Articles from our Community, including our Correspondents. http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk Wed, 08 Sep 2010 09:43:07 +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=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 13:13:25 +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. Fri, 03 Sep 2010 01:39:41 +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. Wed, 01 Sep 2010 02:19:39 +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 21:44:48 +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 16:10:48 +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... Tue, 20 Apr 2010 03:42:22 +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 06:00:00 +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 16:14:13 +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 06:00:00 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=508&Itemid=29 A seven day holiday in Coniston gave prospect for some great days out in the fells as well as the chance to show friends some of the delights of the area. Apart from day walks, we had a drive over Hardknott in snow and the rest of the group visited Keswick, Blackwell, Tarn Hows and it all ended with a glorious row across Coniston. Read on to find out more and see Peter's Youtube! presentations... Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:52:34 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=516&Itemid=28 Our coach arrived on time, the bags were loaded and once again we were treated to a city centre tour as we picked up more passengers bound for Vancouver Island. As people boarded questions were asked of the driver regarding arrival times at various destinations, his answer was a shrug of the shoulders and a muttered All in good time. His demeanour suggested a certain amount of early morning grumpiness… there were two of us on board! Wed, 03 Mar 2010 06:00:00 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=504&Itemid=111 I was reading The Wainwright Memorial Walk a while since and it dawned on me that 2010 would be the 80th anniversary of AW's ascent of Orrest Head. Before 1967, the Whitsuntide (Pentecost) holiday was not static in the calendar as it is today and as I thought, finding the exact date Alfred climbed Orrest Head would be reasonably straight forward with all the available information online. Many of us take a holiday round the May half term, but Whitsuntide is still obviously regulated by the church. With a bit of 'Googling' it was apparent that AW ascended his first fell on 5th June 1930. As many of us know, this was somewhat of a revelation for Wainwright, his inspiration on the road to Damascus. In recognition of this landmark would you like to join us for a walk to recognise this momentous occasion?.... Sat, 09 Jan 2010 03:18:52 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=503&Itemid=29 A New Year's Day ascent of Ill Bell started with a walk up valley past Kentmere Reservoir. The ascent, in worsening winter conditions, included the ascent of the mountain's north-east ridge. A second ascent the day after included carrying my downhill skis to the summit of Yoke. The resulting descent from the mountain was one of those classic memories that will live with me forever, or until the next time I do it!.... Thu, 07 Jan 2010 06:00:00 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=502&Itemid=111 Robbie via the OFC Yahoo! message board has proposed that during 2010 a gathering be arranged somewhere in Lakeland. His initial proposal is for a camp during August 2010 where people could congregate and of course walk, talk and socialise together. Although Wasdale is Robbie's favoured location, it seems feasable in the first instance to gather interest in this idea wherever the location turns out to be. What do you think? Please read on and give your opinions... Thu, 07 Jan 2010 06:00:00 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=500&Itemid=29 This article is certainly not fellwalking, but after overnight snow, London awoke to some snow on 18th December 2009. After a pre-Christmas errand in Leyton, a drive with a friend into Epping Forest saw a photo opportunity metamorphose into a full blown walk. With the snow on the ground and good boots on the feet, Steve and I set off into the winter wonderland of Epping Forest. Sat, 19 Dec 2009 02:58:57 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=495&Itemid=29 Four days in Lakeland over Remembrance weekend was eagerly anticipated by me again this year. Having promised my parents I would lay a new kitchen floor, I was then rewarded with three excellent walks in great company. This article examines the three walks including Hopegill Head, Great Gable for Remembrance Sunday and Wansfell in the company of my father... Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:09:34 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=494&Itemid=111 The OFC ascent of Great Gable for the 2009 service of Remembrance performed by the Fell and Rock Climbing Club. This year the weather held and the party ascended from Honister Hause, meeting with Richard Ratcliffe and Ben Hammond. After the service, the group retired to the Westmorland Cairn to take lunch before descending via Green Gable and Grey Knotts to Honister Hause. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:21:14 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=493&Itemid=111 Roger and Ann Hiley were honoured on 8th November by the Online Fellwalking Club for all their Lakeland related activities and positive contributions in their 9 years with the OFC. As Helmut Hudler once put it, Peter might be the brains of the OFC, but it's the Hileys who are its heart. Undoubtedly there are many fantastic members within the OFC but from the time of their subscription the energetic couple have contributed much to the camaraderie within the club. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:00:00 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=492&Itemid=29 On a recent visit to Cumbria I had the fine company of Mark Richards, guidebook author and illustrator. With about 48 hours in which to travel north to Carlisle, I was welcomed as guest into the Richards' home. Although brought up in rural Oxfordshire and later a farmer himself, it as author of many outdoors' guides that Mark is best known. In later years Mark became a regular house-guest of Alfred Wainwright. To find out a little more about Mark and a walk taken together read on... Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:31:40 +0100 http://www.fellwalkingclub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=491&Itemid=111 A fantastic 12 mile walk was undertaken by the OFC around the Goyt Valley taking in Burbage Edge and Shining Tor on Saturday October 10th. Refreshments were taken afterwards at the Cat and Fiddle Inn, the 2nd highest pub in England. By all accounts it was another fantastic day! Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:49:12 +0100