Karabiner Mountaineering Club

January 2008 Meet Reports

October 20^th/21^st - Fell Race Weekend - Neville McMillan

Members: Vicky Alderton, Dave Bish, John & Virginia Castick, Robert Clark, Joe Flynn, Mark Garrod, Jim & Sandy Gregson, Sue Harkness, Michelle Harvie, Katie Horgan, Alan (L) Jones, Duncan Lee, David Lygate, Colin Maddison, Craig Marsden, Neville McMillan, Al Metelko, Kirsten Mundt, Lester Payne, Chris Thickett, Dave Wylie, Richard Yorke.

Guests: Fay Castick, Tony Dallas, Hilary Robinson, Collette Walsh.

(24 members and 4 guests)

A select group of seven members reached the hut on Friday night, and more arrived on Saturday morning. The preferred activity was walking the fell tops in glorious weather, and taking advantage of the perfect visibility to suss out the terrain for Sunday. Only Joe and Lester climbed on Dow Crag, Duncan and Vicky climbed en route to the hut, but a cold wind significantly reduced the enjoyment.

Sunday dawned dry, with 100% blue sky and sunshine, making navigation much too easy. But by 9am cloud was coming in from the SW and settling on the tops. Neville's prayers had been answered once again! But it didn't rain, so the weather was just right for the event.

As I was sorting out problems with manning the checkpoints, being one marshal short, a saviour unexpectedly appeared in the genial form of Chris Thickett offering his services. I kissed him on both cheeks (metaphorically speaking, of course), and promptly sent him off to the furthest checkpoint, with Dave Wylie. At this stage a dark horse arrived. New KMC member Richard Yorke had made an early start from home to run in the event. Maybe I should have known that anyone that keen must be a good runner, but he had no track record so he was put in the middle group. At 10 am the show got going, and heads were down, pouring over maps to work out an optimum route.

Course: Irish Row - Black Sails (NY 2829/0074) - Brock How (SD 2640/9944) - Goats Hawse (SD 2665/9828) - Irish Row.

Whereas in recent years the first group has set off at an amiable pace, ready to lapse into fast walking, this year the "slow group" were immediately into serious running. It was obviously going to be a very competitive event. They went down to the footbridge and up the track past the youth hostel, which surprised a few onlookers. Half an hour later the middle group set off, all following the same route. This left the fast group all scratching their heads, but when their time came, they all set off up the slope behind the hut, and along Coppermines Valley. Maybe the Levers Water route is faster. Dave Bish was fastest of the fast group, getting to Black Sails in 41 minutes, the same time as Michelle in the middle group. But Richard Yorke bettered both these times by four minutes.

Meanwhile, the route taken by the first group must have encountered a serious magnetic anomaly. These three, joined by Fay, stood on their own mini-summit and declared it Black Sails. A heated telephone conversation with the marshals, who really were at Black Sails (everyone else found them), did not change their mindset. Having not yet learnt humility⁽¹⁾ this group of four set off for checkpoint 2, thereby abandoning their prospects in the race.

But others also made serious navigational errors. Dave Bish, who was leading the fast group at Black Sails, took a detour over Wetherlam and back, only to meet Katie and her friends travelling in the opposite direction. That put them all out of contention. For the rest, the route from checkpoints 1 to 2 clearly was a challenge. Mark got it right, and Michelle got it wrong, with everyone else in-between. The difference was 20 minutes!

Brock How to Goats Hawse is straightforward, just uphill. And the Goats Hawse checkpoint gives a choice of route on the final leg. But apart from Richard the leading ten all decided to go over The Old Man. Craig must enjoy this descent and, as in 2005, put up the fastest time. But Michelle was only 3 seconds slower (pity about the second leg though!). Richard, who started 30 minutes ahead of the fast group, made a bad choice of route on this leg, and paid the penalty. He was over 6 minutes slower than Craig, and over 3 minutes slower than Mark. As Richard was 30 seconds faster than Mark at Goats Hawse, had he come over The Old Man, he might well have won. As it was, he surprised the timekeeper by bobbing up unexpectedly, 27 minutes ahead of the rest, having been in front of the field from the first checkpoint onwards.

