Wild Camping in Northumberland

Simon Mc said:

Hi,

I'm moving (home) to Tyneside shortly, and so would love to get out and
about in Northumberland as it's right on my doorstep. It's an area I've
never previously bothered with, always heading to the Lakes instead.

Get craggin lad you'll love it!!!

Quoted message said:

Can anyone recommened any beautifult or remote areas and routes, and some
good spots for wild camping.

The Coonty is quiet a small place (yes, Sherlock, it is ;-) so you
could pore over a map of the Northumberland National Park and satisfy
the majority of your early yearnings.

After that, find yourself Rothbury (just to the north and inland a
fair bit from Morpeth)... from Rothbury go West, this takes you into
the College Valley. Cast your eye northward from there and stick your
pin wherever you want... don't go south of the college 'cos that's
army playground and there's bombs and other fings that go bang when
you least expect it!

HTH

Enjoy!

SteveO
--
NE Climbers & walkers chat forum;
http://www.thenmc.org.uk/phpBB2/index.php

NMC website: http://www.thenmc.org.uk

Northumberland's a big empty county in many ways. Unfortunataly I was born
half a mile from Northumberland, so I don't have as much love for the county
as Durham ;-)

The coast is wild in many places, lots of farming and the Cheviots can be a
lonely place even in the height of Summer. For example, 13/07/2003 (my last
big walk in the Cheviots) I spent all day in the sun and warmth going up
from Alwinton to Cushat Law - BloodyBush edge - Yarnspath - Alwinton, only
meeting a single person (biologist I think he was) for around 80% of the
walk.

I'm not too keen on the large forest areas, and as SteveO mentions, parts
are very near the Otterburn firing range. Best view I remember was from
Windy Gyle in winter, it was bitter cold and I could see all the way into
Scotland - which is not too difficult as it's right on the border - doh.

BTW - I'm a bit perplexed by SteveO's description of College Valley being
West of Rothbury, don't you mean West of Wooler? College Valley in case you
don't know requires you to get a permit to drive down right into the heart
of North Cheviots. Great experience. Permits are from one of the Estate
Agents in Wooler - sorry can't remember which one.

Welcome to Northumberland.

Jhimmy

<SteveO> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Simon Mc said:

Hi,

I'm moving (home) to Tyneside shortly, and so would love to get out and
about in Northumberland as it's right on my doorstep. It's an area I've
never previously bothered with, always heading to the Lakes instead.

Get craggin lad you'll love it!!!

No finer places on the planet, Bowden & Back Bowden, Kyloe In and Out. and
not forgetting Corbies!

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Can anyone recommened any beautifult or remote areas and routes, and some
good spots for wild camping.

The Coonty is quiet a small place (yes, Sherlock, it is ;-) so you
could pore over a map of the Northumberland National Park and satisfy
the majority of your early yearnings.

After that, find yourself Rothbury (just to the north and inland a
fair bit from Morpeth)... from Rothbury go West, this takes you into
the College Valley. Cast your eye northward from there and stick your
pin wherever you want... don't go south of the college '

do you not mean the Coquet valey up past Alwinton

Quoted message said:

cos that's
army playground and there's bombs and other fings that go bang when
you least expect it!

Once got escorted off South Yardhope crag by the Military Police ..... was
doin some route by the name of ...."Arete Direct" (or something like that)
they had to wait till we were finnished!

Quoted message said:

HTH

Enjoy!

SteveO
--
NE Climbers & walkers chat forum;
http://www.thenmc.org.uk/phpBB2/index.php

NMC website: http://www.thenmc.org.uk

On Tue, 14 Dec 2004 19:32:50 GMT, "Jhimmy" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

BTW - I'm a bit perplexed by SteveO's description of College Valley being
West of Rothbury, don't you mean West of Wooler?

har haR haRR

silly Jhimmy, couldn't you tell I meant the *Coquet*

....its an easy mistake to make!! ;-)

(I'm getting worried, I've had a rash of them in a similar vein this
week??)

