Jan 1 (W) New Year Walk: C. Russell
Jan 11/12 Glencoe: R. Tresidder
Jan 25/26 T-Y-W: M. Hayes
Feb 1/2 Heathy Lea: Leader TBA
Feb 8/9 Scotland: D. Kirk
A number of the traditional meets have recently failed to achieve anything like their former popularity recently. Possible reasons are date changes, non-attendance of meet leaders and selection of unsuitable venues for car parking etc. We shall avoid these pitfalls and reverse the trend. A number of old stalwarts may no longer be in the sprightly form of yesteryear, but we shall take good care of those who are able to turn out. (Digger was seen in good form at the George recently, hip problems notwithstanding)
We shall assemble at Hartington Station on the Tissington Trail, map ref. 150 610, off the B5054,East of Hartington itself. This is a pay and display car park. The walk will be via Heathcote, Biggin Dale, Beresford Dale and Narrow Dale to the traditional destination of the George at alstonfields is slightly shorter than the route adopted on some former occasions and should enable us to arrive in time to get served and join the celebrations. Conditions will be extremely scenic in the fine weather which has been arranged, but there may be a trifling amount of mud underfoot. (Freezing conditions are rare in the extreme now we all have central heating and gas guzzling vehicles).
Arrangements for the return will be adapted to circumstances, depending on how desperate is the condition of the participants.
Please assemble at about 10.45 so that we can actually move off at 11 am, and arrive in time to get a drink.
As previously noted, this meet will be based on The Red Squirrel campsite on the back road from the glen to the village of Glencoe. New, heavy duty (in every sense?) guidebook just out for Glencoe. I shall be keeping an eye on the weather. If you want to read some reviews of the campsite (!), just click here http://www.virtual-camping.com/sitedetails.asp?campsiteid=1943
You are advised to pitch on the higher ground! Weather: ring me or have a click yourself: http://www.scotlandonline.com/weather/weather_specialist.cfm
January in North Wales is anything but predictable, in recent years I have Rock Climbed in a Tee Shirt as the sun blazed down, wondered over the Snowdon Horseshoe in frost and snow and most things in-between!
For seasoned Oreads you know the rest already but if there are any newcomers then I will continue. Situated in the heart of Snowdonia our club hut in the village of Rhyd-Ddu is ideally located for a great mountaineering weekend, a pub within staggering distance, Snowdon on the doorstep and most of the rock and ice climbing areas in North Wales within easy reach.
The plan as usual will be to make our way over to the hut on Friday evening followed by two days of climbing, and socialising. The sun will shine, the snow will be crisp and you will have a good time!
First Tuesday of the month at 8 p.m.In The Royal Oak, Ockbrook.
Jan 7 2003 Es Tresidder "Wet, Wild and way above freezing:steep ice climbing in Kyrgysztan".
Es will give an illustrated talk on the subject of his recent trip to climb Kyzil Asker in the Tien Shan range on the borders of China, Kyrgysztan, Tadjikhstan and probably some other "-stans" whose names I cannot spell either.
Feb 4: Walking and Climbing in Corsica. Keith Gregson & Tony Howard
Keith and Tony will talk about walking and rock climbing in Corsica, including a recent traverse of the GR20, and multi-pitch routes in the hills and near the coast on this unique island.
St David's - August 2002
By Saturday morning the "Oread" field contained more than 60 members and friends. Throughout the next few days the Pembroke weather smiled upon us once again and allowed us to enjoy all the usual activities. We climbed, sun bathed, walked, sailed, fished, barbecued, drank, rode, and more!
Monday saw a swimming team (including the Hayes, Gregsons, Judy, Patti, and Barbara) at the indoor pool (whimps). Gregson senior (crawler) was seen cleaning the bottom of the pool with a dustpan and brush under the supervision of the pool attendant (June). Meanwhile Hayes senior was the instigator of a riotous mob of young hooligans intent on emptying the pool, the result being a **ing from said pool attendant, thus ruining any possibility of free swimming (?) later. Following the pool incident Michael Hayes was still up for mischief and was to be seen in flagranti delecti with a couple of the local floozies (photos supplied - for a consideration).
The following day saw a team visiting the Gwaun Valley in the Presilly Hills. Immaculate timing was completely scuppered by the sandwich team taking lunch three quarters of an hour into the walk, thus ensuring arrival at the pub three minutes after the bar was shut. However "plan B" was invoked and a visit to Rosebush remedied the alcohol deficiency. The walk made a pleasant change from the usual coastal scene and the whole area is to be recommended, though some of the footpaths are interesting - we lost one and found one according to the map.
The evening before the mass exodus saw a grand team including Margaret (Foster) and Uschi climbing "Summer's End", one of Nat's last routes at St David's, a fitting end to another excellent meet. I have a list of all-comers for anyone interested, but you will appreciate that it would take up a lot of space. Thanks to you all. Keith Gregson
The hour was late and darkness had descended upon the tranquil village of Coniston, when twenty-two Oreads converged upon the Black Bull Inn. Merriment grew among the group of festive travellers as pints of local ale were quaffed before retirement to the Church Hall where they all bedded down for the night.
