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March 2007 Meet Reports
September 23rd/24th 2006 - Marin Trail Weekend - Heather Brooke
Members: Dan O'Brien, Rob Allen, Scott Sadler, Mark Ashley and Dave
Bayley.
Guests: Carl Pulley, Graham Bayley and Paul Dearden.
On the Saturday, the weather was good so everyone went for to do the
Marin trail, with exception of Carl, who went climbing, and myself
who chickened out and went for a run through woods instead. Everyone
seemed to have a great time with whatever they did. The evening was
spent getting merry and trying to watch footage from Dave's helmet
camera.
With heavy rain overnight and people nursing hangovers, a late
morning was had, before heading out for another day of fun. Scott
cycled to Porthmadog and Dave went for a ride through the Dinorwic
quarries whilst Dan, Heather and Carl went climbing.
January 13th/14th - Peak Winter Walk - James Richardson
Saturday - Climbing at Lawrence Field.
Members: James Richardson, Keen Andy, Al Metelko, Karen.
Andy turned up at the advertised time of 10.30am, I on the other hand
thought that since the weather was so nice there would be plenty of
people there and I could get some odd jobs done in the morning. When
I turned up at 1pm Andy was still waiting for someone to climb with.
Karen turned up around 2pm and Al at 3pm just in time to squeeze one
more route in. Ended up being a fantastic day to get the first
routes of the year done.
Sunday - Walking Around Chew.
Members: James Richardson, Iain McCallum, Phil Ramsbottom, Dave Bish,
Dave Wylie, Al Metelko, Trish, Joanne Castick and Mark.
Guests: Richard, Nicoletta.
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Sorry if I have missed anyone from the attendees list. Another good
January day saw the KMC leaving the meet leader behind and forcing
him to run and catch up. Most of us went up Wilderness Gully, which
had a reasonable stream running down the back of it. We all met up
again at Laddow for lunch sunbathing outside of the cave. Al and Dave
Bish did a few laps of Long Climb while the rest of us headed around
to Lads Leap. With various people disappearing to take their own
routes we finally all met up again at the top of Wimberry. A good
short, winter walk which I think everyone enjoyed, despite the
complaints about lack of footpaths (no paths - all the better, Ed.).
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January 27th/28th - Working Party Meet - James Richardson
Members: James Richardson, Iain McCallum, John Evans, Al Metelko,
Dave Whittingham, Wavey, Dave Wylie, Kirsten (although she wasn't yet
a member), Roger Daley.
Guests: Anja Wermeling, Annie.
Again my deepest apologies if I have missed your name from the
attendees list. We managed to get quite a bit done this weekend
including digging a hole to see what was at the bottom of it, moving
mud from one pile to another, moving sticks from one pile to another,
hunting for small vermin and giving a gorse bush a hair cut.
February 3rd/4th - Alex MacIntyre Hut Meet - Roger Daley
Act I
Friday.
Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious summer by this sun
of Onich.
Richard and I travel North on glorious Friday ... reaching Glasgow to
witness the setting sun silhouette the towers of the sky; the heat
shimmers over traffic as we pass by. The majesty of it brings a tear
to thy eye... but is this not winter? Is this an ice axe, which I see
before me, the handle toward my hand?
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Were we not heading to the frozen land?, an ice cream van cuts our
path, damn Mr. Whippy? Cry "Havoc," and let slip the dogs of war.
This does not bode well at all, as we sped across Rannoch Moor, and
staring into the poring darkness ... look high ... a patch of snow
hangs on a promise that will surely fade by morrow. Lord, what fools
these mortals be!
The Clachaig tempts us with its merry song, but we journey on 'n on
...better three hours too soon than a minute to late.
We arrive at Castle Alex to find King Duncan, Lady Vicky, Noble Ian,
and Lady Liz in residence.
Noble Ian and Lady Liz had journeyed the day before to ascend the
Cobbler and some more..."'twas so hot!" fair Lady Liz declared...
well "'tis the dawn of the second month after all" the Joker sighed.
A short time did pass, then Lady Ann of Saughall and Cath of Lymm do
arrive, on their trusty steed. They sort witness of their resolution
to slay the ring of Steall. Though this be madness, yet there is
method in't.
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Lord Lygate and Baron Bish were delivered to Castle Alex on the
chimes of midnight, and the meet leader was duty bound to serve them
hot and rebellious liquids; though I fear a Pineapple Daiquiri would
have best quenched their thirst.
And so to bed to sleep, perchance to dream-ay.
Act II
Saturday
But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?
Richard and Roger (Jester).
