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January 2007 Meet Reports
June 17th/18th - Not the Gogarth Meet - Duncan Lee (outspoken spokesperson)
Members unofficially present: Dave Bone, Tony Major, Dave
Whitteringman, James Richardson, Duncan Lee, Vicky Alderton.
The forecast was for two hot, sunny days and the mountain crags were
dry so those of us who could not bare to see the sea, or the sun
glistening of Rob's head, headed for Cloggy. It was also last minute,
or in my case only, Alpine/Pyrenian training for all those involved,
so cheekily and lazily Vicky and I drove to the top of the road,
which was a bit of a cop out, but the rest of the trudging still felt
like hard work carrying heavy packs crammed with bivi gear.
First however, there was climbing to be done and quality routes to be
savoured. Dave and Tony weaved the intricate way into and up Narrow
Slab before finishing the day on the classic thrutch of Pedestal
Crack. Witteringman and James concentrated their efforts on the Far
West Buttress where they ascended the excellent Slab Route Right
Hand, followed by Primitive Route, which they thought a tad overrated
at it's newly acquired 3 star status but worthwhile non the less.
Whilst all this was going on Vicky and I did the classic Longlands
Climb and the highly enjoyable Steep Band. The only problem with the
latter was following the guidebook descent i.e. upwards through midge
infested heather rather than descending Giant's Trod which looked a
far better option.
After all that we all congregated at the outflow end of the lake for
a most pleasant evening spent in good company in a truly wonderful
and atmospheric location. Unfortunately the next morning it was all a
bit too atmospheric with the mist so low that we couldn't even see
the lake. Drizzle began to fall as we had a brew so there was nothing
for it but to shoulder our packs and begin walking out to Pete's for
breakfast. Rob with perfect timing managed to ring at this point to
get the last laugh by informing us of how warm, dry and cosy it was
in the hut. Now I remember why Dave is right about mobiles being a
pain in the neck in the hills.
September 9th/10th - Gogarth and Birthday - Scott Sadler
Members present: Me, Dave Wylie, James Richardson, Mark Ashley, Anna
Neubert, Al Metelko, Karen Kennedy, Julie O'Regan, Sabina Cosulich,
Sheena Hendrie and Kevin Anderson.
Guests: Andy Grantham, Simon Dale, Steve Bowker and Mike Hutton.
I didn't get the early start that I wanted but who cares? The weather
was perfect and there was hours of warm sunshine to enjoy.
Kevin, Karen, Anna, Dave and Mark joined the crowds on Castell Helen.
Blanco and Lighthouse Arête were climbed. Al and James attempted to
climb Dream of White Horses backwards (top to bottom), but for
reasons unknown didn't succeed. They reverted to climbing it the
traditional way. The pair finished their day by climbing Concrete
Chimney.
Mike and I started the day by climbing the spider infested Anarchist
on Red Wall. After Mike had finished lobbing sizeable rocks in my
direction we moved to the more stable area of North stack wall, where
Mike kept a cool head on the very bold, South Sea Bubble. With an
hour of daylight left, I convinced Mike that we had to complete our
original goal of three routes, on three crags at Gogarth. Focused, we
committed ourselves by abseiling into Wen Zawn (without head
torches), pulled the ropes and set about climbing a mix of, Pitch 1
of Wen, pitch 1 of Quartz Icicle (finished in dark) and the last
pitch of Concrete Chimney. The last pitch would have been in complete
darkness if it wasn't for the slow flash of the lighthouse every 20
seconds or so! (Excellent invention for climbers, lighthouses. Ed)
We eventually returned to the hut at about 11:30pm, just in time for
a well earned, final drink as a 28 year old.
Thanks to all for making this meet, and my Birthday, a fantastic and
memorable weekend.
October 21st/22nd - Ty-Powdwr 'joint' Meet/FRCC - John Evans
FRCC: Bob Anderson
Members Present: Bob Anderson, Chris Thickett (FRCC Aspirant and
apparently nearly old enough to join...) Sean Kelly, Andy Crowther,
Dave Dillon, Trish Cranston, Al Metelko, Dave Bish, Roger Daley,
Kevin Anderson, John Evans.
Guests: Liz Hughes, Alex Dobson, Richard Turner, Astris Bodner,
Beatriz Silvestra, Dave Bish's Illegible Twosome.
Much wind there was, and many showers for the 'Joint' meet, Joint
only in the sense that Uncle Bob attended, and that encouragingly his
joints appeared to be allowing greater freedom of movement than he
had feared at one point recently! The meet leader had brought along
several friends from the non-mountaineering fraternity, thus ensuring
weekend of leisurely strolling and craven avoidance of the Lockwood's
experience...
On Saturday there was a wander around the rather
pleasant Anglesey coast path from Penmon Point towards Red Wharf Bay
- very mellow but not entirely avoiding the wind and rain. Speaking
of which, Various folk wandered up and down the ridges of the
Glyders, Mr. Kelly reportedly blown clean off his feet at one
point...
