Greeny's Last Wainwright

It's taken me just over 44 years but I have now completed 213 of the 214 "Wainwrights" as described in Alfred Wainwright's Pictorial Guides to the Lake District. I have climbed nearly half of the fells on my own and the others with friends, work colleagues, acquaintances, family and sometimes fellow walkers I have met along the way. It was John, Martin, Curls and  Peter introduced me to the beauty (and the dangers!) of climbling in the Lake District whilst we were at school and then subsequently during holidays from University. Initially, we climbed most of the big ones, the Scafells, Langdale Horseshoe, Helvellyn, Skiddaw and then over the following years we have climbed over 50 "Wainwrights" together.

Some who have joined me on my "fell bagging" were aware of my quest others were oblivious or unaware and if I pushed them too far on occasions, I apologise, there was a goal to achieve!

I shall be attempting to complete the last "Wainwright" on Thurs 29th Oct 2015 (or Friday 30th Oct if Thurs weather is atrocious) and welcome anyone who wishes to join me. The remaining fell is Rosthwaite Fell or "Bessyboot" and starting from Rosthwaite in Borrowdale it's about a 5m circular walk of 1500ft of ascent.

I'll update this blog by adding comments on the walk details nearer the time depending on the weather etc.

Myself and the family are staying in cottages in Braithwaite from 24th-31st Oct and fellow walkers (and non-walkers) are invited for a few beers and food after the event.

Here is the proposed "short walk" from Rosthwaite which can be extended depending on the weather etc.

 "..the steep climb amongst the trees is charming" AW

Here are some pictures of the walk  wainwrightroutes.co.uk

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Looking forward to Coniston. Any ideas for walks? Read more!

Fw: Walking weekend

Subject: Re: Walking weekend

Hi chaps - I'm not prepared to declare my hand about Saturday yet - however - are there any plans for Friday? - although Fred can't make it until the evening, Pete and I are planning for a morning start.

Cheers

Alan

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Fw: Walking weekend

Evening!

I'm gonna give it a go. In for a penny and all that. I'm driving down with my dad so we should be there late afternoon.

See you all there!

James

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Fw: Walking weekend

Good evening chaps.

I am happy to be the first to declare that I am not walking up and down Snowdon but intend to take the train up and walk down.

The train goes from Llanberis which is about six miles from the hotel and takes about an hour but I am sure you have all had a look at their website. I plan to book a ticket for 10.30 and if any other 'B' teamers want to join me let know and I will book tickets.

My thinking is that if the good people of Wales went to the trouble of running a railway line up to the summit, it would be rude not to make use of it. That is my excuse, anyway.

See you all on friday

Fred

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Fw: Snowdonia

Hi Folks

Jim B can't make it due to family reasons so I have agreed the following with the hotel:

Steve now shares with Peter, so James now just shares with daddy and upgrades to a proper bed. The additional £40 total cost of this is reduced by giving James the £23 deposit Jim's already paid. Jim is happy with this (as he should be!).

Hope this is OK.

See you there!

Mike P.

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Fw: Walking Weekend June 2011

Hi Everyone
Pleased to hear you had a great time in Hartington - sorry to have missed it!
So, Snowdonia it is for next year.
I'll book the Pen-y-Gwrd Hotel for the equivalent w/e to this year's event, which is 10/11/12 June 2011. It's a smashing place, you'll love it. If you can't make it, please let me know by 30 June cos I need to book well in advance.
If I don't hear anything, I'll assume you're in.
Looking forward to it!
Cheers
Mike
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Fw: Walking Weekend June 11 12 2010

I don't know if either of these files can make the blog:

Songbook/songsheet
Song List

M

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Fw: Walking Weekend June 11 12 2010

Hi All
This is the final joining email for the Walking Weekend. Our booking has been confirmed and we are booked in for dinner on Friday and Saturday Evenings.
Room allocation is as follows (we all pay the same)
Dave
Fred and Alan
Steve and John M.
Martin , Paul and Jim
Chris , Roger J, Peter and John K.
I will be aiming to be there at 10.00am on Friday as explained previously, heading to The George at Alstonefield for lunchtime. http://www.charlescotton.co.uk/

Mike has already offered to organise next year in Snowdonia. We can confirm this over the weekend and in the meantime here is his suggested hotel website.

http://www.pyg.co.uk/

From memory, mobile phone reception in Hartington village is iffy but better once you have a little height.

I would be grateful if you could acknowledge receipt of this message and let me have your mobile phone number in your reply.

In the meantime, Steve's website is recommended

http://www.oldgeezers.org.uk/

See you on Friday.

John

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Fw: Walking Weekend June 11 12 2010

Steve

I will consult the other members of the B team regarding your application. You will appreciate that we have certain standards to maintain, but we may be able to make an exception in your case.

