Karabiner Mountaineering Club

February 2002 Forthcoming Meets

All note the following small print when taking part in meets :-

2^nd/3^rd February - Ty Powdyr WORKING MEET - Hut Committee

Elidir Fawr (LRHS) install skirting board and shelves, paint ceiling, repair plaster on wall.

Glyder Fawr (LLHS) tape and skim joints on ceiling and install door frame and door between EF and GF dorms.

Dormitory Hall lay plywood floor for cork tiles and build cupboard under the stairs

Other tasks cleaning, road repairs, repairs to gutters, thin trees, paint toilet cubicles in gents.

Lunch will be provided for members of the working party.

10^th February - Peak District Yomp - James Richardson

A walk of about 13 miles that could be shortened should the weather be atrocious.

Meet at Grindleford Station (GR: SK 251788, OS 1:50 000 sheets 119 and 110) at 9.30 am for a prompt 9.45 am start. There's a fair amount of free parking, but, as always, sharing cars is a good idea.

We'll head up the path by Burbage Brook, through some ancient woods and out at Lawrence Field. Up Hollow Gate and cross the A625 opposite Surprise View car park. Now across the plateau heading past Carl Wark, the remains of a hill fortification dating back possibly to pre-Roman times, to Higger Tor with a 45ft high tower of gritstone boulders at its summit. From Higger Tor we'll aim N-E to the trig point at the southern end of Stanage Edge. Now there's nearly 4 miles along the edge passing the tops of all those routes you did (or didn't) climb last summer. If the weather's good, there are great views and exhilarating walking to blow all the Manchester gunk away from your lungs. At Stanage End, we'll return along the bottom of the Edge, past discarded millstones, for you to look at and dream about all the routes that you will do next summer… Now down Jacob's Ladder, a paved causeway, through some woods and past North Lees Hall built in the late 1500's by the Eyre family. It is thought that Charlotte Bronte may have used this hall as inspiration for Thornfield Manor when she wrote Jane Eyre. We come out at Hathersage (wait until the walk's over before you go shopping!). There's a short bit of road walking before we take the path along the River Derwent and up through the woods back to Grindleford.

The café should be open now for anyone who wants a chip butty and pint pot of tea. Alternatively, return to Outside for a shopfest and the more wholesome offerings of Longlands Café!

Catch me in the pub beforehand or contact me if you want to share lifts. Hopefully see you there.

Wednesday 13^th February - Bouldering Competition - Kevin Anderson

WELCOME TO THE KMC's ‘"ANNUAL" GLOSSOP BOULDERING COMP'

Q. What goes arghhhhhhhh twang, snap thud??

A. An old KMCer with rusty tendons hanging a desperate crimp on Glossop's oh-so-steep overhanging wall.

The long winter nights are still with us and yet Spain, France, Italy and other sun-kissed rock adventures are just round the corner. So how about a bit of the indoor stuff to get the old muscles and sinews nicely toned in preparation for those sweeping sheets of unspoilt limestone. To this end I'm organising a KMC only(ish) competition at the Glossop wall for Wednesday 13^th February. The comp' is just for fun and it's the taking part that counts not the winning (sorry Lee!). For those of you who have heard terrible tales of the Glossop wall don't be put off - I'll be setting problems that whilst demanding will be in accordance with KMC ability levels - i.e. points for contintence, sobriety, navigation to Glossop, etc. They'll be plenty of 4c level problems with a few stretching the limits towards 5b and maybe a couple of more tricky ventures for El Presidento and his Good Missus. Also, given that many of us KMCers display symptoms of vertigo (demonstrated by the preference to canoe, swim and cycle over climb) many of the problems will not get you too high (sorry Duncan and HRH Harry).

The evening will culminate in a curry and beer at my local pub - excellent food and Robinsons - with those wishing to indulge in the latter only too welcome to doss (and that's what it'll be once the three spare bed spaces are taken) at my house before heading for work the following morning.

Details
Date 13^th February 2002
Start Time 7.00pm
Finish Time 9.00pm
Location See map (the wall is a 3 minute walk from the train station!!)
Nearest Hospital 5 min ambulance ride from the wall also has a geriatric ward!

I would appreciate having some idea of numbers, so if you think you're likely to risk life and limb on the heady heights of Glossop's infamous wall then let me know

16^th/17^th February - Allt Cruinnichidh, Roybridge - Dave K Lygate

There are only 10 places (therefore very limited) with some already gone before going to press and many KMC members continually expressing their interest throughout the year, mainly attempting to find out if the rumours are true. Has a Jacuzzi been built? Or was it a sauna? Or possibly the most imaginative rumour ever spread? Anyway it's not important because we are just across the road from the pub. However, we do suggest you bring your bathing kit just in case and there's a pool in Fort William if you're especially keen on water.

The accommodation is situated 2 miles east of Roybridge on the A86 opposite the Glen Spean Lodge Hotel. (grid ref. 301811, OS sheet 41). The McofS publication – “Scottish clubs' huts” describes the accommodation as, “Warm, comfortable, friendly country hostel in converted barn, set in stunning scenery near Roybridge. Ideal location for walking and climbing (Creag Meagaidh, Ben Nevis), canoeing and mountain biking.” There are also local opportunities for ski touring (as a group from the club did last year) and alpine skiing at Aviemore or Fort William, which are both quite close (less than 1 Hour drive away).

Allt Cruinnichidh, an incredible venue with more than enough winter activities within the surrounding area. The options are almost endless and it would be impossible to fit them all into a single weekend. Additionally, with a local pub there is the added opportunity of whisky sampling in the evenings. So to claim your very limited place see the Meet Leader on Thursday nights at the pub meet and pay the token fee of £16 for your accommodation. Then all we need wait for is the snow.

