Karabiner Mountaineering Club

January 2003 Meet Reports

9^th/10^th March - Blackrock Cottage, Glencoe - Andrew Croughton

Members present: - Al Metelko, Dave Dillon, Andrew Croughton.

Guests: - Pete Banister, Tidi.

A rather poor turn out for such a magnificent location, in a hut with so much character.

Due to the unwillingness for anyone else to take up leadership for this meet I found myself taking it on at very late notice and had virtually no time to promote the meet through the normal channels. This is a plea for more people to come forward to lead more varied meets, after all it is your club and the only way to get the meets that you will want to attend is to get involved .

Never the less I managed to persuade four people to join me at Black Rock Cottage a wonderful hut to stay in, idyllically situated beneath Stob Dearg & Buachaille Etive Mor.

A beautiful whitewashed stone building full of character including a self pump refill system for the toilet cistern (thirteen long slow pumps to fill) a endless supply of water to the kitchen as long as you could get somebody to go out into the cold night to the burn at the back and fill the buckets with water from it.

Saturday dawned (For Al & Pete) at 5am and the Ben Beckoned, whilst the rest of the hut slept through to a more reasonable hour before venturing out in search of a photographic vantage point to capture the Scottish highlands in full winter regalia.

Okay I will own up the weather was bad, Tidi didn't have appropriate boots for the conditions, so we walked over the road to the Kings House for pub lunch and took a few pictures on the way.

Al & Pete on the other hand had reached the CIC hut by this time and after seeing the queues of people waiting to climb the many routes that were in condition decided, due to the excessive number of people in the area and heavy snow now starting to fall to retreat to the hut. (A wise move considering the events of the weekend which left two people dead in avalanches further north and two more stranded over night on the Ben due to their late start hindered by the numbers of people ahead of them).

The snow continued to fall, and fall, and fall right through the night and by the morning dawned there was a good twelve inches of snow outside the hut and the cars were well and truly buried. The road outside the hut was now collecting a growing number of cars which were getting stuck in the snow, this collection also included a snow plough that could not get past the stranded cars to clear the snow so that the cars could reach the ski resort.

We started a fire and drank nice hot drinks whilst toasting bread in front of the fire before going outside building a snowman several feet high and laughing at the people in cars now queuing back to the main road and a good quarter of a mile in either direction along the road.

Al leant Peters new snow blades and built his own ski slope at the back of the hut, at one point I think he actually skied about ten feet before the slope ran out.

The snow was still falling and growing deeper and deeper by the minute, not being able to get out of the hut due to the traffic jam outside the gate we decided to pack our bags and head off as soon as we could get through to the main road and head back to Manchester.

Not a very eventful weekend on the mountaineering front but we did get to see Glencoe in full winter plume and stay in a fantastic hut in a superb location thanks to those who attended and to those who didn't sign up for next years meets even if the weather lets you down you will still have a good weekend.

Black Rock Cottage white corries Glencoe

24^th/25^th August - BH The Lakes, Wasdale? (Camping) - John Evans

Members: Dave Bone, Dave Dillon, John Evans, Dave Garland, Tony Major, James Richardson.

Guests: Pete Barnes, Shane & Jackie Storbeck.

Hmmm...The Lake District?...August? Bank Holiday? Funny how things turn out on KMC meets sometimes. Arriving Friday at midnight at the Never-Camp-There, sorry, Nether Wasdale site we were greeted by a sign "No arrivals after 10:30pm". There seemed to be other signs saying things like: "no fun", "no looking at the trees" and "no ANYTHING". O dear. Drove down the dark & winding road to Wasdale head (12:30am) "Campsite Full". Never mind. Drove down some more dark & winding roads (1:15am) to Santon Bridge: "No new arrivals". Not to worry. Drove to Fisherground Farm (down a very dark, tortuous lane at 1:45am) - plenty of room...My recollection of whether I was asleep before I put the tent up is now vague! James & Pete didn't have any tent pegs, and declined to use the sleeves for the tent poles kindly provided by Eurohike; they did very well, all things considered...Maybe I've been lucky, but I've never met a full campsite anywhere before - or one that enthusiastically locks the gates before last orders! Folk sidling off to Pembroke on the other hand...

