All posts in Meet Reports

A lovely sunny day for 9 of us to cycle from Low Bradfield to Langsett and back in a sort of figure of eight going through Bolsterstone on the way out and back but otherwise taking different roads. After several miles we were still passing signs saying 2 miles to Bradfield but in my defence we had gained height ‘relatively’ painlessly. After refuelling at Langsett café we returned and despite my efforts to give confusing directions, Leon kindly retrieved half the group who had gone the wrong way. After that everyone waited patiently at every junction just to check.. Apparently 26.4 miles and 3370ft of ascent …approximately.
A very enjoyable cycle with great company. Thanks to all who could make it.
Marian

Equipt with new OS app on phone, and having plotted the Boundary Walk section, at the first possible junction that Sean politely pointed at, I ignored this and the phone . After 100m , decided to look at phone and little arrow off route and we all turned round and got on route.
I booked the weather, and moderate temperatures helped the 9 keenies. First break of many up at Hob Hurst house above Chatsworth, admiring the purple heather. All had triple rations, but on reaching Milnthorpe 3 of us easily squeezed in some artisan icecream. On to the second stage, up and up reversing some of the down down irritatingly, we made it up to the moor scenery again. Another blip on the route discussed at another break, and a knowledgable Mary, and we headed up without going off route to our high point on Houndkirk moor. Could see smoke billowing from the Leek area, which turns out to be a wild fire at the Roaches. Also could see across to the Hallamshire hospital and gave John a big wave. We had send him some of Andrews one liner jokes earlier. And got a joke in return.
All very pleased to start romping, stomping and stumbling on the final mile to the pub. Well done to all, some who were particularly chuffed . Andy was there already waving a pint. 21 miles and 930m of ascent and 50350 paces!! The latter a record for my 3 month old app.
16 for the meal was a great way to finish off the day. Thanks to all for a good day out and putting up with my gadget enthusiasm. Linda.

Despite the last minute plans six turned out for the walk on a gloriously hot day. Starting from Eyam village, the route went via the Boundary Stone descending into the back streets of Stoney Middleton. Distracted by a heron and chatter we took the wrong path and walked to the wrong bridge! However after a regroup, coffee and a brief spell watching some brave bathers in the weir we continued along the river to Froggatt Bridge and then along an ancient paved routeway to Grindleford. More riverside took us to Leadmill Bridge and a lunch stop before the ascent to Stokes Ford 1 and 2 – the former masquerading as the real thing! Aftera bit of map pondering we ascended to Sir William Hill along adelightful balcony path, taking our time to name all the crags and hills we recognised from this fantastic 360 degree viewpoint. No takers for the trig point at this stage so we continued across the fields before the steep descent back to the cars. 11.8 miles in total – the added distance after a detour to Eyam Hall for some much needed refreshments, although no-onef tried the new Plague Beer. Maybe the branding needs work? Thanks to all for company and enduring the heat.
Ali

Thanks to Ali and Sean for joining me at Grindon for what turned out to be a lovely 11.8 mile circuit. After a brief stop for a seesaw in the playground at Grindon we set off north for Warslow, where a few minutes of map consultation allowed time for the pub to open (coffees only were consumed). The route stayed mostly high, with fine views, and lunch was taken on the way to Upper Elkstone before heading south to Butterton Moor End. The return to Grindon did throw up a navigational conundrum, but allowed us to touch a (literally) roadside trig point before the final path from Grindonmoor Gate.
The sun stayed behind cloud for most of the walk, which was probably as well because it got hot for the last section and we were dry on reaching the car park. Here Sean pulled out a camping stove from his car and provided a very welcome brew to round off a grand day out.
Dave C

After a bit of confusion of which car park to meet at, the two parties of 6 climbers and a dog managed to navigate through the mist and fog to all arrive at Kinder Upper Tor.
After the first climb of the day and a spot of lunch, the mist cleared to give amazing views down into the Edale valley and beyond. All 6 of us (including new member Ian) managed at least one lead each ranging from diff to HS.
Thanks to Leon for saving the day and retrieving my gear after 2 abandoned attempts! 🙂
Kial

excellent weekend with plenty of enjoyable “C’s”: climbing, camping, company, sea, sand and sun. Many thanks to our guide, Dave B.
Elen Rees

Seeing as I self elected myself as leader here’s what happened. Met Kari and Nina at the crag and did a route with them. They went off and climbed numerous routes. Seeing as they’ve only been trad climbing a couple of months they have picked up the techniques very well. They are returning to Norway this week I believe so I guess we won’t see much more of them . But we wish them well and hope they can teach the Norwegians a bit about trad climbing. I believe they are traditionalists over there. Bill and Leon turned up and we climbed as a three. My view was the easier the grade the harder the route!!. Anyway we finished quite early and headed home. Crag not too hot so a pleasant day. And that’s it. Personally it’s good to get back onto rock again. Still feeling a bit odd. Cheers Steve B

18 of us turned up at Black Rock Sands at various times throughout Friday in superb weather, 17 years after the last family meet there.. Some of us even had our tent up and waiting!! After an evening around the fire and visits to the beach plans were made for Saturday, which dawned hot and sunny. The climbers split into two groups, heading for Cwm Silyn and Tremadog respectively. A walking group also assembled and ascended Moel-y-Gest via a café stop in Borth-y-Gest, a distance of 9 and a half miles over 6 hours, a fine effort on a scorching day.
Meanwhile the children and associated adults headed for the beach! Apart from swimming and being buried in the sand there was Frisbee throwing, jellyfish hunting, scrambling on the rocks and caves and discovering an underground river. All topped off by ice-cream.
Later in the day a bbq was planned and when the climbers eventually returned after a highly successful day, climbing many feet of rock, we congregated and cooked much wonderful food, topped off with a birthday cake for Ben. Included in the evening was what might loosely be called dancing from the children and certain adults who ‘Walked 500 miles’ ‘Kept their hats on’ etc. After a late evening more plans for Sunday, including a walk to Criccieth Castle, more climbing at Tremadog and Milestone Buttress in Ogwen. I can only report on the latter, which was successful with Jaycee-May being introduced to multi-pitch climbing on Rowan Route.
Thanks to all those who made the trip, there will be a few pictures on the Facebook site.
Cheers
Paul Gibson