wfdbwgua: Sunday from the Smithy

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Sunday from the Smithy

Having left Nic’O and JtE after Saturday morning’s run, I dashed home for a quick shower and a word with the bricky who was rebuilding the pillar knocked over a couple of weeks back and motored up to Lattrig. By a stroke of luck R4 was replaying Othello with Lenny Henry in the title role – very emotional. Anyway having got to the car park below Skiddaw, I missed FSS and Helen (BG Aspirant) on their return to the support vehicle manned by Rae (partner of Helen). The tops were completely shrouded in dense white cloud, although Lattrig was clear as a bell. I passed a pleasant time watching the folk descending and had a little stroll onto Lattrig.

On returning to the car I chatted to a few walkers and gave a lift to one solo walker who had become separated from his companions, a frightening experience in the whiteout conditions in which he found himself. On arrival at the Smithy on the edge of Thirlmere, owned by the Gritstone climbing club, with whom the Rucksack Club have reciprocal rights, I placed another log on the fire and it wasn’t long before my three companions arrived.

Hot drinks imbibed and tales of the day ensued and I have to say I wasn’t sorry to have missed the two-leg recce of the BG route endured by FSS and Helen. There’s no doubt that Helen is well on the way to being in great form for her May attempt and it’s a bit of a shame that we’ll be in Scotland on that weekend. Three big weekends ahead will give her and FSS plenty of bang for their bucks with the High Peak Marathon, Haworth Hobble and Edale Skyline in the offing

Excellent evening with good food and wine fuelled a relatively short Sunday outing from Little Town over the first leg (anti-clockwise) visiting Robinson, Hindscarth and Dale Head. Much better conditions on Sunday with high cloud, but again bitterly cold with a biting north wind. 9 miles with 2,547ft climbing.