Cheers

Fred

# John
# Itinerary looks good although I've had an achilles problem so I may be in the
# B(eer)team!
# Steve G.

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Fw: Walking Weekend June 11 12 2010

Good morning All. This email is to check that you are still alive and fully committed to Hartington.Mike can't make it and I may not be able to hold the price per head depending on final room configuration. With the Hotel arrangements to finalise,could you all confirm your attendance by responding to me by email. A number of you haven't settled the deposit and I would be grateful for donations. I will be aiming to arrive by 10.00am on the Friday ready for a short walk to Alstonefield via Biggin Dale to The George for a pint and a gastro pub lunch. On Saturday I am thinking of walk down Beresford Dale, Wolfscote Dale and Dove Dale to Thorp and back on the Tissington Trail with pints halfway.This is a fairish distance but no hills to speak of. We could arrange to leave a car halfway.  Better suggestions or variations gratefully received!! Sunday will look after itself.  Many short walks around Hartington. On receipt of responses, I will reconfirm the hotel and will be back to you with a final update as soon as.
Regards to All
John K. Read more!

Fw: Walking Weekend June 11 12 2010

Dear All
I am pleased to confirm that I have booked the venue for 2010.

This will be the Charles Cotton Hotel, Market Place, Hartington, Derbyshire SK17 0AL.
Hartington is in the middle of the Peak District with walking from the front door.
I ruled out four other possibilities in the Peak District.

There are thirteen of us and I have compromised on room allocations to fit us in for a price of £105 per head for two nights dinner bed and breakfast. The booking includes one room for four and one for three. I will allocate rooms in due course. Drinks will be extra!! I propose that we each pay the same charge and I have paid a deposit of £20 per head to confirm the booking.
Updates will follow as necessary. This year's weekend will take some beating, but we will give it our best shot.>
Cheers
John
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Askrigg, Sunday, June 14, 2009 - Addle(d)..brough

Sunday - our last day - the sun was still shining, John K. suggested a stroll up the most obvious local hill - Addlebrough at 480 m. There was a full turnout as we set off up the permissive path out of Thornton Rust. Having read the rules allowing a 'permissive path' .....Curls claimed that they included a ban on 'silliness'!!
The walk proved a relatively gentle - apart from the last 200 metres - stroll across some fairly featureless countryside - with the only real sound coming from the curlews. It gave a good opportunity to chat and finally enjoy a really good view of Wensleydale and Semer Water. On the way back down, we continued to follow the signposted path through the fields until unaccountably we came across an area which looked as though it had been specially planted as a nature reserve - so despite the obstacles of climbing over the fences both in and out, we trampled our way through this - only to spot the path which went round the outside as we emerged!
Finally, we walked back along the road into Thornton Rust. Here Paul and Martin had to set off for the long drive back down south, but the rest of us were able to sample one more Dales pub, the Fox and Hounds at West Witton. Again we struck lucky and enjoyed a beer and a sandwich in the sunshine, reflecting that it would be good to spend the afternoon there, but all good things have to come to an end, so we eventually set off back home.

A really good weekend - perhaps without a single 'ball-breaker' but with 3 day's walking with the whole group - thanks Chris.
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Askrigg - Saturday, June 13, 2009 - Old Geezers go silly and Old Peculiar in Muker

Saturday dawned with the sun shining brightly, slightly later the team assembled for breakfast. A walk from Muker was on the agenda for the day, but Fred's knee was playing up so he was only able to act as driver. We duly arrived at Muker in Swaledale and set off up to join the Pennine Way ... along Kisdon Side up towards Keld. (I was a bit disappointed that we couldn't visit the little village of Angram which of course was one letter short of an anagram - there has to be a joke there somewhere if you see a postman!)
The initial path out of Muker was fairly steep but soon joined the Pennine Way running along above the dale until we crossed across the dale to the waterfall where we had our butties - interrupted only by a flying armada of midges.
We set off back down the dale and shortly came to a possible detour - described as an interesting scramble, where the path went uphill past Crackpot Hall to the top of Swinner Gill. Curls and John M. were tempted, the rest of us were more attracted by the lower levels. We paused, at the bottom of Swinner Gill watching some students busily taking water samples and wondering whether they would be affected by some of our party adding to the water flow slightly upstream!

Eventually, we re-united to tackle the final walk into Muker and miraculously as we arrived at the only pub - the Farmers' Arms we managed to find a couple of tables outside in the sunshine.


The next couple of hours showed up a slight weakness in our planning, in that :-

a) The sun was shining and we had all found a seat

b) It was only early afternoon - and we'd walked far enough to develop a thirst

c) - and most critically - they served Old Peculier

Old Peculiars at the
Farmer's Arms Muker

There was some debate as to whether the southerners amongst us should be allowed to sample it, but nonetheless, a number of pints were supped.
As we sat there - and I swear this was nothing to do with the beer - a bus turned up, proudly marked as the Little Red Bus - but painted white!! Eventually, we realised that, for the benefit of the drivers we should return to the White Rose.

