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July 2010 Meet Reports
May 9th - Peak District Walk - Lorna Marsland
Peak District Walk from Chinley Station to Hope Station.
Members present:
Sheena Hendrie, Roger Dyke, Midge Castick, Christine Beeston, Dave
Wylie, Bob Kelly, Brian Taylor and the phantom of Iain McCallum.
Guests:
Laura Collier, Kate Harvey and Max (Brian's dog).
A warm sunny day greeted the members and guests who assembled at
Chinley railway station for 9.15am in search of a bit of a stroll in
the Peak District, before descending into the fleshpots of Edale.
The cool sunshine and gentle breeze afforded superb views from
Chinley Churn, Brown knoll and Grindslow Knoll as we wound our way
around and over these rolling tops, stopping briefly at Edale rocks
to test the bouldering potential and Sheena's finger, before
continuing around the plateau.
Observing what have become the traditional tea break stops at 11.00,
1.00 and 3.00 (brought forward a little to synchronise with our
earlier start time), some of our party developed a great affinity
with the café in Edale, and were heard to call it a day! Brian had
warned me earlier that Max would not be up to a long walk and that
they would be finishing in Edale, but it was plain to see that once
Max had drunk his fill he had energy in abundance, and that it was
Brian who was flagging! Obviously the majority of the party felt that
their level of enjoyment could not be surpassed and they opted for a
variety of alternative activities ranging from the hunt for specs to
the inevitable early bath. Undaunted by a distinct lack of
enthusiasm for walking, four of us ploughed on to Hope and made it to
the station with 10 minutes to spare, although it was 'touch and go'
at one point.
There is a rumour that Iain McCallum was on the meet. He apparently
left half an hour earlier than the rest of us, and despite helping to
rescue a sheep from a cleft in a rock on Chinley Churn, maintained
his lead throughout the day, arriving at Hope in time to catch the
early train. He parked away from the station to maintain his covert
operation and left a note on my windscreen after the event, to say
he'd been there. Is this the KMC's own Scarlet Pimpernel? Where
will he turn up next!
I hope you enjoyed it; I certainly did, despite limping along for
most of the day. I thought the linear route worked well and my only
regret is that Iain was not there to distract me from the pain in my
knee, and since you're that fast Iain, you could have carried me!
That would have slowed you down.
Thanks to all who attended; we must do it again some time.
May 15th/16th - Ty Powdwr - Andy Grantham
Attendees: Al Metelko, Andy Grantham, Andy Stafford, Carolyn Mills,
Chris Williams, Dave Wylie, Gareth Williams, Jamie Ledingham, James
Williams, John Dobson, Katharine Bagshaw, Roger Dyke, Sheena Hendrie
and Trish Cranston.
The Summary:
An excellent weekend's climbing with glorious weather
for most of the time, only 1 injury and 1 minor administrative
problem. Pretty successful all things considered.
The Detail:
On Friday at around 5.30pm the 2 Andys and Gareth set off from
Didsbury. Andy G had a nagging doubt that he had forgotten
"something". Half way down the M56, in Gareth's car, he remembered
James, who had said he'd be at Andy's at 5.30pm. Fortunately, Andy
did not need to let on that he'd forgotten to wait for an aspiring
and (then) keen member because just then he received a message from
James to the effect that he had been delayed and would meet up at the
hut. Thus, Andy's shambolic planning was not revealed - until now!
Fortunately, matters proceeded relatively smoothly after that. The
Andys and Gareth met up with Carolyn and Jamie by bus stop quarry.
Arriving at Ty Powdr on Friday evening, they found Dave Wylie (who
reported that the weather had been lousy but had improved in time for
all arrivals). Subsequently James, and Roger arrived.
On the Saturday, team keen comprising Carolyn, James and Jamie headed
off for the Pass - early - climbing Nea (VS 4b) and Brant (VS 4c) on
Clogwyn y Grochan.
Team KMC/not so keen (Roger and Dave and Chris and the Andys) climbed
(as a 2 and 3) on the Idwal Slabs. Roger and Dave climbed Charity
(VD/S) and Cinderella (officially graded as HS 4a but graded by Dave
as BHS (not a clothes' store) but bloody hard severe) and not to be
recommended. The Andys and Chris climbed Hope (VD), Lazarus (S 4a)
and The Arete (VD). Andy G attempted to persuade the others to
scramble up Seniors Ridge to Glyder Fawr but Chris/sanity prevailed.
That evening the throng multiplied, being joined by Al and Trish (who
had climbed on the way to the hut), Katharine, Sheena (with badly
damaged finger) and John Dobson.
On Sunday climbing was mainly in the Llanberis Pass. Routes climbed
included Rib and Slab on Craig Ddhu (VD) and Skylon (HS 4b),
Crackstone Rib (S 4a) and Shadow Wall (VS 4c) on Carreg Wasted.