Next morning brought a dull aspect, but with rumours of a snow covering high above the lowly limits of our visibility. Walking was the favoured option. The largest party, eleven in number, set out for Coniston Old Man and Wetherlam led by a maturing but seemingly tireless (1) mountaineer, his young nymph 'Bob'(2) and Simon Pape, the future face of the Oread. They had snow under foot for most of the day, which was very welcome and seasonal. The return from Wetherlam skirted Hawk Rigg and continued south via Tilberthwaite Gill, making an excellent day's exercise, concluded at the Black Bull. Others followed a similar route a little later.
In the evening a meal of varied subtle flavours and curries with Gluwein and beer was concluded with chocolate-stuffed baked bananas: delightful! Cheery banter pervaded the Church Hall until late in the evening, when the more nocturnal types finally retired.
Sunday saw little change in the weather. Whether it was due to enthusiasm or an unwillingness to walk as far again, several groups set off for the crags - which were cold but in some cases dry.
Angela, Gill and Sharon who did us proud, then to all those who laboured in the kitchen in support, and finally to Grego who saved us from a sticky end and offered much relief by the timely provision of toilet rolls. Most people seem to have thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and I have already had offers from people to cook a meal for another occasion.Tony Howard
Hut Bookings January.
Jan 10/11 L.M.L.C: 16 beds
Jan 17/18 T.S.B: 16 beds
Jan 24/25 Oread Meet
Jan31/Feb 1 Uni. of Brighton: 16 beds
Jan 16 V. Smedley: Cottage/Barn
Jan 17/18 Polaris: Cottage
Jan 24/25 Vacant
Jan 31/Feb 1 Oread Meet
This list is only correct at time of going to press. Members are advised to check availability with the hut booking secretary Colin Hobday before going to either hut. Note that hut booking dates refer to nights (e.g. Fri/Sat for a weekend), whereas meet dates refer to the days e.g. Sat/Sun).
Namasteonepen! Namasteonerupee!
Never mind the pens or the rupees, where's the beer and chocolate cake after 15 days of porridge and noodles? Just arrived back to Kathmandu on December 1st (Judy's birthday) from Langtang, Goainkund, Helambu to Mealamchi Pul Bazar and hence Nargakot on the hills close to Kathmandu. A different experience to The Annapurnas and much quieter, indeed we met no other trekkers on some days, only friendly villagers. We now intend to cease trekking and explore more of Kathmandu and environs, in any case our socks are in holes and one of Pete's knees is protesting after several of the last few days of our trek involved descents totalling 4,800m. The weather continued to be perfect, chilly at night, all the lodges providing bitterly cold bedrooms but a warm central iron stove in the living room; in the Helambu we took our meals with the Buddhist/Tibetan families, we being the only guests. One day cloud did hang around the mountain slopes inspiring a gloomy atmosphere and a sombre mood especially as we observed a rock fall scar on the opposite slope where, 10 years earlier the Thai International airliner (lost in cloud) impacted killing all on board including previous DMC member Mick Hardwick and his wife.
Maoist activity is having a significant effecting the Helambu Hills, police and army are nowhere to be seen having scampered-off closer to Kathmandu. Any private schools in the hills have been closed down and police stations demolished by the Maoists, people seem quietly afraid wherever heir sympathies lie.. We didn't meet up with any Maoists and were therefore not put in the position of being asked at gun point to make a donation? If trekking in this and quite a few other popular walking areas e.g. Manaslu, Jiri to Lukla (Everest), Kanchenjunga, one should add Rs. 3,000 or $40 per couple to one's budget when trekking alone (this year's rate); ask for a receipt!
Our parting yesterday evening with our young porter/guide after five or six weeks was not an easy moment. Not surprisingly we had formed a close relationship over and above that of guide-client but the time comes to move on.
Here in Thamel (backpacker's Kathmandu) dawn has broken; yesterday evening the music died at midnight, the odd drunk continued its tedious rambling until 2 a.m., at 6 a.m. the dawn was greeted by the ubiquitous throat clearing and expectorating in the surrounding streets, we looked out from our room on the shambles of yet another crazy construction site and now we sit like lizards on a roof top restaurant for breakfast warming ourselves in the sun at the start of another winter's day in Kathmandu.
Love to you all Peter and Judy Kathmandu December 2nd 2002
If you have not yet paid your annual subs to the club please do so now. The revised fees are as follows:
Please note that this does not include BMC MembershipPlease make all cheques payable to Oread Mountaineering Club.
Costa Blanca, Calpe - modern 2 bedroom apartment available for rent from April 2003. Communal pool. Attractive views of the sea and Penon de Ifach rock
An electronic copy will be sent to the electronic recipients as soon as one becomes available.
Applications for full membership of the Club, have been received by the Committee from Chris Seaman and Edith Colley. Anyone who has any views on their applications should express these in writing to the Secretary, Derek Pike, before the next Committee Meeting on 14th January.
Up to now, I have asked for information on far-flung places visited by Oreads outside Oread meets, because I felt that this would provide a useful reference for members planning to go to such places. This has been very successful I feel, and I would still like to hear from more of you, for example those who have been to (a) North or South America, (b) Mount Kenya, or (c) the Himalayas.
In addition to this, I would now like to extend the invitation to anyone who would like the club list to record their trips to other places, including Oread Meets! It seems a bit daft to miss out the club's main activities or places closer to home, where probably more people are likely to go. I look forward to hearing from shed loads of you!!!
Please ensure that material for the next newsletter reaches me before Thurs 23rd January. I would like to hear from Daryl, Derrek Pike, Colin Barnard & Mike Hayes (Scotland).