At the finish, Mark was 2 minutes 36 seconds faster than Richard, who was just 8 seconds faster than Duncan. Among the ladies Kirsten ran a very consistent race, finishing fifth fastest overall, only 1½ minutes behind Craig. On the other hand, Michelle has the speed, pity about the direction! Second fastest on the first leg, fourth fastest on the third leg, and almost the fastest on the final leg, but lost at least seven minutes on the second leg. From being over 4 minutes down on Kirsten at Brock How, she finished only 18 seconds slower.

The handicap system produced a close result; Robert Clark being just 18 seconds faster than Colin Maddison. (I won't mention what might have been had there not been any disqualifications.)

Richard Yorke put up a very impressive performance to come second overall, particularly as he was on his own for most of the race, and he collects the Concordia Trophy for the fastest first-time KMC runner. In other years with less competition, either Kirsten, or David Lygate could have been worthy winners of the trophy, but that's the luck of the draw.

And the winners of the trophies are:

Ken Beetham Trophy	Fastest time	Mark Garrod	2:11:39
Sumerfield Cup	Fastest Lady	Kirsten Mundt	2:27:42
Shelagh Manning Trophy	Fastest handicap time	Robert Clark	1:52:48
Concordia Trophy	Fastest first-time entrant	Richard Yorke	2:14:15

The intermediate times, and split times, are in the tables. My thanks to all the checkers, especially those who did what they were not sure they were capable of, in getting to the checkpoint and back; also to Vicky and Duncan for producing food and drink very efficiently and reliably.

Thanks to all who took part and helped to make my last KMC Fell Race a memorable event. I feel confident the event is in a good state of health.

(1) MOUNTAINEERING: The Freedom of the Hills, Ed.4, Chapter 5 Navigation, p97, under the heading "LOST"

Route: Irish Row - Black Sails - Brock How - Goats Hawse - Irish Row

Distance: 7.2 miles or more for some

Height gain: 3,490 ft. or more (not less!)

Overall Fastest
Mark GARROD	2:11:39
Richard YORKE	2:14:15
Duncan LEE	2:14:23
Fastest Ladies
Kirsten MUNDT	2:27:42
Michelle HARVIE	2:28:00
Kate HORGAN	4:20:31
Fastest on Handicap
Robert CLARK	1:52:48
Colin MADDISON	1:53:03
Duncan LEE	1:56:23
Concordia Trophy
Richard YORKE	2:14:15

Name	Start time	Time at Finish	Time to Finish	Overall Time	Handicap	H'cap Time	Finishing Places
	hours:mins	h:m:s	mins	h:m:s	mins	h:m:s	Actual	Ladies	H'cap
Mark GARROD	12:00	14:11:39	131.7	2:11:39	-5	2:16:39	1		6
Richard YORKE	11:30	13:44:15	134.2	2:14:15	0	2:14:15	2		5
Duncan LEE	12:00	14:14:23	134.4	2:14:23	18	1:56:23	3		3
Craig MARSDEN	12:00	14:26:12	146.2	2:26:12	-5	2:31:12	4		10
Kirsten MUNDT	11:30	13:57:42	147.7	2:27:42	10	2:17:42	5	1	8
David LYGATE	12:00	14:27:45	147.8	2:27:45	11	2:16:45	6		7
Michelle HARVIE	11:30	13:58:00	148.0	2:28:00	20	2:08:00	7	2	4
Al METELKO	12:00	14:29:52	149.9	2:29:52	12	2:17:52	8		9
Robert CLARK	12:00	14:30:48	150.8	2:30:48	38	1:52:48	9		1
Colin MADDISON	12:00	14:38:03	158.1	2:38:03	45	1:53:03	10		2
Dave BISH	12:00	15:18:16	198.3	3:18:16	5	3:13:16	11		11
Virginia CASTICK	11:00	14:23:10	203.2	3:23:10	115	1:28:10	---	Disqualified	---
Joe FLYNN	11:00	15:11:05	251.1	4:11:05	107	2:24:05	Disqualified		Disqualified
Kate HORGAN	11:30	15:50:31	260.5	4:20:31	19	4:01:31	12	3	12

October 28^th - Wild Wales Walk - Dave Bone

Members and guests present: James Richardson, Anja, Roger Dyke, Dave Bone.

