Friday

Early arrivals consisting of the club ex-pats grabbed bunks in the smaller dormitory forming a snoring exclusion zone and so all got a good nights' sleep, undisturbed by late arrivals.

Saturday

David Dees woke up with a plan. And this being the MMC, that plan soon became everyone else's plan. Well, not everyone, but a lot. The plan was the Grade 3 scramble up St Sunday's Crag, followed by walking somewhere. (I don't know where). This large group got a good start, setting off bright and early. They did walk somewhere, but failed to find the scramble up St Sunday's, opting instead to hack their way up the steep slope before continuing on to said somewhere and back. Poor Silvia returned somewhat bruised after the downhill slipping and sliding over wet rock and snow.

Stefan, slower in preparing, set off in pursuit of this group an hour behind. Despite never having even seen the scrambling guide, Stefan did find the route. He enjoyed it so much, he did it twice. Plus another of his own devising further up the valley.

Matt Freak also awoke with a plan on Saturday. Almost everyone else had already done it though so it was just Beatriz and he that headed for Helvellyn via Striding Edge. They had an excellent day, despite the wind.

Simon, Janet, Sarah, Rob, Lou and I had good long discussions over routes and finally settled on High Street. This turned out to be the best choice, giving us views all day. So, whilst the other group wandered in poor visibility and freezing wind, we ambled in the sunshine and stopped for a bit of sledging in Sarah's survival bag. We were pursued throughout the day by an elusive shadow, one we only ever caught out the corner or our eyes. Who this unnamed stalker was remains a mystery.

All returned happy and tired to an evening of eating and drinking.

Sunday

A much windier day and the usual need to head home had everyone searching for low level routes. Simon led Janet, Sarah, Margaret, Stefan, Rob, Matt Freak and Silvia somewhere windy with mines.

The rest of the group headed off on a route out of Philip Seely's Trail mag, so I'll let him take over commentary for a while.

Place Fell and Ullswater

Itinerary: Walk up to summit of Place Fell (650m) from its south-facing slope, then a gradual descent along its north east flank, coming off down the valley of the Scalehow Beck, and then returning along the shores of Ullswater back to Patterdale; about seven and a half miles.

We picked this walk as it seemed to suit the conditions of the day. Weather reports suggested that strong winds in excess of 65mph would be blowing on the hills. So we didn't want to spend too much time on high, exposed slopes. We also wanted a relatively brief excursion, as we had to get back to London the same day, and sweep up the hut beforehand. It was also conveniently close.

The first leg took us from Patterdale to Borsedale Hause, a saddle below the south slope of the Fell. The route up consisted of an ascent from the saddle to Round How (640m), and then a broad ridge walk from Round How to the Fell summit. Setting off from the saddle, we went up the steepest climb of the entire route, which got us quite puffed. At Round How, we experienced strong, gusting winds, and weren't so inclined to linger admiring the view - which on a good day would have shown us Helvellyn and its entourage. We pushed on to the summit of Place Fell, with severe winds buffeting us to our side. Any stronger and it might have been difficult to remain steady upright. At the summit we sheltered briefly in the lee of the wind.

From here the route consisted of a gradual descent to the north east flank of the Fell, and then down a small valley to the lake side. Leaving the summit, we followed a path passing by a small tarn and the rocky outcrops of Hart Crags. It was still rather windy, but we were out of the worst of it. After about half a mile we arrived at the foot of a High Dodd, a hill at the north east flank of the Fell. Here, at a little ruined sheepfold, we stopped for a brief lunch and tea stop.

Moving off after lunch, we followed the path down the pleasant little valley of Scalehow Beck. This gave us a change of scene. A small, ruined quarry house stood as a relic of the area's former industrial past. Then the beck descended into a crag-lined valley, running over rapids and a couple of picturesque waterfalls. At the bottom we turned westwards and arrived by the shores of Ullswater.

Now on the return leg of the trip, we followed a broad, gently undulating track along the edge of Ullswater. We admired the scenery. Out on the lake the winds whipped up the waves rather fiercely.

Arriving back at Patterdale, we found that we had taken about three hours. It had been a good walk, with plenty of scenic variety - hilltops, crags, waterfalls, the expanse of the lake - and just enough exposure at the top to remind us that we had been sensible not to venture up any higher hills.

Rob Mitton and his new dog, Meggie, plus Lou and I broke away from that lot at Borsedale Hause. We headed south a little way and down Bannerdale, successfully escaping from the wind for most of the day.

So, another winter Lakes meet with good weather and a good bunk house. Looking forward to the next one.

Matt

The End.

Except.

Quote of the weekend:

"Condoms only cost a pound each you know."