Castle Mountaineering Club. Reports of 2014 meets.
New Year’s Day walk 1 January 2014
A select band meet at my house at 12 noon for a walk around Ravenfield ponds. The weather gods were not smiling on us and we set off in the rain however as the walk progressed the weather improved.
Despite the weather it was a pleasant walk and the wind and rain made the tea, beef sandwiches and mince pies back at my place taste all the better.
A wet start to the New Year so lets hope other Castle meets have better weather.
Hugh
Dovedale walk 5 January 2014
Well, Sunday morning dawned bright and crisp and 7 intrepid walkers scorned the dire weather forecasts to walk the 9 miles through Dovedale, Ilam and back to Alstonefield. One of these being a past member returned to the fold, Steve Belk. It was after talking to Steve that I was introduced to such concepts such as ‘Whacking and Dangling’ !!?? , wooden wedges and other exciting adventures I’d not even guessed at! In fact the first part of the walk taking in the caves of Dovedale led to much reminiscing of past climbing exploits on the Bat and the Ball, Tissington Spires and the dramatic Ilam Rock.
After a lunch stop at Ilam the rain began but never amounted to more than showers, certainly no torrential downpours, hill fog or 70 mph gales that had been forecast earlier in the week. After a few little questions about the route (the ‘little book’ not being as accurate as first thought) had been solved by a flurry of maps from every rucksack……Steve’s being by far the oldest…… we made our way back to Alstonefield and a very pleasant drink in The George by a lovely log fire.
All in all a lovely walk that, although would have been nicer on a Summer’s day, was not spoilt by the weather and was worth it for the archeological points of interest along the way (yes it was Leon!) and certainly for hearing about Steve’s exploits on the Pennine way in Winter!
Helen
(Pictures on Facebook …… the look on Judith’s face as Steve talked about wild camping in Winter is priceless)
Black Hill Cycle Ride 12 January 2014
A cold and very frosty morning saw nine of us set off from Mosborough just after 10:30. I suspect that this was more than might have turned up for the original Black Hill walk!
Once we had cleared the housing and light industrial clutter of the Rother Valley the ride became a pleasant roll along country lanes through the historic villages of Harthill and Thorpe Salvin and past the restored Norman chapel at Steetley (unfortunately closed to visitors most of the time). There was frost and the occasional patch of sheet ice on the road so the speed was steady with plenty of chatter to while away the miles. Worksop was soon traversed, passing by the old priory (founded in 1103) and we arrived at Clumber Park café where we were joined by Nigel. Clumber itself has an interesting history although nothing now remains of the stately home of the Dukes of Newcastle which fell in to disrepair and was demolished in 1938. Only the grand chapel, the stable block (now the café area) and the outline of the hall’s foundations on the lawns remain to hint at its former grandeur. Refreshed, we set off on the return leg through Carburton, Norton, skirting Clowne and Whitwell before reaching Barlborough – another historic village where, incidentally, several of Sue’s ancestors are buried in the churchyard. Spinkhill was the last port of call before we dropped back down to the Rother valley and the final climb to Mosborough and some very welcome tea and cake.
