Tents, vans, wet grass. Pub?
Fourteen people in Cracoe
Bike ride past Malham
Moorland walks, gordale scar. Sun!
Rylstone beckons, rain returns

Wonderful company with less than perfect weather!

Charlotte

8 of us (6 Castle members and 2 friends) plus Weaver the dog, set out from Hope Primary School in rather cold weather with a steady breeze creating a light wind chill. After the ascent of Lose Hill we traversed the Great Ridge which was busy as usual with a mixture of runners, walkers and those on a “mission” like us.
Coffee break was taken at Mam Nick followed by Rushup Edge and the long paved way to Brown Knoll. We stopped for lunch at Crowden Tower and then crossed the peat bog which wasn’t as bad as I had expected it to be. Also the fords at the top of Crowden and Grindsbrook plus the rest of the fords along the skyline route east were easily crossed due to very little running water. A brief drinks stop at a path junction near the Druids Stone was followed by a longer one at a wall prior to the ascent of Winn Hill. From there the descent back to Hope.
Altogether a grand day out – good views, no rain, mainly overcast skies with the odd sunny period plus a “pit stop” at the Old Hall pub to finish off. My Strava relates 7hrs 45mins of walking time, 9 hours total. 19.22 miles plus 3334ft of ascent. Thanks to all who came and well done for the achievement! Pics of the team on Lose Hill and Win hill can be found on the walking WhatsApp group.
Pete

Bill’s pics

Steve’s pic

4 members attended on an unexpectedly sunny and dry day !
Setting off down the top end of the Dale we were soon admiring the Dove Holes (caves)and the nearby Ilam Rock pinnacle.
A stiff climb then followed to the top of Ilam Woods.Passing Air Cottage we continued over the summit of Bunster Hill with panoramic views of Ilam and the valley beyond.
After a steep descent,we took the path round to the bridge at the foot of Thorpe Cloud where we joined the multitudes toiling their way to the summit.There we stopped for lunch before taking the obligatory long route down (the two usual routes being closed because of erosion and accident risk).
The world and his wife were gathered by the river and Stepping Stones-so we pressed on up the bottom section of the Dale resisting the temptation to go on forays to visit places like “Tissington Spires” and “Reynard’s cave” (a trip for another day perhaps?!}
Before long we found ourselves back below Ilam Rock.One member then continued up the Dale following the route we had taken in the morning,while the remaining 3 took the longer route up Hall Dale and over Stanhope pastures to reach the car park in Mill Dale.
The full team then enjoyed some excellent ice cream to round off a lovely day in spring sunshine.
Mike D

A small, select group, me and Hugh braved the early start but we had no problem getting parked up. Had lots of varied weather from horizontal rain and mist to bright sunshine. route was completed finding the 3 crash sites we went for. A good day despite the weather. Gordon

A day without rain! 10 of us made it to Harborough Rocks. A cool dry day, warming up when the sun came out and cooling down when the wind got up.
Plenty of routes and boulder problems done. It did seem like we were in the middle of a war zone with two different clay pigeon shoots and the factory making a lot of noise. We all survived. Role on summer! David

Friday – fresh snow on the hills from the last two days. A bright start, then windy with hail and rain. Kial and Terri did an extended tour of the Carneddau and Glyders, in training for bigger things. Rosie, Helen and Geoff walked towards the Glyders from Capel and retreated to Ogwen where Helen’s smile and thumb quickly got us a lift home. Dave and Linda explored the reservoirs North of Capel. Bill biked and pushed up Snowdon.
Saturday – bright and clear. Helen, Rosie, Bill and Geoff walked from Ogwen to Abergwygregyn on the N Wales coast. Great views. Only two cars where we came down, but Helen’s charms got her a lift back to Ogwen to retrieve her car and pick up the rest of us. Terri and Kial climbed at Castle Inn Quarry off the A55. A sunny venue.
Sunday – again bright and clear with a chill wind. Bill and Geoff went over the N ridge of Tryfan, Bristly Ridge, Glyders and Y Garn. A lift home was harder to catch for two old men, but after 20 mins a tiny car squeezed us in the back. Rosie, Terri, Helen, Dave and Linda went to the sunny delights of Castle Inn Quarry. Kial and Gemma explored the area N of the hut. Geoff’s easter egg was munched in the evening.
Monday – drizzle. All went home, except Bill and Geoff – who did a couple of routes on little Tryfan before we called it a day.

