SCOUTING SENIOR SCHOOL TROOP The term has been a short one of uneventful progress. A few Proficiency Badges have been gained, some First Class tests passed and a good deal of time has been spent in completing preparations for the Lake District tour, in which nearly all the Troop participated. An account of the tour appears below. The Scouts were busy, as usual, during "Bob-a-Job" week, which was at the beginning of the holidays, but the final total of money earned is not yet available.
LAKE DISTRICT TOUR We were all very sorry to learn that Mr. Chilman would not be able to go with us this year, and thank Mr. Robinson for so ably taking his place. The party numbered twenty; three leaders and seventeen boys. We left York at 8-35 a.m. changed at Darlington and Penrith and at Threlkeld, the last station before Keswick, the "novices" with Walker and Mr. Bennett detrained and climbed Saddleback (2,847 feet). The "old hands" and Mr. Robinson went straight to Keswick and enjoyed themselves boating on Derwentwater. The novices arrived very late for supper, after a climb that was much more strenuous than they had expected. Early next day it was discovered that one bright specimen had left his camera on Saddleback and three members of the party spent the morning in recovering it. After crossing the lake by launch, one section of the party went direct to Buttermere, while the more energetic climbed Causey Pike, after which three of the tougher ones went on to climb Grasmoor. The Buttermere Hostel is a memorial to King George the Sixth and is splendidly equipped in every way. Next day—Friday—everyone went to see the 100 ft. waterfall, Scale Force, and the "flying squad" carried on up Red Pike and High Stile. From there they could see Black Sail, the most primitive hostel in the Lake District. Three of the hardiest boys decided to bathe in a tarn—but not for long ! The slower party ambled along Crummock Water and Buttermere and then up the pass to Honister Hostel at the summit. On Saturday the whole party climbed Green Gable and Great Gable (2,949 feet), except for a small group who climbed Kirk Fell instead by mistake. After lunch at the Sty Head pass, half of us climbed Scafell Pike (3,210 feet) whilst the rest returned via Seatoller, stopping for tea at Seathwaite Farm. On Sunday the route was by Stonethwaite and over Greenup Edge to Grasmere. The "flying squad" also included the Langdale Pikes and a few additional miles through faulty map-reading, eventually arriving half-an-hour late for supper.
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