful deep blue-green colour when damp and forms the “Green Waterfalls” in Wood Mine and the “Green River” in West Mine. Galena: Lead sulphide – PbS Pure galena is shiny grey and looks like lead metal. At Alderley it is more often dispersed in the sandstone as grey specks although the characteristic cubic crystals can still be seen with the aid of a hand lens. The carbonate of lead, cerussite (PbCO3), is also found abundantly at Alderley. Asbolite: Manganese/cobalt oxides and arsenates Black and found in small patches in several places in the mines. More strictly known as „Cobaltian Wad‟, asbolite was worked for a short time to obtain cobalt for blue colouring in glass and paper.

Barite: Barium sulphate - BaSO4 Barite is found very widely on the Edge and has never been worked for profit. In many places it cements the sand producing the very hard rock that stands out at locations such as Stormy Point. Iron Minerals: Various iron oxides A number of iron compounds are present which give rise to the distinctive rust-red bands in all the mines. The chemical process in the last century removed the iron from the sandstone which is why the processed sand in the area of the old sand hills is much whiter than sand elsewhere. This list contains only a few of the minerals at the Edge. Elements found include silicon, copper, iron, lead, sulphur, chlorine, phosphorous, carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, calcium, aluminium, molybdenum, vanadium, tungsten, zinc, barium, cobalt, arsenic, nickel, manganese and even traces of gold. ______of the Engine Vein sandstones which movement of rock including the form the bottom of the Helsby uplifting of the Edge itself and the Formation. It is these hard beds which steep hill on the A34. In fact, the outcrop at Stormy Point and provide whole area of land between the A34 the weather-resistant rocks that form and the Edge has been raised as a the Castle Rock. Finally, appearing at block several hundred feet because of the bottom of Stormy Point, are the the faulting. The other direction of soft Bunter sandstones. faulting is roughly northwest-southeast There are a series of “faults” and faults on this alignment are often throughout the Edge, which follow mineralised. It is thought that the ores two predominant directions. The were carried in solution up through the north-south faults have been faults, which are relatively responsible for most of the major porous compared with the

The YRC Bulletin 17 Summer 2003 surrounding clays and sands. An could carry further than in Wood Mine anomaly to this general rule is the fault or Engine Vein. upon which the Cobalt Mine lies. This fault is also roughly north-south and cuts across the end of Engine Vein.

For more information If you want to read more about the Alderley Edge Mines, a good book for reference is “The Alderley Edge Mines” by Chris J. Carlon published by Sherratt and Son, Altrincham (now out of print but available in local libraries). Beyond this, the author has collected about 300 references ranging from 19th century books such as Sainter’s “The jottings of some Geological, Archaeological, Botanical, Ornithological and Zoological rambles round Macclesfield” to a 21st century item in New Scientist. Members of the Derbyshire Caving Club meet regularly at the Edge to explore the mines and to re-excavate the numerous blocked entrances Blue Shaft in Engine Vein that remain on the Edge. Adults are welcome Some lead is found in the faults (e.g. at to join the Club either to help occasionally Engine Vein and at Stormy Point) but with digging or as a full member, able to take groups around the mines and participate in the most of the copper and much of the wider activities of the Caving Club. If you are lead is found dispersed in the interested in knowing more see: sandstone on one or both sides of the www.DerbysCC.org.uk. faults. The copper-bearing ore body is usually thickest near a fault and tapers away from the fault. Generally, ore is found only on the down-dip (south-western) side of the fault showing how it was deposited by water percolating through the sandstone after the land was uplifted. In West Mine the association with faults is less clear-cut but this is probably explained by the fact that the rocks in West Mine are more porous and the solutions The author in Wood Mine

The YRC Bulletin 18 Summer 2003

The YRC Bulletin 19 Summer 2003

Cala Gonone A Rock Climbers’ Paradise John Middleton A brief review of a stunningly beautiful region in Sardinia recently visited by the writer encompassing, at the last count, some 16 major sports climbing venues all to be found within 10 kilometres of Cala Gonone. SITUATION. The little visited 240km long by 120km wide Italian island of Sardinia is home to many rugged granite and limestone mountains that provide excellent walking, mountaineering, rock climbing and caving. Some of the wildest of these ranges are to be found in the eastern Driving to Cala Gonone on good roads province of Nuoro. Here, between the takes between 3 and 4 hours. coastal towns of Orosei and Arbatax there lies a sparsely habited region of WHEN TO GO. The summer and limestone up to 1,000m in altitude early autumn are best avoided as it is covered in colourful macchia (small very hot, usually well into the 30’s, scrub), riddled by caverns (Su Palu and very crowded. The best time to 40km long), and punctuated by visit is from late September into vertical faces of warm rock ideal for December and from late February winter climbing. The perfect centre for through to early May. Temperatures all activities is the delightfully isolated should then be around the 20’s and the and friendly small port of Cala only other visitors will be fellow Gonone. From here a twenty minute climbers. walk will reach the first cliffs whilst FACILITIES. Out of season, i.e. none of the others will take more than October to April, the campsites and a twenty minute drive. most hotels are closed. The usual GETTING THERE AND ABOUT. option is to hire an apartment, most of From the U.K. the island can be which are situated on the sea front. In reached by flying to Alghero and March 2003 my wife and I paid 36€ Olbia in the north or Cagliari in the per day. We booked on the internet south. In practice most climbers fly to with the English speaking Cenza at Alghero with Ryanair from Stanstead [email protected]. An airport, often at extremely cheap rates alternative site is prima.sardegna (we paid just £69 return including @tiscalinet.it. The only hotel that we taxes). Car hire can be easily arranged noted as being open was the three star in advance or directly and Hotel Pop (tel 00 39 784 93185). Food considerably cheaper from the array of is available at several small local agencies within the terminal supermarkets. During the day snacks building. can be obtained from the various bars

The YRC Bulletin 20 Summer 2003

– the climbers favourite being Bar La vertical walls and include subtle Pineta situated on the road into town. layaways and balance moves on small This bar also sells climbing guides and pockets and incuts. A 60m single rope maps. BEWARE that everything, is recommended. Valerie does not including bars, shut down between climb but enjoys (!) belaying and I was 1pm and 4-5pm! Also BEWARE that able to do at least the bottom two the few pizza bars and Hotel Pop do pitches, to 55m, of all the routes I not start to serve food until after 8pm! attempted. Belay points are various but There is a cash machine by the port always substantial so abseils can be and close by is a small climbers shop. easily arranged. Opposite can be found Internet facilities. SOME EXAMPLES. We visited just five cliffs starting with the main face GUIDES. The classic Sardinian sports of BUDINETTO situated a three climbing guide is “Pietra di Luna” minute drive and 10 minute walk from which covers the whole of the island town. It is a steep slab and proved an and has been updated to 2002. We excellent introduction with most of the used the new “Arrampicare a Cala routes being in the 5c/6a category and Gonone” by Corrada Conca. This up to 35m in length. Maleducato, a excellent publication concentrates 35m 5c/6a and Josephine, a 25m 6a+ solely on the Cala Gonone region. seemed particularly good. Just a five- Rockfax have also produced a new minute drive away and at the same selected mini guide in English with level as Budinetto is LA POLTRONA, very good diagrams and this can be a much larger version of the former obtained direct from them at with some 4-pitch routes up to 175m www.rockfax.com . in length. The quality is again THE ROCK. This is without exception excellent with my favourites here extremely massive and solid being the first two pitches of the limestone. Throughout our short stay, central senza nome going quite which included some 43 routes, we excitedly at one steep point and the never came across a single loose hold. established classic of Deutsch Wall, The aspect is generally southeast but both at 5c/6a. Each crag overlooks the shade or sun can be found at most town and keeps the sun until mid times of the day by choosing different afternoon. venues. On a wild isolated hillside steeply THE ROUTES. Some 1,000 routes descending to the sea can be found extend from as little as 10m up to awe MARGHEDDIE (see photo), a definite inspiring 300m monsters and from a “must visit” with its sensational single pitch to more than 6. Bolting is situation and colourful cover of spurge generally excellent with spacings of and cistus plants. Secteur “Nina Nana” around 3-4m. The crucial first bolt is has just 12 routes to 50m in length usually fairly low down. Grades, all of with grades from 5c to 6b, each a which are the standard French Sports magnificent very steep slab climb with ones, vary from as little as 4c up to 8b a shelf about 15m up. We did every with the majority being in the 6’s and one and never met another climber all 7’s. The standards seem remarkably day! Almost directly below consistent and equate well with, say, Margheddie is the great sea cave of the Leeds Climbing Wall. Most cliffs BIDDITISCOTTAI reached easily tend to be either steep slabs or near

The YRC Bulletin 21 Summer 2003 across the boulders from Cala Gonone. road is CALA FUILI, a beach now Mega overhangs abound whilst the made famous by Madonna as the one walls to the right bristle with superb onto which she is shipwrecked in her routes on a very different rock that new film. It also sports a gorge with no tends to feel soapy if the hand stays in less than 9 crags bolted with many one position too long! Paolino is an fierce routes in the 7s and 8s. Two enjoyable 20m 6a+ classic that leaves more cliffs are situated above the sea. the cave on great jugs (see photo) We visited secteur “Amelia” where we whilst the 30m Bar Gullich, at 6b on climbed Cotequino, Silja, Sixteen, and the steep right wall interestingly Kho phi phi, all superb 30m long traverses calcite formations. Both sites routes starting directly from boulders keep the sun until mid afternoon. by the sea. At 6a/6a+ they did seem The beach to the south of the village slightly harder than the other crags and directly beneath the end of the visited. Several of the cliffs require the hiring of a boat to reach. This is easily done from the port, and these include the fine cliffs of Cala Luna and the great 175m tower of Aguglia di Goliritze. The trip is very spectacular passing superb scenery and many caves, some, reputedly still unexplored. Just inland, but still within a short drive are many six pitch mountain crags offering both bolted and adventure routes. NEARBY DEVIATIONS. In such a wilderness region it is not surprising that there are a multitude of other interesting sites to visit.

The YRC Bulletin 22 Summer 2003

From Cala Luna it is possible to follow hundred years ago. In an adjacent the river up a deep valley for around valley the river Flumineddu passes an hour and visit the 40km long cave through the 700m deep and frequently of Su Palu. Another Speleological only 4m wide gorge of Gorropu, an wonder is the Grotta sa Oche in the exciting excursion that unfortunately very beautiful Lanaitto valley. This finishes at a deep pool and vertical cave is large and with the help of a wall. A three-day hike follows the rope as a handline is exciting (and wet) coast south from Cala Gonone with to explore. A couple of hours uphill nowhere to stay and all food to be walk from the Grotta is the amazing carried! The list of adventures is ancient nuraghic village of Tiscali endless – we highly recommend them hidden in a collapsed cavern and all. rediscovered only a

The YRC Bulletin 23 Summer 2003

When I had things to myself I checked Short Spring Strolls with the “information” chalet in our in the Haute Savoie village who pointed out that walking uphill from the village was difficult or Rob Ibberson not on, depending upon which route one took. So, thinking of what I’d Had I not become a member of YRC learned from YRC, I decided to recce relatively recently nothing of what my route for a day’s walk three days follows would have happened. hence when the weather might be We have friends with a chalet just over better. the border from Geneva, at 1000 The first of these to the proposed metres overlooking the Lake not far “descent” col at 1500 metres had to be from Evian. My wife wanted to attend abandoned due to thick mist and deep an international conference in Geneva snow on much of the path from 1300 and we fancied a short break in a place metres. So I contoured round back to neither of us knew. It seemed a good the village of Thollon without ever idea to acquire the chalet for a few seeing the magnificent Pic des days, do a bit of sightseeing and for Memises and its extended limestone me to do a bit of walking whilst cliffs, which had formerly contained Gabrielle “conferred”. U.K. had been the southern edge of the very large sweltering (relatively) in the best glacier extending from there over to spring weather for a century so we the Jura mountains which delineated were unsurprised to note that few the other side. That glacier had would likely to be skiing at that sort of followed the line of the lake and was height in April. about 1500 metres thick. I had to wait We arrived to find a foot of recent another three days to see the peaks and snow barring our way to the chalet and cliffs in their glory. I thought of our friends’ instructions took no account climbers but understand this particular of such unseasonal severity. The bit is too dangerous to climb. following day was mainly grey and My second recce was more successful misty but somewhat warmer – around as I approached the col from the other 0ºC but not really good walking side and managed to get up to the right weather. So we resolved to visit height, albeit on a south facing slope, nearby La Chapelle d’Abondance with thus less snow on it, in about where Gabrielle had spent a happy ninety minutes. school holiday with friends in that then isolated hamlet. It is served now by a So I planned a route from Thollon good road and has scores of very large ascending via Lejoux, Pointe de chalets; many festooned still with Cormiens and Chalet de Nordavaux to Christmas decorations, and mainly gain the Eastern end of the Balcon des closed ski hire equipment shops. We Memises with a fallback plan that if looked at the map and decided upon a that proved impossible I would turn circa three hour walk taking us up back and do another round walk from 1200 to 1500 metres. There was downhill towards the lake and return a gradual increase in snow underfoot with an ascent to Thollon. There were and I found myself doing a “Good several places on the otherwise good King Wencelslas” act, gaitered as by but snow covered path where it was then I was, for a couple of miles before covered with a big pile of avalanched a slippery descent back to the village.

