Although the two main activities of the club are climbing and caving the club has always been very active in all forms of walking especially mountain walking. The club is an affiliated member of the Ramblers Association and has strong informal links through the membership with the
LDWA.
Most of the walking activities are undertaken informally or small groups of members. These activities visit most parts of the UK and also include overseas locations
The most popular walk is
the Alstonefield walk which has been run for
over 30years and is always very well attended.
Sixty to seventy members and friends each year
turnout out on the first Saturday in December to
take part in this event.
The official meets program offers meets of all types from long distance mountain walking to shorter social walking meets.
Alstonefield Walk
Club Members At
The "George" Alstonefield sporting the
21st
Anniversary Shirts
The Alstonefield Walk was introduced into
the club meet programme in 1975 to give all
members an opportunity to get together for a
competitive/social weekend at a time of the year
with low caving and climbing activity.
The walk celebrated its 21st year in 1995
with a repeat of the original Edale route with
commemorative tee shirts printed for the
occasion. The 30th annual event was completed in
2004. Special tee shirts are provided to those
completing twenty one walks - Fifteen members
have achieved this feat to date.
The walk always takes place on the
first Saturday in December with most
participants arriving on Friday night staying
locally at the youth hostel, camping or making
use of local bed and breakfast accommodation. A
coach arrives at 7.15 am. outside the George and
we leave for our starting point promptly at 7.30
am. All the walks are linear and approx. 20/22
miles in length. The usual time of the start is
approx.8.30 am. with a pre-arranged midday stop.
The walk is both competitive and social with the
first back around 1.00 pm. with the last back as
late as 7.00 pm.
The walks range all over Staffordshire and
Derbyshire with a different route provided most
years. In the past we have ranged from Edale in
the north to Abbots Bromley in the south and
from Rushton Spencer in the west to Matlock in
the east.
On the Saturday evening a supper is
enjoyed and is always well supported. After the
meal ,trophies are presented to the fastest
finisher in various categories.
Those members and friends who do not wish
to take part in the main activity are well
covered by arrangements made separately.
This meet has always been very popular and
places for the coach (53) and the supper are
quickly taken up.
The walk is by nature a
semi competitive event making use of a coach
from Alstonefield in the early morning to take
everyone to a start point some 20-25 miles away.
A different route is taken every year. A linear
route back to Alstonefield is taken. A super and
social event takes place in the evening.
All Prospective and new
members are very welcome to take part in any of
the activities.
Mike Varley
|
