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March 2004 Meet Reports
2nd/3rd August 2003 - Lakes climbing - John Evans
Members: John Castick, Midge Castick, Jim Gregson, Sandy Gregson,
Sheena Hendrie, Dave Bone, Wavy, Al Metelko, Lester Payne, John
Evans, Fiona Roy.
Guests: Jo Farrington, Alex Dobson, Julie O'Regan, Barnaby, Martin.
*some of this weekend has been blotted from my memory due to
Post-Tramatic Stress caused by ridiculous overpopulation of the male
shower area. Not a pretty sight even without my glasses on.
A goodly turnout appeared at the heavily populated Fisherground Farm
campsite, again there was smoke from various unnecessary fires and
plenty of empty Stells Artois cans and the ever-present
trailer-tents... The weather was reasonable and various things were
done. Saturday was Esk Buttress day for the meet leader, who in
cooperation with Alex climbed the excellent Square Chimney/Medusa
wall combination, the crag is in a fine setting, the rock was superb
and two of the guests (Barnaby & Martin, who were met later at the
pub) also had route-finding issues!
More people appeared on Sunday morning, and I'm informed that during
the course of the weekend, Lester explored Scafell, Julie and
probably Mr Metelko also assaulted the mighty Esk Buttress, the
Casticks traversed Bowfell and Black Combe, Fiona & Jo searched
uncomfortably through the bracken. Jo & Al went to look at Heron
Crag, the Gregsons also visited Scafell and Sheena and the Bone
machine probably climbed at Bell Stand. For my next Lakes meet, a
different venue I think, not least because the free-for-all of the
mens showers is highly traumatic for a weak mind, such as my own. As
for Esk Buttress, it's a long walk-in whichever way you go, but the
scenery's rather pleasant!
10th/11th January - Ty-Powder - Chris Thickett
Members present: Iain McCallum; Bob Anderson; Bob Haynes; Jim
Gregson; Sandy Gregson; Sheena Hendrie; Scott Sadler; Shaun Kelly;
Chris Thickett.
Guests: Ian Higginbotham; Carmel King; James (JR) Hartley.
There are advantages and disadvantages in arriving a day early on a
meet. You could extend your weekend with another day on the hill as
per Uncle Bob or you can end up helping to rescue self-skewering
goats as per the meet convenor.
The unpromising weather of early Saturday morning meant that I needed
to make a decision - something I try to avoid so early in the year.
Should we go for the planned walk over the Glyders and Y Garn or for
a tame walk though the woods of the Crafnant valley? The wind was
against the former and the spirit of adventure against the latter. In
the Ogwen car park I decided on neither but to do the Glyders in
reverse although omitting Y Garn. I would risk a short quick shock on
the tops. What I had forgotten was the uncompromising steep climb
from the Idwal Slabs to the summit of Glyder Fawr. On arriving at the
top we were rewarded for our efforts by the start of the rain, bourne
horizontal by the strong wind although fortunately on our backs due
to the change of plan in the car park. Anyway we all made it to the
top except Shaun and his dog who must have found temptation of home
fires too tempting when he arrived in sight of Nant Peris when above
the Devil's Kitchen.
We then traversed acoss to Glyder Fach throught the damp murk and
boulders and found the way down into upper Cwm Tryfan by way of the
top of the Miners' track from Pen y Grwyd.
At last we had somewhere sheltered to relax and eat. Then a quick
shuffle up onto Bwlch Tryfan and down into Cwm Bochclwd brought us
back to the waiting cars at the road.
In the meantime Jim and Sandy hopped off to Angelsey to check on the
bird life.
Scott and Ian had prepared for climbing in poor weather but when they
arrived at Carreg Hylldrem it was fine. Luckily, it was still raining
on the girdle traverse - their intended route. This rain came from a
more-solid-than-usual cloud, the overhanging roof above the route. I
was glad that they weren't disappointed.
