OLD friendships were renewed as more than 65 members of the European Women’s Climbing Network took part in a summer meet in the Lake District.

Each year women from around Europe gather to rock climb together and for the second time they met up at the National Trust campsite in the Langdale Valley.

The network has been in existence since 1968 and this was the 51st summer meeting. Those taking part enjoyed warm and dry conditions for the first five days. The groups climbed on Gimmer Crag, Bowfell, Pavey Ark and Dow Crag as well as the lower crags of White Ghyll, Raven Crag, Kettle Crag and Raven Crag.

The traditional climbing techniques used in the United Kingdom proved challenging for those more used to bolted rock climbing on the continent.

Later in the week, when the weather turned wet, groups went ghyll scrambling and to Cathedral Caverns.

The week came to a close with a dinner at the Stickle Barn where it was announced that next year's event will take place in Slovenia.

The network is open to all women who can lead climbs of grade five (very severe in the UK) and can independently undertake their routes.