An early Easter meant this meet was more walking than climbing with unseasonal snow enhancing the trip. Car parks were still very busy so walking from the hut and hitching back was a good option, or getting up early. The N London Mountaineering club hut is a great location. Better when the radiators work but the wood burner dried out kit. Welcome to Terri on her first away meet. Geoff.

Eight people gathered at Cutthroat Bridge on Sunday evening for a rather hastily-arranged moonlight walk, including 5 survivors of the previous night’s ceilidh and 2 former members (who might even re-join). Apologies were received from a few others, with excuses including prior engagements and failure to recover from stripping the willow. We headed up to Whinstone Lee, the newly-risen full moon behind us, but views of the sunset were disappointing, as the disc had already disappeared behind Kinder Scout, and there was no colour to the clouds above. We traversed round above Ladybower reservoir before climbing back up to Derwent Edge, where we saw the full glory of the moon to the east. In the fading twilight we continued up to the Wheelstones, where we paused for warming refreshments, including tea, coffee, and Talisker (thanks, Max!). Despite the promises of Linda’s App there was no sign of any Northern Lights, and so we headed back down, the track illuminated all the way by the moon. Torches were only needed to avoid the mud on the final climb back up through the trees above Cutthroat Bridge to reach the cars. Thanks to all who came. JB

Ten people plus 2 dogs hopped on the very crowded 9.30 train from Hope to Edale. We set off at a brisk pace and ascended the Great Ridge, pausing at Hollins Cross for a photo opportunity. The descent to Castleton followed tracks and quiet lanes, with a brief stop at a shed snack shop. We found a very convenient cafe where the owners were not at all fazed by seating a large group. Here we re-fuelled and then set off across some boggy meadows alongside the river. At Brough we ascended through some woods and enjoyed great views down the length of the Hope Valley and down to Shatton. Joining the river once again, we then stomped through more mud to Leadmill Bridge and then a short stretch back to cars parked around Hathersage station. A linear walk of 9.5 miles completed. Well done all.
Ali
Lorna’s pic

John R’s pic

We all arrived to unpack fast and race across for a quick drink in the Roy Bridge Hotel, only open on a Saturday evening. 8 in the hut and 2 outliers in a cottage. David and John managed Beinn Fhionnlaidh on the way.

Sunday 11th February
Tom started out all excited and ready to attempt the Ring of Steal when the weather closed in on the Western peaks. As he summited An Gearanach the claggy weather caught up and all the world was getting ready to disappear. Tom retreated to the car admiring the Steall waterfalls.
Pete, Andy, Hugh and Gordon summited Beinn Tealloch, 915m from Roughburn (Loch Lagan) adding Beinn a Chaorainn. A straightforward route to Beinn Teallach, descending to bealach at head of Allt a Chaorainn Tur. Then up to Beinn a Chaorainn with a white out on top of the ridge. All three tops covered and a descent of the ridge.
Dave, John and Helen headed up Sgor na h-Ulaidh, crampons and ice axe required by two and the summit pleasantly dramatic looking down on a snow filled gully and cornice. David led the way home on a bike with squeaky brakes and no lights despite dusk.

Monday 12th February
The forecast was poor so Andy, Dave, Hugh the two outliers and friends headed up Sgurr a’Mhaim looking for a shorter day, unfortunately high winds stopped play resulting in the team turning back at about 750 meters.
Tom, Peter and Gordon stayed low and explored the ‘Puddy Line’ a disused tramway, which consisted of an easy but squelchy walk along the redundant line with three cordoned off bridges to cross. A detour was made around three of them but one enjoyed a balancing walk over the girders. A riverside walk for the return journey and returning to the car dry. Red squirrels observed.
Helen swam in the local pool, joined the gym and sat online. John chilled in the lodge.
Lorna and Simon called in for tea and cake and discuss plans. They became regular visitors over the week and we all learnt about charging electrical cars and the Walkhighlands web site.

