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June 2000 Meet Reports
October 17th (Alt) Kentmere Walk - Linda Batey
Present:-
WALKERS:
Paul Dewhirst, Margaret Baldock, Brian Taylor, Frank Williams,
Margaret Williams, John Dobson, Keith Williams, Ian McCallum, Lester
Payne, John Thorley, Dave Wylie, Richard Dobson, Ian Dobson, Sue
Brook, Andrew Croughton, Christine Beeston, Dave Dillon, Neville
Macmilan, Tony Gask, Shena Hendrie, Mark Garod, Michelle Harvie,
Robert Clark, Linda Batey.
MOUNTAIN BIKERS: Rob Allen, Rick Kruze, Ruth Ashton, Ruth.
There was a fantastic turnout for this meet, something to do with the
brilliant autumn weather and the promise of fine Lakeland views and
walking.
The walkers set off to tackle the Kentmere Horseshoe at 10.00 a.m. The
group went in an anticlockwise direction up over Kentmere Pike,
Harter Fell, Mardale Ill Bell, Thornthwaite Beacon, Froswick, Ill
Bell, Yoke, and back down the Garburn Pass track back to Kentmere
Church and the car park at the entrance to the village. There were
the usual tea and butty stops, the one at Thornthwaite Beacon
attracting the attention of some butty mugging sheep. The circuit
deserves it's reputation as one of the classics of the lake district
and we had a fine day for completing it, with clear views down
towards Haweswater and Windermere, and across towards the central
fells.
The mountain bikers had an equally good day, completing a circuit in and
around the Kentmere Valley.
We rounded off the day with tea and cake back at Brunt Knott Farm, a
collection was made and £50 was raised and sent to the
Christies Hospital in Manchester.
Thank you to everyone who came along and made it a great day on the hills.
February 19th - 20th - Ty Powdyr - Joint Meet Salford Univ. - John Dobson
Attendance:
KMC: Sue Brooke, John Dobson, Roger Dyke, Neil Perry, Al Metelko.
KMC Guests: Alistair Blackshaw, Ian Dobson, Ben Warham.
SUMC: Tim Armstrong, Carl Birchall, Robert Embry, Jason Greenwood, Andy
Heslop, Peter King, Rob Larder, Jim Procter, Mike Reading, Tony
Short, Alan Trevena
This was the second joint meet we have held with SUMC and forms part of
the Committees ‘grand plan’ for getting the club
better known amongst non-pensioners. SUMC attendance was more than
double that of last year (despite the very poor weather during the
previous week and an indifferent forecast). So last year’s
reconnaissance party must have reported back that KMC ‘oldies’
were ‘user-friendly’.
The turnout amongst the students would have been even higher had they not
suffered a last minute ‘driver-crisis’. Apparently you
have to be over 21 to drive the Students Union mini-bus, and only one
of their members qualified. Unfortunately the Students Union imposed
a ‘life-ban’ on their only over-21 year old member, for
reasons which the SUMC members refused to disclose. However we did
get some insight into the nature of the SUMC problem when on the
return journey, Carl Birchall managed to totally right-off a car he
had borrowed from his sister in a head-on crash on Deansgate (yes
Deansgate in the centre of Manchester which always has stationary
traffic).
Those who made the effort to turn out were rewarded by two days of
excellent weather – clear blue skies but very cold. On Saturday
one group of KMC members decided that the cold conditions required a
linear walk from Nantgwynant over Yr Aran and the Clogwyn Du Alft
Maerideryfr ridge to Snowdon and back to the hut. However, the SUMC
members decided that such as expedition was strictly for old people,
and they were going climbing whatever the weather. The students
climbed Great Gully and Amphitheatre Butress on Craig yr Ysfa in just
two hours, and a third party failed on the Sub-Cneifon ridge. One
student, who was referred to as ‘Jesus’ walked from Ogwen
back to the hut (a walk he had never done before) without a map or
compass – but perhaps his alias meant that he had outside
assistance.
On Saturday night the students regaled the tale of Jasper’s (their
President) last climb, to hysterics and disbelief from the KMC
members. If anybody called Jasper applies to join, we should become
full-up very quickly.
On Sunday one KMC party climbed the Ordinary Route on Idwal Slabs, which
involved avoiding the frozen water-courses and smashing the ice off
the holds. The students decided to avoid the crowds with a mass
assent of some obscure slabs on Mynydd Perfedd which they reported
back as highly recommended.
Many thanks to all for an excellent weekend.
