PRESTON MOUNTAINEERING CLUB (Affiliated to the BMC) ______THE NEWSLETTER January 2008

www.climbpreston.co.uk

The President’s Bit With this issue you will find: Welcome to a new year, hopefully a successful one for the Club. Another year has flown by, • Meet reports: and for me, this will be my last as President. Of o Langdale course, this year will be the Club’s 75th o Coniston anniversary – more later on some of the o Mid week walking programme proposed celebrations. I hope it will be an active year for everybody, whether that be • 75th Anniversary rock challenge walking or climbing. I know it should be for me • 2008 Meets Card and Mike & Laura as the three of us are going • Amended club rules on an organised expedition to Bolivia with the aim of climbing several peaks, the highest have this strange view that winter climbing nearly 6500m! So if you don’t see us on as should be white with snow… probably why many meets as usual this year, that may well Mick gets so much more done than me! Mind be the reason. you, we recently managed a trip to Cairngorm.

The past year has generally been quite a The AGM was a great success, in the venue, positive one for the club, despite several the turnout and the activities… Although the members not renewing their membership last weather was poor, we had members mountain year, with increased participation in meets and biking in the forest both days and walking on the Club gaining many new active members. the Sunday. Our guest Angela Soper The sad part was the loss of three long- entertained us with a well judged after dinner standing members; early in the year, Pete speech and the obligatory wind-ups. Mike and I Garratt and past president Joe Renwick and received some rather silly and very unusual more recently another past president, Jill hats – mine was a phenomenally warm Aldersley. An obituary for Jill appears later in Mongolian design visible in one of the the newsletter. photographs on the website. Whilst on the subject of photos, are you in any of them? As I write this, the country and too Have a look in the Summer Meets section of is in the middle of a cold spell – Mick has the photo-albums [thanks to Graham Winfield already been out and climbed Lakeland ice! for these – the Gallery now includes many from Well, I suspect it was really just frozen turf. I the midweek walking group meets too]. Preston Mountaineering Club

On the subject of venue, the committee will The monthly meets format is, I think, proving a look at the feedback we’ve received from you success and meets were well attended and and come to a decision at its next meeting on equally importantly, very sociable. Ian and I where to hold this year’s AGM. have even revived the Climbing at West View, although on a Thursday at 6pm not Tuesday at As I mentioned above, next year will be the 8 as before, and we now have between four 75th anniversary of the founding of the Club. and ten members here every week. And we’ve Several ideas are in the pipeline to celebrate been joined by some prospective members as this august birthday. Laura’s will shortly well. complete her magnum opus on the history of the Club. This will be available for us all to read The AGM went extremely well this year and by the next AGM. Keith is in the early stages of the venue seemed to please most people. planning a multi-day walk from Preston to the Certainly the shorter commute to Stephen Park . Given our historical links resulted in the arrival of a few faces not seen in to Coniston, and it is 75 miles from Preston, it recent years. The committee has altered will be a fitting final destination. The plan is that slightly as Neil Marsh and partner Gina felt that you could do the whole walk, or just parts of it, they could not give their best to the club owing but it would be great to get as many on the to other commitments. My thanks for their summit as possible. And finally, there is the efforts in the past and particularly for 2006. 75th anniversary rock challenge – can we They are replaced by Pam Crookston and between us ascend 75 of the PMC first Trevor Steele. ascents? Can anyone do 75 individually? To help, a tick list is being circulated in this The other important bits resulting from the newsletter. Inevitably, there will be routes meeting are a rising of the subs generally to missing - if you know of one (even one of your cover BMC, postage and other increasing own!), let us know and we’ll update the list. costs with a rule change to require them to be However, I don’t mean those route variations paid by the end of January. This is important where you got lost… I’ve many of those! as the BMC costs are on the up again and we normally take a guess at the numbers we pay To conclude, all the best for the new year. for, often overpaying. With the subs paid by Happy mountaineering in all its guises. January we will know exactly how much to pay. Ian A further amendment was put forward to levy a one pound admin charge on subs paid after The Secretary’s Bit January to cover reminder costs etc. Everyone thought this was reasonable so it passed. Indeed ‘Tempus’ has once again ‘Fugit’ and I stand at the dread portal that is 2008 reflecting Roger gave a report on his progress with the on the year past, and a pretty good year it has BMC, Plas Y Brenin and West View regarding been. We have welcomed several new cooperation between ourselves and these members into the ranks with the latest recruits bodies to help young climbers make the move being’ Kiwi’ Bill Wiseman who is not at all from indoor walls to the crags and give the club antipodean, and Colin Ross, owner of the new a higher profile at the same time, with the idea PMC mobile catering van. Colin still believes of fostering a future young membership. The that it’s a camper van that he owns but after signs are promising and meetings are ongoing. the 29th member knocks at the side window Someone proposed beer and the rest as they demanding, say ‘was history’.

