Karabiner Mountaineering Club

November 2006 Forthcoming Meets

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

November 12^th - High Street walk (Lakes) - Virginia Castick

The walk will start at the north end of Haweswater at Burnbank G.R.510162. There is plenty of roadside parking. If the weather is good I intend to walk along the west shore of Haweswater, up the Rigg to High street summit, and then north over Kidsty Pike, High raise and Low raise. Total distance 13 miles, start time 9.30. Further details from me if needed. It should be a good day out whatever the weather!

November 18^th-19^th - Annual Dinner - The KMC

Last chance to book!

Saturday 18^th November 2006 sees a welcome return to the Old Dungeon Ghyll for the 2006 KMC annual dinner.

Numbers are strictly limited to 50 people and are being offered on a first come, first served basis. (That means those who book and PAY their money first get to go. Those that don't will miss out sorry.) Please book as soon as possible I will need to give final numbers to the hotel at least one week prior to the night. (only a few places left)

The menu choice will be:

Costs are £25 per head for meal only, or £65 B&B + Evening Meal.

Interest has been very high and bookings going well with only a few places left so book soon and let's make it another great night at the ODG.

Anybody who has not yet given me a menu choice could you please do so ASAP.

November 26^th - Peak District Walk - James Hartley (co-ordinator only)

To provide a bit of entertainment for this weekend I am suggesting a wander around one of my favourite parts of the peak district (we don't have moors where I come from...). Easily accessible by public transport, we start from the Hadfield end of the Longdendale trail - and take the slightly boring walk from the car park to the Pennine Way. From here, head south onto Bleaklow and cross to the A57, where you have the choice of continuing on the Penine Way to the Kinder Downfall, and double backing, or straight down Doctor's Gate to Old Glossop - I recommend the former!

Once you reach Old Glossop, you can walk for a short stretch back to the cars at the head of the Longdendale trail. Due to the potential length of this walk, It would be sensible to start off at about 9AM.

I have however through incompetence managed to arrange to be quite a long way away during that weekend - so will be looking for volunteers in the pub over the next few weeks to take attendance and assist the party when they get lost... If you could let me know that would be great.

December 3^rd - Kettleshulme Walk - Andrew Croughton

As I have taken on leadership of this walk at such a late time I have taken the liberty of pinching the walk from a previous year.

Len Stubbs, KMC Founder Member will make all and sundry welcome once again at No.1, Paddock Close. Please park carefully and with consideration for the neighbours in Paddock Lane.

Arrive 0900/0915 for a 9.30 start.

Leave Paddock Lane opposite The Bull's Head, turn R then bear L to Fivelane - ends GRef.SJ992787. Fork R to Dunge Farm Hidden Gardens then S across fields to road at GRef.SJ989766. Steeply E up road to Pym Chair then SE to stile at GRef.002761. Continue SSE along top of Foxlow Edge then cut back R then L to reach ruins of Errwood Hall at GRef.SK008748 (alt. low-level route via the Shrine if weather is wild). From Hall, head E then S to go up Stake Side to reach stile at GRef.SKOO1732 (alt. route to this point by direct ascent up Shooter's Clough if needed), then a further 1.5 km to Cat & Fiddle (optional drinks stop). Return to stile at previous GRef., then NW to Shining Tor GRef.SJ995737. Continue N over Cats Tor to Pym Chair, 50m R to stile then N again, alongside wall all the way to Windgather Rocks GRef.SJ995783, then on to Taxal Edge. Turn L at GRef.SJ996789 then R at signpost, cross lane and follow path alongside wall to rejoin Side End Lane then gently downhill into Kettleshulme.

Walk approx 20km. A few sections of tarmac but only really poor underfoot for short sections along Shining/Cats Tor ridge. Best map - Explorer 0L24 White Peak.

Walk previously lead and provide by - Jim Gregson 2003

December 9^th/10^th - Christmas Bash (Hut) - Trish Cranston/Alex Krause/Karen Kennedy

Hi all, Alex, Karen and I have put ourselves forward for the cooking of the Christmas meal this year. It will be veggie to follow the previous tradition of recent years, possibly with a Mediterranean feel to warm up the winter.... excluding the puddings which could be of any feel whatsoever (!), which we would much appreciate some people bringing, obviously reimbursed as usual, Thank You very much.

If people want meat, maybe some arrangement could be made. Also I suppose if anyone fancies organising a quiz etc., feel free. So "come on down" and get your boots on, whatever they may be and hopefully the price won't be any more than previous years.

