Heathrow Hikers - Outdoor Group for West London

From the Editor
Report - Yorkshire Dales
Latest News - New Social Venue
Safety - Current & future plans
Report - Lakeland New Year
Internet Humour
Looking Ahead
Contact / Submit details

First let me wish you all a Happy New Year! Since our last issue we have two major trips away to report on, the Yorkshire Dales at the start of December and our New Year trip to the Lake District. Despite the shorter days we are still managing to cram in some fantastic walks.

Our next big challenge is to concentrate on publicity so that we can build up the membership. We are currently writing articles to send to the local press and looking into other ways to get publicity. If you have any thoughts on how we can 'spread the word' let us know. We are planning a New Members Evening on Wednesday 16th February and I hope you can all come along to help organise the night and to meet the new faces. Also if you know someone who might be interested or you can display a poster at work we want to hear from you.

It was a pleasant change to be leaving London mid-afternoon on Friday, before the rush hour got underway. Usually I find myself driving like a madman to get to our accommodation before they close, but this time I was very relaxed. Upon arrival at Pinecroft Lodges in Ingleton we collected the keys, got some advice about where to eat and unloaded our bags. The lodges were a good size, with a kitchen, lounge / dining room, bathroom and two bedrooms. One of the two sofas can be made into a double bed meaning each lodge can sleep six.

Once unloaded we headed to The Wheatsheaf in Ingleton, a very popular local pub, where this particular night the staff were all dressed in Victorian costumes. We ordered our meals and decided to eat in the restaurant which was far less crowded and smoky than the bar. The food was excellent, and after a couple of pints of the local ale we returned to the lodge for an early night.

Saturday morning we awoke before 8:00 in order to make it to the local shops for opening time at 8:30. With enough food for cooked breakfasts and packed lunches for two days we headed back for a fry-up. Alan took on chef duties, preparing a quality cooked breakfast, washed down with coffee and orange juice. Lunches packed and dressed for the first walk we left a little after 10:00, walking to the start in Ingleton town centre. The weather was overcast, a heavy mist obstructing what would have been some fine views. The path to the summit of Ingleborough was obvious and fairly steep, causing the heart to pump faster. Just before the summit a lace snapped on my right boot and of course I was not carrying a spare (something I won't forget to do in future). Not wanting to cut the walk short I made an emergency repair that I hoped would last until the end of the day. We met up with a few other walkers on the summit of Ingleborough who were all huddled behind the stone windbreak, before we took the obligatory photo and continuing with the walk.

Gary on summit of Ingleborough - Photo by Alan Staines

Navigation from the flat summit of Ingleborough can be tricky and with the low mist we were glad we had the entire route plugged into the GPS. We were making good progress despite much of the walk being on boggy moorland. By the middle of the afternoon we had made our way through Chapel-le-Dale and Ellerbeck. We met two serious local cavers on the way who took the opportunity to plug their caving DVD which was on sale in Bernie's café in Ingleton.

Again the navigation become more difficult towards Scales Moor before we arrived at Twistleton Scar End just as the light was beginning to fade. We were well and truly on the home stretch now with only the 'waterfalls walk' left to complete. This last section was well paved, originally for the benefit of the Victorians who visited here in large numbers. Some of these waterfalls are quite spectacular and it was quite odd to see them lit only by Petzl light. Finally we arrived back in Ingleton, just in time to visit an outdoor shop to buy some laces. We decided to stop at Bernie's café for a cup of tea and Alan decided to buy the caving DVD we had been told about earlier that day. Bernie's café is a great place, full of hardcore local cavers and walkers. I couldn't help but notice that they had photographs on the wall of trips to Everest base camp and evidence of a summit of Kilimanjaro. Before we got too comfy and warm we decided it was time to walk back to the lodge in order to freshen up and change before our evening meal.

We decided to dine at the Wheatsheaf again, and as the night before the food was first rate both in terms of quality and the size of the portions. A couple of drinks later we returned to the lodge for an early night, promising that we would start the walk Sunday earlier than we had Saturday.

