A big and comfy hut, a huge turnout, (probably) the first snow of the season – what more could we have asked for?

We woke up on Saturday morning to the realisation that it had snowed on the higher hills all night and a fantastic winter day was in store for all of us. And what a day it was:

The Simons, Carmen and myself headed for the Corridor Route and Scafell Pike. As the day progressed and our insatiable appetite for snow continued, we also took in Broad Crag, Great End, Esk Pike, Bowfell and Glaramara (in the dark...).

Warwick and Graeme headed off to find (moderately successfully) some ice on Great
End. After Annie had finished ruining the peace and tranquility of the countryside (we could hear her from the top of Great End, and she was down at Esk Hause!), Martin, Annie and Alan K also headed up Scafell Pike. Mike, Peter and Andrew cycled (or carried their bikes over ice) for miles and miles and miles. Dave E and Rod went cragging in the winter sun at Shepherds Crag. Everyone else went out somewhere and had great fun too!

Saturday night was marked by too much rain for Andrew's fireworks (which is just as well as he wasn't there to set them off...), Rob's homemade soup (for the second meet in a row – expectations are being raised that this will become compulsory at all meets attended by Rob...) and a communal curry. Sadly, after the delights of Saturday, Sunday was a complete washout. Those of us who did set off into the rain rapidly came to regret it! With the possible exception of Simon C, who actually claims to have enjoyed climbing Intake Ridge in the puring rain...

Those sensible souls who opted for the Lone Peddler in Keswick appeared to have a much better day out (especially Liz who hasn't stopped talking about her new boot bag!).

All in all, a fantastic meet – a great hut, great company, loads of new members, and plenty of snow!