Sir Ranulph Fiennes: asleep at the wheel

Eccentric explorer and Everest summiteer Sir Ranulph Fiennes has been fined £1,000 after crashing his car after taking part in the High Peak Marathon earlier this year.

Stockport Magistrates heard that Sir Ranulph fell asleep at the wheel of his car in the incident, following his participation in the 68km (42-mile) night navigation endurance race with three other members of his Poles Apart team.

The explorer pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention and was also given four points on his licence.

His Jaguar crossed to the wrong side of the road in the incident in Stockport in March and ran head-on into a Nissan Micra, seriously injuring its driver. It then hit a Ford Focus.

Sir Ranulph Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes, 66, reached the summit of Everest at his third attempt in May last year – the oldest Briton to do so. He also took part in seven marathons on seven continents in seven days and conquered the north face of the Eiger, despite having vertigo and having had a heart bypass.

Members of the Dry Stone Walling Association and representatives from the national park authority and the CPRE on the completed bridge

An exhibition bridge has been opened in the Yorkshire Dales after being transported stone by stone to its new site.

The arched bridge was originally built by members of the Otley & Yorkshire Dales branch of the Dry Stone Walling Association for a festival at Leyburn in Wensleydale.

The bridge, made from local limestone and sandstone, has been rebuilt over Eller Beck between Carperby and Woodhall, 12km (7½ miles) from its original site.

The Wensleydale branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England funded the £2,500 project.

Paul Sheehan, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s access ranger for Lower Wensleydale, who suggested the site, said: “We would like to thank the association members for their fantastic gift and the CPRE for funding the project,” he said.

“The bridge looks really fantastic and it will be much appreciated by all walkers who use the route.”

The bridge was officially handed over by association member John Heslegrave who said: “We would like to say thanks to the national park authority for letting us loose on the site, looking after planning approvals and providing resources for the foundations and general help and encouragement.

“We would also like to say thank you to the CPRE for funding the materials and equipment hire costs and to local suppliers of stone and equipment and particularly, the 14 association volunteers who have given their time and contributed the equivalent of 90 days.

“We had never built a bridge before this year so there was much to learn – but they have worked extremely well together to leave a lasting result in the Dale.”

Kristin Whalley, the Wensleydale CPRE Chairman, said: “This is an excellent example of the traditional skill of dry stone wall construction being used for a long-standing practical purpose.

“The bridge is on a well-walked footpath through an area rich in wildflowers and grasses in a prominent position alongside the Askrigg-Carperby road.

“Built using reclaimed sandstone and newly-quarried Wensleydale limestone, it will enhance what is already a beautiful Dales landscape.”

Until the bridge was built, the beck was crossed on a clapper bridge – a series of stones in the water with stone slabs across the top of them.

But it often became submerged during heavy rain, making it dangerous for walkers to use, and caused river water to back up and flood the nearby car park.

Wolves will not figure in the Alladale zoo bid. Photo: Frank Wouters CC-BY-2.0

Wolves and lynx will not be seen in the Scottish Highlands in the foreseeable future.

The species are not listed on the Alladale Estate’s latest application for a zoo licence which, according to the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, will only be for elk, European bison and Scottish Wildcat.

An earlier zoo licence bid by the estate, near Ardgay on the Easter Ross-Sutherland boundary, had included plans for three wolves – a proposal that would have meant fencing off a huge area of the estate and excluding walkers and climbers. This proved a huge bone of contention with the MCofS objecting on the grounds that the proposals were in conflict with the right to roam laws, which guarantee access to Scotland’s countryside.

But the council said it was unlikely to object to the zoo-licence application to Highland Council by Alladale Wilderness Estate, owned by a trust connected to the family of MFI furniture-chain heir Paul Lister. The zoo licence bid has been submitted after a planning application for pens on the estate to hold wildcat, boar and elk.

A statement by the MCofS said: “Despite all the talk in the media, the application is only for Scottish wildcat, elk and European bison.

“All the species are planned to be kept in small enclosures – constructed under the planning application if passed – and only a small number of individuals of each. The enclosure on the ridge is not part of the zoo licence application, and the enclosures are unlikely to have any hillwalker and climber implications even though access will not be possible to these small enclosures.

“MCofS has responded to the planning application and we will also be making comment on the zoo licence, although based on the current application and the fact that we can only make comment on aspects that impact upon mountaineers, we are unlikely to make a negative response.”

Mr Lister’s plans for the reintroduction of wolves into Scotland, and the provision of viewing for paying customers at the Highland estate, prompted a huge debate into the merits of ‘rewilding’ versus outdoor access to Scotland’s mountains and wildernesses.

The plans were the subject of a laudatory BBC documentary but walkers and mountaineers opposed the proposals from the start.