Ensconced back in their beer garden - Curls spent some time developing a new concept. Basically, it seemed to revolve around the fact that if you drank 5 pints the next one would count as your first and you could truthfully report you'd only had one. He seemed very satisfied with this!

After an enjoyable day, it was time again for dinner. The general concensus was that it had been a good day not least because the whole group had completed the walk together. Chris was congratulated on an excellent choice of area and accommodation and John K. was duly 'elected' to become the chairman for the following year.
Following our meal again the survivors joined Martin for some songs, and as our party gradually retired to bed, the singing was bolstered by the locals. Read more!

Askrigg, Friday, June 12, 2009 - A proper pub

Fred having volunteered to drive Pete and myself (Alan), we arrived safely at Askrigg only a couple of minutes after our 10.30 am target, sun was shining, all was right with the world. We were immediately impressed to see that Chris had got the ale situation well under control... with not one, but two drays making deliveries to the White Rose as we arrived. (Slightly concerned that one of them seemed to be delivering John Smith's!)
John K., Mike and Curls were there waiting for us and we were soon off on the first half of the day's walking up Mill Gill to Mill Gill Force and Whitfield Gill Force. Despite his retirement from teaching, Curls was determined to educate us and showed us the water supply which ran from Mill Gill to a generator installed in a small barn which supplied the first domestic electricity in the UK. There was much speculation, as to where they would have bought their light bulbs etc., but we were duly impressed. One or two of us noted the use of ducting/gravity to transport liquids - a subject to which we were to return.
Lesson over we continued onward and upward, negotiating a series of extremely narrow stiles/squeezes through the field walls - never realised how tight these Tykes were! At the top of the gill we eventually followed a path which in winter would probably have provided a fine view of Whitfield Gill Force but in June only trees and bushes! Returning back down we had a better view of Mill Gill as we crossed the footbridge back to Low Straights Lane and eventually back down to Askrigg for lunch at the White Rose.
Now joined by Paul and Martin (I think I got the timing right) the initial sorties were made to the bar - pints of Askrigg all round (brewed in a shed just behind the hotel) - although there seemed some doubt if the landlady would serve Mike as he was obviously a southerner! A second round was required to allow a comparison with Black Sheep - not a bad line up!
After a bite of lunch we set off for an afternoon stroll past Newbiggin to Woodhall and then back along the disused railway line to Askrigg. Just as we re-entered the village came across the Crown and we felt that it wouldn't be right to pass by on the other side - pints of McMullen's AK all round. Service by one of the customers, because the landlord was busy elsewhere, summed up for me a 'proper' pub.
Finally, got back to the White Rose where we were duly joined by Roger and John M. - so the party was complete - although Greeny was sadly unable to join us this year. Sat in the sunshine reflecting upon how the Askrigg was transported from the 'shed' to the bar. It was believed that a wheelbarrow was involved, but it was felt that without baffles this could be subject to some spillage - as the sunshine and beer improved the thought processes - we wondered if they could utilise the pipes from the hydro-electric generator Curls had told us about.
We ate in the White Rose and generally felt the food/choice was good. Some of us discovered the pool table and darts in the residents' lounge, Roger demonstrating the combined benefits of a misspent youth and a good memory, then the survivors joined Martin for some music to round off a full day, with perhaps the best turnout for the Friday Walk. Read more!

Welcome to the New Old Geezers blog

Please feel free to add reports,comments, post your pictures,news etc. More instructions here ...

I have replaced the old blog, with the aim of making it simple and easy for old geezers, if they wish, to add pictures/reports etc. If you need instructions let me know. You can also just e-mail your posts or pictures directly to the blog(email me for the blog email address). Be careful to remove any personal detail email/tel nos etc from the body of the email. See examples below.
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Fw: Walking Weekend 2009

Attached are a couple of pics.
Martin .....

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Fw: Walking Weekend 2010

Dear All

While the force is still with us, I would like to confirm that I will be booking accommodation ...... on 11 and 12 June 2010. Will you please confirm whether you will be joining us for the weekend.

Regards

John

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The Yorkshire Bridge Inn, Hope Valley - Sunday 8th June 2008 - Castleton, Mam Tor and the Devils Ar**

It's a beautiful day even better than yesterday - clear blue skies and warm ........unlike yesterday.

Roger has to leave at 8.00am to get home and deal with his overgrown lawns (allegedly!).

There is talk about MPs expenses at breakfast. Steve informs those present that, allegedly, Margaret Beckett claimed expenses for dealing with a stinking manhole - at which point John K. just manages to avoid showering the table with a mouthful of muesli. John M. and Fred also leave after breakfast and there is a debate about what to do. John M. recommended the Blue John Mines before he left. Finally, Steve suggests a walk up to Mam Tor.