....to steal something from peewiglet:

<fx: /me shuffles feet nervously and has sheepish grin on face> Sorry,
my mistake!!

SteveO
--
NE Climbers & walkers chat forum;
http://www.thenmc.org.uk/phpBB2/index.php

NMC website: http://www.thenmc.org.uk

"Jhimmy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Northumberland's a big empty county in many ways. Unfortunataly I was

born

Quoted message said:

half a mile from Northumberland, so I don't have as much love for the

county

Quoted message said:

as Durham ;-)

The coast is wild in many places, lots of farming and the Cheviots can be

a

Quoted message said:

lonely place even in the height of Summer. For example, 13/07/2003 (my

last

Quoted message said:

big walk in the Cheviots) I spent all day in the sun and warmth going up
from Alwinton to Cushat Law - BloodyBush edge - Yarnspath - Alwinton,

only

Quoted message said:

meeting a single person (biologist I think he was) for around 80% of the
walk.

I'm not too keen on the large forest areas, and as SteveO mentions, parts
are very near the Otterburn firing range. Best view I remember was from
Windy Gyle in winter, it was bitter cold and I could see all the way into
Scotland - which is not too difficult as it's right on the border - doh.

BTW - I'm a bit perplexed by SteveO's description of College Valley being
West of Rothbury, don't you mean West of Wooler? College Valley in case

you

Quoted message said:

don't know requires you to get a permit to drive down right into the heart
of North Cheviots. Great experience. Permits are from one of the Estate
Agents in Wooler - sorry can't remember which one.

Yes I think steve'e goin on about the Coquet vally up past Alwinton.

College valley Is first class, and gives access to Possbly (in my opinion)
Englands finest and remotest two corries Bizzle and Hen Hole

The name of the land agents are who hand out permits are "Sale and
Partners", Wooler!

Quoted message said:

Welcome to Northumberland.

Jhimmy

You're getting too much rock, SteveO. Keep to the clarts for a while ;-)

Jhimmy.

On Wed, 15 Dec 2004 20:40:45 GMT, "Jhimmy" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

You're getting too much rock, SteveO. Keep to the clarts for a while ;-)

hehehe

I think you may well be right!! :-)

SteveO
--
NE Climbers & walkers chat forum;
http://www.thenmc.org.uk/phpBB2/index.php

NMC website: http://www.thenmc.org.uk

Thanks everyone for your replies. Noted.

Simon Mc
<SteveO> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Wed, 15 Dec 2004 20:40:45 GMT, "Jhimmy" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

You're getting too much rock, SteveO. Keep to the clarts for a while ;-)

hehehe

I think you may well be right!! :-)

SteveO
--
NE Climbers & walkers chat forum;
http://www.thenmc.org.uk/phpBB2/index.php

NMC website: http://www.thenmc.org.uk

Stuart said:

<SteveO> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Get craggin lad you'll love it!!!

No finer places on the planet, Bowden & Back Bowden, Kyloe In and Out. and
not forgetting Corbies!

And now boasting a shiny bright new guidebook :-)

Sadly despite the claim in the introduction, virtually nothing has
been done about the random grading, but the pictures are fantastic and
the whole thing inspiring. Must get up there for more than the usual
single weekend next year.

--
York Alpine Club - http://www.yorkalpineclub.org.uk
Recent Photos - http://climbing.me.uk
Old Photos - http://www.simon-caldwell.co.uk
My Brother's Photos - http://www.caldwellcreations.co.uk

Simon Caldwell said:

And now boasting a shiny bright new guidebook :-)

aye, and its not even Easter!! ;-)

Quoted message said:

Sadly despite the claim in the introduction, virtually nothing has
been done about the random grading,

hehe, you wouldn't beee-lieve the amount of discussion about grades in
the run-up to publication. There have been some significant re-grades;
Russet Groove now gets a deserved VDiff, but First Leaning Groove is
still HvS (deffo E1 in my book, praps E2.... hey, that would be kewl;
my first E2 lead!! 😉 There are others but I can't recall them.

