Meet Report: 7-9 January 2022.

On the Friday evening a small but nevertheless high quality section of the YRC gathered at Low Hall Garth, welcomed by baked potatoes and a fire which had been burning since early afternoon.

The forecast for Saturday morning was rain and it did not disappoint. Fortified by Robert’s full English, Andy, Conrad, Michael and Richard ventured out to Patterdale. Although Helvellyn was invisible in the rain they embarked on a cross country route from Glenridding over Birkhouse Moor to the Hole in the Wall below Striding Edge. Michael was feeling a little under the weather and Andy volunteered to stay low with him and sample the cake shops of Glenridding. On schedule the rain had stopped and Conrad and Richard proceeded up Striding Edge in full winter conditions, in crampons and with ice axes. Visibility improved and the top was reached through a small cornice. Minimal time was spent on the cold and windy summit before descending Swirral Edge with great care, thence home by Red Tarn Beck as darkness descended. A visit to a pub was eschewed in favour of Robert’s eccles cakes. Meanwhile Robert and John had explored locally to the hut. Dinner was to die for, carrot and coriander soup, shepherd’s pie and crumble. Later we were joined by Ged Campion for a most convivial evening.

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Our Sunday morning was enlivened by a visit from Becca Humphreys and prospective member Debby Kuhlmann who had come to inspect the luxury of the hut and go for a run over to Tilberthwaite.

On Sunday, Andy went back to Glenridding and completed the Striding Edge/Swirral Edge circuit in a fast time and reported that it was no warmer on the top. Meanwhile Conrad and Richard ascended the Greenburn Beck behind the hut, thence to Swirl How and over Black Sails to Wetherlam. There was snow and ice on the ground but crampons were not essential. A wet return was made via Tilberthwaite and the ford as dark again descended. Robert and Michael meanwhile inspected the mines and workings at Greenburn.

It was unusual to be in the hut for this meet without it being (over) full but the attendees were rewarded with being able to stretch out inside, and outside to have experienced some excellent and challenging conditions.

Attendees:

Robert Crowther, Andy Syme, John Jenkin, Conrad Tetley, Richard Taylor, Michael Crowther (PM)