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October 1999 Meet Reports
April 4th - Meet report - Wye Valley. - Craig Marsden
Member: Craig Marsden
Guest: Susan Marsden
I would like to call this an alternative meet report, but in reality it is the original and official report.
What is wrong with the KMC letting a spot of rain put them off.
Anyway there were at least two people at the meet, nay the whole crag!! It was a glorious day during which the clear sky could been seen for at least 10 minutes. It was enough to enable a brief taster on ‘One for all’ an excellent climb!!, the crag has the feel of tremadog but with less people. There is plenty left to do there for a future meet!
July 4th - Whitbarrow Climbing/Walking - Peter Walker
Intended as a walking or climbing meet.
Members present: Tony Gask, Iain McCallum, Lester Payne, Peter Walker.
This was not your usual Lakeland walk over high fells and rocky ridges but a much lower level outing over a limestone wedding cake rising in rocky tiers above the Kent Estuary; a plateau with steep craggy sides, decorated with wooded slopes and carpets of wild flowers. A fine balcony from which to view the higher hills, making up in interest for its lack of elevation and the figure of eight walk would centre on the highest point, Lords Seat, giving us a double ascent and a round trip of 15 miles.
Only Lester, Iain and I set out, a quarter of an hour after the advertised time. There was no one climbing as we scrambled past the first crag but it was only 10am. We traversed the top and dropped off to Crosthwaite for a pint at the Punch Bowl, where we were joined by Tony Gask. After lunch by the church yard we set off back through the northern woods, up to Lord’s Seat once again and then a steep descent to Witherslack Hall. There were climbers at work on Chaplel Head Scar but I couldn’t see if they were KMC. Our route finished over Yewbarrow to the Derby Arms and another welcome pint, sitting outside in the sunshine.
Iain took Tony back to his car before continuing to Glasgow to pick up Jim and Sandy on their return from Greenland whilst I gave Lester a lift to Cartmel. I returned to the Derby Arms but there was no sign of any KMC climbers. If any did attend perhaps they could let me know.
July 24th-25th - Ty Powdyr - Bob Anderson & Iain McCallum
Members present: Bob Anderson*, Kevin Anderson, Margaret Baldock*, Ken Beetham, Sue Brooke*, John Castick, Virginia Castick, Linda Crossley, John Dobson*, Joe Flynn, Mark Garrod, Jim Gregson*, Sandy Gregson*, Michelle Harvie, Sheena Hendrie*, Iain McCallum*, Colin Maddison*, Al Metelko, Lester Payne*, Derek Seddon, Mary Stuart, Chris. Thickett*, Peter Walker, Keith Williams. (24)
Guests present: Elaine Beaulieu, Heather Brooke*, Fay Castick, Johanne Castick, Tony Field (FRCC)*, C. Ivory, Craig Lammas*, David Lygate*, Pam. McCallum, Dan. Rawlings*, K. Sparks, Roisin Maddison(aged 4). (12)
* - Walkers on Glyders Walk.
Saturday 24th. July
The official activity of the weekend was the traverse of the Glyders from Capel Curig to Ty Powdwr followed by a Hot Pot Supper in celebration of the meet leaders 65th. birthdays. Saturday dawned bright and sunny prompting Jim and Sandy Gregson to make an early start, Ken driving them round to Capel. After some vehicle shuttling, the rest of us followed arriving at Capel at about 10am. where we were joined by Derek, Joe and three guests, Craig, Dan and David. Fifteen minutes later we set off up the track out of Capel towards Ogwen before climbing onto the ridge and the summit of Cefn y Capel. To the West the ridge was covered in cloud but to the north, the Carnedds were almost clear, the cloud just brushing their summits. Following Colin we made our way up the lower slopes of Foel Goch where we halted for a break behind a convenient wall. The all enveloping clag caused us some minor problems but eventually everyone reached the top of Foel Goch.