However, if you want to comment;

http://thenmc.org.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=373

Interestingly, although praps not ;-) the thread has had a lot of
reads but no replies!

Quoted message said:

but the pictures are fantastic

Bone of contention akshally!! ;-) There are some that are, well, could
have been a whole lot better ;-)

Mark Savage's double-page spread pp282/283 is a corker (I've seen the
original) /and/ it was taken at 4:30am ...the idjits bivvied and set
there alarms for 3:00am 8-]

Quoted message said:

and the whole thing inspiring. Must get up there for more than the
usual single weekend next year.

nooooooo!!!!! Its a horibul place, nasty rotten crags, killer midges,
arful anti-surshul loculls.... keep away, its oor Coonty!!

SteveO
--
NE Climbers & walkers chat forum;
http://www.thenmc.org.uk/phpBB2/index.php

NMC website: http://www.thenmc.org.uk

SteveO said:

there

<bah!><idiot!!!> I hate it when that happens!!!!

SteveO
--
NE Climbers & walkers chat forum;
http://www.thenmc.org.uk/phpBB2/index.php

NMC website: http://www.thenmc.org.uk

"Simon Caldwell" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Stuart said:

<SteveO> wrote in message

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Get craggin lad you'll love it!!!

No finer places on the planet, Bowden & Back Bowden, Kyloe In and Out.

and

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

not forgetting Corbies!

And now boasting a shiny bright new guidebook :-)

So will it replace my copy

http://www.stuartstuart.fsnet.co.uk/misc/bknm.jpg

On Tue, 21 Dec 2004 00:06:02 -0000, "Stuart" <[email hidden]> wrote:

Re.: new Northumberland climbing guide

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

And now boasting a shiny bright new guidebook :-)

So will it replace my copy

http://www.stuartstuart.fsnet.co.uk/misc/bknm.jpg

hehehe

safe to say.... "yes" !!
;-)

SteveO
--
NE Climbers & walkers chat forum;
http://www.thenmc.org.uk/phpBB2/index.php

NMC website: http://www.thenmc.org.uk

SteveO said:

Simon Caldwell said:

And now boasting a shiny bright new guidebook :-)

aye, and its not even Easter!! ;-)

Quoted message said:

Sadly despite the claim in the introduction, virtually nothing has
been done about the random grading,

hehe, you wouldn't beee-lieve the amount of discussion about grades in
the run-up to publication. There have been some significant re-grades;
Russet Groove now gets a deserved VDiff

Was pleased about that one. The main bone of contention is Banana
Wall, still MVS 4c despite being totally unprotected where it matters.

Quoted message said:

However, if you want to comment;

http://thenmc.org.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=373

Done :-)

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

but the pictures are fantastic

Bone of contention akshally!! ;-) There are some that are, well, could
have been a whole lot better ;-)

Inevitably there are some poorer one. Bu6t it's good to see some
quality pics of punter grade routes, some of which I've even done.
Trinity on p171 looks particularly impossible for a VS. And Chris's
Arete p185 looks anything but HS (it should have 3* by the way).

I've had the book a few days now and keep going back to it - the whole
impression, despite my nit picking, is of a quality book. Well done
to all concerned.

--
York Alpine Club - http://www.yorkalpineclub.org.uk
Recent Photos - http://climbing.me.uk
Old Photos - http://www.simon-caldwell.co.uk
My Brother's Photos - http://www.caldwellcreations.co.uk

"Simon Caldwell" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

SteveO said:

Simon Caldwell said:

And now boasting a shiny bright new guidebook :-)

aye, and its not even Easter!! ;-)

Quoted message said:

Sadly despite the claim in the introduction, virtually nothing has
been done about the random grading,

hehe, you wouldn't beee-lieve the amount of discussion about grades in
the run-up to publication. There have been some significant re-grades;
Russet Groove now gets a deserved VDiff

Was pleased about that one. The main bone of contention is Banana
Wall, still MVS 4c despite being totally unprotected where it matters.

