Welcome to our web page on behalf of our local walking group, the St Helens and District Rambling Club.
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Moved March and April pictures moved to archive - Mar/Apr 2008
Car ramble (18/5) and evening ramble (30/5) Added 1st June.
Llanberis - 8th June Added 12th June.
Friday evening walks - 27th June - Dalton (date change to diary, ok in shamble), 25th July - Marshall's cross (venue change to diary, ok in shamble)
Car ramble - 29th June - venue and leader change to diary and shamble - meet 9am Kentmere - Kentmere - Garburn Pass - Yoke - Ill Bell - Froswick -
Thornthwaite Beacon - Mardale Ill Bell - Nan Bield Pass - Harter Fell - Kentmere Pike - Shipman Knotts - Green Quarter - Kentmere. Approx 12 miles & 3700ft.
Car Ramble 27th July - additional detail to Shamble - Please meet at 9:30am at the car park on the main A683 Sedbergh to Kirkby Stephen road, just west of Rawthey Bridge.
Grid Reference – SD 710 979. Today's walk explores the hills in the Eastern part of the Howgills. We will visit some of the more well known tops such as Yarlside and
Randygill Top and some less visited tops such as Knott and Harter Fell. The aim of the walk is to explore this area at a more leisurely pace than would normally be taken
on the A1 or A2 coach rambles, so suitable for B1 and adventurous B2 peeps. If anyone needs a lift/can offer a lift please call us and we will coordinate.
The route is approximately 9 miles, with 2,800 ft of ascent.
No car ramble on 10th August.
If anyone would like additional detail please please contact us via our e-mail
D and J. Once it has been issued on the coach we normally have an electronic copy of the "Shamble" to hand.
2008 sees us celebrating the clubs 80th - Photo competition - entries to be judged on 21st November - the five classes are funniest, most nobbly
knees, landscape, portrait, and illustration of 80 years of rambling.
Newsflash - Liz, master of Spengame 2, is taking reservations for Wasdale weekend in October.
Index to page
Sunday Coach Rambles are 8:15am at Central Street, Friday nights, unless otherwise noted at 7:30 at Deafness Resource Centre.
Detail added for February and March - car & coach rambles added for subsequent months.
Introduction
Our walking club is a friendly group based around coach rambles every other Sunday.
The Sunday coach rambles start at 8:15 am from Central Street, with free car parking nearby.
Return time varies according to destination.
In winter the walks finish earlier, mostly back at Central Street by 6:30 to 7pm,
and in summer they finish later - normally back by 9pm.
As well as the fortnightly coach rambles we have frequent Friday evening club room meets (talks, slide shows etc) in winter, and walks in summer. The Friday evening
walks are free to members and friends, with no advanced booking required.
There are a couple of hostel weekends a year, and sometimes other trips away. In summer ther are a number of car based Sunday walks.
For those in proud possession of a travel pass, and those yet to acquire one, there are occasional mid week walks. Though
please be aware that as of October 2007 these are over subscribed.
The club caters for a wide range of walking abilities, though, be warned, our C parties require
a deep purse/wallet as many tea shops are visited.
Typically on a coach ramble there will be 5 walks offered which will range from 7 miles and maybe 500 feet of ascent, to strenuous walks of 14 miles plus, with maybe
several thousand feet of ascent.
We advise people to start with a walk well within their capabilities and inclination, and then to work
up the grades until they find the level they are happy with.
Normally, but it is not always possible, the destination with be choosen to make use of local cafes and pubs,
and to ensure that public toilets are available.
Walks often start at different locations to allow for A to B walks,
but all finish at the same destination.
One club rule to be aware of is that we always take off our
boots (muddy or otherwise) before getting on the coach at the end of the walks, so please bring a change of footware.
Membership is on an annual basis and runs from February to January. 2007 fees were £12 for adults, £10 for over 60's, and £2 for juniors. Family membership is also available.
Coach walks can be booked two weeks ahead and costs vary according to distance, in 2007 generally adult prices
vary from £8 to £12 with juniors being £2.
It is possible to try out two
walks before joining, and an extra £1 per adult is charged for this. Non members can only book from the Tuesday before the
Sunday walk, so occasionally coaches may be fully booked.
Whilst the program is to the best of our knowledge correct, it is subject to change. We will update any changes at our earliest opportunity.
If you would like further information please contact us via our e-mail D and J.
Walk grading
Please note not all grades are available on all walks, occasionally A walks have been combined.
A1 Party 12 to 18 miles, up to 5,000 feet of ascent
Strenous, some time for stops. May include scrambling and other rough stuff, usually back in time for the teashop.
Example summer walk, Pike 0 Blisco, Crinkle Crags and Bowfell from Langdale (15 miles. 3,000 ft), example winter walk, Ambleside to Grasmere via Dove Crag & Fairfield (12 miles, 3,000 ft)
A2 Party 10 to 14 miles, up to 3,000 feet of ascent
Similar to A1 without the rough stuff (no Striding Edge or Crib Goch), mountain and moorland walks, usually back in time for the teashop.
Example summer walk, Langdale Pikes from Langdale (11 miles, 3,000 ft), example winter walk, Helm Crag and Steel Fell from Grasmere (9 miles, 2,500 ft)
B1 Party 9 to 12 miles, up to 2,000 feet of ascent
Lower fells, moorland and valleys avoiding the higher summits, rougher terrain and steep climbs; several stops to enjoy the view and any local hospitality, back in time for the teashop.
