Author: Ian Helliwell

No, not Christmas or even New Year, but it’s what we all been waiting for – the annual Marsden-Edale! Last year, 10 of us (plus three dogs) completed the classic test piece in perfect weather and a great day was had by all.  I’m hoping even more of you will join us on 4th January for what has been a Rucksack Club tradition for more than a hundred years. Here are the details: Start – 7:45 at the end of Wessenden Rd (GR SE048107 OS South Pennines OL 21 map) – finish at The Ramblers in Edale. Carole Smithies will be doing her usual “counting them out and counting them all back in again” (many thanks Carole!). She will be at the Marsden end from about 7:30 so please make sure she gets your name on the day – and even more importantly crosses you off at the end of the day in Edale (she will be at The Ramblers). If, for any reason you do not make it to Edale, please make sure Carole knows about it so that we know you are safe – note there is no mobile reception at the Ramblers but, if necessary, you can[…]

Here are a few photos from a perfect day in the mountains – a great walk, great weather and great company. This more strenuous alternative to the official Dinner walk was based on Cwm Eigiau (the location of the first Rucksack Club Hut).  The route followed the full left side of Cwm Eigiau going over Pen Llitherig y Wrach, Pen yr Helgi Du and then acended Carnedd Llewellyn via the lovely Bwlch Eryl Farchog ridge. After topping Foel Grach the return route went down into Cwm Eigiau and passed the old RC Hut (now owned by Rugby Mountaineering Club) which indeed is a special place. The main group doing the walk was Ian Helliwell, Gerry Oliver, Amanda West, Audrey Russell, Mike Russell, Andrew Beckett and Tim Taylor.  Andy and Jean Llewellyn started almost two hours later and caught us up as we arrived back at the cars in the fading light (an impressive feat!!). Photos by Ian Helliwell (IH), Gerry Oliver (GO), Andrew Beckett (AB) and Tim Taylor (TT)

For any one who fancies it, a couple of us plan to do a more strenuous walk on Saturday based on Cwm Eigiau (the location of the first Rucksack Club Hut).  This circular walk of approximately 13 miles includes 3 of the Welsh 3000ft+ peaks – Carnedd Llewellyn, Foel Grach and Carnedd Gwenllian – and is just over 3700 ft of ascent in total. The route follows the full left side of Cwm Eigiau going over Pen Llitherig y Wrach, Pen yr Helgi Du and then acends Carnedd Llewellyn via the lovely Bwlch Eryl Farchog ridge. After topping Foel Grach and Carnedd Gwenllian the return route is down into Cwm Eigiau and passed the old RC Hut (now owned by Rugby Mountaineering Club) which indeed is a special place. Starting point for the walk is the carpark (grid ref SH 732 663) at the end of the road into Cwm Eigiau from Tal-y-Bont.  Start time 9:15 (based on leaving the hotel at around 8:30 for those who stayed Friday night). (Anyone who wants the gpx route – let me know).

Eddie Birch writes: I propose a modest walk from the hotel. Starting about 10:15. This will be a median hight circuit of the GT Orme. Some may wish to visit the Summit. Starting from the Pier,we rise up through Happy Valley gardens and exit right by the Ski Slope onto the headland overlooking the Pier.Thence heading NW to St Tudno’s church.(Summit nearby) Just above,a good track at about the 150m contour takes us NW towards GT Ormes Head via the old Battery car park. We contour around the headland till Conway comes into view. We follow the Fridd Wall for a shot distance and then pick up a faint track which contours across and down towards the West Shore. Here we pick up the Summit Trail which leads us steeply down to the West Shore path where we turn left to Haulfre Gardens and back into town for a cuppa. Distance, about 6 miles. All welcome. Eddie and Jonathan Birch.

