Range Walking Club
Sunday 23rd May 1999-North Lake District-Keswick
On Sunday 23 May we visit the North Lakes - always a place to savour for its scenery and views - all the trees coming into leaf and flowering shrubs in abundance and a good selection of walks to "boot". As usual we leave school at 0800 hrs prompt. A toilet stop will be made en route. All walks finish in Keswick which we hope to depart from by 1730 hrs, arriving back in Formby by 2000 hrs. The 'B' walk will leave the coach before Keswick on the outward journey with 'C' walkers commencing their walk at Keswick. One coach will then take the 'A' walkers to Seatoller (NB. this party will probably not start their walk before 1130 hrs) whilst the 'B'+ group will be taken by the other coach to Braithwaite, the start of their walk. The cost of travel is £7.00 for adults and £4.00 for children and students in full-time education who were formerly pupils of Range High School. Please return slips with cheque (not cash) to the school office by Thursday, 13 May in an envelope marked "Range Walking Club".

'A' Walk
Starting in Seatoller (the wettest village in England) we climb to the Dale Head (224153) at 2473'. Turning east we take a good path down to Dalehead Tarn and ascend the opposite edge of Eel Crags to High Spy (2143'). From here it is a magnificent (mist being absent) ridge walk via Castle Nook, Maiden Moor and Black Cragg to the intoxicating Cat Bells. A steep descent requires care but we then have a pleasant hour's walk around the top of Derwent Water to the hopefully literally intoxicating Keswick.

Distance: 10 miles
Ascent: 3300'
Leaders: Meirion Williams and Gordon Spence

'B'+ Walk
Our walk starts at Braithwaite and goes steadily uphill on good paths and tracks through Barrow Door, around Outerside and across High Moss. There is a short but steep ascent to the saddle below Sail. We will turn east and traverse Scar Crags (677m) and Causey Pike (637m). This is a rocky ridge, about 1 km long. with steep drops to the south which give us excellent views in good weather (we, of course didn't see anything but the inside of a cloud!). The descent from Causey Pike to Stair is steep and, in a couple of places. requires concentration and an enthusiasm for scrambling but the return from Stair to Braithwaite is short and gentle. We then continue to Keswick where the coaches will be waiting. Good boots and lockable knees are essential for the ridge and descent.

Distance: 10 miles
Ascent: 2300'
Leaders: Rick Tynan and Dave Miles

'B' Walk
We start at Threlkeld Bridge and head via fields to Yew Tree Farm. We then climb up to St John's Chapel and proceed over Low Rigg. Passing Tewet Tarn and onto Naddle Bridge we cross over fields to Gooseweli Farm and will lunch in Castlerigg Stone Circle. Continuing via Castle Lane to Rakefoot Ford we then have a short, sharp climb up to the top of Walla Crag (great views). A steep descent into Great Wood and back along the lake takes us to refreshments etc in Keswick.

Distance: 8½ miles
Ascent: 900'
Leaders: Dave Willis and Ed McCluskey

'C' Walk
An attractive, interesting and varied walk involving some modest and relatively short climbs which offers superb views over Keswick, Derwent Water and the surrounding fells, Starting from Keswick we follow the lakeside path to Friars Crag and then continue on south past Stable Hills to cross the Borrowdale Road in order to follow an uphill path along the foot of Walla Crag through Great Wood to Castlerigg. We then make our way northwards towards Goosewell Farm and the Castlerigg Stone Circle. Then, heading south and west, we reach Spring Wood and on reaching the outskirts of Keswick turn southwest to Castlehead Wood and then on to the shore of Derwent Water andback to the coach. (If wet, it could be muddy in places).

Distance: 7½ miles
Ascent: 600'
Leaders: Dave Griffiths and Stuart Norris