Articles

Return to Ennerdale

By Mel Evans

Pillar Rock, situated between the valleys of Ennerdale to the North and Wasdale to the South is often said to be the home of rock climbing in the Lake District. Immortalised by Wordsworth in ‘The Brothers’:


You see yon precipice – it almost looks
Like some vast building made of many crags.
And in the midst is one particular rock
That rises like a column from the vale,
Whence by our Shepherds it is call’d, the Pillar... Read full article

Stranded at the Hut

By Sue Goddard

Following on from last month’s snowing in of Ken Priest, it is my turn to seek refuge with my eight carefully selected tomes. I have limited my choice to those currently sitting on my bookshelf, otherwise this could have taken some months.

My first selection is a paperback copy of Soldiers on Everest by Jon Fleming and Ronald Faux. This book tells of the joint Army Mountaineering Club with the Nepalese Army attempt on Everest in 1976. This is a cracking tale, easy reading and full o... Read full article

Climbing Weekend

By Pete Poultney

‘Twas just after 8:00am on Friday morning when I arrived at Mel Evans’ abode in the posh end of Kingswinford, and after loading the van we made our way to Snowdonia. Ironically the weekend was organised by Ken Priest who couldn’t make it because of man flu (as you know ladies is the worst kind!)

On route we stopped off at Pinnacle cafe at Capel for a cuppa and beans on toast where Mel suggested "Bochlwyd Buttress" just up from Ogwen cafe. Neither of us had climbed here before ... Read full article

3.5 Men in a Boat (and a rescue)

By Dave Jones

Lee Grainger had mentioned some months previous prior to his Birthday on 21st July that he would like to organise a wild swimming weekend on 4th to 6th September 2015. We had booked the club hut in advance for myself, Lee, Andrew Wright & Tom Keeling. Some of you may remember ten year old Tom Keeling from his first club meet to Seatoller some months back. 

Two other groups were also present at the hut doing their own activities which included a Sea Kayaking... Read full article

Icelandic Adventures

By Sue Goddard

Thursday 13 August saw Jo Cheung, Dee Sehdeva and me sprinting through Manchester Airport trying to catch our flight to Reykjavik. The sprint was caused by the extraordinary lengthy queue at the Easyjet checkin, not due to any tardiness on our part. No duty free, no breakfast. A shocking start to our trip! Luckily bacon rolls were served on the flight. 

We landed in Reykjavik to temperatures of 7 degrees and pouring rain. Oh, and it was a bit misty too – perf... Read full article

Stranded at the Hut

By Ken Priest

I thoroughly enjoyed John Edwards’ article some time ago about choosing a selection of mountaineering books, where he alluded to the Radio 4 programme Desert Island Discs. Having enjoyed this programme for many years, I would like to encourage members to put forward their selection of mountaineering literature. Unlike some pastimes, we are blessed with a plentiful selection of books, and over the years I have both enjoyed and been inspired by climbers’ exploits from nearby Wales to the ... Read full article

I love Ennerdale...

By Hilary Jones

So I read the National Trust beer mat in the Fox and Hounds. Well, let’s see:

• It’s a remote, beautiful valley in the Lake District

• It boasts not one but two Youth Hostels

• Ennerdale Youth Hostel is a fun place for a sleepover – ask the bright young girl who accosted Nigel on arrival (You can’t park here, we’re still getting off our minibus. Where ar... Read full article