Annual Dinner - Sun Inn, Coniston

Members and Guests: Peter and Gwen Walker, Colin Maddison, Mary Stuart, Roger Dyke, Neville McMillan, Michelle Harvie, Mark Garrod, Pete & Sue Hughes, Jo and Andy Stratford, Frank and Margaret Williams, Iain and Pam McCallum, Lester Payne, John Dobson, Jim Symon, Philippa Maye, Joe Flynn, Peter Johnson, Bron Edwards, John and Midge Castick, Graham and Sue Harkness, Jim and Sandy Gregson, Alan (L) Jones, Al Metelko, Phil and Francesca Hartwell, Bob Haynes, Christine Beeston, Neil Boynton, Sean Kelly

Speaker: Dave Birkett

 

An excellent turnout of forty members and guests for one of the social highlights of the calendar.

 

Friday:
Various members headed up early on Friday despite the slightly poor forecast.  Dave and Bron met on Kirkstone Pass and did Stony Cove Pike and other fells in the area before decamping to the YMC hut.

 

Saturday:
Dave and Bron left the YMC then up via low water beck past Low Water followed by a Grade 2 scramble on the slabs on the side of Brim Fell then round to the Old Man onwards to Swirl How and down prison band to Swirl Hause where they met Michelle, Mark, Christine and Neil joining them over Weatherlam and down the long ridge to the YMC hut.

The lower level social walk included Jo, Mary, Phil, Francesca, Roger, Neville, John, Midge and Peter who did a round trip of around 10 miles from Coniston to the Wilson Arms at Torver for lunch then back along the lake.

After a prolonged spell of good autumn weather the Lake District crags were bone dry and with a sunny day forecast Andy & Colin decided on climbing at White Ghyll in Langdale.  In honour of our guest speaker we decided the most appropriate thing was two of his uncle, Jim Birkett’s routes: Slip Not VS 4c (FA 1947) and Haste Not VS 4c (FA 1948) plus Slab Route 2 (Severe).  Andy had never climbed at White Ghyll before and was mightily impressed with the quality of the rock – lovely clean rhyolite with both frequent and excellent gear placements.  Haste Not was a shocker for VS 4c – the traverse pitch led by Colin was very tough for a VS and felt like a lead on second.  Not a route to underestimate!  We could only shake our heads in disbelief at the first ascent by Jim Birkett in 1948 - nailed boots, wooden wedges and hemp ropes.

In the evening we all gathered at the Sun for an excellent meal from the tiny kitchen – the only issue being the length of time to get all the main courses out.  Eventually we arrived at the speeches and were treated to a classic Colin Maddison speech with several members being picked out for the own goals they had scored: Andy and his car scarring the roundabout at Crainlarich, Sandys adventures with a pulk in Norway, James Barrington attempting grade III ice climbing with no axes, Andy (again) with spectacularly insane route finding on Tremadog.  Our honoured guest, Dave Birkett was introduced and so began a series of improbable, engaging and amusing tales of on sighting E9’s, rescuing sheep, repeating E9’s, exploding sheep, climbing hard routes all over the world and more sheep!  Dave held his audience brilliantly and everyone enjoyed the talk, but perhaps the greatest joy was hearing this native Cumbrian, working lad and part time climber - one of the finest trad climbers this country has ever produced - give such a genuine, passionate and eloquent piece of advocacy for the Lakeland fells.

The raffle had the usual array of high quality prizes and raised £138 for Mountain Rescue

 

Sunday:
Andy, Jo, Colin, Mary, Phil, Francesca, John, Midge, Graham and Sue had an excellent walk up the Old Man, Brim Fell, Swirl How and prison band to Swirl Hause then back down Coppermines valley.

Lester, John Dobson and Joe did a similar route with the addition of Weatherlam at the end and Peter Johnson, swimming against the tide, did the whole route in the reverse direction.

Lots of KMC folk wandered by the YMC hut (the old KMC hut) on Irish Row to reminisce, have a look and a natter – Dave Wylie played host eventually getting out to Patterdale after lunch to walk up to and around Angle Tarn.

Many thanks to all who attended.

Andy Stratford