Meet Report: 26-28 April 2024 at Conistone Hostel

The meet was held at the village hostel, formerly the old Methodist church. Several members were already in the area having attended the Committee meeting on Thursday at Lowstern. So, on Friday, Mick drove up to Carlingill Bridge in the Howgills and walked the pleasant circuit around the Carlin watershed including Uldale Head, Blakethwaite Bottom, Docker Knott, Stowgill Brow, Fell Head and Linghaw. The 360 degree views were great and he only met two other walkers. The Smiths drove to Yarnbury and did a pleasant walk on Grassington moor examining the mine working on the way back to the car. They spotted nesting curlews simultaneously harassing a red kite and buzzard. After leaving Lowstern, Steve and Wendy stopped at Buck Haw Brow Crags by Giggleswick for their first outdoor climbing session of the year. Coincidently Helen Brewitt also spent Friday climbing at Giggleswick North. Three routes were completed by Wendy and Steve in pleasant but cold weather. Then after a coffee stop in Settle they drove to Conistone where later on on a beautiful evening they were joined by the Harrisons and Smiths for a stroll to Conistone Pie.

Mark decided on a cycle touring weekend and rode to the meet stopping on Thursday at Lowstern. His journey from Whitefield to Lowstern was on mainly quiet roads, a total of 88 km with 1300m of ascent which took 5.25 hours. Travelling light, he was able to stock up with food and beer from the village store in Clapham. On Friday he cycled from Lowstern to Conistone. Retracing yesterday’s final sections through Eldroth, Rathmell, Wigglesworth towards Long Preston,then through Hellifield, Otterburn and and onto Linton – a bit of a highlight a lovely village with a river setting and a pub- and finally through Grassington to Conistone  He was first to arrive at the hostel and sat in the sun on the outside bench before the predicted afternoon showers. He was rather concerned about a knocking on his bike when coasting downhill and wondered if he should have stopped at the bike shop in Settle, as Harvey had advised the night before. In total a distance of 49 km with 765 m of ascent taking 3 hours.

Most – apart from the late arrivals – sat down to Becca’s tasty soup and rolls on Friday evening. Then about a dozen headed off to the Tennant’s arms – some were quiet on their return!

Saturday dawned fair and, fortified by Becca’s full English, everyone set off for a good day out. Most, at some stage of the weekend either headed up or down the attractive Conistone Dib gorge. This included Carol, John, Robert and Michael C. Halfway up they were met by the President and her faithful hound Gunsa who accompanied them as far as the junction of Coniston Turf Road where Becca branched off. The others followed the Bycliffe Road to Mossdale Scar where they met Mick and Conrad who had set off from the hostel, walked SE to the Dib Beck valley, skirted Bastow Wood, climbed through the ancient field system to Bare House, finally crossing Green Hill to Gill House where they inspected the seven shakeholes full of aircraft bits from a WW2 crash. Both parties walked up to Mossdale Scar to view the cave entrance and memorial plaque to the six Leeds cavers who drowned there in 1968. The two parties then separated. Mick and Conrad crossed Conistone Moor using the miners path and then via Dowber Gill to Kettlewell with refreshments in the café’s tent. They followed the Dales Way up to Coniston Pie and descended the Dib back to the chapel. An excellent and varied walk of nearly 27 km.

The Whalley and Crowther party meanwhile after lunch, found their way across the beck at Mossdale and up a steep bank to the road (best way would have been to go downstream to the sink). The previously good weather conditions was now interrupted by a squall with hailstones, but they set off up the valley as far as the shooting hut before turning right, crossing Swarth Gill and beyond it a desolate area of old mine workings, eventually descending the Turf Road back to Conistone. As they went down they passed CPC friends going up to their marshalling post on the Dalesman Hike.

Arthur also headed off up Conistone Dib and followed the Dales Way as far as the Settlements. Whilst eating lunch he survived an encounter with two large dogs, which put him in mind of the Hounds of the Baskervilles. They proceeded to try to get his chicken sandwiches. Fortunately, relatively accustomed to large dogs, he fended them off with his poles until their owners arrived – but managed to spill his coffee during the encounter.

Christine and Jim Harrison walked to Grassington through Grass Wood nature reserve through pleasant woodland and the welcome sound of songbirds. They came across a huge black Cosmos Akita dog – and had a chat with its owner who had inherited the field in which he was working. It had been in his family for two centuries and he was planning to move his young family up north from his home in the south of England. They took refuge from the rain in a tea shop in Grassington and then continued on to Linton falls where they stood on the bridge watching swallows, sand martins, dippers, grey wagtails and a redshank. The return walk by the Wharfe was very gentle with frequent stops for bird watching.

