​Carlisle & District Rambling & Fellwalking Club

An Audience With David Hall   

David Hall

When did you start serious walking?  In 1947/8 one of the teachers who was keen on walking asked if anyone would fancy a ramble round Ullswater for a couple of days, staying in Youth Hostels. I was in my early teens and was absolutely smitten. When I came out of the Army after National Service there was a Ramblers’ Bus from Carlisle to Borrowdale on three weekends and Buttermere on the fourth. Brilliant service, sadly ended when most people acquired their own cars. As I worked on the railways I did get trains to Keswick via Penrith.

Your Favourite Walks?  Garsdale to Kirkby Stephen via Wild Boar Fell is wonderful for the peace and quiet as well as stunning views, but I also love Langstrath, the Haweswater Hills and the Langholm area. 

Most Dramatic Walks?  On Grains Ghyll when son Peter (the Postman, to distinguish him from all the other Peters in the club) stood on a rock that had not been properly bedded in, slipped 30 feet, broke a load of ribs and had to be helicoptered out to Whitehaven. No lifts for dads, though – I had to walk down!

Awkward Moments? Once in the Langdales, lovely hot day, mixed group and we all stripped off for a swim in a tarn when a sudden electric storm came and we had to move very rapidly. A judgement from on High???  

Challenging Walks?  Several experiences in thick fog where one hoped the compass knew the way it was going. One in particular in the Howgills heading for Cautley Spout (where very accurate navigation is essential). 

Why are you in the Club?  I love the companionship with others who enjoy walking; we can do linear walks – not possible with cars or public transport. We can share knowledge and experiences with other walkers. Great set of genuine, like-minded friends. It’s a privilege to be President.

Many of us can walk for years and support the Ramblers from the social and activity point of view and yet because we tend to keep to our own group of walkers,  A, B or C parties,  we might see people on the bus or at occasional social functions and never really get to know them.  For this reason we have decided to start a series of very short pen-pictures of different club members in the hope that it will prove of interest to other members and put names to faces.  We start the series with David,  who has recently been elected the club president.  If in doubt – just follow the voice. 

(Questions posed by Peter Flynn.)