Friday 14 – Sunday 16 March 2025

Recent years have seen an annual Spring pilgrimage to Lakeland by a small gang of DMCers and this year’s trip did not disappoint.

Niall was first to venture off on the Wednesday by train, reaching the hut on Thursday evening via a yomp over some of the eastern fells and joined by 6 other long weekenders. Another half dozen came by on Friday evening with Andrejs and Julia making an assault on Great Gable en route, whilst I bagged in the Borders.

A fine Saturday saw Susan and Dominic heading off on training runs whilst Iain took on the whole Grasmoor group with a score of 12 Wainwrights! The rest of us headed up local Helvellyn with the main party taking in Birkhouse Moor before tackling Striding Edge and the descent down Swirral Edge to Catseye Cam. Andrejs wasn’t satisfied with this and marched off to collect 3 more Wainwrights. Paulina and Susan did the honours with the communal meal and regional ales were sampled in the nearby hostelleries whilst enjoying the rugby.

On Sunday Iain, Dominic and Yasmin explored the Langdale hills whilst some of the ladies took to the sauna and lake dip option – Farenhut. Marek and Lubi left for a night’s upgrade and Niall headed off for another YHA night whilst I bagged again in the Borders.

Looking forward to next year’s trip already!!

• Report by Greg Cox