Welcome to our web page on behalf of our local walking group, the St Helens and District Rambling Club.
You are at: Home > SHDRC
Photos moved to November and December archive.
8th January - Conwy added
22nd January - Castleton added
5th February - Grasmere added
Thanks to Di we have our own group on SHDRC Flickr group Andrew has added many scanned
photos to this group. You can open an account on Flickr for
free and have up to 200 photos - just ask Di or Dennis for 'elp if needed!
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.
Index to page
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.
The 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, 7:30pm at Deafness Resource Centre,
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.
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. 2012 fees are £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 2012 generally adult prices
vary from £10 to £13, with juniors being £2.
It is possible to try out two
walks before joining, and an extra £1 per adult is charged for this.
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 and March 2012
SUNDAY RAMBLES - all 8:15 am Central Street
5th February Grasmere
19th February Sedburgh
4th March Malham
18th March Clapham
CAR RAMBLE
11th March Arrans
FRIDAY EVENTS
3rd February AGM
10th February Committee Meeting
17th February My Story of the Dream
24th February Riding for the Disabled
2nd March Willy Floggit, Auction
9th March Coast to Coast by Harley Davidson
16th March Fond Memories of Local Cinema
23rd March Wild Flowers of St Helens
30th March Reccies and Rambles of 2011
April and May 2012
TBC
June and July 2012
TBC
August and September 2012
TBC
October and November 2012
TBC
December 2012, January 2013 & beyond
TBC
Photos
To send photos for inclusion on page please e-mail D and J.
Recent photos
Photo archives
8th January - Conwy
Flickr set ARG, and Charles' are in SHDRC pool.
22nd January - Castleton
Flickr set Dennis, and Charles' are in SHDRC pool.
5th February - Grasmere
Flickr sets D and J, and Andrew's.
This page was last updated on 12th February 2012.