Just before the Glencoe weekend, the weather suddenly changed from mild and damp to cold and dry - and not before time. These photos were taken on a walk over Crinkle Crags where a fine temperature inversion was in evidence.
Right shows the view over to Scafell and Scafell Pike, below left the view down Langdale with Pike O'Blisco showing on the middle right and Lingmoor just peeking out in the distance right. Below right is a black and white view from The Band over to the Langdale Pikes.

The clubs first meet in Glencoe was in 1968, and by the mid 80's a winter meet based in the Clachaig Chalets had become an annual occasion. Following last years amazing weather, we were wondering whether it could be repeated. Culter Fell in the southern uplands was the 'warm-up' hill on the journey up on the Friday. The summit was in cloud, but it cleared nicely on the descent.
On the Saturday, Hugh and Mel dropped Mick and Alan off in Glen Etive to enable Alan to increase his Corbett count to 98 with an ascent of Beinn Mhic Chasgaig. Hugh and Mel then drove further down the glen and celebrated Mel's birthday with an ascent of the munro Stob Coir an Albannaich. After a very steep start up the slopes of Beinn Chaorach, the rest of the walk was in white-out conditions. With excellent timing (or good luck!) the four met up again in Glen Etive for the drive back to the chalet. Meanwhile, Graham struck lucky at last by having clear weather on the summit of Ben Nevis after ascending via Number 3 Gully.
Saturday night in the Clachaig was marred by a poor singer and even poorer beer, so we had to revert to whisky.
The Sunday forecast of rain and snow was accurate, and a return to Cumbria was made with a stop in the Drovers Inn at Inverarnan for coffee. What a great place. A chalet has been booked again for 2014, and hopefully we will have enough interest for two chalets.

Alan, Mick, and Mel on the summit of Culter Fell in the cloud.

But the cloud lifted on the way down to reveal a lovely afternoon. Here are Mel, Hugh, and Alan admiring the view

Charlie's Walk

Members only weekend at High House

With eight members arriving via the bus from Kendal, and four members by car, all twelve met up at Newby Bridge for Clare's mid-week walk. Unfortunately, Clare couldn't make it so Mick was asked to deputise. Leading up to the summit of Summer House Knott, the group examined the crumbling tower-cum-summerhouse known as Pennington Lodge Tower - right. The way led down through private land to the hamlet of Finsthwaite (derived from Finns clearing), and up to Low and High Dam's, passing close to Roger Heights.
The group were that busy congratulating themselves on missing the forecasted rain and settling down for lunch, that they didn't notice the rain coming: but it didn't last. Round the top lake and back via Great Knott Wood, the walk looped back to Newby Bridge and finished with tea in the Newby Bridge Hotel.

Thanks for the walk Clare, we missed you!

New mattresses have been installed in all the dormitories at High House. Thanks to Safefoam for their excellent service.