The YRC Bulletin 24 Summer 2003 snow and muddy rocks. I noted signs ascending straight up 700 metres for of previous day booted and snowshod the ridge walk via the teleskilift and people crossing and prodded it smartly descent I was doing. These told one with my sticks. They stuck OK so I about the topography, natural and clambered over. Coming to a more economic history of the locality. It open snow-slope before the last part of was slippery on the shaded snow the ascent I found covered parts of myself in up to course, but no worse thigh-high soft than any Pennine peak snow and wished I in winter when not too had snowshoes. frozen. The sunshine I changed route to on the mixed conifer walk up the steep, and bare trees, some sunny side of a deep bent over like large ravine for a mile or Roman catapults so which was ready for release onto “sticky” but some distant enemy, possible and came made my heart sing as out at the Chalets I slithered downhill. des Memises. It During the day I’d had been cloudless seen many spring all the way up and I flowers which we see was ready for a rest. over a more extended I soon found the period and watched walkers’ refuge deer, badger, kite and which contained a numerous other comfortable chair smaller birds and heard a largish for my lunch, so munched and mammal in some distress, clearly reviewed whilst enjoying the solitude being attacked by something else and sunshine. The height was mainly about 150 metres off my track: but it done. I did not fancy going back and was not prudent to investigate further. reasoned the other mostly reccied On reaching the village again the first route down would be better than that bar was shut on Tuesdays but the pint of my ascent. So, after stuffing my in the second tasted excellent. 2/3rds empty water bottles with clean Although the walk in total was only snow (a dodge learned on a meet last fourteen kilometres, it felt like winter) I walked across the deserted somewhat more and would surely have snow playground of seasonal skiers to been easier in snowshoes. I’ll try to the Pic des Memises where I lingered remember some if we go somewhere to admire and photograph some of the similar again. But the experience was magnificent 360º panorama. memorable as a first walk in the Alps. Descending the west end of the Balcon I came across two walkers; we were each others’ first human contact since Institute Geographia National Maps (IGN):- setting off five hours earlier. The 1. Haute Savoie 1::50,000 ed Didier Richard descent from the Col de Pertuis was – 350 itineries de Randonnees.. No.3 made more interesting as there were 2. Les cartes touristiques locales 1::25,000. plaques embossed in three languages No.3528 ET “Morzine” for the benefit of summer walkers

The YRC Bulletin 25 Summer 2003

Extract from paper (actual paper not where they met a stretcher party from known but probably Yorkshire Post or Wasdale Head, where the body was Leeds Mercury) dated 31 July 1927 taken. relating to the death of Claud Mr Frankland’s companions were Frankland... Cliff Large unhurt. Leeds teacher killed The climb the party was doing at the time of the accident is very difficult, on Great Gable and was discovered only recently. 40-feet fall while trying new climb The Gable is a favourite resort of Mr Claud D. Frankland, headmaster of climbers, and on the summit is the Fell Sweet Street Council, Leeds whose and Rock Climbing Club War home is in Brudenell Mount, Leeds, Memorial. was killed while climbing one of the Mr Frankland is described by those face climbs on the Napes Ridge, Great that knew him as all that a Gable last night. He fell 40 feet. schoolmaster should be, and he was Mr Frankland was a member of the regarded as one of the most promising Fell and Rock Climbing Club and an of the younger headmasters in the old member of the Yorkshire Leeds education service. Keen on all Rambling [sic] Club. He spent outdoor sports and recreations, he took yesterday doing many climbs on the a particular interest in the sports side Gable, leading a party of three, one of of his school work. whom was Miss Barker, of Silloth. He was a pupil teacher in Leeds, and Late in the afternoon he was leading before going to Sweet Street was his party up Chantrey Buttress on headmaster of Chapeltown School. Napes Ridge when his hold gave way, His father, at one time Headmaster of and he fell on to his head and was Ossett Grammar School, was a famous killed outright. character in the West Riding. A party of climbers, organised by Mr Note: I found this newspaper Ralph Mayson, of Keswick, carried the cutting in a copy of George Abraham’s body down to the Sty Head Pass, British Mountain Climbs which I bought in Leeds in the 1950s. It was one of several cuttings about climbing accidents in the book which had belonged to a M. Perkins of Armley. Another cutting referred to a fatal accident on Doe Crag in 1932. The party included H.W. Tilman who along with his two companions, one of whom was killed, fell 175 feet after the rope broke. Tilman suffered concussion and spent four hours travelling four miles to Coniston to raise a rescue party.

The YRC Bulletin 26 Summer 2003

exceptionally settled tempted me to go Ben Alder for it now. The previous day I‟d had a sun-drenched walk on a trio of peaks Tony Smythe above Loch Laggan, and that evening The darkest hour before the dawn at Bill Fish, the most cautious of men Dalwhinnie Distillery. After the after his 1987 gaffe, „a lady‟s just painful, hour-long process of phoned to tell us there‟s a hurricane on converting myself from a recumbent its way, don‟t worry, there isn‟t‟, was sleeping-bag dweller, into a confident it would be fine for at least breakfasted, booted, gaitered and one more day. So with that frisson of rucksacked mountain man, I locked up excitement when you make a big the van and rode my bicycle away decision on impulse, I drove to from the lay-by outside the ghostly Dalwhinnie. white factory where Scotland‟s finest malt was produced. Soon I was at the A hard frost, and icy air cut through railway station, and beyond that at the my fleece – how grateful I was for the crossing where notices exhorted the relative warmth of the forest. My bike unwary to Stop, Look and Listen, and which in the last week had bounced (those that weren‟t flattened by one of and bumped over some terrible tracks, the two trains per day) to Shut the now to my delight glided over a Gates after them. Ahead of me recently-graded surface, and there stretched a dirt road running for miles were even proper road signs. Near the along Loch Ericht and leading to one start of the loch I rode past a of the most remote areas of the gatehouse, recently built in that Highlands. peculiar „modern‟ castle style, on which from the turrets to the block I was bound for Ben Alder, described paving, no expense had been spared. in the SMC guidebook as “one of the In fact all along the loch the manicured great remote mountains of Scotland, a road edges and fine stone parapets vast high plateau surrounded by over the burns oozed wealth. Later I corries in the heart of the Central understood that the laird of the Ben Highlands between Lochaber and the Alder estate had been faced with the Cairngorms”. The book, and indeed choice of making a huge tax payment the map went on to make it clear that or spending the surplus income on to traverse the mountain and take in „repairs‟. the neighbouring Beinn Bheoil was a very long day – about 30 miles, of So in what seemed like a matter of which half could be done by bicycle. I minutes I had covered the lochside had therefore earmarked it for a miles and was riding up the inclines suitably fine day in May or June. I towards Loch Pattack. As my tyres had toyed with the idea of bivouacking squirmed in the loose gravel an Alpine en route or using Culra bothy but both dawn greeted me. Miles away at the these options seemed to complicate end of the glen the majestic Ben Alder things and ask too much of the glowed red, and in a sky slowly losing weather, so my heart was set on an its stars a full moon still hung brightly. early start and a huge day from The recommended route now lay Dalwhinnie. across the moor on foot and I locked However it was late September and the my bike to a rusted and empty cattle nights were drawing in, and only the feeder and set off along a track leading fact that the weather seemed to Culra Lodge and bothy.

The YRC Bulletin 26 Summer 2003

Within a few minutes it occurred to me that I should still be riding the bike. The unusually dry ground and hard overnight frost made a perfect cycle lane, but I could not be bothered to go back, concentrating instead on that mindless walking action that on a smooth level surface on a cold morning, crams miles into hours. Actually the humble Culra bothy and just beyond it the more opulent shooting Ben Alder and Lancet Edge seen from Culra Bothy lodge came up alongside in about forty For the prudent and, shall we say, minutes. They lay just the other side mature solitary walker it was a of the placidly flowing if straightforward choice. As the years unpronounceable Allt a’ Chaoil-reidhe go by, mountain features described as which was so low that a crossing could ‘easier, and with better situations’ have been made anywhere. Not a soul become increasingly hard to resist, and appeared from bothy or Lodge and in I accordingly set off on the traverse fact I was not due to meet anybody underneath the frowning, rotten- else until the end of the day. looking rocks of the Short Leachas. I took time off at a stream to drink about The good path now headed firmly a pint of water as I carried no liquid uphill and Ben Alder increasingly refreshment – a long process as the towered overhead, its two huge craggy water was icy cold and greatly north-easterly spurs, one of which I resented by the inner man. Then I would soon be required to choose, picked out a minor col on the ridge barring progress to the upper part of which had a connecting slope of grass the mountain. The path, a real and headed for it. So far so good. stalker’s one with laid gravel and There were definite marks of human beautifully constructed stone channels, passage on the ridge and these guided began to wander off to the east on non- me up a rock step which had that mountaineering business, and fine special quality of presenting your judgement was now needed to decide whole past life in front of your eyes as when to trade comfortable walking in you place your feet and hands on the the wrong direction with the labour of holds (in other words it was bloody deep undergrowth in the right exposed!). Beyond this there was direction. nothing particularly serious, and I was now confronted with the more joyfully I reached the plateau. distant ‘Long Leachas’ spur over on This would be a rough place to be in the right with the Short one directly bad weather. It was a wilderness of above. The book told me that ‘both stones with not a shred of shelter. are approached through thick boulder- Navigation would be dire as there strewn heather. The Short Leachas is were several minor summits and great steeper and involves frequent flattish expanses. With the main scrambling, while the Long Leachas is summit, still a long way ahead, at easier and has better situations.’

The YRC Bulletin 27 Summer 2003

1,148 metres (I prefer 3,766 feet) you from Malta back to base in North could be faced with conditions not far Germany, passing Mont Blanc en short of Cairngorm severity. But I had route. From 45,000 feet the great no anxieties apart from the ongoing white dome of the mountain remained requirement not to do anything silly in view as we cruised northwards, and like put a leg down between two out of curiosity to see how long it boulders and fall over. The weather would stay in sight I kept an eye on it, was marvellous – sunny and warm glancing over my shoulder from time when the wind dropped to nothing – to time, and even dropping a wing so and I had loads of time in hand. that I could keep picking out the The top of the Short Leachas was a diminishing white snow cap from the Top, and beyond it the way meandered distant clouds around it. After about along the edge of the enormous north- forty minutes it was so minute as to be east corrie. The plateau levelled and almost invisible, merging with the became smooth grass, good enough to horizon, and then finally it was lost. land an aircraft. The summit, still At that point we were over Cologne, a elusive, capped a small bank of rocks, distance of 360 miles from Mont below which there was a stone shelter, Blanc. I have since found that theory four walls about 6 feet high but no bears out practice; the calculated line roof. There were also three strange of sight between those two altitudes at stone rings nearby – had the aliens that distance does remain comfortably who carved the crop circles been busy above the earth’s curvature, and there up here too? is also probable help from refraction of the atmosphere. So with a feeling of great satisfaction at a long-standing ambition When I tired of exploring the distances from Ben Alder I ate lunch and, since accomplished, I walked past the trig point to the cairn, a very shallow- there was nobody around to offend, angled one where I sat on a flat rock made a phone call home. Quite apart next to the highest point, my view from the pleasure of a jolly chat, it is unimpeded. And what a view! Nevis quite reassuring to discover that was instinctively the first one to find, contact from a mobile is available if and from the east on precisely the needed – certainly not the case from same degree of latitude it had all Scottish mountains. strangely lost its hulking shape and The way down south-east takes you to appeared almost steeple-like. Not a boggy col with the strange name of knowing the Highlands well enough I Bealach Breabag, and here, at the couldn’t identify that many others but furthest point of the circuit – which is I should think that everything was more rectangular like a croquet hoop – visible up to 50 miles, maybe more. I was conscious of the long miles Could I see the Cuillin ridge, a tiny set home. But first there was the length of of battlements floating in the sea of Beinn Bheoil to cover, a 2½ mile blue vapour? There was something whaleback on which I was pestered by there, a cloud perhaps. The Cuillin are flies. These were alarmingly similar to 73 miles from Ben Alder. black flies in that they refused to be Huge viewable distances are a product brushed off and had a rubbery of atmospheric clarity and knowing resistance to being squashed, although where to look and what you’re looking they were slightly bigger than black at. In the RAF I once flew a Canberra

The YRC Bulletin 28 Summer 2003 fly and a greyish colour. I didn’t allow Another Munroist any to settle long enough to see how sharp their teeth were. End of While the Ardgour Meet was getting September – a few hardy midges, underway a guest on Scottish meets of plenty of mosquitoes, certainly my old, Nick Sutton of Ingleton’s share of deer ticks, and now these Daleswear, was celebrating a double - beauties. completing the Munros and his fiftieth birthday – by ascending Beinn Dorain. In the afternoon sun I ploughed through the heather to rejoin the path Nick was keen for the YRC to be under the Leachas. Through my represented among the forty who made binoculars I picked out a team their way from Bridge of Orchy to the upgrading the path leading to the south top, as the Club was Bealach Dubh. Labours over and instrumental in getting him interested shovels and machines cast aside they in the Munros by inviting him on the were sunbathing, and later I saw the 8- 1982 meet when, between us, we wheel all-terrain vehicle trundling climbed them all in a week. Nick was across the moor to pick them up. Will on Skye then in Glen Sheil. the wildest places always be wild? Celebrations on the top ignored the I had an unwelcome return to reality wet and windy weather and continued when, from the vicinity of Culra bothy later in the pub with congratulations I could see a white van parked exactly for the several who had just made their where I had left my bike. A number of first ascent of a Munro – the youngest depressing possibilities occurred to me a four year old – and a scratch band – my chain and padlock were not formed. much more than a minor deterrence. On guitar was the chap who gave him What a way to have the day ending. the Munro book exactly a decade But as time went by and the van didn’t earlier so he could start keeping a move, and I marched towards it, proper record and be more organised confidence grew. And when I arrived about the whole project. During that there was nobody there – it was the time Nick has come across members in van and trailer which had brought the the hills a few times. Michael Smith all-terrain vehicle. In the last yards to the Distillery and the lay-by I rode past a large group of swarthy people toting carrier bags in which bottles chinked. Some of them lurched a little or leaned on one another and they greeted me joyfully in Spanish. They were uproariously happy and had obviously had a very good time at the Distillery, where a sign said Visitors Welcome. Don’t be superior, Smythe, I thought to myself as I unlocked the van and set in motion the whole process of tea, sweaty clothes and soggy boots off, etc. Just feel grateful you had the mountain to yourself.