I advertised the ride as 35(ish) miles, but you know me – it came in at 41.1, measured by GPS! However, a good time was had by all (or so they said)
Cheers, Steve W
Coppermines Cottage, Coniston w/e January 17-19 2014
Coppermines Cottage is situated in a rather unusual location, approx 1 mile from Coniston up a rough track [which is occasionally very steep, with few passing places and a rather alarming unprotected drop on one side – thankfully it wasn’t icy this w/e] next door to the Youth Hostel, and below Old Man of Coniston and Wetherlam. There was an excellent turnout for this meet with 14 arriving on Friday and an unexpected latecomer early Saturday morning. After a very sociable first evening with some people not getting to bed before 4am it wasn’t surprising that the activities on Saturday were not the most strenuous or demanding that club members might have undertaken. Also the weather was rather typically ‘Lake District weather’ , but some still elected to ascend up into the clag to do a circuit of some or all of the ridge above. Two had a short walk up to Levers Water, and seven decided to do a 10 mile low-level walk [with views!] from the hut to Torver, along the shores of Coniston Water and stopping for delicious tea and cakes in a Coniston cafe, before returning up the track back to the hut. Another pleasant evening passed with usefully staggered cooking times, while some chose to sample the pub food in Coniston. We had been pre-warned about mice in the hut, and having seen a few mouse droppings around, crockery and utensils were rinsed before use, and those without thick plastic food boxes wisely stored their food in cars overnight. Apart from that, the hut was comfortable and warm [with the heating kept on even when unoccupied] with inspiring mountain pictures on the sitting room wall. We had sole occupancy of the hut this w/e with three dormitories to choose from [with varying levels of snoring in each!] Sunday morning started with more rain and even lower clag, so only one stalwart headed off to walk/scramble. Others talked of doing things on the way home – gear shops and Grizedale sculpture trail were mentioned– so we cleaned up and headed homewards. Thanks to everyone for your excellent and entertaining company, those who brought firewood and washing up liquid, John for his fire-lighting skills and delicious cake, and all those who helped clean up at the end, leaving the hut looking spick and span and welcoming for the next visitors. Vanda Boyd
Birchover walk 9 February 2014
A dark,cold and rainy day saw 9 of us set off from Birchover on Sunday morning with the hope of better conditions to come. Hugh kindly lent Helen a pair of his waterproof over trousers, which you can imagine fitted her perfectly!!….but they did the job and were definitely a necessity. We crossed over Stanton Moor towards the Nine Ladies stone circle where we able to claim a stone each …purely for the obligatory photo. We carried on through the small village of Stanton in Peak and the rain stopped briefly ..unfortunately it was very muddy underfoot as we paddled through a couple of fields trying not to slip,slide or fall over. We reached Alport and managed to find a fairly dry spot for lunch next to the river…where we watched a couple of women training their sheepdogs. Then it was on to the wettest and muddiest part of the walk…the Somme Experience as Hugh put it. Caroline led the way through the river followed by Helen, Dave and myself, while the others, not wanting to get so wet, went the longer way round. Another stone circle was spotted by Gavin and we could clearly see the hilltop Iron Age hill fort of Castle Ring. Then it was onto Robin Hoods Stride for a little scramble where we were rewarded with the appearance of a beautiful rainbow. A few of the group enjoyed a welcome drink in the Druids Inn ( which had not one, but two open fires! ) Thanks to all who came, it was certainly an interesting walk! And on the positive sign we saw a tree full of catkins and some clusters of snowdrops so spring is definitely on the way! Judith
Paul Fowkes Memorial walk 2 March 2014
Driving out to Hope, the weather looked grim, but undeterred 8 of us rendezvoused in Woodbine Cafe over bacon, egg and tea before setting out around 10.30.
By now the weather had relented, almost sunshine, as we gently wandered along the riverbank to Castleton, avoiding most of the mud and newly fallen trees. Arriving in Castleton, we made a slight alteration in the plan and visited Paul’s memorial stone early on in the walk. Good to see the cycle inner tube is still around the stone after 6 years, although a few bulbs planted would be good as the originals aren’t flowering now. After a short time full of memories we moved on.
The next stage took us up Cave Dale, the only significant ascent of the day. Emerging at the top we turned for Mam Tor, stopping for lunch by the crag/cave just before the road. As we prepared to leave, gentle rain started to fall so waterproofs were donned. Good job too, as by the time we reached Mam Tor summit the wind was blowing hard, visibility dropped markedly and rain began to get stronger for a while. By the time we reached Hollins Cross however, it had relented and a decision was taken to continue along the ridge, rather than the descent into the valley as planned. As we traversed the ridge, it became clear it had been a good decision as the valley trail was a morass of mud, more of which later. At Back Tor, some of the party avoided the ascent and mud hopped through the woods, hoping to meet up with the rest of us after the ascent of Lose Hill. Halfway down we were all reunited in time to sample the ‘delights’ of the narrow muddy trail back into Hope. As we were by now trailing mud everywhere we were a little dubious about re-entering the cafe but the lovely lady invited us in to finish the day by the fire with drinks for all and an unshared teacake for JB.
Thanks to all who turned out to join the walk and remember our fellow CMC member Paul.
Pictures on Facebook.
Scrambling on Kinder South 9 March 2014
Any hint of cloud had disappeared as seven club members and one guest headed from Upper Booth for a day of walking and scrambling on Kinder Scout. In less than a mile the team were balancing round boulders in the stream bed of Crowden Clough with the sun reflecting off the many mini iridescent waterfalls and pools that sparkled against a clear blue sky. Judith who was new to scrambling unselfishly avoided some of the hairy traverses round pools and stuck with photo duties but joined the rest of the team in a direct ascent of the main waterfall pitch and finished through the final optional chimney pitch.