It was uplifting to peer out of the window early on Sunday morning and see blue skies. Alan got busy in the kitchen, another cracking cooked breakfast the result. By 9:00am the car was loaded, the keys returned and we began the drive to Hardraw, the start of our Sunday walk. We parked outside the Green Dragon pub which was still closed at this time of the morning. Walking west, we crossed a river and found ourselves on the Pennine Way heading to the first summit of the day, Great Shunner Fell. Once at the summit we met a couple of guys who had begun the Pennine Way 8 days earlier from Edale in the Peak District.

Alan on Great Shunner Fell - Photo by Gary Box

We then headed across difficult moorland bound for the second summit of the day, Lovely Seat. The next point of interest was Butter Tubs Pass, a road that joins Swaledale and Wensleydale. The name Butter Tubs refers to deep potholes where farmers are said to have lowered buckets of butter in order to keep it fresh for market day.

The deep potholes of Butter Tubs - Photo by Gary Box

A steep climb to the summit of Lovely Seat followed, the pace slowed with the gradient and the deteriorating weather. Finally the summit came into view and I headed straight for it, eager to eat something and rest for five minutes.

Gary having a bad hair day on Lovely Seat - Photo by Alan Staines

Eager to keep to our schedule we did not linger on Lovely Seat, heading south-westerly across more moorland. Every now and then a beacon indicated we were heading in the right direction before we finally rejoined the Butter Tubs Pass, much closer to Hawdraw. A welcome downhill section followed before we left the road, joining a footpath that took us back to Hawdraw.

Once back at the car we removed our rucksacks and headed into the Green Dragon pub. We had planned to get a quick drink but the service was shockingly bad so we just paid our £2.00 in order to walk through the pub to Hawdraw Force. Hawdraw Force is England's highest unbroken waterfall and I'd imagine the pub makes a tidy sum charging people to get access to it.

Alan at Hawdraw Force - Photo by Gary Box

Another great weekend had come to an end as we faced the long drive home. Stops for something to eat and the neccessary caffeine breaks were mixed with chat about future trips. Finally we were home, limbs a little sore but eager to get away again soon.

Article submitted by Gary Box
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Whilst Heathrow Hikers is all about getting away and being outdoors we do need a base. We have secured the use of a small room and kitchen in St. John's Church Hall, Royal Lane, Hillingdon. We meet there for the first time on Wednesday 16th February which is our first ever New Members Evening. We plan to meet there once a month, keeping the other weeks free for outdoor activities like indoor climbing and swimming.

If you have ideas about what events you want us to run at the hall or better still you want to organise an event yourself let me know so I can arrange it.

Article submitted by Gary Box

The group has recently purchased some safety related equipment which is free for all members to use on trips away. The equipment includes:

• Large 8-12 person Mountain Shelter / Bothy (folds down small in its own bag)
• Mountain First Aid Pack
• Large Metal Whistle
• One reflective thermal blanket

There are also plans for members to be trained in first aid, whether it be through their work or a specialised mountain first aid course paid for by the group. If you would like to put yourself forward as a first aider or would like to be responsible for all assets relating to safety please get in touch.

Article submitted by Gary Box

Traditionally hostels sell out for New Year months in advance, and with this in mind I was not expecting to find anywhere for our newly formed group so late in the day. E-mails were fired off to many hostels and as expected the replies started to come back, 'Sorry we're full'. Then a stroke of luck, the huge 245 bed Ambleside hostel in the Lake District had 4 male places due to a cancellation and I immediately reserved them.

And so New Years Eve was upon us and we headed north, all of us arriving in time to take advantage of the evening buffet. We decided to take part in the quiz and to our utter amazement, we won! A group of 4 girls then challenged us to a game of cheat. As midnight drew nearer all the guests were given mulled wine before we all huddled together outside, wished one another a Happy New Year and watched the brief fireworks display.

After a good night's sleep we tucked into a cooked breakfast and dressed for our first walk of 2005, namely Fairfield Horseshoe which starts in Ambleside town centre. It was obvious early on that the weather was against us but we had no idea how bad it was going to get. From the town centre we headed to the bridge that spans Scandale Beck. The river was fast running but nothing compared to later that same day when it became a torrent. We gained height steadily following stone walls and before long we had reached the first summit of Low Pike. The wind was fierce, whipping over the stone walls and almost blowing you off balance. The terrain was often boggy and the combination of conditions meant that by the end of the day all 4 of us had fallen over at least once. Keeping to the wall it wasn't long before we had reached High Pike, deciding to press on to Dove Crag in the face of worsening weather. Hailstones battered our faces and Glyn was having great difficulty seeing through his spectacles. Once at Dove Crag we all decided to head back rather than complete the horseshoe, the weather was making this day less than enjoyable.

