Members: Christine Beeston, Sue Brooke, Trish Cranston, Michelle Harvie, Mark Garrod, Lorna Marsland, Iain McCallum, Chris Thickett, Dave Wylie

Guest: Kate Sparks

The weather leading up to this weekend had proved anything but promising, so I was rather apprehensive about the turnout on this meet. However, the sun emerged as I entered the Dales and it remained with us all weekend, which was much appreciated.

When I arrived at the campsite at 8pm there was no one there. This was something of a surprise since Sue Brooke had meant to have been taking the afternoon off and so I expected her to be ensconced with a brew on, but the weather had delayed an early start and she arrived within half an hour of me - and then there were two! By the time we had both pitched camp it was pub time, so we walked into, considering our options if we were to be the only 2 on the meet. We wouldn't have to bother with walking at all and no one would be any the wiser!

Austwick is a lovely village with a country pub, selling delectable ale, which I had sampled on an earlier visit in the company of the Tuesday Night Gang. We managed to force down sufficient of this to avoid noticing the walk back. In fact I failed to notice my bag, which I'd carelessly left on the ground whilst changing into my wellies just as we entered the field, but I digress!

Saturday morning dawned with glorious sunshine to welcome the arrival of Iain McCallum, Chris Thickett, Dave Wylie, Mark and Michelle and Christine, Trish and Kate. The weather had induced them all to delay departure from Manchester until Saturday fearing a soggy night, although many stayed over until Sunday. Chris wished he'd decided to bring his tent, especially since he'd only come for the wenching! He'd obviously got wind of the fact that there would be an ample supply of KMC women on this meet, or else deafness is affecting his vowels!

We set off in glorious sunshine for Crummack Dale, walking below the crag I'd climbed on some years earlier which had enormous limestone pockets and all the routes were pink! We soon hit the plateau which gave way to an extensive limestone pavement with superb views over the dale. We strode along it and around Thieves Moss dropping into the valley above Clapham. Because we were making far better time than Dave Dillon and I had done on a hot and humid day earlier in the year, we did a detour via Gaping Gill so that those not visiting the following day could see the set up. This was as close to 'wenching' as Chris actually got, though he was seen peering fondly down the swallowhole.

We enjoyed a pretty walk up the limestone gorge to view the winch meet which Sue had helped organise the previous weekend, and we returned by a different route into Clapham for afternoon tea. This taken, we returned to Austwick and the campsite, where I provided wine and cake, Mark brought out a birthday cake he'd made for me and Sue got a brew on. Then we went to the pub where those who were staying overnight and those who weren't showed the good people of Yorkshire how to eat and drink! As you can see there was rather a lot of that going on, and because there was only a select group of us, we felt obliged to make up for those who were unavoidably detained elsewhere - this is you DD!

Sunday was again sunny and we broke camp before following Sue to the Craven Pot- Holing Club's parking field in Clapham. We walked up to the winch and Christine, Trish and I went down the gill, Kate walked up Ingleborough and Sue searched for her man to take her down Bar Pot. It was a short but amazing feeling going down on the winch, which carved a diagonal path not a vertical one as it seemed whilst you were on it. The cavern was like a cathedral and the rock looked like stained glass windows in the roof! We got wet however!

It was sunny when we emerged from the gill, and we lay on the grass catching the rays and having lunch, thinking about how easy it is to abuse your body with too much exercise. Better to care for those vulnerable joints (particularly at my age) with lots of refreshments, rending you too fat and inebriated to move, rather than risk wear and tear on the knees and heart! Eventually, we decided on a leisurely walk back into Clapham, followed by yet another tea stop, just to keep the fluids up

Thank you to everyone who made the effort to attend and share my birthday celebrations. A special thank you to Mark, for baking a truly wonderful birthday cake- what are you doing next year?

Lorna

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Lorna had selected a beautiful campsite at Austwick and Sue arrived to find Lorna looking all lonely and forlorn, thinking that everybody had abandoned her for her birthday. However a quick trip to the pub and an extremely attentive barman soon sorted that out!

Saturday

The day dawned fine, clear and cold, but by the time the main party arrived the sun was shining and the temperature had risen to an acceptable level! The first gaff of the day was Chris's when he accidentally (?) referred to the meet as the wenching meet, which led to a lot of hilarious conversation during the day as to the success of Chris's wenching technique (or lack of it!). The walk, unlike many KMC walks, was very leisurely and civilised, starting from the campsite, up Crummack Dale, turning left along the escarpment to join Long Lane, allowing a quick look at Gaping Ghyll for anybody not staying to partake of the delights the next day. The group then descended to Clapham to sit outside in the sunshine, whilst sampling the most wonderful cream tea's, before strolling back to the campsite. The early evening was spent sitting in the sunshine back at the campsite, eating more cake and drinking copious amounts of wine, very generously supplied by Lorna, before retiring to the nearest hostelry for a pub meal and more alcohol.

