Lakes in March

 The following was submitted by Paul.

Saturday at noon Paul, Bev and Colin set off from Uzzicar Farm and followed the miners track up Stoneycroft Ghyll to a cairn from where we climbed steeply up to the summit of Barrow.

The view wset from Barrow

Looking East from Causey Pike

 From there we headed west skirting Outerside rejoining the Miners track climbing up to Scar Crags along the ridge to Causey Pike and down the steep descent back to the road at Stoneycroft Farm.

Sunday dawned to gently falling snow but by the time we reached the car park at Whinlatter clear blue skies appeared promising good views from our target for the day, Grisedale Pike.

Grisedale Pike

 Alas this was not to be as we reached the NE ridge at Sleet How the snow returned and on reaching Grisedale Pike full winter conditions were in charge.
 

Sleet How

On Grisedale Pike

 Not a good place to dine so we made rapid descent in deep snow back down to Whinlatter.

Aviemore

Clive, Jago, Nick and Christine attended the March meet in Aviemore. Nick and Christine's primary objective was to add to Nick's Munro bagging score, Clive's was to add to his Corbett score while Jago just wanted some quality mountain time.   
With this in mind Nick, Christine and Jago set out to do a circuit of Monadliath Munros on Saturday. Setting out from Newtonmore they climbed A'chailleach, Carn Sgulain and Carn Dearg. By taking an anti-clockwise route they avoided walking into the strong bitter cold north easterly that blew all day and enjoyed extensive views.

An icy A'chailleach Summit

Approach to Carn Dearg

Carn Dearg Summit

 Meanwhile Clive having been dropped off at Kingussie climbed Carn na Fhreiceadain which because of its rounded nature and shooters tracks right to the summit was easier to climb than to spell. However despite the aforementioned cold wind it gave a good short days walk  

Carn na Fhreiceadain Summit.

On Sunday while Clive and Jago headed home Christine and Nick climbed Geal Charn from Laggan to bring their total to four for the weekend.

Geal Charn Summit

The view from the summit.

Lakes in February

The following was submitted by Paul

An early Saturday morning start saw Colin ,Bev and Paul setting off  from Scawgill Bridge to climb a very steep hill to the summit of  Graystones.

Broom Fell and Lords Seat

 From there we headed east to Broom Fell enjoying extensive views west to the Isle of Man and north to Scotland. Good progress was made as the normally boggy ground was frozen solid.

Broom Fell

After reaching  Broom Fell we followed the ridge round over Todd Fell to the prominent cairn of Lord's Seat.

Lords Seat

We then headed down the hill past Aiken Plantation back to the car. The weather on Sunday was not as pleasant so the short steep ascent of  Barf was made.

Barf

Braemar Meet

Nick, Christine and Jago based themselves  at Braemar Youth Hotel for a weekends munro bagging. Nick and Christine headed for Carn Bhac from Inverie. Carn Bhac is a featureless mound in a remote area and is approached via Glen Ey and Alt Cristie Beag.

Looking towards Carn Bhac from Alt Cristie Beag.

The summit it was misted over and views were non-existent but nevertheless they enjoyed the day out.

Carn Bhac summit.

As Christine and Nick headed south Jago headed north from Linn of Dee his objective being Angels Peak via Corrour Bothy . White out conditions prevailed even at low levels making navigation difficult and it was with some relief that the bridge and then the bothy came into view,

The bridge and the bothy.

Corrour Bothy

After a refreshment stop in the bothy he climbed to the summit via Coire Odhar avoiding snow cornice formations on the way.

Jago with summit cairn behind.

On Sunday worsening weather conditions hastened the journey home over the Cairnwell.

Buttermere

Colin and Bev had arrived at our base in Buttermere with a plan to climb Crag Hill via Whiteless Pike and Wandhope. Jago, Christine, Nick and Clive having no real plans at all decided to join them.

We started out from Buttermere village and climbed steadily up to the summit of Whiteless Pike with views over the central fells opening up all the way.

Ascending Whiteless Pike

From the summit we took a the airy Whiteless Edge towards Wandhope. At the end of the ridge the landscape became more open and exposed to the keen wind.

The Open country before Wandhope Summit.

We continued round the edge of Addacombe Hole to the summit of Crag Hill in the bitter wind but were rewarded with extensive views over the lakeland fells.

Crag Hill Summit

From Crag Hill we crossed over Sail and headed towards towards Causey Pike by a raised path which added nothing to the aesthetics of the walk but presumably cut down erosion. Before reaching Causey Pike we cut down into Sail Beck where Clive left the others to take the gentle descent path back down to Buttermere.

The descent from Sail.

The rest continued over Ard Crags and Knott Rigg before descending to Buttermere via Sail Beck.
On Saturday night Steven arrived having completed a through route from Mosedale to Threlkeld mostly following the River Caldew.

Borrowdale Meet.

Borrowdale was damp as usual so Me and Jago decided on a walk from the hut at Grange our objectives being Grange Fell and Great Crag. We approached Grange Fell via Black Crag which looked very uninviting as we passed under it.

Rainbow from Troutdale

 We were soon on the fell tops and after a brief diversion to the summit of Jopplety How reached Brund Fell the highest of the several tops of Grange Fell.

Brund Fell Summit

  Our next objective Great Crag lay about a mile away across the fells. We descended to the track which leads from Watendlath to Borrowdale and followed a good track to Great Crag.