Sunday was fine but there was a fierce bitter wind. Some headed for
home, some for relations. Uncle Bob and Jim and Sandy headed into the
hills. There was a rumour circulating that Shaun is heading for
Devon! Scott and Ian headed for Australia where they climbed Looning
the Tube and Gadaffi Duck. Later they put a rope on Donald Duck,
Goose Creature and Swan Hunter - I hope it was all legal.
5th/7th March - Ty-Powder Working Party - Chris Thickett
Present: Iain & Pam McCallum; Rick Davies; Dave Wylie; Christine
Beeston; Trish Cranston; Chris Thickett; Alan Wylie.
Guests: Ben Smith; Alan's guests Janet and Ollie.
Alan and his guests only stayed on Friday night and early on Saturday
morning they hot-footed away showing clear imprints on the ground in
order to be the life and sole of the party at the Vibram Club dinner
at The Heights where they were to stay the night to boot.
That left me and five willing workers. As soon as breakfast was
finished I rushed down the field to check the level in the septic
tank - 15 inches down. Consequently, at the May maintenance meet we
will be looking for volunteers, preferably with diving experience in
very murky conditions!
Continuing in inspection mode, I was joined by Dave whereupon we
checked inside and outside, above and below. Following this, Dave did
something wonderful with flame-retardant polystyrene before expertly
repairing the roof of the Fuse House where eight replacement slates
were required. I can tell you it was tough holding the ladder,
especially after I had already set up a dehumidifier in a scientific
experiment to determine the relative humilities of the dormitories.
Meanwhile, Christine and Trish painted the corridor between hall and
lounge. They prepared the walls thoroughly, mixed two pots of
emulsion to produce a delicate and tasteful shade of light orange,
painted a first coat, then retired to clean the kitchen ventilators,
returning later to give the walls a second coat. Furthermore, they
cleaned up after themselves and but for the sparkling new paintwork
you would not think that any messy work had been done in the vicinity
- don't you just hate women!
Pam set about the first aid box with determination checking for
deficiencies against a given list. Then with Iain she prepared the
refreshments for the breaks and lunch, everything meeting their usual
very high standards. Between them they cleaned all the shelves and
cupboards in the kitchen area, the porcelain in the ladies, the upper
dormitory floors and the stairs. Iain completed small areas of floor
tiling.
So the small but industrious group made the maintenance end of the
meet a raging success - thanks very much to everyone.
In the afternoon I had sneaked down the field and out of sight.
Later, I managed to convince the others that I had been very busy
repairing a section of the boundary wall that had developed a
dangerous lean.
Somehow we managed to forget to catalogue all the books in the
library. Gosh! The Committee will be cross!
Rick and Ben, after checking that the conditions in Point five Gully
on the Ben were poor, decided to spend Saturday at Gogarth. They
'strolled along The Strand until Breaking the Barrier where they met
The Brothers.' Later in the evening they both shared a strange dream
when a excited and forgetful loon rushed into their dormitory to
complete his experiments with potential damp.
In accordance with the tablet of stone carved by no less a sage than
Uncle Bob himself, no work was allowed on Sunday so we all had to
think of something to do mountaineering-wise.
After poring over the guide books, Rick and Ben returned to Angesey,
this time to Roscolyn where they climbed on a 'sun drenched crag!'
Routes climbed were: Savage Sunbird E2 5b; Icarus HVS 5a; Wild Rover
E1 5b. Sounds like a useful weekend to me!
Iain and Pam walked in the Crafnant valley by lake and forest after
meeting Christine and Trish heading up and over Moel Siabod.
Dave seemed to have possibly the best of the walks. From Gerlan, he
climbed Yr Elen, continued on to Carnedd Llewellyn, then round over
Carnedd Dafydd and back down along Mynydd Du. 'There was quite a lot
of snow higher up, plus a bit of ice.' Sometimes windy or misty he
was able to get some excellent views and was well satisfied with his
efforts.
For my part I headed over to Moel Eilio and along the grassy ridge
towards Snowdon. During the steep climb adjacent to the Vivien quarry
back up to the hut, I realised just how hard I had worked the
previous day.
