Members: Joe Flynn, Sue Brooke, Lester Payne, John Dobson, John Evans, Dave Garland.

Guests: Ian Dobson, Jesper Jórgensen and Kirsteen Young.

The gallant band defied panic petrol queues, Labour Party conferences, dodgy weather forecasters and arrived at a good hour on Friday night. After a short hike to the hut (only 600 yds. the sign said) we dumped the gear and surveyed the bivi while the young men of property made a second trip to collect the rest of their luxuries. The Bowderstone is a traditional climbing hut of Victorian style, it harks back to the golden era..... O.K so you get the picture. Lester, with the expert eye of a Hut committee member, surveyed the quality of accommodation and level of maintenance and made some disparaging remarks. We opened the shutters and windows to let out some of the traditional smell, damp, ambiance and went to the pub.

The Landlord of the local hostelry refused to serve three of the party as looking so young and having no I.D. he refused to believe they were over 18. (It did not include the clean-shaven meet leader - unfortunately! But did include a committee member)

Saturday morning failed to dawn so we eventually emerged through the soft cloud and gently rising mist and decided to wander the hills. What began as stroll to the teashops of Watendlath developed into a Kinder type bog trot around Blea tarn. We were eventually rewarded with excellent vistas of the Lakeland peaks from the ridge of Ullscarf. We could even see a yacht race on Windermere, and I think our expert young sailor Ian was looking longingly.

Ullscarf by the way is at OS ref.292 122, height 2370ft (or if using John's new birthday present GPS, 2941 1267 height 2390ft. sic. ) " How can you argue with 9 satellites and the latest technology ". Easy if it is wrong.

The return was very pleasant in the warm evening air. A short diversion to Stonewaite Inn just to check if the management would serve such a youthful party but sadly they did. Feeling lucky we then tried the Scafell again and this time they were pleased to serve us. Surprising how a seven or eight mile walk can age you.

It was a merry little band that meandered back to the hut. What a transformation! The little cabin in the woods was warm and cosy thanks to Dave and John who had gone into Keswick and then struggled back with a 25kg. bag of coal and 3+ yrs. toothbrush for the meet leader. I bet they wished it was a roadside hut.

All slept soundly even very soundly according to Kirsteen who had not been warned about taking earplugs.

The forecast for Sunday morning was good but with rain was forecast for the afternoon. We rushed to Shepherds crag for some quick routes on Brown Slabs. Kirsteen's inaugural rock climb Brown Slabs arête turned into Brown Slime arête as the torrential rain arrived early. Lester and Jasper slid around on Slabs Direct and John and Ian also gave the Arête what for.

John and Dave had climbed on Shepherds on Saturday and got the better day. On Sunday they went further afield to get wet. They headed for Allen Crags but by Esk Hause were having second thoughts. They also managed some routes on Castle Rock - Via Vita , Slab route and a couple of others.

It was a traditional club-climbing meet in the Lakes. All cracked on they enjoyed it. I certainly did and it does make you appreciate Ty Powdre and the hard working Hut committee.

An old favorite set in the heart of Borrowdale in the Lakes. Ring Joe to make a booking.