Arise at dawn, for today we meet the Ben; at the forest we tether the
beast of burden and dress for battle; stride forth... but halt... alas...
Richard "I've left my crampons at the hut". "A horse! a horse! my
kingdom for a horse".
We hasten back to Castle Alex, now with daggered feet in hand...we
gallop forth to Torlundy.
The weather improves throughout the morn... little snow to impede and
hence we made good speed. A jewelled cornice on No.5, 'twas a siren
to draw our spirits high... the ascent to ourselves we soloed up the
shallow angle to cliffs above; we dance a merry step to the left and
setup belay on high; but two pitches sees' us exit to the sky.
On descent we converse with King Duncan and Lady Vicky, who'd
ascended North Gully, and the Ben. Richard gifts a dram of Ardbeg,
anaesthetising our weary bodies to the Zig-Zags ahead, and down to
William's Fort we did tread.
Lord Lygate & Baron Bish
That they are mad, 'tis true, 'tis true 'tis pity, and pity 'tis 'tis
true. The pair choose to climb North Gully and down through the rocks
at the side of No.4 to avoid the climbers. Their hunger not yet
satisfied they ascend No.2, they spy a bird of prey hovering about
the cornice, and a cloud inversion to the south. On to the summit of
the brooding Ben, down the Cairn Mor Dearg Arete as the sun sinks.
Reaching the final summit of the ridge before the dragon wing of
night o'erspreads the earth; and then descend by light of lantern.
Noble Ian & Lady Liz
On this fabled day they paid homage to those infamous twins perched
on Aonach Moor; Left Twin (does please), then Right Twin (does not),
exiting through sugared cornice and out of the jaws of death; such
would send a shiver down less noble spines.
Lady Ann & Cath of Lymm
The quest be satisfied... the ring of Steall has fallen to Ladies of
Cheshire... though not without cost, for Cath of Lymm has bruised her
ankle, but sweet victory was theirs to savor.
As night draws in, the Players return to the Castle Alex to cook a
hearty meal.
Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.
Fillet of a fenny snake,
In the caldron boil and bake;
Eye of newt, and toe of frog,
Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting,
Lizard's leg, and howlet's wing,
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.
*A veggie option was also available.
Then a celebration for Lady Vicky's tender years on this earth...
champagne and chocolate cake, a dish fit for the gods; the banquet
being graced by King and Queen Warden. A fine selection of malts and
meads bring to close the perfect day.
Act III
Sunday
A change in the weather Blow, blow, thou winter wind!
Lord Lygate & Baron Bish
O, what men dare do! To Aonach Moor they go, dropping in via Easy
Gully and climbing Tunnel Vision, an excellent grade III. Lesser
mortals did impede; but as good luck would have it they make haste
and catch the final Sky Basket to the valley below.
Noble Ian & Lady Liz
They arose for a short walk up Ben Venue (in the Trossachs); which
was sufficient for Lady Liz's "evil feet"! These things of darkness.
King Duncan, Lady Vicky, Lady Ann & Cath of Lymm
The merry party rounded the Inchree Waterfalls; where there was time
aplenty to take pleasure in watching a group of lunatics, on an
'adventure' weekend scrambling down the falls and hurling themselves
into the freezing waters below; 'twas ever so.
Richard & Roger (Jester)
So wise so young, they say do never live long. Richard had abseiled
little and 'twas felt that down-climbing Easy Gully on Aonach Moor
was folly indeed; so hence we contoured around Aonach an Nid into the
corrie.
The Jester begins Forgotten Twin, but 'twas in poor condition... and
so traversed onto Siamese Buttress; committed to leading all pitches
and with time against us, we took our leave; contenting ourselves
with an ascent of Easy Gully, and circle of the plateau.
Returning to the Castle to beat the tapestries with thy Hoover, Out,
damned spot! out, I say!"; and then the long journey home.
Let all the Players take a bow for making it a memorable weekend.
Cast List
Members
Duncan Lee, (King of Scotland-Macbeth), Vicky Alderton, Ann Sanderson,
Cath Sanders, Dave Lygate, Dave Bish, Roger Daley (The Jester) "Off
with his head!".
Guests
Ian and Liz Lawton, Richard Yorke,
William Shakespeare.
"Now is the winter of our discontent."-- King Richard III (I, i, 1).
"Cry "Havoc," and let slip the dogs of war"--Julius Caesar - (Act
III, Scene I).
"Lord, what fools these mortals be!" -- A Midsummer Night's Dream
(III, ii, 115)
"I will about it; better three hours too soon than a minute too late.
