Karabiner Mountaineering Club

January 2007 Forthcoming Meets

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

January 14^th - Peak Winter walk - James Richardson

The January Peak District Walk will occur on Sunday 14^th January. We will meet in the car park at Dovestones reservoir. We will then head up the valley floor towards the upper dam, those feeling keen can romp up Wilderness Gully, those not so brave can use one of the other gullies to reach the moor edge. We will then head over to Laddow for lunch in the cave. In the afternoon we will walk around the moor edge to Lads Leap and then as dusk falls we will head back across the moor to Wimberry.

Bring a head torch and a warm flask. Meet at 10am. For those need a lift please contact me before Thursday so I can organise car shares.

On Saturday weather permitting I will aim to have a climbing half of the meet at Lawrencefield. See you all there from 10.30 onwards.

January 20^th/21^st - Raeburn Hut - Andy Croughton

Centrally situated in the Scottish Highlands this meet offers an ideal chance to make the most of the first snow, rain, wind, hail stone and lovely crisp clear sunny days in Scotland for the winter season.

We have 8 beds booked for this weekend at £7 per night, what a bargain. First to book will get priority.

I have never been to the hut myself but have been told it has all the usual facilities and is situated off the main A9 road past Dalwhinnie. (Go through village and take the A road towards Laggan - hut is on the right as the road drops downhill, Ed)

Close by are the Monadhliath Mountains, Creag Meagaidh and Aviemore and the Cairngorms are also within easy reach. So if you fancy a bit of winter walking, skiing, climbing, malt whisky tasting, book soon to avoid disappointment.

January 27^th/28^th - Working Party Meet - James Richardson/Iain McCallum

The main purpose of the working party is to give the hut a good clean. Some work may needed on the track and ditches following the autumn/ winter rain. Some woodworm has been detected and a survey needs to be carried out to establish its extent. Lunch will be provided on Saturday.

NOTE: On Monday 15th January 2007 Cybi Limited is due to carry out work on the Hut's electrical system to improve its earthing and to test its integrity.

If people are interested in coming on this working meet please contact James or Iain. There will, as usual, be lots of work interrupted by lots of tea and the occasional soup break.

February 3^rd/4^th - Alex MacIntyre 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.)

February 11^th - (FoB) Bowland Walk - Dave Bone

In the immortal words "Don't Panic", this is not a walk in the same mould as my Wild Wales Walks (it's not Wales)! Cries of "elitist" have led me to pull out one of my favourite local winter walks - and it's easy too, honest. So anyone can get round this one. Let's go to the Forest of Bowland for a mix of a walk, farmland, woods, tracks, steep valleys, a few bogs (required), a hop over a hill, and timing arranged for sunset on the final hill (mandatory). Plus it's not very far away. Even before the CRoW act, there were more routes available than shown on the map, but I'll leave those for a future walk as they are a bit tougher.

There are two routes - one is an extension, which is available if the group is able and willing on the day. Landranger map 102 suggested. Start point: The Village Car park in Chipping (GR621433, to find it, turn left in front of church, arriving from south), which itself can be reached via Preston and Longridge.

Start Time: 10:15am.

Route: Take the road NE out of Chipping and down to the saw mill works - after feeding the ducks on the pond, take the footpath to Birchen Lee, turn right, then left to skirt Park Gate. Follow the open track to Lickhurst farm, cross the stream (bridge) then up the hill to Dinkling Green, then some trickier route following, past Higher Fence Wood. Now for the "Chicken Run" into the woods, and a fine section up to the col by Mellor Knoll, where a fine view opens out. A long easy descent to Hareden follows, where the optional extension turns off (road and track to Brennard farm with a return over Whin Fell, with an even finer view). Otherwise we have to dodge the Trough traffic for a kilometer. Past the Water Works on the track to Langden Castle (which is a misnomer). We cross the river and take the track up the valley - the path climbs up the steep valleyside onto the moor and the bogs (a fine section). Follow fence to Fair Snape Fell and out to Parlick where a fine view, particularly after sunset, is had. Down to the road by Fell Foot, and turn left to return to the car and the facilities of the village.

Distance: 12miles (~550m ascent). [extension adds 3.5miles 250m ascent].

I shall be in the Pub the week before to gather expressions of interest and offer lifts to those who need it.

February 17^th/18^th - Stanage Bivvi - Dan O'Brien

Come on, you know you want to. The plan is to do a few routes at the popular end on the saturday before retreating to the Little John (or equivalent) for the evening before heading back up to the caves for a cosy night at the crag. The next morning will see an early start and a second attempt to complete the Al Metelko StanageChallenge®. Hopefully the weather will be clement but bring hat and gloves just in case.

February 24^th - Lancashire Mountain Biking - Scott Sadler

A Lancashire adventure from my house in Haslingden. Please bring cakes and I'll provide the Tea.

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."

March 11^th - Forest of Trawden Walk - Dave Shotton

In a last-minute addition to fill a gap in the meet calendar, I have opted for a walk in the less well-known Forest of Trawden (to the NE of Burnley, and the SE of Colne). The walk starts near the small village of Wycoller, proceeds through picturesque Wycoller Country Park, and then explores the high moorland of the Forest of Trawden before descending back to Wycoller. Parts of the Forest of Trawden have only been opened up relatively recently as public access land under CRoW legislation, and the going can be expected to be somewhat rough and trackless in places. Tops include Boulsworth Hill and (in view of the access law) the fittingly named Crow Hill.

