Club updates

Members are now able to book the Lodge again, provided they keep within Covid regulations, for dates following the completion of the current building works.

There is still some building work to be completed, mainly on the outhouse, but the Committee has decided to open up bookings of the Lodge from the 15th July. 

Paul Linford, Bookings Secretary

Given the gradual relaxation of lockdown rules and the fact that overnight stays are now permitted again in the Lake District, some members have asked whether the Lodge can now reopen to external bookings.

Regrettably however we have decided as the club committee that it will need to remain closed for the time being.

This is partly because Covid-19 remains a fast-changing and rather fluid situation, with the imposition of local lockdowns in certain areas coupled with the new restrictions on social gatherings announced on 9th September.

But it is also because there is important construction work going on at the Lodge over the course of this autumn, and in order to provide a Covid-19-safe environment for the people carrying out this work it is necessary to restrict other people from using the Lodge at these times.

We apologise to any members who had been planning to use the Lodge this autumn and to whom this news will inevitably come as a disappointment.

As we have said previously, once we are in a position to open up the bookings calendar again we will update this page and club secretary Dave Glover will also email members with further details.

Once again, thank you for your understanding at this challenging time.

Paul Linford, Bookings Secretary

Some club members may be wondering whether it is now safe to visit the Lakes again in the wake of recent government statements suggesting a gradual relaxation of lockdown rules.

But whilst it is now lawful to travel to the Lake District for a day trip, overnight stays are still not permitted and hence the Lodge will remain closed to bookings for the time being.

The police have been very clear that they don't want people visiting the Lake District.  Cumbria already has one of the highest Covid-19 infection rates per person in the country and many local people are fearful of people bringing further infection into the area.

The British Mountaineering Council, to which the BLC is affiliated, is similarly clear in its advice.This article on the BMC website explains the position very well.

As we have said previously, once we are in a position to open up the bookings calendar again we will update this page and club secretary Dave Glover will also email members with further details.

Once again, thank you for your understanding at this challenging time, and hope you and your families are well.

Paul Linford, Bookings Secretary

The Burnmoor Lodge Club is sad to report the death of one of its members, Andrew Vine, while climbing in Scotland.

Andrew, 41, from Manchester, was caught in an avalanche on the West Face of Aonach Mor, a Munro near Lochaber, on 28 February.

Despite being badly injured in the avalanche his climbing partner managed to walk to the nearby snowsports centre to raise the alarm.

After a lengthy search involving coastguard helicopters and more than 800 volunteer hours from mountain rescue teams across Scotland, Andrew's body was recovered by Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team on 8 March.

The Club extends its condolences to Andrew's wife, family, friends and climbing partners.

We also offer our sincere gratitude to Lochaber Mountain Rescue for their efforts to help Andrew and the many other people who suffer accidents, injuries and other misfortunes on the hills and mountains of the West Highlands. They rely on donations to help cover their costs - please consider making one.

The Manchester Evening News has carried a tribute to Andrew from another mountaineering club that he was a member of here while outdoor activity website grough has more details about the incident here.

In the interests of both our members and the wider community, it is with regret that the committee has come to the difficult decision to close the lodge until further notice.

Please do not travel to the lodge even if you have made a booking. 

Unfortunately, following requests from both the local authority and the police not to visit the Lake District, and guidance from the Government to avoid all unnecessary travel we have been left with no other option.

The bookings calendar on the club website will be closed to future bookings. When we are in a position to open the bookings up again we will update our website and I will email you with further details.

We appreciate your understanding at this challenging time, and hope you and your families are well.

Many thanks,

David Glover

Club Secretary