March 11th - 12th Muir Of Inverey, near Braemar - Roger Mapleson
Members present: Roger Mapleson, Colin Maddison, Craig Marsden, Dave Bone,
Mark Garrod, Michelle Harvie, Sheena Hendrie, Neville McMillan,
Graham Harkness, Ann Woolley, Chris Williamson, Tony Gask
Guests: Jesper Jorgensen, Paul Jackson, May McLeod, Dave Hall, John “Goatie”
Sanderson
What a turn out! 18 places, 17 turned out despite reports of poor winter
climbing conditions and little snow for skiers. It would have been 18
had guest, Dave Lygate been able to secure a lift. As it turned out
the sun shone and a strong wind on Saturday morning soon dropped to
give a balmy spring weekend.
Everyone arrived without incident late Friday or in the early hours of
Saturday. May complained bitterly of being woken by the farting of
late arrivals. Obviously not me then, must have been Ann. On Saturday
four pairs set off optimistically to Lochnager fully equipped. On
arrival it was apparent that climbing conditions were poor with ice
only of the liquid variety. Dave B, Chris, Tony and I toiled up Black
Spout to the summit. This was then followed by a short (as defined by
Mr Bone) stroll back via the White Mounth and Craig an Dubh Loch.
Purgatorial in plastic boots. Craig and Colin tackled first a winter
route (in winter conditions) and continued up Black Spout Buttress
(summer conditions) engaging in a spot of boulder trundling on the
way. They were just leaving the summit plateau when John was spied
leading Jesper out of Raeburn’s.
A total of eight set off for a walk up Glen Derry to Loch Etchachan at
which point May returned feet in tatters and promptly placed her
boots in the bin at the car park (Subsequently retrieved by me to be
given to Bridget as her birthday present). Mark went off to bag a
couple of nameless Munros whilst Neville, Sheena, Michelle, Paul,
Dave H and Graham returned over Derry Cairngorm. The remaining party
member, Miss Woolley, nursed her lurgy through a gentle “square
shaped” walk from the hut via the fleshpots of Braemar.
On Sunday all thoughts of climbing were abandoned as most people headed
out for a walk. Jesper, Ann and John engaged in John’s favourite
pastime of Munrobagging picking off three from Glenshee. Neville and
Sheena headed for Glenmuick where Sheena picked off Broad Cairn and
Neville paddled his blistered feet in the loch. Craig, Colin, Dave B
and I went for another “short” (copyright, Mr Bone) stroll
over the obscure Munro top Carn Bhac. Chris and Tony took their skis
on a search for snow and were moderately successful. They even found
a couple of tows operating but being tight-fisted, walked up. Upon
finding a 300m patch of snow Chris spent his time practising telemark
turns whilst Tony honed his already slick technique. Graham and Dave
H had unfortunately to await breakdown services to attend to Grahams
car. Did you get home OK Graham? May headed for home nursing sore
feet whilst Paul, Michelle and Mark walked up An Socach. Lots of
white mountain hares seen by all even if it was the flat ones on the
A93.
March 12th (Alt) Peak District Walk, Eastern Edges - Iain McCallum
Members present: John Dwyer, Alan (H) Jones, lain McCallum, Lorna Marsland,
Lester Payne, Alan Peck, Nigel Rosenbaum, Peter Walker (8).
Guests present : Malcolm Anderson, Jane Blackburn, Roy Blackburn, Joan
Green, Mike Graves, Peter Harrison, Dudley Moore, David? (8).
The sun does shine on the righteous! While the Dark Peak was shrouded in
mist, the eastern edges were bathed in sunshine. After leaving the
car park at Longshaw Lodge we headed south through the park and onto
Froggatt Edge, passing numerous walkers on our way. Perhaps March
12th. had been declared a national walking day. From
Froggatt we dropped down to the road and crossed river Derwent.
Halfway up the west side of the valley we stopped for coffee. Basking
in the sun we viewed the edges and posed for photographs.
Before reaching Eyam we passed the Riley Graves - a small enclosure
containing the graves of the Hancock family who perished when the
plague struck Eyam in 1666. From Eyam we took the path up through the
woods onto Edge Road. Following the road we passed Mompesson's Well
and the Ladywash Mine before reaching Eyam Moor. After crossing the
moor which contains many relics from the past, cairns, field systems
and even a stone circle. we stopped for lunch on the hillside above
Hazelford Hall. Lorna and David left us at Leadmill Bridge, returning
to Longshaw via Padley Gorge. On reaching Hathersage we slaked our
thirst at the Hathersage Inn. Nigel and Peter left us here to rejoin
the family. As we climbed up to Stanage Edge we passed North Lees
Hall, once owned by the Eyre family and noted for its links with
Charlotte Bronte. Once on the Edge we headed for Higgor Tor and Carl
Wark, the Iron Age fort, before dropping down to Toad's Mouth and
back to Longshaw Lodge through the park. (Distance 14 miles)
What a super day, Spring at last ! Many thanks to everyone for your
support. Nice to meet the Harrison/Rosenbaum family and its latest
member, baby Hannah.
