4 humans and one dog met at Errwood Hall Car park, Goyt valley. We left one human behind, who was on call for work with issues to sort out. 3 humans and one dog set off up Foxlow Edge, Pym Chair, Cats Tor, along the ridge to Shining Tor our high point of the day at 559m. We popped into the closed Cat and Fiddle pub, which is now a Whisky distillery. As we were all doing well, including our four legged companion, and had time, the walk was extended from the original plan following the Dane Valley Way to reach our bonus Ethel Cheeks Hill. We returned via Derbyshire bridge and met up with our fourth human who was finally released of work responsibilities to join us for the last stretch. Lovely sunny day, great view and great company. Approx 13 miles, with 5 Ethels bagged. Lorna.
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Meet report: Birchen Edge 22nd Oct 2023
Four of us set off for the crag from the NT car park at about 10:30 (Helen and Geoff via a week advised coffee in the Robin Hood before Tomasz and I arrived). First stop was Kismet Buttress where I led Nelson’s Nemesis (Vs according to rockfax!) with Tomasz. Helen and Geoff headed off to Stokes Wall, where we saw them a bit later. We did a couple of routes there too but at 2pm I had to head off to visit family. Dave and Csilla had just arrived so they and Tomasz yearned up for the rest of the day.
After the weather chaos of the previous few days, it was lovely to have blue skies and warm sun for the meet. Thanks to all who came.
Steve
Torridon 15-22.10.23
Meet Report – Well after an epic journey there and back, taking in the usual rest breaks at the Kiosk Cafe on the A66, Cafe Areite in Moffat and Graham Tiso’s, this is how the trip went:
Monday – most of us climbed Moruisg: Me, Richard Craig from FRCC, John, David, Goeff and Pete. Climbing in the mist and bitterly cold wind and quite a dull hill, but I enjoyed the descent. The demoted Munro by it was more interesting.
Tuesday – me, Geoff, Peter and Helen climbed Liathach in perfect conditions. What else can I say? John and David did Maoile Lunndaidh and Richard Maol Chean Dearg.
Wednesday – Geoff, Helen and Peter endured buffeting winds to climb a munro on Beinn Eight before retreating off the ridge. Me and Richard turned back already, at the triple buttresses. John and David completed the Plockton cafe horseshoe – challenging but rewarding apparently.
Thursday – With Storm Babet arriving, with forecast comments like “red alert”, “unprecedented rainfall” (in Scotland!} and ” hurricane force winds” we all decided to bugger off home, via the usual cafes.
Note: I’d flag up that Torridon YHA was great: clean, comfortable and friendly with a full range of facilities, including a lounge with panoramic views and, it even looks like we’ll get a couple go days refund on our early departure. Recommended. I might start using hostels more often. Richard.
Walk report: Saturday 7th October 2023
Nine of us set off from Monyash on a fine morning. Bagshaw Dale led us to the top end of Lathkill Dale before we took the steep climb up into Ricklow Quarry. The crinoidal limestone quarried here, when highly polished, was much prized as a decorative stone for the interiors of grand Victorian homes. The Neolithic burial site of Ringham Low was next but not lingered over as there is little to see amongst the trees which cover it now. We took a break near Haddon Grove and then dropped back into Lathkill Dale to climb out again via Cales Dale and up to One Ash Grange. Once the property of Roche Abbey near Rotherham, this medieval monastic grange still has a few buildings which date back to the 14th century. Sadly, several of the cottages and outbuildings are rather dilapidated, although some notices seemed to suggest there are plans for renovation. We passed the head of Cales Dale, where Mesolithic hunter gatherers once sheltered, and made our way to Arbor Low. This impressive Neolithic site has a large circle of stones surrounded by a ditch and bank and once had a stone chamber at its centre. Around four thousand years old, it remained in use for several hundred years.. After exploring the site we ate lunch in the lee of the bank and then made our way across the fields back to Monyash. A ‘grand day out’ walking through ten thousand years of history, thanks for sharing it with me everyone.
Cheers
Steve W
Saturday walk, 30/9/23; Foolow to Sheffield via Hathersage
Three set off early from a small village, in search of their fortune in the big city, following old pathways up onto Eyam edge and across Eyam moor. Cows stood quietly chewing, watching them walk by in the early morning mist, down the hill into Hathersage.
Two early bird members greeted us, already at the pool cafe having caught the Sheffield bus in and breakfasts and coffee were enjoyed.
Two more members arrived plus two dogs and a message that the second bus from Sheffield had not yet arrived to pick up two more members, who were still stuck at Hunters Bar, so reluctantly seven set off without them.
