Forthcoming Events :

DAY	DATE	TIME	MEET AT	GRADE	DESCRIPTION
Sun	29-Nov	0900	Halo	Ungraded	Eccleston, Chester
Weds	9-Dec	0930	M	Easy	Lymm & Dunham Massey, Cheshire
Sun	13-Dec	Names & £5 Deposit to Jane Burton by 13-Nov		Social	Christmas Walk & Meal : Nags Head, Haughton, Cheshire
Weds	16-Dec	1945	Grange Social Club	Social	Club Night : Mike Graves - Walking Abroad
Sun	27-Dec	0930	Halo	Ungraded	Acton Bridge, Cheshire
Weds	30-Dec	0930	M	Easy	Grappenhall, Cheshire
Fri	8-Jan-2010	1945	Thelwall British Legion	Social	New Year Party : Please contact Gordon Sloane to register your interest

For further information about walks, please contact the Club Secretary by e-mail at daphne.t@warrington-hf-ramblers.org.uk

Patterdale, Cumbria : Friday Monday, 9th - 12th October, 2009
The Autumn weekend away this year was held from 9th - 12th October at the ever popular Patterdale Hotel. On the Friday afternoon, 18 members of the club met up at the nearby White Lion to discuss the agenda for the weekend. Top of the list was Helvellyn but, as it turned out, the weather prevented us from achieving our aim. However, we managed some nice walks care of Trevor & Lynn Ratcliffe.

Saturday 10th. A walk of about 8 miles and 2260ft of ascent starting from the Aira Force car park. We went up to the waterfall and then were treated to some wonderful views as we skirted around Watermillock Common. After a steep ascent towards Brown Hills we entered the Glenridding Valley and then went on to Scot Crag and Glencoyne Head where we stopped for lunch. The second part of the walk took us to the Glenridding Youth Hostel and onto Lanty's Tarn, from where it was a short hop back to base . There were a few aching limbs but everyone had a great day, which was finished off with a welcome beer at the White Lion.

Sunday 11th. A 6 mile circular walk around Brothers Water (originally called Broad Water up to the 17th century, until the tragic drowning of two brothers in the lake). The walk started through the quaint little village of Crookabeck and the outskirts of Hartsop from where we had a bit of road walking to take us to the Brotherswater Inn for morning coffee . It continued for most of us (see note below) along the western side of the lake to Deepdale Bridge and then back to the hotel

Note : The weather had brightened up by now and so some of us decided to 'break away' and do a high level walk up to Dove Crag. Part way round, a senior committee member of the club had a senior moment and decided that we could cut off a big chunk of the walk by heading straight up to Hartsop above How (and I do mean straight up - see here !!). Well maybe it did seem like a good idea at the time! After the scramble, we had a nice ridge walk back, with some rewarding views.

All in all, a great weekend in a great hotel.
By Trevor & Lynn Ratcliffe

Offa's Dyke 10 (Selattyn) : Saturday, 17th October 2009
On a very pleasant autumn Saturday, a record 32 members set out from the Cross Keys Inn, Selattyn for leg 10 of Offa's Dyke. After admiring the beautiful floral arrangements, we set off north for about 2 miles until we reached the Llybr Ceiriog Trail, where leg 9 had finished.
Joining the obvious Offa's Dyke, we walked south passing Selattyn Hill on our left and continued until we came across the Prince Charles 60th Birthday Rowan Tree which has been verified as Tree 14390 by the Woodland Trust. (A good pub quiz question!!). After having the obligatory group photo we made our way to the old Oswestry Racecourse, where from the grandstand, we watched Jan & Gordon enjoy a 2 horse race.
After crossing Racecourse Common, we finished a very enjoyable 11 mile walk with the final furlong ending back at the Cross Keys Inn where Mine Host, Phil opened up for us. This is a wonderful country pub with lots of character and superb ales - well worth a visit.
by Jan Sherlock

