Meet report 24-26th April 2026 at the Street Head bunkhouse.

The night before the meet Steve Crossley slept at Lowstern and was very impressed by the new showers, which are excellent and with added privacy, a real improvement on the previous ones. In the morning he awoke to see a cloud inversion and a hare in the field in front of Lowstern which was lovely start to the day.

Steve headed off to Bishopdale and had a stroll up Pen y Ghent and Plover Hill from Dale Head on the Eastern side which he thought excellent, far quieter than the more usual approaches and in his opinion, not marred by the 2 miles of road walking due to it being so much quieter.
Upon arrival Steve was greeted by Mark who had cycled from Lowstern and had enjoyed a delicious ice cream from the Hawes Creamery en route. He is in training for an East to West traverse of the Iberian peninsula from Girona on his bicycle, which sounds a grand adventure and he was pressed to share the details later. Anne Marie, a prospective member arrived and made herself known to us and was delightful company throughout the weekend. She is a hypnotherapist and free diver, so a person with diverse interests.

Steve and Wendy Richards, after receiving the keys for the hostel completed a 3 hour round across to Thornton Rust in Wensleydale, in glorious sunshine.

Also in the Friday, the Smiths and Harrisons drove up from Sheffield via Ilkley to Boss Moor quarry above Hetton for a walk north almost to Malham Moor Lane, west to Bordley and back to their car.  9km, 250m ascent
Over the evening everyone gathered and had a catch up. The bunkhouse was very good, but needed a few simple tweaks; as the owners are new these matters will surely soon be addressed. A major positive is that one pub is 150m away and another a very pleasant 10 minute stroll to Thoralby, a  quintessential Dales Village.
Saturday was a glorious day, sunny with a gentle breeze. The main party went for a 13 mile stroll which took in Addlebrough with views of Semerwater, and a return parallel to a disused railway track to Aysgarth Falls where some of us bought delicious ice creams and others looked on with envy. A real highlight of the walk was watching 3 hares frolicking and boxing, which had the group entranced. On the return a call at the George Pub was deemed essential and it must have been good as Conrad was abandoned there.

On our return we discovered Beverley had arrived and was giving Mark, who had done a 90km bike ride over Buttertubs and beyond, a hair cut in the sunshine. Christine, Jim and Anne Marie  had a been for a 6 mile walk taking in West Burton and lower paths and had, had a grand dayThe day culminated in a slap up meal, prepared by Wendy and Steve with plenty of beer and wind (it was lentils for tea) and lots of friendly chatter.

On the Sunday the Smiths, with Conrad and Bev along with the Harrisons walked 11km from Colsterdale west of Masham past Slipstones Crag over Agra Moor to Ellingstring and back along a small section of the Six Dales Way.

Steve and Wendy ensured the bunkhouse was in good order before taking on a long circular route, starting over Thoralby Common before dropping down Gilbert Lane to cross the Buckden road and ascend the western slopes of Buckden Pike. With a cold wind and occasional light rain, they pressed on down over Naughtberry Hill to finish through Newbiggin late afternoon in welcome sunshine; a good 25km leg-stretcher.

Mark cycled back to Lowstern, and Steve went to a table top sale in Thoralby.
All in all a grand weekend, thanks to Wendy and Steve and a venue definitely worth returning to.

Meet Commanders: Wendy and Steve Richards

Other Ranks: Helen and Micheal Smith, Conrad Tetley, Beverley Eastwood, Christine and Jim Harrison, Anne Marie Flynn, Mark Rothwell and Steve Crossley.