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November 2009 Forthcoming Meets
All note the following small print when taking part in meets :-
"I accept that climbing and mountaineering are activities with a risk of personal injury or death.
I am aware of and shall accept these risks and wish to participate in these activities voluntarily and
shall be responsible for my own actions and involvement."
November 14th/15th - Annual Dinner - Andrew Croughton or Heather Brooke
Due to the Old Dungeon Ghyll being unable to offer a reasonable deal
for this year's meal, we will be holding this year's Annual dinner at
the Middle Ruddings Hotel, Braithwaite, near Keswick in Cumbria.
The hotel is superbly situated and has a reputation for good food,
traditional Ale and has hosted dinners for CAMRA.
Check out www.middle-ruddings.co.uk
Dinner only is £25.
One night Dinner, Bed and Breakfast will be £65 per person, Or for 2
night's B&B accommodation and for the dinner on the Saturday 14th it
will be £105 per person.
Please note if looking to stay in the hotel itself you should book by
20th October as after that date they will open rooms up to the public
again if not all booked.
For those not wishing to stay in the Hotel:
Local B+B's available:
- Maple Bank (www.maplebank.co.uk), Speak to Tommy or Rhona on 017687 78229.
One night £40pp &Two Nights £35pp/pn - may do a special winter rate -
ask them.
- The Sidings 017687 78042 B+B £30pp approx. Ask for Silvia Clarke.
- Braithwaite Farm 017687 78411 B+B £30 pp approx. Ask for Jenny Clarke.
These are all within Five minutes walk of the hotel and have been
recommended by the hotel themselves. Other local B&B is available.
There is also a campsite five minutes down the road - Lanefoot farm
campsite, not officially open but willing to let people stay and they
also have two self catering cottages and loft accommodation
available. www.stayinthornthwaite.co.uk or call Helen or Gareth
Davies on 017687 78097.
Please book and pay early to secure your places.
Back by popular demand, Geoff Hibbert will again be the Guest Speaker
at the Annual dinner. He will be talking more on a specific big
route, rather than how he got into climbing as in last years speech.
The menu choice has still not been decided as the owner of the hotel
is away on holiday until November.
November 22nd - Bowland Walk - Mike Graves
This is a delightful walk, great scenery, and not too many people
around.
The walk will start at 09.45 sharp! Starting from Fell Foot grid ref:
SD601443. The walk continues low level, passing Blindhurst, Higher
Fair Snape and on to Holme House.
From here we climb up to Fiensdale Head. The path now descends,
following Fiensdale Water, to Langden Castle G.R. SD605503.
From Langden Castle we may have a paddle as we have to cross two
streams! Our route now continues up Bleasdale Water, as we climb out
of the gully we turn west and follow the path for a short distance.
We take a path down Saddle Fell, to Saddle End, and continue going
south west to Wolfen Hall, and back to our cars.
Total distance about 11 miles.
Directions from Manchester to the start point
Take the M60 north onto the M61, then M6 and come off at junction
31a. Follow signs for Longridge - B6243.
There are about 3 traffic islands soon after coming off the Motorway, just
follow B6243 Longridge. After about 3-4 miles, as you approach Longridge,
there is a mini-roundabout at the Old Oak Pub. Bear left for Longridge and
Chipping, then carry on to the next roundabout. Carry straight on and at
the next round about bear left, following the main road for Chipping, etc.
Just before Chipping you cross a bridge. After a couple of hundred yards,
turn right - signed Chipping. As you enter Chipping (narrow) roads, turn
left at junction, then right at the church. Carry on for about 300 yds and
take the left fork. Continue ahead for approximately ¾ mile. At the
next Y junction, bear left - this is called Fish Lane. After another 400yds
turn right, and carry on to the next road junction and park here.
November 29th - Yorkshire Dales Walk - Phil Ramsbottom
This could be a nice short walk for a short November day, however if
the weather and the mood of the party is favourable it can be
extended to around 13 miles.
Meet at the car park in Langcliffe at 9.30 for a 9.45 start, from the
B6479 from Settle to Ribblehead turn right about half a mile after
passing under the railway bridge - signposted Malham if you cross
over the railway you have gone too far. Pass the village green on the
right and the car park is on the left opposite the church ref
SD823651.