Ah, the North of England in summer...Saturday morning brought rain so loud it drowned out the sound of Scumbag's frying pan - not encouraging. Cessation of the downpour brought optimism, and the rumours of Buckbarrow being a quick-drying venue resulted in myself, Scumbag, James & Pete creeping across the Nether Wasdale campsite under breaking cloud. Thus we happened upon Wavy and his two accomplices, who were very cagey about how they got into this closely-guarded establishment (I think he used the umbrella...his powers are strong). Strolling was the plan for Wavy, Jackie and Shane (keeping off the grass of course). Once rested from the backbreaking ascent to Buckbarrow, a pleasant VDiff called Gar garin was climbed by Team Skinny and the Tentpeg Borrowers. This was followed by Buckbarrow Needle, a goodly two-pitch VS 4b (Scumbag's "Grade of Doom"); at the top of the first pitch Dave made all manner of exclamations but triumphed eventually. It was a testimony to Wavy's kind heart to hear him later say: "it looked impressive from the valley". Meanwhile James & Pete climbed a chimney (possibly not a Lakeland classic) using only vegetation for holds...The bar-b-q Jackie and Shane engineered back at Nether Wasdale (contrary, of course to the regulations about "no fun allowed after 2pm") was remarkable indeed: a whole cow roasted over an area of hot coals no larger than a KMC newsletter centrespread!

Later, ensconced in the hostelry at Eskdale Green, we were delighted to see Messrs. Bone & Major, who gave a lengthy account of their movements (at the usual low levels of volume) during the day. I do believe Yorkshire was involved, but my mind at this point was more than usually addled by the Old Peculier...They were camped a mile away (yet within the same campsite!). One feature of the weekend was the immense overprofusion of campfires lit at Fisherground; TONS of things must have been burned, certainly immense clouds of smoke belched into the sky - blotting out the stars - why this took place I do not know. I think maybe the air must have been a bit too fresh for some.

A surprisingly early start on Sunday saw all folk on the meet flogging up towards the Napes, lungs aching and cautiously observing the fluctuating cloudbase. Wavy, Shane & Jackie strolled up, up and away - perhaps to rendezvous with the Mothership...The quiet men scuttled up to Kern Knotts - Buttonhook Route HVS (amongst others) was reportedly climbed, no doubt with with the usual understated ease. Team Skinny and the Tentpole Boys joined the mercifully short queue for Tophet Wall, a much-hyped Severe, which certatinly didn't disappoint - a corker with continuously interesting climbing. The subsequent traverse across the Napes to the Needle revealed what seemed to be half the population of Henley-on-Thames, and no chance of ascending through a crowd of people concerning themselves with "Backwash". Backwash, it turns out, is when someone passes you a bottle of water, which you gratefully swig, noticing as you return it, that the many breadcrumbs floating in it were not put there by you...Hmmm. Sitting around James' mighty cooker in the smoky dusk, we all drank from OUR OWN, INDIVIDUAL BOTTLES (kindly supplied by Pete - gradually his box of beer/pillow/seat was diminished).

Monday was the most encouraging of all weatherwise, with the sun actually threatening to shine. Ignoring the warnings of possible greasy rock Scumbag, Pete, James & myself set out for Esk Buttress (We passed the impressive Heron Crag, where I heard a whisper that Mr Major & Mr Bone were discreetly going about their business on, for example, Gormenghast HVS). The mighty yomp to Esk buttress has to be one of the finest (and longest!) walk-ins in England, a quiet river valley gradually leading up to the upper reaches of Eskdale - and what a place to be on a sunny summer day! Doesn't really feel like being in England at all. With an eye on the walk-out and the drive South only Bridge's Route was done, a superb and exposed Severe on a great big spectacular cliff (considering it's in the same country as Chorlton-cum-Hardy). A colossal day on the hill. More time - maybe a high camp up there next summer eh? Ta for coming along to those who did, and more Lakes climbing please...

