Welcome to the OFC
 The Online Fellwalking Club was founded on the 9th April 2001 at the height of the Foot and Mouth Epidemic to give fell and hillwalkers the chance to pacify their inaction during that sorry time. With the passing of the crisis the club continued to flourish. Although much of the action takes place on the Yahoo! Message Board this site will benefit strongly with input from the membership.
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 Today's outing was always going to be the reason why I was in Lakeland, but with four days in hand the annual Gable ascent was not just the main event. Since establishing the OFC, I have been amazed by the wealth of generosity within the OFC. I will always remember staying with Ed Ball at John Paterson's during the F&M crisis and from that day the kindness shown to me has been amazing. I guess this is also true for many other members and perhaps to even a greater degree. This weekend summed up the spirit of the OFC. |
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 For more years than I care to remember Josie and I have had a dream of visiting Canada, and in particular the Rockies. Documentaries and holiday programs about the area made it look so beautiful, but at that time I was not just a reluctant flier, I was a non-flier!
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 This autumn has seen some heavy periods of rainfall interspursed with some reasonable sun. However, the water table has remained relatively high and recent heavier rainfall as on the 6th September, 4th October and over the course of this weekend has led to unfamiliar conditions across large swarths of Lakeland. This weekend's weather has led to serious problems with one group of geography students becoming marooned between Honister and Borrowdale. Accompanying the weather events was the annual Original Mountain Marathon which unfortuitously led to many participants becoming fellbound in the atrocious conditions. Mercifully runners were experienced and well prepared and major human suffering seems to have been averted on this occasion. |
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 Earlier in the year Gary Richardson emailed me to ask about walking in and around Pitlochry, which he and Sheena would be visiting at New Year. During our slow conversation, over a number of weeks, it transpired that we would both be in The Lake District at the same time, overlapping by about 24 hours. The idea was put forward that we should meet up on the Sunday and I suggested Ullock Pike, which Gary and Sheena happily agreed to. |
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 A recent ascent of Crag Fell above Ennerdale corresponded with the showing of Panorama on BBC1. This particular episode was a special programme where Bill Bryson, The American chronicler of British life and President of the Campaign to Protect Rural England presented his views on how the British have given up their pride in their beautiful landscape. My recent outings gave an opportunity to focus on this situation in a place I have greatest fondness for in the fells of the north. |
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 Too good a day to stop in and watch TV, but where to go? Lorraine suggested Rivington, so off we went. The weather was cloudy but the cloud was heading north all the time and we soon had lovely autumn sunshine.
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 If you've read through Part One of this story you would be forgiven having a touch of the Green-Eyed Monster and thinking "she's had it really easy" but it has not all been plain sailing. Find out what it was really like when the empty removal van drove away.
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 I like to get to the summit of Great Gable on a regular basis, say every two years, to spend a little time at the place where my father’s ashes were placed in 2001. It’s better still if I can reach the top before the crowds.
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 I had planned to have a walk up to High Dam on Wednesday. As usual, my plan changed and I went to Torver instead.
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| FROM OUR CORRESPONDENTS |
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 Off up to Glen Shee on Sunday in what use to be a busy skiing area but not much snow now.
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 The North-western Fells divide neatly upon New-lands Hause, from where the shapely mass of Robinson handsomely dominates, enhanced by the fuming presence of Moss Force. The road wending up the Newlands valley draws over the considerable slope of Rowling End bound for Keskadale and catches a glimpse right of an impressive razor edge looming over Rigg Beck. This ridge, which includes the summits Knott Rigg and Ard Crags combines beautifully with Robinson to make an entertaining skyline horseshoe.
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"It was great to see so many old friends again and to meet new people who have now become familiar names on the message board." Jill Rowland on the Honister 2007 weekend
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