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Karabiner Mountaineering Club

March 2007 Forthcoming Meets


All note the following small print when taking part in meets :-

"I accept that climbing and mountaineering are activities with a risk of personal injury or death. I am aware of and shall accept these risks and wish to participate in these activities voluntarily and shall be responsible for my own actions and involvement."


March 11th - Forest of Trawden - Dave Shotton

In a last-minute addition to fill a gap in the meet calendar, I have opted for a walk in the less well-known Forest of Trawden (to the NE of Burnley, and the SE of Colne). The walk starts near the small village of Wycoller, proceeds through picturesque Wycoller Country Park, and then explores the high moorland of the Forest of Trawden before descending back to Wycoller. Parts of the Forest of Trawden have only been opened up relatively recently as public access land under CRoW legislation, and the going can be expected to be somewhat rough and trackless in places. Tops include Boulsworth Hill and (in view of the access law) the fittingly named Crow Hill.

Start point: Free car park near Wycoller at grid reference SD926395 - there are two car parks near Wycoller, this is the one on the west side of Wycoller on the Trawden road (not the one to the east on the Haworth road). Approach from the Trawden side. There is (generally) no vehicle access to Wycoller village itself.

Start time: Meet from 9.30-ish for a 10:00 a.m. start.

Map: OS Explorer OL21 (South Pennines), alternatively Landranger 103 (Blackburn, Burnley & surrounding area).

Distance: 12 miles or thereabouts.

Route: Car park - Wycoller village - follow Wycoller Beck through Wycoller Country Park - turn right near the clam (ancient single-slab) bridge and ascend Turnhole Clough - turn right onto the Pendle Way - Saucer Hill Clough - uphill to the Great Saucer Stones and continue up Boulsworth Hill to the Weather Stones and the summit at Lad Law (trig point) - Warcock/Peacock Hill then SW via Dove Stones to Grey Stone Hill (overlooking the Widdop Reservoir) - retrace path back via Dove Stones and Warcock Hill and continue NE to Crow Hill - then descend NNW by Nan Hole Clough and Dove Stones Moor (named after a different set of Dove Stones from the earlier ones) - turn left onto the Brontė Way briefly, then right along the Pendle Way heading down Smithy Clough in the direction of Wycoller - follow the beck again through Wycoller Country Park (tea shop if desired) - Wycoller village - car park.


March 18th - Peak District Walk - Iain McCallum

Route: Moorfield - Shooting Cabin - Mill Hill - Kinder Scout - Sandy Heys - White Brow - Hayfield - Little Hayfield - Matleymoor Farm - Burnt Hill - Shooting Cabin - Moorfield.

Distance 11/12 miles.

Map : OS Explorer OL1 - Dark Peak Area.

Meet at 9.30am for 9.45am start at Moorfield (Off the A624 Glossop to Hayfield Road - GR 046926 - Can be approached from Glossop on A57, turn right just as you leave Glossop at the bottom of the Snake). Refreshments : Available at the Royal Hotel in Hayfield.

A good walk on paths and tracks around the Kinder and Lantern Pike area. ETA in Hayfield at the Royal Hotel is between 1pm and 1.30pm. If anyone wishes to join the walk at Hayfield I am prepared to give them a lift from Moorfield back to Hayfield.


March 25th - Yorkshire Bouldering - Dan O'Brien

This year's Yorkshire bouldering will take place at Crookrise. There are over 150 routes from Diff to E5 and plenty of bouldering to keep everyone busy. I will aim to get to the crag for 11am.


April 1st - Todmorden Walk - Phil Ramsbottom

This is a bit of a favourite of mine, which has appeared on the meets list at least twice - we even managed to finish it once.

The route goes from the centre of Todmorden, up to Cross Stone, then picks up the Calderdale Way which takes us to the old stone bridge in Colden Clough. Here we join the Pennine Way, which will lead us to the Pack Horse for lunch. After this, we follow the river through Hardcastle Crags, then up to Heptonstall, we will pass through the quarry early afternoon (anyone seen on Forked Lightening Crack as we pass will deserve a mention in dispatches). (has anyone done it, properly!? Ed). After this it becomes a real breeze, just cross the valley, up the other side to Stoodley Pike before dropping back down to Todmorden.

This gives a good 18 mile walk - this can be (and has been) shortened when necessary. I will provide suggestions on the day.

So if this meets your fancy be at the car park next to the canal at 9.15 for a 9.30 start.

The car park is pay and display, to find it go to the centre of Todmorden and take the A646 towards Hebden Bridge for about 50yards, then watch for the signs on the right - it's about two streets along (Grid Ref 937242).

Best Map - Outdoor Leisure 2.


April 6th/9th - Easter Alex Mac Meet - David Bish

Scotland for Easter - perhaps the best conditions then. 8 places at £5-50 per night were booked at this hut and most if not all had gone at the last count. And all without an advert.


April 14th/15th - Meet now thrown open - ?

Original meet cancelled.

The original meet leader is now working overseas for the month. A poor excuse, priorities all wrong but it means you can now choose you own meet to suit the weather.


April 22nd - Slide Show & Hotpot - The President

Walking
Andrew Croughton will lead a walk from Ladybower/Derwent Reservoir car park, starting at 9.30am.

Climbing
James Richardson will lead the climbing meet. We will be heading up to Dovestones on Derwent Edge for some good quality moorland grit torture. Bring some bandages for your fists and ego. Meet at 11 onwards at crag.

Hot Pot
The Swan, in New Mills, has been booked for this year's President's Hot Pot. Bookings should be made in advance via Andrew Croughton or Heather Brooke - the cost is £5.00 per head.

