Karabiner Mountaineering Club

January 1998 Newsletter Forthcoming Meets

"I accept that climbing and mountaineering are activities with a risk of personal injury or death. I am aware of and shall accept these risks and wish to participate in these activities voluntarily and shall be responsible for my own actions and involvement."

January 18: Mountain Biking: Brian Street

Time to burn off some of that Christmas Turkey!! The ride is a mere 20 miles long (erk!) but runs on generally good tracks. There are even "let's cut this ride short and go to the pub early options" so this is mountain biking for all grades.

We shall meet in the car park at the start of the Manifold Way (on the B5054, 2 miles west of Hartington between Buxton and Ashbourne) at 10.00 a.m. From here we shall travel along the Manifold Way towards Waterhouses and then up (sorry can't avoid that bit) to open country before descending to Ilam (pub potential if you can't face the turkey sandwiches!). From here we pass through Hopedale and Milldale villages before finding our way back to Hulme End.

Oh yes .. if anybody wishes to hire bikes this can be arranged from a rather convenient shop at the start of the ride. If people are interested please let me know and I shall enquire about prices.

January 25: Scrambling: Vinny Goodwin

Vinny's Adventure Scrambling Do.

January 31- Feb 1: Working Party: Dave Wylie

Right, let's get that kitchen finished! Most of the work has now been done, and it seems like the new cooker, hobs and sinks survived the Christmas Bash. There are quite a few things we have left to do, though:

The walls need painting (the back one needs its new joints sanding first)

Trim needs fitting round the new sink units, and some of the wood needs varnishing

New food storage boxes need to be built

Shelves are to be put under the hobs, so that the pans can be kept there

The skirting boards need to go back

The joints in the new steel work tops need tidying up and the hobs need fixing down properly

We'll also put up a new local map, and perhaps some new pictures

... And that should just about be that.

We could do with a few willing helpers - particularly anybody who can cope with a bit of basic woodworking - but anybody who can wield a paintbrush or roller will be useful. Volunteers please form an orderly queue!

Dave Wylie, (your brand new friendly neighbourhood hut manager)

(Ed - See Dave W. at the pub on Thursdays to get your invite to that tax haven/DesRes in Wales.)

February 7-8: Aite Cruinnichidh Hostel, Roybridge: Chris Williamson

Once again, the bumper fun Scottish winter weekend with something for everyone. Climbing, beer, snow, hot showers, ice, bunks with duvets, skiing (all flavours catered for), crowded kitchens, howling gales, food, walking, singing?, horizontal rain, good company, fantastic scenery (where visible), benightment, somewhere to plug your hair dryer in, spindrift, drying room, whisky, sunshine (on payment of considerable supplement!) and a long drive home.

As a further added attraction, the weekend may be extended into a full week. This is made possible by booking the CIC option. See elsewhere for details.

With the exception of the date and the venue, all of the above are subject to availability. The meet leader takes no responsibility of any sort what so ever. It's Scotland - you were warned! Add your name to the list by providing me with the money. Yet to be confirmed, it looks like being fourteen pounds.

Location: Aite Cruinnichidh Self-catering Lodge is at GR300810 on OS 1:50 000 sheet 41, Ben Nevis & Fort William.

February 8-12: CIC Hut: Vinny Goodwin

Carry straight on from the Roy Bridge meet. Vinny will be collecting the money if you want to go. The CIC hut is in pole position below Ben Nevis and Carn Dearg, allowing a quick sprint to any numbered gully or buttress of your choice. Just take your food for five days and leave the spare undies at home. No problem. The cash with Vinny Goodwin secures your place.

February 15: Skiing the Peak: Dave Dillon

Conditions allowing, I plan to traverse the Kinder region. Sneaking onto the plateau from Mill Hill and off later on down to the Snake Inn. Return via Kinder Downfall along the edges and back to the start. The start, probably, will be The Grouse on the A624, so it will be a pub crawl of sorts. The actual track will depend on many factors. More details later, by word of mouth (ie come down to the pub). All are welcome, but unfortunately no makeup supplied.

