There are four difficulty-levels or grades of walks. These gradings are based on a full day's walk, unresticted by limited daylight hours. Heights quoted are estimates of the cumulative ascents to be expected during walks listed in the walks' programme.

•   A  :   Up to 15 miles long and 5000 feet cumulative ascent at a good pace
•   B+:   Up to 13 miles long and 3500 feet cumulative ascent, at a more leisurely pace than A.
•   B  :   Up to 10 miles long and 2000 feet cumulative ascent, more leisurely than B+ with longer stops. *
•   C  :   Up to 7 miles at a steady pace with limited uphill walking (denoted by 'l.u.w.' in the programme).                  

* 'Special' B walks. During the summer session, The first Wednesday of the month may have two B walks listed. One of these will exceed the B walk specification, given above. It is meant for walkers who wish to walk further and/or higher (up to 2600 feet) than the B walk specification allows but at the pace of a B walk. Because of this a later finish than usual is likely. 'Above- grade' walks are permitted only when an alternative 'in-grade' walk is also provided. Height and/or distances exceeding the B grade specification will be emphasised in the usual way. (See below.)

Particular height and distances are often quoted in the description of a walk, as a guide. If a value is in italic bold type, it indicates that the value is above the maximum specified by the grading given to the walk. (This situation may occur with other walks besides the 'special' B walks mentioned above.) That such a walk has not been raised in grade, may be due to the time of year (i.e. long daylight hours allowing more time to do the walk) and likely favourable weather conditions. Because of this, such a walk is more likely to be called off or shortened, if the weather is bad. To Top

Because daylight hours are short in winter, the length and cumulative height of winter walks of a given grading will be less than at other times. This does not mean that the 'rate of energy expenditure' during the walk will be lower than on a summer walk of the same grade. It will just occur for a shorter time.

Walks may have their gradings raised above that suggested by their distance and cumulative height figures alone. This could occur, if the walks go over long stretches of heavy terrain with no paths or include difficult terrain involving scree and/or rock climbing.

The symbolic notation used for the grades was arrived at, when an extra grade was added to the original A,B,C. names. A later attempt to change the present notation failed.

The cumulative heights are provided by the walk leader. Their accuracy can vary, depending on the method used in obtaining them. Those derived from plotting a walk on a 'computer map' such as those made by 'Anquet' or 'Memory-Map' tend to be the most accurate, as quite small increments of ascent are counted. However, care is needed to follow marked paths in the fells carefully, as a waypoint placed a little inaccurately could produce a large cumulative height gain, if it happens to be placed over the edge of a cliff! In general values using a 'computer map' tend to be higher than those obtained using an ordinary map - typically 20% higher, The greatest percentage difference occurs on the flatter walks, where there tends to be many more small up and downs and it is too much trouble to take all these into account using a normal map.

Some walks, termed theme walks are planned by members with special knowledge to illustrate a particular topic. In the past, there have been walks with nature, geology, history and industrial archaeology as their theme. They are usually aimed at B level walkers and above and have been helpful in bringing together walkers of various levels.
Sometimes a map reference is quoted in a walk description. This may be a location where the leader can be met, near or at the start of a walk. This would occur when a leader, living some way from Penrith, does not want to travel into Penrith only to have more or less retrace his/her journey to get to the start of the walk. In such cases a 'deputy' would be appointed to make travel arrangements in Penrith.

If you are a newcomer to walking in the fells, then you are advised to choose a walk-level, which you know you can cope with easily and move up to a higher level later, rather than take on a level of walk which over-stretches you and you find that you are holding up the progress of others in the group. Take into account that A and B+ walks , especially, often go over rough ground without any visible path. The going may be boggy, tussocky, covered in bracken, icy, rocky or scree covered. Some rock climbing classified as easy, (such as Jack's Rake on Pavey Ark in Great Langdale), may be included in A and B+ grade walks. Such climbs should be indicated in a walk description, so that those scared of heights or inflexible in limb can give them a miss. The weather conditions will also have a significant effect on a walk. If bad weather is foreseen on the day of the walk, which makes the walk much more difficult or dangerous than originally envisaged, then the walk may be called off or a shorter and/or lower walk substituted. The coding a leader gives a walk will take into account not only the length and cumulative height covered but should take into account the ground conditions too. Thus, a walk may be moved up a grade if it is known that a substantial part of it will be over difficult terrain.
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Please note:

