14-16 March.
Our annual visit to the Yorkshire Ramblers hut at Lowstern in North Yorkshire was pushed back to March on the successful hunt for better weather. Cars were loaded up with people, kit, food and firewood. Would anyone be successful on a Three Peak’s challenge this year? Read on to find out . . . .
Thursday 13th March
Thanks to leaving Milton Keynes early in the morning Andy and Dan arrived a the hit and then managed to get to Norber Erratics, above Austwick. Dave and Gill, together with Bob and Skye, were also intrigued by the Erratics and headed that way too. Unfortunately, they didn’t make it due to hitting their turn-around time; they just had to get back for a very nice pub dinner with Andy and Dan.
Friday 14th March
The early arrivers had the whole day to play, erm sorry explore, driving to Sedbergh they all Andy, Gill, Dan and Dave with Bob and Skye in tow headed off for a Howgill summitfest!
Arant Haw (605m), Calders (675m), Bram Riggs Top (672m) and The Calf (676m), the highest point in the Howgill Fells. After summiting they split up Dan and Dave carried onto see the waterfall at Cautley Spout, while Andy and Gill, with Bob and Skye returned on the same route, however, Little Miss Summit Bagger spotted Winder (473m), so she dragged Andy and the dogs over to add it to her collection!
Henry, needing a leg stretch, after his journey headed off towards Ingleborough. With legs sufficiently stretched; he returned to the hut.
Our climbers Kieran, Lee and Naomi stopped off at Almscliffe for a number of routes on their way.
Lee did most of the leading with everyone else following him up Fluted Columns (HVD), Stew Pot (HVD) and Birds Nest Crack (HS). Then Kieran led Crack and Wall (HS) for all to follow.
Saturday 15th March
Sophie set off early, for one of her ‘gentle’ bimbles to Clapham before heading up Ingleborough (723m), then on to Simon Fell (6750m), Park Fell (563m), Moughton before returning to the hut. Passing through the gate at bang on 33km!
Stacey set off on a solo attempt to beat his Three Peaks of Yorkshire time from last year’s trip. He flew up Whernside (736m) in just 64 minutes. Then got to the top of Ingleborough (723m) and on to Pen-Y-Ghent (694m) in 4 hours and 55 minutes! There was just the long ‘plod’ back to the Ribblehead viaduct. He completed the Three Peaks of Yorkshire in the fantastic time of seven hours and seven seconds – well done Stacey.
Andy and Dan set off to do a traverse of the whole Whernside (736m) ridge from north to south. While heading back to their car they bumped into our Two Peaks party.
Francis drove Michelle and Naomi Ingleton; from there they then did a linear walk back to the hut.
Going up and over Ingleborough (723m) before heading down into Clapham then risking life and limb crossing the main road before returning to the hut. Michelle took Francis back to collect her car.
The remainder of the walkers all headed to Ribblehead Viaduct. They all set off together but soon separated into their two groups, after the ubiquitous selfie with the viaduct in the background. Ange, Gill and Nigel with Bob and Skye had Whernside (736m) as their objective for the day. While Alan W, Alex T, Dave, Richard and Sarah went for both Whernside (736m) and Ingleborough (723m). While dropping between the two they came across Andy and Dan. On the top of Ingleborough they split Alan W and Alex T heading back to the car; with Dave, Richard and Sarah returning to the hut, via a pub to watch the rugby.
Today’s climbers Dominik, Kieran, Henry and Lee headed to Twistleton Scar. Here they introduced Dominik to the joys of Trad climbing. Highlight leads of the day were Kieran The Candle (HVS), Henry Evening Star (S) and Lee Priority (VS).
In the late afternoon ‘Team Cook’ – Gill, Michelle, Naomi and Sophie jumped into action and cooked the chilli that was to be our dinner. That left the rest of us to wash up around the chefs and afterwards.
Sunday 16th March
Started with the normal clean up of the hut before we all headed out to enjoy North Yorkshire at its finest. All except Andy and Dan who had to make an early departure.
Sophie was up early and the first out for her run up the Ingleton Waterfall path. It may ‘only’ be 4½ miles but don’t forget she’s got to run to Ingleton first and then back after finishing the trail!
There were two groups of climbers: Team Sport and Team Trad!
Team Sport – Dominik, Richard and Sarah headed to Robin Protector’s Scar. Dominik lead some routes so Richard could practice and Sarah top roped them.
Routes included Gone with the Wind (5a), Living the Dram (5b) and Interloper (5c).
Team Trad – Henry, Kieran, Lee and Naomi went to Pot Scar. Henry and Lee climbed together; Kieran lead Potholders Proddle Direct (E1) and Mort’s Crack (HVS). Lee leading The Pusher (VS) and Overdose (VS). Henry lead, and Naomi seconded, Julie’s Folly (VD), Equity (S 4a) and Payback (HS 4a). Henry and Naomi also seconded/top roped Potholders Proddle Direct (E1) which Kieran had led.
Today’s walkers – Alan W, Alex T, Ange, Dave, Gill and Michelle with Bob and Skye all headed off to Norber Erratics.
Today was the day, this time Gill made it! They all explored these unusual rocks, and climbed a few too. There are many theories of how these rocks came to be here – carried on a glacier, massive giants playing marbles. But our walkers came to the conclusion they had to be placed here by aliens, especially after seeing one Erratic that looked like an alien!
Nigel indulged in a little retail therapy before returning to pick Ange up for the journey south. Francis and Stacey decided to do some in depth cleaning then chill in the sunshine outside the hut admiring the view and drinking coffee while waiting for Sophie’s return. After Stacey’s epic seven hours and seven seconds for the Three Peaks of Yorkshire he deserved a little down time!
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