24th – 26th July 2020
A grand gathering of members had a great weekend in Yorkshire, once we all managed to find out where the camping field was hidden out the back of the caravan park. Helen, Phil and a very enthusiastic Gwen tested out their new grand tent in a separate child-friendly campsite whilst the rest of us (Lauren, John, Donna, Humaria, Su & Ben, Henry, Dasha, Richard, Mark, Jeff, Row & Luke) pitched up at St Helen’s.
On Saturday Helen, Henry, Dasha, Jeff & Jo got up early and caught the train (just!) from Horton to Ribblehead and were undeterred by sideways driving rain as they got off and walked up beside the railway and the impressive Ribblehead Viaduct and on to Whernside and Ingleborough summits in the improving clag. Dasha’s wishes for a big glass of orange juice were answered in less than 5 minutes on the way to Ingleborough courtesy of a handy farm shop! Helen, Henry and Dasha then carried on, after re-fuelling with ice cream, to bag Pen-y-Ghent to complete the 3 peaks before it got dark.
Mike, Mark, Lauren, John, Matt P, Row & Luke went to Almscliff and bouldered like crazy and bagged quite a few great routes. Mark bagging a slabby arete route he’s been after for years. Donna, Humaria & Richard went for a walk (yes Richard went for a walk!) around Bolton Abbey. A pleasant evening was spent outside the Fox & Hounds in Bramhope with some being very grateful the nearby bakery also did pizzas and some rather good brownies and rocky road as food stopped at 7pm in the pub!
On Sunday most went to Almscliff again, sat in warm cars and watched it rain heavily for a while then ventured out as the skies began to lighten, climbing on Low Man, bouldering or going for a walk out across the local hillsides and valleys. Mark, Dasha & Henry decided to move location to Stanage where the forecast was better and a little closer to home. Great to finally have a weekend away and fantastic to catch up with each other whilst getting back on the rock and being out in the hills again.