I took a weekend trip to the Lake District to celebrate 35 years of Cambridge University Hillwalking Club, meeting up with around a hundred Old Duffers, current members and dufflings at Derwentwater Independent Hostel. To avoid the Friday evening traffic, but not wanting to miss a Thurday-night band rehearsal, I got an early start on the Friday morning to drive up to Mum and Dad’s house in Kendal and work there “from home” for the day. Then I popped across to Natland for an early dinner and got a lift up to Borrowdale with Ruth and Josh, spending a sociable evening in the hostel catching up with old friends as they gathered.
Saturday started with a full English breakfast prepared by the hostel caterers. After that, I chose to join Michael’s proposed walk from Seathwaite up Great Gable, which attracted a real multi-generational group including both current members and some of the oldest attending Duffers (but no children). Fifteen of us drove up the valley in four cars and parked at the end of the lane. We ascended together on the very greasy path beside Sour Milk Gill, then split into two smaller groups for the ascent of Base Brown. Some (including me) opted for the mild scramble up the north ridge while others took the easier route up the hanging valley and back up from the south. The summit was just about clear, with views down into Borrowdale but the surrounding higher hills not visible.
Looking up Grains GillLooking back down to Seathwaite
The direct route had been quicker, of course, so we actually met the others near the col with Green Gable. To mix up my company for the day, I switched groups and made a second visit to the summit of Base Brown before continuing up the ridge to Green Gable, then back down to Windy Gap – aptly named, as so often. Michael led five others directly down via Aaron Slack while I led two current club members up the steep rocky path to Great Gable, a few minutes behind the six others who had also gone that way.
Damp and misty on Green Gable
It was pretty cold and damp in the cloud at the summit, so we didn’t linger long before checking the compass bearing and starting the descent to Sty Head. We could see the other half-group ahead, and finally caught up with them by the stretcher box. We descended together beside Styhead Gill, getting back to Seathwaite about 15 minutes after Michael’s part of the group, and a little while before a band of heavy rain was forecast to sweep in from the south.
Styhead Tarn
Back at the hostel, we refreshed ourselves with a few cups of tea and hot showers, relaxing and chatting until dinner. The dress code had been advertised as “what you would wear for formal hall”, so I was pleased that lots of other Duffers had made the same decision as me and brought Black Tie anyway, in-keeping with previous Anniversary Dinners. The meal of soup, Cumberland sausage and crumble was simple but hearty, well accompanied by wine and a fun CUHWC-related quiz to tackle in our table-groups. Conversations continued long into the night and I eventually went to bed at around 2am.
On Sunday, I joined Ruth’s proposed walk around the Coledale horseshoe, along with Josh, Phil and John. We parked in Braithwaite and walked anticlockwise, starting with the long ascent to Grisedale Pike. The summit was just in the cloud, but we enjoyed views most of the way up, with the occasional sunny spell.
Looking over Coledale to Outerside, from Kinn
We continued along the easy ridge to Hopegill Head, then dropped down to Coledale Hause. From there, we reascended by the direct route – new to me – to Crag Hill and then around to Sail, pausing for lunch in a sheltered spot on the descent of the ugly zigzag path down its east ridge.
Phil, John, Josh and Ruth on the ridge to Hopegill HeadDescending from Sail
We then opted to take the direct path to Outerside, rather than going over Scar Crags and Causey Pike, and continued along the ridge from there to Barrow and back down to Braithwaite. A good walk with good company, with views most of the way, and drier weather than the previous day.
Sunshine towards Catbells
I travelled back to Natland with Ruth and Josh, paused for a coffee, then hit the road back to Derby, arriving just before 7pm for a fish and chip supper and an early night.
It was great to catch up with lots of old friends, many of whom I hadn’t seen for a few years, and to see that CUHWC continues to thrive. I look forward to the 40th Anniversary! There are a few more photos here and maps of my walking routes here (Great Gable) and here (Coledale).
