Members Present: Sue Harkness, Graham Harkness, John Castick, Virginia Castick, Bob Kelly, Jim Symon, Robert Clark, Jo Sayer, Mark Furniss, Dave Wylie, Lorna Marsland, Christine Beeston, Kate Harvey.

Guest: Julia Partington, David Hall.

A number of us arrived on Friday morning to beautiful blue skies and a light breeze. Dave H and Graham scrambled up Tarn Beck to Seathwaite tarn as a reconnoitre for Saturday then cut over to Little Blake Rigg for a continuation scramble. Dave Wylie walked over Black Coomb. Sue, John and Midge walked independently in the valley with Midge finishing as usual with immersion in the river at Birks Bridge.

We had a delightful sit in the sun and a cup of tea at the hut then David had to mount his Dahon folding PTS interhut shuttle for his 7 mile cycle back to Beckstones hut where he was staying. Not sure if this was loyalty to his own club hut or he is just tight and got cheaper hut fees.

Next morning was disappointingly damp, very humid and warm. We skirted up the side of Tarn Beck to Seathwaite Tarn. Two of the girls swam in wet suits, Sue and Christine even swam without wet suits. Graham tried but with a water temperature of only 13.5 degrees barely got his bum wet before heading for a warm towel. However the weather was rapidly becoming much more pleasant.

The team then split with Bob and David Hall heading off to scramble up Great Blake Rigg. Graham, Dave, Christine and Julia taking a walking route to meet Bob and David on Grey Friar and John, Midge, Lorna and Sue heading straight up towards Dow Crag.

The first group met as planned on Grey Friar for lunch and then joined the much busier main Coniston Old man ridge at Great Carrs. There were some right noisy folks on top of Dow. These turned out to be Sue, Midge and Lorna who were waving frantically trying to let us know they were there. However we did all meet up once more on the summit of Dow for the descent back to the hut via Walna Scar road.

In the mean time the climbers had found the rock dry. Jim and Robert did Murrays Route and Triton while Mark and Jo climbed Arête, Chimney and Crack. A most enjoyable day in very pleasant weather with excellent views.

Sunday morning started grey and damp. Bob headed off early to run on Whitbarrow.

Sue and Graham together with John, Midge and the two David’s set off for Harter Fell. Well I say set off, all but Dave Wylie got as far as the car park and the rain came on strong and steady. The less determined got back in the car. Dave Wylie decided on a run by the river but by some conspiracy of nature ended up on top of Harter Fell! Something about flooded pathways and strange forest trails (and no doubt a wicked old willow tree as well Dave).

The ladies fared a little better. They drove to Witherslack Crag and walked as far as a cairn up in the mist and rain. After that the feedback becomes less precise but mentioned ladies inappropriately dressed, coffee shops and topiary.

We enjoyed a very pleasant weekend to end summer and enter autumn. Thanks to all that turned up.

The Hut is booked for Friday & Saturday nights.

Address : High Moss Cottage, Seathwaite, BROUGHTON-IN-FURNESS, Cumbria, LA20 6EE

Grid Ref: SD 237967.

Follow the road past Seathwaite for approx 600 meters and turn right into Turner Hall Farm. Just before the campsite is a gate on the left and a small plaque with High Moss written on it, as I remember this was quite hard to spot. The hut is about 600meters along the track and through a couple of gates.

Walk , climb or swim. This location is familiar to many but maybe not so familiar to more recent members. The Duddon is a lovely little valley perhaps less visited than many places. There is good access to Dow Crag and Conistones fells across Walna Scar Road, also low level climbing on Wallobarrow Crag plus easy access to many tops.

Bob Kelly will be at the hut and has an event planned for the Sunday, so if you want to join him contact Bob ASAP. The military are allowing access to Mickle Fell in the Pennines, this only happens a couple of times a year and you need a permit. Bob is applying for a permit and is offering to include the names of anyone who wants to accompany him on the application form. It is a about an hours’ drive from the Duddon but for Bob Mickle Fell will mark the end of a five year project walking the high spots of England and Wales.

Price £12/p/night. Please book places ASAP.

Sue and Graham Harkness