Route will be: up to Jubilee Cave, follow track (not shown very
clearly on map) heading East, then swinging round to South to
signpost at SD 882 648. From here we can either head South West to
track leading to Stockdale Farm. Or continue straight on to arrive at
the dry valley above Malham Cove, down through the Cove to Malham
where there is a pub for the devotees, we can then follow the paths
climbing past the various barns and Hoober Edge which will rejoin the
short route on the track leading to Stockdale Farm.
Half a mile after the farm we will turn right to pass below Attermire
Cave and Scar, then Victoria Cave before dropping back down to
Langcliffe.
Best Map - Outdoor Leisure 10 - Yorkshire Dales South
Saturday December 5th - Go Green in Shropshire - Dave Bone
Go on, get away from the Christmas shopping with a walk in
Shropshire. Leave the car behind as we're going by train (this is an
experiment to show what's possible). This gives you a green tick.
The walk is a circuit from Church Stretton, taking in moors, secluded
valleys, hills and hill forts, a bit of farmland, and only a little
road. Unusually, it is all on paths shown on the map - which happens
to be Landranger 137.
We are going with Arriva Trains Wales, on the Saturday 8:30 from
Manchester Piccadilly to Milford Haven via Crewe & Shrewsbury,
getting to Church Stretton at 09:59 we hope. Calls at Stockport
(where I expect to join) 08:39, Wilmslow 08:47.
Return: this could depend on you and the conditions - there is a good
chance of making the 15:37 (to Manchester at 17:15), else the next is
17:37 (arr. 19:15).
The route: Start at Church Stretton station (SO456936) at 10am.
Cross the A49, head almost S through the woods and over Ragleth Hill.
W into Little Stretton, then follow the narrow valley of Ashes
Hollow, heading N at the end to emerge on the moorland at the
"Boiling Well" (don't walk onto the bright green stuff). From here,
head to the highest point of the Long Mynd, Pole Bank at 516m
(415945). NW along the spine dropping down at Cross Dyke (SO443968),
where the route gets tricky (and subject to change), but likely Plush
Hill, Dudgeley farm and on to the B5477 N of All Stretton. Those who
really have to catch an early train will find a shorter return to the
station mostly parallel to the B road, but will miss the best bit of
the walk. Cross rail and A49, then from Botvyle, gain the NE end of
the ridge, which leads us to the top of Caer Caradoc (459m) with its
hill fort, and excellent open views. With an eye on the sun, follow
the enjoyable ridge SW via Three Fingers Rock, then steeply down to
the col before Helmeth Hill. From here a mile on path and minor road
return us to the station.
Total distance ~12mi, ascent ~850m. As a circuit, there are lots of
return routes to give shorter walks if necessary. Hope to see you on
the train!
December 12th/13th - Xmas Bash - Trish Cranston/Ann Waters
Note the Change in Date from that in the Handbook!
The pre-nosh entertainments will be:
- "Avalanche Rescue Techniques and other Games......."
Pack your ice axe and crampons!
Ann Wooley-Waters and I (with help possibly from Heather, and maybe
one other if anyone fancies giving a hand, maybe a mulled wine maker)
are coordinating the Christmas bash this year.
We decided to make it a buffet style, at £6 a head, and we will
provide soup and rolls for starters and green salad to go with main
dishes. We are happy to make mulled wine but this may raise the price
to £7. It is easiset done if people just bring wine for the pot, and
someone brings fruit, perhaps.
We will otherwise need (all dishes big enough to serve 6 portions):
- 6 veggie dishes
- 4 meat dishes (assuming that there are not so many meat eaters, correct me if im wrong!)
- 6 puddings with whatever you wish them to be served with eg. cream, custard
- Someone to make mince pies for approx 30 people
- Someone to bring fruit for mulled wine
- Some entertainments for the interval whilst slavering and waiting for food
- Some help with table decorations or just decorations!
- ....and a partridge in a pear tree...!
Al has kindly offered to handle the money so if you know you want to
come but don't wish to cook anything it would be very helpful to pay
him in advance. If making a dish, if you can produce something for
around £6 that makes life a whole lot easier!
So come along and enjoy the festivities, let's hope for some snow!!
Hope to see you there!
Trish
December 31st/January 3rd - Ty Powdwr - The KMC
Just turn up for this one. Traditionally many KMC members turn up at
the hut for New Year celebrations and the occasional
Walk/scramble/Climb/Bike (and even odder things) on the hills.