Sunday started reasonably enough, but weather was
approaching, I believe Messrs. Bishop and Daley ventured into The
Chimney itself, and unforgivably I have yet to hear the account of
the ascent, no doubt fun was had! The strollers party sauntered up to
Aber Falls, which was impressively voluminous following the generous
precipitation of preceding days. I know that still the Chimney is
calling me (could it be Roger?), and the call will one day be
answered...
October 29th - Wild Wales Walk - Dave Bone
Members: Dave Bone, Jim Gregson, Sandy Gregson, Dave Shotton.
Absent without leave: the rest of the KMC.
Unusually for the time of year, but October was making records, the
day was forecast to be dry with a bright start, clouding over - and
so it proved. The two Dave's (at least the DMC had a respectable
turnout) duly arrived at the appointed time by a lonely phone box in
the depths of Wales, to find a solitary empty car there already. It
looked like a Gregsonmobile, and we'd had been warned they might set
off early to beat the dark (no chance).
Having dutifully waited to 10.00001am for any others (it would have
been a surprise) the D's raced off on the intricate section to gain
open ground (the G's paid for the absence of a guide, by some
trespassing, with permission of course, to get there direct). Castell
Carndochan had a fine view, with a surprising amount of structure
left. Time for a major strip-down - as the air was completely still
and ludicrously warm, and it was to remain so for the whole day. The
Ed. perspired the full walk in a single, light layer. Not a soul was
seen on the hills, and soon the only significant sight of man was the
Forestry Commission (and one of their poorer examples) as we gained
the first high ground of the ridge SW from Craig y Llestri.
Easy, though trackless apart from sheep, walking led into the deep
heather and a weary kilometer across to the North ridge of Dduallt
(Elevenses on the grass bank). The ridge is a fine knobbly way up and
the odd footprint hinted there might be someone ahead. Lunch was had
on the S ridge with fine views of Cadair and the Rhinogs. Descending
to the forest edge gave the first indications to the Gregsons ahead
that anyone else was on the walk as they ascended Rhobell Fawr. The
jaunt through the forest was a little exciting (and dark) dodging
fallen trees and bottomless mud, but the ascent of the east flank of
Rhobell was steady, with some crags to study (in the Meirionnydd
Guide). Here at the fine summit, having crossed a dry stone wall in
top order, the D's caught the G's.
After a time missing absent 'friends', and with cloud coming over, it
was time for the most difficult 2/3 of the walk - the return. At
least the going wasn't too wet, though tussocky. OK down to the farm
at Cwm-hesgen, good up the remains of the track to the crossing of
the Afon Cwmhesgen, tolerable along the deep grass/reeds of the
stream (No track on the ground now) to a breather by a ruin. Then the
going toughened - into heather, linking sheep tracks, uneven ground
underneath, attempting to follow the general line of the map.
A sense of relief as we reached the right turn to follow the Afon
Lliw down - but not to last as we had to reach the gate above the
descent to the crucial footbridge, and the sun had set a while ago.
The last 700m was a flounder in the gloom with extremely tussocky
ground, and the bridge was found only just in time (once one gets the
torch out, say goodbye to long distance vision). Once over, it was
just a quick dash through another tributary (don't stop now for wet
feet) for the road at Buarthmeini and the waiting dogs. "Well, the
route was supposed to go down that track and round the fields? but I
see you're voting with your feet". A straightforward return along the
road in the dark brought us to the cars at 6pm - a good estimate of 8
hours. Everybody seemed to enjoy the walk and wildness, though there
were complaints about how long it would take to recover from it.
Thanks to those who came - and next year's will be easier?
November 4th/5th - 90th Birthday and Bonfire Bash - Mark Garrod/Sabina Cosulich
Members: Mark Ashley, Trish Cranston, Michelle Harvie, Sabina
Cosulich, Mark Garrod, Dave Wylie, Roger Daley, Rob Allen, Robert
Clark, Anne Pettifer, Andrew Grantham, Dave Dillon, John, Midge and
Joanne Castick, Al Metelko, John Dobson, Lester Payne, Joe Flynn, Sue
Brooke, Vicki Alderton, Duncan Lee, Colin Maddison, Bob Haynes,
James Hartley, Ann Sanderson, Dave Bish, Julie O'Regan, Karen
Kennedy, Dave Bone, Kevin Anderson, Alan Wylie.
Guests: Steve Bowker, A Krause, Heather Hughes, Steve Powell, Katy
Flynn, Alex, Marianna, Pete Hughes, Mark Heslop, Harley, Roisin,
Phillipa Maye, Kate Morgan, Simon Paterson, Linda Doldon.