Heading abroad for the first time since the pandemic, I took a long weekend in Switzerland to visit Alex and Ausma, who relocated from the Black Forest a couple of years ago. They are now based in Yverden-les-Bains, at the south end of Lac de Neuchâtel. I flew with easyJet from Manchester to Geneva, taking the Thursday afternoon off work to drive up to the airport. I was pleased that, despite the airline’s suggestion to get to the airport two and half hours early to clear security, I was through in 30 minutes leaving plenty of time for an early dinner before boarding. The flight was also on time, arriving around 9pm, and with no queues for passport control I was soon on the train. With typical Swiss efficiency, the short connections in Geneva and Renens went smoothly, and I made it to Yverdon by 11pm. Alex and Ausma met me at the station, from where it was only a few minutes’ walk to their flat near the lake.
In the afternoon, Alex had to dial into a meeting for a bit, so Ausma took me on a tour of the local nature reserve and along the lakeside, where there were lots of water birds and good views over to Grandson. In the evening, we enjoyed a barbecue with local chicken and sausages on the balcony.
Looking towards the Mont Blanc massifAlex on the ridge, with views of Dent d’Enaney
The path gradually got rockier further up, with short sections of easy scrambling protected by fixed ropes and cables, and very dramatic views down huge gullies both sides of the ridge. The views over Vallon d’Emaney were particularly fine. The final section to the summit was steeper, slightly trickier scrambling with the aid of a couple of short fixed ladders.
Looking over Vallon d’Emaney towards Mont BlancThe crags of Le Luisin
The summit was actually in mist as we arrived, so we settled down for lunch a short distance along the ridge in hope that it would clear to reveal the full view. We were in luck, and the mist gradually lifted off so that we could see Mont Blanc again, as well as the nearby peaks of Dents du Midi, Tour Salière and Fontanabran.
Sunday was another sunny day. Alex and I headed to a ridge with distant views over Yverdon and the lake, close to Montreux. Today’s mountain railway wasn’t quite steep enough to need rack propulsion, but still took an impressive route with zigzags and tunnels under the Col de Jaman to the hamlet of Allières. We headed steeply uphill on quiet footpaths through pasture land and patches of forest to the farmstead at Orgevau and on up to the head of the valley at L’Urqui. There were good views down the valley towards the adjacent mountain group of Vanil Noir.
Looking towards Vanil Noir
At L’Urqui, we left the path and headed up through rough grass to reach the col between Le Pila and Vanil des Artses – a knife-edge grassy arête! Alex led me on a route he’d taken previously, up the crest of the very dramatic ridge to the summit of Vanil des Artses (1992m). I was glad of his local knowledge to reassure that it was actually easier in descent, and locate the fixed cables that protect the most exposed section, traversing along a grassy ledge above cliffs just off the crest of the ridge.
The narrow ridge to Vanil des ArtsesLe Pila and beyond, from the summit of Vanil des ArtsesLooking north to Dent de Lys
Having admired the view from the summit for a few minutes, we retreated the way we’d come until we were past all difficulties, then paused for lunch while contemplating the route up Le Pila the other side of the col, where the guidebook advertised ‘practically vertical vegetation’! A few lines looked plausible, but it was very hard to judge the gradients and the sizes of the rocky steps from a distance.
Once we’d moved closer, a steepening grassy ramp on the right hand side seemed promising, but after a while we reached some very steep and exposed steps that we were not convinced we’d be comfortable to descend, and turned back. It looked like another rake a little further left might be easier, so we gave that a try too, getting slightly higher up and tantalisingly close to the ridge line, but again decided it was too risky to continue. Perhaps Alex will feel braver or find a better line another day and be able to lead me next time!
The view from part-way up Le Pila, towards Vanil NoirVanil des Artses
To make a circular walk, we contoured around below the crags of Le Pila to cross the col to Joux des Heures. Easy paths led us down the valley from there to the station at Les Cases, where we got ice cream at another buvette as we waited 45 minutes or so for the train. Once back in Yverdon, today’s culinary treat prepared for the barbecue by Ausma was salmon and prawns, with chips and salad – delicious! Route map for the day: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1990084
Monday was my final day of the visit, and was a public holiday in Switzerland, Swiss National Day. After two fairly long train trips into the mountains at the weekend, and with a long journey for me at the end of the day, we opted for a more leisurely start and a day spent nearer to Yverdon. The Jura mountains run west of the town and lake, and Alex suggested we go for a trail run up the highest nearby peak, Le Chasseron. We caught the rail-replacement bus up to the small town of Sainte-Croix, from where it was about 5km and 600m climb on pleasant footpaths, initially steep enough to merit walking as we ascended the forest, but then more runnable on the gentler open ridge to the subsidiary peak of Petites Roches, then a little down and back up to the main summit at 1607m.
