Posted by Jim Hadfield on January 05, 2004 at 21:48:55 from 195.92.194.16 user JimHadfield.
Andy B. obviously meant Harry Griffin, who has written a fortnightly column in the Guardian for over 50 years, and is the author of a dozen books on the Lake District and rock climbing. I met him for the first time a few weeks ago, just before his 93rd birthday. He was recovering from a nasty fall some weeks previously, and was enjoying the view over the Lyth Valley from Helsington Church on a beautiful clear morning. He told me that he led rock climbs at the age of 78, and continued ski-touring in the Lake Disrict into his 80`s, so snow must have been more reliable only 20 years or so ago.
Regarding the portable rope tow on Raise, this was upgraded some 10(?) years ago to a proper tow from overhead pylons. To obtain planning permission, the top pylon had to be partially demountable so the it didn`t project above teh skyline, and had to be raised and lowered for each session.