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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On Monday the whole party climbed Helvellyn (3,118 feet) by Grisedale Hause and Dollywaggon Pike. Two "peak-baggers" walked along Swirral Edge and added Catseye Cam to their collection. Then all made their way to the hostel along Striding Edge, though one member managed to arrive at Patterdale Hostel instead of Greenside and had an extra four miles to walk.

On Tuesday we went down to Glenridding and over either the Kirkstone or Scandale Pass, while a few whose strength was not exhausted climbed St. Sunday Crag and Fairfield. That night at the Ambleside Hostel we started a sing-song which was much appreciated by the other hostellers, especially the two solos by Moat.

On Wednesday we had the first sprinkle of rain as we made our way to Windermere Station for the journey home.

To Mr. Chilman for his help in organising the tour and to Mr. Robinson, Mr. Bennett and D. M. Walker for leading us, all who took part in this most enjoyable hike are extremely grateful.

A.D.B.

SENIOR SCOUT TROOP

Two more Senior Scouts, P/L. (S.) N. J. Magson and S. J. S. Wroe became Queen's Scouts this term, and they will attend the Chief Scout's reception at Gilwell Park in May, together with Oldman, Holt, Quickfall, Carolin and Burn. This is by far the biggest representation the School Group has sent to such a reception. Three members of the Troop, K. A. Steel, J. M. Lennox and G. D. Parkin, gained the Ambulance Badge and have thus cleared the most important hurdle on the way to becoming Queen's Scouts. The Troop was represented by Second (S.) D. R. Holt and C. J. Carolin at the Annual National Scout Service held in St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on Sunday, 22nd April. After this service Her Majesty the Queen took the salute at the march-past. Acting A.S.M. (S.) D. Pfluger read the lesson at the York Association St. George's Service, held in the Minster on Sunday, 29th April.

During the term full meetings were held fortnightly, alternating with smaller training meetings. Towards the end of term the emphasis was on pioneering, and we successfully constructed a tree lift and crane. Next term we intend to concentrate on pioneering and hope to complete rather more ambitious projects. This term members of the Troop started to assist with First Class training at the meetings of a local Church group, and we hope to extend this type of service so that our Queen's Scouts may have the opportunity of putting something back into Scouting.

The annual Senior Scout camp was held this year during the Easter holidays. Though a disappointingly small number of the Troop attended this trek camp, it was an undoubted success. The party settled down quickly and, under extremely arduous conditions, pulled together with a complete absence of the acrimony which at times marred the summer trek camp, held under much more favourable conditions. An "appreciation" of the Easter camp follows. 39

THE SENIOR SCOUT TREK CAMP The Pennine Way, Easter, 1956

"It will be tough, but not too tough for Senior Scouts." These words appeared on a camp circular issued last term and now, as we look back on our week's hiking, we fully agree with the first part, but some of us have doubts about the second. This trek camp will always be remembered for the indescribable weather which produced a varied repertoire of rain, sleet, frost, and gale-force winds which were our constant companions throughout the week. However, we dragged our trek-carts and ourselves from Hellifield to Barnard Castle and managed to maintain a high standard of living throughoutt.

On Tueday, 3rd April, we set out from Hellifield at mid-day and covered the seven miles to Malham by tea-time. Then, in a burst of enthusiasm, we heaved our carts up a near-vertical slope to the top of Malham Cove and then traversed the tortuous limestone formations for a further two miles to Malham Tarn. The camp-site that night had hot water laid on ! During the night driving rain froze on our tents and those who slept were soon wakened by the crackling of the tent fabric.

Next day we passed the Malham Tarn Field Centre and ascended the trackless slopes of Fountains Fell in a snow-storm. The nature of the ground was such that the ascent to 2,170 ft. took four hours and the descent 25 minutes. Those carts were not popular that day. When we reached Horton-in-Ribblesdale, it started to rain with increasing intensity, and half-past six found us on a local hill, in gathering dusk, looking for a non-existent camp-site. However we found a site by the river and in spite of the rain soon prepared a hot meal. It was still raining next morning, but it showed signs of relenting as we left Horton, dragging our sodden gear behind us. On our way over to Hawes we climbed upwards for seven miles along an old Roman road, and the rain was replaced by a bitter, freezing wind. It was, however, considerably more sheltered down in Wensleydale, and we found an excellent camp-site just outside Hawes.

Next day, Friday, was a rest day, and we did nothing but try to keep warm and think about the next meal. On Saturday the temperature rose, but the clouds fell and so, after paying a scandalous 4d. to see the famous Hardrow Force, we climbed Buttertubs Pass in thick mist. We made such good time that day that we reached Thwaite in Swaledale at 2-30 p.m., and our objective, Keld, was only a couple of miles away, so we followed the true Pennine Way up a local hill named Kisdon. At 6 o'cock we were utterly lost in a waste of heather and bog, surrounded by stone walls and precipices, both antipathetic to carts. However, a suitable track was eventually found, and we shot down to Keld and camped on the first piece of flat ground.

As usual, it was raining next morning as we made breakfast, but it brightened up a little later as we followed road and track over Stonesdale Moor to Bowes, where we found a transport cafe open. 40