Darren asked me if I would help to promote the upcoming Dales Outdoor Weekend.
Below is the piece Darren has written for it.
It seems bikes as well as boots are truly in vogue with the backpacking fraternity. The year round diary of meetings organised around the country by Backpackers Club is well sprinkled with the trips where wheels get the lightweight camper members between one pitch and the next.
Bikepacking they've called it, ever since the author Robin Adshead went ride-about and showed the way with a book that partnered his Backpacking in Britain title. (go Google it all) Robin was one of the original gang of gadabouts who helped build the backpacking in Britain image.
Northumbria Backpackers have already set the style for the Club's weekend in Bellingham, as all good Buff wearers remember. The 2011 agm weekend of Backpackers Club is back in the North east region, billed as Dales Outdoor Weekend, to broaden club appeal and get the public along to see what it is all about.
The organising team have linked into local features such as the Weardale Railway and the famed Coast to Coast hike & bike trail (C2C), Mike Knipe will help people discover more about the joys of tinkling along in an ANOB, and there's also a bike ride option.
Above Weardale sits Parkhead Station, with as good an all-day breakfast as you'll get anywhere - b&b too. The train no longer gets to here, but the old track is now National Cycle Route 7, from Sunderland, past Parkhead Station and terminating at Whitehead, or even Inverness if you are Highlands inclined.
Most people on the Weardale patch will use these tracks as part of a C2C trip - and there are some fine pitches for a tent or two you can find if you have the nose for that sort of thing. The arena for the lightweight camping equipment displays and the like is at Stanhope Showground, with hills either side, a river that burbles and all around nature at its very best.
There is also a poster with details of the whole weekend which can be downloaded from HERE.
Showing posts with label Backpackers club. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Backpackers club. Show all posts
Friday, 15 April 2011
Monday, 28 April 2008
Peak District Weekend Part one
This weekend was arranged to fit in with the lightweight show that was being put on in Ashford-in-the-water and not wanting to spend the whole weekend on one site, it was decided to do a full backpack and take in the show on the Saturday.
It was also a chance to test out some of the equipment I maybe taking to Scotland in May.
Monyash was decided as the best place to start out from to have a good walk on the Friday, to then give us a short walk in to the show on the Saturday.
The Friday didn't start to well, when my pocket rocket didn't want to connect with the Coleman's Gas canister I had brought for the weekend. After some heavy handed tightening I finally got the stove to work.
This problem has happened on a couple of occasions and I think one of these days , I'm going to strip the thread off the stove. Maybe it's time for a new one.
Our intended route was to go north from Monyash, through Deepdale and Monsal Dale then get up onto the edges above Great Longstone, then onto the Eastern edges above Curbar and Baslow.
We followed the route until just West of Baslow; where my legs decided that they didn't fancy a climb up onto the edges, so we dropped down in to Baslow and made our way to the little shop/cafe just outside Chatsworth Park.
By now it had started raining so it was on with the waterproofs. We took the lower path through Chatsworth to the Robin Hood Pub and then up to the Eric Byne Campsite.
In total we covered just under 13 miles; which wasn't bad for a first day's walk for many months.
The site was empty where we arrived but this was to change over the next few hours.
Anyone who knows the Eric Byne, will know that it is a massive field, room for probably 200+ tents. So why this it that when a group of D.O.E's arrive; they have to camp right next to us. Not only this but as the evening wore on more groups arrived and set up around us.
I now know how Custer felt.
They were a very noisy bunch; I had my MP3 player going most of the evening and then earplugs during the night, so missed most of the problems.
Next morning; Keith told me, that the noise was so bad that he had left his tent and bivvyed in the next field to get away from them.
There were about 50-60 D.O.E's all around us, so we had a quick breakfast and set off for the lightweight show.
The route was back into Chatsworth but this time taking the higher level over Dobb Edge then down to the main house.
Going through the park we saw some deer and I had a 'johnny Kingdom' moment trying to creep up on them to get a better picture. I was using a big boulder to screen myself but by the time I got there they had run away (I need to work on that!).
