After the recent non-events, some of us are beginning to experience withdrawal symptoms! 1100 start. I shall be looking for exceptionally wet conditions in which to deploy my recently acquired swimming strengths. I hear from the organiser that there will be no hot tea this year. Bring a flask. Non-runners: I suspect you have little idea how encouraging your shouts can be. Be in good voice, if you decide not to be fleet of foot. Watch out for James Tubby (one of the very few recruits to Oread running in recent years) as he claws his way up the results while some of us slow down!
Pam has taken over this meet from Tony Howard. The church hall in Coniston has been booked again. This is only a week before the Annual Dinner, so there will be no communal meal. The Lakes at this time of year can be very entertaining and should offer good walking and/or climbing at a time when the exercise will do us all good. If you would like to go, please let Pam know ASAP
Please arrive on time (7.30) for the special general meeting which precedes the dinner.
Mike Hutton will speak about Mount Arapiles in Australia, the Lofoten Islands in Norway and the Grampians.
This year for those who delight in the prospect of a night under the stars, [or as is more likely thick cloud, producing rain, sleet or snow], they can savour a second night in their damp bivvy bag as there is no accommodation available just a muddy field for £2-50p. The upside of this is that the bar and hot food are only a fifty yards away. Friday evening we shall gather at the Postgate public house (NZ805054, on the north side of the railway bridge; car park a few yards south of the bridge is free) at Egton bridge for the usual consumption of alcohol and to prepare ourselves for the ordeal ahead. At throwing out time a shortish tramp will take us to a disused quarry where we may spend the night with a little shelter from any nasty winds that may be blowing off the North Sea. Saturday will see us tramping southwards through some pleasant countryside before turning west onto a part of the Lyke Wake Walk taking us through heather and bogs over to the Blue Man-i-th'-Moss and onto Shunner Howe and Blakey Ridge where resides the Lion Inn (SE679997) for the night. Sunday will see us returning to Egton Bridge by way of Great Fryup Head and Glaisdale Rigg. Like all great plans it will probably not survive contact with the Oread. See you there. Derek.
The K-Fellfarers hut, "High House" at the end of Borrowdale, was the venue for this meet which was blighted by poor weather on the Saturday. The dampness did not stop us getting out and trying new paths, open topped bus rides and launch trips in the valley. I had never walked the whole length of the main Derwent valley and was pleasantly surprised by its beauty. It even had a section with "chain assistance" similar to some alpine hut walks. A mandatory stop in Grange was made to sample the treacle sponge so beloved of Pam. The group split at this point. One took the low road and the other the high road. The high road team were still in the pub when we went for a meal 2 hours later! Dave Jones and Co did an ascent on Cam Crag, finding it quite slippy. Sunday found us again in two main teams, one doing some climbing and the other walking out from the hut to Sourmilk Gill, Gillercomb, Green and Great Gables and returning down the Sty Head Pass. The weather was much improved and quite delightful for October. Thanks to the 16 members who came and supported the meet. To those who didn't, you missed a great get together in a superb hut. NB. This hut has reciprocal rights with the Oread and can be booked as we do Tan Yr Wyddfa, on an individual basis. JG