Another year and another year of walks after once again coming back from the brink of the group folding, thanks to Paul at last years AGM.
That October walk was a 16 miler was a circuit from Uldale led by Jim and I starting and finishing at Mae’s tearoom for the meeting and a meal.
The November walk “A Bit of a Blaze” led by Alan took us on some permissive paths onto Blaze Fell then around the Armathwaite area resulting in a 17.5 mile walk.
The final walk of 2021 in December was led by Paul and started at Castle Carrock, once we had all found each other he took us over Hespeck Raise into Geltsdale passing the remains of Gairs Colliery before ascending Talkin Fell before returning to Castle Carrock. 14 miles.
The first walk of this year was Askham Fell and was led by Trish, as I was not on this walk I can not add further details other than to say 10 people attended and walked 14.5 miles.
February walk was led by Louise which was to be her final walk with the group as she was moving to Skipton.
The walk “Sunbiggan Tarn” was anything but sunny it rained from start to finish, so much so the walk got shortened to 12.75 miles.
March seen Barbara lead a “Castle’s and Forts” walk from Hexham a good circuit via Corbridge then North to Hadrians Wall and along it to Havenfield before turning South and back to Hexham, a good leg stretch at 18.5 miles.
April seen Clare lead us round ring one of the Lakeland 50 route, starting at Staveley we followed the Dales Way to near Windermere then onto Orrest Head followed by a up and over and down a very rough Garburn pass into Kentmere and a return to Staveley, 18.75 miles.
May seen us at Ravenstonedale and “A Walk on the Wild Side” being led by Martyn a good dry day but very windy especially when we visited The Nab the highest point of the day overlooking Mallerstang from where we descended into the valley passing Pendragon and Lammerside castles. After crossing the Stainmore Heritage railway at Kirkby Stephen we picked up the Coast to Coast route and followed it most of the way back to Ravenstonedale, another very respectable 18.75 miles.
June was to be a special walk to commerate 50 years of the LDWA, so Trish had planned a 40 miler, unfortunately hardly anyone felt they could still manage that distance so on the day only her and Louise started, but Louise was having a leg problem so only half the distance was covered, 20 miles.
July saw us on “A Westmoreland Wander” led by Jim and starting at Appleby, a bit of rain was forecast but we hardly got any and the day improved as it went on. Route via Hoff, Rutter Force, Ormside Mill. Warcop across Eden Valley railway which had trains operating. After going under this we walked alongside it for a while before heading towards the River Eden near Ormside railway viaduct.
From there we made our way back to Appleby, 16.25 miles.
August my L(amble)Y walk, weather forecast good, one good day between two wet ones, down to and across Lambley viaduct then up the East side of the South Tyne River to Alston, which being roughly half way lunch was had at the station. The return half followed the South Tyne Trail alongside the South Tynedale Railway as far as Slaggyford where a welcome tea break was had. During the last 4.5 miles now on the disused railway formation we came across a small mouse type creature, (photo on website walk report) not really sure what it was, could it be a vole? Not long after that we came across a slow snake. No more unusual sightings after that, it was just a case of going under Lambley viaduct then up into Lambley itself and to the cars. Mileage 20.
September walk was a local one for the leader Paul, “Wythop Roundabout” which was a round of six Wainwrights and 3,000ft of ascent on the 14 mile circuit.
Total mileage for the twelve walks was 201 miles giving an average of 16.75 miles, average attendance was 7.5.
Total mileage of walks since my term as Walks Secretary (25/10/15) is 1,214.25 miles.
Andy Armstrong
Walks Secretary