Example summer walk, Lingmoor Fell and Little Langdale from Langdale (11 miles, 1,200 ft), example winter walk, Ambleside to Grasmere via Loughrigg Fell and Rydal (9 miles, 800 ft)
B2 Party 7 to 10 miles, up to 1,000 feet of ascent
Generally, easy, paced valley walks with any climbing being gradual and spread out through the day. Plenty of time for stops. Back in time for the teashop and perhaps time to look round the destination as well.
Example summer walk, Blea Tarn and Little Langdale from Langdale (9 miles, 700ft), example winter walk, Ambleside to Grasmere via Loughrigg Terrace and Rydal (8 miles, 300ft)
C Party 7 miles maximum, 500 feet maximum ascent
Valley walking with plenty of stops and time to enjoy places of interest, back in plenty of time for the teashop (often starts at one as well), and a look around the destination.
Example summer walk, Langdale Valley exploration (7 miles very little climbing), example winter walk, Circuit of Grasmere and Rydal Water (6 miles, 250ft)
Social walk
Social walk is an occasional event.
February 2008
Friday 1st February - AGM - Deafness Resource Centre - 8pm
Sunday 3rd February - coach ramble - Hellifield, Yorks
Friday 8th February - Committee Meeting
Friday 15th February - 50 years of rambling
Sunday 17th February - coach ramble - Loggerheads, Wales
Friday 22nd February - Walking in Southern Dolomites
Friday 29th February - Tai Chi
March 2008
Sunday 2nd March - coach ramble - Hathersage, Derby
Sunday 9th March - car ramble - Great Langdale - contact Liz for details of meeting point etc.
Friday 14th March - Recorders in perspective
Sunday 16th March - coach ramble - Bolton Abbey,Yorkshire
Friday 28th March - Herbs of the countryside
Sunday 30th March - coach ramble - Kendal, Cumbria
April 2008
Wednesday 2nd April - Map reading introduction, followed by practice walk on 5th April. Contact Liz by 19th March if interested.
Sunday 6th April - car ramble - Forest of Bowland. Meet Slaidburn Car Park 9.0 am
Friday 11th April - Slide Show
Sunday 13th April - coach ramble - Church Stretton, Shropshire
18th - 20th April - YHA Weekend - Buttermere
Friday 25th April - Quiz night
Sunday 27th April - coach ramble - Malham, Yorkshire
May 2008
Friday 9th May - evening walk - Crank
Sunday 11th May - coach ramble - Hayfield, Derbyshire
Friday 16th May - evening walk - Chadwick Green
Saturday 17th May - Manchester Ship Canal Cruise
Sunday 18th May - car ramble - Upper Dove Valley, meet 9.30am at Longnor car park
Sunday 25th May - coach ramble - Hawkeshead, Lake District
Friday 30th May - evening walk - Rainhill Manor Farm
June 2008
Sunday 8th June - coach ramble - Llanberis, Wales
Friday 13th June - evening walk - Bickerstaff, Stanley Gate Inn
Friday 20th June - evening walk - Sutton Manner
Sunday 22nd June - coach ramble - Caldbeck, Lake District
Sunday 27th June - evening walk - change to diary - Beacon Country Park
Sunday 29th June - car ramble - change to diary and Shamble - Kentmere circular - meet 9am at Kentmere
July 2008
TBC
Sunday 6th July - coach ramble - Dent, Cumbria
Friday 18th July - evening walk - Wigan, Haigh Hall
Sunday 20th July - coach ramble - Glenridding, Lake District
Friday 25th July - evening walk - change to diary - Marshall's Cross
Sunday 27th July - car ramble - Eastern Howgills, meet 9.30am Rawthey Bridge
August 2008
TBC
Sunday 3rd August - coach ramble - Bakewell, Derbyshire
Sunday 10th August - car ramble - Kentmere Horseshoe
Sunday 17th August - coach ramble - Dolgellau, Wales
Sunday 31st August - coach ramble - Buxton, Derbyshire
September 2008
TBC
Sunday 7th September - car ramble - Mungrisdale, meet 9.30am Mungrisdale
Sunday 14th September - coach ramble - Ambleside, Lake District
Sunday 21st September - car ramble - The Carnedds (Bethesda)
Sunday 28th September - coach ramble - Welshpool, Wales
October 2008
TBC
3rd to 5th October - YHA Weekend - ???
Sunday 12th October - coach ramble - Conwy, Wales
Sunday 26th October - coach ramble - Settle, Yorkshie
November 2008
TBC
Sunday 9th November - coach ramble - Ruthin, Wales
Sunday 23rd November - coach ramble - Whalley, Lancshire
December 2008
TBC
Sunday 7th December - coach ramble - Barnoldswick, Lancshire
Sunday 14th December - car ramble - Welsh Winter Walk, meet 9.00am Alpine Cafe, Betws-y-Coed
Sunday 21st December - coach ramble - Chatsworth, Derbyshire
Sunday 28th December - coach social - Blackpool - meeting time to be advised
January 2009
TBC
Sunday 4th January - coach ramble - Hartington, Derbyshire
Sunday 18th January - coach ramble - Delamere, Cheshire
Sunday 25th January - car ramble - Welsh Winter Walk, 9.00am meet Alpine Cafe, Beyws-y-Coed
February 2009
TBC
Sunday 1st February - coach ramble - Grassington, Yorkshire
Photos
To send photos for inclusion on page please e-mail D and J.
Recent photos
Photo archives
9th May - Crank Pub Walk
11th May - Hayfield
Car ramble (18/5) and evening ramble (30/5)
8th June - Llanberis
Follow the link and click on all sizes icon (in middle above photo on Flickr) to see photo at better resolution if there is a flickr link - also a couple of extras on Flickr.
This page was last updated on 12th June June 2008.