January – March 2020 Weekend Meets
As discussed and agreed at the AGM, a new 2020 Website feature will be the list of upcoming weekend Meets over the current 3 month period published in Meetstaff, starting January-March…click here to download the pdf if you wish to print and hang on the fridge door, or just peruse below and put some dates in your diaries!
January
3-4 January
Marsden-Edale Double. Andy Llewellyn
Please contact Andy Llewellyn for information (contact details as per Handbook)
4 January
Marsden-Edale. Ian Helliwell
The annual post-Christmas romp on the moors needs no introduction! Meet as usual at Marsden at the end of Wessenden Rd (GR SE048107 OS South Pennines OL 21 map) for a 7:45 start – finish at The Ramblers in Edale.
I’ll post more details including catering arrangements and train time etc via the web-site nearer the time.
11 – 12 January
Introduction to Caving. Ian Wilson
I plan to do a day of introduction to caving. We will go for a walk round Holmebank Chert Mine in Bakewell in the morning then onto Castleton in the afternoon to do Giants Hole (£3 trespass fee payable on day), walking in and out. I will provide helmets fitted with lights. Wellingtons will be needed but normal walking jacket and bottoms will suffice. I plan to do a two-course dinner. Sunday will be free to do what you want to do. Please note change of accommodation to Lea Green Outdoor Centre at Matlock.
18 January
A Round of Kinder. Rae and Helen Pritchard
Please join me for a walk around the edge of the Kinder plateau starting from the Bowden Bridge in Hayfield at 9am (road parking or NT car park).
The plan is to climb up William Clough and circumnavigate Kinder via North Edge and round to the south then back to the pub, with the opportunity to extend if nice or reduce if pants!
Total distance is about 20 miles. Please bring a torch as I can’t guarantee finishing in daylight at this time of year ….. or any time of year for that matter!!
Please let me know if you are coming and I will look out for you.
Mob 07794 109692 pritchard.rae@gmail.com
25 – 26 January
Beudy Mawr. Gareth Llewellyn
Another opportunity to enjoy good company and entertainment at the Club’s spiritual home in North Wales. Indecision being the key to flexibility I have no plans other than to cater for all on the Saturday evening. So pack toys for snow, rock, heather and quarry. Names by the Tuesday before with dietary peculiarities indicated. Bring your own booze.
February
2 February (Sunday)
Hayfield Adventure. Lisa Bloor
Meet at the Hayfield Bus Station car park at 10am for a 10.15am start to this walk of approximately 13miles. The route is along the Sett Valley trail, over Lantern Pike, Rowarth, Cown Edge, Whiteley Nab, Worm Stones, Harry’s Hut, Mill Hill, Sandy Heys and back to Hayfield via The Shooting Cabin and 20 Trees. The post-walk gathering venue is The George Hotel.
Hope to see you there – Lis (and maybe H if he’s not on stage!)
2 – 9 February
Winter Climbing Meet at Cogne, Italian Alps. Rob McGinnes
Ice climbing galore in the beautiful Gran Paradiso NP, with options for cross country skiing, piste skiing, snow shoeing or otherwise. Let Rob McGinnes know if you’re going but sort your arrangements yourselves please (Rob’s contact details as per Handbook). If climbing you ideally need to be in pairs.
Current travel and accommodation arrangements (but it’s not obligatory to do same!) are
EasyJet EZY1949 DEP 2/2/20 07:00 MCR to Geneva, returning 9/2/20 EZY1950 10:45 Geneva to MCR, staying at Maison Pierrot in Cogne village.
Email Sara on info@maisonpierrot.com for rooms.
8 February
North Lakes Classic Walk: Coledale, Braithwaite nr Keswick. David Nightingale
This classic day walk is, quite rightly, a North Lakes favourite. The 10 mile horseshoe route takes in Grisedale Pike, Hopegill Head, Crag Hill and Causey Pike. It features dramatic scenery, super ridge walking, climbs to make you puff plus some fascinating industrial archaeology. Close to Keswick it is also ideal if you need accommodation, a meal or a pint.
Meeting: 9.15am in Braithwaite Institute car park (NY 233241, off the A66), Braithwaite, nr Keswick CA12 5RY.
For more details and to book on the walk please just get in touch.
15 February
Bowland Fells Walk. Tom Patterson
The walk will cross Clougha Pike and Ward’s Stone from Littledale (Forest of Bowland). Meet at 10am in Littledale, where there is roadside parking near Cragg farm (SD545617). It is a circular walk of approximately 17km. Terrain includes field paths, moorland tracks and rough moorland traverse. The walk takes in high Bowland tops and visits the highest point in the Forest of Bowland.
22 – 23 February
Craigallan. Daniel Struggles
Winter Climbing meet at Craigallan. Good weather, snow and sub-zero temperatures are of course guaranteed for the weekend. The plan will be to arrive on Friday and have two good days out, whether that be climbing, walking or anything that takes your fancy.
Please contact me at strugglesd@gmail.com to confirm your attendance.