Finally back in Ambleside town centre and soaked to the skin we were keen to get a change of clothes. Back at the hostel it seemed everyone had tales of abandoned walks due to the weather. With our wet gear in the drying room and a hot shower to warm our bones, our spirits lifted, eager to sample some local food. We decided to follow the recommendation of the hostel barman by visiting The White Lion pub. Once our appetites had been sated it was time to return to the hostel where we were challenged to a game of 'Who Wants To Be A Millionnaire'. Our opponents were a mother and daughter from Manchester and Louise who we had met the evening before. We were soundly beaten twice and decided it was time to get some sleep.

On Sunday morning the weather forecast was a little better than the previous day. Glyn's boots were still wet so he decided to treat himself to a new pair. As a result of starting late we all agreed to opt for an easier walk and Glyn suggested a favourite of his, namely Tarn Hows and Black Crag summit. It was a great choice, the lower altitude meant the cloud did not obstruct the fine views. The climb to Black Crag summit had changed since Glyn last walked it, the fir trees that used to line the walk now all removed which was a shame for us and no doubt for the habitat that considered them home.

(L to R) - Alan, Glyn & Gary near Black Crag summit - Photo supplied by Gary Box

We ended our walk by spending some time in a cosy tea shop. Our short walk over it was a welcome relief to be returning to the hostel relatively dry and warm. Once back at base we said our goodbyes to Alan who had to return home and then the rest of us hit the showers again before taking a late afternoon nap. Once we were all awake we agreed to sample the hostel food and the beer before retiring to the lounge to relax. When last orders were called we felt was as good a time as any to call it a night.

Monday morning we packed our things and checked out. Glyn had not slept well, suffering from the flu. Wanting to be home in London well before midnight we decided on a moderate walk starting at the Grasmere YHA hostel car park. Crossing Goody bridge we followed the signs for Far Easedale before we reached the gyll. The paths were obvious and we continued to climb. At the end of the bowl we had to begin a steeper section to our first summit. Glyn was coughing and struck with flu he decided to turn back to try and find a warm place to get something to drink and eat. Patrick and I continued, making Calf Crag in good time. The wind was strong on the ridge but the rain mostly stayed away meaning we could enjoy the fine views and take some photographs. Before too long we had reached Gibson Knott and then finally Helm Crag. As we then lost height we called Glyn and agreed to meet back at the car park for 3pm. With the car loaded we returned to the hostel to have a shower and change our clothes before setting off on the long drive home.

View on Easedale Walk - Photo by Gary Box

Article submitted by Gary Box

If a small child is choking on an ice cube, don't panic. Simply pour a jug of boiling water down its throat and hey presto! The blockage is almost instantly removed.

Bearded men can obtain the appearance of an upper class Arctic explorer by simply applying Tippex to their beards, painting their noses blue, and cutting off a couple of toes. It never fails to impress the girls.

Save money on expensive personalised car number plates by simply changing your name to match your existing plate. - Mr. KVL 741Y.

Putting just the right amount of gin in your goldfish bowl makes the fishes' eyes bulge and cause them to swim in an amusing manner.

Why pay 100 for a skip? Buy a clapped out, untaxed car for £25 and fill it with all your shite. Then sit back and wait for the authorities to tow it away.

Feed bees oranges - Hey presto! they make marmalade instead of honey.

A mouse trap placed on top of your alarm clock will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep.

New Members Evening

On 16th February at St. John's Church Hall in Hillingdon we will have an evening for new members. It's a chance to meet some of us and find out more about the group. There will be displays and masses of information, oh and free refreshments.

Pembrokeshire Weekend

We are currently planning a trip to Pembrokeshire the last weekend in February. Full details will be on the programme shortly.

Norway Flights

Flights for Norway are now available and very reasonable. Could all those interested please get in touch so we can agree on dates of travel and make bookings early in February.

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.