Chris Thickett
Sun 14th March - Peak District Walk - Iain Mccallum
Members: Christine Beeston, Trish Cranston, Roger Dyke, Bob. Haynes,
Iain McCallum, Lorna Marsland, Lester Payne, Alan Peck, Derek Seddon,
Frank Williams, Margaret Williams, Keith Williams, Dave Wylie; Sabina
Cosulich, Sheena Hendrie (Runners).
Guests: James Hartley, Carmel King; Nigel and Zoe Rosenbaum and
family (Diners)
The weather forecast was all too accurate for a change. Rain, heavy
at times, strong winds with some sunny periods. In steady drizzle we
set off from Hope Station at a good pace over the fields towards the
bridge by the old watermill at Brough. Then east to Shatton by way of
Townfield Lane. From there we followed the River Noe to Kentney Barn
where we stopped for an early "elevenses" in the shelter of the wall.
On reaching the path by the stepping stones over the river we swung
south and climbed up past Offerton Hall and onto the moor. By this
time the party had split into two groups and contact with the second
group was nearly lost at this point as they marched with heads down
in the rain and the wind over the edge of the moor. After regrouping
at Oaks farm we followed the track down through the fields and woods
to Stoke Ford in Bretton Clough. Close to the Ford we met Sabina and
Sheena on a run around the Clough from the Barrel Inn. After the
usual chit-chat we pressed on along very muddy tracks up the valley
before stopping for lunch in a sheltered spot under some trees.
After lunch we climbed out of the Clough and made our way to the Inn
for a well earned drink. By this time the wind was whistling over the
ridge and through the trees around the pub accompanied by heavy rain.
Although the pub was busy with Sunday diners we established ourselves
in the somewhat airy conservatory where we were joined by Nigel, Zoe,
Hannah and Harry Rosenbaum, and then by Sabina and Sheena returning
from their run. On leaving the Inn we headed for Abney Moor via Abney
Grange.
While crossing the moor and following a brief shower we were rewarded
with the sight of a beautiful rainbow and splendid views of Bamford,
Millstone and Stanage Edges. We slid rather than walked down the
steep path to Bradwell clutching at bushes and trees for support. On
reaching Bradwell we turned up Sweetwater Lane and then over the
fields towards Brough stopping for a drink on the side of the
earthwork known as the Grey Ditch. It is claimed that this may have
been a relic of a defence line against Anglian settlers advancing
into the hill country but perhaps it was just a tribal boundry. Near
Brough we passed the remains of what seems to have been a flue dating
back to the time when their were lead smelting mills in the area. We
finished the day in the cafe in Hope.
Thank you all for coming on my walk. I hope everybody enjoyed it.
27th/28th March - Mill Cottage Feshiebridge Cairngorms - Mark Garrod
Attendees: Mark Ashley, Trish Cranston, Tony Gask, Michelle Harvie,
Mark Garrod.
Not quite Attendees: Nameless persons who believe weather forecasts,
and Shaun.
An appropriate little ditty for: (a) the attendees, (b), the
non-attendees, (c) the local rugby team who won the wooden spoon the
weekend of the meet.
O Shower of Scotland
when will we see
your like again
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(a: next time we come to Scotland, b: didn't see you 1st time round, c: next season)
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that fought and died for
your wee bit of hill and glen
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(a: Friday on Meall a' Bhuachaille ridge, Saturday on Cairngorm etc,
Sunday between Coylum and Feshiebridges, b: they don't call them
glens in Bristol, c: died certainly, not sure about the fighting bit)
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and stood against him
proud Edward's army
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(c: actually o'Driscoll and d'Arcy, Gareth is Welsh, and gave up
playing moons ago)
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and sent him homeward
tae think again
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(a: Yes, we'll come again next year as we really enjoyed it, b: left
him homeward, in Shaun's case, with his driver heading rapidly south,
c: should be as easy next year at Murrayfield)
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May Newsletter Index.
Copyright © 2004 Karabiner Mountaineering Club
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