After salad for lunch back in Yverdon, we went for another short bike ride to the lakeside for the Tucks to swim, and then it was time for me to head to the station to start the journey home. This time I caught the express intercity train directly to Geneva Airport, where I again had a smooth passage through security. Not so lucky with the flight this time, with an advertised delay of 60 minutes that gradually increased to 90 and, by time we took off, 120. That meant I wasn’t back in Manchester until just after midnight. I finally made it home around 1:45am and was glad to get to bed.
It was fantastic to get away to some larger mountains again after three years in the UK, and to spend time with Alex and Ausma again and catch up on all the developments in their lives – the new location, jobs, Swiss Birman cats, and a baby on the way! Now for a few days at home, before heading back out to Switzerland by car for my main summer holiday!
Many of the Duffers and their Dufflings spent February half term week in the Lake District, staying in the large and comfortable Cleabarrow Manor, near Windermere. I didn’t really want a full week of toddler walks and playroom supervision, but went to stay in Ruth’s house for the weekend and visited the group both days.
On Saturday morning I tried the new Rothay Park parkrun, in Ambleside, just about getting around the course and back across town to my car before the rain arrived. After lunch I drove across to the house to spend time with the group as everyone arrived, unpacked and settled in, heading back to Ruth’s after dinner (the flooded roads just-about passable, but unnerving in the dark!).
On Sunday morning I returned to Cleabarrow and joined almost everyone for a short walk (long for the Dufflings!) up nearby Brant Fell, with a few rocks to scramble over on the way, good views along Windermere from the top, and lots of puddles to jump in on the walk back!
As I was taking part in another Mini Mountain Marathon in the Lake District on the Sunday, I spent August Bank Holiday weekend in the northwest of England. Having broken the drive up with a dash around Preston parkrun – in an attractive park beside the Ribble – I met up with Ian and Emma (and Ellen) mid-morning and we chose to head to the Howgill Fells for a walk away from the crowds. Starting in Sedbergh, we ascended by Settlebeck Gill to Arant Haw and Calders, returning via Winder, and enjoyed sunshine and very clear views over the Dales to the Three Peaks. Then it was back to Kendal for dinner and chat.
Descending from Calders
On Sunday I took part in the King Mini Mountain Marathon, a four-hour score event, starting in Loweswater and heading up onto the Grasmoor fells. Tough going on a hot sunny day, but great scenery and a great challenge. No time for photos though!
On Monday I was tempted back into the Yorkshire Dales by MWIS’s suggestion that higher summits may be above the cloud. I opted for a round of the Gragareth group from Ireby. Unfortunately these hills proved not to be quite high enough, and I was in damp mist most of the way! On Great Coum, I could see a hint of blue sky above, but still didn’t emerge from the cloud. I descended via Bull Pot Farm and then along the scenic Ease Gill.
I spent a long weekend visiting Alex and Ausma in Vögisheim on the edge of the Black Forest, a little over two years since my last visit. Although the forecast looked rather wet for much of the trip, the reality was much better with only a few short showers, all of which we managed to avoid!
Having flown out on Wednesday evening, I had Thursday to entertain myself while my hosts were at work. I went for a morning walk from Vögisheim through some of the nearby forests and vineyards, followed by an afternoon run on a shorter route. In the evening we took a short bike ride over the hill to Mauchen for dinner at a “Strausse” (seasonal vineyard restaurant). On Friday Alex was able to take the day off work, and challenged me to a run up the Blauen, the highest nearby major summit in the Black Forest. The run amounted to 25km, my longest ever, with over 1000m ascent, the most I’ve done without walking! After some well-earned pasta carbonara for lunch we had a more leisurely afternoon picking up provisions from some nearby farm shops.