29^th September - Laddow, Traditional Meet - Andrew Croughton

Members:- Dave Dillon, Al Metelko, Alan Peck, Heather Brooke, Sue Brooke, John Dobson, Duncan Lee, Sabina Cosulich, Michelle Harvie (Birthday girl), Mark Garrod, Christine Beeston, Rob Allen, Iain McCallum, Jim Taylor, Dave Garland, Dave Shotton, Dave Wylie, Joanne Castick, Virginia Castick, John Castick, Lester Payne, Colin Maddison, John Evans, Fiona Roy, Craig Marsden, Rick Davies, Jim Symon, Judith Symon, Peter Walker, Tony Major, Joe Flynn, Neville McMillan.

Guests:- John Cox, Pete Banister, Theresa, Lynne, Anna, Rosian, Alex, Martin, Christine, Ian, Scott, Dan, Elli, John, Ian, Mick, and one or two more who I did not get names for from the university group.

Yet another exceptionally well attended meet with fifty plus people at the crag throughout the day. I am not sure if this was due to the good weather forecast or the free tea and cakes from the cave café. (Enjoyed by all except the club president who missed out on his cup of tea to do another climb) The usual classic climbs, long climb etc, all had traffic jams bellow them as well as some of the more dramatic routes such as cave crack which are normally only climbed in better weather conditions had several ascents made. Thanks to everybody for attending and hopefully next year will see a repeat of the good weather and good attendance for this most traditional of KMC meets. Andrew Croughton meet leader and reluctant tea maker.

12^th/13^th October - The Annual Fell Race, Langdale - Neville McMillan

Route: Mill Beck - Sergeant Man - Little Heart-shaped Tarn - Easedale (by New Bridge) - Robertson Lamb Hut.

Members: Bob Anderson, Heather Brooke, Virginia Castick, Sabina Cosulich, Andrew Croughton, Dave Dillon, Joe Flynn, Mark Garrod, Jim Gregson, Sandy Gregson, Graham Harkness, Sue Harkness, Michelle Harvie, Sheena Hendrie, Alan (L) Jones, Duncan Lee, Craig Marsden, Neville McMillan, Al Metelko, Lester Payne, Jim Symon, Judith Symon, Chris Thickett, Peter Walker, Frank Williams, Margaret Williams, Dave Wylie (27).

The weather forecasters promised a good day on Sunday, and luckily they were right. This was preceded by heavy rain and low cloud on Friday night and Saturday morning, and followed by more rain on Sunday night and Monday, but it was dry on the day that mattered.

A select band turned up on Friday, but those that arrived on Saturday afternoon missed nothing except the bad weather. Al, Heather, and Wavey got some climbing in, but rather more went out reconnoitring possible routes for the morrow.

More people turned up on Sunday, making a total field of 18, a respectable number. With good visibility on the tops, my concern was that the course would be considered too easy. I need not have worried. Sufficient errors in navigation were made, under the stress of the event, to make the results "interesting".

The first race-problem arose when Heather, official gate-opener and closer near the start, was subjected to a verbal battering by the landlady of the Millbeck Guest House (a shining example of Lakeland hospitality at its best) for our use of their unmarked private drive to access a public footpath. What Heather did not know was that the harridan's wrath had been fomented by none other than Jim Gregson, who had earlier walked round the back of the farmhouse and through the sheep pens to access the public path! Anyway, we thought it prudent to move the race start for the second and third groups back to a public path, and leave the runners to open and close the gates themselves. The times for the first group have been adjusted to compensate for this.

Everyone got to Sergeant Man in their own time. In good visibility it is difficult to miss, even though it may not always be in sight. Michelle put up the fastest time (44 mins), then carried on at the same speed but in the wrong direction. Craig was another casualty on the next leg, getting carried away by progress without checking the direction! Everyone else was successful on this leg, except Peter who pulled a muscle. Al laid the foundation of his ultimate success by being 7 minutes faster than anyone else on this leg.

