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October 2001 Meet Reports
10th June - Horseshoe Pass=Hayfield! -Peter Walker
Right up to Monday June 4th Llangollen Information Office were
hopeful that the area would be opening up to walkers -and it did, but
only The Offa's Dyke Path - no use to us. The very late change of
venue meant I was very lucky that anybody turned up at all.
Hayfield: Kinder Western Edges.
Present: Linda Crossley, Lorna Marsland and David, Iain Mc,Callum and
Peter Walker.
We started off from the National Trust car park in cool gloomy
conditions but once up Williams Clough the weather brightened into a
warm sunny day with wonderful long distance views and lovely cloud
effects. Kinder at its very best. Our route continued along the
classic round - The Downfall, Kinder Low, Brown Knoll, South Head,
Mount Famine and back to Hayfield via the woods of Ellis Bank and the
River Sett. Not many people seemed to have realised that the paths
were open so this popular route was relatively uncrowded for a Kinder
Sunday - except for the annoying herd of sheep which made determined
efforts to share our lunch. So Kinder had welcomed us back like old
friends and we celebrated with a pint outside in the sunshine at the
Royal Hotel.
1st July -Windgather Rocks Alternative Family Meet - Susan Marsden
Members Present: Kathy Gordon, Mark Gledhill, Craig Marsden, Susan
Marsden, Roger Mapleson, Bridget Mapleson, Colin Maddison.
Guests Present: Emma Gordon, Thomas Marsden, Phoebe Marsden, Carys
Mapleson, Roisin Maddison.
An excellent sunny Sunday afternoon with many routes climbed by all
members present and by some very keen guests. Colin acted as belay
bunny, Roisin and Thomas climbed 3 routes each, with other guests
building extensive castle from rocks on the grass.
21st / 22nd July - Ty Powdr - Iain McCallum and Derek Seddon
Members: *Bob Anderson, Kevin Anderson, *Margaret Baldock, Ken
Beetham, *Virginia Castick, John Castick, *Andy Croughton, *Dave
Dillon, *Joe Flynn, Mark Garrod, *Tony Gask, *Mike Graves, Michelle
Harvie, *Martin Heaton, *Iain McCallum, Steve McLaren, Caroline
McLaren, Colin Maddison, Al Metelko, *Lester Payne, *Derek Seddon,
*Zoe Talks, *Jim Taylor, *Frank Williams, *Margaret Williams, *Dave
Wylie, *Peter Walker.
Guests: Pam McCallum, Roisin Maddison, *Kate Spark, *Kirstin Young.
* Members and guests on the planned walk.
Saturday
The Gods were clearly upset as the day dawned with low cloud and
drizzle. After leaving two cars at Rhyd-Ddu we made our way to
Beddgelert where we met the rest of the party - Derek, Virginia,
Frank and Margaret. From the car park we made our way up the track
towards Moel Hebog. As we ascended the rain and wind intensified.
This did not stop Andy from racing past everyone from time to time to
take photographs! After a short pit stop among some rocks just below
the cloud base we continued our ascent to the summit. From there we
descended to the Bwlch below before climbing onto the slopes of Moel
yr Ogof. At the top of the gap in the crags we stopped for lunch
while Bob and Andy looked for Owain Glyndwr's cave. The cave was
located at the bottom of a long rocky slope. Following lunch we
continued on through the clag in a north westerly direction to Moel
yr Ogof and then onto Moel Lefn. Here the party reassembled before
heading off for the top of the Pennant Valley. Route finding was
difficult in the broken ground but eventually we dropped down onto
the path below Yr Gyrn and made our way over to the quarries where we
stopped for a bite. Eventually, the rest of the team joined us there.
At this point we discovered that Kate and Kirsten were missing! While
we all scanned the hills for them Mark and Michelle hove into view.
After some discussion it was decided that the main body would make
for Rhyd-Ddu while Andy and Bob along with four others would search
for the missing pair. The pub at Rhyd-Ddu with its welcoming open
fire and wide range of beers proved a godsend in the circumstances.
Much to the relief of the meet leaders, however, it all ended well,
Kate and Kirsten were found at Beddgelert having made their way their
down through the forestry. Eventually the rather weary members of the
search party returned to the Hut for a well earned meal and a rest.
In the evening 31 members and guests sat down to a hot pot supper
prepared by Pam assisted by Roisin who laid the tables. Many thanks
to Pam who cooked and prepared the food, to the washing-up team, and
to all those who assisted us with the meal and transport arrangements.
Sunday
Some members and guests climbed on the slabs at Idwal or on the
cliffs in Llanberis. Others went walking in the Crafnant Valley.
Despite the weather a most enjoyable weekend. Many thanks for your
support.
29th July - Limestone Climbing - Robert Clark
Wild Cat Crag
Members present; Robert Clark (meet leader) Rob Allen, Sabina
Cosulich, Sheena Hendrie, Neville McMillan, Roger Dyke, Chris
Williamson, Martin Heaton, Zoe Talks.
Guests present; Sam Halligan, Mark Ashley, Mike Howlett.
The meet was moved to this area due to FMD in Yorkshire, which was
the original intended destination.
Routes climbed included, Catastrophe Grooves (HVS), Coyote Buttress
(HVS), Nine Lives Wall (HVS), Derek's Dilemma (VS - but top pitch is
as hard as HVS's in this area), Jackdaw Grooves (VS), Manx (VS),
Golden Yardstick (VS).