Birthday Walk

Sunday

Lorna, Trish and Christine making a new fashion statement, looking very attractive in bright yellow building site helmets and waterproofs, nervously took their place in the queue for the winch to descend Gaping Ghyll. Sue is pleased to report that they have all spoken to her since and claimed to have enjoyed the experience! Speaking of Sue, she did finally find her way to the main chamber via Bar Pot, guided by a member of the Craven Pot Hole Club, and was then taken around Mud Halls (a mini via ferratta underground) before being winched out! Only complaint about the winch is that it was all over too fast!

Michelle and Mark opted for another leisurely day and ran up Ingleborough from the campsite, whilst Kate also ascended Ingleborough but in a more sedate fashion.

Sue

Weekend Birthday Camp

Here are the long-awaited details of the camping meet taking place on 20th-22nd August 2004.

CAMPING

We're camping at Woodend Caravan Park at Austwick, near Clapham. Don't be put off by the name. The caravans are far away from us and the setting is very pretty. Camp sites in this area are few and far between and since it is the weekend of the Winch Meet for Gaping Ghyll, it was difficult to find anywhere. There are facilities although these are limited. The site is owned by Edward and Margaret Hird, Austwick, via Lancaster LA2 8DH Tel: 015242 51296.

To find the site, take the B6480 off the A65 signposted for Austwick. Go through the village and Wharfe is less than a mile further on. Wood End Farm is on your right just after the bridge - grid ref : 780691. We have been asked to camp in the field on the left of the gate as you enter, close to the road. The Gamecock in Austwick does good food and has nice beer; I have drunk here after a Tuesday night outing, so can vouch for it.

WALKING

The walk is directly from the campsite, through Wharfe, following the footpath below the crags to Moughton Scar, Thieves Moss, Long Scar and into Clapham, where there are an abundance of cafés for afternoon tea and a pub. Thence we return to Austwick via one of two footpaths. The total mileage is 10 which allows us time for the celebratory imbibing. Map Outdoor Leisure 2 Yorkshire Dales Southern and Western areas 1:25000

For those turning up for the walk on the day, meet at the campsite at 09:30.

WINCH

We're planning to do this on Sunday for those who are interested. Sue Brook is organising this so you'll need to see her if you want to go down (for more details, see below). Descents can be made between 8am and 4pm and you need to allow an hour for the trip, so the leaflet says.

CLIMBING

There is some very good climbing within walking distance of the campsite at White stone (on the map) but known as Crummack Dale. It's pocketed limestone, which is very interesting, although there is little below HVS 5a. Al has climbed there if you need further details.

SWIMMING

Unfortunately Michelle, it's not by the sea, but there is a lake, so bring your cozi just in case the weather is warm enough! I know you never travel without it!

I hope there is something to entice you along, even if it's only the promise of birthday cake and some vino collapse.

Hope to see you there.

Lorna

Gaping Ghyll Winch Meet

Originally this weekend was to be shared with Joe Flynn where he was organising a caving meet and I was planning the walk. Since Joe will be out of the country at this time, Sue Brooke has very kindly agreed to stand in for him. However, without Joe's caving expertise, the Gaping Ghyll trip will be confined to that which is available to the general public and to avoid crowds, anyone interested should contact Sue in advance. The projected cost of the descent into the cave is £8 or make yourself available for a future weekend, helping out at the site.

This as an opportunity for KMC members to witness madness on a grand scale, specifically to allow members of the public direct access to Gaping Ghyll main chamber, without getting wet! Over the course of three weekends a small quiet valley in the Yorkshire Dales is turned into a tented village, compete with pub (Craven Pot Hole Club members Only), with the stream, which naturally flows down the main shaft, dammed and diverted to provide drinking water, bathing, a system to cool the winch, which in turn provides warm water for showering. All this is in order to allow the building of a plat formed structure at the top of the main shaft, down which, for a small price (£8), members of the public can be winched in a bosons chair for a guided tour of the main chamber. The Craven Pot Hole Club have agreed that members may join them at some point over this weekend (to be negotiated), which is also the weekend that Lorna will be celebrating her birthday and will be leading a walk in the area. Because this is such a grand venture anyone wishing to use the winch for free will have to provide assistance in setting up on the previous weekend, in guiding parties around the main chamber or promise assistance with closing down and dismantling. Anyone not able to assist will have to pay the same price as members of the public for the privilege. For more information or to confirm interest please contact Susan Brooke.