1. The leader can refuse to accept you, if you are inadequately equipped or clearly unfit for the level of walk to be undertaken. (Incidentally, the difficulties this would cause illustrate the benefit of first meeting in Penrith, rather than at the start of the listed walk.)
2. When on a walk, keep within the group and do not get in front of the leader unless you have his/her permission. Always remain within ear shot, which in strong wind conditions may be only a few yards. Remember not only do you have to hear, you also have to be heard!
3. Inform the back-marker if you need to make a stop, so that he/she can keep an eye out for you. Also, in misty conditions especially, consider letting the back-marker know when you are about to go ahead of the leader, assuming you have permission. If the back-marker cannot see you go ahead, then his/her count of the number in the party will be wrong.
4. Please keep in single file, when walking on paths across ploughed fields or across fields containing crops including mowing grass.
5. When walking on roadways, please keep close to the right hand side of the road. Only cross to the left side where you encounter a sharp right hand bend with no verge to walk on. Give notice to others if you hear or see a vehicle approaching, which has not been announced already by anybody else.
6. Use torches at the front and back of a line of walkers, if you have to walk on the carriageway of a road in the dark.

Remember, it is for your own safety and that of others that you abide by the guidelines of the organisers and heed the instructions of the walk leader. The leader will probably have spent a lot of time reconnoitring the route beforehand and won't want his/her efforts spoilt by one or two ill-disciplined walkers.

Dogs are allowed on Penrith Ramblers' walks. However,when near to grazing animals or if there is a chance of wildlife nearby, you are requested to keep dogs under control, on a short lead of no more than 2m, at all times. The only exception is in the unlikely event that you are attacked by cattle, when you can release your dog in order to protect yourself. The dog should be quick enough to make its own escape.
Dogs will be excluded from some areas of heather moorland all year round and other areas at certain times to protect wildlife. The dog may be excluded completely from lambing enclosures at lambing times and grouse moors between 1st March and 31st July, during the ground nesting bird season. Always check any notices. You can find out more about these rules by referring to The Countryside Code. See below.
By law, farmers have the right to destroy a dog that injures or worries their animals

Only lengthen the dog's lead if you are well away from farm animals, well away from any habitat that could be hiding wildlife and out of range of other ramblers, walking with you.
We all find dog mess unpleasant and it can be a source of infections, so always clean up after your dog and remove/get rid of the mess responsibly.

Your co-operation in this will be much appreciated.To Top

The Countryside Code can be summed up in five words: 'Leave as you found it'. This means leaving gates*as you found them, leaving plants and animals undisturbed, keeping to pathways and not spoiling the environment by dropping litter, which in the case of plastic and glass remains to blight the landscape for years. Items which will eventually rot, like tissues, orange and banana peel, still look unsightly and should be taken home or, at worst, buried well out of sight. Glass bottles should always be disposed of properly, preferably re-cycled. Bottles (and tins) can be traps for small animals and the sharp edges of tins and broken bottles have the potential to produce severe cuts to humans and animals but a glass bottle can also produce uncontrolled fire in periods of high fire risk by acting as a convex lens and focussing sunlight on dry heather or bracken. In moorland areas, this can lead to a widespread loss of plant and animal life with peat fires burning underground for weeks. 75% of the world's remaining heather is in Britain and it provides some of the last safe havens for ground nesting birds, such as curlew, lapwing, merlin, golden plover and black grouse. Here planned small-scale heather burning by trained game-keepers is allowed, in order to encourage fresh shoots of heather to grow, where it has grown old. This is very different from the damage caused by uncontrolled fires, with serious erosion occurring before the plants and wild life recover. As a result, much of Britain's moorland is protected by law.
Rather than complaining about litter and then walking past it, have you ever thought of picking some of it up yourself? You could place in a plastic bag with your own litter and take it back home! You might try to get others with you to help.