I drove the Manchester contingent out in heavy rain to meet Roger at the layby. After waiting past the deadline in case, we started off in thick drizzle and mist. Oh ye of little faith, those little men & women in the Met Office actually got the forecast right for as we cleared the woods on the first ascent, there were clear signs of it breaking up. Sunshine on wet grass looking like snow. By the time the incongruous road crossing the moor was reached, the sun was out and waterproofs off. Long sunny spells were now the order of the day.

Through the woods and across the fields, we fought our way down to the valley road, scattering the squawking hordes of pheasants. Down the road we sped, passing a lake with a Duck's Convention. Much noise and agitation was evident as we passed, just like an AGM, and then onto the "London Road". We then had to dodge military style convoys of Landrovers out for the day, with trailbike outriders. Elevenses were taken while the air cleared.

Over the top of the hill, and down into the next valley on forgotten 'paths', where glorious autumn colours were to be seen - these dead-end valleys don't usually see many people. Up the not quite dead-end road for quite a way, with more off-roaders coming the other way (were they the same?), then a turn off past the last dwelling at the mouth of a side valley and out into the wilderness for lunch.

With it now cloudier and cooler (though dry until we returned to the car), we battled the non-existent paths onto the Berwyn ridge, passing the lone signpost pointing forlornly into the marsh. By now the group were more strung out but good views were to be had as we headed north along a worn path to the foot of Moel Fferna. The path to the top has been much hammered by trail bikes, and path to reach the summit shelter at 4pm was very gloopy as a result. After a break, the party were pulled to their feet and it was back down the ridge and a descent to the old quarries, closed in 1960, actually mostly under ground as shown on the information boards.

The trail bikes had been active here in the previous two months, with a deep trench down the incline path, and much mess. With the sun now down, we 'sped' along the old railway bed, forced up over a rise with much grumbling, and skidded down into a deep valley to pick up the railway track again. A massive, eyesore, landslip like feature on the valley side, was revealed to have been made by bikes, again in the last 2 months. Carrying a length of razor wire between the group if you're out there should see a reduction in the effect? Into the dark woods, owls calling, with one last bit of up and a bit of blind searching for a gate, then we were back on the outward route again.

Back at the car by 17:50, with a degree of relief from the team. Thanks to those who came out - this was Roger's first scary Dave Bone walk, actually a 'gentle' introduction, but there were few outward signs of stress.

November 10^th - Annual Dinner, Beddgelert - Dave Bish

On Friday the 9th of November 2007, the back bar of the Goat Hotel began to resound with the tales of the KMC for the second time in a mere 48 years. The banter continued long after the solitary barman's bedtime as we commenced labelling operations on the inaugural KMC founders brew: "Old Stubby", which the hotel had agreed to sell from behind the bar the next night.

At breakfast the vanguard company split into climbing and walking teams. The day, though damp, saw several of the KMC out on the hills in different spots with Roger Dyke, Katie and I heading to the sanctuary of Tremadog punctuated by an innings at Eric's. All congregated back at the hotel in the early evening where a few welcome surprise guests swelled our numbers to fifty just before being called in to dinner. Lord Hunt himself presided over seventy nine last time so we were not doing too badly.

The hotel did us proud with a feast of well-prepared local fare. Compare this year's menu to that of 17th October 1959 to see just how good it was.