At this point Colin left us. Moving more slowly we crossed a series of bogs before ascending the ridge leading to the top of Glyder Fach. Near the top the sun broke through and the cloud cleared. On reaching the top we stopped for lunch and a spot of sun bathing. The views were spectacular. Most of the tops were now clear though a belt of cloud continued to roll over the ridge to the east. The traverse of Glyder Fach and Glyder Fawr took some time as the party insisted on climbing all the rocky tops including "Castle of the Winds". On reaching Lyn y Cwn we stopped to regroup. Here, Colin rejoined us, after his quick foray up Tryfan but a head count revealed that Lester was missing! In the hot sun the ascent of Y Garn proved rather trying but eventually we all reached the top. The party soon reached the summit of Foel Goch. After dropping down the ridge the party split up, some making direct for Elidir Fawr while others including Bob, Derek, Iain, and Sheena, traversed Mynydd Perfedd and Carnedd y Filiast before tackling Elidir Fawr. Here we met a party of walkers and one of them asked us to keep a lookout for his glasses which he had left on a rock on our way down! Above the quarries we met John, Sue amd Heather. Bob took us down through the quarries and so back to Dinorwic. Iain then took the drivers back to Capel to collect their cars. Eighteen people aged between 15 and 75 started and completed the walk.
Later that evening twenty-eight people sat down to supper - melon, hotpot, apple strudel, cheese and biscuits accompanied by beer and wine. Several members and their guests joined us during the meal. Many thanks to Pam who cooked the food, to her many assistants, and to Derek for the melons and to Tony Field for the cheese and biscuits.
Other activities:
On Saturday Ken climbed Moel Siabod and Peter traversed Carnedd y Filiast, Mynydd Perfedd and Elidir Fawr. Others including the Casticks went climbing leaving Fay and Johanne to entertain Roisin.
On Sunday various groups climbed and walked in the Pass and on Anglesey. Sue and Heather Brooke climbed Lockwood's chimney. John Castick amused himself and others including Roisin by flying his kite and firing his water rockets!
Many thanks for your support. Perhaps we ought to repeat the event next year.
August 22nd - West Yorks Lime and Grit - Craig Marsden
Members and Guests vaguely heard of and seen: Chris Williamson, Mike, Lester Payne, Frank Williams, Margaret Williams, Susan Marsden, Thomas Marsden, Phoebe Marsden, Craig Marsden
First things first, where the hell was everyone? After hearing rumours of Malham cove we drove up there at break neck speed expecting to find the hordes of KMC’ers scaling those walls!! not. Well after much searching high up on the right hand side we found Chris Williamson and Mike who had also heard rumours! After failing to find a route to second the Marsden tribe set off on a stroll to Malham tarn meeting Lester on route, who was on the hunt for Frank and Magaret Williams.
Well for a non meet meet there were a lot of KMC members in the vicinity.
August 28th-29th - BH Arran, prob hut/bunkhouse - Keith Williams
Members present: Iain MacCallum, Chris Thickett, Pete Walker, Keith Williams.
The above four travelled north together on the Friday, arriving on Arran on the mid-afternoon ferry. Midges not bad.
Sat. Excellent crisp sunny morning as per forecast so clearly a day to get onto the tops while they could be seen. The initial plan was to head for the col between A’ Chir and Cir Mhor. Once on the way, however, it was soon decided to include Cir Mhor whose summit was reached after a steady walk to the top of Glen Rosa on an excellent path with wafts of scents from all the flowers like nowhere else I’ve been to for years. Superp views like only the Highlands can serve up were on hand from the spare bouldery top but still a small posse of midges were in for the kill.
The bad step on A’Chir was outflanked to the west while the rest of the ridge proved very entertaining with lots of bouldery problems - real ones, quite different from the indoor variety. Once again, the route was extended - this time by taking the Beinn Tarsuinn option rather than Beinn a’ Cliabhain. Finally, we descended across the mouth of Coire a’ Bhradain via the only wet stretch of the day before dropping steeply down into Glen Rosa and back to the campsite: eight hours of superb mountaineering in glorious conditions.
