Buttermere

A settled Saturday was on the horizon and in late September the club had another Hut to keep us warm in the evening.  Curry and beer on the Friday night prepared us for our adventure … Tophet Wall (75m HS 4b) awaited us.  A fine route, worth all of its three stars and inclusion in Ken Wilson’s Classic Rock.

Walking in from Seathwaite.
More sunshine !
Campers by the lake
Pitch #1 - More sheltered on the crag than at the foot belaying.
Coming up to the top of the second pitch
The rising travese of the third pitch

It had been a long time since I had previously passed Tophet Wall, after climbing Needle Ridge in 2010.  At that time it looked hard and steep.  The (multiple) guide books I read did nothing to lessen that feeling.

Having regained my climbing mojo after a  summer of Tuesday evening cragging… it was time to give it a try.

Blue skies in the pictures don’t show the wind, which was ferocious. At the bottom of the crag it was almost impossible to stand up.

Another party was first on the route, no great shame, we took our time, enjoying the exposure.

The photo from 2010 that inspired the trip
(Pitch#2)

What did the others get up to… ?

Kate and Georgina walked up onto Robinson, over Dale Head and along to Honister coming back via the slate mines and Bothies.

John, Cath and Sara walked up Red Pike via Scale Force waterfall. Then along the ridge to Haystacks. Sara being blown off course somewhere along the way.

Mike and Dave took the “beastly grind” walk in to Grey Crag and climbed a couple of routes in the afternoon sunshine.

Paul went for a run and then ticked off a couple of Wainwrights near Loweswater.

Cath, Graham and Kirsty drove over to Borrowdale to climb Troutdale Pinnacle. Knowing they were in for a long day they went to the tea shop first just in case it was shut by the time they finished.

That evening Dave helped John and Cath to review the food and drink on offer at the local pubs and were joined later by Kate and Georgina. The Bridge can be recommended for the size of their portions. Envious customers gasped as a 2-inch-thick-slice of Steak and Ale Pie was served. Some took bets on whether or not it would all be eaten. Georgina’s fish was so large that it refused to be cooked.

Back at the hut Kirsty kompered the kwiz and Graham impressed us all with his knowledge of the 90s*.

Sunday  : A poor forecast and some heavy showers saw many heading home.

Paul stopped off at Newlands Pass to bag a couple more Wainwrights: Ard Crags and Knott Rigg.

Mike, Cath, Dave and Georgina went for a short walk along the shore of Buttermere and up Rannerdale Knots.