Great Langdale weekend, Lake District, 5-7 June 2026
Eight club members ventured from Scotland, converging on the Lake District for a long weekend in early June 2026. A mixed forecast and a couple of cancellations did not impact the enthusiasm of those who made the journey.
Colin and Stela came down on Friday, stopping at Castle Crag for an afternoon of climbing before arriving at the Robertson Lamb Hut in Great Langdale. Jim, Ewen and Robin had been seeking remote hills in North Wales before the Lake District. Fiona had an evening in the Scottish Borders on route, while Martin and Mel had spent three days bagging Wainwrights in the SE Lakes.
Jim writes: “Three sexagenarian members of the club, Ewen, Robin and I took the opportunity to add a few days in Snowdonia prior to the weekend club meet to the Lakes. Whilst in Snowdonia we managed to climb two Welsh Corbetts, Arenig Fawr and Cadair Berwyn in mixed weather. We also had a pleasant couple of hours on Moel Famau in the Clwydian Hills on way back north to the Lakes.
Sunday was a day for starting early, before the weather arrived. Mel, Martin, Stela, Colin and Fiona set their sights on the classic Pavey Ark scramble of Jack’s Rake from Stickle Tarn. The cloud was lifting as they climbed into the corrie and followed several of Saturday’s mountain runners to the base of the route. Once in the shelter of Pavey Ark the stepped rock-shelf of the ridge became clearer. The route itself was enjoyable with a few damp sections, providing challenge without being too serious or exposed. Near the top the Gun-stone provided some entertainment. Leaving the scramble, the group were suddenly in a strong gusty wind, which accompanied them onto Pavey Ark, Harrison Stickle, and Pike of Stickle. Mel and Fiona descended beside Dungeon Ghyll after the second peak, with Colin, Stela and Martin following a while later. Arriving back at 2pm, ahead of the impending rain, everyone felt well satisfied with their day, except that the rain didn’t fall in the end!
Arenig Fawr meaning "great high ground" is known for its stunning views of the Snowdonia hills and its historic B-17 bomber memorial. Unfortunately, we got no views but did visit the summit memorial cairn.
Cadair Berwyn translated as "chair of the white summit" is the highest peak in Berwyn range. We ascended the hill by the Pistyll Rhaedar route giving us the opportunity to visit the highest waterfall in England and Wales.
Moel Famau gave us our best day out on the Welsh hills. This Marilyn is a short ascent from the forestry car park on Bwlch Penbarras. The summit is marked by a trig point and the remains of a monument built to celebrate the golden jubilee in 1810 of George III. From the summit we had good views of Snowdonia and parts of North West England.”
The weekend
The Wayfarer’s Club hut was initially purchased in 1929 as an old farmhouse, but has regularly received upgrades and was very comfortable for our purposes, with plenty of space and mens, women’s and mixed bunk rooms with en-suite facilities. The location, in the heart of Langdale also saved a lot in parking charges!
Saturday’s forecast was to start poor and improve, giving plenty of planning time. As it turned out everyone took their turn to climb Lingmoor Fell at different times, and from various directions. Some even found the Fat Man’s Agony, a squeeze between rock walls on Side Crag. Ewen, Robin and Jim also met up with friends in Skelwith Bridge for coffee, and Colin and Stela did some shopping until the weather improved. Fiona and Mel climbed Lingmoor from Blea Tarn (and its Heilan’ Coos) with Martin, diverging at the top and taking between one and five hours to return to base.
After Lingmoor, Martin cadged a lift beyond Blea Tarn, and set off to ascend Pike O’Blisco, Cold Pike and maybe Crinkle Crags. The rising, but still low, cloud prevented views, except for the Cols, but gave plenty of good navigation practice. Several people asked where they were and one even wanted to know which mountain he was on…. Elsewhere, little red flags denoted the route of a mountain race route for runners in several places, although only one runner was actually seen! Coming off Crinkle Crags the cloud lifted sufficiently for Bowfell and the Scafell range to come into view, adding immensely to the walk. A descent down The Band took a while, and the last three kilometres back to the hut was a chore, following a long day on Friday.
Jim, Ewen and Robin also arrived back shortly afterwards. Jim writes:
“On the Sunday, Robin, Ewen and I did a walk from the hut. We walked along the road for a few hundred metres before picking up a path to Lang How. The path had little to recommend it being hard to follow and overgrown with ferns. However, it did eventually get us to summit from where we had a pleasant walk to Silver How, a Wainwright. Silver How gave us spectacular views of Grasmere, Rydal Water and the Langdale Pikes. From the summit we descended by the path to Walthwaite and from there walked back to hut. To celebrate climbing a Wainwright, we stopped for a pint of Wainwright in the Wainwright Inn. A fitting way to conclude the trip.”
On Sunday evening saw everyone adjourn to the New Dungeon Ghyll hotel for a pleasant group meal and sampling the local beers.
Monday morning saw the group divide, half heading for home. Colin and Stela seeking dry rock on Raven Crag, while Mel and Martin over to Wasdale for more Wainiwrights before a return to Scotland. Despite the poor forecast a lovely sociable weekend was had by all, and a good number of hills climbed. The accommodation was deemed to be well-worth visiting again, if only to try the swimming pool in the stream!
Taking part: Colin, Ewen, Fiona, Jim, Martin, Mel, Robin and Stela.
Words and photos: Martin & Jim.