-- The Merry Wives of Windsor.
"Though this be madness, yet there is method in 't." -- Hamlet- (Act
II, Scene II).
"We have heard the chimes at midnight". -- King Henry IV, (Act III,
Scene II)
"In my youth I never did apply Hot and rebellious liquors in my
blood". -- As You Like It,
"To sleep, perchance to dream-ay, there's the rub." -- Hamlet (III,
i, 65-68).
"But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east,
and Juliet is the sun." -- Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2).
"A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse!"-- King Richard III (V,
iv, 7).
"That he's mad, 'tis true, 'tis true 'tis pity, And pity 'tis 'tis
true." -- Hamlet (II, ii, 97-98).
"The dragon wing of night o'erspreads the earth" -- Achilles, in
Troilus and Cressida.
"Out of the jaws of death" --Taming of the Shrew -- (Act III, Scene
IV).
"Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble..."
- Macbeth (Act IV, Scene I).
"A dish fit for the gods"-- Julius Caesar " - (Act II, Scene I).
Blow, blow, thou winter wind! Thou art not so unkind as man's
ingratitude"-- As you like it ". (Act II, Scene VII).
"As good luck would have it".- The Merry Wives of Windsor - (Act III,
Scene V).
"[T]his thing of darkness I Acknowledge mine."- The Tempest (V, i,
275-276).
"So wise so young, they say do never live long." - King Richard III
(III, i, 79).
"Out, damned spot! out, I say!" -- Macbeth (V, i, 38).
"Off with his head!" -- King Richard III (III, iv, 76).
(The Golden Biro rules will have to be carefully examined... Ed.)
February 11th - Forest of Bowland - Dave Bone
Members present: Dave Shotton, Dave Wylie, Dave Bone (poor Dave
turnout), Iain McCallum, Lorna Marsland, Christine Beeston, and
Lester Payne. Peter Walker, Frank Williams and Virginia Castick get
1/3 tick for a shorter variation.
Guests present: Nicoletta Bobola.
The village of Chipping was a popular spot on a damp, grey Sunday
morning. KMC members trickled in, with tales of navigational feats on
the country lanes with the 'assistance' of police speed traps and
road-works at a critical junction in Longridge. As the waterproof
shrouded KMC gathered, we nearly sucked in another small group in the
car park, and then nearly doubled the membership of the KMC as 3
coach loads of walkers passed through the car park - never did find
out where they went. The walk started in gentle rain at the statutory
10:15 time, wending our way along the road past the chair factory to
the sawmill. No hint of the snows of the days before, although half
the ducks on the sawmill pond were skating on thin ice. Then it was
off up the slope into the muddy fields - traction trauma.
The rain did stop in a couple of miles and the bulk of the walk was
dry - some blue sky appeared by the time elevenses were had short of
Dinkling Green farm. At Higher Fence Wood farm, we were rounded up by
the farm dog (any dog that has to practice on a flock of chickens has
to have a few screws loose), but it couldn't keep 3 from breaking
away for a shorter day's return. Onwards and over Mellor Knoll where
the fine view's distant fells were still shrouded in grey. Down to
the Trough road where a keen wind was blowing down the valley. Iain,
the connoisseur of luncheon sites, picked a wall in a field for
lunch. A quick break as body temperatures plummeted - in retrospect,
perhaps the other side of the wall would have been better.
The valley past Langden castle (where another group foolishly thought
they should follow us as we obviously knew where we were going) was
straight forward. There was much sign of considerable water flow and
flooding in the valley, but the spreading of the river eased the
river crossing. No one made a spectacle of themselves... Then up the
steep valley sides to the head of the semi-frozen moor. Clear blue
skies at this point and excellent views north. The fence was
followed, up and down in deep groughs, with people arriving from
varying directions at the summit of Fair Snape Fell. Across the peat
stripped plateau to the freshly painted Trig point for the promised
view south - shrouded in haze and an ominous grey cloud sitting on
the ground towards the M6. On the final stretch now and the dribbling
rain returned in desultory fashion. An easy yomp round the curve of
the escarpment and up (some complaint here) to the final top of
Parlick with its rather ineffective circular windbreak (for dwarves).
Steeply down the heavily eroded hillside into the gloom and we
followed the roads back to Chipping, finishing at ~17:30. Some seemed
to think the walk longer than my 12 miles! Still, a reasonable day
that opened some eyes to the possibilities of an infrequently visited
area. I have some more routes on the books for future walks. Thanks
to those who came and made it an enjoyable day.
March Newsletter Index.
Copyright © 2007 Karabiner Mountaineering Club
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