Hi everyone, February again, does not seem like two minutes since Christmas. I have a little treat for you this month. Mike Hayes loaned me a copy of "The Oread Mountaineering Club Songsheet". As you are probably aware Dennis Grey has been doing some sterling work to publish and preserve our mountain song heritage. So I thought it would be a good idea to publish one of the songs from the sheet and see what, if any, reaction it gets. See what you think. After the cold spell of early January, it looks like we could be in for a good winter, only time will tell, keep climbing!
Through February the winter climbing meets will be coordinated by Simon Pape. We had a successful trip to North Wales in January in the cold snap, climbing Sergeant's Gully and Parsley Fern left hand. The same approach will be taken, with a venue being decided on the climbing conditions and forecast for the weekend during the week preceeding, this being communicated via the e-mail circular. Those not on this e-mail circular can find out what's happening, and where, by contacting Simon.
Gordon Gadsby is giving a talk on "Magic of the Mountains". Should be good, Starting 20.00 approx.
It has been quite a while since I last spent a winter weekend in this part of the Lakes and I suspect that might be the same for a few other Oreads. If the recent cold snap continues, we could be in for some excellent winter conditions for walking and climbing. I have booked the K-Fellfarer's High House hut in Borrowdale and the intention is to have a joint meet similar to that held at TYW last year. High House can be found at NY235119 and is at the end of the road in Seathwaite. High House has all the usual amenities, such as drying room, kitchen and common room. Just bring food, drink and something to sleep in. There is more info and a map on the K-Fellfarer's website (www.kfellfarers.co.uk) and the cost is £2.50 per night.
My main idea is to spend Saturday completing a circuitous route on the high fells from the hut and calling in at an inn on the way back. There are obviously more adventurous things to do considering the location for those who are up for it. Sunday will be figured out on Saturday night whilst under the influence of Cumberland Ale. Some places in the hut have been snapped up already, so contact me soon I'll see you in the Yew Tree Inn in Seatoller on the Friday night. Neil.
Having just read the 2009 Meets List I find that I have put my name down to lead this meet. I am not going to make any rash promises about fine winter conditions or fine warm and sunny conditions suitable for climbing, so any of you who wish to attend this meet will, as always, have to make do with whatever the weather god or goddess provides. If you would like to come please contact me Derek.
Although literally pedestrian, this traditional walk is considered worthwhile by a select few. Chris and Roy Eyre, Mike Wren, Peter Amour and Rob Tresidder joined me in a traverse of the steep little side of Iron Torrs, a dry side valley to the Dove, having approached in a circuitous manner via Alsop Moor. The weather was superb with the white frosty effect setting off the tree clad scenery, and even those with a history on the much greater crags of the continent and elsewhere found some interest in the terrain. At the George, we saw Mick and Gill Keeling, Pam and Dave Weston, the Janes clan, Pete Hassal, George Fowler, Freda Raphael and Gordon Stainforth. Doubtless there were others. C.Russell.
Rock Hudson, the meet leader for this meet was ill, as were many others around at Christmas, myself included. Our hutte had a wonderful atmosphere, as usual, and a good time was had by all. The New Years Eve walk, consisted of an ascent of Yr Wyddfa by the Rhydd Ddu path returning by the Snowdon Ranger and arriving well after dark, to the consternation of some partners! Explorations of new quarries were also carried out and new devices found. Cables used as cranes to lift stone! Fascinating. Other walks included traverses of the Hebog ridge and shopping visits to Carnarvon and Porth Madog. Really good food was provided by everyone somehow pulling it together, yet again, for a party atmosphere. Pass the pigs and 2 puzzles kept everyone busy for some time, while we waited for midnight. Champagne was shared by Pam and Nodge and the celebrations went on well into the night. Every year it just gets better.J.Green.
Please get your order to me by 28 February. A few words of history around this T-shirt. The idea of having a club T-shirt was Simon Pape's. Simon felt that our profile could be improved at climbing walls; hopefully this will lead to improved recruitment rates. I rashly volunteered to carry the project through because I had a novel idea for the design. I had no idea then how complicated the whole process would be! I was much taken with the story of the origins of the club's name as relayed in the Jubilee journal edited by Harry Pretty. I succeeded in contacting George Sutton, one of the club's founder members and its first secretary. He was vague about which newspaper's crossword had contained the Oread clue and indeed when it had been published. With the help of the Daily Mirror, I managed to track down the relevant puzzle and here it is. The club has purchased a facsimile edition of the paper which will be deposited in the club archive at County Offices. At a very early committee meeting, it was agreed that the club should be called the Burton-on-Trent Anorak MC! George's felicitous encounter with a simple crossword puzzle saved the club from becoming the dorks of the climbing world. Many thanks to Sally Dipple for the design of the front of the shirt and general help with scanning etc. So to the shirt. It is made by Gildan and comes in the following colours: Ash, Azalea, Black, Cardinal Red, Carolina Blue, Charcoal, Daisy, Dark Chocolate, Forest, Irish Green, Light Blue, Light Pink, Lime, Maroon, Navy , Orange, Purple, Red, Royal, Sapphire, Sport Grey, Tangerine, Violet, White. Price is £11.50 per shirt. Add £1 for dark colour and £1.50 for girls' skinny fit. I'm not sure what the "ski fit", referred to in the last newsletter, looks like! Orders will only be accepted accompanied by cheque. Please get these to me by 28 February.
It may be of interest to know about a talk Karen Darke's giving at the Assembly Rooms on the 26th of March about skiing across Greenland, cycling over the Himalayas and climbing El Cap (oh yes she was paralysed in a climbing accident when she was 21 - and I think people should remember her from the Xmas dinner). You can find out more about her at http://www.karendar ke.com
Annegret Siebert was elected a full member at the January committee meeting. We wish her well in her climbing with us.
Dear Oreads, Chris and Heather Seaman are happy to announce the arrival of baby Samuel James Seaman at the QMC on Tuesday the 20th of January. Heather stayed in hospital Monday night and came home Tuesday afternoon. Isabel is very proud of her new baby brother. We are all doing fine just a bit tired. Looking forward to seeing some of you as we start finding our feet again. I hope to make one of the slide lectures before they end. Chris, Heather, Isabel and Samuel.