After this we walked through Edensor village to Bakewell and a slight detour to get an original Bakewell pudding for SWMBO and then on to the lightweight show.
View Larger Map
Saturday, 21 April 2007
Bob's latest podcast is about some of the equipment, he will be taking with him to the Backpackers Club Show and AGM at Bellingham.
There is also an interview with Bill Ballowe the maker of the White Box Stoves.
I was interested to see what this stove was like, so had a look around the 'net and found this review of the White Box Stove by Tinny at www.minibulldesign.com.
I`ve used an alcohol Pepsi stove before, my friend Keith (who made my G4) made quite a few of these and used them before going over to a brasslite stove..
The White Box Stove looks to be a much stronger stove than the Pepsi stove and a lot more durable.
I`m not sure how much fuel would be needed for a 10-day trip and whether the weight would work out more than a Pocket Rocket and a 250 canister.
There is also an interview with Bill Ballowe the maker of the White Box Stoves.
I was interested to see what this stove was like, so had a look around the 'net and found this review of the White Box Stove by Tinny at www.minibulldesign.com.
I`ve used an alcohol Pepsi stove before, my friend Keith (who made my G4) made quite a few of these and used them before going over to a brasslite stove..
The White Box Stove looks to be a much stronger stove than the Pepsi stove and a lot more durable.
I`m not sure how much fuel would be needed for a 10-day trip and whether the weight would work out more than a Pocket Rocket and a 250 canister.
Wednesday, 21 March 2007
Bellingham AGM Weekend update
Some news updates from the Backpackers Club about the AGM and Ultralight Fest at Bellingham.
'The Northumbria group have embraced ideas offered to ensure a happy and fruitful weekend for members - which is how there are retail Traders as well as industry demonstrations on equipment and backpacking goodies.
The Town Hall is open to the public from 10am on Saturday. NO SMOKING applies.'
For Backpacker Club members:
Every member registering for the weekend will receive a special Bellingham Buff. This multi-use bit of kit can cost up to £15. New membership enrolments over the weekend also get the celebratory Buff.
To celebrate the 35 years of Backpackers Club there are 35 Victorinox knives for the Saturday Supper Draw, donated courtesy of distributors Burton McCall. To buy one will cost you £19.50 in the shop. Be a lucky draw winner!
The goodies bag will include bottles of Storm’s wash & reproof - the way to keep your backpacking clobber neat, tidy and working well.
First Choice Expedition Foods will have a free “tasters bar” from their selection of backpacking foods on Saturday.
'The Northumbria group have embraced ideas offered to ensure a happy and fruitful weekend for members - which is how there are retail Traders as well as industry demonstrations on equipment and backpacking goodies.
The Town Hall is open to the public from 10am on Saturday. NO SMOKING applies.'
For Backpacker Club members:
Every member registering for the weekend will receive a special Bellingham Buff. This multi-use bit of kit can cost up to £15. New membership enrolments over the weekend also get the celebratory Buff.
To celebrate the 35 years of Backpackers Club there are 35 Victorinox knives for the Saturday Supper Draw, donated courtesy of distributors Burton McCall. To buy one will cost you £19.50 in the shop. Be a lucky draw winner!
The goodies bag will include bottles of Storm’s wash & reproof - the way to keep your backpacking clobber neat, tidy and working well.
First Choice Expedition Foods will have a free “tasters bar” from their selection of backpacking foods on Saturday.
Saturday, 3 February 2007
Meet the Backpackers Poster
If you click on the picture you will see a larger version showing all the details.
Backpackers Club
As you may or may not know; I`m a member of the Backpackers Club, infact I`m the liaison member for South London.
Although I don't put on any weekends, I do try to support the club as much as possible.
Below is an email I received from the Northumbria group, most of the interest is about the upcoming AGM in April.
