Raw Head Hut

Members: Lester Payne, Sabina Cosulich, Al Metelko, Sheena Hendrie, Chris Williams, James Hoyle, Kasia Hoyle, Trish Cranston, Joe Flynn, Mark Ashley, Katie Horgan. Guest Mike Freeman.

 

All twelve places booked for the meet were taken. Apart from a couple of mountain marathon men from FRCC on the Friday night we had the hut to ourselves. Why was this, you may be wondering, for the first week in July. The lack of FRCC members must reflect a fair weather attitude to the mountains and a full turn out from the KMC - something else.

The weather that weekend, to be fair, was not the best. Friday evening was perfect and some of the group detoured to Trowbarrow whilst others went to the Stickle barn, sat outside and were entertained by a very good local guitarist/singer. Dave Bish spent most of the afternoon and evening travelling up from Hastings and took the prize for longest commute.

Saturday morning was forecast to be good early on and then raining by lunchtime. Lester and myself made an early start on Scout Crag to be joined by Al a little later. We did a couple of routes on the lower crag then moved to the upper crag. We had almost finished Route 1 when the rain arrived and were well soaked by the time we were reunited with our sacks and waterproofs. A swift return to the hut and 15 minutes later Al lit a big coal fire and we settled in for the afternoon. Dave and Katie set off for Dunmail Raise where I believe she left him. But would she have left him if she knew the bloody history of the place (See footnote). However, like a homing fell runner he found his way back to the hut. Most of the meet made a brave attempt on Scafell but as the weather deteriorated good judgement took over and plans were modified. They arrived back safe and soggy sometime in the evening. I was not there to welcome them back as by then the rain had passed and Lester and myself walked over the mountain to the Dungeon Ghyll and back via Stickle barn for refreshments, entertainment and good company.

I was up early on Sunday as family celebrations and KMC duties had clashed. On threat of serious harm I had promised to be home by 10.00am and almost was. Lester was kind enough to note the goings on that day.

Dave and Katie headed home early. I suppose it is a long way back to Hastings. Sheena and Sabina went on a run. Al went to inspect Gimmer and Mark bagged another Wainwright possibly Ling Mell. The rest went on a ramble around the fells visiting Oxendale, Cringle Crags, 3 tarns and Pike O Bliscoe.

A big thank you to all who turned up and especially for cleaning the hut and leaving it so neat and tidy. Sorry I missed that bit!

 

*Dunmail Raise was the scene of a bloody battle for control of the lands of Cumbria. The battle took place against King Dunmail, the last King of Cumbria, against the united forces of Malcolm, the King of Scotland and Edmund, a Saxon King. Dunmail was defeated and slain and his sons were mutilated, his men were made to build a stone cairn over the spot where he fell.

Joe Flynn