29 February
Etherow Watershed. Andy Llewellyn
Come and join me for a classic winter round of about 35 miles starting and finishing at Hobson Moor Quarry (so climbers are also welcome!). Meet at 7.30 a.m. (GR 988967) then the route takes in Laddow, Black Hill, Holme Moss, Woodhead, Bleaklow, Charlesworth and returning to Hobson Moor about 12 hours after departing. As it is a circular route there are plenty of opportunities to take a more direct line back so please don’t be put off by the need to do the whole walk if you feel a more sensible line is appropriate.
I hope to arrange some support about half round, otherwise fend for yourselves. Please let me know if you are intending to come along – contact details as per handbook.
March
7 March
Hebden Bridge Walk. Rachel Heafford Hall
A 14km (approx.) walk taking in some of Hebden Bridge’s finest cloughs. The walk is based on a meet run by my dad, Graham Heafford, but I have tweaked it a little. The walk will start at St George’s Square Hebden Bridge at 10am (there are plenty of car parks in Hebden Bridge) and will include the following cloughs: Jumble Hole, Colden Clough, Bridge Clough and Nutclough.
As the route takes us up and down the valley, there are plenty of opportunities for making the walk shorter for people who are unable to join us for the whole way. There are many beautiful views so it’ll be a pace that suits everyone and allows for time to take in the scenery and eat your butty sat down.
Near the walk’s end is the Hare and Hounds pub (Old Town, just above Hebden Bridge) where those who would like to can stop for food/ a drink. If you would like any further details, please feel free to give me a call on 07954137271 or email me at rachelmaehall@hotmail.com.
14 – 15 March
New Members Meet at High Moss. Ben Llewellyn
This weekend meet at the Club’s hut in the Duddon Valley is a great way to introduce yourself, get to know the Club and meet a few members. Due to the time of year the main activity will be walking although feel free to come along and do your own thing. Members: if you have any friends you have been intending to introduce to the club this is a great opportunity to do so! An evening meal will be provided on the Saturday so please let me know if you will be attending by the weekend before.
14 – 21 March
Sun Rock, Costa Blanca. Dominic and Helen Oughton
We’ve already got about 25 confirmed or probable for Sun Rock 2020, so it’s looking like another fun trip. Here’s the plan so you can make plans / book flights / accommodation etc:
Dates: We’ve confirmed dates as 14 to 21 March, but various people are thinking of staying for longer around those dates.
Location: We’ll be on the Costa Blanca, and I’ve block-booked a couple of large houses at FinePark near Finestrat (and beneath the Puig Campana) for the week. These sleep a total of 30+ (in a mix of bunk and conventional bed rooms) and there are also a few smaller houses in the same facility. It’s where we stayed in 2017 – check out https://rockaroundtheworld.co.uk/2017/02/11/rucksack-club-sunrock-meet- sella-costa-blanca/ https://rockaroundtheworld.co.uk/2017/02/12/penyon-difach/ and the posts around there if you need a reminder). I have negotiated a special rate of €110 per person per week, BUT YOU NEED TO MAKE YOUR OWN BOOKINGS. Please email Michael at michael@finepark.com to confirm your booking, along with dates of course and any room preferences / plans for sharing.
Flights & car hire: You’re spoilt for choice, but it’s often best to book early! Flights from Manchester that week are currently around £150 but cheaper from Liverpool (£100) and Leeds (£90) for some reason. For those with some date flexibility (which FinePark should be able to accommodate) if you want to stretch your trip to overlap say 10-24 you can get a bargain from around £60. www.skyscanner.com is a handy site. Car hire can generally be found for a bargain £50 or less at that time of year – I’ll circulate a list of ‘definites’ early in the New Year so you can join forces for bookings if you like.
21 – 22 March
High Moss Running Weekend. Helen Pritchard
I’m planning a meet at High Moss, intending to run on both days. Routes will depend upon interest. All abilities are very welcome or come along and just join in with the meal on Saturday night. People who think running spoils a good walk also very welcome. Please let me know if you would like to join me by the Wednesday before the Meet and let me know about any special dietary requirements.
27 – 29 March
Newlands Circuit staying at Birkness Hut (FRCC) in Buttermere. Jean Llewellyn
I have booked spaces in this hut https://www.frcc.co.uk/venues/birkness/ for the nights of Friday 27th and Saturday 28th March 2020 to walk the Newlands Circuit on the Saturday. Leaving the hut at 8.00am, this walk will start and finish in Buttermere, heading up Robinson on the path just out of the village a short way up Newlands Pass. From Robinson we’ll go to: Hindsgarth; Dale Head; across to High Spy; Maiden Moor and Cat Bells dropping down NW into Little Town. Then we go back up onto Causey Pike; Scar Crag; Sail; Eel Crag; Wandope; Whiteless Pike and back down into Buttermere village. I hope most people will do the full circuit but it is possible to cut the route short either by dropping down to Honister from Dale Head or by stopping in Little Town, but you’d need to sort your own transport to get back to the hut. I’ll provide a meal for Saturday night. There are only limited places available – 10 male and 7 female, so please book on early to reserve your place.