The YRC Bulletin 29 Summer 2003

landscape as its own. The northern Out and about dales with miles of wildflower meadows criss-crossed with dry stone Roy Denney walls and dotted with stone barns (often ruins) are home to surviving Since leaving full time employment I colonies of once common creatures. have pursued a number of interests in forestry and wild life conservation and It is not uncommon to find stoats at write a regular series of articles on play or patrolling the walls where they such matters. A few years ago I both hunt and live. I watched a young produced an article for the journal and family at the foot of Troller’s Gill last during a recent wind down at a meet it year. was suggested to me that I might do another. The member concerned had Stoat are amazing and somewhat downed a number of drinks so his mystical creatures as are their smaller judgement may have been somewhat cousins the weasel. Many countryman impaired. will tell you tales of strange behaviour which do seem to have a basis in fact. I am a warden at a local environment park, spend many solitary hours out in Stoat appear to be able to mesmerise the forests preparing orienteering rabbits rooting them to the spot in events or mapping and work closely terror to the point where they die of the Woodland Trust and Forest fright. Weasel carry out a ‘dance of Enterprise. I also serve on one of the death’ where for no obvious reason working groups of the National Forest they try to turn themselves into a Company and as such have many football by doing a series of opportunities to observe wildlife and somersaults, twists and turns within a talk with many experts in these fields. tight circle which birds seem to find so interesting that they do not notice We must enjoy such opportunities when the ball rolls slowly towards whilst we can as much of our flora and them. Dinner is served. fauna may not be around for our grandchildren to see as the effect of Whilst on my travels recently I saw climate changes with ever more one of the more reclusive members of extremes of weather are having a the animal community. By no means dramatic and accelerating effect. It rare the shrew is however hard to spot will be a very different England we because of it’s size, speed and habits. live in within our children’s lifetimes. I have seen them before but they are As I look back on last year I have fond gone before you can really focus on memories of magic moments in the them and I have seen a number of their wild as I have travelled more distant corpses but this was the best sighting I parts. I remember fondly the activities have had for years. of many species which were once Unfortunately it did not have a happy much more common but which I now ending in that as I sat on a stone only see on my occasional visits to the parapet taking a breather, one ran wilder parts of the country. along the wall right up to me and then One of the last such bastions is of when it realised that I was there it died course our beloved Yorkshire Dales. of apparent fright. I have heard Largely man made but unchanged for countrymen’s tales that they are so so long nature now claims the highly strung that the slightest shock

The YRC Bulletin 31 Summer 2003 can kill them but until now I took such towards the ground, pulling out at the comment with a pinch of salt. last minute to arrow back into the skies. Snipe do similar contortions and Wildflower meadows such as those in the air passing over their tail feathers the Dales have been reduced over the makes a weird rumbling noise as they country as a whole, by about 97% dive. Curlew are also active but they since the middle of the last century and are best spotted by their haunting call. those left are still shrinking by about 5% per year despite the efforts of I have mentioned the decline in wild various bodies to try and preserve flower meadows but in the brief them. periods when farms are left untended prior to afforestation and when young Not only have we lost many dozens of trees are taking hold they often create species of wild flower from many quite good imitations and some species areas to be replaced by rye grass for of flowers flourish in the absence of silage but the early cutting of this has grazing animals or agricultural had a desperate effect on the young of activity. This increases the insect ground nesting birds. population and the birds that feed on The corncrake has virtually vanished them. Skylarks and partridge have from most of Britain and the lapwing abounded for the last few years in and skylark are struggling to find parts of the new National Forest homes. For many years now the despite being in decline elsewhere. corncrake has been restricted to Within five or six years these quasi Northern Ireland but a pair meadows vanish as trees mature but successfully reared two chicks in the increasingly, developments in the Dales last year. National Forest are leaving areas of The traditional meadows still found in open meadow and whilst the scheme the Dales are awash with colourful continues there is usually a new site flowers in spring and summer with started nearby which allows wildlife to buttercups as far as the eye can see move on. attracting a myriad of insects, It will take years however to recreate including bees and butterflies feeding the balance and wildlife populations to on the nectar. I was up there last what they used to be even if weather March and it was a delight to see changes do not stop such dreams. young birds in abundance. When skylarks in particular get an insect rich The limestone dales are one of diet they can leave the nest and fend Europe’s last strongholds of hay for themselves within little more than meadows and sustain nearly 100 a week of birth. species of wild flower, including the increasingly rare birds-eye primrose. There is no more entertaining sight in In amongst the nearby limestone nature than to watch lapwings in pavements further rare plants can be spring when they are doing aerobatic found surviving in the micro-climates displays as part of their courtship in the cracks in the rock. These rituals. They will be at it about now if ‘pavements’ were created by ice sheets you have time to visit any appropriate as the last ice age receded and are area. They frequently launch into areas of exposed limestone rock split apparently death-defying dives into blocks in which sheltered

The YRC Bulletin 32 Summer 2003 nooks, whole eco-systems have native wildlife, not least in decimating developed. the water vole population, I would advocate it’s eradication but it is The area is also a super place to watch probably too well established by now. birds of prey work. I have watched the comparatively rare Peregrine at work The mink at about 18 inches long is and, whilst I have never spotted one, only half the size of the otter and Merlin also live there. This smallest of whilst it’s coat can vary it is generally British birds of prey is also probably dark where the otter is a fairly plain the most agile in flight and I live in brown with a white bib at it’s throat. hopes of seeing one when I wander the area. I have often seen sea otters around the coasts of Scotland and these playful Another fascinating bird often seen creatures can provide hours of sitting on a stone wall is the Little entertainment. They are in fact the Owl. This bird is active during the day same species as the otters of England’s unlike many of it’s cousins and is a river systems but the two populations relative newcomer to Britain having have developed very different only been introduced late in the lifestyles with the ‘southerners’ having nineteenth century. It nests in holes to become much more secretive to sometimes in hollow trees or old survive and unlike their bolder warrens but often in the cavities in northern relatives they are now largely walls. It often sits around during the nocturnal. day and does most of it’s hunting as dusk falls, collecting moths, beetles These creatures are being reported in and earthworms and the occasional more and more river systems but they small mammal. I saw one last are great travellers and are often just September in the early hours of the passing through. It usually needs mans morning driving across a moorland help to create pockets of habitat road near Bardon whilst on the suitable to permit the establishment of September meet. breeding colonies but as rivers are cleaned up and agricultural practices Dusk is a rewarding time to be about revert to more traditional methods this as the barn owl starts patrolling and should change. rabbits come out to feed. Foxes, stoats and weasels are also then attracted to We constantly see evidence of the this meal opportunity. On the same effect of climate change with ever weekend Keith Raby and I saw our more extremes of weather having often only barn owl of the year just after disastrous effect on people and more dusk near Storriths. gradual and subtle effects on wildlife. Other birds of prey were fairly A recent study suggests many water regularly spotted as I went about last loving plants such as delphiniums, autumn. Sparrow hawks are now fairly lupins and lobelia will only survive common and the buzzard is one of with extreme support and we will have few bird success stories with numbers to give up on our lawns unless we steadily growing since the sixties. switch to the harsh spiky grasses found on the continent and in the USA. We One creature I have yet to see in the may soon be able to grow grapes in wild is the Otter. I do see mink from abundance, olives, oranges, lemons time to time and given it’s impact on and bananas.

The YRC Bulletin 33 Summer 2003

A general consensus is emerging on We are doing our bit here in the many aspects of the change and if we Midlands as to date we have planted pause to take stock it might well be a 5,000,000 new trees in the National very different England we live in Forest being created here and most of within very few years. these are native species. Unfortunately we are a bit short of cliff faces to help Many perennial plants treated as the whitebeams. annuals in the past are now surviving the winters but there are many Another discouraging report out this downsides to consider. year highlights the desperate states of the red squirrel and water vole. Unless Bramble and other less welcoming there is a mass extermination undergrowth has wintered well. Ponds programme for the grey squirrel and and lakes are regularly infested with mink these creatures may well soon algae. Historic gardens are under become extinct. There were literally severe threat as plants, highly millions of water vole a hundred years appropriate when they were ago but they have been decreasing introduced, cannot cope with present rapidly and have reduced by 90% in conditions. the last ten years. Native trees are under threat. The Another creature in trouble is the beech with shallow roots cannot worlds second largest fish. You may survive successive droughts. Ash and be surprised to learn that it is found in Willow will struggle in many areas British waters but sightings here have and others like yews many hundreds of dropped by a fifth in the last twenty years old are dying due to infestation years. It is the basking shark, an thriving in the damp conditions caused entirely harmless plankton eater which by lowland flooding. is protected in our twelve-mile zone Wood cranesbill, dwarf willow and but needs further protection as it roams other woodland plants will start to far and wide. They grow to over forty disappear other than in the colder feet long but mature very slowly and uplands and far north and are unlikely often do not survive to breeding age. to migrate north fast enough to keep On a much smaller scale the poor old ahead of the weather change. sparrow continues to struggle. It is No fewer than 8750 species of tree are now thought that house sparrow on the world list of threatened trees numbers have fallen 60% in the last and, perhaps surprisingly, eleven of quarter century and have virtually these are found only in Britain. Three vanished from many cities. are on the critical list and the Ley’s Unfortunately they seem territorial to whitebeam is in the top ten most at the point where they will not travel risk. There are only fifteen specimens and repopulating areas rarely seems to of this tree left in the wild and these happen. We can only help to ensure are struggling to survive on a couple of that no more populations are lost by cliff faces in Wales The other ten at using less pesticides in our gardens risk are all members of the same and leaving out food in winter. Nesting family and are rock loving cousins of boxes also help as modern houses have the rowan. less suitable nesting sites. Putting bells on cats would help as well.

The YRC Bulletin 34 Summer 2003

The terms ‘as common as a sparrow’ others in the top ten are in order :- and ‘like a cockney sparrer’ seem to great tit, dunnock, chaffinch, house have outlived their meanings. The sparrow, collared dove and green sparrow is now on the red list of most finch. endangered species along with others like the night jar, grasshopper warbler, These are of course national figures red necked phalarope, white tailed and the evidence of my garden is not eagle and other perceived rare birds. entirely in agreement. The most Sad to think how the ‘common’ common I have is the green finch with sparrow was allowed to sink to this blackbirds, dunnock and robins very level. evident. I see regular coal tits and numerous other birds in lesser They do no better in farmland where numbers. I suspect that there are the planting of winter wheat has perhaps less green finch than last year deprived the bird of stubble fields but as they are still numerous it is hard where they used to find grain over the to tell. winter. Sealed grain stores have deprived them of another source. Over the country as a whole Oxford University has discovered that blackbirds, green finch, long tailed tits, up to 20% of British Farms have sedge warblers, reed buntings and completely lost their sparrow black cap all saw offspring ratios drop populations. last year by over 30%. The WWF is on record as fearing that Another visitor which I always the song thrush could be extinct within welcome seeing is not popular with a decade. This problem is thought to my other feathered friends and I do not be largely due to loss of suitable relish the outcome of their visits. On environment. The once all too two occasions I have seen the piles of common starling is now an infrequent carefully plucked feathers that confirm visitor to our gardens probably a visit. I am of course referring to the because less of us maintain gardens magnificent sparrow hawk. where the earth is turned regularly and There is some good news and there as such they struggle for the soil were several successes during last invertebrates which form much of their year. For the first time for over 150 diet. years a pair of hen harriers raised a For some years the blackbird was our clutch in Cornwall. These were most common garden bird but it has probably immigrants from Spain but now been relegated to third place with only six other recorded breeding possibly in part for the same reason. successes by this bird throughout England it is a good sign. Another The blue tit is now the most common success is the Osprey. After an but I saw far fewer last year and this absence of about fifty years the first year they are not as common as they pair to breed in Britain were spotted in seemed a few years ago. I understand the fifties and since then they have that last year they saw a 43% drop in slowly been recolonising Scotland and offspring to parent ratios which is the parts of northern England quite lowest for two decades. independent of the releases being organised on Rutland Water, here in The robin is now number two with the the Midlands. One good piece of news coal tit becoming more common and is that the pair which nested in now creeping in at number ten. The

