The end of summer club trip was booked at fairly short notice and an enthusiastic response from so many club members ensured that all twenty available beds were very quickly accounted for. The bunkhouse had been used before and was at Gillside Farm Campsite, Glenridding to the east side of Helvellyn and provided basic but comfortable accommodation and a great base from which to enjoy a broad range of activities.
The weekend away was the first club trip for several members and with the weather being so good it provided the opportunity for a full schedule of rock climbing, scrambling, hill walking, running, kayaking and even cruising on Ullswater. An ambitious array of objectives was considered for the weekend and it was fantastic to see all participants getting organised to make the most of our time in the area.
On Friday morning Dave M, Derek W, Dave Ca and Katie R completed a circuit of Blencathra taking in Sharp Edge and Halls Fell Ridge before heading to the bunkhouse. Ed H was following just behind running a similar though longer circuit which went up to Skiddaw House. Giles C was on a shopping mission on Friday morning before enjoying a scramble up Jacks Rake on Pavey Ark. Late afternoon and Nathan R with Dan S arrived at the bunkhouse but within 10 minutes were heading up Sheffield Pike. Some of us were already on our way to the Travellers Rest where we would spend the rest of the day planning and vaguely monitoring the arrival of everyone else before adjourning to the accommodation.
Saturday morning was a frenzy of activity which settled down somewhat when the whereabouts of the breakfast butty van was established. Claire A and Katie R headed out early for a 20Km run over Helvellyn and Giles C, Ed H and Emma W also departed early to Borrowdale to give themselves a broader selection of easier grade rock climbing on Shepherds Crag. Jenny P, Wes H, Rose M and Charley had a similar aim, this time at Castle Rock, Thirlmere for multi pitch climbing.
Oli B, Dave Ca, Tracey H, Nathan R and Dan S walked into Grisedale to climb on Eagle Crag which was in really good condition although cold before the cloud lifted but clear of other climbing traffic. Dave M, Rosemary B, Adam H and Derek W also remained local, heading to Helvellyn summit via Striding Edge. Adam and Derek descended via Grisedale to meet up with the team at Eagle Crag. Dave M and Rosemary completed the Helvellyn horseshoe by descending Swirral Edge to Catstye Cam and descending north to the disused dam before taking the main track back to the bunkhouse.
Owing to a previous niggling injury Lucy A and Mimi decided to stay at lower level and took the Ullswater Steamer along to Aira Force from where they enjoyed a pleasant walk back to Glenridding.
Claire A and Katie had completed their run early in the day. This had given them the opportunity to take high tea of posh sandwiches and scones at the Inn on the Lake. However, not fully satisfied with missing out on the views from Helvellyn summit in early morning cloud they headed up the hill again to watch the sun go down. They braved the falling temperature and the night time darkness in true pioneering, mountain spirit and the photograph was well worth the effort.
Saturday’s activities were not yet concluded. After returning from Eagle Crag Oli B, Dave Ca and Adam H had enough in the tank to go for a run over the top of Sheffield Pike and down to Ullswater. Another sterling effort. In a desperate bid to bring some sense of normality to the weekend trip, Dave M and others went to the pub.
The Travellers Rest was again the choice of venue for food. The restaurants in Glenridding were fully booked and busy and the White Lion Pub in Patterdale refused to take any more food orders at 7pm. Some stayed longer in the pub than others, another busy day ahead for most.
On Sunday morning Giles, Claire and Katy departed very, very early to make it to the top of Barrow for sunrise and continued a circular route taking in Sail to end their weekend. Another cracking photograph was taken by Giles with his better camera, well before the breakfast van had fired up.
Jenny, Wes and Charley returned home via Blencathra and Sharp Edge. Ed went running, Emma did a spot of shopping in Grasmere and Rose and Rosemary both headed back directly owing to commitments in the real world.
Continuing with their aquatic theme for the weekend Lucy and Mimi set sail on Ullswater for a second time, this time in a rented kayak.
The main thrust of the day gave the visual impression of a mass trespass by eight club members scrambling up Pinnacle Ridge on St Sunday Crag. The weather conditions were threatening to deteriorate, however, remained dry enough for the full route to be completed by everyone. Dan S, enjoying his first time in the Lake District and a newcomer to rock summarised his thoughts after the Grade 3 scramble as “******g **ll” before taking a celebratory sip of Kraken from his hip flask.
Altogether the weekend was a great success. All 20 places taken and used to maximum effect. The newer members of the club were engaged in the spirit of the weekend and everyone appeared to enjoy the whole experience whether involved independently or as part of a wider group. Well done to all and thanks for coming along and contributing to the trip. We’re already looking forward to witnessing the sunrise at the next one.
Dave M
Great write up Dave! Thanks for organising!