Guests were ferried to the top of Great Dun Fell from Appleby by
Rotarian drivers who also acted as guides to lead them by foot
across about two and a half miles of the Pennine Way from Great
Dun Fell over Little Dun Fell and onto Cross Fell. Fortuitously, located on Great Dun Fell is a
Radar Station with a metalled access road, thus allowing good vehicle access and parking thanks
to the kind permission of The National Air Traffic Services.
The weather at the top of the Pennines can change very quickly and can range through Spring, Summer and Winter conditions all within the space of an hour! Snow has been known to lie on the summit for up to 140 days a year, and the famous “Helm Wind” which blows off the Pennines from the East can blast the Fell bottom villages with a fierce gale of hurricane proportions. The week long Challenge encompassed all of these weather conditions, culminating in a strategic withdrawal from the camp on the last Friday in the face of heavy rain and forecasted 70mph storm force winds.
Appleby’s regular Wednesday evening meeting was held at the camp as a joint one with Upper Eden. Members walked in from Great Dun Fell in pleasant weather and on arrival Stewards for the evening David Crosby and David Watkinson signed members in and took payment for the evening meal. Some members came with the intention of setting high standards for the elevated Rotary meeting and changed into full dinner suit attire! Back | More