Despite Neville's helpful hints, very few took the Easedale Tarn route on the third leg (perhaps they suspected a plot), so did not use the excellent new path by Sourmilk Gill. Mark did, and (walking???) nearly put up the fastest time on this leg. The alternative route had some navigational problems for Frank, who got irreversibly off-course. Graham also had some navigational problems and, to a lesser extent, so did Duncan and Sabina. Craig and Michelle moved fast (Craig putting up the fastest time on this leg), but had too much lost time to make up.

The final leg back to the finish was found hard by many (perhaps because it was! - N.) But this was where fitness told. Michelle was 6 minutes faster than Al, 9 minutes faster than Craig, 10 minutes faster than Mark, 14 minutes faster than Jim and Sheena, and 17 minutes faster than Dave Wylie, to move up from seventh place overall to finish third!! Duncan and Sabina also did well on this leg, gaining 7 minutes on Jim and Sheena, but failing to catch them before the finish.

The winners were: Fastest overall: Al Metelko 2 hr 05 mins Fastest female: Michelle Harvie 2 hr 28 mins Fastest on handicap time (Shelagh Manning Trophy): Graham Harkness 1 hr 27 mins Fastest first time competitor (Concordia Trophy): Not awarded

The organiser enjoyed researching the course, and choosing the check-points. He also gained Sadistic pleasure from analysing the various expressions of pain and suffering as competitors descended the final steep hillside! He has also learnt some lessons: Mark walks faster than the majority run, so henceforth, walking or running, he will be permanently in the fast group. Joe, despite being very laid-back about whether he marshalls or participates, becomes very competitive when the opportunity arises; he won't be in the slow group again!

The results are in the following table, in the same format as last year.

My thanks to the six check point marshalls. Thanks also to Mark and Michelle for organising the food, and to Margaret for organising the kitchen, and making sure that everyone was looked after. Thanks to all those who took part, and to the Oldies for supporting the event. But next year lets havemore support from the younger end, and more female participation, especially from first-time entrants - the Concordia Trophy awaits you.

Next year's Fell Race will be in the Lake District again, maybe the Duddon, in October. I hope everyone will be there.

20^th October - Yorkshire Dales Walk - Iain McCallum

Members present :Jim Gregson, Sandy Gregson, Iain McCallum, Lorna Marsland, Alan Peck, Peter Walker, Frank Williams, Margaret Williams, Keith Williams, Dave Wylie (10)

Guests present: Trish Cranston, Jean Coates, Joan Green, Dave Swindlehurst (4)

The day dawned with leaden skies but the visibility was very good. Rain was forecast for the afternoon.

Leaving Twistleton Lane we crossed the footbridge over the river Doe to Scar End and climbed steeply up the hill following the green track up on to the ridge. Eventually we made for the path which follows the wall along the ridge to the summit of Whernside. Along the way we stopped for a break in a sheltered spot before reaching the Trig Point (736m) at about 12.15pm. From the summit we could see the Lakeland hills across Morecambe Bay and the Howgills to the north west. By now the wind from the south east was very strong and we huddleded down for lunch behind the wall - a rather draughty perch!

From the summit we followed the little track down the hillside to the road at Kingsdale Head. Turning towards Dent we tramped along the road until we reached the rough cart-track which winds it way to Dent across the aptly named Foul Moss. At the second bend we left the track, clambered over a wall, and climbed the hill side up to the ridge leading to Green Hill (626m) and Gragareth (627m). By now the clouds had enveloped the tops of Ingleborough and Whernside threatening rain. We made haste to Gragareth and the end of the ridge. Instead of following the ridge Keith lead the party in a rapid descent into Kingsdale just as the rain started at about 3.30pm. Although heavy at first it soon eased off as we followed the Turbary road back to cars where we arrived at 4.30pm. The pub in Thornton was our next port of call for a well earned drink.

Distance about 12 miles.

Thanks for your support.