The YRC Bulletin 35 Summer 2003

Cumbria had two chicks this year and Another winter visitor which I have hopefully we are seeing the start of a seen near my home is a bit of a new colony of these magnificent birds. mystery. This is a wading bird that almost never wades and lives in Yet another success is the Black woods. Most waders migrate when Grouse which is being encourage in winter gets tough but these birds several upland areas. It makes a increase in number. Most waders are pleasant change when wandering these noisy inhabitants of windswept open areas to hear their bubbling chortle reaches this one quietly skulks in dark rather than the raucous laughter of undergrowth and, whilst camouflaged their cousin the red grouse. for defence, it is glaringly ostentatious How many of you heard a cuckoo last when displaying in spring. It is in fact year let alone saw one? This renowned the woodcock. It is one of the harbinger of spring has been in steady strongest flyers in the bird kingdom decline since at least the seventies. It is and many join our residents by thought that unusually cold springs of crossing the seas to get here. These recent years have reduced the supply birds take a while to settle in and are of grubs to feed the chicks and in the ones most easily seen when they keeping with many other birds there arrive in late autumn. has been a considerable loss of habitat. Many waders can actually be found They are not especially picky but do away from water, being ground avoid built up areas and particularly nesters, in particular the lapwing, favour places with good cover such as curlew and snipe. Their chicks are reed beds or parkland or scrub with a very independent and can forage and good supply of bushes and thickets. feed themselves almost from birth. If this promiscuous creature is Walking the moors in the Rosedale struggling it does not bode well for Abbey area last year I saw hundreds of many species. curlew and golden plovers, both actually waders. About 10% of the The female cuckoo goes on a sexual British population of both birds are to spree during the mating season and be found on the quiet uplands of actively pursues any number of males Durham and North Yorkshire. and does not allow itself to be distracted by routine matters like Many birds are found away from what setting up home or raising young. She might be perceived as their natural lays an egg most days for a period of habitat. Walking over closed areas of nearly a month and dumps them on The Trough of Bowland on a club long unwitting step mothers usually much walk many years ago we found smaller than their adopted fledglings. ourselves in the midst of the breeding Wagtails, pipits, dunnock and reed grounds of most of the gulls from warbler are favoured victims. As they Morecambe Bay. There were what grow these orphans get rid of the seemed like several million of them competition by dumping their and they did not welcome our supposed siblings out of the nest. presence. It took about forty There has been a 60% drop in numbers minutes to cross the colony trying to of cuckoos in woodland areas and avoid the biggest density and we were even in farmland areas numbers have constantly swooped at and spat on and dropped by about 20%.

The YRC Bulletin 36 Summer 2003 had our heads flicked by their feet as known predator (the fox). Perhaps the they flew by. increasing population of foxes that we are soon to experience will turn to There is another escalating pest killing fawns rather than household problem which may come as a surprise pets as is increasingly being seen. to many of you. Deer are becoming a very real problem in many areas. In addition to the roe and, further Researchers are quoted as reporting north, the red deer we do now have that there are now more deer in Britain large and increasing populations of the than before farming began 5000 years waves of imported species which have ago. gone native. Fallow are widespread and Chinese water deer and sika are New tree plantings have to be not rare but the fastest growing and expensively protected for many years most troublesome is the pig-like to prevent them being topped by deer. muntjac. You may go months without Whilst wandering about in the woods seeing one but they are all about us in the quiet of a morning I frequently and I have seen them several times this see these attractive animals but they year. are becoming a serious threat to the ecological balance. Unfortunately the muntjac feed on ground flora and are yet another threat Our native species are making a to species of less usual plants which comeback as woodland cover is will be further depleted with the increased and are greatly helped by the spread of this miniature deer. reduction in gaps between woodland blocks which is being brought about As these plants decrease so does the by the creation of community insect population and the birds which woodlands near habitation and by the feed on them and in turn the birds of development of the National Forest prey which feed off them. Butterflies and other similar projects. In purely and moths also suffer and the whole ecological terms we should also re- ecology is under threat. introduce wolves, their natural predators, or further encourage the Muntjac populations are often as high burgeoning population of ‘gone wild’ as 50 in a square kilometre and have large cats but I cannot see this being been recorded at double that which is popular with a people the majority of not bad for a creature which only whom never set foot in wild places and escaped into the wild about a century have little perception of the ago. interlocking nature of the food chain in I have also seen fallow in the wild in the wild. several locations in the Midlands and There is no national culling policy but have seen roe quite close up in a Deer Initiative has just been set up Wharfedale. The magnificent red deer between interested organisations is a tremendous sight when seen in the including The Forestry Commission. wild but the roe is my favourite. Their Director is quoted as making the This tiny deer is both graceful and self evident statement that not enough athletic and seems full of life and fun. deer are being killed. They are just over two foot tall at the I cannot see the shooting of Bambi and shoulder. During the mating season it’s parents going down well with a you often see the small bucks as they population largely against killing a get careless and bold when their

The YRC Bulletin 37 Summer 2003 minds are on territorial squabbles (and normally only take the old, young and the does). The young are always born infirm but it would help restore the from the middle of May to the start of wilds of Scotland to how they were June and within six weeks the mating centuries ago. With such abundant cycle begins again. The young are prey they would not be driven to initially very tame and should be left attacking people, indeed there is little alone if you stumble on them in their real evidence that they ever do except hides in the woods. They may well when absolutely desperate in Arctic follow you if you approach them blizzards. before they are old enough to follow their mother but within a couple of Wolves still roam free in many parts of weeks they are imprinted on their upland Europe and no person has been mother and start to run with her and killed by one in Europe for at least a you will only get fleeting glances of hundred years. The last wolves in them. Britain were killed in the mid seventeen hundreds. When I first started wandering the Lakes and Dales in the middle fifties A survey a few years ago showed that these creatures were fairly rare and only 44% of the people were against unknown in great swathes of re-introduction and 36% were actively countryside where they now abound. in favour. Having nearly been driven to A major landowner in Wester Ross has extinction in most of Britain this once actually offered to use his land for the common animal is now firmly back first introductions and has advocated with us. You can see how common it including the European lynx. once was by the names of public houses such as the Roebuck or Buck The countryside and country way of Inn and in village names like Bucknall, life is under well-publicised threat and Buckfast, Buckhorn, Buckhaven, if we wish to see it preserved we owe Buckden and Buckland. it to ourselves to support the rural In Scotland the red deer are a serious economy as much as we can. We threat to the regeneration of woodlands certainly do our bit for rural pubs and a survey just published shows that when we are on meets. One result of the only restriction on numbers the fairly desperate situation many appears to be the weather and food country folk find themselves in is the competition and that the now revival of many crafts and skills traditional culling of 12 to 15 per cent making use of wild products. has no impact and for culling to really I well recall on journeys from meets in keep the population in sustainable the north, many happy breaks to visit numbers without detriment to the my old aunt in Forton who had the environment we would have to cull most astounding collection of fruit about 80% each year. Who knows wines, Cumberland brandies, nettle venison may soon be comparatively beers and other goodies. Several other cheap. members who travelled to the lakes A number of small conservation with me in those days were often groups have gone on record as saying known to suggest a journey break. I that in these circumstances also recall a tiny village store in the reintroducing wolves would help if Fylde where the lady kept stone jars of only in a small way and they would nettle beer in the stream running by

The YRC Bulletin 38 Summer 2003 her front door and extracted them to use the in vogue jargon will pour out a two-penny glass of this concentrate on 25 species on this ‘chilled’ nectar. 74,000 acre estate. This £15million project will create 150 ponds and 45 Kew Gardens have highlighted this other wetland features, chalk grassland renewed activity reporting on for the butterfly and many targeted thousands of people now using environments for other species. I am hedgerow plants to make wines, also pleased to be able to tell you that brandies, vodka and syrups. Seaweed this project can be found on our is in demand and there is even paper doorstep but is unlikely to be of much production from heather. The study use as the estate in question is owned suggests that about 2500 people are by the Highways Agency and making a living from the produce of comprises grass verges and woodlands and hedgerows and roundabouts. thousands more are making a bit extra. The cottage industry using the product Another large estate of great interest of the Elder is alone thought to be and public unawareness has recently worth about £10million a year. Quite been the subject of a detailed report. where the excise man fits into this This enormous estate which is about equation, I am not sure. the size of the Isle of Wight is a swathe of chalk grassland smothered Whilst in the south west earlier this with native wildflowers. The owners year I learned of a new example of have a resident archaeologist as the ‘green’ energy (or should it be area is completely covered with clear ‘brown’) A new power station has remains of Romano-British and Celtic opened in Devon adding two settlements and field systems which megawatts of energy to the grid and can be clearly seen from air surveys which will use 1.6 million tons of cow and much evidence is turned up on the slurry each year as it’s fuel source. In ground. addition, gas from the slurry will power the station itself and as a bye 5000 years of history is evident with product hot water produced will heat Bronze Age barrows, Iron Age hill community housing nearby. There will forts and a Roman village. English also be organic manure at the end of Heritage is publishing a book after a the process. This will not seem so far ten-year study which should make fetched to those of us who have fascinating reading. sampled the delight, in the high Himalayas, of cooking and warming Unfortunately you are unlikely to have alongside stoves fuelled by dried yak any opportunity to visit this fascinating dung. area as it is the army training area on Salisbury Plain. The plus side is that One very good piece of news is that despite the surprisingly small impact one of the largest estates in Britain is the shelling and tank activity have, the launching a ten-year scheme to very presence of the army and the encourage many of Britain’s rarest thousands of unexploded munitions species. Amongst species of fauna mean man’s normal developments will expected to benefit greatly are the be unable to spoil the area. otter, water vole and Adonis blue butterfly together with numerous rare plants. This biodiversity action plan to

The YRC Bulletin 39 Summer 2003

Club Proceedings attended at Hartington Hall with pleasant walks on both days.

2002: The Meets were Next the Skye meet. The good 11 – 13 Jan Hill Inn, Chapel-le-Dale company made up for the poor 8 - 10 Feb Low Hall Garth weather. The hard men seemed to be 28 - 3 Mar Inbirfhaolain,Glen Etive undeterred by the rain and achieved a 8 - 12 Apl Hidden River China reasonable tally of climbs. Back in the 12 – 14 Apl Beudy Mawr, N. Wales Dales several members and their 26 – 28 Apl Hartforth Hall, N.Yorks friends descended Gaping Gill thanks to our friends in the Bradford P C. 18 – 24 May Loch Coruisk, Skye 24 – 26 May Lowstern The Tuesday meets were again well 31 - 2 Jun Circuit of Duddon Dale attended by that growing band of our 15 – 29 Jul Laruns Pyrenees members who now have a 52 weeks 21 – 23 Jul Dove Cave holiday each year. Life is great. The 12 –14 Jul Forest of Bowland first Tuesdays are at Lowstern and the 14 Jul Scar Top Farm last at LHG with other areas to fill in 9 – 11 Aug LHG Working Party the remaining Tuesdays. Rock 30 - 1 Sep Lowstern Working Party climbing found its place in the 6 - 8 Sep Appletreewick, N.Yorks activities with new recruits. 20 – 22 Sep R L H Joint Meet The Pyrenees meet in July was very 25 – 27 Oct Lowstern Joint Meet AC successful. The weather was good and 16 – 17 Nov Whoop Hall - Dinner this beautiful area was explored and 6 - 8 Dec Osmotherly, North Yorks enjoyed to the full. Back in England

only two stalwart members attended Year 2002 started with another visit to the Cave meet in Dovedale. Chapel–le–Dale with many using the bunkhouse there. We enjoyed a super A second long cycle ride was meal at the Hill Inn. Slides of Morocco organised and seems to have found its and China were shown. It was again place in our regular meets list. Less followed in February with a convivial arduous than last year and taking in a meet at LHG. The weather was the very varied countryside of the Forest worst for years but it was an enjoyable of Bowland and even venturing over meet. the Lancashire border. In contrast the 25th return to Glen Both working parties were well Etive presented us with alpine attended and proved to be equally conditions on the ridges. Our meet enjoyable when compared with a good leader of many years, Derek, provided meet. Much useful work was a celebration dinner (well Yvonne accomplished to the satisfaction of our did). Sunday let us down, it rained. two wardens. Our successful caving group returned Once again we remembered Harry to China performing world-shattering Spillsbury at his memorial meet at the feats. A rescue of flying Foxes was Robertson Lamb Hut in September undertaken. where the Wayfarers looked after us in Back in the UK good weather on the style. Beudy Mawr meet made hill Could we improve on last year’s excursions enjoyable but the weather successful annual dinner? Well we did; changed on Sunday and a trip through all the speakers were good and their a slate mine made sensible use of the speeches well received. The day. The Ladies Weekend was well

