Members: Lester Payne, Virginia Castick, Mark Garrod, Michelle Harvie, Sandy Gregson, Jim Gregson, Susan Harkness, Graham Harkness, Kevin Anderson, Al Metelko

Guest: Dave Hall

There was an apparent need to focus more on the social organisation for Saturday night. We managed to distribute Sue, Graham, Michelle and Mark to the New DG, Dave Hall to the Stickle Barn, Al and Kevin to the Old DG and the Gregson's to the hut.

New rule no fraternising before a meet!! Except for Michelle who kept getting chatted up and offered intoxicants by crowds of younger men in the Stickle Barn, whom she left - rejected - at her feet.

None the less 09:30 (ish) the company turned out at the appointed place, weather beautiful. Al and Kevin headed straight for Gimmer to seize the autumn opportunity.

The rest of us set off up the valley. Around the back of Pike O Blisco, up Browney Gill to Red Tarn and then on to Cold Pike, where I had not walked before. From the top could be seen a good portion of the fell race course from a couple of weeks before (nice to see it this time), beyond to the sea and just about every peak in the lake district plus several beyond.

We then took the ridge north east to the Crinkles. Some dark clouds covered part of the sky and with the sun shining below the clouds the lakes and rivers below the cloud turned to beautiful shining silver, cameras out time.

We stopped for lunch before the windy bit at three tarns and found the most delightful little hollow, out of the by now chilly wind, looking straight down Langdale.

After lunch we continued towards Bowfell pausing only for a little huff and puff up the famous bad step.

We could not stop any more. By now Midge as like the dormouse falling asleep in her tea cup and muttering about wanting to take her clothes off? Oh!! I observed. (Midge actually gets a tick and a merit mark for coming straight to the meet from an overnight hike with the rangers.)

It was a bit late to head for the Pike and by now it was in cloud so we dropped to Ore gap and then Angle tarn Dave headed straight down Rossett Gill to chase his lift home. The rest of us continued further round and descended via Stake pass and back along Mickleden. A superb day after a very constrained summer.

Back at the pub, where we stopped briefly, Kevin and Al reported two E1's on Gimmer: "Crystal" and "Poacher" but the wind had been bitter on the crag, despite the sun and they had to queue for the plum routes.

All told a very enjoyable meet thanks to all.

The tourist board tell me that much of Yorkshire is still closed because of the Foot and Mouth restrictions so I propose a change of location. At least we will be fairly sure of a walk.

Meet Sunday, 09:30am, at the Old Dungeon Gill car park at the head of Langdales, as the clocks go back bring a torch (only in case we are delayed).

I plan a bit of a round, Cold Pike, Crinkle Crags, Bowfell, and if time permits Scafell Pike. Back via Angle Tarn and Rosset Gill.... But there are plenty of options to lengthen or shorten.

I will put any changes or other info on the web site later if need be.

Despite protests Sue and I will be camping on the Old Camp site on Saturday night.