Roy had a short walk in and around Grassington. Having lived in the area, he also visited a few old haunts by car, and acquired some fresh local trout and cheeses from local providers.

Joined by Helen B and Toby, Steve and Wendy pursued Michael & Helen up Mastiles Lane from Kilnsey, in clear but cold weather. Joining them to pass over Kilnsey Moor they split at the Roman Camp and continued with HB & T to Malham Tarn. With rain threatening they made a quick round of the Nature Reserve boardwalk – limited sightings in the cold weather were confined to a warbler and plenty of marsh marigolds. Startled by a rat, Helen B sought the refuge of the now defunct Field Centre for lunch and shelter from the intermittent drizzle. The ensuing walk north down to Littondale was delightful, capped by a quick stop at the Falcon Inn, Arncliffe. A riverside walk via Hawkswick brought them back to Conistone. The Smith’s meanwhile after the Roman Camp walked down to Arncliffe Cote and on to Kettlewell – timing their arrival to catch the bus back to Conistone and save a long walk.

Richard’s route was determined by his failure to bring any supplies so resulted in travelling through villages with shops. His walk included Kettlewell, Great Whernside, Sandy Gate, Yarnbury, Mossdale and Grassington (including a stop for ice cream), a total of 35 km while testing out the transceivers which he plans to use in Bolivia.

Malcolm met his daughter from the train at Skipton for a day’s walk. Dominique also joined us for the evening meal before catching an evening train back to Leeds.

Mark was out on his bike again. This time a Conistone Circular via Littondale, Kettlewell and Grassington. However, he was tempted at Halton Gill by a road over the hills, heading towards Settle. It looked quite steep but several other cyclists were setting off, so he followed, not intending to go all the way to Settle.  At Pen-y- Ghent Gill he saw a path on the map that seemed to return to Littondale via Dawson Close. He managed to ride most of it except the steep last drop via the bridge into Littondale and some of the rockier sections. It was a welcome change from the road riding over the last few days. He went via Arncliffe, Hawkswick and the main road to Kettlewell. A distance of 50km, with 599m of ascent taking 3.13 hours.Meantime the knocking on the bike had returned with a vengeance, so onto Grassington – where the helpful man at the bike shop failed to find the problem without intrusive investigation which could have delayed his return home the next day.

It was a pleasant evening at the hostel. Becca prepared a hearty meal of tasty mince with vegetables and potatoes followed by apple strudel and custard which was most welcome after a good day out in the hills. Earlier there had been some creative moving of furniture in the main room to ensure that we could all eat together. After a tiring day it was fairly early to bed for most attendees.

Sunday 28th
In view of the disappointing weather most, despite their initial good intentions, wound their way home following another full English and tidying up. However, one or two braved the dreary, wet weather including Mick and Conrad who drove to Bog Lane near Stirton and walked up to the trig point on Sharp Haw via its rocky south ridge, then on to Rough Haw for more good views, returning via Flasby and Crag Wood. They attempted to reunite a lamb on the wrong side of a wire fence with its mother, but happily the shepherd appeared and relieved them of further responsibility.

Mark had no choice but to cycle home and the forecast was miserable. He retraced some of the second day, then onto the busy road to Cracoe, turning off along the quieter and nicer roads to Gargrave then on to West Marton, picking up the Leeds Liverpool Canal – a welcome change from the road riding. Following a climb to Huncoat and then onto Accrington, he picked up his outgoing route near Baxenden, with a final big climb up to Holcombe Brook and then to Bury. After the initial wetting the weather was ok and the ride generally good on roads with little traffic and quiet canals – generally easier than the way out if a little longer . Conistone to Whitefield was 92.5 km with 853m ascent taking 5.13 hrs. He took the bike to be repaired the next day – the bearings had gone – only 4 months old and they had to be replaced!

It was a sociable meet and it was good to see those who for whatever reason hadn’t attended a meet for some time. The hostel was comfortable and well equipped although the kitchen was a tight fit if more than two people tried to get in at once. Washing up with one small sink was challenging. There was plenty to do in the area however long or short you wanted your walk. The weather was generally dry albeit quite chilly especially if you experienced one of the hail showers whilst out and about. Finally, thanks Becca for your organisation and ensuring we were all fortified for our days in the hills.

Attendees
Becca Humphreys Conrad Tetley. Richard Smith, Helen Smith, Michael Smith, Robert Crowther, John Jenkin, John Thurston (PM). Jim Harrison, Christine Harrison, Steve Richards, Wendy Richards, Toby Dickinson (PM), Roy Denney, Michael Crowther, John Whalley, Carol Whalley, Mick Boroff, Arthur Salmon, Mark Rothwell, Malcolm Lynch, Dominique Lynch (Guest and day visitor), Harvey Lomas (Sat only), Helen Brewitt