Heathrow Hikers - Outdoor Group for West London

From the Editor
Report - Snowdonia Weekend - Rhinogau
Update - Heathrow Hikers' Bear
Report - Bristol Balloon Fiesta
Report - Hastings Walk
Report - Yorkshire 3 Peak Challenge
Report - Backabush Snowdonia Trip
Contact / Submit details

Welcome to issue 11 of Compass. August was probably our busiest month to date with lots of trips and many new people joining the group. I'd like to welcome all the new people and say how much I've enjoyed your company on recent trips. Many of you found Heathrow Hikers by searching for outdoor groups on the internet and it's encouraging to know that you decided to choose us.

I must apologise in advance if this issue takes a while to download but it has also been a month full of photographic opportunities. The group is beginning to attract some keen photograhers and we hope to organise some events aimed purely at photography. Many of you new to the group have very kindly said that the quality of our images compared to other outdoor group websites is one of the reasons you were attracted to Heathrow Hikers. Now that we have a small group interested in photography I'm confident that the images will get even better and I hope the website will begin to feature work from as many of you as possible.

A large number of you have expressed an interest in climbing and we intend to organise even more events at the Brunel University indoor climbing wall, both weekday evenings and sometimes on Sundays. Climbing outdoors will also begin in 2006.

Enjoy the issue!

It's a sunny Friday evening and I'm waiting for Chaya at Rayners Lane tube station. I have even given my modest car a hoover and a clean in anticipation of driving three complete strangers up to Wales for a weekend's walking....what am I letting myself in for, I wonder?!

Chaya and I get off to a really good start, and after detouring to pick up Gary and Geoff we are soon driving into the sunset, away from London and to the beckoning mountains. Thank Crunchie it's Friday..

The drive is somewhat long, dark and curvaceous towards the end of the evening and we were all really pleased to climb into our cosy bunks and beds in the log cabin at Cadair View Lodges. It's not until the morning that we realise our cabin looks directly at the impressive Rhinogau mountain range of Snowdonia. But, that is Sunday's playground and today we are off early to Cadair Idris.

We quickly get going up the Minffordd Path; it's great to get the legs moving and marvel at that thing that Gary is using..whatsit thing..UPS, GBP..GPS..I'm having a quick lesson - but I'm afraid it's not sinking in just yet! Instead, we take turns in trying out Chaya's walking poles - we're looking damn fine and making good progress towards the (cloudy) summit for a spot of lunch in the shelter up there. A pity that the summit view is obscured but we can see the dramatic cliffs loom in and out of the mist. There really is some stunning rock in Snowdonia.

The Face on route up Cadair Idris - Photo by Gary Box

Geoff, Kate & Chaya in shelter on summit of Cadair Idris - Photo by Gary Box

Views on Cadair Idris descent - Photo by Gary Box

It's all walking poles, politics and Wine Gums on the way down and we make such good progress we even have time for a leisurely saunter round a superior Dolgellau supermarket for the evening BBQ (this is where it pays to have girls on the trip - we sort out food good and proper!) A couple of hours later the BBQ is blackening our steaks (literally) and the wine is flowing considerably into our plastic beakers...I knew I should have bought an extra bottle of white. Chaya does a grand job with the BBQ (is that not the boys' job?!) A perfect end to the day, as we watch the setting sun catch the distant tips of the Rhinogs and wonder what tomorrow will bring.

A super, sunny start to the day and we pack up the car and head straight out. The Rhinogs seem slightly more remote and off the beaten track and I really like their heathery and rocky outcrops - great terrain to have under your feet. We're soon on the ascent (where did that path start again?) and the air is crystal clear; views in all directions - towards Snowdon to the north and out to sea to the west. We planned to get to the summits of Rhinog Fach and Y Llethr, offering us some steep and rocky ground to clamber on. The views from Rhinog Fach were breathtaking and I could have sat up there for hours - such a pity that the car was sitting in the car park, pointing London way.

Rhinog Fach summit - Photo by Gary Box

A very steep descent from Rhinog Fach (listen to the girls next time, eh!) led us to an azure blue Llyn Hywel. We decided to save the ascent of Y Llether for a future trip - there is plenty more to discover around that area and lots of fun to be had amongst the heather and rocks.

With a bitter-sweet feeling, we drove away from the hills and I realized that only 48 hours earlier I had picked up these guys as strangers and now we were driving home as friends. Bonus.

Article submitted by Kate Stroud

After a quiet month in July, Heathrow Bear has finally been on the move again! He was finally retrieved from the Isle of Wight by The Southseakers on 2nd August who then placed him in a cache in Shoreham on the 18th August. Later that same day 68 GUNS found him, promising to move him on when they visit Newquay!

Article submitted by Gary Box

Zhang asked me if I wanted to attend this event just a few days before it took place. After sending a quick email to the group Joss also expressed an interest so the three of us left London for Bristol on the Saturday morning. Weather permitting you can expect a mass lift off of hot air balloons and both 6am and 6pm. The weather as we neared the Bristol area was not promising.

To keep the visitors occupied during the day the fiesta also has a funfair, food stalls and other retail stalls. There was also a large stage where local groups performed to the small crowd gathered in the drizzle.