2007 KMC Annual Dinner	1959 KMC Annual Dinner
Homemade Veg Broth or Baked Brie in Filo Pastry or Wild Mushrooms in Creamy Garlic Sauce	Chilled Fruit Juices or Grapefruit Cerise or Cream of Tomato Soup
Roast Lamb Shank or Grilled Fillets of Plaice in Creamy Sauce or Roast Chicken with Trimmings or Savoury Goat's Cheese Filled Pancake	Fried Fillets of Plaice and Lemon or Roast Chicken with Roast & Whipped Potatoes
Fruit Cobbler and Cream or Chocolate Terrine and Fruit Coulis ot Ice Cream Trio	Peach Melba or Fruit Flan and Cream or Cheese and Biscuits
Coffee and Mints	Coffee

This year's speech was provided by Les Ainsworth, editor of the Lancashire guidebook, former day contemporary of early KMC exploits and latter day activist for access and bolting. The speech covered a lot of ground and even drew heckles from Ken Beetham and others. Les (as was said of Lady Hunt at the last dinner) proved to be "a good sport" and managed to court the kind of controversy enjoyed by our erstwhile guest Don Whillains through a scathing rebuke of "those Rockfax people".

Following a club speech from our president, several awards, some sadly in absentia, were presented on behalf of the committee:

Unlike the club's 15th annual dinner when Bowden Black orchestrated a re-enactment of Hannibal's crossing of Bleaklow by elephant(?), thespians at the 63rd dinner proved to be in short supply. This year's entertainments were the drawing of raffle prizes and the marking of the table quiz with a closing attempt at the world mass DIY kazoo choir record. A group rendition of the Manchester Rambler descended into chaos until Frank Williams saved the day and closed the musical portion of the evening with a sterling comb and baking paper rendition of God Save the Queen.

Once again the Goat's barman served above and beyond the call of duty leaving only when Andy had bought every remaining bottle of beer and had it opened on the bar. While most guests retired to the comfort of hotel rooms, a few headed back home and at least one made for the sanctuary of the hut - pity about the lock on the middle gate though, eh Anne?

Breakfast was a convenient marshalling time again and we split into two walking groups with a third trio of Roger Dyke, Les Ainsworth and his daughter heading for Tremadog.

Katie Horgan led the more relaxed of the two walks up past the coppermine and around Myndd Sygyn accompanied by Frank Williams, Iain McCallum, Pat McCallum, Sue Brooke, Pete Hughes, Pete Walker, Neville McMillan and Alan "Liverpool" Jones.

The hardier group, comprising myself, Michelle, Mark, James, Kasia, Andy and Brian (their second trip up Snowdon in as many days) headed off up the Watkin path - sadly without Scott and Kevin who beat a hasty retreat in the direction of gritstone when they felt rain in the carpark!

It being Remembrance Day we paused at 11:00 alongside the waterfalls to observe two minutes silence.

Both parties made it back in one piece just before dark and after various stops for Bara Brith and teas headed back to all points East. In all it was an excellent weekend, much enjoyed by those who attended. We'll be at a different mountain hotel next year on the 8th November 2008. I am on the happy task of testing establishments' fare so make a date - I'd like to see sixty nine others of you along with me, let's make it even better - watch this space for venue details.

November 18^th - Hebden Dale Round - Mark Garrod

Attendees: Frank and Margaret Williams, Iain McCallum, Robert Clark, Dave Wylie, Trish Cranston, Al Metelko, Pete Walker, Sue Brooke, Lorna Marsland, Linda Crossley, Christine Beeston, Michelle Harvie, Mark Garrod.

Guests: Anita Williams, Peter Hughes, Kaveh Moravej.

Psychic or mad; I'm not sure which. The forecast was for continuous cold rain, plus storms later, so psychic if you really believed it was going to be half reasonable and not drown and freeze us, as it turned out, or otherwise mad for coming.

