Sunday 20th June2010 - Glenridding

On Sunday, 20th June, our walks are based at Glenridding in the Lake District

The coach will leave school as usual at 8.00 am prompt and, in view of the journey time to the North Lakes, travel direct to Glenridding, where both the ‘A’ and ‘B+’ walkers will leave the coach  and where toilets are available for all groups.  ‘B’ and ‘C’ walkers should return to the coach for the short onward journey to Patterdale where their walks will begin.
All walks will finish at Glenridding.
We aim to leave for the return journey at 5.30pm and weather and traffic permitting, we hope to be back in Formby at approx 7.30pm / 8.00pm.

The cost of travel will be £10.00 for adults, £12.00 for guests and £5.00 for Leaders, children and students in full time education.

RETURNS       On this occasion, returns should go either to school or to the  TREASURER, Alan Thomas.
Cancellations If you need to cancel or make a late booking, please contact the Treasurer on 01704 871376 who will endeavour to substitute your booking from any waiting list. If this is not possible, then regrettably no refunds will be given as coaches will have been booked on initial returns.

‘A’ Walk Distance: 10 miles Ascent: 3220 ft Leaders: Ken Bryning Bob Scurr	The walk starts from the main car park in Glenridding and heads up Greenside road to the old mines at Greenside before ascending Sticks Pass. The route takes in the main ridge of Raise and Whiteside before reaching the summit of Helvellyn (3118ft).  This is the 3rd highest peak in the Lake District and also one of the busiest.  The views (on a good day) are extensive. Descent is via Swirrel Edge, a steep rock staircase, which requires a little scrambling !  The route now continues past Red Tarn and follows Red Tarn Beck and Glenridding Beck back to base at Glenridding.  This is a classic but is not to be underestimated !
‘B+’ Walk Distance: 10.5 miles Ascent: 2400 ft Leaders: Glennis Poole David Purdy	From Glenridding we follow a path on the south side of Glenridding Beck to join the Mires Beck path.  After only a short distance we leave this and take a fairly level path as it contours above Glenridding as far as the Youth Hostel.  From this point, we climb steadily following a path beside Red Tarn Beck until we arrive at Red Tarn itself, nestling between Striding Edge and Swirrel Edge and beneath Helvellyn.  After a well-earned rest, a short level walk brings us to the ‘Hole in the Wall’ where we begin our descent into Grisedale.  At Brownend Plantation there is the chance to shorten the walk if need be, otherwise the route continues with a circuit of Grisedale valley before returning to Glenridding via Lanty’s Tarn.  The whole walk is on well defined paths with no ‘off-piste’ !
‘B’ Walk Distance: 9.5 miles Ascent: 1500 ft Leaders: Janet Purdy Ray Webb	A more challenging ‘B’ Walk than usual for this team but one that, weather permitting, will provide some attractive views.  We leave the coach at Patterdale where, after a gentle start, we climb to the high point of the day at Boredale Hause.  An ‘interesting’ descent takes us into the tranquillity of Boredale, which we follow for a couple of miles to Sandwick. The route back to Patterdale is undulating and runs close to and often at some distance above the Ullswater shoreline.  By necessity, the return to Glenridding requires that we follow the A592.
‘C’ Walk Distance: 7.5 miles. Ascent: 700 ft Leaders: Barry Whitby Peter Houghton	This walk explores two of the valleys running down into Ullswater – the Grisedale and the Glenridding.  Starting at Patterdale (where there are toilets) we head up the Grisedale valley.  After crossing the beck we start heading down the valley before making a short climb across the ridge at low level into Glenridding valley.  We then follow the beck up to old mine workings at the upper end of the dale before returning to Glenridding in plenty of time for the usual end-of-walk pleasures.  From both valleys the rugged mountain terrain of the Lake District can be well appreciated.