K Fellfarers

Lathraea squamaria, the common toothwort, is parasitic on the roots of hazel and alder, occasionally on beech, and grows in shady areas. Here it is starting to show through in Gaitbarrows reserve near the Silverdale Haweswater.

	High pressure started to build during the first week. Some snow remained on the north and east facing slopes, and this photo was taken by Kevin on Helvellyn. He says - "A great day on Helvellyn yesterday. I plodded up an easy gully on Brown Cove Crags and then over Lower Man to the summit. Near to Lower Man there were old snow filled cracks in the cornice... almost 8 metres from the edge!"

With snow being in short supply this winter, some people went out again on the Wednesday following Kevin's day out above, with the intention of getting into the last bits of it. Here is a walker carefully descending Swirrel Edge with one axe.
	And then descending the slopes of Helvellyn Low Man, with Brown Cove Crags behind.

Saturday Walk - Catstycam via the north-west ridge. Lynn, Jan, Sue & Tony, Irene & Graham, Clare & Mick, Ruth, and Hugh Ten members and friends met in Glenridding car park, and set off at 10.30 up the road to Greenside. Four members faced the challenge of the partially destroyed dam wall in Keppel Cove, whilst the rest crossed the beck with some difficulty. The start of the north-west ridge isn't easy to locate, but after some wandering up the steep hillside, a path was finally located. The summit was gained, but no views and only the odd patch of snow. Because of the high gusting winds, the decision was made to forego Swirrel Edge and return via Red Tarn where lunch was taken. The clouds started to clear somewhat on the descent, and Glenridding was reached in pleasant conditions. Just time for a cuppa sat outside the cafe - spring must be on its way! Thanks to Mick for the good idea of attempting the ridge: its worth repeating in better conditions.
Ready for the off in Glenridding's expensive car park
	Mick and Clare braving the old dam wall, ignoring the Keep Off signs, whilst most other members descend the bank and cross the beck.
Resting in the mist at the start of the ridge.
	On the steep ascent
The summit of Catstycam. From left to right: Lynn, Sue, Jan, Graham, Clare, Mick, Irene, Ruth, and Hugh, with Tony behind the camera.

	Lunch stop overlooking the partially frozen Red Tarn.
The sun starts to come out on the descent of Glenridding Common.

Working Weekend
The final chapter of the Time Team dig at High House has been started by Mick and Hugh completing the recording of the excavation. They then partly covered over the archeology with sand as requested by Jamie Lund at the National Trust, and then covered that with a tarpaulin. More sand is now required to complete the covering, and then complete the writing up part of the recording process. Right shows the dig covered up Below shows Mick taking photographs as part of the recording process.


Scottish Hotel meet in Fort William 27 members and guests enjoyed another splendid week in the Alexandria Hotel, doing a variety of Munros, Corbetts, lower level walks, and train rides.

	Ten members had an great day out on Mam na Gualainn, a Corbett overlooking Loch Leven. This is the view on the ascent looking towards Glencoe with the strong wind creating lots of spindrift over Bidean nam Bian.
Here we are on the summit. From left to right - Kevin, Mick, Clare, Ruth, Adelle, David, Chris, and Norman, with Hugh behind the camera.

The superb view on the descent of Mam na Gualainn looking over Loch Leven to the Ballachulish horseshoe.
	The club is 80 this year, and part of the celebrations is a challenge for the club to bag 80 islands or more during the year. On the Tuesday, Norman, Chris, Mel, and Hugh went island bagging on Loch Morar and added 5 to the clubs count. Here they are on an unnamed island. See here for the full list
On the Wednesday, Mick, Norman, and Hugh ascended Sgurr Innse a Corbett in the Grey Corries. Here are Hugh and Mick on the summit with Stob Ban behind.
	The conditions were that good on the summit that a snooze was called for in the warm sunshine - bliss. On the descent, Mick showed his fitness by including the hills twin, Cruach Innse, that Norman and Hugh had done the previous year.
The final day saw 10 members use the Corran Ferry to get to the start of another Corbett, Stob Coire a'Chearcaill. Here they are resting on the ascent with the summit in view behind.
Strangely, having walked in very strong winds on the way up, the summit was warm and still. Here they are on the summit, from left to right - Jan, Lin, Ruth shading her eyes, Norman (behind), Kevin (behind), Chris, Mick (behind), Mel, Clare (behind), with Hugh taking the photo. A pint in the Inn at the ferry rounded off a lovely day and a great week.

Leaving the summit
	Here is a photo from Lin of a rainbow in a waterfall on the Sunday of our arrival.
This from Roger of some members at the head of Loch Shiel





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