Meet Report: 9-10 September 2017.

The Friday afternoon forecast seemed to offer the best of the weather, tents up in the dry, and some enjoyed various short excursions before traditional corned beef hash at 6.30. Others including Albert Chapman, and John and Betty Lovett called in for a chat and enjoyed fresh scones, jam and cream supplied by Angie Linford. Betty brought the welcome news that a relation of Dr Farrer was to take up residence in the village. Perhaps the YRC will have an opportunity to welcome them to Lowstern at some time in the future.

Friday evening it started to rain, heavy, accompanied by screeching and hooting owls that seemed to be sat on the tent poles.

Saturday. Plotting routes till the rain stopped. The President and David C decided to avoid all the usual summits which were shrouded in hill fog and planned an interesting low level walk. They parked under Dent Head viaduct, crossed onto the Blea Moor Tunnel track to meet up with the Whernside path coming up from Ribblehead which was packed with Three Peaks walkers. They soon left them behind and headed up the Dales High Way. Showers accompanied them as they dropped down into Dent Dale and a return by the Dales Way to complete a good day.

Dotti, preparing dinner till the sun came out, managed to find a parking space at Horton for an ascent of Penyghent but abandoned an unusual route back due to underfoot conditions. Many walkers were not dressed or equipped for the conditions.

Sue and Garry went across the fields to Ingleton and back, a long day during which they suffered many heavy showers. John Jenkin did a shortened version. Mike, Colin, Steve and others parked at Helwith Bridge for a trip to Austwick via Moughton scar. George and Alan preparing the evening meal had the best excuse not to go out and enjoyed the brief sunshine and the view from Lowstern.

Sunday. The President did a 10 mile circular walk from Countersett (Semerwater) up to the cairn on Drumaldrace returning via Bardale and Marsett.

Despite an encouraging start he encountered the heavy showers that swept in on several occasions. Parts of Cam High Road were more like a canal which had just been drained of water – lots of muddy pools. This route coincided with the OMM mountain marathon and a mountain biking event based in Hawes, all contributing to difficult conditions underfoot reflecting the crowds and conditions found on Saturday.

Sunday saw most on their way by lunch time.

Bruce stayed on for 2 nights, clearing the leftovers and hoping for the chance of a good day out before setting out for RLH and official duties.

Wayfarers: Bruce Hassell, Colin Smith, Steve Auty, David Carpenter, Dave Lawrence, Gary and Sue Mellor, and George Chambers.

Yorkshire Ramblers: Mike Godden, Alan Linford, Mick Borroff (President), Dotti Heaton, Ian Crowther, John Jenkin, Alan Clare, John Lloyd (PM), Derek Clayton, Albert Chapman, John Lovett, Ged Campion and Aaron Campion (PM).