Most ramblers don't understand why people find it so difficult to carry an empty bottle down hill, having carried it full up hill.

For further information click on countryside code.To Top

* With a large party, which may be stretched out, letting the back marker know that a gate was shut or open, without shouting, is a problem. One solution, is for the leader to carry some coloured ribbon loops and to slip one around a gate post, if the gate is open. The backmarker then shuts the gate if there is no ribbon, otherwise he collects the ribbon and leaves the gate open. The next time the whole party comes together the collected ribbons are passed back to the leader.
(Alternatively, you could put a ribbon on a gate if it is shut but because more gates are likely to be shut than open, this will require more ribbons. Also it is not fail-safe in that if a ribbon goes missing, a gate will be left open that was shut, which is probably more serious than shutting a gate that was open.)

The Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000 was introduced in direct response to people campaigning for more open access to the countryside for well over 100 years.
The CRoW Act creates a new right of access to some of the finest countryside in England and from 31st October 2005 members of the public are now able to walk across large areas of this land.

The public have the right to carry out the following activities on Open Access land: -

• walking,
• sight seeing,
• bird watching,
• climbing,
• running
• picnicking, making sure you remove all litter and
• walking your dog but see section on 'Dogs on walks' above.
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• camping,
• lighting fires,
• horse riding,
• playing organised games, (though games such as frisbee or rounders are acceptable)
• motor sports and
• the driving of any vehicle other than a mobility scooter or buggy.

You cannot always walk on Open Access land because farmers and landowners have the right to close their land at various times, usually for reasons of nature conservation, land management or public safety.
Maps on the Countryside Access website show Open Access land in yellow and areas of limited public access in yellow with red hatching. The latest Ordnance Survey maps also show Open Access land.
Existing Public Rights of Way are not affected by Open Access restrictions or exclusions under the CRoW Act., If Rights of Way cross Open Access land, the conditions applying to the Rights of Way do not apply to the Open Access land. Thus horse riders are restricted to riding on the bridle way, if the bridle way crosses Open Access land.
For more information go to the Defra website, which also gives links to 'countrywideaccess' and 'openaccess' websites.

In case of a serious accident or illness when walking, it is important that fellow ramblers/rescue or medical teams can get information on any medical condition you may already have and any medication that you may be taking. This could save valuable time making sure the correct treatment is administered. Also, because many ramblers only know others in the party by their first name, you need to supplement any medical information with your full name, address and telephone number together with those of your next of kin. Emergencies involving the Penrith Ramblers are not common, occurring approximately once every two years. However, next time it could be you. You don't want to finish up in hospital with nobody knowing who you are or who to contact!
It is suggested that you include all relevant information on a laminated card (or on a card in a transparent sealed container) and carry this in the top pocket of your rucksack. It would only be looked for in extremis. People suffering from an ailment such as asthma, diabetes or a heart condition should inform at least one person in the party of this and also pass on information on what to do if a problem involving their condition arises.To Top

Our walk leaders aim to be friendly, to be skilled in navigation and able to control the group of walkers in their care. The leader will probably have spent some time previously recceing the walk and will have considered many of the following:

• checking location and number of parking spaces, without blocking gateways and driveways, at the start of the walk - perhaps even having to limit the number of vehicles going,
• planning of extra transport if the walk is linear,
• including places and views of interest on the route,
• including toilets on the route,
• locating possible places, where to have drink and meal stops, ideally with a good view, though these may change on the day, depending on the weather, especially if it is windy,
• the number of stiles and their condition, as a large number can significantly slow progress with a large group,
• the number of gates and whether they are easily opened, avoiding those tied with twine or wire if possible,
• taking and noting bearings in areas with few features, where mist or snow could cause problems,
• noting potentially difficult crossings of bridgeless becks/streams and making plans for possible route changes if the becks/streams are in spate,
• planning possible adjustments to the route for the day of the walk, which may be needed in an emergency or if progress is slow. To Top
• noting the length, height, difficulty and time of the walk and, if necessary, re-adjusting the original walk plan to take into account the available daylight hours and the fitness of the walkers taking part,
• planning an alternative easier walk for use, if the weather conditions on the day of the walk are poor,
• carefully checking the routes of rights-of-way in and around farm buildings and other built-up areas,
• and last but not least, making arrangements for going to a tea shop or inn at the end of the walk - arrangements which are often only finalised just before the start of the walk, when numbers in the group are known.