March 26th President’s HotPot - Stanage - The President, Duncan Lee
Members present: Mark Wiltshire, Lester Payne, Midge and Joanne Castick, Dave
Bone, Tony Major, Phil Ramsbottom, Bob Anderson, Sabina Cosulich,
Colin Maddison, Paul Evans, Bob Mort, Mark Gleadall, Cathy Gordon,
Dave Wylie, Jeremy Engineer, Andy Croughton, Dave Dillon, Rob Allen,
Chris Williamson, Neil Perry, Jim and Judith Symons, Sue Marsden,
Roger and Bridgit Mapleson, Joe Flynn, Neville McMillan, Sheena
Hendrie, Ken Beetham and Duncan Lee.
Guests present: Lisa, Pat Peters, Roisin Maddison, James Nixon, Ben Warham,
Katherine Firth, Thomas and Phoebe Marsden, Carys Mapleson and Emma.
As promised the sun burst through the clouds and treated the KMC to a
fine day at a wonderful crag. The vast majority of the above
mentioned touched rock at various stages of the day but the day also
had a very pleasant relaxed sociable side to it. The crèche
was in full swing as per usual and lunch with the walking party,
kindly led by Derek, was a most jovial affair. Sadly they continued
their walk and we had no more excuses not to climb.
The highlights of the days climbing entertainment were mainly provided by
Fern Crack (VS- very savage), Goliath’s Groove (HVS- horrendous
vertical slit) and Neil. The results analysis of the clubs battle
with Fern Crack is as follows; KMC 1 FC 0 -Paul and Bob make a
celebrity guest appearance to tame the awesome fissure. KMC 1 FC 1
- “No way is tha *****ng VS”. The chasm retaliates by
disposing of Sheena. KMC 2 FC 1 - a quick stylish ascent by messers
Bone and Major. KMC 2 FC 2 - the scores were levelled as Neil was
beaten into submission despite a dogged assault.
Goliath’s Groove saw many ascents (some even stylish) but Sabina was the
undoubted winner of the award for the most blooded ankles as she
thugged and kicked her way upwards. A video nasty of this event is
available courtesy of Neil who quickly stopped grinning as he was
forced to second the ascent. He obviously enjoyed the initial
offwidth section so much that he could not stop throwing himself off
the crag in order to repeat the experience.
Colin whilst on crèche duty, provided a fine demonstration in the
art of finger jamming to young Thomas Marsden who was less than
impressed by the nifty footwork; his fingers were under the size 11
foot in question. Other routes climbed by various people included
Wall End Slab (VS 5a), Outlook Slab (VS 4c), Wall End Crack (S 4b),
Death and night and blood (E1 5b), Helfenstein’s struggle (D),
The Archangel (E3 5b) and Fairy Steps (VS 4a).
In the evening 54 people sat down for the hotpot at The Royal Hotel and
to heckle the slide competition judge who is now in hiding from Mary
“I’ll kill you if you show that slide “ Stuart. A
pleasing increase in the number of slides entered and their quality
made judging them a difficult task this year.
Thanks to everyone who turned up to climb, walk, eat and view the slides.
Also thanks to everyone who entered slides for the competition. Keep
those cameras clicking to make next years competition as enjoyable
and to make life as hard for next years judge as it was for me.
April 2nd Rossendale "Round the Hills" Walk: Rawtenstall - Pete Walker
Present: Alan (Liverpool Jones, Iain McCallum, Phil Ramsbottom, Chris
Thickett, Kate Sparks, Keith Williams, Frank Williams, P. Walker.
Snow White and 6 accompanying males, 3 of whom are sexagenarians and at
least 2 are vertically challenged.
An honorable mention for Frank, who having promised Kate a lift, brought
her to the start even though he was unable to take part in the walk
himself. Thanks Frank
Kate said she thought she had landed in an episode of ‘Last of the
Summer Wine’ the only female with a somewhat older group of men.
7 of us assembled in Rawtenstall having failed to be deterred by the
poor (wet) weather forecast or the prospect of an 18-mile bog trot. A
recce of the rout with Phil & Iain showed too much road walking
on the official way marked route but careful study of the map by Phil
produced alternative paths to make it a much day. The walking is in
four sections. Firstly down through the town and up and round Cribden
Hill and the north along the broad ridge to Great Hameldon and its
collection of aerial masts. All along this section newly born lambs
were being welcomed into a rather cold wet world, some failing to
survive. A descent to the A682 by Clow Bridge completed the 1st
leg. The next leg was quite short, over the moor to Water, following
an old pack horse trail with its summit marked by an ancient cross.
