Meet Report: 25-28 August 2023 at Lowstern.

The introductory meet invariably brings new faces to meet the regulars and this was no exception.  This time the five youngsters were all aged about eight and predominantly wearing pink and decided teenager Lucy was their leader – she kept them amused with great forbearance.

One PM arriving at Clapham by long-delayed train walked as far as the A65 and bivvied down in the underpass there at dusk and reached Lowstern early on Wednesday.

Helen and Michael dropped off Trudi near Wharfe on Friday, so that she could return to Lowstern after exploring the eastern side of Crummackdale, before they traversed Pen-y-Ghent and Plover Hill in light showers.  Meanwhile, the Eastwoods explored around Clapham and gathered fresh blackberries for a mid-walk snack. About to start a photography course, Zara enjoyed capturing some shots of Clapham Station.

The afternoon peace at Lowstern steadily waned as the remaining residents arrived, replaced by the excited chatter of discovering new surroundings and lower voices planning the weekend’s activities.

The ‘light supper’ provided by the Lathams that night was a filling buffet.  Conversation was punctuated by the odd burst of ‘jiving’ and quoits.  Between a campervan, tent, the bunks and the sitting room floor, everyone eventually found a sleeping space.

Saturday morning the Lathams rose to the challenge of a 7:30 breakfast so the cavers could beat the rush at Long Churn.  Early risers were rewarded with the view of fingers of low-lying mists gently flowing up the valleys in front of Lowstern.  

As it happened, the previous evening’s youngsters’ resolve to give ‘wild’ caving a try failed them and they enjoyed a tour of Ingleborough show cave instead.  

With Lucy using Tim’s lamp the remaining intrepid party of five cavers were in an unusually wet Long Churn cave about 10am and three then made a longer trip of it via Baptistry Crawl to peer down the Dollytubs pitch.

The Raines dropped Trudi off at Selside to walk back over Ingleborough, before themselves accompanying the cavers the first few metres into the system then exploring the area before walking a loop above Horton-in-Ribblesdale.  

The Lathams first prepared the evening meal then with grandchild Lottie and Paul visited Gaping Gill, Ingleborough Cave and the Clapham playground.  Later, Anne and Lottie swam at the Ingleton outdoor pool which was busy with holidaying families.

Tim walked up through the Estate to the summit of Ingleborough, returning via Crummackdale and the Norber erratics. On the way he met a couple determined to eschew their phones and to navigate by map and compass. Under the circumstances he declined to tell them where they were.  Carol and John headed west to walk from the Jubilee Tower over Grit Fell and Clougha Pike before meeting caving friends for a drink.

By five o’clock, cups of tea or glasses of beer in hand, the adults were sat outside Lowstern relaxing in the pleasant late summer evening while the youngsters ran around the woods burning off yet more energy.

The Latham’s Saturday’s evening meal appeared punctually at 1900 hours amidst juniors excitedly planning a ghost hunt: cottage pie and vegetables followed by a mixed fruit crumble ensured they were well fuelled for their running around.  Four tables end-to-end were required to seat everyone.  Mid-meal, three unexpected visitors arrived, Phil with his son and daughter-in-law visiting from Australia. They had managed to track down Paul. Later Lucy led a ghost hunt in the plantation. They found several, to the amazement of all, despite Robert and Michael Crowther being unaccountably absent from the adult gathering.

The weather on Sunday was damp with the prospect of rain in the middle of the day.  Lucy went to the Ingleton climbing wall with Paul, Ged and Tim, along with Lottie and Grace where they had probably the most rewarding day.

After reading about the Settle-Carlisle railway on the display boards, Becca, Debbie, Beverley and Zara began the circular trail by the Ribblehead Viaduct passing the old tramway, loco shed, signal box and an older lime kiln.  Simon and Yasmine wandered into Clapham then up Clapdale Lane to the farmhouse above Ingleborough Cave where they witnessed the CRO in action on a serious callout.

As the skies cleared a little, the crag climbers headed for Twistleton where the Richards were already starting a climb, Dr Banda (D) opposite the Candle, before setting up an abseil.  Behind the Candle, four top-roped Waxwork (D) and two more gave it a try.  Evie also abseiled down the route just before the heavens opened and everyone beat a retreat to their vehicles.

Most then lunched at Lowstern, chatted over teas and headed off home. The Richards, seeing the sun re-emerging, returned to the crag to complete their abseils and Clinker (S).

Tim drove to Horton and cycled a splendid circuit of Penyghent on bridleways via Dale Head, Halton Gill, Foxup and Dawson Close. An unplanned descent of Hull Pot was narrowly avoided.

Thanks to all who helped organise and supervise the activities, and especially to the Lathams for their event catering.

Attendance:  John Brown, Ged Campion, Grace Crowther (G), Michael Crowther, Robert Crowther, Lucy Dover (G), Mary Ann Dover (V), Paul Dover, Phil Dover (V), Tom Dover (V), Beverley Eastwood, Zara Eastwood (G), Becca Humphreys (V), Tim Josephy, Evie King (G), Grace King (G), Rebecca King (PM), Debby Kuhlmann (PM, V), Anne Latham, Pete Latham, Alan Linford, Harvey Lomas (V), Lottie Pickles (G), Simon Raine, Yasmin Raine (G), Steve Richards, Wendy Richards, Helen Smith, Michael Smith, Richard Smith, Trudi Warner (PM), Carol Whalley, John Whalley.