‘tea and a bacon buttie if you’d be so kind’ Following a very fine three course dinner with coffee and mints there was the traditional I think he’ll get the gist. presidential address and guest speaker, 2 January 2008 Newsletter

Angela Soper to whom Ian has already Hut bookings in 2008 referred. As announced at the AGM, all future hut The PMC cup went to Mick Cottam this year bookings will have to be accompanied by full as despite other worthy contenders it is hard to payment of hut fees. Most clubs who allow us beat a Himalayan first ascent as a winning to use their huts are now asking for payment effort. up front. This is due to the fact that some clubs (not PMC I might add) book the whole place After dinner there were slide shows from Mick then only use a small number of places and and Angela, prizes awarded for the dinnertime even with a ‘pay for what you book’ rule in quiz, raffle draws and when all were suitably place, they are finding they cannot get lubricated, the grand Horsey (Space) Hopper payment. So now you only get the key once Derby. My knee still gives me gyp after falling you’ve paid the fees! If you pay for a place and at the third! Speaking of lubrication, members then cannot make it you will get a refund only if were still going strongly enough that the we can ‘sell’ the place to another. Sorry it reserve beer had to be called upon, nice to see seems a bit harsh, but we did have two ‘no a return to traditional values there. shows’ at Langdale and are still trying to extract the cash from an unnamed person! We have sent out a questionnaire to help and guide the committee for 2008. Most are back in Blackrock Cottage on the Glencoe Meet is fully but I noticed on a quick glance through that booked and has a ‘waiting list’. The nearest venue, dinner etc get ratings that vary; the one accommodation is either at the Kingshouse consistent theme is that the beer from Bowland (bunkhouse), Glencoe YHA or one of the two Brewery scored a consistently high mark. bunkhouses at Bridge of Orchy. Sorry, but no Proving that you can please all the people all camping is allowed in the vicinity of the hut. It the time! seems OK, however, to sleep overnight up at the Ski Centre car-park up the road! The following day after a fine breakfast and Laura despite damp weather, a gentle walk was essayed by a large group of die hard revellers who reported being mown down by a small Website www.climbpreston.co.uk group of manically grinning mountain bikers some of who’s faces appeared strangely Please visit the PMC website – the photo familiar. gallery is added to whenever I receive new pictures. If you have a photograph you would My thanks to all who helped make the event a like to add to the Gallery, then please either success and especially Treasurer Bill who email Ian Bradley an electronic copy or mail drove miles begging or borrowing prizes from the original. They will be returned! Cotswold, Whalley Warm & Dry and many other places. The Members Only section contains copies of Mike the newsletters back to 2002. As the cost of newsletter is a significant fraction of your membership fee, they are only accessible with Sub slip error a password. The current password is samarkand. It will be changed when the next I fear an error crept into the subs slip we sent newsletter is circulated in April. out recently in that the retired/student rate was shown as ₤17.50 when it should have read Bulletin Board ₤15.00. Strangely no one noticed until the treasurer pointed it out. Refunds to those who The bulletin board linked off the PMC website have overpaid will be forthcoming. is open to anyone to read. To post messages, 3 Preston Mountaineering Club you must sign up for membership (this is accompany me. It was a long day, and on the independent of your membership of the PMC descent we were held up for the best part of 2 and anybody even non-PMC members can hours in a queue for the abseil over the rimaye. sign up). Subsequently, when you log onto Back at the Cosmiques hut Jill had to locate the board, a new section only for board and pack her bits and pieces, with me members becomes visible. stamping and cursing outside, so we only caught the last lift down from Aig. du Midi. I Club Library asked Jill if she wanted to find accommodation or have a meal. “Let’s eat” was the reply; so The library is held by Gordon Semple in we spent the night bivouacking in the forest. . New material keeps arriving all the time. Contact him on 01995 602337 if you In 2005 Jill drove me out (an experience in would like to browse the books. Gordon has itself!) to a meet in the Bregaglia, but a knee also produced a web page listing the contents. injury, sustained at a Scottish ceilidh, It is regularly updated. It is in the members’ prevented her doing much more that shortish area – see above. walks, though she made the most of the superb viewpoints for her paintings. Then the next year she came on a meet at Cortina, Jill Aldersley Remembered 1943 – 2007 where in a week we were able to do four day’s rock climbing as well as a via ferrata. I think it I first climbed with Jill in 1992, at Wallowbarrow was there that she mentioned she had done on a PMC meet. Since then we have done nearly all her Alpine climbing with me. I had some three dozen British climbs together, hoped she might be there again this year, but mainly in the Lakes but also in the Peak, North alas circumstances dictated otherwise. Wales and Skye, on both PMC and FRCC meets. She was a very steady climber, who Of course one cannot write about Jill without appeared to have no great difficulty on any of mentioning her vocation as a mountain painter. the routes that we did. She usually let me lead, On that first climb at Wallowbarrow she largely and I suspect she was happier with the rope completed a watercolour while Gordon and I above her. Her knowledge of the crags, and were involved in the first pitch. Her pad and experience of many FRCC leaders, certainly paints were always in her sack. At the Torino made her an ideal second. I especially hut in 1996 we returned from the Aig. de Toule remember the classic VS’s on White Ghyll, and and Jill sat down straight away to paint, the also routes on Skye, one of the Scottish Géant – Rochefort ridge, a picture that now islands she loved so much. hangs on my wall. She later made a superb picture, from a photograph, of the Géant from Jill was a stalwart of the and Rock, and the Rochefort ridge, which I would love to was their President from 1994-96, during which have, but which was bought by Dennis, our period I did not see so much of her. However companion on the rope that day. She loved in the latter year she came on the FRCC meet trekking in the Himalayas, and had climbed at Saint Gervais, and with Dennis Mitchell we Mera Peak in Nepal, and was with a group in climbed the Aiguille de Toule and the Aiguille Bhutan when it was still little visited. Indeed de Rochefort. The following year we did the she was booked to go trekking again this year, Wellenkuppe and had a long day on the Zinal before her condition was diagnosed. Rothorn, as well climbing a rock route on the Jagigrat. I was impressed by the way Jill could We shall miss Jill’s presence in huts and on climb above 4000m with a minimum of meets. No more shall we marvel at the chaos acclimatisation, so in 1998, on a meet at of her car and house, and wonder how she Courmayeur, after a warm-up together on the managed the business side of her life. But at Tour Ronde and having an urge to climb Mont least we have her pictures, her Christmas Maudit, I had no hesitation in asking her to cards, her voice (interviewing FRCC notables), 4 January 2008 Newsletter photos, but above all memories of so many translucency and its capacity to convey the days on the hills. subtleties of mood in this ever-changing Jeremy Whitehead landscape."

