Cheshire Tally Ho Lakes Weekend Forest Side Grasmere  April 9th 10th

After the huge success that Patterdale was some twelve months ago, how could Grasmere follow that!!!
32 Tally Ho members and guests will bear testimony that Forest Side did very well indeed.

Instead of meeting at a motorway service for breakfast, we had arranged at a cost of £10 per head for breakfast to be provided by Forest Side. This meant a very early start for all, to ensure we were all assembled for 8.30am. 23 sat down for breakfast, which included Steve Murray Steve Shaw and Ian Jenkinson who had pre-booked into Forest Side for the Thursday night.
Although the Hotel was still trying to find it’s feet from it’s previous owners, the welcome was warm and the breakfast was excellent, buffet style which meant you could go back for more. Although the Hotel was under staffed Anne the General Manager and her mini team worked very hard and the service was excellent.
Perhaps the biggest drama last year was Vinnie Jones going to Plas-y-nant while the rest of the club was in Patterdale, so we were all looking forward to seeing Vinnie again, after what would be at least 12 years since he was last out with the Tally Ho. Vinnie was the last of the 23 to arrive and he has not changed a bit. In fact as we prepared for the walk he showed off his state of the art Sat Nav, a flashing arm band; no Vinnie had not changed one bit!!
Two walking parties one led by Steve Blackshaw was to walk over Helm Crag, Gibson Knott, Calf Crag and then over Steel Fell, and the other planned by myself to Drive to the ODG in Langdale and then climb Pike O Blisco Cold Pike Crinkle Crags and Bowfell with the possibility that we could if time allowed also include Rossett Pike. Outside although the weather was forecast as dry and improving, the cloud was down to quite low elevations and was quite gloomy. The route over Pike O Blisco and Crinkles was excellent, tough under foot all the way round. We were in cloud at 1500 feet, but as we progressed the cloud base was gradually creeping up. There was still the odd patches of snow around we quickly gained the 2nd summit of Cold Pike and then steadily onto the Crinkles. We reached the “Bad Step” just below the summit which is the most difficult obstacle on any Lakeland path. It was here that we bumped into a small group of School Teachers from Nottingham. We gave them a bit of verbal encouragement to get up the 10 foot pitch of rock. From then on they walked with us the rest of our route. Lunch was taken on top of Crinkle Crags, when we set off we were going in the wrong direction, thanks to Des Winterbone having his compass at the ready, he spotted we were off the bearing.. The Crinkles are a very easy place to get lost. Now the cloud had lifted to over 3000feet so there was no difficulty in route finding. A brief pause at Three Tarns before the final slog up to Bowfell. We had hoped to find the path that leads onto the climbers traverse, but we missed the split. The route from Bowfell was down to Ore Gap and descend down to Angle Tarn. We regrouped near the top of Rossett Pike which most claimed their 5th summit of the day. A weary descent down Rossett Pass lead us back to the ODG and a couple of pints of very welcome beer in the sunshine.
After the evening meal which was again excellent, it was time to get off to the pub. Another walk down to the Sportsman Rest which has usually been a fantastic pub in the past. There was no-one in apart from us, and the Landlord was not very welcoming, on top of that the beer was £.3.30 a pint.
The next morning the sun shone out of a cloudless sky, another full hearty breakfast before some of us strolled into Grasmere Village.
The Saturday trail was designed by Steve Murray and supported by myself, we set off early on a glorious afternoon in very warm temperatures. Trail was laid across the field and then along the footpath that goes around the back of Butharlyp How Youth Hostel to the Easedale Road. Over Goody Bridge and ascending past the Tarn and the tough climb to 1700 foot and on to Blea Rigg summit. We moved the trail from the Grasmere edge over to the Langdale side to take in spectacular views. The trail then undulated over Silver How and headed for Red Bank before swinging to the north and descending a awful path which eventually led down to the road just short of Grasmere village, before finishing through the fields and back to Forest Side. It had taken almost 4 hours to lay the trail which was just over 10 miles in total. Most of the runners in club singlets starting to appear back from the run, most had enjoyed a superb and scenic run.
Tea and biscuits followed by another very good slide show by Walter.
Early doors was at the Swan Hotel’s beer garden, and after dinner we all made our way back into the non residents bar. A superb night followed of fine Ales and a good sing song. Eastwood decided that every song we sang would be to the words of Friggin in the Riggin.The Swan management was very good with us and helped to a really enjoyable evening.
I laid Burstons trail in the morning following his sawdust trail from yesterday. Again the weather was superb. The race would be extremely hard, not only very steep but also overgrown and difficult under foot. Eventually the first runners appeared and it looked like the handicappers plan was working. John Potter ran well and easily won the race and took the Side Pike Trophy.
At the end of breakfast the club presented Ann and the cook £50 tip for recognition of there hard work. Ann was the main reason why Grasmere had been so good, and it was good to hear the non stop praise she received.
The Sunday walk was as a club, in very warm sticky conditions we made our way into Far Easedale and out to the bridge that replaces the old Stythwaite Steps. We ascended the East ridge of Tarn Crag to the summit and enjoyed lunch in a superb grassy setting. Our way down took us past the lonely and often unfrequented Codale Tarn. We descended past Easedale Tarn and back to Grasmere for a couple of Shandy’s at Tweedies Bar.
Once again it was good to see out and looking fit and well Vice President Bill Sidebottom. Thanks to all those who help to make the weekend great. Mike Burston for him working out the fell race course, Brian Whitworth for organising the Grand National and for his work over many months collecting monies as well as his assistance over the weekend. Thanks to Steve Murray who plotted a great trail on the Saturday run. Final thanks go to Ann of Forest Side who was a superb host.

John Wilson

Friday walk  12 miles 4100feet of ascent  5 summits
Saturday    10.16 miles  1900feet ascent  2 summits
Sunday      8 miles        1650 feet ascent   1 summit