If many in the group are novices, then the leader should carry extra drink just in case somebody forgets theirs or does not bring enough.

Because we are always seeking new walks' leaders, we encourage members to go on navigation courses to improve their skills and become new leaders. Even well established leaders have benefited from this. If there is a large group, the walk leader will count the number in the party and ask for volunteers to act as a back-marker. It is the back-marker's job to keep an eye on stragglers and get the leader to slow up, if the walking party is getting too widespread. Everybody should be within earshot of each other, which in strong winds is very close. They should also try to be within sight of each other, which in mist could be even closer! Remember, it can get lonely at the back, so stay back and have a chat with the back-marker now and again.

As mentioned elsewhere, if you are a prospective or new member, make yourself known to the leader at the carpark in Penrith or at the alternative pre-arranged meeting point. You may have already rung the leader and mentioned your intentions to go on his/her walk, in which case the leader should be looking out for you. Don't be offended if the leader checks that you are fit and suitably equipped for the walk before you set out. Knowing you are a newcomer, the leader can then keep an eye on how you are faring on the walk and make adjustments to reduce the speed or shorten the route if necessary.To Top

On most walks there is a stop to eat lunch and one or two drink stops. A leader will also have catch-up stops if some of the group are lagging behind.
Toilet stops may also feature but in the fells many walkers stop when and where it is convenient, perhaps during a lunch stop. Inform the back-marker if your taking a toilet stop will cause you to drop behind the group.
At the end of the walk a stop to socialise over a 'cuppa' is often arranged at a nearby inn or cafe.

Walk co-ordinators deal with one set of walks only. A few weeks before the start of each programme, they seek out walks from the walk-leaders, and then make a judicious selection to fit into the walks' calendar. If a walk leader cannot be contacted then the appropiate walk co-ordinator may be able to help. They are:
Saturdays: John Upson, tel. no: 01768 863538
Wednesdays: A: Dave Dixon, tel. no: 01768 890521,
Wednesdays:B+: Polly Allen, tel. no: 01768 840016,
Wednesdays: B:Keith Scott, tel. no: 01768 867112,
Wednesdays: C: Marjorie Oakey, tel. no: 01768 890194.
Thursdays, (in Summer only): Mary Teasdale, tel. no: 01768 865398.

Walks Programme Secretary: Les Allen, tel. no: 01768 840016To Top

Serious accidents or emergencies occur only rarely and usually (thank goodness) not on the high fells but near the end of a walk when a walker may be getting tired, less careful and possibly dehydrated. If it is necessary to call out Mountain Rescue they can be contacted by ringing 999 and asking for 'Police'. Because mobile phone reception can be poor in the fells it may be necessary to find a fixed line, hopefully at the nearest farmstead. State the nature of the incident and give the name of the place where the accident has occurred and in particular its grid reference. (There are many places in Cumbria with the same name.) Only ask for 'Ambulance' if you are close to a public highway, where an ordinary ambulance can reach you.
If you have an accident whilst walking with our group, you should inform the Secretary, Dave Dixon.