Quoted message said:

However, if you want to comment;

http://thenmc.org.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=373

Done :-)

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

but the pictures are fantastic

Bone of contention akshally!! ;-) There are some that are, well, could
have been a whole lot better ;-)

Inevitably there are some poorer one. Bu6t it's good to see some
quality pics of punter grade routes, some of which I've even done.
Trinity on p171 looks particularly impossible for a VS. And Chris's
Arete p185 looks anything but HS (it should have 3* by the way).

How has my proudest moment in bouldering faired in this revised guide?
http://www.stuartstuart.fsnet.co.uk/misc/bknn.jpg
don't read too much into the grade of this climb and my climbing abilities,
spent months learning evry single move until one day in a moment of madness
soloing it!

Stuart said:

How has my proudest moment in bouldering faired in this revised guide?
http://www.stuartstuart.fsnet.co.uk/misc/bknn.jpg
don't read too much into the grade of this climb and my climbing abilities,
spent months learning evry single move until one day in a moment of madness
soloing it!

Took me a while to find it as there is no index (mutter mutter - in
the age of computers this would take a total of no effort at all to
provide).
Anyway, it's now E4 6a - apparently the starting footholds have been
'improved' but presumably the hard bit at the top warrants the
retained adjectival grade.
I'm still waiting for one of my VSs to be upgraded to HVS - an E tick
is for the imagination alone!

--
York Alpine Club - http://www.yorkalpineclub.org.uk
Recent Photos - http://climbing.me.uk
Old Photos - http://www.simon-caldwell.co.uk
My Brother's Photos - http://www.caldwellcreations.co.uk

Simon Caldwell said:

Quoted message said:

However, if you want to comment;

http://thenmc.org.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=373

Done :-)

seen ;-)

Quoted message said:

Inevitably there are some poorer one. Bu6t it's good to see some
quality pics of punter grade routes, some of which I've even done.

Quoted message said:

Trinity on p171 looks particularly impossible for a VS.

hey, that was almost my hand (belayer in the bottom left-hand corner
of that pic... the very faintest of smudges of flesh) but I delegated
to get a pic of Neil of my own [failed] so its Helen's hand.

Re.: the difficulty, I've done Trinity a few times now and have
variously found it desparate, sailed it, or points in between (the top
bit always makes you think! ;-)

Quoted message said:

And Chris's
Arete p185 looks anything but HS (it should have 3* by the way).

it does indeed

Quoted message said:

I've had the book a few days now and keep going back to it - the whole
impression, despite my nit picking, is of a quality book. Well done
to all concerned.

I'd have to agree as well, I think overall its an excellent peice of
work.

You reckon the resident youroo's will take umbrage at youarsey talk
taking over their preseve? ;-)

SteveO
--
NE Climbers & walkers chat forum;
http://www.thenmc.org.uk/phpBB2/index.php

NMC website: http://www.thenmc.org.uk

Stuart said:

How has my proudest moment in bouldering faired in this revised guide?
http://www.stuartstuart.fsnet.co.uk/misc/bknn.jpg
don't read too much into the grade of this climb and my climbing abilities,
spent months learning evry single move until one day in a moment of madness
soloing it!

Still the same; gets two **'s now ;-)

SteveO
--
NE Climbers & walkers chat forum;
http://www.thenmc.org.uk/phpBB2/index.php

NMC website: http://www.thenmc.org.uk

SteveO said:

You reckon the resident youroo's will take umbrage at youarsey talk
taking over their preseve? ;-)

Should be OK, some of the discussion's been about photographs 🙂

--
York Alpine Club - http://www.yorkalpineclub.org.uk
Recent Photos - http://climbing.me.uk
Old Photos - http://www.simon-caldwell.co.uk
My Brother's Photos - http://www.caldwellcreations.co.uk