Buttermere - Birkness Hut meet

With a heatwave in progress and longest day upon us, a band of merry KMC’ers headed up to the Lake District for a weekend at Birkness Barn on the shores of Buttermere. Dave W and Caroline headed up Blencathra via Sharp Edge – plus a swim in Scales Tarn – in beautiful sunshine with paragliders swooping overhead enjoying the breeze. Jess, Mich, Lynne and Stu headed for Woden’s Wall in Borrowdale, for a late evening climb. Mich led Wimpy Way (S), Jess led Family Outing (S) and Stu led Left Hand Route (VD).

 

Sadly the weather began to break on Saturday. Harry and Becca made a 6.30am start to catch the best of the sunshine on Grey Crag, ticking off Harrow Buttress (D), Slabs West Route (HS) and Harrow Wall (VD). Jess, Stu, Christine, Neil, Caroline and Dave made the slog up the hill at a more sociable hour. Jess & Stu made short work of Harrow Wall (VD) then moved together up Chockstone Ridge (M) to beat the rain. Dave and Caroline ticked off Harrow Buttress (D) and made a start up Chockstone Ridge, but heavier rain and wet ropes stopped play. Christine and Neil flew up Harrow Buttress but then wisely decided to head down before the rain set in. Mich and Lynne headed up to the slightly closer (and lower!) High Crag, tackling Delilah (VS) before being rained off. The sun reappeared later in the afternoon in time for an invigorating swim from the beach by the hut followed by an expedition to the pub.

 

Sunday’s wet and windy weather put paid to any ideas of further climbing epics. Dave & Caroline ticked off three of the lower eastern Wainwrights: Little Mell Fell, Gowbarrow and Great Mell Fell while the climbing posse tackled Needle Sports direct.

Caroline Gay