The following is reproduced from the 2 Nov Jill's twin love of fell and rock fitted neatly alongside her art and she regularly combined them all to paint 2007 issue of the The Westmorland Gazette in high places, especially her beloved Skye, Rhum and Eigg, and sometimes higher still, in the Alps, Ms J. Aldersley Nepal and the Himalayas, where she once managed a painting at 19,000 feet. One of the 's best loved landscape painters, Jill Aldersley, was laid to rest in Having learned to climb with Preston Ambleside churchyard this week, after a packed Mountaineering Club, she joined the Fell and Rock funeral at St Mary's Parish Church attended by Climbing Club of the Lake District and climbed to more than 600 friends, fellow artists and climbing VS in the 1970s, enjoying the camaraderie of companions. meets and climbing trips. She became only the second woman to be elected FRCC president, a Jill was born in London in 1943 of Yorkshire position she held twice. Jill also played a major role ancestry, but her parents, George and Madge in preparing the FRCC's Centenary exhibition this Aldersley, soon returned north, to live in a millstone year, but the diagnosis of a brain tumour in May grit farmhouse high up on Holme Moss. prevented her from attending the celebrations. Many FRCC friends were among those who flocked It was here that Jill's love of art and mountain to see her at Holehird, where she was cared for scenery was born, greatly influenced by her father during the last few months of her life and where who was a water board engineer, but spent all his she died. free time woodcarving and sculpting. Jill cared deeply about Ambleside and the civic An only child, Jill spent many happy holidays at trust. Jill was prepared to pick up litter, clean road Rosthwaite and Wastwater with her rock-climbing signs, plant daffodils in neglected corners or dash parents, and having moved to , near off a sketch or two to illustrate the Newsletter. To Preston, Jill went on from grammar school to the scores of evening class students, she was the Harris College of Further Education, and then gentle tutor whose constructive criticism trained as an art teacher in oils at the Manchester encouraged the faint-hearted; and to fellow art College of Art and Design. society members, Jill was someone who always gave unstintingly of her time and skills to help Her ambition was always to live in the Lakes with those less able. her parents, and after two years teaching art in Aspatria, she moved to Ambleside in 1967 to Her work was widely familiar to the public through develop her career as a watercolour painter, while Lakeland greetings cards as well as her witty working part time for George Cook, at Ambleside Lakeland Santa Christmas cards. She exhibited Studio Pottery, at the Old Mill. extensively in galleries and exhibitions throughout the area, sometimes jointly with her mother, who Her parents soon joined her and at one time all painted as F. Marie Destelle, and who died two three worked at the pottery. Jill's permanent home years ago aged 95. became a tiny cottage off North Road, in Ambleside.