Tuesday 13th February
A wet morning led to a beautiful sunny afternoon with snow showers. Four went to the climbing wall in Fort William and enjoyed it all to themselves. Tom and Hugh headed up from Fersit and with heavy snow they turned round from Meall Cian Dearg, a mini alpine day aiming for Stob Coire Easain. Tea and biscuits featured daily with hot toddies courtesy of Geoff’s Shackleton whisky, made by Dave who also cooked the daily porridge. Dave checked out Fort William’s cafes before working in the library. John managed a little local hill, Meall Nan Luath.

Wednesday 14th February
Peter and Gordon took a train to Corrour and completed Bienn na Lap in deep snow with some step kicking. They were back in good time for the return train and dropped in to see Jan at the youth Hostel. Dave and John completed Carn Dearg from Corrour, then decided that soft snow in a whiteout was less than ideal for the continuation to Sgor Gaibhre. They stayed a night in Ossian Hostel utilising the spare food cupboard and some spring greens from Jan, and found Scrabble was played to a high standard.
Andy and Helen completed Beinn a Chlachair, Gael Charn and Creag Pitridh in gentle conditions, snow on the ground but quite mild. Andy working like a fell runner and Helen the shuffling shadow, sometimes at a considerable distance but always there. A golden eagle soared above to complete a perfect day.
Lorna ,Simon and friends headed off up the same track by bike hoping to join up with Andy and his Shadow, but they remained distant moving objects never to catch up. We did say hello to Hugh and Tom as they peeled off up their hill. Hugh and Tom completed Creag Pitridh with its long 5.5k walk in along the excellent track to Lochan na h-Earba.

Thursday 15th February
Gordon and Pete, after the full English, spent the morning doing micro navigation practice from the church above Achluachrah taking in Chrachaire, a sheepfold, various spot heights, fence corner junction and a massive bog trot back where Pete managed to get a boot full.
Tom and Hugh both went to Fort William shopping. Helen online again elevating a swollen knee after a small bash on a rock.
John and David managed Sgor Gaibhre, returning by the 16.00 train.
Andy joined Lorna and Simon bagging two more Munro’s, Carn Sgulain and A’ Chailleach whilst bog trotting.
Food was amazing as Hugh cooked up Cuillin Skink and finished with trifle before Helen headed off with Hugh to the 20th anniversary of the Fort William Mountain Festival.
The award for the best biscuits goes to Lorna and Simon topped only by Hugh turning out the Cuillin Skink. As Tom commented he never lost weight on any of these trips, the food has been wonderful. John’s leftover Camembert wafting out of the fridge on every opening.

Friday 16th February
David and John drove up to Loch Quoich and squelched their way up Gairich, a mountain they were actually able to see!
Lorna, Simon, Jeremy and Martin with Andy and Helen cycled up Glen Finnan through a beautiful Glen with a train passing overhead and Harry Potter waving down. The deer were being fed hay looking with bemusement as we cycled by. Today there were 7 people shadowing a long way behind the Pied Piper Andy charging off in front and running back to the bikes. Blue skies at times and sun attempting to break through, the snow sugary and the crampons left in the car.
Pete, Gordon and Hugh left from Fersit and climbed Stob Coire Sgriodain and Chno Dearg, an ice axe needed for the first time this trip and kicking steps on the ascent. Interesting mountain structure with lots of tops. A nice high col between the two summits. Descening Chno Dearg Pete did a lot of glissading, Gordon tripped in the deep snow and broke his pole.
Tom kept the home fire burning.
Everyone out to Spean Bridge Station Restaurant for a well earned meal and to complete the meets report. A toast to absent friends Pete McGlynn and Geoff Nichols.

Saturday 17th February
Everyone headed south except Helen, John and Dave who cycled in and ascended Gulvain. Before heading in their different directions. A productive meet. Mountain bikes were very useful for reducing the walk ins.

Geoff

Lorna’s pictures