Related links: K-Fellfarers The Scafell Hotel Castle Crag Remembrance  Castle Crag video

  On arrival at High House my first test was to get the Land Rover over the bridge.  The recent heavy rains had allegedly washed out some of the bridge parapet.  Would the structure take the 1.8 tons of steel and aluminium?  Gladly, I parked up at High House and was immediately welcomed into the fold.  The whole place is well appointed with kitchen, two main dorms, a drying room and communal area cum dining area.  There was nearly a full complement of members in for the night ranging from young children to some of the more established members.  I was really impressed with the whole set up.  As I said later, if you were to place a pin or two where you wanted such a club hut you'd choose upper Borrowdale or somewhere like Patterdale.  The choice to purchase High House in 1934 really was a wise decision.

 

Despite the comfort of the cast iron stove and promise of cups of tea, I really was keen to get out.  Despite the weather, Mick Fox decided to join me and together we planned to walk around into Comb Gill.   Walking towards Rosthwaite along the 'sow' path we turned up into Comb Gill, one of Lakeland's better text book examples of a hanging valley.  Walking up beside the gill, roaring after all the rain, we decided to aim for Dove's Nest Cave.  I think I intended to look around more, but when we got there the wind was chill and the rock was just too greasy.  Without rope or proper planning we decided to venture in just a little before retiring for lunch.

 

After refreshment, we headed for the skyline easily defined by the notch of Comb Door.  Mick pointed out several good climbs on Raven Crag and we interpreted some new routes for scrambling which we'd explore at a later date.  Although the weather was blustery and wet we had a good line of approach to Comb Door and the views north across the 'Jaws of Borrowdale' were magnificient.  At one point sun beams landed on Castle Crag illuminating it like some giant super trouper on a stage.

 

We dismissed any intention on Glaramara summit and turned onto the northern flank aiming for High House.  The views of Great Gable from this angle are certainly unusual and as we descended to the valley I kept pausing to view the objective for the following day's Remembrance walk.  Descending Hind Gill was quite steep but we were soon back to the valley.  After two days in Lakeland I now had two walks under the belt and certainly two interesting routes.

 

 

In the evening, a few of us walked the mile or two up to Rosthwaite.  The walk up in rain made the pint on our arrival at the Scafell certainly well worth it.  Mark Weir was in full flow as we arrived and after a couple of stories concerning aeroplanes and a visit to Tashkent we then had the owner of the Scafell Hotel to contend with!  Miles Jessop delivered the Remembrance service on Castle Crag on the Sunday and I'm sorry he had to contend with a second visit to my garlic bread from dinner.  He certainly wouldn't let me get away with that one and by the time I left the bar everyone knew who I was!  The generous pint of beer however, was very welcome!  Thanks Miles.

 

I must thank Mick and Clare Fox for welcoming me to the K-Fellfarers hut at High House.  Mick proved an exceptional walking partner whilst Clare the ultimate chef.  Thanks for everything although I don't think Miles enjoyed the garlic, Clare!  By the time I left the Scafell Hotel everyone knew what I'd had for dinner.  Anyway, I'll be getting him back some time soon.  Revenge, is as they say, a course best served cold!  Both Mick and I walked back to High House and retired ready for an early start up Great Gable.