A total of 16 members travelled south on Friday afternoon, being joined by a couple of southern based advanced troops who travelled over the Pennines from Yorkshire. Friday evening was spent enjoying good food and ale in the Traveller's Rest pub in Glenridding village, about one mile away from the hostel. Thanks to the relaxed attitude of the Youth Hostel staff we were able to stagger the mile or so back up the road for 11.30pm.

Saturday saw Brian set off, bike on shoulder, to walk down the rough track to Glenridding and then on to Kirkstone Pass, Windermere, Ambleside, Wrynose & Hardknott passes, and Broughton-in-Furness, returning through Ambleside, The Struggle, Kirkstone pass and back to Glenridding.

Stevie B and Peter set off for Great Gable where they climbed Nape's Needle.

Meanwhile the remaining 15 of us tackled Helvellyn. It was great to step straight out of the front door of the hostel to follow the well defined path up to Red Tarn. From here most of us took a short cut from the tourist route by going straight up the hill on to Striding Edge and then Helvellyn (3116ft). Irene and Diren took the route up Swirral Edge meeting us at the top for lunch. From the summit we followed more good paths (more like motorways!) across to Helvellyn Lower Man (3033ft), White Side (2832ft), Raise (2889ft) and then back to the hostel.

On getting back to the hostel three of us (Andy, Steve and Gillian) upheld the principles of the Club by immediately going for a pint (or three) in the Traveller's Rest, and so the "Clatty Club" was born! We were joined later by our freshly showered, but less thirsty, colleagues.

Once again a very successful trip and a third trip will undoubtedly be arranged next year - any suggestions?

Steve M