------------------------------------------------------------
THE BACKPACKERS CLUB
Northumbria group Club liaison: Bryan Crick and Ross Mellows
bryancrick@blueyonder.co.uk ross@spiritburner.com
website & e-mail address for Bellingham agm weekend
tbcagm@tiscali.co.uk www.backpackers.spiritburner.com
...................................................................................
Northumbria group monthly meetings are every 1st Tuesday from 19.45hrs.
Next meeting February 6, 2007 held at The Bridge Hotel, Newcastle upon Tyne
grid ref: NZ 250 638
Five minutes directly east (to the right) when leaving the mainline railway station and Metro station at Newcastle Central.
Please note: access from the south is barred to vehicular & pedestrian traffic on the High Level Bridge till around 2008.
....................................................................................
At our meetings the usual topics of conversation are about backpacking, the weather, and who's just been to America.
Plus: The Bellingham agm weekend. Update report and discussion. Your questions are invited.
What would you like added into the programme for the Bellingham weekend? Your sugeestion to put up for discussion, please.
"PASSIONATE ABOUT BACKPACKING". Having gained the backing of the regional development agency One North East, who have come up with the slogan "Passionate about backpacking" we'll be discussing how the Northumbria group and the Club at large use this accolade and support to develop wider awareness of backpacking and help the Club in a membership drive?
We hope all members will take advantage of the involvment and services delivered by the Regional Development Agency - see the notes & website address below.
LOCAL BACKPACKING ACTIVITY. It's already known that one group of members will be backpacking the Hadrian's Wall Trail, anyone looking for help or advice may call on us and we'll do everything to help.
We'll also be pleased to put Club members' questions to the information officers and appropriate management at the One North East headquarters.
write to: tbcagm@tiscali.co.uk or contact Bryan or Ross.
For the Bellingham weekend, anyone walking-in, or planning to stop-over after Sunday, we'll try to give help and information - please ask.
Please register you starting out point and we may be able to organise a cheery welcome.
For getting back home, if you need local transport information, then we'll help you.
THE BIG WALK. One member, actually walking-through, is Alan Sloman, reaching Bellingham on the Tuesday before the agm and heading for a TGOC loop and then John O'Groats. Catch up with his Blog, which is a right good read. http://alansloman.blogspot.com
READING MATTER. For local routes - a book to check: The Roman Ring, looping to the south of the Wall from Lanercost Priory to Halton Chesters, with the mid-section of the Hadrian's Wall Path, produces a long walk equal in length to the full National Trail - for most walkers this will be the dream ticket to savour in a seven-day trip.
The Roman Ring by Mark Richards is published by Shepherd's Walks. price £9.99 ISBN 0-955262-40-2
online: www.theromanring.com or phone 01830 540453
PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS INFORMATION TO ALL CLUB MEMBERS & OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES.
TO THE LOCAL OUTDOOR SHOP.
TO YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPERS.
contact point: tbagm@tiscali.co.uk Peter Lumley desk is 0191 488 6718
NOTES about ONE NORTH EAST and the countryside
Visitors to the area will find two guides developed by the North East's Regional Development Agency, One North East, helps them tune in to the attractions on the ground or open to public viewing. There's a walking guide and a cycling guide.The cycling guide, is published by One North East in partnership with sustainable transport charity, Sustrans together with the assistance of regional partners including Forestry Commission England.
For a copy of the cycling guide call 08701 601 778 .
For a copy of the walking guide call 0870 225 0129
or visit www.visitnortheastengland.co.uk/walking.
Regional Image Strategy (RIS) This is raising the profile of the region nationally and internationally, increasing awareness and understanding of North East England as a great place to live, work, study and visit. The highly successful Passionate People, Passionate Places marketing campaign was recognised as the World's Best Regional Marketing Campaign at the World Travel awards in 2005. Perceptions of the region are being rapidly transformed as a result.
Join with us . . we're Passionate people . . .
Although I don't put on any weekends, I do try to support the club as much as possible.
Below is an email I received from the Northumbria group, most of the interest is about the upcoming AGM in April.