February 21-22: Kingussie: Sean Kelly

The Lairds Bothy Bunk house accommodation over seen by Sean. The cost is £8.00 per night per person and Sean has 10 places booked. Cough up and be there. Strut your stuff in the whiteouts of the Cairngorms, or perhaps torque your way out of the gullies on Creag Meaghaidh. Give your £16.00 to Sean right now and sleep tight.

March 1: Peak Walk: Iain McCallum

A fine walk among the moors and dales on the east side of the Peak District. Good weather guaranteed! Distance about 14 miles. The walk can easily by shortened or even lengthened to meet your needs.

Route: Grindleford - Leadmill Bridge - Hog Hall - Bretton Clough - Gotheredge Barn - Bretton - Abney Grange - Abney Moor - Smelting Hill - Oferton - Hathersage - Grindleford.

Refreshments: Bretton (Barrel Inn), Hathersage, Grindleford (Station cafe).

Maps: OS Outdoor - Leisure Sheets 1 & 24 Dark Peak and White Peak.

Meet at 9.30 a.m. for a 9.45 a.m. start at Grindleford Station - outside the cafe. Park on the road leading to the station.

March 7-8: Lakes-hut: Ian Bennett

Patterdale, but not all of it. Contact Ian for details.

March 14-15: Onich: Roger Mapleson

Accommodation in Onich has been booked for your delectation. The Inchree bunk house has 10 places booked at £6.50 per night per person. March winter climbing on the Ben, Creag Meaghaidh, Glen Coe, etc. Secure your place by placing £13.00 with Roger, down the pub on Thursday nights.

March 21-22: Ty Powdyr

Another Free Enterprise meet.

March 29: Hot Pot / Fell Race: Ric Kruze / Kevin Anderson

A value packed day. The Club Fell Race will be organised by Kevin Anderson, a 6-14 mile race across fells (depending on navigation) loosely based around the showers in Glossop Sports Centre allowing preening for the evening.

The Hot Pot in the evening has been arranged in the Swan Inn, New Mills, where Fell Race winners can claim their honours.

A slide show and contest will follow to round the day of nicely. With the usual categories for slides : Mountain Landscape, Climbing Action, Mountain Action & Human Interest. "We really want to see those cameras clicking." someone said.

April 8 - 15 or thereabouts: Spain, Easter 1998

This is not an "official" meet. I'm not going to book flights and accommodation for you. I'll leave that up to you, if you are interested. Instead I'll give as much information as I can and leave the rest to you.

Ruth and I are going to the Prades mountains, also known as Siurana (after one of the crags). It's in the North-East of Spain half way between Barcelona and Tarragona and about a couple of hours drive inland. We are actually flying to Reus, but there are scheduled flights to Barcelona which may be easier to book. You'll need a car and that can usually be booked from here or you can hire one from the airport once you arrive.

At present we will probably be staying at Villanova de Prades which is about 5 miles from Prades itself. It has a campsite and also chalets for rent. I can provide the address if you want to book it.

The climbing, I'm told, is some of the best sports climbing to be had. It is possible to just clip bolts the whole time, however, there are also traditional routes but I don't have any information about them at present. Grades start from about 4 (French/Spanish grade) upwards. The countryside around there is spectacular.

We will be flying out on Wednesday 8th April for a week but flights could be booked for the week preceding Easter or the week following. It would be great to see you. If you want more particulars, please contact me. I'm down the Crown and Anchor most weeks

May 23-25: Rock Climbing, Fairhead, Ireland: Duncan Lee

This is the Bank Holiday and will be a camping meet. Ferries and stuff nearer the time.

May 31: Peak Climbing (Limestone): Al Metelko

Limestone in the Peak, with climbing. There will be more details later.

January 1998 Newsletter Index

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