5th August - Froggatt Edge - Heather Brooke
Members: Lester Payne, Al Metelko, Susan Brooke, John Dobson, Sheena
Hendrie, Neville McMillion, Roger Dyke, Duncan Lee, Sabina Cosulich,
Dave Wylie, Pete Walker, Dave Dillon, Rob Allen, Rob Clarke, Alan
(Liverpool) Jones, Joanna Castick, Midge Castick, John Evans, Dave
Garland, Dave Bone, Dave Shotton, Andrew Croughton, Ken Beetham, Neil
Perry, Mary Stuart, Kevin Anderson, Iain McCallium.
Guests: Kevin Avery, Mark Ashley, Catherine Perry, Kate Sparks,
Martin Heaton, Zoë Talks, Lindsay Shone, Steve Cheslett, Anthony
Mannion.
Another wet Sunday morning made it look like it was going to be just
me sat at the bottom on Tody's wall with nothing improving fast on
the drive over from North Manchester. However after a several brews
at the Whaley Bridge Café, I decided I had to brave the rainfall and
head for the crag. However after the most miserable start of the
month, the weather started to clear up with the sun shining brightly
as I walked to the crag. To my surprise with the horrible morning
weather the crag was pretty dry with many people already arrived and
climbing.
As usually there was the mass accent of Heather wall and most of the
climbs on the sunset slab area. However Sabina will never again make
the mistake of asking if anyone wanted a rope, as a queue of about 10
emerged at the bottom of Terrace Crack. Also our President will also
never try to lead an gear-less E1 in front of an unforgiving KMC
crowd again, after the word "friend" will now be forever rewritten in
the KMC dictionary.
There was also the usually entertainment provided by the foolish but
however brave climbers experiencing the delights of Tody's wall. With
John Dobson showing the crowd his amazing seal impression, as moving
onto the block and Sabina her amazing flexibility as at the Crux her
foot had to go above her head to complete the move.
Apart for the main entertainment there were some hard routes climbed
including Three pebble Slab, Synopsis, Strapiombante, Big Crack,
Bacteria Caféteria and many more.
Thanks for the amazing turn out on what looked to be a totally
miserable day. Another extremely enjoyable Froggatt meet, let see if
I can find a different crag for next year.
11th / 12th August - Ty Powdyr - Family Meet KMC Parents!
Members: K Anderson, S Hendrie, N McMillan, A Metelko
Guests: None
The Family Meet consisted of Al and his son Kevin, and Neville with
his daughter Sheena.
The usual KMC Kindergarten did not turn up, so a repeat of the KMC
Roll-a-Baby competition could not take place. Similarly, the choice
of climbing routes was restricted; off-width cracks were out due to
the lack of babies to jam in the cracks as chockstones. (Readers who
do not follow these depraved ramblings should consult a parent of the
KMC Kindergarten for an explanation - Ed.) The fact that this was a
more mature family group meant that we were not disturbed by
screaming babies or infants with penetrating voices. The question of
which childs voice could be heard above all the others was easily
answered since Kevin never stopped talking, not even apparently to
draw breath. But time was put to good use debating the key
environmental issues of the day, or how to ensure survival of planet
Earth, or at least Ty Powdwr.
Both family outfits had the good sense and foresight to go climbing
on Friday in warm sunshine. Kevin led Dad up three E2s on Gogarth,
to show him how it's done, whilst Sheena demonstrated some nifty
footwork on slabs in the Moelwyns to her Old Man. The day ended with
sunbathing on warm slate slabs outside Ty Powdwr, in weather
conditions showing great promise for the following day. Needless to
say, the promise was not kept; Saturday providing more typical
Snowdonia weather - low cloud, lashing rain and a howling gale. This
provided an excuse for the older children to play games in the hut.
Kevin kept us all entertained for hours whilst he hung from a beam,
demonstrating crevasse self-rescue using a Tibloc. Meanwhile the
rest of us debated whether his partner would have died of frostbite
before Kevin emerged.
By early afternoon the weather had demonstrated greater powers of
endurance than we had, so we packed up and went home.
Sunday - forget it, we weren't there.
Neville McMillan
9th September - Peak District Walk - Jim Taylor
Members: Bob Anderson, Virginia & Joanne Castick, Martin Heaton, Ian
McCallum, Lester Payne, Alan Peck, Derek Seddon, Dave Somerfield,
Frank & Margaret Williams, Dave Wylie.
Guests: Mark Ashley, Dave Bradley, Steve Chandler, Kate Sparks, Becky
Williams.
I'll get this one in at the start. Thanks for your support; the turn
out was quite a surprise and a special welcome to the first timers
with the club Steve, Becky and Dave. We hope to see more of you.
The weather was especially kind remaining sunny and cool all day,
ideal for tramping. Starting from Wild boar Clough the route stayed
pretty much to plan, Ludds Church creating quite a bit of interest,
The going underfoot was good despite the recent rains, but Virginia
did manage one or two excursions into the muck and mud.
During lunch at Hanging Rock we enjoyed a superb panorama which
reached as far as the Welsh foothills followed by a swift one at "The
Ship" which was most welcome.
The return leg via Hammerton Knowl added a little more variety to the
tour and we finished a little earlier than expected. Apologies to
those who thought it was a little short (about 11½ miles)
Everyone seemed to have enjoyed the day, I hope so, and wasn't it
great to have some sunshine!
October Newsletter Index.
Copyright © 2001 Karabiner Mountaineering Club
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