16 of us departed Heptonstall on the Calderdale Way, only for one to return to pick up newcomer Kaveh and introduce him to the pace of a KMC walk through trying to catch the group. The meet leader then hoped that no-one spotted the deliberate error of leaving the Calderdale way too early - fat chance! Still, we picked up the Pennine way to climb away from Colden Clough and onto Heptonstall Moor, which had a slight covering of the season's first snow and slush. First break was taken just below Gorple Lower reservoir, and the Williams - Walker quartet then took the long short cut back direct down Hebden dale; long because the main group unwittingly overtook them whilst they were taking tea at the cafe further down the Dale.

The main group then headed up past Walshaw Dean lower reservoir, to swing back on the high path over Wadsworth Moor to enter Hebden Dale just after Horrodiddle (I just had to get that name in). Our second lunch was taken at the Mill, sitting outside with our butties and tiffin, unaware that the others were within. The meet leader was slightly concerned that we were going to get back to base only just after 3pm (I think our speed over the ground may have been proportional to the group chat decibel levels), but sense prevailed, and we passed up any thought of extending the walk and seven of us settled for tea and cakes in Hebden Bridge instead.

Thanks to everyone for coming and supporting the meet.

November 25^th - Llangollen Walk - Brian Taylor

Members present: Roger Dyke, Iain McCallum, Alan (Liverpool) Jones, Brian Taylor (Leader), Pete Walker, Alan Peck, Al Metelko, Trish Cranston, Des Chadderton.

The weather on the previous Sundays walk had apparently been extremely mixed; armed on this occasion with a fairly good forecast by November's standards I was optimistic for a pretty favourable day out on the hill. Al, Trish and Des were likewise optimistic because they came prepared with their climbing gear and we left them at the meeting point sorting gear out for a day of climbing.

Initially the weather was okay but by the time we reached the high point of the walk at 565 metres we were walking in rain with a fairly strong wind. We then steadily descended from our high point on a path that had unfortunately been heavily eroded by scramble bikes. After our lunch spot the weather improved and we had lovely views towards the south west. Pete was suffering from a cold and decided to take a short cut back to the car. Alan, at a latter stage, also took a short cut; I can't remember why. The rest of us completed the walk arriving back at approx 4pm.

A fairly uneventful day; by the time we arrived back the climbing contingent had already left the parking spot. We can only assume that they were rained off their crag.

Thanks to everyone that turned up.

December 2^nd - Kettleshulme aka Bowland. Len's Meet - Dave Bish

On the previous day, Saturday December 1^st 2007, Len Stubb's ashes were scattered on Black hill above Kettleshulme. Although very windy the weather was kind to us and the views were excellent. A brief break in the clouds let a patch of sunlight light up Kinder Low. Ken Beetham read out a short piece and Len was duly laid to rest in a marvellous spot. 22 club members were privileged to see Len settled in the hills he loved.

The Sunday meet was a long way from Kettleshulme and, while Len was not there to greet us at the end, it was certainly a day for kindred spirits in the tradition of the meets at Len's.

The day really kicked in for me as James, Kasia and I in James' Ka, boot laden with beer, began bouncing and lurching our way up the track to "The Hey" - Richard and Pat Holt's salubrious Bowland hideaway. As the water in the deeper potholes approached the top of the wheels the only thing that kept us going was the sight of the Casticks in Midge's tiny sports car somehow staying above water in front.

When we arrived, there was a Dave getting everybody nicely parked up around the house, and there really were a lot of bodies - fishing walking boots out of their car boots, donning waterproofs against the incoming rain and greeting old friends - some not seen in years. Like most others I nipped in to use the facilities and set a return time with Pat. Inside I paused in awe, marvelling at the rows of neatly laid tables which covered every inch of downstairs space apart from the Kitchen where Pat's crack team were hard at work on dinner. I suppressed an urge to sample the wealth of beverages on offer and dragging a few more bodies out into the rain with me joined the throng outside.

For the walk itself eighteen hardy KMC members past and present set off down towards Beatrix (or was it Tiggywinkle?) with a smaller party of three and a HUGE dog sweeping the rear.

