A great meet, and Barry's Birthday Bash! 19 of us stayed at the Wayfarers Club Hut in Langdale on 13/14 January. 19 returned. Success! On Saturday some of us stretched ourselves with a scramble up Jack's Rake, above Stickle Tarn, ably (and patiently) guided by Paul Nurse. Others opted for a lower circuit, pausing at a pub in Elterwater. And Mel went for a Park Run!
On Saturday evening we stretched our stomachs with huge quantities of lovely food and beer provided by Barry, Kay and their team of helpers. Then Peter led us in a singalong. The beer in the barrels rapidly diminished and the singing grew more raucous, but even having the fire alight for most of the day couldn't warm the washroom at the back of the main dormitory which was generally acknowledged to be the coldest place on the planet.
On Sunday, with clearing skies and a dusting of fresh snow on the summits, we almost all chose the same walk, looping along the Southern Ridge of the Langdale Valley. But half of us chose a clockwise route, and half anti-clockwise, meeting halfway with cheery greetings and plenty of gratuitous abuse.
Then home, and even the M6 was relatively benign! Next up.... Snowdonia in February.