Back on the main path for half a mile the team then headed down the broad water washed rock steps at the top part of the right branch of Grindsbrook Clough before heading back up a small side clough on great rock Fired up by some great scrambling that had gone before Geoff suggested the team head back down Grindsbrook and try a line of boulders and rocks that led to the top of Grindsbrook Knoll. This was not as good as it looked on closer inspection and there were mutterings from some of the team as the final part of the ascent was up a steep gully and involved pulling on loose grass and rocks that weren’t attached to much. All this was forgotten as the team emerged back into the sun, had a sit down to recover, and enjoyed great views as they descended back to Upper Booth.
Some of the team then headed to Hathersage to take afternoon tea and cake and end a classic day out. Andrew
Tegness Pinnacle Quarry 30 April 2014
Good fun was had on this evening climbing meet, including a minor scrum on top of the pinnacle as two leaders belayed up their seconds on different routes but having some holds in common.
We could hear the approaching thunder from Sheffield and the rain finally arrived at about 7.30pm.
David
Yorkshire Dales meet 2-5 May 2014
An excellent turn-out of eventually 13 members, staying at the very conveniently situated Dalesbridge Campsite just south of Austwick on the A65 between Settle and Ingleton. [My map is old enough to show it as the original hospital, and it still has the unusually high walls surrounding the buildings, which had previously warned people away from the infectious patients]. The usual mixture of activities were enjoyed in this stunningly beautiful countryside. Over the 4 days of the Bank Holiday weekend, there was a cycle ride and various walks straight from the campsite, and limestone climbing at Giggleswick, Oxenber, Twisleton and Feizor. On one walk we spotted glacial erratics, a green drive, clapper bridges and early purple orchids [flower identification is Linda’s new ‘homework’]. Most people had tents [the first night was very cold!] but others were more up-market in their camper-van [Martin and Pat] or caravan [thank you to Leon and Josie for sharing your warm caravan on the last evening]. Caroline and Gordon opted for a night back at home after checking out the bunk-house, but then tried out the campsite B and B for their last night. Some younger people on the campsite proved somewhat noisily talkative each night, and perhaps this spurred on Sean [who happened to be camped nearest to them] to get up early every morning to tackle each of the 3 peaks of Ingleborough, Pen-y-ghent and Whernside separately over 3 days. The final day of climbing at Feizor, on mainly unpolished limestone, was very sociable and entertaining, with the usual swearing and gibbering by some, and ended perfectly with pudding/cakes at Elaine’s tea-room ideally situated by the village car-park. Thanks to all for your good company, and making it such a great weekend. Vanda Boyd
Gardoms Meet 18 May 2014
Well the sun gods smiled on us once more for the Gardoms meet and, without being too smug……I told you so (again)!
12 climbers congregated at Apple Tree Buttress comprising of a few club stalwarts, our lovely, enthusiastic new members and two honorary members for the day from London. Special thanks to Simon for giving Heather and her friends step by step instructions on how to get to the crag when they went a little awry. You’ve heard of the speaking clock, well Simon is like the speaking map!
There were assaults launched on lots of different routes on the crag from VDiff to VS 5a and extra special thanks have to go to John and Leon for their fantastic effort in leading most of them (I did lead 1). The friendliness and helpfulness of the leaders in particular was commented on by our visitors. Thanks guys you made the day and I loved all those new, juicy VS’s. The experience of doing a ‘bum shuffle’ up a tree on the 5a finish of Tree Groove was……..novel!
All in all an absolutely fab day that I know was enjoyed by all. Helen
Almscliffe 15 June 2014
Despite the weather at the start of the day, 7 super-psyched individuals turned up. The rain stopped and by 11 the crag was dry enough to climb on. Everyone managed to get in plenty of mileage, accompanied by varying amounts of technique, grunting and wimpering!
I managed 9 routes and everyone else must have done a similar amount, as we all seemed to be doing what everyone else had done.
I have tried to add photos, but somehow this is not happening, possibly I am doing something wrong. Will continue with my efforts in this direction later in the day. I will also put a few on the facebook page. Cookie