Thanks to my careful reconnoitre a few weeks beforehand only about 80% of what we walked, waded and slithered through for the first two miles was hard going - the other 20% was simply wet and uphill. Fortunately there was no shortage of banter and the morale level remained above the waterline so when we turned up into the Dunsop valley on a drier path there was no stopping us. Most walkers made it all the way up to Whitendale on either the left or right bank of the beck as the groups split with some headed back down the valley.

For those hardy enough to stay on, we remembered this was a "Len Meet" and had an al fresco "pub stop" and cracked a few bottles of "Old Stubby" before our final uphill bogwade over Dunsop Fell. By the top we were looking pretty wet as we posed around the Trig point for James before striding purposefully down through the bracken, negotiating a wall, wading a final monster puddle and back to "The Holt".

Our labours had not been in vain for food awaited us, the ambrosial like of which I have never before experienced on a KMC meet. The menu cards on the tables showing that rakish picture of Len Stubbs in his heyday insisted that we move round between courses (yes - this was a three course meal with wine, beer and coffee flowing) to talk with ex-members. In this way I spoke to many faces new to me from the former members' contingent Pat had marshalled from far and wide. I heard tales of Audrey taking "young Joe Brown" on his first Severe at Laddow and of more ranging from the horrific to heroic - I'm not sure which of these the bootlace abseil came under but the talk was both humbling and inspirational. None of this more so than a moving after dinner speech by Len Stubbs himself ! Captured a few years ago on audio tape by Jim Gregson, Len told us of the club's first meeting on the 11th of November 1944 at the Nag's Head in Edale, its naming and some of the antics of early meets.

The meal was rounded off by a thank you from Derek Seddon on behalf of the KMC to Pat "The power behind the throne of Len's walks", Richard and their family for their outstanding hospitality and generosity. Derek presented Pat with a pack of the "Old Stubby" beer commissioned in Len's memory. A collection was taken on behalf of the Mountain Rescue. The amount raised, together with a sum voted on by the committee will allow us to donate £250 to the MR this year.

I cannot thank Pat enough for putting the event together, which was a fitting way to remember Len and revel in the past of the KMC. My hope now is that both the older members present and those who could not be there in person will continue to hear of active exploits of the KMC that will make them as proud to be associated with the club as its current members are proud of its history.

Those present at the meet and eats were:

Ian McCallum Pat McCallum, Chris Thicket, Phil Ramsbottam, Dennis Davis, Derek Seddon, Pat Seddon, David Bish, Midge Castick, John Castick, Jim Gregson, Sandy Gregson, Pat Holt, Richard Holt, Dave "Dog Ears" Gibbison, Liz Gibbison, Lester Payne, Walter Beckett, Peter Walker, Frank Willams, Margaret Williams Alan "Liverpool" Jones, Ken Beetham, Al Metelko, James Hoyle, Kasia Hoyle, Pete Hughes, Sue Brooke, Audrey Rimmer, Norman Rimmer, Tony Taylor, Elsie Upton, Teddy Wood, Dave Sommerfield, Marion Dellow. David Bish.

From all accounts, Pat Holt put on a stunning effort with the afternoon meal, well beyond the call of any duty. As an example of the detail involved I've posted the text of the impressive Menu here.

MENU BOWLAND LAMB & VEGETABLE PIE REDCURRANT JELLY MINT JELLY ... ... BRISTOL CREAM SHERRY TRIFLE GREENGAGE CRUMBLE DAMSON CRUMBLE DAMSON BAKED SPONGE BILBERRY & APPLE PIE ALL WITH CUSTARD OR CREAM ... ... CHEESEBOARD WITH GRAPES & CELERY ... ... COFFEE ... ... PLEASE MOVE AROUND AFTER THE MAIN COURSE TO CHAT WITH AS MANY EX MEMBERS AS POSSIBLE, THEY KNEW LEN IN THE 1940S, TAKE YOUR GLASS WITH YOU AND RELAX.

January Newsletter Index.

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