just two T-shirts and my raincoat. As the ascent began up towards
cross fell and I started to get hot the raincoat came off. As I
climbed further the wind increased and shortly afterwards the mist
came down or I entered the low cloud. The raincoat was back on,
gloves, hat, neck warmer and it was still cold and the wind was strong
again. For the next 10 miles I was enveloped in mist navigating with
GPS. It was both invigorating and dull at the same time and I'm sure
you can appreciate why there are no pictures today. Descending from
the top of cross fell a figure materialised out of the mist; it was
Diana who had also stayed at Dufton YHA the previous evening and we
walked down a couple of miles together to Gregs Hut. Maintained by the
Mountain Bothy Association, Gregs Hut was a fantastic shelter for
those caught out in bad conditions, with wood pile, hearth, two rooms,
sleeping platform, and some food, eveything you need. When Diana left
I loitered to make a cup of soup and Graham soon turned up who I'd
passed on the ascent and we made the descent together. While the day
was poor for weather it was good for company.
Arriving in the campsite in Alston I found Phil and Steve already in
camp. These guys I'd met back near Hebden Bridge. They had emergency
camped on Cross Fell last night in the gale force winds when they got
too cold to continue at 2pm and came down to Alston today. They were
only a mile from Gregs hut but OS maps give no indication it's an
emergency shelter! I'm just impressed they had the wherewithal to get
in their tents even if Phils did collapse on him in the wind!
Distance covered - 21 miles.