Lakes Meet Report 1-3rd August

[Andrew Milne]

With the weather set fair fifteen club members came to the cottage at Rawhead in Langdale for the early August weekend away.
On the Friday those who had arrived early walked from the cottage for a scramble or two. Three members left the main party and scampered up the dry bits of rock between the tumbling cascades of Stickle Ghyll. They re-joined the main party and all headed for the east ridge of Tarn Crag. This gave superb scrambling with good holds when needed to the summit. The party then walked round Stickle Tarn and carried on to the summit of Pavey Ark via Jack’s Rake – yes it’s probably the most popular scramble in the Lakes but always worth doing.
On the Saturday there were more ascents of Jack’s Rake, more summits conquered with some big miles covered, a group walked from the hut to the Pike of Blisco, two parties went climbing – one climbed three star routes on Scout Crags and the other walked the hour long approach to Gimmer Crag and managed two of the three star multi pitch routes on the immaculate rock – as Haskett-Smith said of Gimmer in his 1894 guide Climbing in the British Isles “… there are times even in the Lake District when the rain ceases and the sun shines, and it is then that the climber should gambol upon this crag”.
Saturday evening saw everyone back at the cottage in time for a huge meal. Ali had prepared starters, bhajis and samosas, Karen had gone beyond the call of duty, slaved away in the kitchen and made delicious curries, and for pudding the clubs crumble specialist, Simon, had made not one but two flavours for all to enjoy.
Rain came in overnight causing some members to leave early on Sunday. Others stuck it out and with ever improving weather did a mass ascent of Lingmoor – not one of the Lakes highest mountains but still one with some of the finest views – to quote Alfred Wainwright “…a fell of much individuality, not easily overlooked”.
All in all an excellent weekend despite the absence of the meet leader who alas, due to other commitments, couldn’t make it. Thanks anyway Geoff for setting it up!
Cheers
Andrew

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