January 10th - Oldham Moors Walk - Dave Bone
To kick off the meets New Year, and start to get fit again, here is a
moderate local walk on the moors east of Oldham.
Start from the car park at Grains Bar (GR. SD967083), East of Oldham
on the A672 to Halifax. Turn right on the B6197 to Delph, and
immediately fork right - in ~250m there should be some parking on the
right, if not there are more options off the main A road.
The Walk starts at 10am and the general route is back into Grains
Bar, down to Stackcote, via Heights then up the ridge line to
Castleshaw Moor. The direction is a bit vague, but generally up the
ridge until the Pennine way is met. North over White Hill and the
A672 to the masts, then down the ridge of Windy Hill hoping the M62
isn't too loud, turn left and around the various reservoirs, crossing
over the A640 onto Crompton Moor. The paths here are a bit hard to
follow, so hoping we find the optimum route, we should eventually
return to Grains Bar.
Total Distance around 11-12miles with only a minimal amount on roads.
January 24th - Pot Scar Climbing - Duncan Lee
This lovely little Yorkshire crag faces south west overlooking the
hamlet of Feizor (GR SD795678) and recieves lots of sun and dries
quickly. I won't try to claim that it is sheltered because there were
enough of you there last year to pull me up on that fact but everyone
who turned up will certainly vouch for the quality and quantity of
the homemade cakes provided by the cafe in Feizor. I plan to be at
the crag between 10.30 and 11am to allow the morning sun to take the
chill off the rock. Routes range from V.Diff to E3 so there is
something for almost everyone. The majority of the two and three star
routes are in the Severe to E1 range.
In the unlikely event of bad weather, well you have to be optimistic,
the day will start and finish in the cafe with a walk around some of
the local outcrops inbetween the tea and cakes.
Please try and car share because the parking in the hamlet is
limited.
February 14th/21st - Norway Ice Climbing and Skiing - Craig Marsden
Heroes of Telelemark: Part 4 - Return to Rjukan
You've seen the pictures, read the meet reports, now live the experience.
Yes, we're off to Norway for the fourth successive year; heading for
Rjukan in the Telemark region. To quote the guidebook:
"Imagine a place with more than 150 waterfalls, almost all of which
have easy access and a stable climate that guarantees long periods of cold
weather. Add a local population that welcomes visiting ice climbers, a
dramatic World War II history and great skiing on offer for 'rest
days' and this is not just a place to dream about - it is Rjukan."
(Ice Climbing in Rjukan Norway - Rockfax 2005)
Rjukan has something for everyone; a valley full of ice climbs, the
compactbut attractive Gaustablikk downhill ski centre and the almost
limitless cross-country skiing opportunities of the vast Hardangervidda
plateau.
The ice climbing goes from 1 to 17 pitches; with most in the 1-4
pitch range. Walk-ins range 0 to 60 minutes, but the majority are less than
30 minutes. There's water ice (WI) up to WI7 and mixed climbing up to
M10, but the bulk is in the WI2 to WI5 range. For comparison WI3 is
approximately Scottish Grade IV.
Gaustablikk ski centre has 12 lifts, 28 downhill runs (longest
3.5km); 635m vertical drop, 80km x-country tracks, ski school and ski hire.
This year we have booked a 10 person cabin up at the Gaustablikk ski
centre (about 10 minutes drive up from the valley) with its fine views of the
Gaustatoppen and the Hardangervidda. So far we have four Marsdens and
two Maddisons and it would be good to fill the other four spaces. If more
people are interested we can advise on other options.
Ryanair flies from Liverpool to Oslo Torp. From there it is a 2.5-3
hour drive northwest to Rjukan. The Marsden/Maddison party flies out at
18:35 on Sunday 14th February and back at 2:50 on Sunday 21st February. We
recommend booking now before prices rise.
If you plan to come, please let Craig Marsden or Colin Maddison know
as soon as possible, so we can coordinate and advise on accommodation and
hire cars.
For previous meet reports, see the
September 2009 and
January 2009 Newsletters.
For more about the area and climbing see the Rjukan pages of:
VisitNorway.com
and Rockfax....
...or just rent a copy of 'Heroes of Telemark' to see Kirk Douglas
yomping around the area as a Norwegian saboteur!
For further information speak to Craig or Colin.
November Newsletter Index.
Copyright © 2009 Karabiner Mountaineering Club
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