Karabiner Mountaineering Club

November 2005 Forthcoming Meets

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

November 27^th - Winter Warmer MK IV - Craig Marsden

The run will start from the public carpark near the train station in Edale, the parking fee is circa £2.50 so bring change and / or come together to save money.

For those that have attended previous runs it is a slight variation on the usual format with a flat bit then a wee hill to get you warm. The run will be anywhere between between 7 and 18 kilometres dependent on the weather, your navigational confidence (KMC!) and your desire for pain!

The conditions underfoot are likely to require shoes with good grip, fell running shoes if you have them would be appropriate, although shoes with good grip will probably suffice.

Meet at the carpark in Edale at 10.45am for a 11.00 am start or earlier for the walkers if they want to join the runners for lunch.

The maximum distance should take circa 2.5 to 3 hours.

The plan is to then go to The Rambler for lunch.

Hopefully see you there!!!

December 4^th - Kettleshulme Walk - Joe Flynn

This annual event will start from Len Stubbs house in Kettleshulme (road opposite the Bull pub on the main Whalley Bridge to Rainow road) Address in handbook. It will start at 9.45am and be a merry perambulation of 8 to 10 miles, culminating with refreshments in Len's living room. Well that is what I hope will happen if the usual reliable volunteers report for duty.

Details of route nearer the time.

December 10^th/11^th - Christmas Bash - J. Richardson/J. Evans

John and I will be cooking the Christmas dinner this year. Please book in advance so we know how much food to get, the menu as usual will be vegetarian (however if someone provides a meat dish this may cost extra). Prices will be announced once we have got organised.

Come down and eat lots of food and go climbing or walking.

We could do with several volunteers 1) to lead a walk and 2) to organise the quiz and 3) to chop veg.

Please bring lots of booze and some deserts to share.

Again please book at least a week in advance. If you turn up without booking you may find yourself without any food!

7^th/8^th January - Raeburn Hut - Duncan Lee

This hut is perfectly placed midway between The Ben and the Cairngorms, 5 miles from Dalwhinnie and 3 miles from Laggan on the A889 at grid ref: 636909. Conditions will be perfect and it's a snip at £7 per night per person. Places are going fast so to secure a place collar me at the xmas bash at the hut or 'phone me on my mobile.

I will not be able to make it to the pub at all on Thursdays so be warned.

22^nd January 2006 - Winter Peak District Walk - James Richardson

Time to walk those calories off!! Three options depending on the weather:

• Quite Nasty Weather: Meet at Chinley Train Station at 10.30 (unfortunately the national rail website only holds train times up to 3 months on advance). Head up farm tracks to a summit at SK 061 845 follow path to Brown Knoll and then off to Kinder. We will then stroll across Kinder and come down in either Hope or Edale (depending on time) and stop for a beer (or two) before getting the train back to Chinley (bring a head torch).
• Nasty Weather: Meet at same place and follow same route to Brown Knoll. Instead of heading to Kinder head down Rushup Edge and aim for Hope. Again getting the train back to Chinley after a pint or two.
• Very Nasty Weather: Probably head down to the white peak. Will meet in Dove Holes and follow a route through several fantastic dales starting in Hay Dale and ending in Wye dale, taking about 5 hours to get to Buxton where beer can be purchased at the Sun before getting the train back.

March 5^th - Peak District Walk - Iain McCallum

Route: Hope Station - Win Hill - Crookstone Barn - Crookstone Moor - Ringing Roger - Edale - Hollins Cross - Lose Hill - Lose Hill Farm - Killhill Bridge - Hope Station.

Distance 12/13 miles.

Map : OS Outdoor Leisure Sheet 1 Dark Peak.

Meet at 9.30am for 9.45am. start at Hope Station (Off the A625 - GR 181832). Park at the station or on the approach road. There is a train service from Manchester Piccadilly via Edale and Hope.

Refreshments : Available at "TheOld Nags Head Inn" in Edale and at local cafes in Edale and Hope.

A good walk on good paths and tracks around the hills bordering the Edale Valley. The route can easily be modified to suit the conditions. ETA in Edale at the Old Nags Head Inn is between 1pm and 1.30pm. If anyone wishes to join the walk at Edale I am prepared to give them a lift back from Hope station to Edale.

March 11^th/12^th - Glencoe, LSCC Blackrock Cottage - David K. Lygate

The KMC's Winter Glencoe meet is the club's once in a season opportunity to visit a most incredible and magical area in winter for walking, climbing and skiing. However, such wonders come at a cost, there are only ten places available. So with the level of interest that has already been shown (pre-publication), we suggest that the hut fee of £5 per night (cheques for £10 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:

1. Plenty of snow and ice - well excellent it's exactly what we are going for. (This was the exact scenario we had at the Alex Mac last year - March 2005, see DKL's Meet Report).
2. Too much snow - (i.e. very high avalanche warning - SAIS www.sais.gov.uk). Go skiing instead, sounds like perfect conditions for Aonach Mor or the White Corries.
3. No snow - Treat this as a summer meet but without the fearsome Scottish Midgy.
4. The east coast has better conditions - We are less than 2 hour's drive from the Cairngorms.
5. 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 and 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 Coire nan 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 and equipment, then e.mail, phone, or see me in the pub on a Thursday night (places are on a first come first served basis).

Blackrock Cottage is on the access road to Glencoe ski area (White Corries), at the foot of Meall a' Bhuird, about half a mile south of the main road (A82), about 1 1/2 miles south east of the Kingshouse hotel. Grid reference 267530, OS sheet 41 - Ben Nevis. SMC hut guide - "The hut has 10 beds with mattresses; electric lighting and cooking; microwave oven; utensils provided; coal fire; WC." There is no camping - no dogs allowed in the hut.

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