It was the first trip for the new committee so something had to go wrong! The first minibus was packed to the brim, and so a message was left for the second minibus to pick up the club equipment from Churchill. This failed to get through and hence we had to manage without the club gear for the weekend! Not a mistake we're going to repeat!
The forecast for Saturday was fairly grim and so it turned out to be. The two groups which went to Wasdale had the worst of it, with white-out conditions and driving snow. Both groups aimed to get up to Scafell Pike, but only James's group made it. Rich, Nikki and her brother were spotted 200 yards from the top but still didn't make it, and started descending to Eskdale before remembering that this was not the New Year Eskdale trip and that their car was in Wasdale!
After being intimidated by the farmer, Sarah and Nigel went to Scale Force and then up Red Pike and back. A few others went over to Crummock water and Buttermere walking by the lakes.
The rest of us set off for Pillar via Caw Fell, Haycock and Scoat Fell. There were certainly no views but we didn't get the white outs, though the driving hail for a short time was quite painful enough. Ruth's group opted for a slightly shorter route coming down Windy Gap. The other ten of us went as far as Pillar and came off down at Black Sail Pass into Ennerdale. We then had the 2 hour trudge back down the valley to the bunkhouse.
In the morning the president entertained the club by cutting his finger on an open can in the bin! There then ensued a huge first aid faff led by the members of the club just about to finish their first aid course. Despite some overnight snow, the weather on Sunday was superb. It was sunny for most of the time and the tops remained clear for virtually the entire day.
Katherine led a group over to Scale Force coming back via Starling Dodd. Ian's group went up Red Pike, and came down Starling Dodd and Great Borne. Just below Red Pike we found a gentle snow slope and took the opportunity to practice our ice axe breaking - not a brilliant idea when one's cut off half one's thumb, but enjoyable none the less.
Those who hadn't done Caw Fell and Haycock the previous day decided to take advantage of the good weather, getting as far as Steeple before dropping down. (Returning to the bunkhouse at 6:15 in the Mariani group's case).
The less adventurous either went with Robin to St. Bees Head on the coast or else did the Wasdale Screes.
Despite their ambitious plans of backpacking the Ennerdale Horseshoe, Tim and Jane ended up camping Saturday night at the opposite end of Ennerdale Water to the bunkhouse.
Thanks to Sarah for booking the bunkhouse and to the drivers for driving slightly further than is usual for weekend trips.
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