Great Crag from Brund Fell

Up to now the weather had been kind to us but by the time we reached Great Crag summit it was raining steadily. We descended to the picturesque Dock Tarn then steeply through woods to Stonethwaite and on to the Cafe at Rosthwaite for lamb stew and cake before following the river back to the hut.
Sunday was drier and we decided on a walk up Bleaberry Fell. on leaving Keswick we were treated to the sight of several waxwings feeding on berries in a garden. We took the Walla Crag path pausing to take in the view before heading across the moor to Bleaberry fell.

View from Walla Crag

Approaching Bleaberry Fell.

     A short fairly steep section took us to the summit where we had views of Helvellyn, Skiddaw and Blencathra before the descent back to Keswick. On the way back we took a short diversion to the Castlerigg stone circle to finish the day.

Blencathra from Castlerigg Stone Circle.

Mount Keen

The weather forecast predicted showery rain, light winds, and low cloud, but as I set off to ascend Mt Keen it was the week’s preceding downpours that were upper most in my thinking.  Heavy rain, swollen rivers, and flooded roads had been the main entertainment during my drive to Braemar the previous evening. Originally I’d planned to add to my haul of Monroes with a lightening raid on The Devil's Point via the Derry Lodge route, however I'd altered my objective after reasoning that I’d rather save that particular summit for better conditions; preferably winter conditions with the possibility of a night in a snow shelter enroute.
Nevertheless, walking in via the Glen Tanar route initially seemed a mistake, because the track was ideal for a mountain bike approach.  However, my slower pace through the pine forests and moorland was soon rewarded with better views of the surrounding autumn scenery and wildlife.

I didn't linger for long at the cold, wet, and windy summit, but as I reached the track in the Glen during my descent I met a luckier lone walker who was destined to make the summit in the mid afternoon sunshine.

When I finally reached the car park again, seven and a half hours after setting off, my feet felt well and truly pounded, but at least I'd achieved my first new Monroe summit of the year, and driving back to Braemar Youth Hostel I was comforted by the thought that if I maintain this rapid rate of progress I should finish the Monros in 2041.
Jago

Cornwall

 Way down in the south west we missed the rains and flooding in Yorkshire and managed some climbing to boot.
On Monday we all went to Chair Ladder where Paul and Christine climbed South face Direct (VS 4c), Clive and Nick climbed Pendulum chimney (HS 4b) and Colin and Bev climbed Terriers Tooth (VD) although the first pitch was inaccessible due to high seas. The same conditions caused Christine to be drenched by a rogue wave while belaying at the bottom of their route.  

Clive on the first pitch of Pendulum Chimney

On Tuesday we walked down to Bosigran from the hut and managed a few routes despite the ever-present threat of rain showers. Clive and Nick climbed Ochre Slab (S 4a) and Doorway (S 4a) while Colin and Bev did Clob (VD) and Alison rib (D).
Paul and Christine climbed Venusberg (VS 4c) and Little Brown Jug (VS 5a).

Paul leading the final pitch of  Little Brown Jug.

On Wednesday the rains drifted south and the day was spend birding and visiting tourist spots.
Thursday was better and we all headed for Gurnards Head to climb Right Angle (HS 4b). Christine led off the first rope of three to the first belay. Thereafter Paul led Christine and Colin. A quick exploration down the second pitch showed it to be wet so he continued across the 4b traverse line to belay at the bottom of  the corner. The guide book described a cramped stance but a lower semi-hanging belay was roomy enough for three people. From there he led the fine corner to the top.
Clive led the second rope with Bev and Nick following.

Christine on the traverse into the corner

The corner of Right Angle; Clive leading

Nick in the corner of Right Angle

Clive, Nick and Christine succumbed to the lure of a day trip to the Scilley Isles on friday while Paul, Colin and Bev did Bosigran Ridge (VD) once known as Commando Ridge.

Bev starting Bosigran Ridge

Bev high up on Bosigran Ridge.

Stanage on Sunday

A beautiful late summer morning and me and Paul set out for the plantation area of Stanage. I started off by leading Wall End Slab (VS 5a) which has a hard start and steady climbing thereafter.

Wall End Slab 

Crossing the slab

 We moved over to Tower face a classic HVS 5a which Paul led. This climb has some scary climbing through a brittle flake to more solid rock but still with trying moves right to the top.
Another move on past the crowds on Paradise wall brought us to Namenlos (E1 5a) which gave Paul his first grit E point of the season after I failed to lead the tough initial crack. The fact that this was Paul's first E point of the season speaks volumes about the weather this summer.
We finished up on Dover's Wall where I led Route 4 (VS 4b).

Stanage High Neb.

Paul was waiting in the car park when I arrived and a text told me that Mick and Nidal were battling with the Three Sisters. We headed for High Neb where I led Tango Buttress (HS 5a) for a warm up, the 5a moves are right at the start then steady severe climbing follows.
Paul then led High Neb Buttress (VS 4c) which gave some lovely slab climbing.
Mick and Nidal turned up having had a spanking by the sisters as I started up Norse Corner climb (HS 4c). This climb has a tough start then relents and meanders up the cliff maintaining interest throughout.
Christine turned up late as usual as Mick and Nidal departed and joined me and Paul on Inaccessible Crack (VS 4c) which Paul led.  

Paul leading Inaccessible Crack 

Paul then brought the evening to a close by leading Christine up Gunter (VS 5a) which has steady climbing up to a hard finish.