Attendees: Maggie (trip coordinator), Claire, Alan, Mark C, Pete, Barry, Gary, Andy, Ian, Lee, Simon, Dan, Maisie, Kate, Amelia.
When: 9th-11th December 2018
Where: Honister Hause, Honister Pass, Seathwaite, Lake District.
Five of us set off on Thursday evening and so were able to do a walk on Friday. Andy and Gary walked from the hostel to Black Sail YHA and onto Haystacks. Maggie, Alan and Claire went to the Chris Bonnington exhibition in Keswick and then did a circular walk which included Castle Crag. In the evening Gary made us yet another great curry and his now legendary crumble!
On Saturday the weather was not the best we have ever had.It rained for most of the day and the wind particularly on higher ground was really strong. Despite that all went out for varying lengths of time ranging from a couple of hours to 10!
A group of us started together and walked up to Grey Knott and Green Gable (801m) with the intention of doing Great Gable (899m). However due to the poor weather conditions Claire, Alan, Gary and Maggie decided to head down the valley past Black Sail hut and onto Haystacks. While Andy, Ian and Barry did Great Gable and then continued on to do Glaramara (783m). Needing some warmth and liquid refreshment they stopped at the pub in Seathwaite before the long haul up the valley back to the hostel. Arriving back at 7.00pm having spent the last 2 of the day descending in the dark trying to find the trail as is disappeared under streams of flowing water runoff!
Mark, Pete and Lee did a huge running circuit which included Great Gable and Scarfel Pike (977m). They then stopped briefly for well earned refreshments at the pub at Wasdale and came back via Black Sail Pass. Approximately 15 miles!!
Dan, Maisie, Kate and Amelia walked up to Dalehead (753m) and Dan and Maisie continued on to Robinson (737m) looking for way markers.
In the evening Dan cooked a gourmet meal starting with baked brie and sour dough rolls, followed by salmon en-route, beef wellington plus loads of veg. As if this wasn’t enough we finished with a delicious bread and butter pudding and brandy cream. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all after abig day in the hills!
The weather on Sunday was a huge improvement as the clouds cleared, the sun shone and the wind died down. Various routes were undertaken before heading back to Newbury which included:
- Dalehead, Robinson, Buttermere
- Castle Crag from Rosthwaite
- Helm Crag from Grasmere.
Another great NMC weekend!
Maggie