Skiddaw

Walking - Roamers

Group Convenor - Anna Nolan

The Roamers are a friendly and vibrant intermediate-level walking group undertaking rambles from five to 10 miles, with ascents rarely exceeding 2,000 feet. On offer is a varied programme of low-, medium- and higher-level walks (excluding the highest fells, though), taking in lesser-known Wainwrights as well as the outlying fells of Lakeland and beyond. Apart from enjoying the walks (although maybe not when caught out in the pouring rain!), group members have formed lasting friendships with like-minded lovers of the fells.

Walks take place fortnightly on Thursdays, although they may be re-scheduled in light of an inclement weather forecast. Sometimes, an extra walk may be offered on a different day - especially a Saturday. In all cases, in order to be able to take account of the weather the convenor chooses the route and notifies the Roamers by e-mail three days before the walk (for the "regular" Thursday walks, this happens on the preceding Monday). This is why no walks programme is published in advance. The walk notification e-mail gives a description of the route, an approximate length of the walk and, if any fells are to be climbed, their height. It also highlights any features with the potential for creating difficulties for some. It is up to individual members to ascertain if they feel they can cope with the demands of the walk as described. Additional information can always be requested from the convenor, who will be very happy to provide it.

Walks usually start at 09:30am (unless advised otherwise). According to the route, meeting places vary but are always specified in the walk notification e-mail. All walks are free to join, although, if cars are shared, passengers are expected to reimburse their driver in line with the mileage charges specified by Skiddaw U3A.

Although the convenor carries out risk assessment before every walk, all group members walk at their own risk.

Since the group was formed in January 2014, we have enjoyed many interesting walks, including the circuits of Buttermere, Derwentwater and Ennerdale Water and of the following valleys: Ennerdale, Glenderaterra, Great Langdale, Grisedale, Little Langdale, Langstrath, Newlands, St John's in the Vale, Swindale and Woodland. We have also explored Far Easedale, Setmurthy Common, Elva Plain, Grizedale and Whinlatter Forests, Claife Heights and a section of the Dales Way as well as climbing Angletarn Pikes, Arnison Crag, Birks, Bleaberry Fell, Blea Rigg, Bonscale Pike, Bowscale Fell, Brae Fell, Brock Crags, Buckbarrow, Calf Crag, Carrock Fell, Carron Crag, Catbells, Crag Fell, Dent, Dodd, Elva Hill, Fellbarrow, Flat Fell, Gibson Knott, Glenridding Dodd, Gowbarrow Fell, Grange Fell, Great Calva, Great Cockup, Great Crag, Grey Crag, Grike, Hallin Fell, Harrop Pike, Haystacks, Helm Crag, Heughscar Hill, High Pike, High Rigg, High Seat, High Tove, High Spy, Holme Fell, two Knotts (one at the back of Skiddaw and another over Dunnerdale), Lank Rigg, Latrigg, Ling Fell, Lingmoor Fell, Loadpot Hill, Longlands Fell, Loughrigg Fell, Meal Fell, Middle Fell, Nab Scar, Orrest Head, Pike O'Blisco, Raven Crag, Rossett Pike, Sale Fell, Sallows, Scout Scar, Seatallan, Seat How, Silver How, Sour Howes, Souther Fell, Steel Knotts, Stile End, Tarn Crag (in Easedale and Longsleddale), Ullock Pike, Outerside, Walla Crag, Wansfell, Watch Hill and Wether Hill.

The lists of all the walks undertaken since March 2017, as well as brief reports thereon, can be accessed via LINKS on the right.

New members are most welcome. Please contact the convenor at roamers@skiddawu3a.co.uk or by clicking the flying bird icon if you would like more information.