On Saturday we headed north to the low hills of Kaiserstuhl just west of Freiburg. The highest point, Neunlinden, proved to be a good viewpoint with the Black Forest to the east and the Vosges mountains to the west. I also enjoyed ascending the distinctive terraced slopes with vineyards, and passing through an interesting arboretum on the descent, with many unusual trees from all around the world. We followed the walk with a late lunch at the restaurant of a free-range turkey farm!
Finally, on Sunday, we drove west to France for a walk in the foothills of the Vosges mountains, starting in Husseran-les-Châteaux. As well as some attractive mixed forest and the occasional rocky outcrop, we enjoyed looking around five ruined castles, and some great views over Colmar and the Rhein valley back to the Black Forest.
All in all, a lovely relaxing weekend and it was great to catch up with Alex and Ausma.
Dave, Jo and I enjoyed a sunny post-parkrun walk to Cheeks Hill, the highest point in Staffordshire, for CUHWC’s 30th anniversary round of the County Tops.
Lots of club members, Old Duffers and dufflings convened at YHA Langdale for the weekend to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Cambridge University Hillwalking Club. My short and child-friendly walks were up Harrison Stickle and Loughrigg Fell!
I joined Dave and Jo (+ baby), Ruth and James for New Year week in Crianlarich, where I enjoyed re-visiting six Munros (including three with baby thanks to the calm, dry, non-snowy conditions!) and bagging four new Corbetts.
I met up with Old Duffers and a few much younger Dufflings for a weekend in the Shropshire Hills. Staying at YHA Ironbridge Coalport, we enjoyed walks on the Long Mynd and the Wrekin.
I helped Georgia and some of her colleagues attempt a round of the Yorkshire Three Peaks. Only Georgia and I made it beyond the second peak, but still a great sunny day in the hills!
I spent a long weekend in the Southern Uplands to visit Will and Annelies and explore some of their local hills, including three Grahams and a Marilyn.
Ruth came to visit the South Derbyshire Duffers for the weekend. After a morning dash around Rosliston parkrun, we had time for a Saturday afternoon walk on Stanton Moor and Robin Hood’s Stride. On the Sunday, we were joined by Phil Withnall for a longer walk around the Lower Edale skyline.
I visited Ian and Emma for the weekend. We enjoyed two contrasting walks: an ascent of Ingleborough from Clapham in falling snow on the Saturday, and a snowy round of the Coledale Horseshoe in sunshine on the Sunday.
Breaking with our ten-year tradition of heading to the Highlands for New Year (due to the arrival of several ‘Dufflings’), the Duffers instead spent a week in the more accessible hills of Snowdonia, staying in a large house near Caernarfon. My walks included old favourites on the Carneddau and Glyderau, a traverse of the Nantlle Ridge, and a few new Marilyns on the wetter, windier days!
I spent a long weekend in Berlin to catch up with the Bibens family, who were on holiday from the USA to take part in the Berlin Marathon. As well as returning to some sights I’d enjoyed on my previous visits, I made first time visits to the Zoo and the Reichstag, and was delighted to be able to attend a fantastic concert by the Berlin Philharmonic.
I took advantage of excellent sunny weather over the August Bank Holiday weekend for two walks in the Peak District: a round of The Roaches and Gun with Dave and Jo on Sunday and a quick blast along White, Curbar and Froggatt Edges on Monday morning.
For the remainder of our Alpine holiday, we headed northeast across the Austrian border to Stubaital. Volderau proved a convenient (if very wet in the evening!) base for some very spectacular and varied mountain walks and a couple of days’ mountaineering on Zuckerhütl, Wilder Pfaff and Wilder Freiger.
For the first few days of this year’s Alpine adventure, we headed to the beautiful Stelvio National Park in the Südtirol region of northern Italy. Based in Trafoi, we enjoyed three day walks to acclimatise and then tackled the easy glaciated peak of Monte Cevedale.
With Ruth suffering from a knee injury, much of my trip to the Highlands for Spring Bank Holiday week this year was solo. I therefore opted to focus on collecting some of my unbagged Munro Tops around Glen Affric and Glen Shiel, then relocated to Glen Shiel for the final couple of days to bag Corbetts and Grahams in Glen Suileag and Glen Roy. In the middle of the trip, I met up with Ian and Emma for a wet day on Beinn Fhada and a glorious sunny one on The Saddle.
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