Karabiner Mountaineering Club

January 2005 Forthcoming Meets

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

16^th January - Winter Walk - James Richardson

Meet at 10.00am at Stanage Popular End, If I am not there I am probably in Robin Hoods Cave so come and find me.

We shall head off below Stanage and down to the Derwent reseviour, depending how bad the weather is will determine how far we walk up the Derwent. We will then join Derwent Edge and head back to Stanage Northern End and along Stanage Edge to finish. Finally we can head to Hathersage for a pint or a cup of tea.

Walk distance will be between 8 and 20 miles depending on the weather and how everyone feels (bring a head torch if the weather looks good).

January 23^rd - Whaley Bridge Winter Run - Sabina Cosulich

Come and join us for yet another winter run! The usual format will apply- we will start from the Whaley Bridge Cafe at approx 11.00am. The shorter course will be approximately 6 miles, the longer approx 10-12 miles. Walkers are welcome - as long as they do not overtake the runners.

I will provide soup and refreshments for all. See you all there!! I am off to do some training so I can keep up with Thomas Marsden!!

January 29^th/30^th - Mill Cottage, Feshiebridge, Cairngorms - Mark Garrod

Your next chance to get to Scotland with perfect winter conditions guaranteed. Mill Cottage is a Mountaineering Council of Scotland hut, is well appointed, and located near to Aviemore and the northern Cairngorms (grid ref. NH 844 047). This gives options for x-country and downhill skiing, winter climbing in the northern corries, big walks, and lakeside rambles (plus shopping if you get desperate).

Price for the hut per night was £5.50 last year (yet to confirm if the same this year, but assume it is) payable to me on booking (as ever). We have 12 places booked. It is likely that various members may wish to extend the weekend to 3 or more nights; let me know if this is the case and I can check with the hut warden.

I will endeavour to get down to the pub between now and the meet, but best bet to secure your place is to give me a ring, and follow it up with your cheque.

February 5^th/6^th - Ty-Powder Working Party - Kevin Anderson

The working meet will run on the Saturday leaving Sunday for a day out on the hill. All members are welcome to come along, there will be plenty to do from cleaning through to minor D.I.Y. The actual job list will be agreed nearer the time.

I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible. -James.

February 12^th/13^th - Allt Cruinnichidh, Roybridge - Craig Marsden

Allt Cruinnichidh is 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.

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 and alpine skiing at Aviemore or Fort William, which are both quite close (less than 1 Hour drive away).

To claim a very limited place see the Meet Leader on Thursday nights at the pub and pay the token fee of £18 for your accommodation or send me a cheque, made payable to me as I will settle up with the warden on the 13^th. I will try and make it to the pub before hand, but if you have any questions e mail or phone me.

February 13^th/18^th - Ling Hut, Torridon (Mid-week meet) - Andrew Croughton

Anybody interested, in five days in one of the finest regions of the Scottish Highland, in the comfort of a nice warm climbing hut, in the middle of what is forecast to be one of the coldest winters we have had for the past 10 years should get in touch with me ASAP as we only have limited spaces left and they are going fast.

Torridon has some of the finest hills in Scotland and is a spectacular place to stay ideal for climbers or winter walkers alike. Please get in touch with me as soon as you can first to pay gets to stay.

Telephone me or see me down at the pub most Thursdays.

February 20^th - Bouldering at Caley Crags, Yorkshire - Dan O'Brien

The plan is to meet (in true bouldering style!!) at the nearest location to the parking area at around 11pm. If you have crash-pads, please bring them along (I don't have enough for everyone). If you cannot bear to leave the ropes at home there are also classic routes of all grades at the crag proper.

A quick inspection of the guidebook revealed 16 starred routes at HVS and below (according to the guidebook a three-star Lancashire route equates roughly to a Yorkshire black dot!!).

Hope to see everyone there, to get you all fired up I have included a link to information and maps of the area. I will also be at Broughton wall on Thursday and at the Pub a little later to drum up some support!!

See you then.

PS: as the meet is bouldering, to earn you tick you must fulfil strict bouldering criteria. Either climb a problem, spot a boulderer or stand at the bottom talking loudly about how bad the friction is today ;-)

February 27^th - West Pennine Moors - Keith Williams

As if you hadn't had enough of slopping round soaking moorlands, here's another test of your Nikwax.

Meet at 9.30am on the wide cobbled road which bears SW towards the Pigeon Tower from the top of the pass on the Belmont - Rivington road. (SD 653 157).

From there we can do variations on the usual circuit which takes in Spitlers Edge, Great Hill, Roddlesworth Woods, the pub at Tockholes for lunch (plenty of seats outside for those so disposed); then via Darwen Tower and any number of possible routes back to Belmont and up t' clough back to Hordern Stoops and the start. 10 - 12 miles so you'll be home for 3, er, tea.

Last time I was up there (at Christmas) the views were from the Langdales to Snowdon so that's probably it for this year . . .

March 12^th/13^th - Alex MacIntyre Memorial Hut - David Lygate

The KMC's Winter Glencoe meet is the club's once in a season opportunity to visit a most incredible & magical area in winter for walking, climbing & skiing. However, such wonders come at a cost, there are only twelve places available. So with the level of interest that has already been shown (pre-publication), we suggest that the hut fee of £3:50 per night (cheques for £7 total payable to the KMC) is forwarded to the meet leader as early as possible to secure your place.

Scotland in March, will there be snow ?