24^th February - Shropshire Ridge Walk: Breidden Hills - Brian Taylor

I suspect that many of you have not even heard of these hills. They lie approximately 12 miles to the west of Shrewsbury and 10 miles to the south of Oswestry.

The planned walk involves the ascent of 3 of the hills in this mighty range! The first part of the walk involves a steepish ascent of Rodney's Pillar.Given good weather you will be able to see from the top of Rodney's Pillar the following landmarks- the flood plain of the river Severn, The Long Mind, The Wrekin, The Arans, the Berwyns and Cader Idris. From this point it is a steady descent through woodland before another steady climb to Moel y Golfa at a lofty height of 403 metres. The route then ascends the grassy Middleton Hill before dropping down towards the river Severn. We then follow the river for a couple of miles before crossing farm fields and returning to the cars. The walk is in total approximately 10 miles through lovely varied scenery.

The distance to the Breidden Hills is approximately 70+ miles from south Manchester, surprisingly enough the journey only took me only 1 hour 20 minutes from Stockport. Suggested route to get there is down past Chester, by-pass Oswestry on the A5(T), through the village of Pant, 5 kilometres beyond Pant turn left and take the B4393, go along this road for approx 5 kilometres, as soon as have gone over the river Severn turn right onto a minor road which takes you past a working quarry, there is a quarry car park there, do not stop there but keep going for another 1/2 k,(there is a sharp left bend at the quarry car park) our car park is in the small hamlet of Criggion at the base of Rodney's Pillar. If you have any problems with the directions then give me a ring.

2^nd/3^rd March - Ty Powdyr Holiday Slideshow - Sabina Cosulich

On Saturday evening, I will provide home made soup and bread (not home made, Kevin!- unless you are offering), £1.

Bring along your holiday photos and slides to share your holiday experiences.

See you there.

9^th/10^th March - Blackrock Cottage Glencoe (10 places)

17^th March - Peak District Walk - Iain McCallum

Map: OS Outdoor Leisure Sheet 24

Meet at 9.30am. for 9.45am.start at Meerbrook (Tittesworth Reservoir Car Park) GR 994604. May be approached from either A523 Macclesfield to Leek road - turn off near Rushton Spencer or from A53 Buxton to Leek road - turn off at Blackshaw Moor.

Refreshments are available at the "Ship Inn" at Wincle and at the "Lazy Trout Inn" at Meerbrook.

A fine walk around the hills at the southern end of the White Peak albeit in Staffordshire. Distance about 12/13 miles on good paths and tracks. The walk can easily be modified to suit the conditions. ETA at the Ship Inn is between 1pm and 1.30pm.

23^rd/24^th March - Mill Cottage, Feshiebridge - Andrew Croughton

Ideal situation for winter climbers, skiers and walkers alike, guaranteed weather on the hills and a real fire to welcome you back to the hut.

In order to find out what weather conditions are guaranteed simply book your place by handing over £10 to me as soon as possible (limited to 10 places) come on the meet and make the most of the last of the Scottish winter conditions, in one of the finest mountain areas in Scotland.

Mill Cottage is on a forestry commission site just off the A9 full directions on how to find the hut are in the back of the handbook or see me closer to the date.

14^th April - Hotpot and Slide Competition - The President

Weather permitting, meet up at the High Neb area of Stanage anytime after 10.30am to sample some of the finest routes on Peak gritstone. What more can I say except that a balaclava may be useful to avoid pestering by the clubs very own paparazzi, otherwise know as Wavey Davey and Big Andy.

Duncan Lee.

The Walk: Edges Walk

Route: Grindleford - Froggatt - White Edge - Longshaw Lodge - Burbage - Higger Tor - Millstone Edge - Grindleford.

Maps: OS. Outdoor Leisure Sheets -1 and 24

Meet at 9.30am. for 9.45am. start on Grindleford Station approach road near Cafe GR251788 - parking on the road. Refreshments are available at Longshaw Lodge and the Station Cafe.

A good tramp around the Eastern Edges of the Peak District on good paths and tracks. Distance about 12 miles. The walk can easily be modified to suit the conditions.

Iain McCallum.

The Hotpot

This year the meal and slideshow will again be held at The Navigation Inn in Buxsworth (near Chinley) priced at £6 per person. The pub is open all day with the meal being served at 7.30pm. As usual there is a vegetarian option available so let me know your preference when you book. Please book early as I need to let the pub know the final numbers a week before hand

The Slide Competition

As per usual the four categories are:

1. Mountain action
2. Mountain landscape
3. Rock climbing action
4. Human interest.

Please remember that there is a maximum of three slides per person for each category and that it would help our impartial judge (yet to be announced to avoid bribery or blackmail) if you clearly mark each slide with your name and the category that you wish it to be entered into. The slides also have to have been taken during the last twelve months. The last date to hand in slides for the competition is Thursday 11^th April.

Anyone who wishes to show other slides after the competition are most welcome to do so. Try not to put the competition entries to shame as happened last year.

Anyone interested in the climbing who needs a lift, wants to book a meal or has slides to enter can generally find me at the pub on most Thursday evenings or can contact me at home.

4^th/6^th May - BH Southern Seacliff Odyssey (part 1) - Rick Davies

15^th/16^th June - The Southern Seacliff Odyssey (part 2) - Rick Davis

Note: this is a change from that in the handbook.

February Newsletter Index.

Copyright © 2002 Karabiner Mountaineering Club