Swaledale Outdoor Club

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Langdale

Eight members and one SRR member met at Dungeon Ghyll in Langdale to find low cloud already obscuring the fell tops. A light drizzle was beginning as we disinfected our boots at the access point prior to beginning the ascent to Stickle Tarn. At the tarn a short coffee stop was taken to allow everyone time to catch their breath after the steep climb although by now the rain was steady but still relatively light. From the tarn we made the final ascent onto Harrison Stickle but the rain and low cloud obscured the view and made it quite chilly. On finding the shelter of some rocks we had a quick lunch and then continued onward along the ridge to High Raise, after a check of the compass to ensure that we took the correct track.

At High Raise the rain had eased and the cloud was beginning to lift a little allowing tantalising glimpses of the valleys below. The path down to Stake Pass from the summit was faint and took a little finding in the murky conditions but Jeremy (full of confidence in the leader) said that if we got lost he had his GPS gizmo with him - we did not need it! Soon it had stopped raining completely and the clouds began to clear giving ever increasing sunny breaks.

At this point Ian began to enquire about the effectiveness of different waterproofs by asking all the ladies present if they had dry knickers. They all claimed to have although no evidence was produced. This line of questioning obviously distracted his concentration from the walking and a stumble slightly turned an ankle. Fortunately this was not serious and he continued with the aid of a stick produced from the leader's rucksack.

At Stake Pass we joined the Cumbrian Way which we followed down Stake Gill into Mickleden. As we did so the weather was improving by the minute allowing good views down into Langdale and up to the Pikes where we had been not many hours before in the murk and rain. The descent was steep but short giving way to the flat, broad valley floor - its wide easy track soon returning us to our cars. The cloud by now had largely cleared to reveal a warm sunny afternoon in which we all revelled as we took a well earned lemonade (anag.) in a nearby hostelry.

Thanks to all who made the longer than usual journey to join this walk of about eight miles and make the day enjoyable despite the early rain.

Alan Turner

Last Modified: 7 May, 2003