Retreat, Easter Meet

During the night the weather turned for the worse..  the wind get fierce, and came howling across the cols, driving rain in front of it.

By a twist of fate, I was on the side of the tent facing the wind, and it was not long before the rain had forced its way through the canvas, and was dripping through onto me. Putting up with it for a while, but soon my down bag was soggy, and desperate action was called for ...  putting my karimat between the fly sheet and inner, helped stem the flow, and then I curled up below Dave, pushing him out of the way until he grumbled, then rolled over into the puddle. Now he understood the situation, and we settled for the rest of the night listening to the wind rolling across the mountains.

The morning arrived and the weather had not improved, Nick and Sue had also had a leak, but less severe, Bryon and Alan had escaped with just keeping the tent from flattening, but no leaks.

A tactical withdraw was discussed and we soon packed up and headed back down the route we took yesterday.

Arriving back at the campsite in the valley, Nick was annoyed to find his tent wrapped around the fence, and in no shape to fulfill its primary function. Following logical discussion we soon gave up the weekend and took to the cars ...  Bryon and Alan heading north, with the rest of us returning south and an appointment with the dryers.

Sprinkling tarn, Easter Meet

The campsite had filled up overnight, and was now full to bursting. The forecast was not brilliant, but we calculated that we could move up into the mountains and do some climbing on Scafell and Great Gable.

As Nick's tent was not light and also just 3 season, Sue and he would share my force ten, and I would share with Dave in his. The boys would use their Hurricane.

We set out for Sprinkling Tarn up the track to Rossett Gill, with heavy packs in warm and humid weather.

Arriving at the tarn we selected a site on the far side and put up the tents. .. then after wandering around a little we headed down to Wasdale head for a drink in the bar, before returning for dinner.

As the dark descended Dave with Bryon and Alan, went looking for firewood ... not a simple task, however they managed to find enough for us to have a large bonfire and toast marshmallows, well into the evening. Helped along by a flask of Scottish nectar.

We retired to the tents unaware of the coming fortunes of the night.

Langdale, Easter Meet

The Easter meet this year was a trip to the Langdales, my first away trip with the East Grinstead club.

Dave and I went up with Nick and Sue, and had set up camp in the national trust campsite.

Today we woke up to a day that was warm and bright .. just a day to make a visit to Gimmer crag .. I had not been there for several years, and Kipling Groove was unfinished business ..  Unfrtunately there was a queue, so Dave and I went back to the East side and climbed.. ashtree slabs, C route, B route,

As the sun disappeared around the mountain we headed back to the Dungeon Ghyll and the crag behind it - Raven Crag where we climbed centipede, middlefell buttress in the evening sunlight.

After an evening in the bar we retired to the tents in time to meet Bryon and Alan who had driven up on their way to Scotland.