Easter 2012

Sunday 8th April 2012 - Discover Swaledale's historic environment.  A walk above Reeth 4 hours. Route: Initially relatively strenuous from the Arkle Beck, Reeth up to the White House, then walking below Fremington Edge to Jabz Cave. From there up to the 'Wayne Way' footpath along Fremington Edge and finally easy walking back to Reeth via Reels Head and High Fremington. There are lots interesting features to look at on the way: Ric Carter

Tuesday 10th  April 2012 - Explore Swaledale's past.  Exploring Maiden Castle:  Peter Denison-Edson

Thursday 12th April 2012 - Explore Swaledale's Geology- a gentle amble for 3 hours ending at the Buck Hotel. Distance 3-4 miles. Meet on Reeth Green 9.45am. 'We will study the influence of the underlying geology and how it conditions mans' use of the landscape. Five zones of land use will be explored and linked into the Yoredale Series. Basic rock types will be discussed and there will be an opportunity to find fossils. Some aspects of the Devensian Ice Age and the features it produced will be investigated: John Russell

Friday 13th April 2012 - Swaledale's Mining Heritage - Lead mining in Slei Gill, Arkengarthdale. A moderate 4 mile walk of approximately 2.5 hours exploring the remains of the lead mining industry in and around Slei Gill, Arkengarthdale. We will leave Langthwaite pay & display car park at 10am. From there we will walk through Arkle Town which was once much larger than it is today with many more houses including the 18th C parish workhouse, and then down through the now dis-used churchyard to the Arkle Beck. We then visit Booze Wood Level and the associated Crushing Mill. We then walk up into Slei Gill noting the extensive evidence of lead mining over several centuries including many shafts and levels and the probable site of the old Farndale Smelt Mill. From the head of the gill we return via the hamlet of Booze, again once much larger than it is today, noting the top of the Booze Wood Level airshaft, and thence down through Langthwaite and back to the car park. Leaders Alan Mills (01748 884938) / Stephen Eastmead.

Late Summer Bank Holiday 2012

Monday 27th August 2012 - Discover Swaledale's historic environment - Full Day Walk to Jab'z Cave and more. Route: Initially relatively strenuous from the Arkle Beck, Reeth up to the White House, then walking below Fremington Edge to Jabz Cave. From there up to the 'Wayne Way' footpath along Fremington Edge and finally easy walking back to Reeth via Reels Head and High Fremington. There are lots interesting features to look at on the way: Ric Carter

Tuesday 28th August 2012 - Explore Swaledale's past - All day walk  to Harker Mires, Maiden Castle area - All day walk: Peter Denison-Edson

Thursday 30th August 2012 - Exploring the Geology, mining and Glaciation of Keld - Meet 10.00am Keld car park. Distance 4 miles. Waterproofs and boots are essential and part of the walk (Hind Hole) will be moderate to difficult. Particular emphasis will be paid to the Yoredale Series and the identification of cyclothems, the impact of limestone, sandstone and shale on the environment and the challenges for miners and farmers in such a difficult terrain: John Russell 

Friday 31st August 2012 - Swaledale's Mining Heritage  - Lead mining in Gunnerside Gill - meet Gunnerside Bridge 9.45am : Alan Mills / Stephen Eastmead 

October half-term 2012

Monday 22nd October 2012 - Discover Swaledale's historic environment.  A walk above Reeth towards Jabz Cave approximately 4 hours. Route: Initially relatively strenuous from the Arkle Beck, Reeth up to the White House, then walking below Fremington Edge to Jabz Cave. From there up to the 'Wayne Way' footpath along Fremington Edge and finally easy walking back to Reeth via Reels Head and High Fremington. There are lots interesting features to look at on the way: Ric Carter

Tuesday 23rd October 2012 - Explore Swaledale's past.  Exploring Maiden Castle: Peter Denison-Edson

Thursday 25th October 2012 - Exploring the Geology of Cotterby Scar - a moderate walk. Distance 4 miles. Meet Keld Car Park 10.00am. We will explore the tectonic processes that created the Dale and look at the boundary between Main Limestone and the Millstone Grit. Much can be discovered by following geological features such as faults, sink holes, collapse structures, tuffa, millstone grit and limestone scenery. We will observe how the vegetation is controlled by the underlying geology: John Russell

Friday 26th October 2012 - Swaledale's Mining Heritage - Chert / Lead mining in Arkengarthdale approximately 3-4 hours - Alan Mills / Stephen Eastmead