9^th/10^th November - Bonfire Meet - Virginia Castick

Members: Virginia Castick, John Castick, Joanne Castick, Sheena Hendrie, Dave Wylie, Alan Wylie, Duncan Lee, James Richardson, John Evans, Al Metelko, Joe Flynn, Lester Payne, Craig Marsden, Colin Maddison, Rob Clark, Rob Allen, Mark Garrod, Michelle Harvie, Sue Brooke, Heather Brooke, John Dobson, Norman Ingham, Vanessa Addison, Dave Dillon, Kevin Anderson, Ann Sanderson, Sue Marsden.

Guests: John Sanderson, Martin Willcock, Thomas Marsden, Phoebe Marsden, Andrew, Roisin Maddison, Dan O'Brien, Ian Crook, Gavin Staton, Jackie Starbeck, Shane Starbeck, Phillippa, Amanda Ingham, Jonathan Ingham, Theresa Parolis, James Smith, Alex Dobson, Roger Ximenis, Michael Dorrington, Cynthia Troche, Trish Cranston, Liz Hughes, Pete Apps, Kate Cooper.

(Apologies if your name's spelt wrong or you've been missed off. 51 people is a lot to write down.)

After an appalling week of rain Saturday turned out mild and windless with high cloud. Several teams went to Tremadoc where the crag was quiet and sufficiently dry. Ascents of Creag Ddu Wall and Poor Mans Peutrey were enjoyed. Duncan and Colin went to Cloggy and climbed on the Far East Buttress. Two teams went walking on Elidir Fawr And Y Garn.

Meanwhile back at the hut a bunch of potential pyromaniacs demolished great chunks of the country park flora with the aid of a chainsaw for the bonfire. A whole oak tree was seen was seen being moved on the shoulders of Joanne and James They claimed to have only taken fallen trees -Yeah right and who felled them?

As the forecast was for more rain the fire was lit early and the fireworks started promptly at seven Alan and Dave organised a terrific display with everybody's contributions. Resplendent on top of the bonfire was G.W. (Bush) made lovingly by the children and finally stuffed ignominiously into the heart of the fire to promote a good blaze. The main entertainment turned out not to be the fireworks but the attempts to get the bonfire really roaring. Although well lit in the middle, the sodden wood piled up around struggled to burn up. Who will forget the sight of Norman chucking fuel on from a can and the flames tracking back to the can, which he then hurled nonchalantly on to the fire. 'Do as I say kids, not as I do.' The aforementioned petrol chainsaw was then brought into action to attack the bonfire and fill the middle up. The whole club looked on in amazement from behind the safety of the stockade wall at this new version of the Chainsaw Massacre. By 10.30 the bonfire was blazing nicely, Norman was still alive and those whose jaws were not stuck together with Dave's treacle toffees chatted on until it started to rain. Those enjoying the warmth of the fire moved indoors to Dave's Disco. This started amusingly with tracks from Jungle Book and went on to better things as the evening progressed.

On Sunday the fire was still burning despite the overnight rain. Several teams set off for Idwal, one team returned to Tremadoc and everyone else disappeared off into the sunshine. Thanks to all who came and all those that did their bit to clear up. I enjoyed myself, I hope everyone else did.

17^th November - Local Walk (from Teggs Nose) - Peter Walker

Present: John and Virginia Castick, Roger Dyke, Mike Graves, David Green (G)Joan Green (G), Martin Heaton, Sheena Hendrie, Iain McCallum, Neville McMillan, Lester Payne, Alan Peck, Derek Seddon, Gareth Snell,(G) Brian Taylor, Frank and Margaret Williams, Dave Wylie,Peter Walker. G=guests.