As the afternoon wore on doubt was being cast over whether the 6pm lift off would take place. There was even some rumours that the evening nightglow might have to be postponed! After a brief meeting by the pilots it was decided to cancel the 6pm mass lift off, much to my annoyance. The rain and the wind did not seem that bad to me and I could not help but wonder if they were being over cautious. In the meantime we decided to take some photographs of the funfair.

Funfair - Photo by Zhang

Funfair - Photo by Gary Box

Thankfully we finally had confirmation that the night glow would go ahead so we took out places. The waiting seemed to last forever, until finally the noise of generators signalled that all the balloons would be inflated.

Once they were all upright it was an amazing site. The brightly coloured balloons looked beautiful against the black night sky. The pilots switched on their burners in time with the music that was being played, music like the theme from 'War of The Worlds' and 'Mission Impossible'. To add to the drama we were even treated to fireworks and a snow machine.

The Night Glow - Bristol Balloon Fiesta - Photo by Gary Box

The Night Glow - Bristol Balloon Fiesta - Photo by Gary Box

Finally the show was over. The Night Glow had been spectacular, as was the time it took to leave the car park!

Article submitted by Gary Box

After a very late night getting back from Bristol, Zhang, Joss and I were up again early to meet 5 others for the drive down to Hastings. It was to be the first time we would all meet new members Rachel White and Rachel Bond.

Having found spaces in the busy car park, some of us headed to the supermarket to buy snacks for a packed lunch before we all began the walk. Zhang is a fan of lobster when he visits Hastings and sure enough we stopped at a van selling seafood. Most of us decided to stick to sandwiches, though Jerome could not resist making a purchase.

Zhang with lobster - Photo by Joss

After stopping on the beach to look at and photograph some fishing boats, Zhang led us uphill where the views opened out. The town and pier below us began to shrink into the distance but not before Zhang stopped to take a photo.

Hastings - Photo by Zhang

Walking along the cliffs with the green grass beneath your feet was very relaxing. It was a pleasant change not to be leading the walk and I took advantage of this and enjoyed the conversations we were all having.

We finally reached a spot that we agreed would make a good lunch stop. I downed my Red Bull, hoping it and the sea air would keep me awake after getting only 4 hours sleep. With time moving on we continued the walk, Zhang often stopping with his camera to take our photo as we followed him. Joss too was taking advantage of the good weather to put her camera to use.

Hastings walk - Photo by Zhang

Finally we were heading back to the town, and we made it to the pub just as the heavens opened for a brief shower. The pub was not serving food but we decided to stick around for a pint anyway.

Rather than rush back to London it was decided that we would get our evening meal in Hastings, and since we were at the seaside fish and chips seemed appropriate. We all sat on the pebbled beach, eating, chatting and laughing, whilst being surrounded by hungry seagulls. Meal over, we returned to the car park and headed back to London to drop everyone at Hammersmith. We all said our goodbyes and thanked Zhang for organising our day out.

Article submitted by Gary Box

In the southern fells area of The Yorkshire Dales National Park , this circular walk comprises Pen-y-ghent 694m (2277ft ), Whernside 736m (2415ft ) and Ingleborough 723m (2372ft). Despite being one of the oldest established walks in the UK , it is an unofficial route and not signed or marked on the map. The challenge is to complete the grueling 24 mile route in under 12 hours.

After battling through the London traffic to reach the meeting point, it was getting on for 7pm before the two cars departed Hammersmith for the long drive up to Yorkshire. Etiennette and Geoff had left earlier in the day. After taking the not so scenic route around Leeds at midnight and a few about turns down country lanes, we arrived at the Dub-cote bunkhouse dead on 1am.

What seemed like 5 minutes later - actually at 6.45am the next morning Geoff was calling into our room to inform us that, considering we should be allowing 13 hours to complete the route we should really be at the starting point by 7am!

When we encountered a bizarrely over-protective and aggressive cow, Geoff fended it off rather amusingly by landing a large rock directly between its eyes! The cow didn't appear to notice the impact but let us pass. Already by this point Edit, the Peruvian member of the group, was a speck on the horizon.

The route up Pen-y-ghent was a fairly innocuous climb with fresh legs and the weather warming up nicely. The summit provided good views across the green rolling Yorkshire landscape, however with only 3 out of the 24 miles walked, we pressed on without pausing.

The descent was gradual, opening out onto flat farmland. Around 4 hours into the walk, having been caught up by the breakfasters, we came upon the first refreshment stop, an ice cream van.

Anil & Larry with Ribblehead viaduct in background - Photo by Gary Box

Setting off again for peak No.2, walking alongside the Ribblehead viaduct, Geoff pointed out that if we were to make the 12 hour challenge we needed to be at the top of Whernside by two-thirty . With the sun getting hotter and the need to keep to the schedule in mind, I found this long arduous climb the hardest part of the whole walk.

With another brief stop and group photograph at the top, we descended again across farmland, and came upon some very welcome refreshments, being sold out of a barn by an entrepreneurial farmer. Peak No.3, Ingleborough, was the next and steepest of the three. However the even stone steps meant the climb was short and the summit reached quickly.

