Nine of us went to Lagangarbh, the SMC hut in Glencoe for Easter, and despite a dismal sounding forecast had a lovely mixture of typical Scottish weather…. nothing to keep the hardy bunch indoors!
Paul, Antony, Martyn and Michael were first to leave the hut on Friday morning, and had a great day on Curved Ridge and Buachaille Etive Mor. They were the first to leave on Saturday too for a traverse of the Aonach Eagach ridge. Both days exceeded their expectations! On Sunday, Paul and Antony enthusiastically headed to Ben Nevis for an outing on Ledge Route but unfortunately soft snow stopped play,,, still a long day for them.
Meanwhile on Friday, Mr JohnB alias ‘the lone wanderer’ had taken his cuppa back to bed for some P&Q before on easy day on Corbett Stob Dubh. Arriving home later than expected he later claimed that this had been ‘the toughest outing of the trip’! Over the weekend, he also ticked 2 Grahams, Meall Buidhe and Beinn na Gucaig, and Munro Beinn nan Aighenan ‘the most enjoyable day’ … that was the day he met the ‘B’ team , Wardy, Martyn and me , hot on his heels, but far enough behind to give him sufficient time to carefully route find to the summit ! Very much appreciated thank you John!
Between them, Dick and Martin ascended 6 Munros, 6 tops and 1 Corbett; Stob a Choire Odhair from Victoria Bridge and Ben Starav and tops. While Martin biked and summited Sgurr Thuilm, Dick had a much longer day on Sgurr na Ciche returning over Sgurr nan Coireachan. We stayed awake until he’d safely returned!
Keeping up with Wardy on bike rides to 4 other Munros proved quite challenging for me, especially when he skilfully tackled the numerous steams on route to remote Beinn Mhanach. We also had a lovely ascent of Stob Ban from the Lairig Leacach bothy and a great day (with fab views) on Sron a Choire Ghairbh and Meall na Teanga.
As always, Lagangarbh proved to be a very special venue and thoroughly enjoyed by all of us.

Seven of us spent a lovely weekend in Patterdale at the Agnes Spencer hut. We enjoyed two warm and sunny days walking over the snowy tops of St Sunday Crag and Fairfield, Thornthwaite Crag and High Street and Sheffield Pike. Thanks to everyone, as always, for joining the fun and sociable hut meet.

Shirley

Twelve of us joined the weekend fun and banter at the Gritstone Smithy Hut. Saturday was one of those very special Lakeland days – cold, frosty, cloudless and calm with stunning views, as can be seen in Andy’s great photos. Parties varied, approaching Hellvelyn from different directions and crossing paths along the way ! Once back in the hut, and after the power cut, preparations began for our Burns supper.

At the Gritstone Smithy the logs were a glow,
and the table was laid for the evening show.
The kitchen was buzzing whilst having a dram,
preparing the feast and the rest of the scran.
Piping the haggis…. t’was hard on the ears…
hankies were needed to wipe away tears (of laughter)!
From Barbara and Dick proceedings took hold
(the onion gravy stopped the haggis getting cold).
All gathered together we toasted for Burns
with each of the poets taking their turns.
We jeered and we cheered enjoying the fun
Raising a glass to Scotland’s fair son.
(a joint effort )!!

A great evening was followed by another good walk – it stayed misty but dry all day. Taking advantage of the good bus service, groups walked from Keswick or Grasmere whilst others departed. A few of us stayed on for an extra day and walked over Fairfield. A big and special thank you to Dick and Barbara who, once again, did a fab job in coordinating and organising our evening entertainment and thanks to all who joined the great weekend.

The day dawned a little foggy at home but by the time we parked up at Ribblehead this had cleared and we were blessed with clear blue skies and sunshine. I opted to do the walk in a general clockwise direction so the six of us plus Freddie the dog set off under the viaduct and along the valley. Layers were soon removed as everyone warmed up and as we gained height and hit the snowline and wind these were but back on. Lunch was had on the top with the wall giving us some shelter whilst we looked across to the howgills and lakes. A steady descent took us back down a somewhat icy path and back alongside the railway (not literally) to Ribblehead with Roy striding out to check nobody had nicked the pub.

CLICK HERE FOR SOME PICTURES

Andy