Photography Contest
Slides and digital entries for the competition should be passed to Andrew Croughton. The categories will include the usual Mountain Action, Mountain Landscape, Rock Action and Human Interest. Digital Enhanced entries will also be accepted for a fifth category this year, but such images must be clearly marked and not too harsh or likely to get us sued! A suitable prize will be awarded in this new category.

No more than four pictures per category will be allowed. If we get a lot of entries we may have to reduce this, in which case only three pictures per category will be put forward for judging.

Anybody wishing to show extra images they think may be of interest are welcome to bring them along on the night.


April 29th - Twistleton Scar - Yorkshire - Mark Ashley

Twistleton Scars - near Ingleton.

This Crag has something for everyone with over 200 routes, ranging from VD to E1, it is SE facing and dries quickly (according to the book).

I am hoping to be at the climb "Evening Star(s)" on the main crag by about 10am. The parking is on the grass at the side of Oddie's Lane (SD715 757) near Twistleton House farm, £1.20 per car in the honesty box (and register) in the garden of the bungalow opposite. Sorry, no dogs allowed, the area is an SSSI.

Very wet weather alternative walk:

At 10am from the pub at Chapel-le-dale (SD745 777) walk to the summit of Ingleborough, then down past Quaking pot and White Scars to Ingleton for lunch (pub?). Homewards along Oddie's Lane (an old Roman road allegedly) past Twistleton scars to the cars. It is possible to extend this walk with a loop up the Nature trail to Thornton Force (fee payable).


May 5th/11th - Ling Hut mid-week meet - Dave Whittingham

Scotland again - plenty of climbing and walking on offer in the Torridon area. Just 6 places at £7 per night are booked at this hut.


May 13th - South Pennines Walk - Mike Graves

To-days walk will start at The Lord Raglan pub G.R. SD 809152 at Nangreaves. 9.30 for 10 am start. Directions: M60 to M66 come off Junction 1 bearing left onto A56, left at the next set of lights and follow to the Lord Raglan.

Our route will take us from the car park we walk N.E. to Throstle Hill and then onto Harden Moor, walking due East to arrive at Lower Lumb Mill (ruins).

Crossing the road at Cheesden Bridge, we head off to Paradise GR 827174. From Paradise we take the Rossendale Way to Black Hill onto Cowpe Moss, then return to Higher Hill, Cheesden Edge and the Ashworth Moor Reservoir.

Local paths will bring us back to the Lord Raglan, for a pint of their real ale!

Distance 11/12 miles.


May 19th/20th - The 3 Peaks Walk Meet - Michelle Harvie

Note change from June date!

Make the most of the long spring days and come and take the proper 3 Peaks challenge. The challenge will start early on Saturday ~8.00 am. The next 11 - 12 hours will be spent climbing Penyghent (694m), Whernside (736m) and Ingleborough (723m) ~ 25 miles and 1,672 metres of ascent & descent (the direct route across the moors from Penyghent towards Whernside is a tad soft underfoot. Ed.). In case you are wondering, I am planning to walk the route, though any keen runners would be welcome to race ahead. The early start should mean we get back to Horton in Ribblesdale in time for liquid and other refreshments most likely in the Golden Lion pub. Sunday can be spent recovering, maybe some entertaining climbing on the nearish Rylestone rocks.

We will be camping at Holme Farm campsite in Horton in Ribbledale I have provisionally booked 6 pitches. If you are planning to come along please let me know as the site does get busy at this time of year. The site is in the middle of Horton in Ribblesdale near the post office OS sheet 98 GR 807 726. The site has showers and toilets .Costs are £2.00 per tent + 2.00 per car + £ 2.00 per person per night. Those who have taken the challenge should get a good night's sleep.

Penyghent from the Allotment - on the 1st perfect Weekend of 2007 [D.Bone]


June 10th - Stanage Popular End - Heather Brooke

Please note change of date.

The current plan is to meet at Mississippi Buttress area at about 10am for a fun filled day of Gritstone climbing.


June 23rd/24th - Ullswater Swim/climb - Midge Castick

Just so you all don't think you've got to swim the length of Ullswater and thus feel the need to go elsewhere for the weekend, here's what I really plan to do. Inspired by Michelle's Welsh Freeze I decided a walk with a bit of swimming was a great idea, but for normal mortals.

The walk on Saturday will be from Gillside Farm campsite in Glenridding, walking to Red Tarn (swim) over Helvellyn, down to Grisedale Tarn (swim) , some way across the valley to Angle Tarn (swim) then down to the lakeside for a final swim across the end of Ullswater. Wetsuits are not compulsory but I'll wear one. (They are dirt Cheap at Decathlon). People not wishing to swim will be most welcome to carry bags round the tarns. They will be rewarded with a free boat ride across the end of the Lake from John in a rubber boat. On Sunday climbing on Eagle Crag in Grisedale sounds like a good idea if the weather permits.


July 21st/29th - The Bregaglia, Switzerland/Italy - Duncan Lee

Several members have already decided that if the newsletter editor has "been there too..." then the area must be worth a visit. Ferry tickets for the meet were booked before Xmas by the super keen and I don't mean me. In fact so far I have 7 "definites" (it's all relative on a Bowker scale) which must mean that we still have a few mountaineers in the club after all.

Rumours that a small white whale was seen in the swimming pond adjacent to the campsite last summer are nothing to be afraid of because mercifully they remain only rumours due to Dave Whittingham's failure to get a photo.

James however was more active with his camera when not in the pond thus a fine collection of his pictures can be seen on the website (summer 2006 Alps) for those seeking inspiration.

If you are interested in attending the meet let me know (details in the January issue).


March Newsletter Index.


Copyright © 2007 Karabiner Mountaineering Club

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