"A" Walk Sunday 7th July 2013

Scafell, 8 miles Grade 1s

Walk Leader: John Harrison

Throughout the damp days of autumn,  the bitter cold of winter and the wet miserable days of spring we were all encouraged by the thought of the lovely, warm summer days. On Sunday that came for 11 of us with half an hour less in bed, and a drive through those magical spots of West Cumbria – Frizington, Cleator Moor and Egremont – to tackle Scafell,  England’s second highest mountain,  and all we could do was to complain that it was too hot. We struggled up the bizarrely named Slightside.  Whoever gave it that name must have  been a pathological liar.  It was steep, very spongy and teeming with nasty horse flies. Bernard made a false move by revealing that he was the only person with insect repellant and was far too courteous and kind to tell us to bring our own.  At least we had the prospect of the stunning views from the top – or so we thought.  We reached the top just as the only mist in England rolled in,  it stayed with us along the ridge to Scafell,  there were glimpses of surrounding mountains all basking in the sunshine,  and the mist cleared as soon as we got about 20yards down the descent.  Thanks to John for a day to remember!

Peter Flynn