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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 Last year I wrote the first Christmas message for the newly published website. I cannot believe how time flies and since then we have had another active club year. I think that if we had to christen this year it might be termed 'Darkness and Light'. Not only have their been some amazing fluctuations in the weather with ferocious storms and equally calm periods with sun but at a more personal level there have been many ups and downs. |
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 Another year sees another chance to win a bumper offering of prizes. With a continuing Michael Palin theme we have a copy of his New Europe book as well as other publications in the form of The Complete Illustrated Handbook of Survival and two copies of Twelve Favourite Mountains by Alfred Wainwright as well as three fantastic 'sporks' and a cute sheepy egg cup. Now what more do you need to spur you into completing this year's OFC Christmas adventure? Whether you win or not, it's the taking part that's fun. Put your boots to dry, pull up a comfy chair, grab your guide books and get solving the Lakeland clues... |
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 I thought it would be fun and exciting for OFC members to contribute images for a photographic annual to be created celebrating some of the precious moments on the fells over the last year. We are compiling a photo annual for 2008 with images contributed by club members over the past year. There was a call for a preview to be published before people commit to the annual and to see whether its production would be viable. To find out more and to see details including a dowloadable PDF preview follow this link...... |
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 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... |
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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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| FROM OUR CORRESPONDENTS |
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 Today Ann and Roger and Jo arrived at Fornside for an afternoon walk. Jodie has a bit of back trouble (on the mend now) so she would be left at Fornside for the afternoon. The weather refused to clear up (damp but warm) so we had a slow lingering cup of tea before driving to the big laybay on the A591 at Shoulthwaite to start our walk.
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 Locked away in the furthest fold of the Far Eastern Fells Longsleddale embodies all the intrinsic magic of Lakeland and marks its beginning and end. This walk climbs off the Stile End pass onto the rocky spine of Shipman Knotts, visiting the crest of Goat Scar en route to Kentmere Pike to culminate on Harter Fell, with its commanding view over Haweswater. Running easily down to Gatescarth Pass, it follows the ancient drove-way, later quarry track, down into the impressively wild upper quarter of Longsleddale. The valley-name is geographically expressive, though actually derives from the traditional 'sled' (pony-drawn sledge) used to haul peat for winter fuel from the fell-top mires, and had a longer frame than commonly found elsewhere in the district.
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Competition
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Another year sees another chance to win a bumper offering of prizes. With a continuing Michael Palin theme we have a copy of his New Europe book as well as other publications in the form of The Complete Illustrated Handbook of Survival and two copies of Twelve Favourite Mountains by Alfred Wainwright as well as three fantastic 'sporks' and a cute sheepy egg cup. Now what more do you need to spur you into completing this year's OFC Christmas adventure? Whether you win or not, it's the taking part that's fun. Put your boots to dry, pull up a comfy chair, grab your guide books and get solving the Lakeland clues... |
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The Lost Sheep
"Just had to say, thank you for such a grand few minutes. I am 67 now and my knees are past the challenge of such a climb (Tryfan article) but it was great doing it again online with you." Sheelagh Finlay
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