Heathrow Hikers - Outdoor Group for West London

From the Editor
Report - Westonbirt
Have your say!
Report - Fireworks (Leeds Castle Kent)
Report - Snowdonia Hiking weekend
Internet Humour - Faces
Report - South Downs Walk - Seven Sisters
Looking Ahead
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Despite the arrival of winter, Compass is pleased to say that November was another busy month for Heathrow Hikers with some great trips. Before autumn finally said farewell we visited the world famous Westonbirt arboretum to soak up the vibrant colours that were on display. The month saw two weekend trips, one a relaxing break in Kent to see the fireworks at Leeds Castle, the other a tough weekend hiking in Snowdonia. The month ended with a brisk Sunday 15 mile walk on the South Downs. One of our number, namely Zhang, even managed a few days away in Venice, some images of his trip appear in the O'seas scenics folders. .

I'd like to welcome those new members who took part in some of these events. I'm hoping that I might have found a Munro 'bagging' partner in Andrew who has also expressed an interest in the Kilimanjaro trip. I also enjoyed hearing about the great multi-activity adventure holiday in Croatia that Alan recently went on and with any luck we might see this appear on our programme one day.

In the coming month we plan to 'stick two fingers up' at the weather and continue to get away as often as possible, starting with a weekend in the Yorkshire Dales. There will also be more great trips added to the programme soon but if you have any ideas for a trip get in touch so we can help make it happen.

Have a great Christmas and I hope to see you all on many trips during 2005.

The falling leaves drift by my window
The falling leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sunburned hands I used to hold
Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I'll hear old winter's song
But I miss you most of all, my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall

Whenever I hear the song 'Autumn Leaves' by Eva Cassidy my mind is filled with all the images and smells I associate with this wonderful season. If I want to actually experience these sights and smells I visit Westonbirt in Gloucestershire which is managed by the Forestry Commission. During late October the place is ablaze with colour, mainly due to their collection of Japanese Maples. The colour on some of the trees is so vibrant that you literally struggle to believe it can be real.

Westonbirt - Photo by Gary Box

There are two autumn trails to follow, each taking about one and a half hours. Dog owners should note that they can only walk their pets on one of the trails and all visitors should be aware that it can get very muddy if you leave the main path. We decided to walk one trail before being forced to give in to our grumbling stomaches by visiting the restaurant. Once fed and watered we walked the second trail, arriving back at the car park with just enough daylight to visit another part of Gloucestershire.

We decided to head to Tewkesbury, home of an impressive Abbey and some fine half-timbered buildings. After only a brief walk around town the hunger pains returned (must be all that fresh air) and we found ourselves sitting in a cosy old pub tucking in to our evening meal before the drive home.

Tewkesbury - Photo by Gary Box

Article submitted by Gary Box
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With 2005 just around the corner we thought we'd take this opportunity to ask you what it is you want the group to do next year. Have a particular location you want us to visit? Keen to see us try some new activities? Whatever you have to say we want to hear it, so what are you waiting for?

You can email us here at Compass and we will make sure your suggestions are implemented wherever possible.

To celebrate Firework night the group headed to Maidstone in Kent, first checking in to our accommodation, Langley Oast B&B. Oast houses were built to dry hops used in the beer making process. Today hops are generally imported but many of these wonderful oast houses remain and are a common site all over Kent.

Roundel Bedroom - 24 ft diameter 'round' room - Photo by Gary Box

Once the bags were unloaded we just had time for a meal in a local pub before arriving at Leeds Castle. The £12.00 entry ticket covered not only the fireworks display but as many rides on the funfair as you liked (if you were patient enough to queue).

Near to the scheduled start time we decided to get into position. Suddenly the sky was lit up with a myriad of colours, the fireworks timed to coincide with the music, and the floodlit castle and moat acting as a spectacular backdrop. All too soon the display was over and it was time to commence the last activity of the evening, namely hunt the car in the car park.

The following morning our host treated us to a large cooked breakfast to set us on our way. We decided to visit Herne Bay where there seemed to be more seagulls than people. Watching the greedy seagulls scavenge for scraps made us decide to visit a small café called Mozart's which seemed to be owned by Russians! Despite the prices being similar to those in London, we could not argue with the quality of the food ........ delicious.

Before having to return home we decided to visit Whitstable. Two seas meet just outside the town and if you catch the tide right you can walk in the gap out to sea. From a certain angle it would look to some that you could walk on water. Whitstable is also home to some brightly coloured beach huts, none of which seemed to be in use this drab November afternoon.

Whitstable Beach Huts - Photo by Gary Box

Sadly the weekend was coming to an end and it was time to think about heading back to London and facing the dreaded M25 traffic.

Article submitted by Gary Box

The weather forecast promised a clear and sunny weekend so I was looking forward to some good views on this, my third trip to the highest mountain in England and Wales . Arriving late on the Friday evening we checked in at the Pen Y Pass Youth Hostel and went straight to bed. Next morning found us up nice and early, eating a hearty breakfast in the hostel dining room and admiring the view of Crib Goch, our first summit of the day.

The day was clear and the weather forecast seemed correct as we set off. The route starts at the upper end of the Pen Y Pass car park behind the café and follows the Pyg Track for the first part of the way. The path is steep and rugged in places although well made and easy to follow. This is one of my favourite parts of Snowdon as it climbs up along rocky steps above the Llanberis Pass. The view here is spectacular and a look back along the path to the hostel will show you how far you have come and how much height has already been gained.

The Horseshoe is entered at the top of this path at a point called Bwlch Y Moch or the Gap of Pigs. Here the path splits at a stile and for the first time I saw Snowdon 's elegantly pointed summit. A quick stop for a few photographs was required, then over the stile and up towards our first goal.

