Wed, 8 Jan 2020
The A group set off to Side Farm, Patterdale, ascended towards Hare Shaw and on to The Knight. The path to Place Fell was taken and here the wind was strong but the speed greatly reduced from the previous day. The route continued over Hart Crag and then the long gradual descent was enjoyed to Garth Heads followed by the steep pull up onto Howsteadbrow. The long undulating ridge of Beda Fell was a delight and following this the group descended to cross Freeze Beck on the way to Boredale Hause and the return to Patterdale.
The B group left Rydal and joined the Coffin Route towards Grasmere. With clear skies and dry weather they continued past Wood Close before joining the ascending path to Alcock Tarn. The tranquil tarn was easily reached, and made even more attractive by rainbows and sightings of the Langdales and waterfalls. The path then descended steeply below Butter Crag to Michaels Fold. With Stone Arthur and Blea Rigg beyond, the group carefully made their way to the bridge below the cascades. The route then took them above Forest Side to White Moss Common. With continuing good weather and clear skies the group took the path along the south shore of Rydal Water to return to the starting point at The Badger bar.
Sun, 12 Jan 2020
Keswick Ramblers ‘A’ group completed a circular walk of approximately 9 .5 miles starting from the car park at the southern end of Haweswater Reservoir. The weather promised to improve during the day and there was a short spell of light rain, sleet showers higher up, sunshine and light winds. The route followed the Gatescarth pass, turned right up and over Harter Fell, 778m, to Nan Bield Pass, where the shelter provided a wind break for coffee time, continued up to Mardale Ill bell, 760m, along to High Street, 828m, the high point for the day, along to Kidsty Pike, 780m, and then dropped down to the side of Haweswater and return to the car park.
Wed, 15 Jan 2020
The C walkers started from Peel Wyke, and climbed steadily through the trees to the summit of the hill, then descended by another path. Their route then was towards Silver Meadows, diverting to have a look at The Orient Express. The reconstructed engine and coaches were standing at the old Bassenthwaite Station. Shelter from a cold wind was taken in the Norse House for a short lunch break, then the circuit of the Nature Reserve was followed. The bird feeders were being well used by Blue Tits, Coal Tits and Great Tits, and were very entertaining to watch. The walkers then looped back to the car at Peel Wyke.
Thur, 16 Jan 2020
Eleven club members set out on the annual head torch walk. It was a very wet evening. From Keswick Swimming Pool, the group made its way to the end of Springs Road, where head torches were switched on. Then it was up through Springs Wood, before veering right and descending to the National Trust car park at Great Wood. After crossing the road along Derwentwater, lakeside paths were followed back to the start line, where heavy rain had flooded the swimming pool car park. Having removed sodden waterproofs, the party continued by car to The Ravenstone Manor. There the walkers joined other club members for a very pleasant meal and convivial conversation, before all made their various ways home.
Sun, 19 Jan 2020
The ground was bound solid by the frost, the air was bracing, wispy clouds floated high in the sky and the snow-capped summits dazzled as the B-group left Thornthwaite before embarking on the enchanting Coomb Beck Trail, tracing the stream up the slope of Thwaitehill Knotts. Many delightful meanders through Whinlatter Forest then conveyed them to the visitor centre, where they picnicked in bright sunshine. Having crossed the Braithwaite-to-Lorton road, they then entered the Revelin Moss area and zigzagged across Hospital Plantation along gently undulating bridleways, with the vistas of Skiddaw and Blencathra framing the picture beautifully. The intricate Heavy Sides and Masmill Beck Trails offered further delights before the high-spirited group descended to Hallgarth via Noble Knott.
Wed, 22 Jan 2020
At 8am when the pillar box across the road wasn’t visible, the A walk was nearly cancelled, but what a MAGICAL day; soon after starting from Honister the mist cleared leaving the Lakeland tops bathed in bright sunshine, due to cloud inversion all the valleys were still shrouded in the fluffy white stuff. After Brandreth and proceeding towards Green Gable, a memorable brocken spectre was photographed. The Westmorland cairn by Great Gable summit was visited but it was decided not to drop down onto Moses Trod, which was still in cloud, but to stay high and enjoy the views and winter sunshine. After retracing their steps just before Grey Knots they turned NW to join the disused tramway for the descent to Honister.
The B group left Seatoller car park up to Johnny Wood, Borrowdale came and went in the mist, wonderland. Down through the lichen covered wood, then up to Scaleclose Coppice, where the stunning usually hidden waterfall was in full view. Down over New Bridge then Hazel Bank bridge and right along the path by Stonethwaite Beck. Lunch by a babbling brook with mists and sun all around; was the A group up there somewhere? Then over the Smithymire island bridge and past the summer swimming pool, over the next bridge and along by thundering Galleny Force to Stonethwaite, left past the church and on for tea etc at Glaramara. Glorious.
The C walkers started from near Grange Bridge, following the riverside path into the village. The road was followed, then a good path to Derwentwater Lake. All the tops were in thick mist, but there were reasonable views along the length of the lake. Goldeneye could be seen, also Mallard and a Grey Heron. Crossing over The Chinese Bridge the road path was reached and taken back to the car.
Wed, 5 Feb 2020
Twelve members of the A group set off to climb Clough Head via Fisherwife’s Rake. They had a clear view of the seemingly vertical route! However, although the route was steep and exposed in places, it was perfectly possible and very satisfying. The group continued to Jim’s Fold for coffee. An easy walk to Clough Head, Calfhow Pike, Great Dodd and Watsons Dodd followed. The wind was keener than forecast so they descended towards Castle Rock until it eased in order to have lunch. A quick ascent of Castle Rock followed before the final descent to pick up a footpath which followed St. John’s Beck back to the start at Wanthwaite Bridge.
