NUFWS kicked off the year with a visit to the village of Threkeld in the Lake District to tackle a classic fell – Blencathra. A bikeless gear secretary braved the early morning romp to the gear store to round up his kit to take to the Student’s Union where a rabble of eagar fellwalkers were already gathered, a fine morning sky spelt good luck for the day to come.

Due to a gustful forecast there was no luck getting anyone interested in an attempt at Sharp Edge (although a few brave souls were spotted traversing its rocky spine from below), nevertheless the long route, with Secretary Sweeting at the helm, trounced the Wainright Bannerdale Crags (683m) (despite an unforseen path closure meant the group was forced to go straight up the side of the hill). After enjoying the blusterous atmosphere on top of Bannerdale we dropped down to have lunch in the col between it and Blencathra where a brief chance confluence of both of the medium groups gave a chance to see what was to be expected on the summit (spoiler: wind). A final summit push up the North arm of Blencathra (868m), over Atkinson Pike, gave a wind-battered long group a brief moment to observe their achievement before being hurried off down the broad West shoulder by an impatient breeze, down over Blease Fell and looping back around to The Salutation Inn where there was plenty of time to enjoy reasonably priced food and pints (a pint of lime and soda in my case).

Below: Medium group at the summit of Blencathra.

The other two medium groups had similar experiences with the wind on an unwelcoming fell, whilst a smaller short group took a brisk amble to the lookout point over Keswick of the Wainwright Latrigg (368m) whilst surveying the might of Lonscale to their NE and the expanse of Borrowdale to their SSW before looping back.

Below: Short walk at the Summit of Latrigg.

After a successful first day trip everyone piled onto the coach for a sleepy drive back to Newcastle.

Below: View of the Lakes looking towards Keswick from Blease Fell.

Hope everyone enjoyed the trip as much as I did, if you’ve read this far petition James to reinstate joke of the week on the weekly emails by sending your favourite jokes to J.A.Sweeting2@ncl.ac.uk.
See you guys on the next trip and a big thanks to everyone that made it possible it is much appreciated.
-Laurence
President