Eventually, everyone managed to meet up by the cars and were able to
get home in one piece.
May 23rd - Stanage - Ann Sanderson
Members present: Bridget Mapleson, Cathy Gordon, Roger Dyke, Kathryn
Bagshaw, David Wylie, Mark Ashley, Steve Waters, Ann Waters, Mike
Tempest (Guest), Kasia Hoyle, James Hoyle, Ding Koy, Dave Shotton,
Gareth Williams and Andy Stratford.
Sunday 23rd May dawned fine, hot, dry and sunny ...perfect... except it
really was HOT. Would the KMC turn out to burn on Stanage whilst the
tarmac was actually melting?
We needn't have worried. 13 very hardy KMC-ites and a guest turned out
to savour the delights of hot gritstone. Luckily the popular end of
Stanage was not too popular on the day so there was not too much
queuing for routes. There was no messing about and the list of
conquests grew rapidly. To give a flavour - Andy Stratford achieved
his first lead on Grotto Slab (D), closely followed by a second
experience at the sharp end of the rope on Anatomy (VD). (Obviously
in style because no waverings were reported).
Gareth Williams climbed Gargoyle Buttress VS 4b **(without falling off
this time apparently). Flying Buttress (VD ***) had many ascents with
Bridgette Mapleson, Cathy Gordon, Roger Dyke, Ding and Dave Shotton
taking to the air. Mark Ashley explored the depths of Black Hawk
Hell Crack (S 4a ***) whilst several others claimed Black Hawk Traverse
Left (VD **) James Hoyle almost wobbled on a very polished Crack and
Corner (S 4b ***) but ascended with honour intact. The "academic
routes" had a number of visits with regular ascents of Physiology
(VD), Sociology (S) and Anatomy (VD).
Amongst others, Steve Waters and his fellow Mynnedd climbing partner
Mike Tempest successfully took on Rusty Crack (HVS 5b) although Steve
suggested it unnecessary to mention in the meet report that it was
Mike who led it...
Unfortunately the meet leader climbed nothing due to yet another
injury... no matter the sun shone.
Dave Wylie was set on accomplishing good environmental deeds as part
of his "Keep Stanage Pure" campaign and after much sweat, effort and
toil in the heat successfully extracted a piece of booty from the
rock to much applause. Not a finders keepers man he chivalrously
returned it to its owner.
Finally, Mark Ashley discovered a really unique new belay system...
[However, the pictures of this are not fit for public consumption, WebMaster.]
June 6th - World's End - Chris Williams
Attendees: Chris Hall, Andy Stratford, James Williams, Jo and Mark Furniss,
Chris Williams with Peter Walker and Alan Jones passing
through.
The weather forecast all week was predicting a great day on Saturday
with the heavens opening on Sunday, so it was with some trepidation I
arrived at World's End. However it was dry and looked promising, with
a hope that it may actually stay dry!! Chris, Andy and myself started
off enthusiastically with some warm up routes at the Coltsfoot Crack
end of the crag. Peter and Alan came striding along to meet us,
taking some pictures and sharing some memories of the numerous times
they had climbed at World's End. James, Jo and Mark arrived a little
later also made their first climb at this end of the crag. We were
all psyched up and ready to tackle the steep exposed routes further
along towards Taerg Wall, but low and behold it started to rain! One
or two climbers got caught half way up a climb, but just trying to
walk along the bottom of the crag we were reminded how treacherous
limestone can be in the wet!! After huddling under the trees for an
hour while having some lunch the rain was unfortunately not letting
up. Chris, James and Andy decided to finish the day off with some
routes indoors in Stockport, while Jo and Mark needed to go and dig
some more foundations for their extensions. So it was a short meet,
but the climbing was fine and definitely worthy of a return visit.
June 12th/13th - Ty Powdwr Working Meet - James Hoyle
Attendees: James Hoyle, Chris Williams, Iain McCallum, Dan O'Brien.
A small but select group of KMCers made it to the working meet. Dan
got stuck into some painting whilst some repairs were made on the
track. Chris replaced some slates on the rear of the building and
various other jobs were done including a spring clean. Lots of jobs
were measured up for the next working meet so hopefully a better
turnout will lead to more getting done. As is tradition Iain cooked
up a great lunch to keep everyone going, and in the evening my
barbecue failed to light properly again as we attempted to listen to
the England match on a car radio with awful reception. Ahh, picture
the scene... still; at least the sun was out!
On Sunday James and Chris went climbing in the pass. Flying Buttress
was the classic route of choice made all the more interesting by the
rain. Iain went for a walk, whilst poor Dan got a flat battery and
had to wait for the breakdown van which rather scuppered his plans.
Thanks to those who came for your continued support.
July Newsletter Index.
Copyright © 2010 Karabiner Mountaineering Club
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