It's In the Bag: Holdsworth - Mitre

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IT'S IN THE BAG. HOIDSWORTH MITRE à à . November 11.12.13. 9 p.m. Friday night saw the usual bustle at the Railway Station as 19 bods climbed aboard the truck, and set out for Bannister Hut. This was reached close on midnight and in varying stages of fitness ( and unfitness) we sorted ourselves out. We were seven, that is seven of us had high hopes of a Holdsworth- Mitre in the bag, and if so we would dedicate it to "Nuts". Promptly we changed and headed for Mountain House, which was reached 11 hours later. The sack was the immediate order and after setting the alarm for 6 a.m, we settled down for a few hours sleep. It was an extremely cold night and because of this we all woke up before the alarn went off. Don emerged from his bag and commenced breakfast operations, during which time we s-1-0-w-1-y packed our gear. Seven ack emma found us leaving Mountain House and plodding up to Powell, this was reached at ten to eight and thirty minutes later we pushed on towards the trig, By this time the sun was out in full force accompanied by a very slight breeze from the South : this is it we thought.. a Holdsworth Mitre.. the whole seven of us. By a quarter to nine we had reached the trig and salubed in the sun : seven supine stalwarts!! But what is this : Alex who had woken up not feeling very happy about his pie-the-night-before now decided to turn back.. and then there were six, He returned to Mountain House to join Bernie's party. Half an hour of our valuable time was spent at the Trig and we then headed along the ridge for Mitre. Some of the chaps very nearly becane discouraged at this stage when upon enquiring from "Hori" just where was Mitre and he nonchalantly pointed out some bump hardly visible.. way way in the distance. It was not until we had passed McGregor that it began to creep nearer or we began to creep nearer. About Half way to Jumbo the air was very blue and very warm to say the least for a few moments. John, Don and I walked over a rise in the ridge and not more than 25 yards away were two STAGS! All we could manage was a yell : our rifles were home! We rested at a Tarn on Jumbo and headed for Angle nob. At this stage Trev, who was not the best turned back.. and so we were five. ( Like the Iittle Nigger Boys we thought how many will be left.) Another rest was called for at Angle Knob and then off for McGregor where we found a tarn quite handy and halted for lunch at 11,45 a.m. Whilst we were having lunch we were treated to a first class view of the air drops on Dorset Ridge. Whoever was doing the job carried it out very well as all the parachutes and parcels landed in a small area. Lunch then finished we were on our way over the Broken Axe Pinnacles at 12.25. We traversed these quite happily until we reached the last one, which we had to sidle by climbing DOWN on the east side, traversing low under the Pinnacle and coning BACK onto the ridge to South King.

Then followed an open uphill drag and South king was gained at 1.30p.m. "Hori" and I were abused at this stage because we claimed there was a tarn near the top and unfortunately we were not able to find it until we reached the far side of North King. de spent fifteen minutes sitting in the sun on top and sorting out the ridges running down to Mitre Flats. There is quite a prominent one running down to the back of the Hut from North King which would be well worth while investigating. On we pushed again at 1,45 p.m, for North ing which was reached at 2.25 p.m. after going over the Middle King. The I plane flew over again and we wasted some time ( and had a rest, any excuse) contemplating whether it would hit the ridge or not. We found a tarn, had a drink and an argument as to where the new hut would be and then set off for Adkin Saddle and a large tarn there. Before reaching the Saddle a cold wind had come up from the North and it drove us off the Saddle and up to Girdlestone which we gained half an hour from the Saddle. Here we needed no encouragement to stay for ever as most of us were bedded down in the deep snow grass out of the wind and indulging in the odd snack ( with the exception of John who couldn't find a parking place) and thus we gazed at the sky and at the Northern Crossing Route. We were forced onwards again at 4.15 p.m. Due to the cold wind we were kept moving over Brocket and the flat part of the ridge and onto Mitre. On the far side of Peggy's Beak we found the only shelter, but were mobile once more at 5.20 p.m. after a bite of chocolate and donning our Parkas. Now we were. heading for witre Flats Hut - which we reached at 6.50 p.m. after quite a downhill graunch and losing the track but once. Our feet were on fire and the cool cool waters of the river were a blessing not until this menial task had been accomplished did we turn to thoughts of tea and bed. Sunday, ofcourse was spent in wandering down the river to rejoin the other parties and pick up the truck. ie were fortunate in reaching our transport before it rained : and can count ourselves as lucky as regards the weather the whole week end. The times were: Holdsworth Trig - 9.15 am.depart. Jumbo arrive 10.15 am. depart 10.30 e.m. Angle Knob arrive 11.00 depart 11.15 a,m. McGregor 11,45 arrive depart 12,25 pm, Sth.King arrive 1.30 pm, depart 1.45 p.m. Nth.Aing arrive 2.25 depart 2.35pm. Adkin Saddle Arrive 3.20pm. depart 3.35pm. Girdlestone arrive 4.5 depart 4.15pm. Peggy's Peak arrive 5.10 depart 5.20 p.m. litreFlats arrive 6.50pm. The party: Don Jeffs, Graeme Hall ("Hori"), John Symes, Dudley Morris, and Dave Catchpole. : Dave : To our NEW MCMBERS - Ron Gordon, Graham Donald, John Symes, lan Clark and Keith Garbutt (rejoined) we extend a warn welcome. To our newlyweds a Mick Douche, George Horwood, Hugh Talbott and Karin and Duncan Boswell we wish all the best. To proud parents Tony and Bubs Rebinson congratulations upon the arrival of Bonnie Helen.