Sun. Something of a change in the weather as per forecast. Midges tiresome but quickly up and away to the Goatfell-Cioch ridge. This started by wading/jumping Glen Rosa Water then up the edge of the forest to join the main path up from Brodick Castle. By this time the rain had started and it was clear that we were in for a less than delectable ascent. The rain became heavier and gradually the wind rose so that soon the qualities of Goretex were being comprehensively tested. However, on the final half mile to the summit, the mist broke up and fleeting glimpses of mountain and sea tore in and out of view. The wind by this time was gusting severe gail force and an executive decision was taken by the meet leader to enjoy the Cioch on another day. The descent to Glen Sannox was damp, but towards the end the sun started to re-assert itself and a welcome cup of tea was taken on the grass while waiting for the bus to take us back to Brodick.
Mon. No forecast for today, but thick cloud and steady rain came as no surprise to test our resolve to walk the Beinn Bhreac circuit east of Glen Iorsa. With cloud base at about 200m it was obviously the time to introduce Mr. Walker - who had not visited the island before - to some of its lower points of interest. Thus the fleshpots of Brodick and Lamlash were quickly dispatched then over the Ross to the west coast where an enticing youg lady lured us to take morning coffee in the Kil-something hotel at Blackwaterfoot. Not to be diverted by saunas, gyms or sun beds we returned to our circumnavigation only to find that although the rain had moderated, cloud base remained determinedly depressed. There was nothing for it but to stoke up over lunch at the Catacol Inn while further improvements developed.
By 2.00pm the proposal was agreed to circuit the Cock of Arran so after admiring the 7/8 point stags which were grazing the golf course at Lochranza - it was far too bad for them to be up on the hill - we crossed over the ridge to Laggan an proceded back along the shore path around the northernmost point of the island. This is now a popular bad-weather trail but it looses none of its interest for all that with repeated reminders of Scotland’s turbulent past on both geologic and human timescales.
A quiet, wet Tuesday morning saw the midges at their worst and as the gas ran out half way through making the morning brew, we needed no further incentive to get the tent down as quickly as possible and hie us awa’ to Brodick where breakfast could be completed in the civilised confines of Stalker’s Cafe. The mid-morning boat had us back on the mainland by noon and it remained only to drive in steadily improving conditions back to Lancashire.
A frequently wet but compact - is that the euphemism? - and entirely pleasurable meet for a’ that.
September 4th-5th - Crafnant Climbing - Sabina Cosulich
Present: Chris Williamson, Colin and Roisin Maddison, Dave (Tinkerbell) Bone, Dave (Malcolm) Garland, Duncan Lee, Al Metelko, Sean Kelly, Elaine Beaulieu, Steve Swygart and family, Sabina Cosulich.
In defiance of the great myth that climbing in the Crafnant might be bad for your health, a number of courageous and enterprising individuals (well, a few KMC members) ventured to this beautiful unspoiled spot hidden away in the Carneddau. The meet leader had forgotten to order the weather in English, with the unexpected result of a scorching hot weekend. However, instead of defecting straight away to shady Cloggy, the brave and valiant individuals endured the excitingly hot temperatures in the Crafnant Valley whilst battling their way up climbs such as Orchid (HVS5a), Rainbow (HVS5a), Piano Piece (HVS5a), The right finish (VS4c) and Little Cludge (HS) on Two Tier Buttress and Phoenix (E2/35c) on S.H. wall. Saturday evening saw the heat exhausted party consuming a large number of bottles of beer, wine and whisky in the enchanting Mynydd climbing hut. At this point, Al and Elaine turned up in true Al style, after having had a few quick diversions to go and lead Cracked actor (E25b) on Trowbarrow on Friday night and Strand (E25b) on Gogarth on saturday. The next day, the challenge presented itself again when the hard and gnarly individuals discovered to their horror that it was probably going to be as hot, if not hotter than the previous day. Needless to say, at this point the meet leader tactfully decided it was far too hot (!) to climb. Therefore, Chris won the booby prize of following Duncan on Astoroth (E25c), amidst complaints of being blinded by sweat running into his eyes. The added bonus was the inability to see the big drop below. Meanwhile, in their true courageous style (err…still talking about KMC members here!), the meet participants endured another day at the crag, followed by a quick revolt to head for a swim in the lake/cup of tea in the hut, leaving Tinkerbell and Malcolm in full epic mode on Jug Hundle (VS5a, Forestry Buttress). Thank you to all for enduring the heat and wine drinking sessions.