View of Snowdon - Photo by Andrew Campbell-Curtis

The route was busy and we found ourselves among several groups of other walkers. In places the steep slopes of Crib Goch required the use of both hands and feet and about half way up I found myself working my way round a very narrow ledge with a fair drop below. A little more scrambling brought us onto the summit where we stopped for more photos and a quick bite to eat before tackling the highlight of the day, the infamous Crib Goch ridge. In bad conditions this route is a major undertaking and it's best left for good weather. We were lucky; conditions were almost perfect with clear skies and very little wind. Still, the ridge requires a good head for heights and a lot of concentration. The top is 300 m long and extremely narrow with a high, steep drop on both sides. I was a little disappointed to see that Snowdon 's summit was starting to cloud over but I hoped that it would soon clear. How wrong I was. We had made it along most of the ridge but at the Pinnacles the cloud had thickened and it soon started to snow. We headed on through the rapidly deteriorating conditions as the snow got heavier by the minute, falling gently inside the shelter of the horseshoe but being blown uphill by the strong winds on the other side of the ridge. Past the second Pinnacle we walked down onto the col of Bwlch Goch. Here the ridge is wider and much less exposed and it is an easy walk up toward the summit of Carnedd Ugain. Another quick stop for photographs and we were off, it being too cold to stop for long.

Andrew at Crib Goch summit - Photo supplied by Andrew Campbell-Curtis

From here it is another easy walk down to the next col, Bwlch Glas, with its standing stone marking the top of the Pyg track and about ten minutes later we were at the top of Snowdon. The summit was cold and very busy but we stopped for a while and had some food before setting off again. The sun was trying to break through the cloud with little success but I knew that with a bit of luck we would see something a bit special. I walked over to the edge of the cloud-filled cwm and as the sun came out directly behind us we were treated to a brief but spectacular sight; a Brocken Spectre with full halo effects.

It was time to move on and after a little effort we found the path down towards our last peak of the day, Y Lliwedd. The cloud was beginning to clear as we descended and we had good views ahead. The route passes through Bwlch Y Saethau, the Pass of Arrows where, according to Welsh legend, King Arthur was killed as he pursued his defeated enemies. The route here is obvious but as the path ascends sharply towards the two peaks of Lliwedd it is not always clear and much scrambling over the rocks is necessary. This is another exposed part of the route and it takes you along a very high and steep cliff. Care is needed not to get too close to the edge otherwise a long fall into Glaslyn, the lake at the foot of Snowdon , is the likely result. After another short refuelling break we headed on. Time and daylight was beginning to get short and we needed to get going. More scrambling soon found us at the top of our final peak of the day.

Y Lliwedd - Photo by Andrew Campbell-Curtis

Some fantastic views over Snowdonia were the reward for our efforts and as darkness descended so did we, down to the Miners track and back to the hostel. All in all a great day on one of the UK's classic routes.

Article submitted by Andrew Campbell-Curtis

This particular Sunday I found myself dragging my body from my bed at some ungodly hour. After a short drive to collect Zhang we headed south to Alfriston where we met up with new member Alan. Introductions over and boots on we left the car park, passing Alfriston's fine 14th century church, its bells calling locals to worship.

Soon we were on the South Downs Way following the signs for Jevington. We passed a few other walkers near Windover Hill but there was no view to be had this day, the fog put paid to that. Before long we had passed Jevington and Willingdon Hill before turning sharply southwest headed for Friston.

Our arrival at Friston was timed perfectly for lunch as we made our way inside The Tiger Inn. It took 10 minutes to get a table but once seated the service was quick, the food hearty and the ale very agreeable. Due to the short days this time of year we decided to skip pudding and instead head for the coast at Birling Gap. After a short play on the pebbled beach we followed the cliffs west, a section known as the Seven Sisters.

Making steady progress with numerous glances back at the white cliffs we were all surprised just how mild it was for this time of year. Normally in winter you would expect your ears and fingers to really feel the cold, so much so that it can sometimes induce a headache. Once the Seven Sisters were completed we headed north to Westdean passing a field where we were chased by horses, one biting Alan on his rucksuck.

From Westdean we continued north through the western extremes of Friston forest and on to Litlington by which time darkness had descended upon us. We were on the home stretch now and were looking forward to getting back to Alfriston and it's many fine inns.

Finally we were back at the cars, keen to remove our muddy boots. After a brief look around the outdoor shop we settled on a pub and spent some quality time eating and drinking in front of a log fire. Eventually it was time to say goodbye to Alfriston as we made our way to the car park for the journey home.

Article submitted by Gary Box

Own a mountain bike? Feel like a ride in the Chilterns? Friend of the group Mark Sercombe is organising just such a trip on Sunday 5th December. If interested see the programme where there is a link to email Mark or alternatively call the group's mobile and I will pass on your details.

Ever wanted to give climbing a go? If so why not speak to Zhang who is arranging a climbing evening on 12th January 2005. If you enjoy it we can arrange more climbing events and even put you in touch with a company that arranges reasonably priced training.

If you like watersports, caving or mountain biking we have the weekend for you! In February we are visiting the 5 star YHA hostel at Lee Valley. Only a short drive away, the weekend promises to offer a variety of activities for all abilities. For more information see the links on the programme or speak to Gary.

If you have any articles or images you wish to contribute to the next issue of Compass please email them to Gary.

Please try and submit articles as early as possible but not later than the 3rd week of the month if you wish it to appear in the subsequent issue.

Thanks.