Kettlewell 15/11/09 Hike Report

Overview
One shouldn't be allowed so much pub time - coach speeches are difficult when drunk!

(Especially after a day without any water!)

Hike 1 - Bucken Pike and Great Whernside
Route - Take Top Mere Road north from Kettlewell, follow bridleways to Tor Mere Top, then handrail along wall to Bucken Pike. Return to Tor Mere Top, if time go to minor road (SE), then obvious path to Great Whernside. Descend SW from summit to Kettlewell via Hag Dyke. 20km, 750m ascent

Leaders - Jonathan Group size - 12

Happy hiking - Some quite nice walking, lots of pub time, met both other groups Sad hiking - Lots of bogs, lots of cloud, group had to split to allow fulfilment of strange desires

Animals seen - Flattened rabbit, grouse

Dave's Photos: http://www.umhc.org.uk/gallery/v/0910/Kettlewell/davem/

Overall rating - 3 elephants up

Hike 2 - Bucken Pike
Route - Take Top Mere Road north from Kettlewell, follow bridleways to Tor Mere Top, then handrail along wall to Buckden Pike. Return by same route, or use bridleway/track parrellel and west of handrailing wall. 17km, 500m ascent

Leaders - Fergus Group size - 7

Happy hiking - Good pub at Bluebell Inn, nice gentle stroll with pleasant scenery. Twee! Sad hiking - Boggy and people submerged... in their boots many times

Animals seen - Kestrel taking a blue tit off a bird feeder.

Overall rating - 9/10

Hike 3 - Great Whernside
Route - Leave Kettlewell on one of three paths heading north east (initative may be required) which converge at Hag Dyke. Then continue north east to summit. If time permits (or accent route is terrible) seek the road to the north west, then descend via East Scale Lodge or Tor Mere Road. 12km, 500m ascent

Leaders - Markus! :) Group size - 10

Happy hiking - Niceish route, group, weather, fixed a sign! Sad hiking - Unniceish bog. Boggy bog bog. Had to rescue hike 1

Animals seen - Dead rabbit, dead rabbit, living rabbit

Overall rating - Melon

Hike 4 - Arncliffe Bimble
Route - Head west out of Kettlewell and cross “New Bridge” before heading quite steeply up Middlesmoor Pasture. Follow the path down to Arncliffe and seek out the Quaint Pub. Bimble around the villiage then return by the same route. 8km, 600m ascent

Nobody signed up for it!