We drive over to Castleton where we manage to lose Alan and Pete en-route. Some time later we manage to re-group near Speedwell Cavern. Whereupon, Chris, Alan and Pete think better of a another walk and decide to go boating down a mine where Alan subsequently loses his hat (well it's better than losing your shirt).

Paul, Martin, Mike, John K. and Steve walk up to Mam Tor via Treak Cavern. From the trig. point on Mam Tor there are great views of Edale valley, along the Great Ridge to Lose Hill and Win Hill in the far distance where we walked yesterday.

From Mam Tor we wander along the Great Ridge down to Hollins Cross and from there it was a pleasant stroll in the warm sunshine down into Castleton for lunch at the Castle Inn.

• A tricky decision - to go "up the front" or "up the back"
• Mike wants to walk the whole length of the Great Ridge before lunch and is restrained by Paul.
• Did anybody spot the Devil's Arse?

See the full photo gallery here (and try to spot the Devil's Arse!)
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The Yorkshire Bridge Inn, Hope Valley - Saturday 7th June 2008 - Edale, Kinder, Ringing Roger and almost a Marilyn

John M. (in the 'Three Men in a Room') awakes with a start to find Fred wandering about the room with a pole (of the wooden sort!) but other than this there are fortunately no casualties .....from last night.
The forecast is for showers this afternoon according to the MWIS. As usual there are two walking parties, the A-Team and the B-Team.

Team A members are the two Johns, Mike, Steve, Chris, Paul and Martin (a surprise promotion to the A-Team for good behaviour).

Team B are Alan, Fred, Chris, Pete and Roger.

The A Team set off early to walk to Bamford Station via the old disused railway track from Ladybower to Bamford in order to catch the 10.36am train to Edale. The A team are pictured here at Bamford Mills just before crossing the River Derwent into the village.

After a stop off at Sweaty Betty's in Edale by Martin and Paul for sandwiches we climb up to Kinder via Grindsbrook Clough and walk back by Upper Tor, Ringing Roger, Madwoman's Stones to Win Hill and eventually back down to the Yorkshire Bridge Inn.

There were great views from the summit of Win Hill Pike.

The A+ team (Mike, John K.?) phone the remains of the A team to inform them they can smell "the barmaid's apron" from Win Hill Pike and therefore can't wait for the rest of the team! They take the steep but direct descent via Parkin Clough to the YBI. Steve, Paul and Martin bringing up the A Team rear take the longer but less steeper route via The Springs and Ladybower dam.

Back at the YBI, we think the B-Team must be already have arrived, had a drink and gone for a lie down as there's no sign of them. Or are they at the Ladybower Inn? Chris phones Roger to check and discovers they're still on their way back!

We estimate the A-Team walk was about 13 miles (13.5m by Steve's GPS but his, Paul and Martin's route involved a slightly longer descent). John M. questions Steve's maths this morning - 2 miles to the station + 9 mile walk = 13.0 miles (eh!)

Eventually, the B-Team arrive having allegedly undertaken a gut(or should it be Dam) busting assault course over Win Hill Pike and around the nether regions of Derwent and Ladybower reservoirs. Barbed-wired fences, we are told, are carefully negotiated (Tip for you guys: Next time, take a few bar towels to wrap round the barbs - I carry one all the time!). Let's just say it didn't appear to have been a good teambuilding exercise and since no photographic evidence was provided by them, it is still believed that they really got the bus back to the YBI!

A-Team walk :

• Martin fancies a round of Golf before getting on the train.
• Mike searches the OS map in vain for the peak of Kinder Scout!
• ..... and wants to know how a GPS receiver knows where it is (Unfortunately, life's too short!)
• Chris tells us the story of Fanny Green.
• Ringing Roger from Ringing Roger
  
• Paul stands on a Grouse (well nearly!)
• A bit of a detour to Hope Cross
• We just fail to bag a Marilyn by a few metres!

(Postscript: Actually Kinder is a Marilyn but with around 144 m of relative height, Win Hill is only a few metres short. I don't think we reached to actual summit of Kinder did we Mike!)

After dinner Martin leads the community singing in the dining room with - "Job's Worth" and "Who's pigs are these ..."
We are then politely asked to retire to the bar (so they can clear the tables!) and some of the other residents want to join us (surprisingly!)

Appropriately, we should be singing the Manchester Rambler ( written by Ewan McColl in memory of the mass trespass on Kinder Scout in 1932) .. but no-one can remember the words . Find them here (Paul note the bit about the grouse!). Listen to a good version by John Tamms below.

The session finishes at 1.45am and the remaining few retire to the resident's lounge (or more like the resident's landing). Luckily the bar is shut as someone attempts to buy a bottle of whisky.

See the full photo gallery here

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