Her commitment to local art began as an exhibitor with the Lake Artists Society in 1967, to which she was elected in 1979. Jill was also a long-standing member of Kendal Art Society, of which she was made President in 2005, and she helped found Ambleside and District Art Society in 1974. She loved to paint out on the , or in old barns and byres in the company of fellow artists, describing her use of watercolour as "revelling in its 5 Preston Mountaineering Club

BMC News Nearer Preston, the BMC purchase of Craig y The recent area meeting discussed several Longridge is now complete. Some tidying up things of interest to members. The new remains to be done but access should be fine Lancashire Guide reprint, in a smaller format soon. See the BMC website for info. covering a slightly reduced area, is selling well – apparently the second best selling guide in Witches Quarry continues to be delicate. the UK! The full revision of the guide is Group access is discouraged, which is why we scheduled to hit the shops at Easter 2009. Les removed it from the midweek program this Ainsworth would be pleased to receive season, but individual access is fine provided photographs to illustrate the guide. the access arrangements are adhered to - no more than 10 cars in quarry; no parking in Newsletters are now being produced both lane, on verges, in front of farm buildings or centrally by the BMC office and by the NW lime kiln; no turning in drives of buildings. area itself. These can be obtained from the We’ve been asked to be proactive in getting BMC website – search for ‘newsletter’. The selfish climbers to honour the access NW area one is also on the members section agreements. of the PMC website. Access is still banned at Stanworth Quarry. Finally, the December National Council will The owner does not want climbers on Central have discussed, by the time you read this, Quarry. The quarry is on open access land, so another subscriptions revision – i.e. an if challenged, politely point this out and then increase! They want to ‘reduce the perceived leave if access still denied. Please inform the imbalance’ between individual and club BMC if this happens. affiliated members over the next few years. The BMC management feel they can’t raise subs for individual members any more so clubs look the likely target! Part of the problem is that the BMC keeps trying to do more things and it Langdale Meet – 13 th, 14th October doesn’t have the resources to do them all. No doubt the considerable support given to by Keith Rollins climbing competitions and competitors will become an issue again. I pointed out to Dave Well it looks as though the move to twelve Turnbull, BMC Chief Executive who was at the meets per year was a good one. All hut places area meeting, that such an increase would (the Wayfarer’s Robertson Lamb Hut) were certainly be an issue for us and will likely lead booked and we could look forward to another to even more clubs leaving the BMC. good turnout.

Access News Following some overnight rain, Saturday morning was overcast and damp. In the northern area round , considerable tree clearing at Warton Pinnacle Mike, Ian, Dave Hewitt, Dave Tibbits, Colin and and Fairy Steps has dramatically improved the Jeremy headed for Raven Crag to search out crags. At Woodwell o’ert Road, no climbing or some dry (ha, ha) rock, Mick and Sheena went bouldering is allowed. Problem were caused for a run up Bowfell and the rest of us set off recently by someone releasing a private on- for the R.V. at Stickle Barn car park where line guide despite the crag being closed. were joined by Gordon and Nick & Sam. Parking in the village is now delicate at Hutton Roof since the parking bay at the south end of With the low cold and damp air we decided for the village has recently disappeared due to a circuit of with the option of new housing. Please park considerately. going over the top if the weather improved. 6 January 2008 Newsletter

We took the usual path to the ODG and then Stewart, Bill Surringar, Dave Tibbits, Colin up to Blea Tarn, from there we descended into Wells and Jeremy Whitehead. Little Langdale and made our way over to the track leading out of Greenburn and to the south of Little Langdale Tarn. Coniston, 16th December

After a brief explore of Cathedral Quarry (well by Gordon Semple worth a look if you’ve never been) we carried on past Stang End to pick up the Cumbria Twelve humans, three dogs and eleven Way. We had a break for tea, coffee and cake rucksacks (please, don’t ask!) gathered on the in the garden of Tarn Farm before following the Walna Scar road. It was dry, the wind was light Cumbria Way over the new bridge that spans and all the summits were visible, albeit murkily. the River Brathay upstream of Skelwith Force The cloud was forecast to clear later. After and back into Great Langdale via Elterwater several days of blue skies, even the MC forgot and Chapel Stile. his usual cynicism about weather prophecies.

The climbers, joined by Mick after his run up We walked a few yards down the road to the Bowfell with Sheena, had a reasonable day on path that crosses to the Coppermines Valley a rather wet Raven, among the routes climbed and leads to the stone bridge at the top of the were: Middlefell Buttress, Centipede, Mamba, Church Beck falls. A little way up the track from Speckled Band and Ornithology. there, we took the right fork and headed for the

south-east ridge of Wetherlam. Sunday dawned clear but with rain forecast to move in by midday, we decided to make an Far from clearing, the cloud thickened and early start. dropped and we were in it soon after the angle

of the ridge eased. We also had a breeze – Mike and Laura went for a Mountain Bike ride quite welcome at first, as that ascent is warm around the Skelwith area. work even on a cold day.