The YRC Bulletin 40 Summer 2003

Chief guest from South Africa was The special guests were particularly good; reminding us of our Ian McNaught-Davis, President of the good fortune in access to the open International Mountaineering & spaces compared with his own country Climbing Federation; David Gerbeaud, where passes are required. Club Alpine Francais; Alan It is about fifty years since the Club Blackshaw, President of the Alpine was at Osmotherly when some stayed Club; Steve Bell, Climbers Club; at the hotel facilities or camped on the George Band, Past President of the hotel lawn before. The Club make the Alpine Club; Jack Escritt, Gritstone second traverse of the Lyke Wake Club; Graham Taylor, Mongolian Walk. Alan Linford and his team Alpine Club; John Whalley, Craven provided us with superb Christmas Pothole Club. catering that has become a feature of the last meet of the year. Ed February proposed the toast to the Yorkshire Ramblers’ Club. ‘The Year Annual General Meeting of the Mountains’ toast was given by The 111th Annual General Meeting Ian McNaught-Davis. The response to was held at Whoop Hall, Kirkby both toasts were given by the Lonsdale, on the 16th November 2002. President; The ‘Kindred Clubs & The Following members were elected Guests’ toast was proposed by Mike or the year 2002 – 2003 :- Godden and the response was by Steve President; T.A.Kay Bell; The ‘Retiring President’ toast Vice President; G.Campion was given by Ian Crowther. Hon. Secretary; R.G.Humphreys Hon. Meets Secretary: J. H. Hooper. Arthur Salmon led the singing of Hon Treasurer; G.A.Salmon ‘Yorkshire’, he was accompanied by Hon. Editor: M. Smith Neil Renton. Hon. Librarian/Archivist; W.N.Todd Huts Secretary: R.G.Josephy Membership comprised: Hut Wardens: 114 Ordinary Members Low Hall Garth: Vacant Lowstern: R.D.Kirby 67 Life Members Hon Auditor: C.D.Bush 1 Honorary / Ordinary Members Committee: F.M.Godden 3 Ordinary / Life Members D.J.Handley 1 Honorary Member W.R.Ibberson C.G.Renton 186 Total Membership National Committees Representatives Council of Northern Caving Clubs: New Members, H.A.Lomas BMC Lancs & Cheshire: Resignations and Deaths C.N.Bird New Members BMC Lake District: K.Aldred 2002 W.J. Anderson BMC Yorkshire & Humberside: Adrian Dixon W.N.Todd W. R. Ibberson The 89th Annual Dinner followed at David Price the same hotel. The President, Albert Frank Walker R.Chapman, was in the chair. Our Resignations Chief Guest was the distinguished 2002 None African rock climber, Ed February. Deaths 2002 W.A.Graham Watson Peter Wood

The YRC Bulletin 41 Summer 2003

Obituary ‘Friends of the Lake District’ and was instrumental in the passing of the Graham Watson National Parks Act in 1949. Also as a founder member of ‘The Yorkshire 1908 - 2003 Dales Society’ he worked to guard the landscape that might be destroyed for William Anthony Graham Watson was material gain born on the 29th March 1908, the eldest of three sons. He died on the When his brother David died he gave 29th November. He was educated at 5500 acres in the Dales to the National Marlborough College and Emmanuel Trust in 1988. He left his library of College, Cambridge graduating in valuable books to his college. His mathematics. Listers and Co. was his paintings, antiques and jewellery were family business of which he became left to Giggleswick School where he the third generation of his family to be was a governor for 40 years. come managing director. Since 1934 he had a passion for He had a great love for the Yorkshire powerful motorcycles which he Dales and the Lake District where he continued to drive into his nineties. He spent family holiday in his childhood. was a classical pianist, a magistrate, a He was an early member of the keen photographer and a commander of the Auxiliary Fire Service for which he was awarded the MBE in 1944. His interest in potholing spanned many years. He followed Ernest Roberts as Chairman of the Cave Rescue Organisation and was a long- standing member and past president of the Bradford Pothole Club. He joined the YRC in 1965 though I don’t remember him attending any meets but several member did keep in contact with him. The YRC was represented at his funeral by John Lovett.

The YRC Bulletin 42 Summer 2003

shaft. A leaf from a table was LETTER used to immobilise Boyd. It did not take days to get Boyd out, The Bulletin No. 9 but seventeen hours from the Summer 1998 fall to the injured man reaching Dear Editor, the surface. Whilst at Lowstern yesterday In 1934 a party from the Moor (October 2002) I picked up a and Fell Club made up of copy of the above Bulletin as I management staff from the then read W.R. Mitchell’s article on Rowntree Cocoa Works at York Roberts, page 60, (reprinted (now Nestlé) were in the final from the Dalesman), I saw an chamber of Gingling Hole on error of fact so great that even Fountains Fell when an unstable five years later must be boulder rolled and broke Reg corrected. Weetman’s thigh in two places. The Northern Cavern and Fell Mitchell writes after referring Club were called to the rescue. to Sunset Hole: Cliff Downham played an heroic The actual hole was a part in this rescue but it was terminal 50 ft. pitch where sixteen years before he joined the century old YRC had the YRC. Weetman was their only accident. The strapped to a plank in this victim had a leg broken in rescue. From the accident to two places. It took days to moor surface took just under get the injured man out, using twenty-four hours, not days. as a stretcher a leaf taken Roberts was not involved in this from a table. Cliff rescue but following this Downham, a former president accident the Cave Rescue and long-time secretary of Organisation was formed in the YRC, played a part in the 1935 and Roberts became the rescue and became the first first chairman and Downham the secretary of the Cave Rescue secretary. Organisation, with Roberts as Both of these rescues involved chairman in 1935. titanic effort on the part of all Bill Mitchell has confused two involved and the record must events twenty-four years apart not be confused. and the involvement of the I have often wondered what YRC. were the farmer’s comments The accident in Sunset Hole when the leaf of the table was involved W.F.Boyd during returned with the end sawn off Whitsun 1910. It was mainly a and other damage it must have YRC party and Roberts was suffered. I hope it was just involved in the rescue. Boyd from a pine kitchen table not his was never a member of the YRC best French polished parlour and Cliff Downham was not one. born. Boyd factured his thigh and had severe bruising to his side following a fall down the Jeff Hooper

The YRC Bulletin 43 Summer 2003

Whilst David Smith was on Cairn Hill in India he came across these rather nice words on a plaque in the forest. Bill Todd after reading the recent “Climb the mountains and get their review of Tschiffely’s Ride good tidings. Nature's peace will flow remembered founding it in his firm’s into you as sunshine flows into trees. library in the 1960s and read it once or The winds will blow their freshness twice. If anyone have found that into you, and the storms their energy, interesting perhaps you should read the while cares will drop off like leaves.” sequel, Colman’s Drive. John Muir Inspired by Tschiffley, Colman decided to drive the same route but in a 1930s Austin Seven as he considered Jim Rusher informs us that Pearls of it the only car that could make the the Orient are offering to support journey, one of its advantages being expeditions in Malaya that it was so simple he could repair it on the way. He made dynamo bearings from pieces of a tobacco tin and he also had to go in reverse through For the information of members Mike sections of the Andes keping a petrol Hartland reports that Lowstern was the tin handy to jam under the wheel chosen venue for a family birthday because the hand-brake would not celebration and that the facilities hold. proved to be superb for this type of occasion:- · 60 to 70 can be accommodated for a As you wander out and about you will buffet meal no doubt have discovered that · The Downham Room proved an anywhere you wish to study on a map excellent dance floor is always on a fold or where two maps · Children have a readymade meet. This strange phenomenon has adventure playground in the finally been acknowledged by the plantation. Ordnance Survey and if you visit · The dormitories are available for ordnancesurvey.co.uk/leisure you can anyone requiring to stay overnight. now acquire a Landranger map centred · Catering by the local Bentham on a post code. Roy Denney reports bakery was exceptional in quality and that these cost about £13 including value. postage. · Any additional use of Lowstern is of financial benefit to the club.

The YRC Bulletin 44 Summer 2003

Robertson Lamb Hut variously made their way back via Pavey Ark and Dungeon Ghyll. A Great Langdale mixed club group including yours truly Joint Meet with the Wayfarers set off from the ODG aiming for Scafell. Rosett Ghyll split the party, Harry Spilsbury Memorial Meet some returning via Bowfell, leaving 20-22 September 2002 only three YRC members reaching Mickledore. There, the challenge of From my perspective, the weather Broad Stand, without the simple moral leading up to the RLH weekend had support of a rope even with dry rock, been a long period of dry weather, and was wisely resisted (or so we claimed) I was expecting another soaking and warnings of loose rocks in Lord’s reminiscent of the days on Skye in Rake caused us to turn homewards and May, but it would be churlish indeed traverse round the back of Scafell Pike to complain. We had only the faintest at the level of Penn and approach Esk hint of rain all weekend. We had Hause from the delightful gorge like photogenic blue skies and white cloud, valley up from Esk Dale which was a and the haze in the distance did not novelty to some of us. From Esk prevent us from picking out Hause we just had time to include Ingleborough. Although sun Bowfell, the Band, and a pint at the worshippers may have said it was not ODG before the excellent buffet hot, it was pleasant for walking and dinner at the hut. warm enough for sitting outside the ODG at the end of the day. Sunday saw almost everyone departing the hut, but with at least one proposing As now seems the norm, activities fell to do something on the way home. mainly on Friday and Saturday, and so FDS, GAS and self set off for Stickle when yours truly arrived in time for Tarn and Jack’s Rake. Here we the Friday evening banquet, put on by merged with a larger group who came our long-standing food maestros, in helpful in patching up a bloody gash Harold Mellor and Ken Aldred, most on the head of a past president when of the arrivals had already been out on he inadvertently allowed it to come in the hills. The evening was spent in the intimate contact with part of the crag. hut consuming copious amounts of We ended the day early and descended beer and wine, discussing such vital by Dungeon Ghyll. Another excellent matters as mixed clubs, the LHG hut joint meet but it was noted that there and what we should do tomorrow. In was no-one from the Rucsack Club the latter, Scafell via Broad Stand was present. mooted, hinted as beyond we Frank Wilkinson geriatrics, and chalked up as a challenge. After a full English breakfast the following morning, M.G, D.A, D.C, D.B, and J.Sc. set off for Pike o’Stickle, followed by Stake Pass, and Angle Tarn. The first 3 continued via Ore Gap, Bowfell, the Crinkles and back by Oxendale to let the other 2 return by Rossett Ghyll. J.Sc., G.S and A.B also aimed for Pike O’Stickle and

The YRC Bulletin 45 Summer 2003

Attendance: YRC Wayfarers Ken Aldred Steve Auty Dennis Armstrong George Chambers Denis Barker Steve Dean Alan Brown Mike Gee Albert Chapman Peter Harvey Derek Collins (day) Hal Jacob Mike Godden John Jacob Alan Linford Harold Mellor Frank Platt Colin Smith Harry Robinson Brian Turner Arthur Salmon Dave Wood John Schofield Mick Wrigley David Smith Derek Smithson George Spenceley John Sterland Frank Wilkinson Alan Wood

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Taken from near the public phone in Glen Etive by Derek Smithson

The YRC Bulletin 46 Summer 2003

Lowstern, Clapham Joint Meet with the Alpine Club 25 – 27 October 2002 It was a dark and stormy night as we all gathered at Lowstern for this caving meet. One green Alpine Club member arrived well wetted on foot from Clapham railway station while another was surprised to find a group still sat round the fire in conversation on arriving at 2 a.m. having driven through blustery storms. The weekend for some began earlier when they by inadvertently entered for had been removed and some of the a quiz in the Marton Arms. Having lose blocks above it were subjected to outpointed all comers, the YRC team, a risk assessment before being named Leaping Salmon, were denied declared acceptably safe. Before long the prize through disqualification on a we were spiralling down the entrance trifling technicality. They had ten pitch. A steady descent was made team members instead of four. using ladders and lifelines down to the Breakfast at eight allowed everyone to junction with Grange Rigg where, weigh up the weather - sunnier and after inspection of the fine formations, drier above but soggy below – and we joined up with the leading group of select an appropriate activity for the the Grange Rigg party. Those of us day. And there was plenty of choice infrequent cavers in overalls over with Ged managing to keep a tally of walking gear and hired lampsets were everyone’s intentions. All groups happy to leave the technical decisions consisted of both AC and YRC to those with acetylene lamps and all members. encompassing suits. Several headed off for the Calf Holes Below the fifth pitch of Grange Rigg to Browgill through trip at Birkwith enthusiasm for further descent was near Horton. The trip was enlivened waning and the Drainpipe was by high water flowrates and lower than impossible. anticipated levels of illumination. The ascent of three groups through This short trip was an introduction to Christmas Pot caused distinct caving for some of the party who were congestion at the foot of the entrance in very experienced hands. series of pitches despite efficiently Most opted for various parts of the organised lifelining. Brewing up a Grange Rigg Pot – Christmas Pot welcome hot drink on a stove passed through trip up above Gaping Gill. the time. The entrance to Christmas was found This longer trip kept most occupied for after inspecting a couple of other six or seven hours underground. Some sinks. The entrance oil drum spent ten or more hours below after one member tired in the constricted ascents in Grange Rigg