------------------------------------------------------------
THE BACKPACKERS CLUB
Northumbria group Club liaison: Bryan Crick and Ross Mellows
bryancrick@blueyonder.co.uk ross@spiritburner.com
website & e-mail address for Bellingham agm weekend
tbcagm@tiscali.co.uk www.backpackers.spiritburner.com
...................................................................................
Northumbria group monthly meetings are every 1st Tuesday from 19.45hrs.
Next meeting February 6, 2007 held at The Bridge Hotel, Newcastle upon Tyne
grid ref: NZ 250 638
Five minutes directly east (to the right) when leaving the mainline railway station and Metro station at Newcastle Central.
Please note: access from the south is barred to vehicular & pedestrian traffic on the High Level Bridge till around 2008.
....................................................................................
At our meetings the usual topics of conversation are about backpacking, the weather, and who's just been to America.
Plus: The Bellingham agm weekend. Update report and discussion. Your questions are invited.
What would you like added into the programme for the Bellingham weekend? Your sugeestion to put up for discussion, please.
"PASSIONATE ABOUT BACKPACKING". Having gained the backing of the regional development agency One North East, who have come up with the slogan "Passionate about backpacking" we'll be discussing how the Northumbria group and the Club at large use this accolade and support to develop wider awareness of backpacking and help the Club in a membership drive?
We hope all members will take advantage of the involvment and services delivered by the Regional Development Agency - see the notes & website address below.
LOCAL BACKPACKING ACTIVITY. It's already known that one group of members will be backpacking the Hadrian's Wall Trail, anyone looking for help or advice may call on us and we'll do everything to help.
We'll also be pleased to put Club members' questions to the information officers and appropriate management at the One North East headquarters.
write to: tbcagm@tiscali.co.uk or contact Bryan or Ross.
For the Bellingham weekend, anyone walking-in, or planning to stop-over after Sunday, we'll try to give help and information - please ask.
Please register you starting out point and we may be able to organise a cheery welcome.
For getting back home, if you need local transport information, then we'll help you.
THE BIG WALK. One member, actually walking-through, is Alan Sloman, reaching Bellingham on the Tuesday before the agm and heading for a TGOC loop and then John O'Groats. Catch up with his Blog, which is a right good read. http://alansloman.blogspot.com
READING MATTER. For local routes - a book to check: The Roman Ring, looping to the south of the Wall from Lanercost Priory to Halton Chesters, with the mid-section of the Hadrian's Wall Path, produces a long walk equal in length to the full National Trail - for most walkers this will be the dream ticket to savour in a seven-day trip.
The Roman Ring by Mark Richards is published by Shepherd's Walks. price £9.99 ISBN 0-955262-40-2
online: www.theromanring.com or phone 01830 540453
PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS INFORMATION TO ALL CLUB MEMBERS & OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES.
TO THE LOCAL OUTDOOR SHOP.
TO YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPERS.
contact point: tbagm@tiscali.co.uk Peter Lumley desk is 0191 488 6718
NOTES about ONE NORTH EAST and the countryside
Visitors to the area will find two guides developed by the North East's Regional Development Agency, One North East, helps them tune in to the attractions on the ground or open to public viewing. There's a walking guide and a cycling guide.The cycling guide, is published by One North East in partnership with sustainable transport charity, Sustrans together with the assistance of regional partners including Forestry Commission England.
For a copy of the cycling guide call 08701 601 778 .
For a copy of the walking guide call 0870 225 0129
or visit www.visitnortheastengland.co.uk/walking.
Regional Image Strategy (RIS) This is raising the profile of the region nationally and internationally, increasing awareness and understanding of North East England as a great place to live, work, study and visit. The highly successful Passionate People, Passionate Places marketing campaign was recognised as the World's Best Regional Marketing Campaign at the World Travel awards in 2005. Perceptions of the region are being rapidly transformed as a result.
Join with us . . we're Passionate people . . .
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