ing to Antarctica (yes, the bit with the South Pole) for up to 32 months as part of the British Antarctic Survey team.  We wish you luck and er... send a postcard.  Don't try to pppp pick up a penguin, you might get your pecker pecked.  The climb down was interesting (see above) after the mist came dwn, but the view down Wastdale just below the mist line was spectacular.  We thought about climbing Scafell but discovered the Pub was open so after a long heated discussion that lasted 3 seconds we decided that as a Mountaineering Club we really should go and ..... go to the Pub.  It was 4:00pm after all, which is the evening isn't it.  After a brief break for showers we went back for some serious French Girl spotting, eating and drinking.

Sunday dawned a misty dull day which closely matched our heads, but warm and soon the sun broke through to bring a windless warm sunny day.  We decided that a trip to Langdale would break up the journey home and

Lake District 31 July 1998

I looked down the slab, over the edge and could see a vertical drop, of, well I couldn't see the bottom as  the mist was too bad, but it looked over 50 feet drop, so I warned Nick to be careful.  Phil had just stepped over the slab, Nick asked for a steadying push from me, I stepped over but my foot slipped and found myself sliding down the slab,  I tried to grab onto something and get ready for the fall, but suddenly I stopped. Relief. Luckily I had slid slightly sidewys and landed on a small ledge.  I looked round to find Shôn crouched ready to stop me, thankfully his quick actions weren't needed.  Charles, standing behind me, did manage a grab of my rucksac and hurt his finger in the process, maybe it was enough to pull me from the edge.  Whatever, thanks everyone, so only a cut finger to show for my epic!

The drive up to the Lakes was slow through Birmingham for Nick and myself, getting to the Campsite at 8:00 ready for a quick pint and bite to eat, with Albert arriving later in a state indicating he'd sampled most of the pubs between Kendal and Wastwater.  Phil, Alfie, Charles and Shaun arriving at 1:00am.  The campsite is in a beautiful setting, next to the river and with excellent showers and loo block, nice grassy field with trees to give shade and protection.  It is immediately beneath Scafell, which Albert climbed on the Saturday.  Phil, myself, Nick, Alfie, Charles and Shaun walked up the Hages crag on Great Cable, and we didn't stop or complain once due to our tremendous fitness. (?)  But ascend we did, and chose the classic direct at VD.  Alfie was in instructor mode for Shaun our first time out man, and did an excellent job so we have another convert.  Welcome Shaun, but farewell to Alfie who is go

Preparing at Hages Crag, Great Gable

as his first new car came too close to some precipitous edges, dry stone walls and other cars for comfort.

In Langdale, after a brief coffee stop in the Pub, we did the Arrow Head direct, a small route to its right and the Common route, which was nicely exposed.  Nick had a screw loose in his ankle so didn't climb.  After another sojourn to the Pub we set off at 7:00 for home.  A great trip, a pity we only managed seven.  Only one walker and no girls, come on everyone.

Bill Burt

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