The Commercial Inn in Water has a welcoming open fire and keeps a good
pint of Theakstone’s – but beware the gents toilet which
seems to have been recycled from a surplus Gestapo gas chamber. Leg 3
goes from Water to Waterfront via Dean and Edgerside and would have
had quite a bit of road walking but for Phil’s re-planning. This
had all been done at quite a good pace with the meet leader leading
from the rear like a world war one general with Keith Williams and
others setting the pace up front. Like all true pace makers Mr.
Williams dropped out after 3 laps to go home to do some urgent work,
6 of us pressed on with the fourth leg up and over The Cowpe and back
to Rawtenstall, this sting in the tail being probably the steepest
ascent and descent of the day.
In the end the walk turned out better than I expected, mainly thanks to
Phil; but I don’t think it is a classic and can see why the KMC
haven’t been there for a while.
What I can’t imagine is what Kate must have thought of her day out
with 6 boring old farts – I just can’t think!
April 9th - Stoney Middleton - Chris Williamson
Present: Mark Wiltshire, Al Metelko, Joan Stewart, Kevin Anderson, Chris
Williamson.
Having jetted in from Spain in the early hours of the morning, the meet
leader dutifully crawled from bed. Being insufficiently awake to
comprehend the dismal weather, arrival was made in time to be greeted
by Beetham. At this stage the damp, cool and generally miserable
state of meteorology was registered. Just before a rapid about face
could be effected, the bright eyed and bushy tailed persona of Mark
Wiltshire stalled immediate abandonment. His appearance making up for
what might otherwise be considered as a apathy on the part of the
Kitchen Meets Club.
Ken bids us farewell.
When in doubt, have a brew - time in the Cafe allows rock to dry out. As
we're here, for our Sin VS4c **, we ought to have a go. Pressing
flesh on Prayer Wheel Wall the gods see fit to smile. Incanting Padme
HVS 5a **, the sun shines and the day is transformed. Mid afternoon
and surprise reinforcements arrive; exuberant, Kevin and Joan, taxied
by Al, direct from Barcelona. More routes, more sunshine and some
good banter follow. An excellent day at the crag. Thanks to those who
made the effort.
April 22nd – 23rd (EASTER) - Portland Climbing - Rick Davies
Having promised a weekend providing a combination of both sunshine and
superb rock climbing, the only question, which remains to be asked
is, where were you?
When I was asking around to find out who I might be expecting I received a
series of very disappointing answers, “Oh, I can’t go –
its too far”, “If I wanted to clip bolts then I could go to
Pen Trywn”, and many others, which I’m sure you could
hazard a guess at if you really wanted too.
For the meet itself, I wasn’t that optimistic about the number of
people turning up, but I was quietly expecting a couple of members to
show up. I was wrong. In fact, I was so wrong that more members of
the Carlisle club (which I was a member of whilst living in Carlisle)
made the long journey down to Portland.
As for the weekend, the weather was perfect, sunstroke was more of a
threat than rain, and many excellent routes were climbed, both
features which I had previously promised for the meet.
So, Where were you?
May 7th - Birchen's Edge - Susan Brooke
Members Present: Vanessa Addison, Rob Allen, Kevin Anderson, Christine
Beeston, Ken Beetham, Heather and Sue Brooke, Midge, John and Joanne
Castick, Sabina Cosulich, Linda Crossley, Andrew Croughton, Rick
Davies, Dave Dillon, Roger Dyke, John Evans, Joe Flynn, Dave Garland,
Mark Garrod, Mark Gledhill, Kathy Gordon, Jim and Sandy Greg son,
Mike Hall, Michelle Harvey, Duncan Lee, Roger and Bridget Mapleson,
Craig and Sue Marsden, lain McCallum, Al Metelko, Dave Shotton, Joan
Stewart, Mary Stuart, Dave Summerfield, Steve Taylor, Gary Thornhill,
Peter Walker, Dave (Crash mat) Whittingham, Chris Williamson, Mark
Wiltshire, Dave Wylie.
Guests: Lisa Cox, Anna Girolami, Emma Gledhill, Chris Hall, Jesper Jorgensen,
Andy Lidstone, Carys Mapleson, Phoebe and Thomas Marsden Ed Mould,
Justine Rhodes, Steve, Helen, Daniel and Lowrie Swygart, William
Taylor, Rupert Walgram, Kevin? (Friend of Rick).
