Given the weather this summer it was no surprise that only 6 people turned out for the July camping meet. It was almost 4 due to my last minute dithering about the weather forecast, but luckily we took the risk and met the others at the Fisherground Campsite at Eskdale Green.
On Saturday Mike and Paul headed off for some mountain biking. They've obviously not been properly briefed on the club's biking ethics, as not only did they cycle for 27 miles rather than a walkable 27 km, they also failed to stop at any tea shops or pubs until after they'd got back. Ben and Kirsten did a walk up to Burnmoor Tarn Illgill Head at the top of the Wasdale Screes, pausing to watch a few hardy fell runners on the Wasdale fell race.
Carmen and I meanwhile headed for some climbing on Great Gable, which we'd picked as most likely crag to have dried out. We started at Kern Knotts, and finished there too as the Napes, where we'd intended moving on to, were mostly in the cloud. Innominate Crack (VS 4b ***), Kern Knotts West Buttress (MVS 4b **), Central Climb south Face (MVS 4b *), and to finish, Kern Knotts Crack (VS 4c ***). Most of the hard pitches were led by Carmen who was on a roll, and followed by me, who wasn't. Kern Knotts Crack featured some hard 4c climbing a few feet above dodgy gear – top tip, take a no 5 Friend!
Sunday once again started dry. Mike and Paul meant to do Scafell from Eskdale, but the view from the car park was of cloud, so they did a fine scramble up Harter Fell instead. Ben and Kirsten also headed for Scafell, but from Wasdale, and were treated to some fine summit views of the inside of a cloud. They persevered though and by the time they reached Scafell Pike, the cloud had lifted. Heavy rain arrived with perfect timing, 2 minutes after they reached the car.
C and I decided against a return to the Napes as it was too windy, so did a few routes on Overbeck Crag, half way up Yewbarrow. Bowderdale Climb (MS*), Overbeck Buttress (MS*) and Central Chimney (S**) – some nice climbing, and the rock was mostly cleaner than it looked. Not a lot of gear though, except in the chimney, and all the routes we did were serious for the grade. Unfortunately the rain was less well timed for us, starting 10 minutes before we got back down, so we had a nice wet drive home.
Thanks to Mike for organising an excellent weekend!
A few more photos here