This was the Club’s third official trip south of the border to the Lake District, having previously visited Langdale and Keswick – and there was also an unofficial meet at a camping barn in Borrowdale.

The hut is owned by the Cleveland Mountaineering Club and is situated in the village of Patterdale nestled beneath the Helvellyn range.

The hut is very well maintained and equipped with cosy lounge, drying room, kitchen and its own library as well as a very spacious sleeping area.

Members attending:

Jason Bostock, Raymond Evenden, Michael Lever, Marie Lever, Lorn Smith

Guests:

Andy Bostock, Mark Charlesworth, Philip Hall

With the recent spate of Atlantic storms heading our way, the journeys to the hut did not involve any hillwalking, most people instead preferring to savour some of the Lakeland pubs and cafes en route. Mike and Marie chose the Booths café and Philip and Jason visited the Kirkstone Inn at the top of the pass, the highest pub in Lakeland at 1481 feet.

Mark and Andy chose to head straight to Patterdale where everyone finally met up in the White Lion to await the arrival of Lorn and Raymond – their journey along the shores of Ullswater proving to be a little tedious due to the recent heavy rainfall and flooding.

Once everyone had safely arrived at the White Lion for refreshments and to warm up, the hut was located and the fire lit.

Michael and Marie had been busy preparing our meals for the weekend, turkey meatballs for the Friday and ham hock soup for the Saturday. They didn’t disappoint, with most people going back for seconds,

The usual party atmosphere and banter ensued with plenty of dancing and music.

The following day’s weather forecast gave us the luxury of a late start, heavy overnight rain was to be replaced by snow and hail showers and 70 mph winds.

On Saturday, Marie and Philip opted for the sensible decision of a lazy day whilst Lorn, Raymond, Jason, Andy and Mark headed up for the deep trench of Grisedale up to the tarn, the head-on wind making progress slow. Andy and Mark soon turned back and Lorn and Raymond decided to abort Fairfield in favour of St Sunday Crag with Michael and Jason.

 

The weather deteriorated further with our arrival at the tarn but at least the wind and hail were now behind us as we climbed to Deepdale Hause. Conditions on the summit meant that there were a few interesting stances just to stay on our feet. With the aid of the wind we descended on to two further Wainwrights, Birks and Arnison Crag enjoying the views across a rather swollen Ullswater along the way.

Having safely arrived back at the hut to warm up, Lorn and Raymond joined Philip for some refreshments in the White Lion. Andy, Mark and Jason decided to wait by the fire for Michael and Marie’s ham hock soup which once again didn’t disappoint. Raymond, Lorn and Philip arrived back shortly afterwards for another night of banter and partying.

The following morning, Mark and Andy left early after breakfast and Michael and Marie, a little later.

Lorn and Raymond decided to head for Keswick before climbing another Wainwright north of Bassenthwaite Lake, Binsey.

Jason and Philip headed down Borrowdale to the slate mine for some sightseeing, finally ending up in the Fish hotel in Buttermere.