Apologies to Uncle Ken who I missed seeing at the crag through being a sluggard
and not getting up early enough and many thanks to everybody else who
turned up on such a fine day. The sun shone, the rock was lovely and
warm and there was plenty of good company. Because of the sheer
numbers attending, the day became as much about socialising as
climbing, and it was wonderful to see so many friends, old and new.
Despite this there was plenty of climbing done with many of the
classic routes surmounted by several parties throughout the day. I~
sorry, but it was an impossible task to try and keep a record of what
everyone was doing to give a more detailed report. I just hope that
everybody enjoyed the day as much as I did
PS:
- Thanks Dave for catching Heather. She still says that your her hero!
- I reluctantly give a tick for attendance to Rob and Chris for walking
across the bottom of the crag on their way to Gardoms.
- I hear that Roger is taking part in the early trials for a new sport
of Baby Rolling. Could this catch on in time for the Olympic Games
2004!
- I'm sorry Sheena and Neville, turning up at the Whalley Bridge cafe on
the way back from another crag does not constitute attending the
meet!
- Many thanks to young William for the tips on how to climb. I'm sorry the
adults were such a disappointment to you and I'm sure that they will
do better next time!
May 13th - 14th - Working Party Meet, Ty Powdyr - Dave Wylie, Hut Manager
Iain McCallum, Pam McCallum, Steve Taylor, Lester Payne, Alan Wylie, Dave
Wylie
Yet again a small, but dedicated, crew turned up at the Hut for a working
party - during a spell of glorious weather. Presumably the rest of
the club were out climbing?
Iain, Pam and Lester were there on the Friday afternoon, giving our
neighbour (Mrs Brown) the opportunity to collar them and discuss at
length some of the more significant issues relating to the Hut.
First, the subject of Ponies. It is, of course, our responsibility to
keep them off our land and not up to her to keep them on hers. This
doesn’t quite fit in with our view of things, but there’s
not a lot we can do about it other than put up our own defences.
Trees then came into the conversation. Iain mentioned that one of her
trees next to the track seemed to be a bit rotten and may need
felling. It transpires that this is her favourite tree, as it is the
first to come into blossom each year - so we’d better leave it
alone. The trees on our land, however, did not meet with her
approval. She thinks that the protective tubes we put round the young
saplings are unsightly. Finally, she warned us that the local area
has been infested by witches. Apparently they have been performing
strange rituals in our field, or the “paddock” as she calls
it. She arranged for the ground to be “blessed” to ward the
witches off. It’s nice to know that she’s around to keep an
eye on things...
On to the jobs that got done (much less interesting):
Iain (assisted by Lester) laid cork tiles on the floor in the lower left
dormitory. This work will later be continued through into the lower
right dormitory and the adjacent hallway.
Pam finished off the painting in the Ladies washroom - so no more
comments on the colour scheme please! This final task marks the end
of the refurbishment that was started almost two years ago.
Alan’s task has been on the list for some time now: polishing the kitchen
and hall floors. This should really have been done soon after the
vinyl was laid, but we’d never managed to organised with the
right materials. This time we had the special cleaner and polish, but
still didn’t have the expected polishing machine. Alan therefore
did the job manually. Three stages of cleaning and three coats of the
special “emulsion” later the floors were looking better
than new. The passageway and Gent’s washroom were also given the
treatment.
Steve and Dave began the next stage of the upgrade to the lower right
dormitory. They installed the wooden framework ready for insulation
and panelling to be applied round the bunks and on the walls.
Hopefully this work will (when combined with improved ventilation)
reduce the problems we have with cold and damp.
On the Sunday, while the top coats of floor polish were drying and
access to the Hut was restricted, some outside jobs were attended to.
Alan and Dave re-built a collapsed section of slate wall next to
Ty-Derelict, which should now block off one of the tracks used by the
trespassing Ponies. Iain, Pam and Lester attended to some of the
trees in our plantations, straightening those that had blown (or been
knocked?) askew. Dave replaced the PIR on the floodlight above the
front door and repaired the broken bracket. If it fails again we’ll
have to replace the whole thing - lamp, PIR, bracket, fixings and
all.
There were, as usual, a raft of minor maintenance jobs: providing new gas
lighters for the kitchen, ripping up the old underlay in the lower
right dormitory, clearing a blocked sink in the Ladies washroom,
checking that there weren’t any significant pot-holes in the
track, etc., etc., etc.
Lunches
were, as is now the norm, provided by McCallum Catering Ltd.
Many
thanks to the team who, though few in number, managed to finish all
of the jobs that were on the list for the weekend.
June Newsletter Index.
Copyright © 2000 Karabiner Mountaineering Club
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