Glyder Fawr. Photo: Chris March CC-BY-SA-2.0

Wales could have a new ‘super mountain’ after a group of amateur hill sleuths turned their attention to a Snowdonia peak.

Glyder Fawr, overlooking the Pass of Llanberis and the Ogwen Valley, is listed by Ordnance Survey on its maps with a height of 999m (3,278ft) – just one metre short of the magic 1,000m mark that would elevate the mountain to a super league with only four members south of the Scottish border.

But the trio of amateur surveyors who recently pronounced its neighbour Tryfan as a munro-equivalent 3,000-footer has been out with high-tech GPS gear again to settle the argument about Glyder Fawr’s height.

At present, Snowdon stands proud at 1,085m, with its outlier Crib y Ddysgl on Garnedd Ugain just 20m lower. Carnedd Llewelyn at 1,064m and its near neighbour, the 1,044m Carnedd Dafydd complete the metric giants in Wales. But the survey by Graham Jackson, John Barnard and Myrddyn Phillips could add a fifth member to the exclusive club and possibly add an extra peak to the Welsh 1,000m race.

The three men have carried out their measurements in collaboration with Ordnance Survey, the Snowdonia National Park Authority and the National Trust.

Their results will be revealed later this month at a gathering in Maentwrog in the Vale of Ffestiniog.

There are 133 mountains in Scotland over the height of 1,000m, and three in the Republic of Ireland. England has none, its highest peak, Scafell Pike, falling short by 22m.

Cyclists in the Yorkshire Dales. Photo: DS Pugh CC-BY-SA-2.0

Peace will be the order of the day between two formerly warring counties with the launch of a new cycle route.

The Way of the Roses links Lancashire and Yorkshire and has come about through close co-operation between authorities west and east of the Pennines.

The new 274km (170-mile) route runs from Morecambe to Bridlington and passes through the Forest of Bowland, the National Park, Nidderdale, Ripon, York and the Yorkshire Wolds. It will be officially launched on Saturday, 11 September, the 15th anniversary of the National Cycle Network.

Andy Ryland, transport and visitor management officer for the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said: “Cycling is growing in popularity and this new route will bring benefits to local businesses – including B&Bs, cafes, pubs and cycle shops – in the Yorkshire Dales and along the entire route.

“The YDNPA has contributed towards funding to the development of the route through its recreational-activities budgets and its Sustainable Development Fund, which is managed by the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.

“We have also helped plan the 24-mile [39km] section through the national park from Settle to Keld Houses and, at an early stage, we were instrumental in bringing the partners together.

“The idea for the route came from Lancashire County Council – their cycling officer Alasdair Simpson approached us. We arranged a meeting at the Leeds office of Sustrans with North Yorkshire County Council’s cycling officer where we drafted an initial idea for the route and persuaded Sustrans to map it and other local authorities and partners to come on board.

“This has been a great collaboration between local authorities in Yorkshire and Lancashire, who have worked really well together.

“The YDNPA, Lancashire County Council, The Forest of Bowland area of outstanding natural beauty and North Yorkshire County Council and other partners from both sides of the county have all contributed to bringing the Way of the Roses cycle route into being and the Yorkshire Dales Leader programme has paid for a consultant to look at local cultural feature and heritage site that people can visit on the way.

“We believe the route will bring more people in to the national park in a sustainable way to understand and enjoy its special qualities – and help the local economy at the same time.”

Sustrans’s regional director for Yorkshire David Hall said: “The Way of the Roses runs through some of northern England’s most stunning countryside with beautiful coastal scenery either side of the route. Whether cyclists choose to tackle the whole 170 mile length of the path as part of a challenge ride adventure, or enjoy a leisurely ride across sections of the route, Way of the Roses is suitable for use by people of varying ability and interest.”

Public art will also be installed along the route as part of a £4,000 project.

The men were struck by an empty passenger train on tracks near the GO Outdoors store

Two men accused of taking part in a £40,000 burglary at a Cardiff outdoor retailer refused to give evidence at an inquest into the deaths of two other men killed when their quad was hit by a train nearby.

The raid on the GO Outdoors store in Roath, Cardiff, ended in tragedy when David Cooper, 24, and Trevor Davies, 20, of Rumney, Cardiff died when their quad bike was hit by an empty train travelling at 70mph as they rode along the tracks near the GO Outdoors shop.

A stash of 200 technical jackets was found nearby.

But Anthony Thomas, 23, and Liam Xeureb, 22, both of Cardiff, told Cardiff coroner Mary Hassall they had been advised not to answer questions.

The two face charges of burglary and endangering life on the railway and are due to face trial later this month. Both deny the charges.

A verdict of accidental death was recorded on Mr Davies and Mr Cooper.

Striding Edge, scene of the walker's slip

A walker was airlifted from England’s third highest mountain after breaking her leg in a fall.

