Meet Report: 11-13 June 2024 at Low Hall Garth. 
Cool but dry weather graced the meet and encouraged a variety of activities. 
Solvig was first to the hut and went straight off to Blea Tarn and Side Pike doing battle with the dense bracken. The other three early arrivers headed straight up to Runestone Quarry (see YRCJ 2003 p89-91) where Michael was inducted into climbing on slate.  All were gathered around teatime and sat in the late sunshine chatting with a cuppa while Michael prepared the evening meal.

Wednesday was the most active day.  John was off to picturesque Esthwaite Water fishing where he was glad to have been well-belayed when landing a bream which he subsequently returned to freedom. 

Solvig eventually found Runestone Quarry as part of her research into bolted sport climbs. Her exploration led down to Tilberthwaite and back up to Betsy Crag before spotting the climbs from the top. She filmed some of the bolts and the quarry with her 1950s Bell and Howell 70dr. Back at the hut, she painted in the sun.  Andrew and Michael hared off (the latter still having some benefit from Andean high-altitude training, and the former having relative youthfulness) to the Old Man before dropping to Low Water – this was the only busy area.  An easy scramble directly up Brim Fell provided a little entertainment before descending Swirl Howe’s Prison Band and the mostly dry, considerable length of the Greenburn Valley.  The pools of Greenburn Beck had attracted several wild water swimmers.

Alister called in to return the restored Herbert Thompson memorial bench to its sunny position beside the front door.  As Hut Warden, he inspected the six new bunk beds made recently by Richard Sealey and Ged. They are two-tier rather than triples, so have more headroom, and storage space beneath.  Alister had no trouble driving in while towing a long trailer.  Neither did the member arriving in a Toyota Hilux.  We concluded that recent concerns over the state of the track approaching LHG are overblown and all that is needed are confident driving and a little care.  Parking is no longer a problem as the holiday cottages are not currently in use.

Mark arrived late that afternoon having walked over Caton Moor with views of Morecambe Bay.  He promptly headed off for an evening’s round of Tilberthwaite quarry to check out the climbing routes and sunny Wetherlam then down the cold shaded Greenburn valley, finding it just as long as the others did.   Meanwhile, the other four had strolled over to the Three Shires Inn for a meal returning for Solvig’s cheese and biscuits back at LHG.

Thursday’s forecast was for rain later but this held off while Michael was exploring some of the old tracks east of Betsy Crag.  From Grasmere, Mark went up Helm Crag and followed the ridge northwest to Calf Crag, then turning right and circuiting above another Greenburn, squelching along towards Steel Fell to descend in earlier than predicted rain.  Solvig was going up Jack’s Rake on Pavey Ark enjoying views of Side Pike and identifying some of the trad routes, until the rain hit.  At the ODG that evening, she enjoyed a pint and a steak pie while soaking up the atmosphere where the Bradford Lads used to stay.
For those free of weekday commitments, the relative midweek quiet of the fells is to be recommended.

Completed climbs were:
Yodelling in the Canyon F4
Runestone Cowboy F5b
Hats off Direct F6b
Smile at the End of the Rainbow F6a+
Self-Isolation F6
The Burning F6a+
Belly Button Slab F5c
Attendees:   Solvig Choi (PM), Andrew Jarman, Mark Rothwell, Michael Smith, John Thurston.  Day visitors were: Aaron Campion and Ged Campion (climbing), and Alister Renton (Hut Warden)