Pat, Martin, Dave, Lorna, Liz, Paul, Bill and I The summit was a little too draughty for lunch. met with Gordon at the Stickle Barn car park. The wind was not strong, barely even We walked up Mill Gill to Stickle Tarn were we moderate, but it had been losing heat since it split up – Martin, Dave, Lorna and Paul went left Siberia. We followed the Swirl Hause path up Jack’s Rake while the rest of us took the to the lee of Black Sails where we had shelter easier route round the side to meet them on from the wind and a view under the cloud of top of Pavey Ark. From there went over to sunshine on the fellside near Wrynose. (The Harrison Stickle before descending via the sackless MC would like to express his path above Dungeon Ghyll and past Pike gratitude to all present for their generosity with Howe. A few of us had a brew in Stickle Barn food and drink!) beer garden before heading home.

Rachel, Martin and I visited the unfairly Despite a forecast for rain we were lucky neglected summit of Black Sails, but the rest enough to stay dry on both days and enjoyed a thought it too insignificant to justify giving up great weekend. the tourist trail and/or declined to re-emerge into the breeze. Thanks to all who attended: A council of war was held at Swirl Hause. To Ian Bradley, Mick & Sheena Cottam, Pat & Martin, it was unthinkable not to pay the Martin Edgar, Dave Hewitt, Nick & Sam Pope, customary visit to the remains of the Halifax on Mike & Laura Pringle, Gordon Semple, Lorna Swirl How. Bill was computing the mileage

7 Preston Mountaineering Club

Jill Aldersley, 1943 – 2007. Belaying on Fixin, central Bourgogne region, France.

Photo: Jeremy Whitehead

Mick Cottam on Goat Track Gully II, Coire an t-Sneachda, Cairngorms, December 2007

Photo: Ian Bradley

8 January 2008 Newsletter

Mick Cottam on the infamous chockstone of Fiacaill Couloir III, Coire an t-Sneachda, Cairngorms, December 2007

Photo: Ian Bradley

Bill Suringar indicating the correct path but somehow forgetting he has no wings! The Hincaster Tunnel entrance on the .

Midweek walk, November 2007

Photo: Graham Winfield

9 Preston Mountaineering Club

Laura soaking her feet in the Derwentwater having missed the ferry. Photo: Mike Pringle

Laura and Richard above Glenderaterra. Photo: Mike Pringle

10 January 2008 Newsletter potential of the remaining daylight and besides, What we did on our holidays! we hadn’t been to the Old Man since August. Pat remembered that the ridge near Swirl How by Laura Pringle always has twice the wind of anywhere else and was calculating wind-chill. The MC looked It’s funny how you have a list of ‘things’ you’ve up into the icy clouds, hesitated, thought about always wanted to do. And it’s funny how long his rucksack on the kitchen table, and decided things stay on the list – the time to do them that an iffy knee (on which he had landed the never seems to arise, or your mind is on day before when a reversing 4WD parted him greater objectives. Well, walking the Cumbria from his bike) was all the excuse he needed to Way had been on my list for ages. As we join the `B’ team. So five of us, with the dogs, needed to do a holiday on a budget, pending a set off down towards Levers Water and seven big trip to the Andes next year, we turned to vanished back up into the cloud. my ‘list’. And a big plus, we worked out how to do the trip in an eco-friendly way therefore The `B’ party went round the south side of the reducing our carbon-footprint which we can tarn to reach the rising track by the old mine talk about at parties and be smug... workings. The health and safety people had been busy. All round the old shafts to the Day 1 Part 1 – to Ulverston the green way south-east of the tarn was festooned with new th fencing. I expect they’ll get round to fencing off At 6.45am on Tuesday 11 September we the tarn itself soon, then presumably they’ll stood at the bus stop at the end of our road fence off Dow and Gimmer. I’m surprised with laden rucksacks off to catch our train at they’ve not done canal towpaths yet (ask Sam Chorley to Ulverston and the start of the about hedge-cutting). Cumbria Way. The Way goes up through Coniston, Langdale, Borrowdale to Keswick, We lingered quite a while at the big pudding Back o’ to Caldbeck and thence to stone (Dave went to the top), but when we Carlisle. The train ride is a pretty journey once reached the car park there was still no sign of clear of Preston and we were going to have the others on the hillside. After a quick count of good weather for our first day at least. That’s vehicles and how drivers and passengers were always a worry when setting off on a multi-day distributed between car park and mountain, event – will the weather hold? We had booked most adjourned to the village and the warmth our accommodation all along the route so we of the Black Bull. would have to get there no matter what the weather! At Ulverston, our first thought was a) Meanwhile, back on the hill, Bill’s calculations breakfast and b) find the start. The latter is not were spot-on; the `A’ team reached the cars as a problem as Ulverston Council/Tourist Board the light faded. They seemed to have enjoyed has considerately signed this from the railway themselves, although the word `c-c-cold’ could station (unlike their counterparts in Carlisle – be heard now and again. more of which later!). Breakfast was found in a café in the High Street and after the obligatory Despite the absence of the hoped-for photos at the official start off we went on a sunshine, it was a good day. Thanks to all who beautiful morning. came and made it so. Day 1 Part 2 – Ulverston to Coniston (15 miles – On the meet were: Rachel Cooper, Sheena supposedly)