Start point: Free car park near Wycoller at grid reference SD926395 - there are two car parks near Wycoller, this is the one on the west side of Wycoller on the Trawden road (not the one to the east on the Haworth road). Approach from the Trawden side. There is (generally) no vehicle access to Wycoller village itself.

Start time: Meet from 9.30-ish for a 10:00a.m. start.

Map: OS Explorer OL21 (South Pennines), alternatively Landranger 103 (Blackburn, Burnley and surrounding area).

Distance: 12 miles or thereabouts.

Route: Car park - Wycoller village - follow Wycoller Beck through Wycoller Country Park - turn right near the clam (ancient single-slab) bridge and ascend Turnhole Clough - turn right onto the Pendle Way - Saucer Hill Clough - uphill to the Great Saucer Stones and continue up Boulsworth Hill to the Weather Stones and the summit at Lad Law (trig point) - Warcock/Peacock Hill then SW via Dove Stones to Grey Stone Hill (overlooking the Widdop Reservoir) - retrace path back via Dove Stones and Warcock Hill and continue NE to Crow Hill - then descend NNW by Nan Hole Clough and Dove Stones Moor (named after a different set of Dove Stones from the earlier ones) - turn left onto the Brontë Way briefly, then right along the Pendle Way heading down Smithy Clough in the direction of Wycoller - follow the beck again through Wycoller Country Park (tea shop if desired) - Wycoller village - car park.

March 18^th - Peak District Walk - Iain McCallum

Route: Moorfield - Shooting Cabin - Mill Hill - Kinder Scout - Sandy Heys - White Brow - Hayfield - Little Hayfield - Matleymoor Farm - Burnt Hill - Shooting Cabin - Moorfield.

Distance 11/12 miles.
Map : OS Explorer OL1 - Dark Peak Area.

Meet at 9.30am for 9.45am start at Moorfield (Off the A624 Glossop to Hayfield Road - GR 046926 - Can be approached from Glossop on A57, turn right just as you leave Glossop at the bottom of the Snake). Refreshments : Available at the Royal Hotel in Hayfield.

A good walk on paths and tracks around the Kinder and Lantern Pike area.

ETA in Hayfield at the Royal Hotel is between 1pm and 1.30pm. If anyone wishes to join the walk at Hayfield I am prepared to give them a lift from Moorfield back to Hayfield.

April 1^st - Todmorden Walk - Phil Ramsbottom

This is a bit of a favourite of mine which has appeared on the meets list at least twice - we even managed to finish it once.

The route goes from the centre of Todmorden, up to Cross Stone, then picks up the Calderdale Way which takes us to the old stone bridge in Colden Clough. Here we join the Pennine Way which will lead us to the Pack Horse for lunch, after this we follow the river through Hardcastle Crags, then up to Heptonstall, we will pass through the quarry early afternoon (anyone seen on Forked Lightening Crack as we pass will deserve a mention in dispatches). After this it becomes a real breeze, just cross the valley, up the other side to Stoodley Pike before dropping back down to Todmorden.

This gives a good 18 mile walk - this can be (and has been) shortened when necessary. I will provide suggestions on the day.

So if this meets your fancy be at the car park next to the canal at 9.15 for a 9.30 start.

The car park is pay and display, to find it go to the centre of Todmorden and take the A646 towards Hebden Bridge for about 50 yards, then watch for the signs on the right - it's about two streets along (Grid Ref 937242).

Best Map - Outdoor Leisure 21 - South Pennines.

April 6^th/9^th - Easter Alex Mac Meet - David Bish

Scotland for Easter - perhaps the best conditions then. 8 places at £5.50 per night are booked at this hut.

May 5^th/11^th - Ling Hut mid-week meet - Dave Whittingham

Scotland again - plenty of climbing and walking on offer in the Torridon area. Just 6 places at £7 per night are booked at this hut.

July 21^st/29^th - The Bregaglia, Switzerland/Italy - Duncan Lee

The plan is to camp at the excellent, cheap and friendly 'Camping Mulina' at Vicosoprano in Switzerland, a great base for exploring the surrounding area. I will be there on the dates shown but there is no reason why this 'meet' can't roll on for 2 to 3 weeks as long as people support it. I have chosen this area because it has a great mix of alpine routes from long North face classics on the Piz Badille and Cengalo to the non-serious bolted routes around Albinga Cirque. Some of these are a mere 5 minutes from the cable car, range from severe upwards and lead to exceedingly pointy summits such as the much photographed 'Le Fiamma'.

The walking in the area is also good, especially as the scenery has not been desecrated by the ravages of the ski industry. Valley cragging is also abundant just over the border in Italia around the historic town of Chiavenna and the bouldering mecca of Val d'Mello is also near by (lots of good routes as well!). If you need any more info at this stage then let me know, otherwise further updates will follow in your newsletter. (Ed. Yup, I've been there too)

January Newsletter Index.

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