Obstructions:- If whilst walking in the area, you encounter obstructions on the pathway, e.g. you find it is overgrown or blocked, or you encounter defects such as collapsed bridges or dangerous stiles, then you should contact the Footpaths Secretary, Alan Duval

If you are going to walk on your own, check the weather forecast before starting out and take suitable walking equipment, clothing, food and drink. Make sure you have a compass and map(s) of the area where you are going. If you are doing a recce, a GPS can be very useful to record your track, If you are going to the high fells, you are advised to inform a responsible person of where you intend to go, outlining your proposed route. If the weather conditions are likely to be bad, abandon the idea, unless you are an experienced walker. Also consider taking an experienced companion with you, so that you are not on your own!

Many people are nervous of meeting bulls and it is sensible to avoid them if you can. Bulls of beef cattle breeds, however, are usually quite docile in the company of cows while even cows can be dangerous if they are with young. Remember the following points, if you are about to enter a field containing cattle.

• Avoid any bull on its own. Look for another route instead.
• Avoid dairy cattle, if a bull is present. Look for another route instead.
• Don't get between a bull and any cows.
• Don't get between cows and their young.
• If cattle are blocking access to a field, don't enter and push past them or try to move them; find another route.
• Bullocks are inquisitive and if they notice you even from the other side of the field, they will often run towards you, which can be intimidating. If you enter the field, try to walk with confidence, as if you were the farmer and they will probably approach you whilst staying at a safe distance from you. If you run away, they are most likely to chase after you!
• If you have a dog, try to find another route. If you do have to enter the field, do so only if you are a good distance from the cattle and keep the dog under tight control. If you are attacked, release the dog and look after yourself. See the section 'Dogs on Walks'.

What the law says:
The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 makes it an offence to keep a dairy bull in a field crossed by a right of way. A non-dairy bull can be kept in such a field, if it is accompanied by cows or it is no more than ten months old.

Most people find rambling in the fells very rewarding and exhilarating. Successfully reaching the summit of a fell, having overcome the challenge of the climb, can give a buzz. In good visibility the varied scenery can be aweinspiring, raising the spirits of the beholder with its beauty and grandeur. However, it is necessary to be sensible and not venture into areas, which are too difficult to cope with. Don't let the saying 'Pride goes before a fall' become literally true.
   Because high winds, heavy rain, snow or mist can make relatively safe conditions dangerous, don't be gung-ho and carry on regardless. Be aware that a zephyr in the shelter of a valley or hill, can become gale force or more on the tops, so that just standing up becomes a problem.
   Except for the case of a temperature inversion, (exemplified by low level fog preventing the sun heating up the ground below the fog but not that above it), take into account that, in general, temperatures can fall by about 3°C for every 1000 feet of climb. Also, with the wind chill factor increasing with the likely increase in wind speed as one gets higher, temperatures on the tops will usually feel substantially lower than those at low levels.

Examples of Dangerous Terrain.

• Precipices. Keep your distance if windy or misty and re-consider any scrambling if it is wet.
• Gullies can be dangerous in wet conditions.
• Scree slopes.
• Slopes of ice or snow. Use crampons and ice-axes otherwise avoid.
• On steep slopes, fresh snow over ice (or melted snow, which has refrozen,) is prone to avalanches - not just in the Alps but in the fells too. Crampons are of no help, if an avalanche occurs, so avoid.
• Steep slopes of wet grass, especially if rocks protrude.
• Streams/becks in spate.
• Unstable and/or wet rocks and boulders.
• Overhanging snow. Keep away from the edges of snow covered cliff tops.

There has been a significant increase in callouts of mountain rescue teams by the general public in recent years. A lot of this is due to bad planning of the route, lack of basic equipment such as compasses, maps and suitable clothing, poor navigation and people ignoring bad weather conditions, when in dangerous terrain. You should not think that mountain rescue is a service just there to you help out, when you act foolishly. Please remember:

• the service is carried out by unpaid volunteers, who give up there time to help in an emergency. They often have to work at night, in dangerous locations and in poor weather, thus putting themseles in danger. Asking the rescue service to help you get off the fells in time for a dinner appointment, as has been known, is not their role!
• many hours can elapse before an injured person may reach hospital, especially if the rescue occurs in difficult terain far from tracks or roads. In this time serious long term impairment to the patient could result and that patient might be you!