September 11th-12th - Dunmail Raise, Achille Ratti Hut - Joe Flynn
Members. Joe Flynn, Pete Walker, Lester Payne, Sean Kelly, Dave Dillon, Andy Croughton, Jim and Sandy Gregson, Rick Kruze, Ruth Ashton,Chris Williamson,John Dwyer, John Dobson, Tony Gask,Christine Beeston,
Guest. Mike Howlett
Frank Evans once told me that there are three factors that determine the value of a property ; location , location and location. The Achilli Ratti Hut standing alone on the top of Dunmail Raise ( by the lay-by on the main Ambleside to Keswick trunk Road ), at the foot of Helvellyn has plenty of location so no one minded the £6 per night fee!!! It is also good to use other huts so we can feel smug/proud of our own hut.
Using the techniques of the modern lobbyists - telephone canvassing, face to face encounters, focus groups in the pub, very optimistic weather forecasts, understated costings and misleading grid references, ensured a very respectable turn out on this north Lakeland meet.
The euphoria, excitement and anxious anticipation of Friday night were dampened with the arrival of John Dobson on Saturday morning or to be fair with the weather forecast he brought. The optimistic high pressure was updated to rain spreading south from Scotland by afternoon.
Chris and Mike tempted the forecasters and went to Castle Rock . Good decision. They climbed Zig-Zag Vs.and North Crag Eliminate E1. Rick and Ruth left early for Dow Crag but the cloud was down and it was out, so they took the long walk to Hodge Close. Jim and Sandy headed off in the same direction and did a stroll around Walna Scar,Levens Water, Gt.. Howe Crag, the Puddingstone, the Bell (these must be Pubs!) and Walna Scar.The rest of the team hijacked Pete’s idea- so much for his quiet walk. We surmounted Helvellyn , Nethermost Pike , Dollywagon Pike, via Brown Cove Crag.Plenty of wind and cloud. Sean with the benefit of mountain instructor training got his compass out and took control of the expedition. Most of the team were tempted by a delicious sounding grade 3 scramble on the Central Buttress of Brown Cove, particularly by the "unique and intriguing hole". There was lively debate whether we scaled the said route or whether it was in fact a right load of ....... It was the first time I had purposely set out to scramble on greasy rocks and slippy grass. It has always happened inadvertently when I was off route. Do people really do this for sport?
Quite night in the shops and pubs of Keswick. Mark Williams, former member and noted fell runner was encountered in Fishers. Rain finally arrived about 7pm.
Sunday. Up early again. Jim must have turned the !!!!!!! generator on. He set off for a tour of Grisedale Tarn,Ruthwaite Lodge, Nethermost Pike, down Striding Edge, up Swirrel Edge, Helvellyn and back to the hut.
Ruth and Rick got on their bikes and visited (the cafes?) Rydal, Elterwater, Hawkshead and Ambleside.
Pete got his quiet walk with Andy. They were dropped off at Thirlmere and made their way back to the hut via all four maps of the Lake District.
The rest of us set out to Castle Rock. We concentrated ourselves in the sun on the southern face and various parties climbed Gangway, Yew Tree, Slab route, Via Media. I was pleased to see the new gear bought by our new full member particularly the new rope. Thanks to Sheena and Neville for the helpful advice as to the life span of modern ropes and convincing him to spend some cash. Thanks to all for attending.
October 1999 Newsletter Index.
Copyright © 1999 Karabiner Mountaineering Club
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