We climbed out of the valley past the vineyard and the Moorseats’ helipad, past Carhead rocks, joining the melee of Saturday climbers and walkers around Stanage popular end. After admiring the view from the edge, we set off past Stanage Pole, via Redmires and across a boggy Whitestones moor to Fulwood Lane, making for the picnic bench which seemed a perfect place for lunch. And there on the bench was another member waiting, only to be also met there by our intrepid pair from the delayed bus, who’d made up spectacular time to catch us up.
So now we were ten plus our four legged leaders who seemed to particularly enjoy the myriad of paths along side Porter Brook, all the way into Encliffe Park, stopping to try and catch sight of the elusive kingfisher at one of the ponds and taking a look at the Shepherd Wheel along the way.
By then the rain had arrived so there was much more interest in tea and cake in a nearby cafe rather than a soggy slog up the hill to the Botanical Gardens.
The 65 bus home arrived on time, while the 772 arrived early so two of the gang (plus dog leaders) leapt aboard the 65 which caught up and overtook the speeding 772, but cheered on by the bus driver, they achieved their ‘Mission Impossible’ and successfully boarded the rogue 772.
Thank you for fun company and a good day out. 5.4 + 10 miles.
Hazel
Hazel’s pictures
Walk Report Saturday 16 September 2023
Four of us left Hartington on a blustery morning, and nmade a quick ascent of Sheen Hill. Refeshment break enjoyed under some rocks before descending into a much calmer valley. Pilsbury Castle was our lunch spot, where we spent some time imagining the lay of the land during for this mediaeval settlement. A rising path led us back to the village for coffee and cake. A relaxed Saturday 7.5 mile outing. Thank you for good company. Ali.
Sept 8-10 2023 Tryfan, Wales
8 members stayed at the Gwern Gof Uchaf campsite at the base of Tryfan, (Eryri). We were blessed with good weather over the weekend. Activities were all climbing based, myself and Andy Ward, Leon & Andrew tackling Direct Route on Glyder Fach whilst Mary & Geoff climbed Slab Route alongside us. Julian & Marcelina opted for a day on Little Tryfan joined by a passing visit from Pete Hammond. The following day we decided to keep low down for an easy retreat before the forecast rain rolled in; Geoff and Mary heading to Milestone Buttress, Leon & Andrew going to Little Tryfan with the rest of us heading to Bochlwyd Buttress.
Best achievement of the weekend goes to Mary for getting a crane fly out of her tent all by herself.
Best gear rescue: came from a couple from Sheffield following myself and Andy up the last pitch of Direct Route.
Thanks everyone for another great away meet. Kial
Photos can be found in MeetUp with the following link (Can other attendees add their pics to the album? It would be good to have them all in one place).
https://www.meetup.com/castle-mountaineering-club/photos/33920394/
Baslow meet report 27th August 2023
The meet was moved from Castle Naze to Baslow due to the poor weather forecast. Five of us climbed and another couple turned up to watch. Short and sweet climbs on rock wafted dry by a stiff breeze between showers. Come 2.0pm all but two of us had chilled out. Josh [new member] and I wandered over to Curber and grappled with PMC1. A worthwhile day given the weather. Castle Naze awaits another time. Geoff.
Not the Wimberry climbing meet, Sunday 20 August 2023
Following a poor weather forecast the Wimberry Rocks meet was moved to Wharncliffe, further east and at a lower altitude. It turned out to be a good move with 14 of us enjoying generally warm and sunny conditions the whole day.
Classic routes were climbed in the Himmelswillen, Hells Gate and Long John’s Stride areas. The routes do not get any easier!
Welcome to Josh and Travis who climbed with us part of the day.
David
Saturday walk, Sheffield to Foolow, 19 Aug 2023 – report
Four of us set off in bright sunshine from Encliffe Park, busy with Saturday Park runners, to be joined by a fifth member at Forge Dam.
Up the Porter Valley Trail onto Houndkirk moor, where we competed with a large and enthusiastic off road biking group all the way to Fox House.
Snacks and banter while awaiting the arrival of our sixth member ( plus two excited Terriers, whose clear aim was to 1. lead the pack and 2 .Try and keep us together).
Grindleford Community cafe afforded more time for banter and pots of tea before a final yomp up the steep hill from Froggatt Bridge, along the closed road to Eyam and across the fields to Foolow.
Having made such good time, a certain member of the team managed to down two scones, jam and cream before going for an early bus…which never arrived….so it was necessary to support the Foolow well dressing village hall teas next door, where the gallant band drank more tea and ate cake, in support of Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
Lots of calories eaten and burned up on this 22k walk (13.67miles).
Thanks for great travel companions, good weather and always stunning views.
Hazel.