The woman slipped while on Striding Edge on Helvellyn this afternoon, Sunday. Rescuers then had to deal with an injured runner on the mountain a short time later.

Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team was alerted about 1.45pm and two of its members, who were already on the mountain, went straight to the site.

The team members treated the woman while four other Patterdale rescuers, including the team’s doctor, wear airlifted to the summit, above the incident site, by the Great North West Air Ambulance.

Six more team members climbed to the site and the woman was carried by stretcher to the summit plateau where the air ambulance, after refuelling at Carlisle airport, returned to fly the injured walker to hospital in Carlisle.

The rescue operation took more than five hours and involved 16 members of the volunteer mountain rescue team.

While the rescue was underway, the team was called about 2.30pm to a fellrunner above Keppel Cove, also on Helvellyn, who had fallen and suffered a deep gash to his knee. A spokesperson for the Patterdale team said: “When the rescue team arrived the man, who was competing in a local competition, decided to complete the race and seek further medical advice himself later.”

Today’s incidents were the latest in a busy week for the team, including a call to Ruthwaite Lodge, Grisedale,  yesterday to help a 14-year-old walker suffering blisters though the boy managed to get himself off the fell; an Australian couple lost on a fell overlooking Ullswater, and the major search earlier in the week for the missing fisherman Mark Bryant, who died on the lake.

A team spokesperson said: “This hopefully brings an end to a busy week for Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team. “

Moel Famau. Photo: Wendy Mann CC-BY-2.0

A long-distance challenge walk has been revived to help raise funds for mountain rescuers.

The Offa’s Dyke charity walk was last run in 2005, but the North-East Wales Search and Rescue Team and the British Red Cross have organised a revival of the event, which involves a walk along the final 42km (26 miles) of the Offa’s Dyke Path.

The challenge walk was first run 10 years ago and was repeated in 2003 and again five years ago. The route runs from Clwyd Gate to Prestatyn and attracted more than 200 walkers when first organised.

This year’s walk, on 18 September, will raise money for both organisations, with Newsar using any cash for its new-vehicle appeal. Dave Fildes, Newsar deputy team leader, said: “The money raised will be a major boost to the vehicle fund, as we are in danger of not being able to provide our services unless we can replace out of date vehicles.”

Gladys McCrea, fundraiser for British Red Cross, said: “The last event raised more than £7,000 which helped the Red Cross to continue to provide its key services across North Wales, and we hope that this year will do the same.”

Registration for the event costs £25 and can be done online via the British Red Cross website.  The route follows the Clwydian Mountains, and passes over the 554m (1,816ft) summit of Moel Famau.

The North-East Wales Search and Rescue Team has 35 active volunteers based at Loggerheads, west of Mold and has so far been called out 53 times this year.

Alan Hinkes: completed the 39 tops with an ascent of Helvellyn

Mountaineer Alan Hinkes has completed his record-breaking round of the shire-county tops of England.

He topped out on Helvellyn, the highest point of the old county of Westmorland a short time ago, accompanied by Richard Leafe, chief executive of the Lake District national park.

The 950m (3,117ft) mountain – the third highest in England – was the final peak in Hinkes’s tour of the 39 county tops, ranging from Scafell Pike, also completed today, down to the 80m (263ft) Boring Field in Huntingdonshire.

The record attempt began with a 28 August climb of the Cheviot, at 815m (2,674ft) the highest point in Northumberland, and a change from his original intended starting fell of Whernside in his home county of North Yorkshire.

Helvellyn's summit

His team Tweeted about 45 minutes ago that he had completed his round, which was done to raise awareness and cash for Mountain Rescue England & Wales, the umbrella body for mountain rescue south of the border.

He benefited himself from mountain rescue services when he survived an avalanche on Great End’s Window Gully in March this year while climbing on the Scafell range in Cumbria.

The Northallerton-based climber is the only Briton to have summited all the world’s 8,000m peaks.

Low Birk Fell, scene of the rescue

Two walkers were airlifted to hospital after one of them became ill after climbing a Lakeland fell.

The Australian visitors had taken the Ullswater steamer from Glenridding to Howtown before ascending Low Birk Fell and Scalehow.

Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team was alerted by police after the couple had contacted them.

A spokesperson for the rescue team said: “They became disorientated and the 60-year-old male was feeling ill and was reported to be feeling nauseous also described as having a very pale pallor.

“There was some difficulty in getting back to the Australian mobile phone but eventually contact was made and a location was established.”

The Blackpool air ambulance flew to the site but was unable to land close to the couple and landed on a nearby hilltop.

The Patterdale team made its way on foot from Sandwick to the fell. Air ambulance staff then recovered the Australian couple to the helicopter and they were flown to hospital.

Sixteen members of the Patterdale MRT were involved in the incident.