A fine weekend was had by all, helped by some fair weather, and some
fine bonfire building and firework firing by Alan - thanks again. The
bonfire kept going very nicely until at least midnight, and the
fireworks kept the whole valley entertained as ever (particularly
those flying horzontally). Various goings-on during Saturday and
Sunday, but sorry, I didn't have time to note any of them down, apart
from the group visit to Elidir Fawr and Y Garn.
The birthdays were both celebrated in style - my personal thanks to
everyone for their cards, prezzies, best wishes, age-ist comments,
etc; all gratefully received. Lets do it again in 10 years (what
about 5 for the 100th?).
November 12th - Haweswater/High Street - Virginia Castick
Members: John Castick, Virginia Castick, Frank Williams, Margaret
Williams, Brian Taylor, Lester Payne, Lorna Marsland, Roger Dyke,
Joanne Castick.
Guest: Mark Heslop.
Ten people turned up on an unpromising morning although all ten were
never in the same place at the same time, even in the motorway café
at the end?but that's another story.
John Brian and I met Lorna and Roger in the correct place not far
from Haweswater dam. Frank, Margaret and Lester eventually appeared
having chosen a different parking spot.
A pleasant and dry walk south along the lakeside brought us to the
foot of the Rigg. We found out by phone at this stage that Jim and
Sandy had forgone our walk in favour of the remembrance service on
Great Gable where Jim had the company of about 500 others in the mist
and rain whilst we saw hardly anybody and (so far) it was fine.
Lester, Lorna, Roger and I set off up the Rigg in hot pursuit of
Joanne and Mark who had chosen to park at the South end of the lake
and were ahead of us. Bryan, a victim of a dodgy curry the night
before, carried on with the valley team of the Williams's and John.
After a rapid ascent of the Rigg, where I led nobly from the rear, we
caught up with Joanne and Mark in their temporary café high on the
ridge. After much rustling from inside their shelter, a hand appeared
and gave us the usual courteous greeting well known amongst KMC
members. The same hand then proffered a flask of tea out of the same
vent hole so they were forgiven.
And now we were six. At the top of High street fantastic views spread
before us in every direction?or they would have done had not Jim and
500 others blown across the mist and drizzle from Great Gable.
A re-alignment of the original route seemed appropriate when I
realized we could cadge a lift off Joanne if we descended to the
south end of the lake instead of risking getting lost and finishing
in the dark, splodging across the tops back to the north end of
Haweswater.
We descended easily to the top of the Nan Bield pass after using the
meet leaders right to fob off the navigation to our newly qualified
Mountain Leader. (well he needs the practise?)
We stopped in the shelter in a howling gale. At least it was no
longer raining and we could see. We stayed long enough to prevent a
load of mountain bikers from having a welcome rest on the col, and
then descended easily past Small Water to the head of the lake.
Meanwhile the valley team had split into two. Frank, Margaret and
Brian chose to go back along the lakeside leaving John to carry on
round the lake. John claimed it was only by chance that he ended up
in the bar of the Haweswater Hotel. From this vantage point, he could
see Frank and Margaret on the opposite shore (Brian was deep in the
bracken at this point. Something to do with that dodgy curry I think).
We almost all met up at the car parking point and agreed to have a
cup of tea at the motorway services. Frank was deeply suspicious of
the carefree "follow us, we know a quick way across the water board
roads to the M6", and took his own route back thus missing yet
another change of plan as to which services we all went to.
This turned out a much better day than anticipated so all you wimps
who didn't turn up because of a poor forecast/long drive missed a
great day out. Thanks to all those who did come. I hope you enjoyed
it as much as me.
December 16th - KMC Slow Pub Crawl - Andrew Croughton
Members present: Dave Whittingham, Brian Street (no surprise there
then), Robert Clark, Julie O'Regan, Heather Brooke, Dan O'Brian,
Andrew Croughton (even less of a surprise here).
Guests present: Katie Horgan (Could be classed as an honorary Dave as
hers was on a works night out), Julie's fella (sorry I am useless
with names), some other people and a pub full of drunks.
Pub #1 Marble Arch ?
Pub #2
Pub #3 etc,
Reason for not leaving the first pub:
Nobody actually got to a stage where they needed to crawl so we could
not officially class it as a pub crawl.
Pub two on the intended route was to be the Beer House, which
unfortunately is now closed and boarded over.
We did not have enough Dave's present for the meet to be classed as
an official KMC get together (Minimum requirement seems to be three)
see members and guests present above.
Dave Whittingham refused to move from the bar as he was enjoying the
beer so much.
Nobody tried too hard to persuade him as long as the beer kept
arriving.
So to conclude this meet consisted of one pub, several beers, and not
enough Dave's so it has now been decided that this meet will be
ongoing until all criteria have been met, see meet list 2007 for more
details.
January Newsletter Index.
Copyright © 2007 Karabiner Mountaineering Club
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