Possible scenarios:

• Plenty of snow & ice - well excellent it's exactly what we are going for.
• Too much snow - (i.e. very high avalanche warning - SAIS ) Go skiing instead, sounds like perfect conditions for Aonach Mor.
• No snow - Treat this as a summer meet but without the fearsome Scottish Midgy.
• The east coast has better conditions - We are less than 1? hour's drive from the Cairngorms.
• Totally unbearable conditions all weekend - Go to the Clachaig, the folk singer should be there on the Saturday night, along with a real fire, fantastic beers & a good hundred bottles of whisky to choose from. Or if this does not appeal, then there is always a trip to the newly opened 'Ice Factor' in Kinlochleven to fall back on. This is the 'UK's premier indoor mountaineering centre', with a real ice wall, climbing walls etc. See www.ice-factor.co.uk.

Now that all fears have been banished, back to scenario 1. Glencoe is a magnificent place in the winter or the summer, but especially in winter, be it for walking, skiing or climbing. So here are a few of the local areas of interest.

• The Aonach Eagach
• Stob Coirenan Lochan
• The lost valley
• The Buachaille
• Ben Nevis

I think that all of these areas speak for themselves. So if you are interested plus have appropriate experience & equipment, then e.mail, phone, or see me in the pub on a Thursday night, (places are on a first come first served basis.)

The Alex Mac. Hut is adjacent to the Creag Mhor Hotel in Onich & accessed from the A82 (Grid ref. 046612, OS sheet 41 - Ben Nevis). SMC hut guide - "The hut has 16 places, mains electricity & water, electric & calor gas cookers & heaters; all utensils; hot water & showers; drying room, with car park at the rear of the building."

March 13^th - Peak District Walk - Iain McCallum

A good tramp around the edges, dales and moors on the east side of the Peak District. Good weather guaranteed! Distance 12/13 miles on good paths and tracks.

Route: Longshawe Lodge - Froggatt - Froggatt Bridge - Stoney Middleton Eyam - Bole Hill - Sir William Hill - Stoke Ford - Hazelford - Leadmill Bridge Padley Chapel - Padley Gorge - Longshawe Lodge.

Refreshments are available in Eyam. The Miners' Arms is good for a pint or two. Meet at 9.30am for a 9.45am start in the National Trust Car Park at Longshawe Lodge. (GR. 266803) - Off the A6187. Maps: OS Explorer OL1 and OL24

March 20^th - Howgills Walk - Dave Bone

Becks, ravines, waterfalls, solitude and a good bit of up and down work on some of the steepest grass hills in England, in a lonely corner twixt Lakes and Dales. Yes, the attractive, rounded hills to the East as you blast down the Lune Valley on the M6. A good circuit, with an unusual approach that will vary according to the amount of rain in the previous week.

Drive N on the M6, turn off at J37 on the A684 towards Sedbergh (about 1.5hr from manchester). After B6257 turnoff, and bridge over river, take a left turn off the A684 and head N along narrow, walled lane for ~3.5miles, until at Fairmile Gate, the lane enters open fellside - park by roadside and meet at the bridge at GR629978 for a 10-30am start. Maps are awkward - the walk takes in 1:50000 No. 97, 98 and teases with 91.

The circuit is ~12miles with 1450m ascent. One mile N along road, follow Carlin Gill to its head at Docker Knott, followed by some cross graining east to get to some of the better hills, skirting Hazelgill Knott, to Randygill Top. Then S via Kensgriff to Yarlside. A steep descent S then SW takes us to a path, climbing up to the Calf, highest point of the Howgills. South via Calders to Arant Haw - out via the west ridge, then N to Bram Rigg beck. Follow the wall, up and around Castley Knotts, and on to the start point.

Please let me know if interested in coming, in case plans have to change, and to minimise cars.

April 10^th - President's Hotpot - Rock Climbing/Walk/Photo Contest - Heather Brooke/Sue Brooke/Jenny Varley

Photo contest at The Swan near New Mills and the categories are:

Mountain action Mountain landscape Rock climbing action Human interest

Please pass your slides or digital photos to Jenny Varley on or before Thursday 7th April and make sure your slides are marked with your name and category.

April 30^th/May 2^nd - Cycling for Softies - John Dobson

Cycling for softies - the Yorkshire Dales Cycle Way

The Yorkshire Dales Cycle Way is a 210km circular route on minor roads (map: Harveys cycle route NT10). Plan is to do it over 3 days (about 45miles a day), so that it is within reach of those who are not as fit as they should be. There is plenty of scope for those who are super fit to add extra miles. A support vehicle will be available to transport all camping gear, recover breakdowns including cyclists who are totally knackered. More details to follow nearer the time, but start planning and training now!!!

June 25^th/26^th - Pillar/Black Sail Meet - Midge Castick

Black Sail Youth Hostel is superbly situated almost directly under Pillar rock. It is 3 miles from the nearest road but there is an easy track to cycle up. I have booked 8 places at the Hostel for the Saturday night. If you want one of those places please forward me £10 to secure your place. If you change your mind nearer the date you can always sell your place to another member. There are another 8 places available at the hostel which you can book independently but you may have to wait until March when the Hostel re-opens. There is another hostel at Ennerdale accessible by car which you may prefer to stay at. If you wish to stay at Black Sail on the Friday night you will have to book independently. If you are not a YHA member the warden is quite happy for you to camp outside but still come in to have one of the warden's famous curries. Meal bookings, details of the superb climbing and access information, I'll deal with nearer the time.

January Newsletter Index.

Copyright © 2005 Karabiner Mountaineering Club