Cottam, Martin Edgar, Pat Edgar, Dave Hewitt, Well, we did about 200 yards and then had to Sam Pope, Gordon Semple, Trevor Steele, get the map out. The first part of the Way is Lorna Stewart, Bill Suringar, prospective through agricultural land and it is a pain every members Barry Hargreaves and Danny few hundred yards getting the map out to see Stewart, and four-legged associate members which side of a wall you need to be. But we Fraser, Megan and Tess. made good progress and got good views back 11 Preston Mountaineering Club over Bay and the Hoad Monument confirmed that the route is much longer than above Ulverston. The Coniston Fells and our advertised! Blistered and sore, I retired to the bed for the night still looked an awfully long depths of the power shower and then off we way off. After about 2 hours I decided that my went to the Black Bull for tea. We were in bed sack wasn’t sitting right and was rubbing on my for 8.30pm and I think it took me about 10 hips. It was at this point that I discovered the seconds to fall into a very big sleep. necessity to wear the correct underpinnings when undertaking such a journey. Day 2 – Coniston to Langdale via Tarn Hows (11 Unfortunately I had the incorrect ones and the miles) sack had rubbed on the elastic and subsequently my skin. Ouch! I still have the Another gorgeous day and a hearty breakfast. scars… Funnily enough, I felt an awful lot better than I thought I would. Mike seemed as bright as a Today’s leg was given as 15 miles and is said button. Yes, my hips were sore from the to be the hardest of the walk. Unless you are rubbing sack, yes I had blisters but I actually doing it the hard way and camping there is a felt ok and my legs weren’t stiff. Today’s leg dearth of habitation on any reasonable-sized was a huge chunk shorter too. scale and hence a lack of overnight accommodation and also tea & cake stops. We bumped into Richard again. He’d got lost (Respect to Lorna & Dave on the TMB tent and at some point after he left us the previous day all). That first morning we met Richard who and had to re-track. He asked if he could tag was also doing the Way so we chummed up along with us today which we were happy with him for a few miles until we decided to enough to agree to as he didn’t seem to be a stop for a break and he carried on. Crossing ‘klingon’ or a mad-axe murderer either. Mike the main coast road was a major point as we insisted that we slow the pace right down today could now focus on the objective for the day – so (slowly) we made our way across to Tarn and say goodbye to the Hoad Monument at Hows. Here, Mike declared he had a blister last. which needed seeing too – most unusual as he never gets them. This was a good excuse for Just when you get within sight of Coniston an ice-cream not that it did the blister any good Water and feel like ‘not far now’, the Way but it was very yummy. We got some funny decides to take a circuitous route to get to the looks from those in sandals and summer shore up and over the Blawith Fells – just dresses as we yomped past them and off into when you don’t want ‘up’ and ‘over’ I might the woods towards Skelwith Bridge. add. My feet were feeling the heat and the weight of the pack and introduced some We parted company with Richard at Elterwater blisters on my toes for amusement. It was with as he was YHA High Close bound. We decided some relief on both parts that we did eventually that we would self-cater tonight to save a walk arrive at the shore at Sunnybank where the to the pub so we popped into the shop in steamer comes in. And yes, we looked to see if Chapel Stile for supplies. Mike suggested there was one due along – no excuses, we getting a couple of beers as we deserved it were both tired. However, we had missed the after another very warm day. Of course last one of the day so there was no option but everything we bought we had to carry and it to walk. It is three and a half miles and like a was still another mile and a half from there to treadmill as the only ‘view’ is of trees and the hut. Most if it went into Mike’s sack and his water. We collapsed on the step of our B&B at little legs were definitely bending a bit more Orchard Cottage (on the main street and under the weight (of the beer). There were only recommended) in Coniston Village. Our ourselves and a couple of others at the hut. landlady greeted us cheerfully (or was it a When they heard what we were doing they grimace at our knackered looking state) and insisted we have some of their beer – we showed us our lovely room. And yes, she declined, of course, briefly! With a grand fire 12 January 2008 Newsletter going and copious amounts of a delicious got a little dehydrated the day before and not pasta concoction in our bellies we were once quite drunk enough but quickly recovered once again ready for bed. At least we made it to fluids were imbibed. We still had a fair way to 9.30 tonight! go to our B&B in Portinscale so we looked at the route and saw that we could catch the However, our sleep was broken by a rattling of steamer from the bottom end of Derwentwater the door. It was pitch black. Mike and I which would save us two miles or so and make whispered to each other to see who was a nice end to the day. This sounded like a very bravest to get up and have a look out. The good option and not cheating too much! The thought of ghostly workings crossed both our route follows the river up to Grange and then minds. The noise went away but then the door deviates to the west side of the lake. With time was tried again this time accompanied by pressing a bit, we had a road section to cover knocking – turns out it is a Wayfarer’s member so we stepped up the pace and it felt like we and his girlfriend who want a bunk. Girls are were almost running. As we arrived at the not allowed in the main hut dorm so they shore we could see the steamer coming in wanted to be in the annexe too! behind the point – we were running now! We missed it by 150 yards – in fact it left 2 minutes Day 3 – Langdale to Keswick – 15 miles earlier than the published time. Rather deflated I sat and soaked my poor steaming feet in the The cloud was right down this morning and it cool lake for a bit of relief pondering what this was much cooler but fine. We had a brew and meant. We were glad that we were staying in wandered down to the Stickle Barn for brekkie Portinscale and didn’t have the extra mile and which Mike swallowed down with great gusto – a half into Keswick to do this evening. This I struggled with mine for some reason. The B&B (Rowan Keld – highly recommended) walk down Mickleden is always a bit of a drag turned out to be superlative and our hosts very but it was great to feel really amongst the kind. They even rang the pub to ensure we mountains now rather than skirting around could get a table for our evening meal. The them. Happily, my blisters seemed to have shower was fabulous – one of those you don’t found equilibrium – I was aware of them but want to get out of and they even provided could put up with it. shower gel, shampoo etc. We got a text from Richard to say he was safe and well in Today would be a big height gain as we went Keswick. over Stake Pass into Langstrath and I was glad it was still cool and overcast. However, the Although we were both tired we felt we had climb was straightforward and not unpleasant broken the back of the walk now – though both as we got into a great rhythm for the climb and of us felt tomorrow might be the hardest day as we were quickly up to the col. After the steep it goes into a remoter part of the Lakes and descent into Langstrath the Way sticks to the goes to the highest point on the Way. bridlepath on this side of the river – with hindsight it would have been better to have Day 4 – Keswick to Caldbeck via Skiddaw House – crossed and taken the other path to 16 miles Stonethwaite and rejoining the bridlepath there as our side was rather tortuous over a lot of Another cool but fine day, another fine rough boulders and slowed progress breakfast in our bellies and off we went to considerably. As we joined the main track to make our way through the outskirts of Keswick Greenup Edge the sun came out with some to make our way up the side of Latrigg and ferocity along with hordes of tourist types. The leave the busy-ness of the market town path is still rough and suddenly I got very tired. behind. We were both feeling well considering our efforts of the last three days. Perhaps At Rosthwaite we fell into the Scafell Hotel and some fitness was coming along now. It is a Mike got us lots of water and tea. I think I had steep pull up towards the car park at the foot of 13 Preston Mountaineering Club