The B Group had to shield their ears from intensive aircraft activity on setting out from Brumston Bridge taking the gently ascending path past the ruins of Wythop Old Church and through Chapel Wood before climbing up onto Sale Fell. The best views of the day from Lothwaite were deserving of a break having met 2 other members of the Club by chance. Wide grassy paths led to the summit and then a gentle descent near to Kelsick Farm. First loop completed, the group walked back to the bridge and then climbed Ling Fell via the Corpse Road and enjoyed a gradual descent from the summit cairn to complete the figure of 8 walk.
Wed, 19 Feb 2020
It was a dull but dry day when the A group set off from Chapel Bridge. After scrambling up Scope End the waterproofs went on as the snow began to fall. It was heavier by the time the group reached Hindscarth summit and the full force of the wind was felt on the ascent up to Dale Head. The descent to Dale Head Tarn eastwards on the grassy slope was wet and slippery and the decision was taken to descend alongside the waterfalls of Newlands Valley in what was then heavy rain. It was good to get out after the recent storms and everyone was smiling despite the weather. (12.5km with 700m of ascent.)
Thirteen B walkers caught the 9:30 bus to Thirlmere Dam to climb the rocky outcrops of Yew Crag to High Rigg. The walk progressed along the ridge in slowly deteriorating weather. From the summit at the northern end a grassy downward path led to St. John’s-in-the-Vale church which provided welcome shelter for the lunch stop. After descending over Low Rigg past Tewet Tarn in wet and muddy conditions the walk was cut short, returning to Keswick via Naddle bridge and Goosewell Farm.
Sun, 23 Feb 2020
The ‘A’ group, fully suited to weather the storm, set out from Spooney Green Lane to complete a circular walk of approximately 10 miles along the Cumbria Way to Skiddaw House, over Sale How, onwards to Skiddaw and returning along the Cumbria Way back to the start. However, during a stop for coffee it became clear that the wind and snow showers were going to make it unsafe to complete the whole route. The group retraced their steps along the Cumbria Way to find the path across Glenderaterra Beck and followed the terrace way to Threlkeld. After a well-deserved cafè break, the return to Keswick via Wescoe and Brundholme was completed hoping to miss any further showers. In all 14 miles!
A gale as well as rain, sleet, snow and hail, alongside some brilliant sunshine, enlivened this walk, which saw an intrepid B-group hop off the bus at Rosthwaite. The first blizzard accompanied them to Watendlath, where a sunny interlude had been organised specifically for their pit stop. Tracing the foaming Watendlath Beck, they strode towards Ashness Bridge via Surprise View, the latter allowing them to survey the extent of flooding in the Chinese Bridge area. Dazzled by snow-capped Skiddaw, they proceeded along the terrace path underneath Falcon Crag before emerging by Derwentwater – only to find the lakeshore path submerged. Even a section of the new, elevated, Ings duckboard was under water, but would anything deter them from reaching Keswick? Of course not!
Wed, 4 Mar 2020
The A group met at Elterwater on the first club walk day after all the winter storms seemed to have blown themselves out. Phew! The day was wonderfully calm and dry, with reasonable views too, so with everybody relieved to be out and about in “fair weather” they walked to Skelwith Bridge, scaled Black Crag and descended to the now relatively treeless Tarn Howes. They reached Holme Fell for lunch after passing Yew Tree Farm, then descended to Hodge Close (obligatory visit to the bottom of the quarry), into Little Langdale (obligatory visit to Cathedral Cave) before crossing Slater’s Bridge (obligatory photo opportunity) and returning to Elterwater (obligatory visit to the Britannia Inn!).
The B group met at Thornthwaite intending to walk to Cockermouth.
Splendid weather after wind and rain. The scramble up Beckstones Gill proved challenging, then out of the forest onto Barf. A satisfying stride along to Lord’s Seat, the highest point of the day and on to Broom Fell and Graystones. Kirk Fell was skirted and the walk continued across farmland where frog spawn was spotted. A short stretch of road led to Southwaite Bridge. The final stretch was a lovely river walk to Cockermouth -lots of bird song and welcome signs of Spring including celandines and daisies.
The C walkers set off from a quarry near to the Ravenstone Hotel, walking through the wood to arrive at the visitor centre. A gentle climb up through the trees then led to the Osprey viewpoint. The Osprey has not arrived yet, but the well-stocked feeders attracted many birds to look at whilst a lunch stop was taken. The way back followed the same route.
Sun, 8 Mar 2020
The B group, consisting of 9 ladies, set off from Muncaster for a 7½mile circular walk up and over Muncaster Fell . The group set off in windy, overcast but dry weather climbing up to Hooker Crag and continued to traverse the fell, avoiding the many boggy areas as best they could. The weather improved and the group enjoyed the ever-changing panorama of the surrounding fells. The path dropped down to Muncaster Head and continued along the base of the fell. Interest was added by discovering a plaque marking the site of a Roman tile kiln and, later, passing the monument erected in the memory of Henry V1, who was found wandering nearby after a battle, and taken to Muncaster Castle for safekeeping.
Wed, 18 Mar 2020
The B group, travelling in their own cars and strictly keeping well apart parked in the Water End lay-by at the end of Loweswater climbed Fellbarrow, then onto Low Fell and Darling Fell before returning to their cars.