HAPPY XMAS TO YOU ALL - HARTER FELL & NEAR DISASTER

[susanmyatt]

Hello and a very Happy Christmas to you all. Still struggling with a knee problem Lisa and myself set off in minus 7 on saturday morning to join the gang at The Birks at the head of the Duddon Valley. The school owned property sits at the foot of Harter Fell and after arriving and unpacking we set off up the fell, visibility was not too good and it was bitterly cold.

Lisa on the climb up

Me on Harter Fell summit

We were to meet the gang at the Newfield public house at Seathwaite but we bumped into them before that and we arrived together. After a few drinks it was back to The Birks for Xmas dinner and the weather was wet, all seemed well. When we awoke it wasn't even snowing but when it did it came with a vengence.

Snow,snow quick quick snow!

The decision was made that we all left together and it became apparent that the new rolled smooth hardcore surface road was a major problem, this was our ONLY WAY OUT

The way out

It took around 6 hours to get the cars to the pub at Seathwaite, the only phone out, and only 3 miles away Sadly in this period we had a vehicle leave the road and two people shocked. A special thanks to an off duty mountain rescue man and his 4x4 with winch who was priceless and thanks to him one vehicle with the two injured got out. For the rest of us we were stranded even with a snow plough and gritter, that only go as far as the pub. The publican sorted out a camping barn for us nearby to save us the 3 mile walk back to The Birks and a return in the morning, it was a cold night. The next morning thanks to the gritters and a cloudy night we were able to get our convoy out onto the main road at a very careful pace, even then it was 4 hours back to Stoke.
Everyone worked well as a team and it goes to show how powerful the elements are, we were well kitted out for the weather and at a push we would have had to abandon the vehicles and walk out of the valley.
Finally thanks to everyone for the kind comments on my previous posts, a very Happy Xmas and a safe and succesful 2010 to you all.

[colgregg]

Brrrr!!! That look so cold. Snow scenes always look good but I reckon I'll wait until I can see a bit of greenery before I start my 2010 campaign.

[Paul Webster]

Good to see you back - did you see people were baying for you on the [url]/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=2839[/url] thread?

Glad you are recovering from the knee problem and managed to escape from the Lakes!

[susanmyatt]

Thanks Paul, actually missed that but did read the great post, husband now working as a civil servant and has less computer time, else he would have spotted it. Sadly don't think the rest has cured it as it is quite stiff after coming back, still pushing cars didn't help it thanks for a great site, hope you are all safe in snowy Scotland and have plenty of your finest in the drinks cabinet

[mountain coward]

Pushing cars wouldn't help your knee, no! Welcome back and sorry to hear about your knee and your buddies accident! I was thinking when I saw the first pics that Duddon could be a very tricky place to get out of in snow!

[GarryH]

Wondered what had happened to you and the gang Sue when the reports dried up,thought you`d hung your boots up!
Hope the knee heals soon, so you can get back to the hills.