Jenkin Hill and the path to Skiddaw. We started that night though he admitted to getting spotted Richard plodding up behind us. Hail a lift. It was good to see him for the last time – fellow well met! It transpired that the reason we he would be off very early tomorrow as he hadn’t seen him yesterday was that he had needed to get to Carlisle to catch a train by mid taken the bus from Langdale to Keswick. He afternoon. hadn’t felt able to walk due to some chaffing in a very delicate manly area. You could see By the way, if you are doing the Way don’t Mike wince as he described it. He paid his bother staying at the pub – the accommodation respects to ourselves for having done the Way isn’t the best – the food is good but the room in fine style so far. Well, apart from the we had was poor – not a patch on the B&Bs blisters…. we’d had. But there is very little accommodation in that neck of the woods. The Way heads around the side of Jenkin Hill and up the side of the Glenderamackin Beck Day 5 – Caldbeck to Carlisle – 15 miles (and a bit and onward up to Skiddaw House and is really more) scenic as it clings high to the side of the fell. Skiddaw House itself is like Wuthering Heights So near and yet so far. We were back in with the nearest road-head 3.5 miles away. agricultural lad again and with it the problems Originally miners’ accommodation, it became a of navigating the fields and pastures and youth hostel in the 60s but as habits changed avoiding the cowpats. The Way follows the and people became more car-dependant the Cald Beck and then the River Caldew all the numbers going there dwindled and it closed way into Carlisle. We sheltered from the cold several years ago. It has been taken over by a wind in the churchyard at Sebergham where couple, Martin & Marie, who are trying to some thoughtful soul had strategically placed a restore it to its former glory. It was pretty cold bench. Inside the church someone was playing and windy so we went up and knocked on the the organ and it was quite surreal sitting there door to see if we could get in and have some listening to the music playing. We trundled shelter. Martin unlocked the door and said we onward up by Rose Castle, the Bishop of could come in but there were already 25 inside Carlisle’s residence. And what a spread the old so we might not get a seat. We thought he was Bish has got there – talk about casting off all joking – he wasn’t. There was a party of your worldly goods etc. Dalston marks the final walkers from the CHA at Newlands. part of the journey. Well it would be if you can find where it goes. If it hadn’t been for Steve of The stove was on and Marie made us brews ‘Mystery Cycles’ we’d have been there yet. and suitably refreshed we were back out into the cold wind. The Cumbria Way splits here The last part of the Way is an absolute drag as with the low level option going via Whitewater the path is the cycle path which has the railway Dash and the high level one, which we chose, on one side and the river on the other – but skirting around Great Calva, behind Carrock you can’t see the river for the Japanese Fell,and up onto High Pike – the highest point Balsam and other high weeds. It is also a lot of the Way at 658 metres. It was on the way up longer than indicated – five miles and it is here we had the only rain shower of our straight and boring taking you past the back of journey and it only lasted a few minutes but it factories, a large rough council estate and was bitterly cold up top. Caldbeck lies at its dumps you in the terraced back streets of foot and seems a few minutes distant but it is a Carlisle where the signs run out. Luckily, with good 4 miles away. Richard was staying at my mum living there, I know it a little so we Hudscales camping barn and so we parted managed to get into the centre. Problem three company with him again as we made our way - we couldn’t find the ‘official’ end point so we into Caldbeck and the Oddfellows Arms. went as far into the middle as it was possible to Richard would be down later for a beer and to be without going out the other side and then watch the rugby world cup which had just got a taxi driven by a lunatic woman for whom 14 January 2008 Newsletter traffic lights were an irrelevancy and off to the Mid-Week Walking Programme 2007 luxury of my mum’s for the weekend. And pampered we were. Thanks Mum. Contact Don Hopkin for further information – Tel 01772 744978. So that was it – we had walked the Cumbria Way in its entirety. In five days we’d covered, 17th January Leader: Don Hopkin what turned out to be 77 miles, and only got Meet at Silverdale Hotel. 10:30 am coffee and one short shower all the way. mince pies. 11 am, a short walk and back for 1 pm. Annual Hotpot.