Now with the goal in sight, the final two hours back down to the café in the hot evening sunshine was a grind. Every muscle was crying out that walking so far in one day really wasn't a good idea. Finally collapsing onto the grass outside the café, in a pretty impressive time of 10 1/2 hours, I was elated to have completed the walk, and having been out in the fresh air and expansive scenery of the Yorkshire Dales on such a glorious sunny day.

A very fresh looking Edit, who had been sunbathing for the previous two hours, greeted us with a 'What took you lot so long?' expression! The notice on the wall of the café showing this years 3 Peaks winner, having run the route in a time of 2 hours 55 minutes, seemed just incredible.

Next morning, another gloriously sunny day, the group split into the fit and those needing a more gentle recovery stroll. Gary went off for a walk around Malham Cove and Goredale Scar with Edit, Devin and Rachel Weikel, while the rest of the group headed off to the Ingelborough waterfalls and a lie down by the river.

Gordale Scar - Photo by Gary Box

Edit scrambling over Gordale Scar - Photo by Gary Box

Meeting up again mid afternoon in Settle for the drive back to London, we made the return trip in good time. A very enjoyable weekend.

Article submitted by Rachel White

I had agreed to join Backabush on their August bank holiday trip to Snowdonia and drive one of the minibuses. We did not leave London until quite late and it was not until gone midnight that we arrived at the bunkhouse.

Being a bank holiday this was a popular trip, with all 55 beds sold out. A few of the Heathrow Hikers' girls also decided to spend their weekend in the region, staying at the Capel Curig hostel.

On Saturday morning it was the usual hive of activity as everyone made breakfast. After lunches had been made, Geoff gathered everyone around to give them the options. The large group was to split into two, one tackling Tryfan and the Glyders, the other eventually making an ascent of Y Garn. The Heathrow Hikers' girls decided to tackle to concentrate on Snowdon, Kate and Chaya completing the entire horseshoe including Crib Goch. Having done all these mountains before I decided to head off to Portmeirion instead.

Portmeirion - Photo by Gary Box

Famous as the place where the 1960's TV series Prisoner was filmed, the place had me thinking. It certainly looked and felt out of place in North Wales and there was a slight feel of a TV set about it but I could help but like the place. Maybe it was the fact that the visitors seemed so relaxed amongst this architecture or perhaps it was the beautiful music coming from the Spanish guitar being played in the courtyard.

Portmeirion - Photo by Gary Box

Leaving this odd tourist attraction behind me, I returned to the bunkhouse to watch a little cricket before it was time to return to Idwal Cottage to collect the tired hikers who were waiting in the car park.

That evening people helped out in the kitchen and everyone was fed. There was even cherry or apple pie with ice cream! As is usual for a Backabush trip, the alcohol was also flowing freely and we were even treated to some good Latin dancing. At around 1am I decided to get some sleep but the party continued for some until past 3am.

Sunday started like a repeat of the day before, the kitchen area an organised circus of people preparing toast, cooking sausages and eggs and bumping into one another as fridge doors continually opened. Once people were ready to make a move the options for the day were given. Some were to head for Cnicht, others wanted to go to Snowdon and those feeling less energetic decided to head for Portmeirion. The Heathrow Hikers' girls decided to have another tough day and climbed Tryfan and one of the Glyders.

In my role as minibus driver, I dropped my passengers off before decided to explore Bedgelert. Being such a small town it did not take long to see and photograph the buildings and the dog's grave.

Bedgelert Dragon - Photo by Gary Box

Bedgelert Pub - Photo by Gary Box

With time to kill before meeting my passengers I decided to head to Portmeirion and dropped into a local's pub for Sunday lunch. Everyone was speaking Welsh with the exception of the staff, not that I was concerned since I was too busy watching the cricket on the big screen. For the small sum of £5.00 I had eaten a large Sunday roast and a rhubarb crumble with custard!

Back at the meeting point with everyone in the minibus it was time to drive to Caenarfon. The weather was somewhat overcast and we did not stay too long, just long enough for me to wander around with my camera taking photographs.

Caenarfon street - Photo by Gary Box

Back at the bunkhouse people were chatting about their experiences on the mountains. The Cnicht group had got slightly lost when the mist descended, reducing their visibility considerably. The Snowdon group talked of the high winds that had almost blown them off the side of the mountain. I took the opportunity to tease the few Australians about cricket, England had won the 4th test with a day to spare and it was looking more likely that we might regain the Ashes, at last!

With the evening meal finished the partying began in earnest. Jerome took his rightful place in the centre of the dance floor, his French charm attracting a number of attractive women who wanted to dance with him.

Party time on Sunday night - Photo by Gary Box

Some of us took our places outside on the benches looking into the lounge and the revelry of those within. It was like reality TV, only more amusing.

Monday we awoke to find we were without power. With no toasters working the gas powered grill was pressed into service. The weather was wet and there was little sign of improvement. The majority wanted to head home so by late morning with everything packed away and the place tidy we said our goodbyes and headed back.

Article submitted by Gary Box

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.