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Meet report. A great walk from Alport Bridge on the A57 Snake Pass up Bleaklow’s “finest and wildest glen.” Passing the historic Alport hamlet and Britain’s largest landslip we made steady progress beside the River Alport until the vague track petered out. Striking steeply up hill we located the small path that took us above the now steeply sided valley to Grains in the Water. This is the point where several small tributaries (grains) convege on open moorland. While we were lunching here low cloud rolled in so we abandoned plans to walk to Alport Head and Bleaklow Hill, instead heading south east for Over Wood Moss. Sometimes following faint sheep tracks, sometimes on rough moor we traversed Alport Moor and into the top of Oyster Clough with dramatic views of the waterfalls in Alport Dale on the way. Oyster Clough Cabin provided a welcome break and much laughter. The route was now much easier – down the Clough to pick up the line of the Roman road which took us back to our starting point. A great exploring day away from sizable or any paths. We saw no one from Alport hamlet back to the Snake. Some said that we had a whale of a day! David

8 members and 3 prospective members + 2 dogs completed 10.5 miles. The walk started at Fairholmes Car Park, where surprisingly there was ample parking. Crunching beech leaves along the upper Derwent path , we climbed via Abbey tip plantation, Howden moor to Lost Lad, where we had visibility and views despite the overarching cloud. We continued along Derwent Edge and enjoyed all the sculpted gritstone Tors en route , before descending towards grindle Clough and eventually back on the track running along the reservoir. Although the leaves were falling from the trees , the autumn colours were still vibrant in parts, so a lovely finish to the walk. Thanks to everyone for their company. Fiona

Charlotte’s pic

The meet was based in the Fell and Rock club cottage in Langdale. This is a 17th century farmhouse with lots of character, open fire, ceilings too low for John Barnard, and one cooker. Of the 12 people on the meet, 4 attended the Fell and Rock AGM on the Saturday afternoon, some after visiting Kendal wall in the morning. Booking the Thursday night meant groups could walk on the Friday as well as over the weekend. This all worked well. Beautiful autumn colours. Misty hills. The cottage is cheap to book and we only had to pay for the places we used. It would be very good for a summer meet because of all the climbing in Langdale. Geoff.

From the village hall at Onecote in Staffs, eight people plus 3 dogs set off to complete a round to bag three trig points. A romp along a quiet lane led to the first trig of Bradnop at the side of the road – just reachable over a dry stone wall and barbed wire. An ominous white van drew up – me thinking it was the local farmer trig police, but no, it was Elen! After a brief hello and chat we crossed the first of many boggy and muddy farm fields that opened up to ever expanding views across the Manifold Valley.
The sky was clear and a beautiful sunny day set the scene for a host of animal sightings – some farm animals, others wild. These included: geese, ducks, alpacas, pheasants, buzzards. kestrels, a hare, rabbits, grouse, cows, sheep, cats ……… and others that the grey matter won’t recall.
After a coffee break, and a descent through mud into Ford, where more than one body ended up horizontally in the mud, we ate lunch on a log.
Some path re- routing around a farm led to mixed fortunes. We missed the second trig point of Moor Top but met a local alpaca smallholder who educated us in how they make a lucrative business – selling their poo and dressing them up for weddings! We also learned of a nearby aircrash site memorial for an RAF plane that was sent out to drop supplies to villages cut off in the snow in 1947.
We made the detour and descended to the very pretty village of Butterton for the planned trig number three – Butterton church tower.! Opposite stood the Black Lion . A unanimous vote to stop for a drink in the garden gave the leader time to replan the ongoing route. After a further hour across fields, moorland and lanes we reached our cars .
An approximate ten mile round on slippery ground, in sunny weather, with ever lively company gave a great day out, in this less visited part of the Peak District.
Needless to say, we visited the missed Moor Top trig point on the car journey home!
Ali

Rosy hints on the tops on the early morning drive over to Edale. After the meet leader had been reminded of the start time five of us set off up Grindsbrook, taking the North branch to the plateau. Just enough water to make this fun scramble practical. A navigational senior moment took us directly to the top of Fairbrook, rather than Kinder gates – but that was the aim in the end anyway. We descended Fairbrook Gully which has managed to unjustifiably sneak into the scrambles guide. Fine autumn colours descending Fairbrook. Back up to Seal Stones and over the short crossing to Edale. A lovely day. Thanks to my bog trotting companions. Geoff.

