Meet Report: 28-30 October 2022. Based at the Gritstone Club’s hut The Smithy at the head of Thirlmere.

Home on Sunday evening, after a few reviving cups of tea, a meal and a good soak in a hot bath your scribe considered this a good weekend’s walking.  There were times though on Saturday and Sunday when, soaked, rain-lashed and sliding about on sodden slopes, my evaluation would have been less rosy.

Early arrivers at The Smithy by the north end of Thirlmere on Friday got the best of the weekend’s weather. Helen and Michael walked north from The Smithy for an afternoon on Wren Crag and High Rigg, returning just above St John’s Beck. Wendy and Steve headed off in the same direction for some intensive close navigation practice ahead of a hillwalking group leadership assessment. They remained on the hill long after dark, not on account of being lost but to try some night navigation. After SRT practice on the YSS’s Helwith Bridge wall, Tamsin and Paul walked out to about half way down the west side of Thirlmere, and back.  Beverley and Conrad decided a leisurely trip to Keswick would be a good way to start the trip.  Indeed, ‘leisurely’ was the operative word when it came to the speed of service at the fish and chip shop and reminiscent of the one visited in Alston on the last meet. Never mind, the tasty Cumberland beer made up for the wait. Meanwhile, Tim was delayed by long tailbacks on the M6.

After eating our various meals, conversation, tea and beer all flowed as the nine sat around the wood-burning stove. Other members would have liked to join the meet but nine is a sensible limit given the size of this erstwhile water board engineering workshop.

Helvellyn was the main attraction on Saturday. The dry start perhaps led some to hope the forecast rain and strong winds had headed elsewhere but they had not. Tim’s taxi service dropped the Smiths off at Dunmail Raise for a traverse from Grisedale Tarn north to Raise and a descent via Sticks Pass.  Tim skirted Thirlmere, succumbed to the lure of the fells and headed up Brown Cove to take the ridge north with the wind now largely from behind him, He too descend Sticks Pass. Paul and Tamsin worked the other way round, up Sticks Pass encountering the Smiths just north of Helvellyn then Tim a few minutes later. They descended Brown Cove to return alongside Thirlmere.

The Richards with Conrad and Beverley, heeded the bad weather warning and circumnavigated Thirlmere clockwise.

Their challenge was dealing with road and path closures necessitating abandonment of the normal route to improvise a way through fallen trees. At one point, two had to lift a barrier to allow the others to squirm through the 40cm gap created.  Whilst the walk couldn’t be described as epic in terms of altitude and risk, there were nevertheless some wonderful sights to be had, including a peregrine and some well-proportioned fungi. Wendy’s navigation skills were first class, and all arrived back at the hut in good spirits.

After all these exertions, the log fire, mugs of tea and a slice of Steve’s home-made fruitcake were most welcome.  Later Helen’s baked potatoes with beef stew and peas were followed by fruit pies and custard. Cheese and biscuits capped off the meal.

A sign that the various governmental restrictions and self-imposed cautionary approach to travel arising from the covid pandemic are lifting was the evening’s discussion of potential trips to Bavaria and Bolivia. 

Overnight, the small but effective drying room did a good job despite being packed with soaked gear. At least three litres of water were removed from our kit and even boots substantially dried.

Sunday’s forecast was no better though hopes were pinned on the mention that the northeast of the Lakes would have the best of the conditions.  Best is not necessarily that good. Smiths, Richards, Paul and Tamsin parked by Scales and headed for Blencathra’s Sharp Edge. Buffeted by strong gusts and steadily sprinkled with increasingly heavy rain, all but Paul retreated to Scales Tarn and headed up to Hall’s Fell Top. No sooner had they reached the level ground and caught their breath than Paul emerged from the cloud.  He couldn’t recall a time when there was so little friction as this day despite having ascended Sharp Edge several times in both verglas and ice conditions.  Lacking the technology enjoyed by earlier generations (plimsoles beneath thick socks) he’d resorted to the old Reverse Posterior Shuffle technique to avoid sliding into the awaiting abyss.  At this point he encountered a stray and slightly distressed walker who had deployed a similar technique in descent.  Paul accompanied him to within sight of the path before re-ascending.

Beyond the top of Blencathra the stronger wind increased their wetting and all haste was made southwest along the ridge pausing only to answer a few groups’ navigation queries. Heading back east along the foot of the fells was thankfully easier in calmer conditions and even a short spell of sunshine. The descent of the rock step above Doddick Gill required care.

Tim headed off to Whinlatter with his electric mountain bike and spent a pleasant hour or two on the forest roads.  Having reached the end of half-term break, Conrad and Beverley headed home to prepare for the rest of term.

So, despite the weather the meet saw plenty of activity.  Thanks go to the Gritstone Club for the use of their hut and to Helen for the catering. 

Attending:

Helen Smith, Michael Smith, Steve Richard, Wendy Richard, Beverley Eastwood, Conrad Tetley, Paul Magson, Tamsin Spain, Tim Josephy.