The YRC Bulletin 47 Summer 2003

allowing them to make a well-timed overhanging the doline caves they are entrance just before the evening meal. normally doomed to spiral down and It lived up to its reputation for being starve. Several skeletons had been strenuous in wet conditions. seen confirming this. The video A highly experienced party walked footage of the fortunate few saved by over Ingleborough then returned to the team made the Beijing evening recount past encounters with climbers news. in the Lakes warmed by the Downham It was noted that it was only the Room fire and presidential punch. English members of the international They kept pointing out that by staying team who insisted on devoting time to above ground they’d enjoyed the best saving these adorable and protected weather for several days while the creatures. They then had to discourage cavers had missed out their chance to the local population from preparing the replenish their vitamin D levels. squirrels for the table before they Considerable could be released. A nation of animal advance lovers indeed. preparations by Sunday was wet. Sammie and an So wet there able team in the were a few kitchen provided grumbles at the an excellent early call for an evening meal to 8am breakfast. restore blood The arrival of sugar and alcohol scaffolding for levels. the active dig on So satiated was Newby Moss everyone that all prompted the delayed formation of a exploration of the party to squelch New Inn until their way over after a high-tech there carrying digitised audio- the load. All video hope of a descent presentation of faded once it aspects of this became apparent year’s caving trip just how wet it to China. The was up there. formations and Your scribe passages drew walked around admiration but Long Preston on the capture, indifferent paths hoisting and seeing nobody release of flying all day other than sqirrels aroused a wooden chap the greatest by the roadside. interest. If these gliders miss the branches of trees

The YRC Bulletin 48 Summer 2003

Thanks to the leading cavers and sterling work in the kitchen this was another successful weekend with guests commenting on the “legendary hospitality and food”. One visitor was impressed by the meet leader’s ability to relocate a snorer downstairs to ensure that the guest had a good night’s sleep. The meet gave the inexperienced a chance to take part in a more demanding trip and kindred spirits from the two clubs to make new acquaintances and renew old friendships. MS Attendance: YRC The President, Albert Chapman Ken Aldred Dennis Barker Tim Bateman Bruce Bensley Derek Bush Ian Crowther Alan Fletcher David Handley Mike Hartland Richard Josephy Tim Josephy Alan Linford John Lovett Peter Price Al Renton Chris Renton John Riley Arthur Salmon Graham Salmon AC Chris Fitzhugh Pamela Holt Others visited Ingleborough Cave and Kate Hunt Steve Hunt made their way up to Gaping Gill and * found a little sunshine. David Smith Michael Smith* By early Sunday afternoon, because of George Spencley* the dismal weather, members were Jeremy Whitehead back at Lowstern cleaning caving gear Dave Williams and tidying up. * also YRC members

The YRC Bulletin 49 Summer 2003

89th Annual Dinner Attendance: The President, Albert Chapman Whoop Hall Hotel, Ken Aldred Kirby Lonsdale Martyn Andrews Dennis Armstrong 16 November 2002 George Band (Alpine Club) Steve Bell (Climbers’ Club) Ninety-three sat down to dinner; Bruce Bensley including eleven official guests and Alan Blackshaw (Alpine Club President) enjoyed a most convivial event which Adrian Bridge included many regular and a Alan Brown significant number of irregular Victor Bugg attenders. George Burfitt Derek Bush The event sported no top table and the Irvine Butterfield, John Muir Trust Club’s guests were spread round the Ged Campion room allowing them to exchange ideas Peter Chadwick with a wider range of members. Iain Chapman There were a greater number of shorter Alan Clare speeches culminating in the Derek Clayton Mountaineering Club of South Cliff Cobb Africa’s leading member Ed Ken Coote (Guest) February’s entertaining and Ian Crowther informative speech centred on the Robert Crowther International Year of the Mountain. Roy Denney Roger Dix Lowstern plays a central part for many Stuart Dix members over the dinner weekend Mike Edmundson with over two dozen breakfasts being Derek English served. Jack Escritt (Gritstone Club) Darrell Farrant Sales of Journals over the weekend John Farrar raised hundreds though ample stocks Ed February (MC Sth Africa) of many issues remain if you are Alan Fletcher seeking to build a collection. David Gamble, (Guest) David Gerbeaud, (Guest) Thanks go to the team of David Ian Gilmour Handley, David Smith, Chris Renton, Mike Godden Gordon Humphreys and Mike Richard Gowing Edmundson supported by the efforts of David Hall several others for mounting this James Hall, (Guest) successful dinner. David Handley Mike Hartland Colin Hawkin, (Guest) John Hemingway David Hick David Holmes Jeff Hooper Gordon Humphreys Howard Humphreys

The YRC Bulletin 50 Summer 2003

Jason Humphreys Rob Ibberson Raymond Ince John Jenkin Some photographs from the Richard Josphy Christmas meet Tim Josephy Alan Kay Mike Kinder Richard Kirby Simon Kirby, (Guest) Ian Laing Cliff Large David Large David Laughton Alan Linford Bill Lofthouse Moorland tracks on the northern edge Harvey Lomas John Lovett Don Mackay Duncan Mackay Ian McNaught-Davis, Int.Mt.Climbers’ Fed. Sean Penny Tony Penny George Postill Peter Price , (Guest) Alister Renton Chris Renton Neil Renton, (Guest) John Richardson, Rucksack Club President Jim Rusher Arthur Salmon Graham Salmon David F Smith Michael Smith George Spenceley Chris Stapleton, (Guest) John Sterland Graham Taylor, Mongolian MC Trevor Temple, (Guest) Hugh Thomson, (Guest) Bill Todd John Van Gogh, (Guest) John Varney Frank Walker John Whalley Craven Pothole Club President Cliff Cobb enjoyed a milestone birthday Frank Wilkinson celebration

The YRC Bulletin 51 Summer 2003

Christmas Meet Cote Ghyll Youth Hostel Osmotherley 6 – 8 December 2002 This meet was originally to be held in December 2001 but that one had to be relocated to Ennerdale due to the access restrictions imposed on the North York Moors by the outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease. An insignificant, if inconvenient, impact on the Club compared with the impact on our hosts, The Youth Hostels Association, and the local early start to the day and start the after community. We are grateful to the dinner slide show before members fell YHA for their willingness to asleep! Or perhaps it was the quality of reschedule the meet into 2002 and the slides of Greenland, Iceland, honour the commitments made in Patagonia, John Muir Trail and January 2001. The meet was well Ethiopia that held their attention. supported and justified booking the The North York Moors very colourful whole of the seventy-two bed hostel. and picturesque in the sunshine but Several hostels face closure due to the grey skies and a little drizzle prevailed access restrictions, Cote for the duration of this Ghyll will survive the meet. The moors were cuts, partly due to the already more or less conditions of purchase, waterlogged after two perhaps the Club will weeks of heavy rain. A return in the future as the member with local facilities are ideal. knowledge led a party Especially appreciated from the hostel north to were the en-suite toilets Cod Beck, up Red Way, in all bunk rooms, then northeast on the bottom bunks for all who Cleveland Way via needed them, two Scarth Wood Moor, spacious and well Whorlton, Live Moor, equipped kitchens, a Faceby Bank and large lounge and Carlton Moor to the separate conference Lord Stones Café. This room but most is to be the location of a appreciated was the large memorial seat to industrial dishwasher, Maurice Wilson, soon to operated for us by our be erected. The route YHA hosts Helen, then turned south over Adrian and Austin. Whorlton and Bilsdale Hardly a dish to be Moors, past Brian’s washed all weekend, this Pond, round the head of allowed members to an Scugdale, down

The YRC Bulletin 52 Summer 2003

Ainsgill Head to Lower Locker Farm. Turning west to Dale Head, past Robinson’s Cross, into Oakdale and back to the hostel: a smart six hours walking. Two members returned unexpectedly with blisters and discovered a dedication to assisting with dinner preparations.

Excursions to Roseberry Topping (seems to have been on some members’ lists of ‘a hill I must do but never got round to’) Captain Cook’s and Kildale. For others the escarpment sections (the best bits) of the Cleveland Way, Sutton Bank and coastal cliff walking satisfied all needs. Traditional Christmas dinner was enjoyed by 39 members and our hosts. The excellent facilities and help from our hosts eased the burden on the kitchen team, in fact they all seemed to enjoy the experience. We wish John Lovett similar good fortune in 2003. W Alan Linford.

Ken, Derek Smithson, David Hick and Rory identifying Ormesby somewhere in the mists

The YRC Bulletin 53 Summer 2003

Attendance: The President, Alan Kay Ken Aldred Dennis Barker Derek Bush Albert Chapman Clifford Cobb Ian Crowther Robert Crowther Roger Dix Mike Edmunson Derek English David Gamble. Iain Gilmour Mike Godden David Handley John Hemingway David Hick Gordon Humphries Rob Ibberson John Jenkin Richard Kirby David Laughton Alan Linford Bill Lofthouse Harvey Lomas Rory Newman Frank Platt Mike Rakussen Arthur Salmon Monument and marker in the woods near Kepwick. The symbolism of the serpent escaped us. John Schofield David Smith Michael Smith George Spenceley Alan Wood Frank Wilkinson

One of the dripping fowl by the café

The YRC Bulletin 54 Summer 2003

course secured p.d.q. leaving us later Snowdonia Meet unobservant arrivals to dump our gear Caseg Fraith, Ogwen, on the top ones. It was not until after a few drinks and some good beer, wine University of London and repartee, that the absence of any Graduates’ Mountain Club fixed climbing aids was noticed. The Hut first floor men at least had a ladder on the first pitch, unlike the elderly, 31 January - 2 February 2003 prostatically challenged seen doing The week prior to the meet promised some very unconventional routines on some interesting weather particularly both ascent and descent. as practice for those who planned to go The night was wild and the morning to Scotland later. In the event the grey on Saturday, but after a fortunate ones able to use some of wholesome breakfast the hut was Friday, fared best, with an excellent empty by about 9.15. The majority frosty, sunny day. Several managed to seemed to go North and East of the get in some ice axe practice even hut. Alan our President, Adrian before anyone located the hut key and Bridge and Peter Chadwick did a it was after dusk before they gathered circular route encompassing Llyn at the hut. Two of our keen (young) Colwyd & Eiglau reservoirs, Foel guests for the weekend did the N. Grach and back via Carnedd Llewelyn Ridge of Tryfan during the afternoon, and the Helg Du ridge; Peter was reminding themselves of some of the apparently quite impressed at the rate more valued lessons of winter of progress particularly uphill!. A excursions in these hills. A more heavily ex-presidential cohort “mature” party comprising Peter comprising David Smith, Albert Chadwick, Iain Gilmour and Rob Chapman, Derek Bush, George Ibberson explored the ice covered Spenceley and John Lovett spurned the ridge boulders to the east of Carnedd higher ground and did a lakeside and Llewellyn and indeed Peter & Iain waterway ramble, whilst our intrepid “topped” it in mist just before dusk meet leader and brother Richard whilst Rob returned to the hut to see together with Nick Welch claimed to about supper and greet guests. Mike have topped nine hills in the day: Godden and Dennis Armstrong went “Aber something” they said but their up Moel Siobad and there may have identity remains a Welsh mystery to been other outings which on which I your reporter. did not glean information; so apologies if omission results in incompleteness. The well-appointed hut was filled to its capacity of thirty and ideal for 26 Members and four guests. Tim Josephy , meet leader, had included a suggestion in the notice that as the “staircase is rather steep (about grade 2 scrambling)… those whose nocturnal excursions are frequent are advised to use room 1 on the ground floor.” The lower bunks were of

The YRC Bulletin 55 Summer 2003

Several other groups also went along Richard and Andy up the Devil’s the watercourses either on the way out Kitchen and into the bright mist on the or back and reported some spectacular Glyders where we came upon the views as the day improved with familiar face of Harvey Lomas sunshine. Alan Linford, David Hick, munching a Mars bar and doing Derek Smithson and Ian Crowther exactly as we were, but clockwise. “walked to Capel Curig, turned left and followed a mountain route to Llyn We saw the sun briefly and admired Cowlyd reservoir and returned via the the eerie solitude of the ice and frost canals feeding in from the West”. covered rock in the swirling mist with Alan Fletcher, Ged Campion and Dave two seagulls soared close overhead Williams did a gulley on the Carnedds competing for our scraps. opposite north side of Tryfan. Iain We might have been better with Gilmour led me and my two guests crampons at times but it

The YRC Bulletin 56 Summer 2003

was marginal. On the descent via Galt y Ogof ridge direct to the hut, my three, much more experienced companions, having found a suitable snow slope, instructed me on ice-axe Attendance: arrests then insisted I did enough runs to get thoroughly soaked in the soft President, Alan Kay snow. Dennis Armstrrong The evening repast by Tim and his Adrian Bridge helpers would have shamed the Roux brothers – given the logistics of Derek Bush feeding 30 mouths so royally. It was Ged Campion excellent and much appreciated by all. Peter Chadwick Well-lubricated chat continued until eyelids drooped and the stirrings were Albert Chapman not so early on Sunday which dawned Alan Clare – well, “foul” is a good word. Peter Chadwick attempted to raise a party to Ian Crowther tackle Tryfan’s Heather Ridge: as he Alan Fletcher was the only taker he gave in and we walked round the Great Orme instead Richard Garbutt(G) – and that was interesting too. We Iain Gilmour suspected that most others might have Mike Godden “chickened out” of anything more serious too: but it was a great meet. David Hick Rob Ibberson Rob Ibberson Richard Josephy Tim Josephy

