AMBLESIDE & DISTRICT U3A: HIGH FELLS and SCRAMBLES
Notes to Group Members
INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITIES
DECIDING TO TAKE PART
- Group members and guests participate at their own risk. If you bring a guest make sure that they are fully aware of this and that they accept all the responsibilities within this document.
- We assume that you are a fairly experienced fell walker and that you are confident that the proposed route is well within your physical capabilities - even if the weather deteriorates.
- You should be capable of finding your own way - this may be necessary in an emergency. We do not recce the walk in advance - prepare as you would if you were going out on your own.
- Major scrambles can usually be avoided if this is desired (ask the co-ordinator) and sometimes some people take a shorter route by prior agreement with the co-ordinator.
Grade 3 scrambles will only be undertaken with a rope operated by an experienced climber using harnesses which can be loaned.
- You should be properly equipped, e.g. suitable footwear, waterproofs, gloves, hat, a reserve of warm clothing, water, food, survival bag, whistle, compass, map and first aid kit - plus poles and instep crampons if needed.
An ice axe will not normally be necessary but can be quite useful in some conditions. A hot drink is recommended in winter.
- If you carry a mobile phone, make sure that everyone knows your number and that you know theirs.
- We keep to the beaten track as far as possible. If tracks are in really poor condition, as many are, a very wide detour is often the best option.
We often go over ground without tracks or paths.
- No one in the group has the training or skills as a leader or training in first aid.
The group co-ordinator, contact people and the day co-ordinator are not, in any legal sense, the walk ‘leader’; like other members of the group, they are not legally responsible for any other member or guest.
In an emergency we will simply help as best we can.
- Dogs are welcome so long as they are guaranteed not to cause problems with other people, farm animals, wildlife etc.
Note that some routes are inaccessible to dogs.
BEFORE THE WALK
You should always contact the group co-ordinator, or the contact for your car-sharing group, before 7:00 pm on the evening before the walk.
This is necessary to confirm the meeting point and time, so that we know who to expect, and to share cars when possible.
ON THE DAY
i) You have complete responsibility for our own safety.
ii) The day should begin by checking the route on your own map, and raising any queries about any aspect of the day. You should tell us if you wish to avoid scrambles or shorten your route.
iii) You are responsible for keeping in contact with the group at all times, not taking risks and alerting others if a problem does occur. If you feel unwell or need to stop for any reason whatsoever, let at least one person in the group know and ask them to tell the others so that the group can react appropriately.
iv) If you happen to be in the lead, make frequent checks to ensure that (a) you are on the agreed route and (b) there are no stragglers. This is especially important in poor visibility.
v) Occasionally we deviate from the planned route – make sure that you understand any changes.
vi) If, for any reason, you wish to take some alternative route, or wish to push on ahead, you should first inform at least 2 other members of the group and ask them to tell the others. If you intend to meet up again with the main party make arrangements that are absolutely clear to all members of the group, including a contingency rendezvous.
Failure to meet as agreed can have serious consequences for others as well as yourself.
vii) If you should accidentally lose contact with the group, the group will attempt to re-establish contact and, if necessary, alert the mountain rescue team.
Dial 999 and ask for ‘Police for Mountain Rescue’.
Only ask for an Ambulance if you are near a public highway.
Given our age and the reduced endurance/energy reserves for coping with adversity, we do need to take particular care.
YOUR PARTICIPATION MEANS THAT YOU AGREE TO THESE CONDITIONS
Introduction for New Members
- We are a relatively small group within the Ambleside & District U3A, currently we have 10 core members who attend most walks.
- We are delighted to welcome new members. However, you must be fit enough to keep up a moderate pace, be capable of finding your own way (even in the worst conditions) and accept our conditions entitled ‘individual responsibilities’, as set out above.
- The safety of the group depends on all members being reasonably fit and having appropriate equipment.
Please make sure that you have completed high fells walks recently.
You should be able to maintain a steady continuous pace on steep uphill sections and a brisk pace on the level for several miles.
If you have any doubts about your present state of fitness and fell walking capabilities, complete the easy walk from Thirlspot to Helvellyn peak, or another of your choosing, and tell us your time.
We encourage you to come on the B social walks and have a chat with us.
- We walk every Thursday all over the Lake District including at least one peak over 2000 feet above sea level, sometimes including a scramble, lasting most of the day and end the outing in a pub.
The ’classics’ are to be included every year.
We will try to include all peaks over 2000 feet every 2 to 3 years.
We have a programme of short scrambles on the 3rd Tuesday in the months of April to September inclusive and/or at other times by arrangement, providing at least one experienced person is available.
- The group is administered by a co-ordinator and we have several additional contacts whose names and phone numbers are published in the printed version of the U3A Newsletter.
- We normally walk whatever the weather – the forecasts are often wrong and we usually get a good view sometime during a walk. We may change the route in gale force winds.
- A typical Thursday ………..
- commences with a meet at 9.00 am in Grasmere* or a more appropriate place, so that we can take the minimum number of cars to the starting point and/or notify you of changes in arrangements. We will try to collect people without their own transport.
- the first part of the route is typically a 2 hour ascent, followed by ridge walking
- we usually stop for a banana/coffee break and again for lunch
- we try to use ‘interesting’ routes and sometimes go over rough terrain or areas without paths.
- the duration of the walk is usually 4 to 6 hours in winter and 5 to 9 hours in summer. The newsletter gives the outline of the route, the approximate distance and the height of ascent (we publish a more detailed itinerary giving past times etc. for members of the group)
- finishes with a visit to a pub (alcohol is optional!) and drive home; occasionally we stay for an evening meal
- the total time commitment is the time to get to the meeting point, car journeys, the walk itself and the time spent in the pub making future arrangements; if you do have to get back for a prior appointment do bear this in mind if you offer/accept a lift.
* Grasmere meeting point: lay-by on the left of the A591 going North after the Swan Hotel NY337085
Always check the arrangements on the evening before the walk by telephoning the co-ordinator or one of the contacts shown in the Newsletter by 7:00 pm the evening before for the latest arrangements and for car sharing.
If a Thursday route includes a scramble, these are often avoidable, but some aren’t (ask the co-ordinator).
Well-behaved dogs kept under control are allowed but some routes are inaccessible.
If you have a mobile phone, give other walkers your number and obtain their numbers. Be aware that coverage is very patchy in the Lakes and that there is a good chance you won’t get a signal when you need one!
Occasionally we have social gatherings, including partners, where we meet for a meal or have a presentation about a trek – suggestions are welcomed!
Welcome to the group and enjoy days out with us!
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