Forest of Bowland, Lancashire : Saturday, 26th September 2009
Members of Warrington HF Rambling Club travelled to the Forest of Bowland to enjoy some of the best fell walking Lancashire has to offer.
The start point was a small car park set in the shade of tall Scots Pines, lining the banks of Marshaw Wyre at Tower Lodge. Walking north past Tower Plantation the group soon reached White Moor. Turning east at this point, passing the boulder strewn escarpment of Rowan Tree Rocks. Already enjoying excellent views of the surrounding fells we headed north east towards Millers House then north to Great Brennand Hill and eventually east again to reach the Triangulation point at Wolfhole Crag. A few moments were spent here taking advantage of the good visibility to enjoy the views and to make full use of the photo opportunity. The previous two weeks of dry weather had dried the normally boggy peat land making the underfoot conditions comparatively dry. We continued along the ridge of Wolfhole Crag before turning North again to descend into Roeburn Valley, where lunch was taken.
After lunch the walk continued along Hornby Road, an old Salters' track, to a point where we headed south descending into Whitendale following the path close to the river. Upon reaching Whitendale Farm we climbed out of the valley, heading west, then south to make the tough ascent of Ouster Rake onto the shoulder of Whin Fell. Another well earned break was taken at this point, before the final descent was made into The Trough of Bowland. We then walked through The Trough returning to the valley of Marshaw Wyre and back into the shade of the Scots Pines to complete a walk of 14miles with a total of 2,600ft of ascent in ideal walking conditions.
by Gordon Sloane

Linear Walk from High Bentham to Clapham Station, Lancashire : Sunday, 20th September 2009
On Sunday 23 members of the Warrington HF Walking Club took advantage of a beautiful clear day to walk on the northern edge of the Forest of Bowland. The route gave lovely, enticing views of Ingleborough and Whernside for most of the way.
We began, on leaving High Bentham, making our way upwards across pasture, woodland and moor to The Great Stone of Fourstone , to the south. This somewhat out of place ice age relic was duly examined before the group turned in an easterly direction to strike out towards Clapham. The terrain changed constantly between pasture, moor and woodland. There were many and varied stiles to negotiate and we were clearly helping to keep alive little used paths, as one intrepid local informed us.
After a lunch taken in the sun, on a grassy bank overlooking a leafy glade, the walk turned away from the edge of the moor to approach Clapham. On arrival, there was transport arranged to ferry the group back to High Bentham and the sanctuary of a very pleasant pub in the centre of the village.

Langdale Pikes, Cumbria : Sunday, 16th August 2009
On a damp morning, a group of 14 walkers set out on the long, calf burning ascent following the Stickle Ghyll up behind the New Dungeon Ghyll hotel to arrive at Stickle Tarn. Although the next phase, an assault on Jack's Rake had been on the agenda, it was decided to abort this grade 1 scramble due to the low cloud and wet and slippery conditions.
An alternative route was taken bearing North-east towards Sergeant Man (230m/2239ft). Conditions worsened and visibility was poor in the low cloud mist and there were strong winds. Heading on then and following the old fence posts which formerly marked the boundary between Cumberland and Westmoreland, the cairn and the summit of High Raise (762m/2500ft) were reached. Lunch was taken huddled together in the walled shelter on High Raise which did offer good cover from the wind .
The route then lead on to Thunacar Knott (723m/2372ft) and on to Loft Crag (680m/2230ft).
Morale within the group was high and everyone demonstrated excellent team work navigating off Loft Crag as the paths were not very distinct or visible in the cloudy mist. The route down was taken on a quite well maintained path that lay on the West side of the Dungeon Ghyll. A deserved break was taken below the clouds at last, with a beautiful view of the Langdale Valley and over to Blea Tarn.
Finally, back at the Stickle Tarn Pub, we enjoyed well earned refreshment.
Total distance 6.2 miles.
By Jane Burton

[Home Page] [Programme] [Newsletter] [What You'll Need] [Contact & Joining][60th Anniversary Photos][Photo Slideshows ]