An Teallach Mountaineering Club - Wasdale Meet.

After a quick tea at home on Friday night we set off on our shortest ever drive to an ATMC meet at the Murt Camping Barn in Nether Wasdale. We arrived to find one member (Helen) already in residence but it wasn't until 11.30 that everyone had arrived. Plans were made for the next day over a few drinks before we headed to bed. 

On Saturday Susan and I headed off first as we wanted to get a long day in. Under overcast skies and with the higher fells shrouded in cloud we drove to Wasdale Head and then headed off to Black Sail Pass. Here we turned right and scrambled up onto Kirk Fell. There was a strong east wind and it felt more like March than May. The summit was deserted so we had a drink and  bar in the shelter before heading off to Great Gable via Beck Head. We were amazed to find no one on Gable's popular summit and disappointed that there were still no views. 

Having dropped down the Breast Route to Sty Head we decided that the cloud was beginning to lift so chose to continue on to Scafell Pike via Broad Crag. On this leg we encountered the now normal crowds heading for England's highest point but at least the views began to open up. We had a quick food and drink stop on the top of Broad Crag but just touched the top of the Pike before heading down to Lingmell Col and then dropping down to the valley via the empty Lingmell nose route. The light was now excellent giving great views of the Scafell crags and our first two hills of the day. 

After a quick drink and bag of crisps in the Wasdale Head Inn it was back to Murt Barn where we found Brian, Samantha and Christine showered and ready to go into Nether Wasdale for their tea. They'd had a great day walking to the Head via Whin Rigg and Illgill Head on their first visit to this area of the Lakes. We prepared our tea in the Barn and waited for the final team to arrive from their Mosedale Horseshoe Round. They (Willie, Gavin, Ann and Helen) didn't arrive for another couple of hours - a long day on the hill for Willie who's now in his 80's. 

The whole team met up later in the Strands in Nether Wasdale to finish off a great day.

Scrambling up on to Kirk Fell.

Crossing Kirk Fell on route to Great Gable.

On an empty Gable summit.

On route to Scafell Pike.

Adding a layer on Scafell Pike summit.

Starting the descent to Lingmell col under clearing skies.

The fantastic cliffs of Pikes Crag and Scafell.

Looking back to Kirk Fell and Great Gable.

Dropping down Lingmell Nose.

Nearly back at Wasdale Head below our first hill of the day.

Sunday dawned bright but by the time we'd got up and packed cloud had built up and didn't move for the rest of the day on the hill. We all parked up at Greendale. Ann and Helen wanted to try a scramble on Buckbarrow but the rest of us headed off up Middle Fell at a slow pace. After lunch on the summit we said our good-byes as Susan and I wanted to go a bit further whilst the others needed to get down to head back to Scotland. 

We climbed Seatallan before descending to Buckbarrow and then dropping back to the car. The sun was shining when we got home after our 25 mile journey. An excellent meet.

Packing up at Murt Barn on Sunday morning.

Willie (the oldest active club member) nearing the summit of Middle Fell.

Susan on Seatallan summit.