21st February Leader: Kath & Mike Atkins Meet at Café-Next-Door, 19 High Street, Garstang. 10:30 am coffee, 11 am start for a Wyresdale round.

20th March Leader: Kath & Mike Atkins Meet at Lantern o’er Lune café, . 10:30 am coffee, 11 am start for Lune Estuary and Cockersands Abbey.

17th April Leader: Jack Southworth Meet at Fleece Inn, between and , off A6. 10:30 am coffee, 11 am start for and Over Wyresdale area.

Playing in the quarry on the AGM weekend. 15th May Leader: Phyllis Hopkin Photo: Mike Pringle Meet at Arnside. 10:30 am coffee, 11 am start for and return along the shore.

19th June Leader: Graham Winfield Meet at Clapham. 10:30 am coffee, 11 am start for . (this completes the three peaks over a number of years!)

17th July Leader: Ron Westall Meet at Shireburn Arms, Hurst Green. 10:30 am coffee, 11 am start for and Longridge Fell.

21st August Leader: Roger Henshaw Meet at Cartmel (parking near racecourse). 10:30 am coffee, 11 am start for Ellerside Ridge.

18th September Leader: Don Hopkin Note: 20th anniversary of the mid-week walking group. It is an approximate repeat of the first walk. Meet at Old Grammar School, Garstang. 10:30 am coffee, 11 am start for Scorton and arranged lunch, before return walk to Garstang. 15 Preston Mountaineering Club

10% Discount on production of PMC membership card at the following shops. In general discount is only given on mountaineering hardware and clothing, not on maps, guidebooks or sale items

Cotswold Outdoors ◄ 15% off on production of membership card 135 Fishergate, Preston and quoting code P2153 01772 270910

Fell and Mountain The Mountain Factor 38a Water Street, Lake Rd, Ambleside tel: 01254 390986 tel: 015394 32752.

Needle Sports The Climber’s Shop 56 Main Street, Keswick Compston Corner, Ambleside tel: 017687 72227 tel: 015394 32297

Rock and Run Outside 3-4 Cheapside, Ambleside Main Road, Hathersage tel: 015394 33660 tel: 01433 651936

Homebarn Outdoor Action Church Avenue,Clapham 26 King Street, tel: 015242 51162 tel: 01254 671945

Ultimate Outdoors Onward & Outward 17 New Street, Lancaster 32 King Street, tel: 01524 66610 tel: 01200 429977 (also Betws y Coed, Keswick & Skipton)

Whalley Warm & Dry 32 King Street, Clitheroe tel: 01254 822220

OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE FOR 2007

President …...……….…….…….…………. Ian Bradley …………. Vice-President …...……….…….…….…………. Keith Rollins …………. Secretary ….…….…………….…………. Mike Pringle …………. 01257 275984 Meets Secretary …....………………….…………. Laura Pringle …………. Treasurer …...……….….…….…………. Bill Suringar ………….

Committee: Pam Crookston, Martin Edgar, Roger Henshaw and Trevor Steele

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