09-12 October – Robertson Lamb Hut
For this year’s October trip, we returned to one of our favourite destinations, The Robertson Lamb Hut in the Langdale valley. There is lots to do in this area and it’s only a short drive from Ambleside for lots more choice of fells and activities.
The advance party of Dan, Alan & Kent arrived on Thursday night to get the hut warmed up for the Friday arrivals. On Friday, we started on the western leg of the Fairfield Horseshoe, then crossing over on to Red Screes before returning to Ambleside. Henry also arrived in time for a low-level circuit of the Langdale Valley, with the rest of the group arriving throughout the evening.
On Saturday, Sophie was out on the fells before 7am for a running route that includes too many fell-tops and route markers to list here. Although it’s worth a mention that her route included Jack’s Rake on the way across to Scafell Pike and Lords Rake on the way up Scafell! Shame about the bog on the way back to the hut. Shane also went out running but took a southerly route over Pike O Blisco on his way to Scafell Pike, and then down into Wasdale Head for a spot of lunch before returning over Bow Fell for the second time that day and back into Langdale.
Representing the walkers, Gill, Loz and Juan took the usual route over Bowfell & Crinkle Crags, while Michelle and Frances walked over to High Raise and the Langdale Pikes via Stickle Tarn. Stacey’s route (GMD #4, in case Malcolm is reading this!) took him over Pike o Blisco and Crinkle Crags before heading over Bowfell and Rossett Pike and down via the Cumbria Way.
Unusually for October in the Lake District, the weather was actually good enough to consider climbing. On this basis, Kent, James and Dan clambered over some slightly sketchy loose boulders on the lesser-frequented route to the base of Bowfell Buttress, then enjoyed the sun while climbing it in four pitches. Kent skilfully shuffled his way up the single HS move on lead in the slippery chimney, so Dan and James could enjoy the remainder of this classic VDiff. Alan and Henry set off to climb Pavey Ark by linking Cresent Climb and Gwynne’s Chimney. Alan led the first pitch, on Crescent Climb, but while down-climbing to a better belay ledge in the gully, slipped and took a slice out of a finger on his left hand. (Solo First Aid on a semi-hanging belay is interesting!) Henry came up and took over the lead. He made progress, however, the traverse to the ‘official’ belay looked ‘interesting and challenging’ so he returned to a fixed peg and down-climbed to rejoin Alan. Considering the time they decided to retreat. They sacrificed some slings and gear to rig an abseil; before making a safe descent down the gully.
Pretty much everyone was treated to sunshine and amazing views of cloud inversions in the neighbouring valleys. Then in the evening, we were all treated to a lovely group meal, cooked by Sophie, with Loz as her sous-chef and chief apple peeler.
On Sunday, Dan, Kent & Alan repeated most of Henry’s valley walk from Friday, while Sophie went up Bowfell and James walked over Red Pike before meeting Shane in Ambleside. Stacey and Michelle walked over Lingmoor Fell, including the famous ‘squeeze’. Those of us walking in the Langdale area then returned to the hut for a lunch of the cheese & biscuits that we were all too full to eat the night before.
Great trip and some quality climbs. And some extensive abseil practise!