Despite classic autumnal lakeland conditions of torrential rain and gale force winds the club managed to make a success of the weekend.

Saturday
Heading out from the car park at Honister it was obvious the day was going to present some challenges.  After 50 mins we were at the base of Gillercomb Butress and already soaked.  A casual glance at the slimy moss covered groove saw the first, sensible, party  spin 180 and head back to the shelter of the slate mine’s beckoning cafe.  The remaining, foolishly optimistic, team spent 20 mins sliding around the first 2 meters of the route before joining the others on a wet descent back to the cafe.  Following copious amounts of tea in the cafe moral was boosted enough to take on the challenge of ‘Plan B’.  We split into two groups one with the aim of bagging some additional Wainwrights the other set their sights on Shepherds Crag in the hope of drier rock.  Team ‘Wainwright’ managed to tick off Great Mell Fell, Little Mell Fell, Gowbarrow Fell and Glenridding Dod, team ‘Shepherds’ found dry rock and styled out 3 fine pitches on Jackdaw Ridge.  Rounding off the day with a few pints in Keswick.

Sunday
The weather, once again was less than to be desired, none the less we headed to the only piece of Gabro south of the border on the east side of Carreg fell.  Rick, wisely, snook off at the the start of the short but steep slope leading up to the crag while the rest of us started our scramble up the fell side.  After several meters of ascent it was evident that this short approach was not going to be short in time.  30 minutes of battling with 6 ft brambles and bracken saw us at the bottom of a smooth slab, which would have offered delightful climbing had it not been; wet, slimy, cold and mossy, one for next time!

All good fun and a great adventure, notably the time spent in the pub.