We'd appreciate if people can contact us to give us a rough idea of numbers to cater for.

A few volunteers to chop veg etc. would be much appreciated.

Cheers, hope to see you,

Trish

December 16^th/17^th - Christmas Pub Crawl - Andrew Croughton

I have been asked to arrange a pub crawl in or around Manchester around the weekend of the 16/17th December 2006.

Anybody interested in attending, please contact me for details closer to these dates. I will be looking to visit one or two select drinking establishments in Manchester, not too many, and not too far apart - don't want to waste too much drinking time.

This will be a relaxed evening, not an all out binge drinking event so don't feel you have to match me drink for drink, it is just intended as a chance to meet up and have a few drinks and a chat over a quiet drink before Christmas.

All welcome.

January 14^th 2007 - Peak Winter walk - James Richardson

No details received for the Newsletter (a reminder was duly sent at personal request. What do we collect this time? Bogs?).

February 3^rd/4^th 2007 - Alex Macintyre Memorial Hut Meet - Roger Daley

The Alex Macintyre Hut provides access to some of the finest winter climbing and walking in Scotland...

Climbing

The classic ridge of the Aonach Eagach, or possibly a route on the Buchaille... followed by a pint and some music in the Clachaig's bar... truly excellent day.

Alternatively how about 2/3 routes on Aonach Mor, perfectly feasible utilising the cable car.

Up for a big day then Tower Ridge on the Ben.

Walking

Walks too numerous to mention... go high... or stay low something to suit everyone.

Swimming

A special offer of a complementary whisky awaits anyone taking a swim in Loch Leven... You know it makes sense!

Relaxing

Just imagine yourself settling down in front of the huts roaring fire enjoying a wee dram after a day on the hill... superb.

Excellent facilities

Mattresses, drying room, hot water, showers, electric cooking, fridge, cutlery, crockery, coal provided all the year round, electric heating in dormitories - £1 meter. Microwave in kitchen.

Location

North Ballachulish on A82, one mile north of the Ballachulish Bridge, on the right, 50 mts from the entrance to Creag Mhor Hotel.

OS Map: 41 Ben Nevis
Grid Reference: 044612

The KMC have booked 12 places at £5.50 per night.

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.)

March 3^rd/4^th 2007 - Cairngorms, Mill Cottage - David K. Lygate

The KMC's Winter Cairngorm meet is the club's once in a season opportunity to visit a most incredible & magical area in winter for walking, climbing, skiing & reindeer. 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 £6:50 per night (cheques for £13 total payable to the KMC) is forwarded to the meet leader as early as possible to secure your place. The quickest & easiest way to book is to email requesting a place, then when your allocation is confirmed, put a cheque in the post.

Scotland in March, will there still be snow ?

Possible scenarios:

1. Plenty of snow and ice - well excellent it's exactly what we are going for.
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 west coast has better conditions - We are less than 2 hour's drive from the Ben Nevis.
5. Totally unbearable conditions all weekend - Go to the Cairngorm Hotel for a fantastic slap-up meal (this scenario has been tried & tested), also the bar has a great atmosphere with an extensive selection of beers & whiskies. If this doesn't appeal, then Craig Marsden might take you shopping, a rare treat!

Now that all fears have been banished, back to scenario 1. The Cairngorms are 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.

1. Coire an t-Sneachda
2. Cairngorm / Ben Macdui
3. Lairig Ghru / Braeriach
4. Creag Meagaidh
5. Ben Nevis
6. Plus many, many more including the suggestions above & everything else on the road down south.

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.)

Mill Cottage is 0.25 miles to the North West of Feshie Bridge off the B970. Follow the old A9 to Kincraig, between Kingussie & Aviemore, take the side road to Kincraig (turn east), over bridge & past the Loch Insh Watersports Centre. Left at the T-junction & left into the Forestry Commission car park, taking the left fork onto an unpaved track above the car park. Turn down the right fork after passing below the pylon line, here you will find the hut (approximately 300 yards from the main road). Grid reference 844047, OS sheet 35 - Kingussie. SMC hut guide - "The hut has 8 bunks & a six berth alpine platform, all with mattresses; full cooking & dining facilities are supplied, all electric. Shower, toilets, drying room, multi-fuel stove in lounge with firewood & coal."

November Newsletter Index.

Copyright © 2006 Karabiner Mountaineering Club