Articles from our Community, including our Correspondents. http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk Sun, 26 May 2013 06:05:23 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/images/M_images/ofc_logo_75.png http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk Articles from our Community, including our Correspondents. http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=564&Itemid=29 I was surprised that winder conditions held for so long this year. I often expect wintry hills in February, but travelling to Lakeland for a short Easter break saw the high fells with a good covering of snow. Arriving in The Lakes on Saturday 6th April, I immediately planned to walk on the Sunday in the hope I would catch the best conditions before any inevitable change in the weather. Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:50:02 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=563&Itemid=58 Over the years, the issue of waymarking has often been discussed, albeit briefly, on the OFC message board. Until recently, no formal debate has been had until a message I sent out to members provoked some familar responses. However, Helmut Hudler from Austria wanted to write an article for the club from his own point of view based on his own wanderings in and around the Alps. I know Helmut having met him and corresponded with him down the years. He is a keen walker and has visited the Lake District on a number of occasions. Not surprisingly, he believes some waymarking in Lakeland would help reduce the number of Mountain Rescue callouts as well as keep people to the path and reduce erosion. In some instances he goes as far as suggesting via ferrata style protection such as for the tricky section on Sharp Edge. His article discusses the issue and hopefully will move someone to a reply. Sat, 08 Dec 2012 21:12:55 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=561&Itemid=29 To coincide with 'launching' the new MunrOverground with the John Muir Trust in Fort William, Peter Burgess finally decided to set his sights on The Ben. Avoided for quite a few years, a decision was made to ascend to the summit of the UK's highest summit. Undoubtedly walking out of the tourist season added to the sense of isolation and the route chosen really took him into the wilderness realms of Ben Nevis. Wed, 09 May 2012 12:13:21 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=559&Itemid=29 Visiting my brother and family in Arbroath gave good opportunity at our mutual suggestion, to climb the most eastern Munro. Mount Keen is the last bastion, a final rise in a high plateau land finally diminishing in altitude as the land falls in altitude to narrow coastal plains north of Dundee. As part of the Angus Glens, Mount Keen is a popular summit and with ease of access from the beautiful Glen Esk, four of us set forth in the light of early dawn. Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:22:18 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=558&Itemid=29 Continuing a recent sojourn in Cumbria, I again utilised the YHA and this time stayed at Buttermere. What a hostel! It was a real treat to stay within such a fine establishment and the view I awoke to was spectactular. With a vista across the lake to High Stile and Red Pike, evening dinner and breakfast wasn't bad either, with a fine bottle of Jennings before retiring to bed! Packing up the car, soon saw me at Rannerdale and the prospect of paddling across Crummock Water to attack Mellbreak direct. Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:02:47 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=555&Itemid=28 As some of you are already aware, I set off for Lakeland a couple of weeks ago with 12 Wainwright fells left to climb. It really came as a bit of a surprise to me that I ever reached this stage! For many years I only managed to get a week's stay in Lakeland once a year it doesn't seem long ago that I decided to have a go at completing. Read the news about Angela completing her 214! Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:05:21 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=552&Itemid=29 As a child I was lucky enough to inherit a great book from the then Bishop of Cumbria, Thomas Bernard Pearson who was also the Founder and Life President of the Achille Ratti Climbing Club. In the pre-Internet age, the photographs in the book really captured my imagination. Views such as that showing the huge overhanging cornices on Braeriach, the snow-covered castellations of Sail Mhor rising above Coire Mhic Fhearchair and a brooding view of Suilven from Elphin really stirred my imagination. Very soon, I was able to put the book to good use as a reference for a walk on the Five Sisters of Kintail when in the Sixth Form. I have used the book on a few occasions since, but I knew I had to take it with me to Aviemore this summer. Turning through the pages, I considered whether I was fit enough to undertake Ken Wilson's epic day walk taking in the Cairngorm four thousanders and with hindsight I am so glad I did. Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:40:25 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=551&Itemid=28 I climbed Grasmoor as my last Wainwright fell with my husband and daughter. It was a spectacular day, which was good as the weather had been so windy for a few days, in fact I've never known it to be so windy and we've had some pretty challenging days over the last couple of years whilst completing the Wainwrights. Some of our long weekends have meant taking in 12-15 Wainwrights at a time regardless of weather as not being locals we can't just pick our days, we just have to go for it. Most of my trips to the Lakes have been by public transport over the years which has made it more of a challenge but just recently it's been good to have my husband accompany me with walking and navigating with the GPS which has taken away quite a lot of the pressure. CG Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:14:51 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=550&Itemid=29 A recent trip to Scotland had me chomping at the bit for some hill and munro magic! With a few days on the shores of Loch Eil I had some canoeing in mind as well as one eye fixating on Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain and which looms over Corpach like a huge arching magnet. However, as I perused the map and read a few guidebooks, it was soon the nearby Mamores that had set their names into my planning for my first mountain day. With a great drive up Glen Nevis one sunny morn, my decision was affirmed by an aged, grey haired, Fort William man, Aye laddie, you're better off going up here. These are fine mountains! . Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:44:20 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=540&Itemid=28 I DID IT…… I Completed the Wainwrights!It all started in March 1999. My then girlfriend and I had just got together and she wanted to go away for a week in the Lakes. I’d not been to the lakes since I was a kid, but the promise of homely pubs and great food convinced me! Fri, 25 Mar 2011 13:41:32 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=528&Itemid=111 On Saturday 4th September 2010, Neil Haslewood (also of the OFC) completed the ascent of all 214 fells in Alfred Wainwright's 7 Pictorial Guides. This is a fine fellwalking achievement and on the day he was joined by 16 friends to mark the accomplishment. I hope you can join in with some of the fun by reading on here to see just how the day turned out. There's also a link to the Loweswater Show which finally took place again this year... Wed, 08 Sep 2010 08:13:25 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=527&Itemid=29 A walk out with my brother Paul and James Hoye of the OFC. This was a longer route than anticipated after James suggested the ascent. The route ascended from Rydal church via Nab Scar, Heron Pike and Great Rigg. We had fun at the summit brewing tea and taking photographs of Peter's new map, 'Tubular Fells'. It will also be memorable as the first major ascent after our father's death - the short associated video is a tribute to him. Thu, 02 Sep 2010 20:39:41 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=526&Itemid=29 I wanted a short sharp, but interesting ascent for a recent visit to Lakeland. Parking up at the summit of Kirkstone Pass, I eye-balled the skyline of Red Screes and took note of the obvious gully that leads up from the screes towards the summit. With my bag packed and the car secured I made a beeline for this potentially exciting line of ascent. Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:19:39 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=525&Itemid=111 The now annual descent of the OFC into Gaping Gill. This years walk up Trow Gill and the pothole was rather a wet affair but the good spirits of the assembled crowd kept us going. Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:44:48 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=522&Itemid=111 On Saturday 5th June 30 individuals with 7 canine friends gathered at the summit of Orrest Head, 80 years on since Alfred Wainwright performed the same momentous act. AW's first ascent back on Saturday 7th June 1930 paved the way for his own intimate relationship with the fells, which would eventually blossom into the Pictorial Guides which made his name synonymous with the fells. The OFC ascent didn't occur on the date of AW's first ascent but rather on the nearest Saturday which was the day of the week he took the climb with his cousin. It seemed entirely appropriate for the OFC party to experience that 'Saturday feeling' for the event which also enabled working people and children to join in which was important. Mon, 07 Jun 2010 11:10:48 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=530&Itemid=28 While visiting Skye in 2009 we had gazed across the sea at the shapely hills of the island and decided to explore the possibilities of a visit. We researched the wildlife sightings expected at certain times of the year, and decided late April or early May would be best, thus avoiding the worst of the dreaded midges! Sat, 08 May 2010 01:00:00 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=517&Itemid=111 Ten years ago Stephen Cowen, aka 'vikingprobe', began his own mission to complete the ascent of the famous Alfred Wainwright list of 214 fells. The final ascent was completed on Thursday 15th April, 2010 on the summit of Lingmell. Stephen, who heralds from Tyne and Wear, reported excellent weather for the culminating celebration. Apart from their own ascent, the celebrations had a strangely tandom twist which can be revealed by reading more... Mon, 19 Apr 2010 22:42:22 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=512&Itemid=111 Some months ago I had a thought about an OFC meet in Wharfedale, a little planning and studying of the Ordnance Survey map enabled the thought to become a reality. The route I had in mind deserved decent weather to allow the magnificent scenery to be at its best so I had a spring meeting in mind, now all I had to do was post the idea, fix a date and keep my fingers crossed for a fine day! Sun, 18 Apr 2010 01:00:00 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=513&Itemid=29 As a child the walls of my bedroom were decorated with various images, some of steam locomotives others of boats and aeroplanes and one picture in particular that was always a favourite—that of Major Henry Seagrave’s Golden Arrow. From these early times, as my father was also an aircraft engineer, I had more than a passing interest, like many boys, in aircraft and cars. Through my childhood it was three things that started my interest in Donald Campbell and his world famous jet boat– Bluebird. Read on to find out more..... Thu, 08 Apr 2010 11:14:13 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=346&Itemid=29 In 2005 I was fortunate enough to be part of the delegation at the 117th IOC Session in Singapore. On return to London, the area designated for development into the venue for the London 2012 Olympic is slowly changing in preparation for the summer olympiad in that year. Just 4 miles from home, my cycle to work in Hackney passes directly through the Olympic Park and the site of the slowly emerging stadium. Return to this 'diary' regularly to see the changes and to witness the birth of the UK's third Olympic dream... Mon, 05 Apr 2010 01:00:00 +0100