The first wave of club members have just returned from a fun-packed week sport climbing in NW Sicily. The first group was made up of seven Castle members plus honorary member Rich and honorary spaniel Mani.
We demonstrated a strong work ethic climbing in most sectors of the Scogliera di Salinella crags and ticking an impressive number of routes. Most teams climbed for two sessions a day – ticking off routes in the morning, having a siesta by the pool during the afternoon heat, and then climbing again in the evening. Our only “rest day” involved a 500m scramble up Timpone Ridge, a striking curved ridge which runs up the hillside near the campsite. Paul ensured that the occupants of Chalet 5 were out on the crags early by suffusing the apartment with pleasant smells after his morning visit to the WC. Rumours of major blockages in the local sewage system proved unfounded.
It is hard to pick out individual routes and performances. Eli set a high bar by stylishly gliding up routes up to and including 6c. Andy took advantage of the mid-season transfer window by moving up from the Vanarama league to the Premiership and was soon powering up 6a and 6a+ routes. A standout expedition was an evening visit to the stunning two-pitch Sunset Arete (5b). Thanks to Tom’s skilful rope management we were able to do the route as a team of four. The route lived up to its’ name as the sun did indeed set when we were on the route. By the time we lowered off the bottom pitch it was pitch dark!
The après-climb was very sociable. Chalet 5 hosted jolly evening planning meetings providing nibbles and alcoholic drinks – though it is unlikely that the “Tom Andrews”, a combination of lambrusco and limoncello, will enter the list of classic cocktails!
When we should have been packing on the last evening we were still raring to go. Simon demonstrated his inner caveman by dragging Lorna off to do the Trad Route (5a) up the inside wall of a cave – but Lorna quickly reasserted 21st century womanhood by making him go back up the route to retrieve the gear! Eli, Rich, Andy and Keri ticked off a selection of harder routes. Tom combined his love of climbing and trashy B movies by leading the Attack of the 50 Foot Woman (6a) and the Creature from the Black Lagoon (6a). Paul and Julian wandered off to do the highly recommended Happy Birthday (5b) but managed to do Chris (6a) by mistake! They followed this by scaring the pigeons roosting in a cave on the impressive El Bahira (5b). This three-star route has an awkward start through steel cables which secure a massive block to the main face. You are then rewarded with an airy ascent of the arete on small but positive holds.
A great week with brilliant climbing and excellent company. Many thanks to Lorna and Simon for coordinating the meet and providing invaluable advice about the different climbing areas. Paul E

Eleven of us made it to Galloway over the course of the meet. Marian, Mary and Kathy joined from a 5 day cycling trip in the area. Friday afternoon we climbed on Crammag Head – on Viking Zawn; difficult to identify the routes, some of which remain a mystery and one of which is now minus a large block. On Saturday – we climbed at Mull of Galloway, Carrickcorie. Routes included ones put up by club members Martin, Pat, Dave and Linda in 2000: Old Whippersnappers, Anemone Action, Ruddy ‘ard Kipperling, Friends in High Plaices, Happy as a Sand Martin – and others. Clearly some route naming fun in the day. On Sunday we went back to Crammag Head –Lighthouse walls. The guidebook supplement written by a local climber was very helpful with a lot of worthwhile routes at easy grades. Poor weather on Monday meant those remaining retreated to sodden Sheffield.

All the joys of sea cliff climbing: tricky route finding, abseiling in and some loose rock. Wonderful atmosphere with pounding waves, dolphins, sun on the sea and views of distant land. Some top quality climbs. If we go again its worth seeing if a new guide has come out. The SMC web site records a lot of new climbs since the 2004 guide, many at easy grades, but these will be easier to locate with diagrams. Worth taking cycles as a poor weather option. The Galloway coast path would also be worthwhile. Welcome to Em and Tomasz on their first away meet. Thanks to the cycling team for booking a chalet which provided a warm haven in the evenings.
Geoff

Kathy’s photos:
 

3 of us completed this walk despite rain and mist which didn’t really lift until mid afternoon All enjoyed it all crash sites found . good discussions about engines and planes etc. finished off with coffee and cake at the café
Thanks for your company Hugh and Leon. Gordon

It was cold. About 12 of us made it to Dovestones. Normally a good crag for this time of year. By 12.0 any icy wind caused all but three of us to retreat to warming climes, such as Win Hill. The remaining three were joined by prospective member, Adrian. It got warmer, slightly, and we climbed ‘till 5.0. Good to contribute to keeping this crag useable for another year! Geoff

Three of us met up at Sheffield station for the 7.22 to Marsden, via Leeds and Huddersfield.
20 mins at Huddersfield allowed us to view the statue of Huddersfield’s famous son, Harold Wilson. We set off from Marden at 9.10. Up by the Wessenden reservoirs to Snoopy’s van on the Isle of Skye road for bacon butties and tea. Good paved path to Black Hill then a sneaky trod to take us to the path leading below Crowden quarries. Another stop at Crowden campsite for an ice cream. Along the N side of Torside Reservoir before the climb up Torside clough. Over Bleaklow Head on the Pennine way before cutting down to Upper North Grain cabin on another vague trod and to the A57. Down the road to the old Snake Inn – dodging the traffic. Up to Seal Stones and along the N side of the plateau to the top of Blackden Brook. The 12 min crossing of Kinder to Upper Tor, straight down to Grindsbrook and Edale. Arriving at 7.45. 23 miles, 4000 feet and a welcome pint before the 8.30 train. This is the quickest route, although the A57 section is not ideal. An alternative from Bleaklow is to go over the Snake Pass, Mill Hill, Kinder Low, Kinder Downfall and Grindslow Knoll. Apart from 30 mins of drizzle on Torside weather was perfect. Not too hot, light breeze. Great views from Blackhill and from Kinder in the evening light. Thanks to my stalwart companions.Geoff