It wasn't raining and it managed to not quite rain all day, what good luck! It had poured down on my last recce, but underfoot was plenty of evidence of recent downpours. The start from Tegg's Nose provided opportunities for industrial archaeology or a quick route on the quarry slab forSheena, Neville, Roger, and Dave, before we took to the Gritstone Trail towards Croker Hill .We turned off at the Hanging Gate Inn where we managed to leave quite an impression - someone walked right through the newly laid, freshly smoothed cement path! Apologies were offered and accepted only for a latecomer to repeat the performance! The guilty shall remain anonymous. The path up to Oakenclough had turned into a streambed but dry land at the top provided a good spot for refreshments with a view. On, now to Wildboarclough and the Crag Inn,most of us walked past but a few nipped in for a drink or the loo. Now for our highest point of the day, The Cheshire Matterhorn, the lovely little top of Shutlingsloe,justly popular and a great spot for lunch and a chance to regroup. .Martin was required for nappy duty so accompanied by Roger made straight for Tegg's Nose.We joined the procession down to Macclesfield Forest, thence to the paths to Toothill, Forest Chapel and the start of the homewards track over Whitehills. Once over the hill people took their pick of the various finishes but all arrived back at Tegg's Nose with daylight to spare. No tea,the café was closed but in the spirit of this very sociable meet we gathered round the viewpoint for some typical KMC banter before dispersing for home. Welcome to Gareth Snell on his first meet, I hope we haven't put him off.

24^th November - Mountain Biking, Holme Valley - Margaret Baldock

Members: Margaret Baldock, Dave Dillon.

Guests: Gill Stephens.

Despite a bit of a low turn out, and visibility at times down to 20 metres, this was a most enjoyable day. The sun shone brightly as we approached the starting point but was hardly seen again until the last hour, though we might have overheated had it been otherwise. Gill's new bike soon became unrecognisable, covered in mud much to her delight. The Clothiers' Alms in Netherthong was most hospitable, providing a gigantic pot of tea, roast beef dinner for £2.50 and hammer to carry out urgent bicycle repairs. We were struck by the friendliness of everyone we met but suspect it was due to Gill's beaming smiles, undaunted by however steep was the next ascent. The afternoon featured an encounter with a hungry horse who took a fancy to the end of Gill's handlebar - spat it out after 5 minutes in a very mangled condition, peppermint tea and Eccles cakes, and a bumpy descent in the growing dusk down forest tracks at the end of which Dave was outnumbered in his uncharacteristic wish to take the most arduous route back. Instead we ambled gently back alongside the reservoirs, stopping for Dave to photograph the eery reflections in the fading light. Then a final slog up, up and up to the welcome sight of our cars.

14^th/15^th December - Christmas Bash - James Richardson

Attendance: Sheena, John Evans, Rick Davis, Anna, Alan Wylie, Dave Wylie, Rob Allen, Joanne, Joe Flynn, Big Andy, Al, Ian Crook, Dan O'Brian, Duncan, Sabina, Wavy, Christine, Clarky, Joanne Castick, Joanne's Guest, Heather, John, Sue, Ian Lee, Michelle, Mark, Lester, Craig, Dave Bone, Vanessa, Roger, Kevin, Fi, Mark Williams, Richard, Chris Thicket, Ken, Len, Ann, Alex, Jim, Judith, John Worby.

Firstly thank you to everyone who attended! Next special thanks goes to all those who helped, Ken for all those onions, Wavy and Fiona who spent the entire day in the kitchen with me doing a variety of mind numbing chores, John whose previous experience was extremely valuable, Rich for the 70 finely sliced sticks of celery and everyone else who chipped in throughout the day; Dave, Alan, Jim, Andy and the washer uppers. Kev was responsible for delivering myself and the food to the hut, which was done in fine style including the super market stop. Also well done and thanks to everyone who cleared up in the morning, sorry that I wasn't in particularly good condition for helping although I did manage to second hope in the wet and get involved with an epic descent. I haven't managed to find out how the Saturday events went from Rick or Chris yet but I believe fun was had on both of their events. A mention for Rick and Mark for getting their abseil rope stuck on Tramadog is obligatory, well done guys! I also believe that Al, Duncan and Pete managed to find some ice to climb. Sunday unfortunately it rained and saw a mass retreat back to Manchester, four of us (Al, Anna, Alex and I) did manage to climb, as pre-mentioned, at Idwell but due to leaving the hut after one finished in the dark and managed to come down the wrong way over several cliffs.

That's about it, a final mention is required for Rob Allen's advise about the use of a chicken and a chest of draws which makes what Andy does to Robins look normal. Merry Christmas to you all and best wishes for the New Year!

January Newsletter Index.

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