News from South London Harriers
May 26th, 2007: SLH Walking Weekend Yorkshire Dales
Posted by Chris Phelan at 7:35 pmRead Dave Kent’s report on the ‘invigorating’ walking weekend held over 26/27/28th May 2007 below:
“Invigorating” was how Chris Phelan described the 2nd SLH Walking Weekend in the Yorkshire Dales and I suspect all of the 11 strong party of irrepressibles shared this sentiment by Monday evening. Settle in Ribblesdale was the destination and Nina Pinkerton received the captain’s award for best navigation around the various motorway obstacles that appear only too commonplace these days. By the way, despite alarming weather forcasts, it didn’t actually rain on us (unless you count the odd drizzle).
The group was put straight to the test on Saturday with the formidable rock scramble up the waterfall at Gordale Scar. Several commendations for bravery were received and these included Kate Emery, Jenny Grant and Claire Settle, who will never believe a word her leader says again. At Malham Cove Peter Emery had to be pulled away from the RSPB lenses that were focussed on Peregrine Falcons, before cups of tea were enjoyed at Malham and Grassington.
Precision fetching and carrying of supplies was organised by Peter on Sunday before our longer walk from the village of Clapham. Ingleborough (723m) was the destination and the outward journey was into a very strong wind. At one point it seemed preferable to be lowered into Gaping Gill for respite, but the queue of pot-holers was too long. It was good to see Dave Grant looking so fit and able again. At one point he had to jog-on as our pace was too pedestrian for him! We all made it back one-way-or-another.
Relaxation was allowed in the evenings and the hotels ‘Red Lion’, ‘Royal Oak’ and ‘Harts Head’ were consumed, as it were, by the group. The latter hostelry even putting on a Quiz night for us all. As might have been predicted, we didn’t win any prizes. At this juncture mention must be made of the hero or heroine award, which went ‘again’ to Sue Ashley. Sue, despite recent injury, walked from Dent Station to Settle with Clive along the Ribble on Thursday (8 hours) before embarking on extra runs and walks from Horton and elsewhere throughout the weekend. You felt that even this was probably not enough to satisfy her considerable enthusiasm!
The Bank Holiday Monday provided some respite for some at the ‘Austwick Cuckoo Festival & Street Market’. For others a five mile walk was involved from Settle and for some others an 8 mile (1200’ ascent) Fell Race over Great Scar – just to finish on a high! With the Evans’ turning up from a holiday in nearby Kendal, we managed a team. Chris Phelan (V/45 9th – 56:20 and 3rd V/45), Andy Evans (V/45 28th – 60:17) and Clive Beauvais (V/60 56th – 64:49) completed an excellent team performance. With 112 finishers to this ‘B’ category fell race it really was a great conclusion to a great weekend.
Together with ‘ML’ (Maria-Luise) our captain went on to the Lake District to ‘Recci’ next year’s weekend. A provisional timetable will be put forward for consultation in due course! Watch this space …
DK
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