Alan Linford Harvey Lomas John Lovett David Martindale Jim Rusher John Schofield Steve Shipley (G) David Smith Derek Smithson George Spenceley Andy Syme (G) With the assistance of a wee dram, Nick Welch John Schofield gets to grips with the intricacies of a new digital camera. David Williams(G)

The YRC Bulletin 57 Summer 2003

Tulloch, Creag Meagaidh 20 – 23 February 2003 If variety is the spice of life, then this was as spicy as it gets. And not just in the kitchen, as YRC members revealed hidden talents, ranging from chopping ginger root into tuna curry to fully set tables complete with cutlery, wine glasses, folded napkins all arranged on an immaculate table cloth. The attendees, including some who had been unable to attend for some years, took themselves off into the many different areas so accessible from this excellent location. How to describe the situation, in order to convey an adequate picture to those not able to attend? North east of the grey Corries, south of Creag Meagaidh runs the railway line from Fort William. As it leaves Rannoch Moor and the lonely station at Corrour, it turns west and passes through the station at Tulloch. Some years ago Alan Renwick and his partner, Belinda, set about making the old station building an independent hostal to be reckoned with. Whilst preserving all the external trappings, they have ensured that the interior is the sort of place that it is a pleasure to return to after a long day on the hill. Sleeping about two dozen in small bunk-style accommodation, with sitting room and its ever-welcoming fire, and a kitchen and dining area large enough to become a warm focal point for eating, route planning and the sharing of anecdotes. After arrival on Thursday evening, it without cars. Davids Hick and was away to explore some of the many Martindale walked from Corrour back routes and activities available locally. to Fort William via Glen Nevis and Having an active railway station then trained it back to Tulloch; Tims outside the back door certainly gave Josephy and Bateman teamed up with members scope for routes Adrian Bridge and Neil Grant to tackle Coire Ardair and then

The YRC Bulletin 58 Summer 2003

Meanwhile Howard Papworth arrived Creag Meagaidh’s Raeburn’s Gully (left) and late from Oxfordshire and contented Easy Gully (right) seen a few days later himself with a stroll up Beinn Teallach in the cold bright conditions. Had he Raeburn’s gully to the top of Creag known that Duncan and Christopher Meagaidh; Ross Briggs and Rob Mackay were in Fort William buying Ibberson tackled the same mountain by crampons he might also have been the more popular route up from the tempted into those emporia to check road; another larger group which out the latest gear. Derek Smithson included a number of past Presidents enjoyed a day out on Aonach Beag and was also on Creag Meagaidh, but Carn Mor Dearg, while Gordon instead of toiling up gullies, they were Humphries was nearby, flashing past to be found enjoying lunch in a on skis. The evening saw the snowhole by the Window some 600m traditional melange of cooking smells, below the summit in the company of a styles and, er, experiments, before the farmer, a teacher and a general drams were being passed around in practitioner from Kirby Lonsdale. front of the fire. Apart from the quality of lunch, the ladies were apparently most keen to Saturday saw renewed enthusiasm as a demonstrate their navigational skills in large contingent took the train to the whiteout conditions on top! They Corrour from which to undertake a certainly knew the way to the mens’ variety of different expeditions. Harry hearts! The President and Iain Gilmour Robinson could not have guessed that reduced Iain’s tally of ‘must-dos’ by he, Derek Bush and John Lovett would two on the tops of Chno Dearg and spend part of their day feeding wild Meall Garbh. Not to be outdone, boar after they began a conversation David Large and James Whitby with the local landowner. All proper climbed Stob Coire nan Lochan via organic fodder it was too: perhaps we Boomerang Gully. will have the chance to try some of the finished product next year. As well as feeding dangerous animals, they completed the round of Loch Ossian. Another group, including Barry Wood and Roger Dix, topped Beinn na Lap, while Derek Smithson and Michael Smith traversed two Munros east of Loch Trieg. Ian Crowther and John Jenkin walked in Glen Nevis, while

The YRC Bulletin 59 Summer 2003

Back Row L-R: Gordon Humphreys, Josephy, David Large, Papworth, Edmundson, Kirby, Michael Smith, Smithson, Tim Bateman, anon, Crowther, Smythe, ?, Robinson. Middle Row: Wood, Jenkin, Kay, Chapman. Front: David Smith, Bush, Paul MacKay, Lovett, Dix high above them Adrian Bridge, Tim Choire. Two more gone, thirty to go, Josephy and long-suffering guest Neil Iain! Grant tackled Ben Nevis via No.2 Saturday night proved a long and gully. Adrian certainly looked the colourful evening: whilst several part, having attempted to shave his people contemplated the best way to chin on a shard of ice that fell from cook the resident cat (with curry above. David Large and James Whitby powder was the preferred method), tackled Stob Coire Easain and seemd others were intent on luring the local to find it far too easy! Iain Gilmour, pine martens out of the pines to feast heartened by his success of the upon left over noodles, rolls, potatoes previous day set off with Howard and tropical fruit. All in an evening’s Papworth, Duncan and Christopher work for a hungry marten! England Mackay south from Moy. The latter won the rugby, England won the two tackled Beinn a Chlachair, while cricket, the whisky went round again, Iain and Howard completed a two and the wine bottles were drained and a half hour walk-in, before pushing finally everybody settled in to their their way up in increasingly wintry bunks and tents. conditions to the tops of Mullach Coire nan Nead and Meall Glas

The YRC Bulletin 60 Summer 2003

Attendance President, Alan Kay Sunday saw a marked deterioration in Eddy the weather, with heavy cloud and rain Tim Bateman beginning as we finished breakfast. A Adrian Bridge photographic session with the hostel’s Derek Bush management team taking group Albert Chapman photographs whilst balanced Ian Crowther precariously on a step ladder across Roger Dix the railway tracks proved highly Mike Edmundson entertaining for those of the YRC Iain Gilmour sheltering from the rain under the Gordon Humphreys station platform awning. From here, Rob Ibberson most headed off towards their homes, John Jenkin with some pausing on the way. Tim Josephy Howard Papworth and Duncan Richard Kirby Mackay were lucky enough to see David Large Black Grouse by Loch Tay, whilst the John Lovett meet organiser dragged his ever- Duncan Mackay challenged chums up the Cobbler Paul Mackay (G) before rushing back to beat the Howard Papworth imminent downpour. Harry Robinson F David Smith Tony Smythe, Michael Smith and Michael Smith Derek Smithson extended their stay Derek Smithson but the wind speed and temperature Tony Smythe increased. The last two made several Nick Welch ascents but above the Window were David Williams (G) forced to retreat from the top lest they Barrie Wood were blown away. Smith, out on his own, north of Newtonmore, saw eighteen hares in one spot above the derelict Red Bothy and five gents with large hawks hunting for hares (unsuccessfully) on the other side of the range below Loch Dubh. There is a lot to do in the area (not forgetting the many interesting birds that were seen, which included Snow Bunting, Ptarmigan, Dipper, Ring Ouzel, Crossbill and Golden Eagle) and the wish was expressed by many that we return to the same location next year to sample more of the rich variety. Don’t forget those spices! Howard Papworth

The YRC Bulletin 61 Summer 2003

Low Hall Garth Meet Bowfell via The Band and proceeded via Ore Gap to Angle Tarn, returning 28-30 March 2003 for refreshment at the ODG by way of the Stake Pass and Mickleden. My The weather forecast for the weekend guest and I walked up Oxendale and was excellent, but in view of this the attacked the Crinkles via Crinkle Gill attendance at the meet was somewhat and the steep grassy final pitch of the disappointing. Fourteen resident ascent to the ridge. I think we were members and one guest were the only walkers who chose that route supplemented by two members who that day. I found it much more puff- visited for the day. making than when I last climbed the Gill fifteen years ago, and I was glad One member arrived early on Friday, of a rest at the top, where we enjoyed and walked the hard way over watching the antics of several young Lingmoor Fell to pay a visit to the Old ladies as they negotiated The Step on Dungeon Ghyll Hotel. I and my guest, the Crinkles. My guest decided to add also early arrivals, walked up towards Bowfell to his walk, but I preferred to the mines, and then cut over to wait for his return on the pretext that I Tilberthwaite, where my guest had done it several times recently, and renewed acquaintance with several he reported that the view from the farmers who were previous “clients” summit was superb. This opinion was of his when he was employed by the endorsed by our hut warden, Iain Ministry of Agriculture in Ulverston. Gilmour: after driving to Kendal to The two of us, David Hick and David purchase a gasket for the immersion Martindale sampled the culinary heater, he walked up to the Three delights of the Three Shires in the Shire Stone, and to Bowfell via the evening, but most of the other Crinkles and returned by the same members enjoyed DIY meals at LHG. route to LHG. Another lone walker, John Jenkins, followed a similar route Saturday’s weather was superb, and all to the Three Tarns, but included Cold members made early starts for the Pike, as did the meet organiser and his fells, with one exception. This was Ian able assistant. The lone walker Crowther, who unfortunately had a returned to LHG by The Band and gammy leg, and he decided to visit the Blea Tarn. Seeking to avoid the Haverthwaite railway. However, he Crinkle crowds three members was thwarted in this intention because conquered Wetherlam for the the railway did not open until April. umpteenth time, and proceeded via Undaunted he explored the coast road Prison Band, Swirl How, Great How to Silloth via Whitehaven and Crag and Levers Tarn and then home Workington. The Crinkle Crags to LHG. The remaining two members figured frequently in the routes assaulted Little and Great Carrs and selected by the remaining members, as Grey Friar, followed by a apparently it did with many other circumnavigation of Seathwaite Tarn. walkers. I was impressed by the number of very young people we saw Sumptuous fare in the evening was on the Crinkles and other fells during provided by the two Davids - Hick and the weekend. Martindale - to revive the members after the exertions of the day. Many One party, starting from the National thanks to them for their culinary Trust car park at the ODG, ascended achievements.

The YRC Bulletin 62 Summer 2003

There was less activity on Sunday, Attendance:- which proved to be another Ken Aldred wonderfully fine and magical day. Three members returned home early to Derek Bush watch the Grand Slam rugby match Derek Collins between England and Ireland, but two of the party attacked the grade three Ian Crowther scramble up Browney Gill from Paul Dover (G) Oxendale, which they said was quite demanding, with several dicey pitches, Iain Gilmour and several waterfalls. Not being Mike Godden satisfied with that, however, they Mike Hartford rounded off the day with an ascent of Pike of Blisco. The lone walker David Hick ascended Wetherlam via the John Jenkins Greenburn mines, and with the interests of the Club commendably in Ian Laing mind, the Hut warden, accompanied John Lovett by Ian Crowther, scoured the quarries behind LHG to see if there might be David Martindale suitable kerb stones there for the front Chris Renton of the climbing hut. As for myself, I David Smith introduced my guest to Whitbarrow, a limestone ridge in Southern Lakeland, Derek Smithson from which there are magnificent John Sterland views into central Lakeland. We had an interesting encounter on the top with a very knowledgeable walker and his wife, and discussed various topics which had appeared in the magazine of The Friends of the Lake District, such as the many planning applications for wind farms, including the one at Whin Fell. This is likely to be treated as an industrial site, and therefore outside the jurisdiction of the local planning board, because it is scheduled to generate more than fifty mega watts of power. As he departed he announced that he was Ian Brodie, who is the director of The Friends of the Lake District, and from whose articles I had quoted in our conversation! One has to be careful what one discusses with walkers on the fells!

John Sterland.

The YRC Bulletin 63 Summer 2003

Ladies Meet, Harefield After breakfast on Sunday, nineteen stalwarts examined the disused stone Hall, Pateley Bridge quarry at Silver Hill on their way to 25 –27 April 2003 the village of Wath. A church reputed to be the smallest Methodist Chapel in Pateley Bridge lies some ten miles England was visited. Unfortunately from the head of Nidderdale, and is the the Sportsman Arms was closed for perfect centre for exploring this area of inspection when passed. Onwards North Yorkshire noted for its scenery south by the river Nidd again took us and outdoor activities. back into Pateley Bridge and Harefield Harefield Hall Hotel, a 17th Century Hall where final farewells were made. Manor House overlooking the river Once again our organiser had found a Nidd, was the centre of activities and superb venue for our annual get– well chosen by our organiser. together, an occasion much looked Friday evening saw 31 members, forward to for its social discourse and wives, family, and guests renewing good walking. friendships in the convivial Mike Godden atmosphere of the Hotel. As always, concern was expressed about weather for the next day. Saturday started fine and fresh and 31 Attendance: persons set off on a circuitous route to Dennis and Joan Armstrong Brimham Rocks. Initially uphill via steps and snickets, the abandoned Alan and Madge Brown church of St Mary’s was visited before Ian and Dorothy Crowther heading across fields and along tracks Iain and Sarah Gilmour to cross the Pateley to Ripon road at Mike and Marcia Godden Blazefield. Eventually the route took us upwards again to emerge at John and Janet Hemingway Brimham Rocks. Lunch was taken in Rob and Gabrielle Ibberson warm sun, amazingly so as the forecast Alan and Julia Kay was for showers. After some exploration, the party set off again on Ian and Una Laing the final leg, progressing steadily Cliff and Cathie Large downhill to cross the B6165 at Low Margaret Lee Laithe, and on to the riverbank path Alan and Angela Linford leading up river. Bill and Brenda Lofthouse At the village of Glasshouses (famous for its Cricket Team successes in the John and Valerie Middleton Nidderdale League in the ’50s and Tony and Valerie Penny ’60s), afternoon tea was taken at the Arthur Salmon local Winery. The path then led us Barbara Salmon back to the hotel where further refreshment was taken prior to rest, Trevor and Ann Salmon and for some a relaxing visit to the John and Pat Schofield sauna, jacuzzi, and pool in the Leisure Bill and Juliet Todd Centre. Dinner was taken by thirty- nine amid much conversation and Adrian and Judith Wardner enjoyment.