The Wednesday walks covering the next three months (first one on 2nd October) have been added to the Meets Calendar.  This can be accessed via the “Get out there” menu or directly here. The varied programme of walks cover the whole of the Peak district and beyond. All are welcome, and for each date there is usually a more challenging “A” version plus a shorter “B” version to suit different appetites. If you haven’t been on one before, they are very sociable and often include a pub stop for refreshments either during or after the walk. For more information, contact the coordinator of the walk directly (details in the handbook) or email wednesday.walks@rucksackclub.org

Well, Gareth delivered another great Meet with the 2024 High Camp.  Here are a few photos that capture the essence: The location for the camp was Llyn Hywell just below Rhinog Fach summit. After tents were pitched, the most was made of the failing light to soak up the atmosphere After overnight rain, Sunday dawned fine but with very low cloud, which occasionally parted to give unexpected views.  The forecast heavy rain came late morning, but was too late to spoil what had been a memorable experience. Many thanks to Gareth for organising, and to everyone else for making it fun experience.

The Wednesday walk tomorrow is my “Delph Circular via White Hill and Pennine Way (Ian’s back yard)” and promises to be a hot one!  The forecast is for it to be crackin’ flags as they say.  One thing I can promise is that the whole route is 100% bog-free (or your money back). It’s around 13.5 miles and takes in many little known beautiful paths joined together by the Pennine Way over Standedge.  There are a number of variations for anyone wishing to shorten it, or avoid steep bits in the sun.  Everyone welcome – start is at Delph car park SD986078 at 10:00. Full details on the Meets Calendar Gerry Goldsmith is leading a shorter Delph Circular for those who want something shorter – 8 Miles. Same start point/time. Ian Helliwell

The forecast for tomorrow is good – dry with sunny intervals but still windy.  The published route was to go to Black Hill via Holme Clough and return via Pennine Way & Laddow.  This is fine as a summer route but can be quite a struggle in parts especially after the storms this last couple of days.  I plan a drier route of around 11 miles and depending on speed and enthusiasm we can extend it to include Laddow (via featherbed moss trig) for a walk of around 13.5 miles. A: Greenfield, Birchen Clough, Trinnacle, Dovestones/Chew edges, 11 ml (possible detour to Laddow 13.5 ml) Coordinator: Ian Helliwell Start: Binn Green A635 SE017044  10am Pub: Clarence, Greenfield Early Doors Maps: – 1:25,000: Dark Peak W Note route variation to miss Black Hill due to weather and conditions underfoot. AM Route :  Fp down S & track NE to Yeoman Hey Resvr dam; trks NE/E/ESE on N side of reservoirs to Weir 038050; ascend Birchen Clough via scrambly path. Round edges via Raven Stones and the Platt Memorial to cross Ashway Brook and on to Dovestones Edge. Via Rob’s Rocks to Chew Resvr. PM. Route : Follow edges W via top[…]

Perefct weather (as promised), excellent company and a warm welcome at the pub – what more could one want?  The Marsden-Edale this year scored 10 out of 10 for every aspect. A frosty start, clear blue skies for the whole day and virtually no breeze – what a contrast to the weather we’ve been experiencing for the past two months! The going was “heavy” in places, but considering how saturated the ground is, it was much better than anticipated. In fact for most of the route the conditions underfoot were excellent and there was less water in the streams/rivers than normal. After a georgeous day over Black Hill and Bleaklow, the crossing of Kinder was done in failing light followed by a steep decent into Edale with headlamps. 10 people (plus 3 dogs) started and 10 people (plus 3 dogs) completed. Many thanks to all concerned, I’ll do a full report for Meetstaff…

Final confirmation that the annual Marsden-Edale will take place on this coming Saturday – 6th January.  The forecast is for perfect weather – dry with sunny intervals and gentle breezes – exactly as I predicted! So come along and join the fun! Some final details:  Start – 7:45 at the end of Wessenden Rd (GR SE048107 OS South Pennines OL 21 map) – finish at The Ramblers in Edale. For those arriving by train, the 6:58 from Manchester Piccadilly arrives in Marsden at 7:29 which is perfect timing.  From the other direction, the 6:54 from Huddersfield arrives at 7:05 (6:30 from Leeds). Carole Smithies will be doing her usual “counting them out and counting them all back in again” (many thanks Carole!). She will be at the Marsden end from about 7:30 so please make sure she gets your name on the day – and even more importantly crosses you off at the end of the day in Edale (she will be at The Ramblers). If, for any reason you do not make it to Edale, please make sure Carole knows about it so that we know you are safe – note there is no mobile reception at the Ramblers[…]