Members present: Virginia Castick, Trish Cranston,  Sandy Gregson, Jim Gregson, John Dobson, Joe Flynn,  James Meakin,  Al Metelko,  Lester Payne, Chris Thickett,  Peter McNulty.

This was a great autumn meet in the Lake District.  Over the four days we had plenty of sunshine and only one short shower on Thursday and a few light ones on Sunday. The accommodation was very comfortable and Jim ensured the fire was blazing.

Chris, who is also a FRCC member and had his own key, arrived on Wednesday and walked up Wansfell near Ambleside. On Thursday he summited Crinkle crags in the mist. Most turned up later on Thursday and stayed closer to the hut. John and I climbed on Scout crag and were later joined by Lester. A short sharp shower chased us back to the hut, but it is only a 15 minute walk away.

Following a rainy night we all decided Friday was a good day for a walk. The weather was good so we all set off directly from the hut to Great Castle How. It was the first time I had been in that area since we had a Fell Race there some years ago. After lunch we had a Meets sub-committee meeting and had the customary spilt. Sandy, Jim and Virginia headed off to Sergeant Man then Harrison Stickle. Chris and Lester went to Stickle Tarn the down Stickle Gill. James and I went to Pavey Ark and scrambled up Jack’s Rake and then over to Harrison Stickle and down the path passed Thorn Crag and Dungeon Gill. We found Lester sat outside the Stickle Barn having a drink so we felt we had to join him and Penny from the Durham climbing club – well you have to be sociable.

Saturday was a lovely day with blue skies, light wind and no midges. Jim and Sandy climbed on Long Scar Crag on the south flank of Pike of Blisco. Virginia took her swim suit and mobile changing room and went for a dip in Red Tarn which is close by Long Scar. Lester, James and myself slogged up to Gimmer Crag in the heat and did Bracket and Slab. Chris and John had departed for home but Al and Trish arrived walked over Lang How to Grasmere. Peter and his partner also turned up and continued on their quest to complete the Wainwrights. They bagged a good few on the Langdale horseshoe.

Our last day was cloudy and windy with mist was on the tops. Virginia headed over to Patterdale. Sandy and Jim scramble up a slimy Crinkle Gill to Crinkle Crags. James, Lester and I went to investigate Long Scar Crag. We scrambled and inspected the crag and agreed with Jim’s assessment that it is a nice crag with some interesting lower grade routes. The harder routes are on the nearby Black crag. We then walked back via Cold Pike. Al and Trish set off from the hut and walked over to Blea Tarn then the ridge on the south side of Langdale towards Chapel Stile.

Thanks to everyone who turned up and made it such an enjoyable long weekend.

Langdale meet . Long weekend Thurs 17th to 20th SeptRaw head Hut Grid ref NY304067.

Langdale is a great climbing and walking area. It is easily accessible and we have booked a great hut.

You can do some of the great climbing classics on White Ghyll or Pavey Ark or if the weather is as good as last September's then an expedition to Gimmer Crag will make a memory. There are also the 'roadside crags' of Scout Crag and Raven Crag . For the walkers there is the classic Langdale Pikes and a host of other peaks.

We have booked 6 beds ( 4 male 2 female) for Thurs, and 14 ( 8 male 6 female) for Fri and Sat. Bookings are doing well so book on line or just email or phone me .

Joe Flynn