The YRC Bulletin 64 Summer 2003

Rhinogs Meet 11 - 13 April 2003. The Rhinogs have rightly gained a reputation of being the roughest, toughest mountains in the UK south of the Scottish border. Their crags of Cambrian grit are gnarled, much faulted and cut to the heart by immense canyons, and for good measure the hillsides are cloaked with thick heather, which conceals loose boulders and scree. Ian (Crowther) was in cycling mode, Nine members and one guest attended and spent the day touring the minor this camping meet, which was based in roads to Porthmadoc and back – no the delightful field we have used on mean feat; these roads are narrow and previous occasions beside the Afon very hilly. Artro, courtesy of the farmer at On Sunday, most members had a Crafnant, between Llanbedr and Cwm leisurely breakfast before breaking Bychan. camp and heading home. The On Saturday, in calm, clear weather President drove over to Cwm Nantcol, three members, Tim, Iain (Gilmour) walked along the line of the old drove and Alan (Kay), plus one agile dog, road to the beautiful stone bridge of clambered over typical Rhinogs terrain Pont Scethin, then SW and W to Pont to Clip and Diffwys, retraced their Fadog, then a series of field paths back steps to Clip and then walked SE over to Cwm Nantcol. Craig Wion, arguably the best part of It was a delightful, connoisseur’s the range. They then ascended Rhinog weekend in an unfrequented part of Fawr, headed for Gloyw Lyn, and Wales. followed a series of paths direct back to the campsite at Pont Crafnant. Our senior members, George and Jim, Attendees: - walked a lengthy round from Llyn Alex Blair Cwm Bychan, Roman Steps, then southwards to the pass at Bwlch Drws Alan Clare Ardudwy, and back to camp via Cwm Derek Clayton Nantcol over high moorland road and Ian Crowther tracks. Iain Gilmour The younger members, Alex and Chris, on a first visit to the Rhinogs, Tim Josephy firstly scrambled to Clip, decided to Alan Kay leave Craig Wion for another day, took the eastern path through the forest to Chris Mutlow (guest) the Roman Steps, then back to camp. Jim Rusher George Spenceley

The YRC Bulletin 65 Summer 2003

Ardgour, Scotland 10 - 17 May 2003 We made no prior plans as to time of arrival, but by strange chance three cars arrived at the same time at Eriskay Chalet in Strontian. A new departure for meet accommodation. It was well fitted out with every mod con, only the TV was not used. First course for Richard, Derek, Roger and John Having already had ten days on the hills with my wife I was happy to join his feet decided to do the route in a low level walk as a starter from reverse and meet Roger, Richard and I Acharacle to Glenborrodale in as we descended the westerly leg. The doubtful weather conditions. I suspect ascent is very steep up onto the Derek was not too happy not getting a Graham and is followed by countless top in, so next day he embarked on an false tops. As mist clears the clarity of impressive horseshoe near the air rewarded us with spectacular Kingairloch. This round takes in a views in all directions. The snow- Graham, Bheinn na Cille and two covered Ben glistened in the sunlight Corbetts: Fuar Bheinn and Creach and the twin tops of Ben a’Bheither Bheinn. across Loch Linnhe. Four of us set out for the most From the summit to Meall nan Each prominent Ardgour hill, Beinn the terrain resembles a golf course, Resipol. The route follows the Allt easy on the legs. The ridge back to Mhic Chiarain, a deep impressive Glengalmadale is an endless series of gorge which seems to terminate at the small tops. We were glad to see col. It was quite misty as we neared John’s car on the Loch side and to hear the col, snow began to fall as we met that he had solved his foot problem four walkers descending. ‘Never talk and successfully completed the to strangers’ they convinced John that westerly leg of the round. the top was forty minutes above the col. My GPS said 300ft. His boot The highest summit in the Ardgour is problem persuaded him to return the Sgurr Dhomihuill (Donald’s Peak) and same way rather than do the intended Thursday was the totally dry day so traverse ending back in Strontian. The this was our objective. A short drive to GPS was right and Richard and Roger a car park by the nature reserve by the despite a short snowstorm had a first Strontian River is the start of a class expedition. pleasant walk through the woods for three miles. A further mile took us to Tuesday’s weather was wet. In the a lead mine where the mineral afternoon three of us cycled along Strontium was first discovered. Here Loch Sunart and round to Laudale we crossed the river heading for the House. Albert Chapman and David ridge which took us to the top of Sgurr Handley joined us back at the Chalet. na h-Ighinn, where Richard returned to On the Wednesday the four of us do some shopping for our evening decided to do the horseshoe trip that meal. Albert, Roger and I pressed on Derek enthused about. John nursing and soon reached the summit of Donald’s

The YRC Bulletin 66 Summer 2003

John and Richard

Peak. It was much easier than it looked. An exciting descent took us back to Strontian River. Attendance: Friday didn’t look too promising so we Albert Chapman decided to go to Britain’s most Roger Dix westerly point at Ardnamurchan. In David Handley high winds we climbed the dominant summit of Ben Hiant by way of a well- Richard Kirby defined path. Roger and I decided to John Lovett go cross-country to meet the road to the point. Miraculously we hit the road David Smith two minutes before the first car arrived Derek Smithson at the agreed meeting place.

The use of chalets proved to be very successful, Richard took supplies for all the breakfasts and each of us provided an evening meal. It worked splendidly. The cost worked out less than a bunkhouse and certainly more comfortable. Maybe we should consider winter meets using two or three chalets. No doubt we could arrange a special rate if we took our own sleeping bags. The summit of Ben Hiant FDSmith

The YRC Bulletin 67 Summer 2003

The 2003 party carried on passed Gaping Gill Booth Parson Crawl exit to “T” Junction, along South East Passage of May 2003 notoriously awkward height (too low To celebrate the centenary of the YRC to stoop and too high to crawl) and meet which saw Booth and Parson traversed round the ledge of South crawl between East Passage and South East Pot to join friends from the B. P. Passage, which led to the discovery of C who were using Bar Pot as a short the hitherto unknown South East cut through to Hensler’s High Aven to Passage, a small group of YRC ascend to the surface via the newly members (which included a “pride” of discovered Hensler’s Pot. Past Presidents) took advantage of the The BPC are to be congratulated on Bradford Pothole Club invitation to their major discovery which after a join them at their annual winch meet at number of years of hard work has been Gaping Gill. pushed to give a new way into Gaping The YRC meet of 1903 followed on Gill by way of a series of 5 pitches from the 1896 descent and utilised the culminating in a 40m+ pitch into original windlass and tackle of Calvert Hensler’s. which was transported up the fell on BPC members had only just completed Friday 29th May 1903 with a typical the first ever through trip and from YRC early start at 0430 on the graphic descriptions from our BPC Saturday with some 19 members of the friends it is only for the very party participating in the descent over experienced and slim cavers. the weekend. Our descent pales into On returning to the surface a toast in insignificance in comparison! the beer tent was given to departed From Lowstern to Gaping Gill to friends. One must certainly admire the descend at 1045 via the diesel powered grit and determination of the pioneer winch and be gathered together in the YRC cavers who from the 1903 meet flood lit Main Chamber in a matter of carried on the exploration of Gaping minutes hardly compares to the 1903 Gill at annual camps on the fell over meet led by Cuttriss, however the the following forty years. grandeur of the Main Chamber is Hearty thanks to the BPC for making timeless and never fails to impress. the event possible. It is difficult to imagine that the Mike Hartland entrance up into South Passage was not open in 1903 and that Booth and Parson discovered it by crawling Attendance: through their aptly named Booth Ken Aldred Parson Crawl from East Passage to South Passage to then arrive in the Derek Bush Main Chamber. Albert Chapman A further year was to pass before the Mike Hartland. South Passage was followed through the Portcullis to “T” Junction, the David Smith further reaches of Sand Cavern-Stream Chamber, back to “T” Junction and through to South East Pot.

The YRC Bulletin 68 Summer 2003

Tuesday Meets thence down to the Hargreaves Barn to the Feizor Nick path. Along the lanes January - April 2003 and paths to Austwick by Jop Ridding, As an experiment members on the Slaindale and the Austwick Beck’s midweek meets are providing brief clapper bridges at The Pant. reports of their activities. Over the fields to Clapham and back to 4 February The Lowstern Lowstern where to the surprise of David Smith celebratory best wishes to first-Tuesday-of-the-month meet th commenced from the top of Buck Haw recognise his 75 birthday were the finale to an excellent day. Brow in rather dreary weather, which fortunately improved as the day went Present were Richard Kirby. John on. Lovett. David Handley. David Smith. Along Brunton Road and across the Mike Edmundson. Derek Bush. Mike enclosures to Feizor Thwaite via the Hartland. Mike Hartland access lane and paths which pass close to Huff’s Pot (which brought 18 February Five arrived at the yesteryear memories to one of party) head of Kingsdale under blue sky and and the field systems/enclosures of a biting wind. The sixth companion archaeological interest which are a was seen coming down Whernside, feature of this area. and having met, all proceeded up hill Splendid views opened as the Feizor to to the summit. After refreshment, a Little Stainforth path was followed to battle with the wind ensued as all “Hidden Valley” – no longer hidden headed for Whernside Tarns. since described in Wainwright’s book! Windchill was sufficient to freeze the Bearing left up to the top of Smearsett perspiration on one companion’s Scar with its panoramic views of the woolly hat. The Tarns displayed Ribblesdale-Ingleborough horizon,

Albert, Derek, David and Ken exit Booth-Parsons Crawl, Gaping Gill

The YRC Bulletin 69 Summer 2003 sparkling ice driven and layered by the remarked that they used to do it in half strong wind. Later further refreshment the five and three-quarter hours taken. was taken at Scar Top by kind An enjoyable day out in the company permission of the Mistress of the of Derek Bush, Mike Edmundson, house before returning to Lowstern. Mike Godden, David Handley, Jeff F M Godden Hooper Richard Kirby, John Lovett and David Smith. Jeff H Hooper 25 February Two arrived early at

LHG and were quickly away. A th second pair arrived soon after 10.30. 8 March Making the best of Several of the regulars were not out this remarkable spring weather we left because of the closeness to the Craig the cars at Buckhaw Brow across the Meaghaidh meet at the weekend. In tops of Giggleswick Scar to bright winter weather party two Stackhouses. Here we went along the headed for Lingmoor Fell via Birk Ribble Way north to Stainforth Force, Howe. Following the track down to then northeast to Smearset Scar. At Blea Tarn House we crossed the road Feizor Wood’s edge we headed to the to the tarn and onwards to Blea Moor village then back along the well- and Bridge End and back to Low Hall marked track to the cars. F D Smith Garth. A pleasant, interesting, if shortish, walk but just right after a 22nd April. It was another day with hard weekend in Scotland. David Smith perfect weather conditions so we quickly decided to leave Lowstern for 11 March Eight men and a dog Longsledale.heading for the Garsdale met at Embsay reservoir car park at Pass,passing picturesque waterfalls 9.45am. to do what has been known to cascading down the River Sprint. At some members for forty years as ‘The the pass were clear views of Moor Walk’. Haweswater but no appearances of eagles. We followed the district The day was one of those showery boundary to Adams Seat, The Knowe ones; the sort of day when you wait and Kentmere Pike returning to the car until you are wet before deciding to through newly planted tree. FDS put on over-trousers and immediately that you have struggled into them the rain stops. The wind was strong at 29th April. Weather forecast rain, times and it cannot be said that the but we didn't see any, we enjoyed views were extensive. sunshine all the way to Helvelyn, though we did have high winds on the The walk went up by the side of summit. We set off from Dunmmail Crookrise to Crag Top, down to Eller Raise passing Grisedale tarn then Beck and up to Rylstone Cross, to heading straight for the summit. Wart Crag on Cracoe Fell and Peter's Excellent views of Striding Edge and Crag. Before going down to Upper Swirrel Edge. The return was via Barden Reservoir lunch was taken in a Wythburn and through the forest to the gouse beaters hut, a roof, four walls cars. F D Smith and a doorway to lighten the gloom.

The conversation was good and as wide ranging as is usual in the YRC. The party became rather spread out en route to the start. Some members

The YRC Bulletin 70 Summer 2003

Goats on the Cliffs of Moar, County Clare, Burren Meet, May 2003 May Burren Moar, of on Meet, Cliffs the Clare, County Goats

The YRC Bulletin 71 Summer 2003