In line with the new approach of providing early notification of meets one month ahead of the newsletter month, I have provided information on meets in August.
July 5 - 6 Wasdale
26 July / 9 August Dolomites
August 23 - 25 Pembroke
I can't even remember the last camping meet in the Lakes! Thinking about it it's probably a combination of getting out of the habit during the foot and mouth outbreak and the fact that we all seem to have gone soft preferring bricks and mortar. So I expect a large turnout of Oreads to help me reverse this trend and where better to spend a weekend than in the remote and peaceful Wasdale valley.
We will be camping at the Wasdale National Trust Campsite GR183076 at the eastern end of Wastwater. Although no bookings are allowed I am sure that with 120 pitches we should not have a problem getting on.
Surrounded by many of the finest Lakeland Peaks and high Mountain Crags there's plenty to keep us all busy. Weather permitting I hope to have a play on Botterill's Slab and Slab and Groove Route on Scafell Crag. For the evenings the Wasdale Head Inn is within walking distance so see you there on Friday evening!
P.S. Confession time- I'll be in the Campervan - so what's wrong with going soft?
As there was no official meet to the Alps this year Steve and I have arranged to go to the Dolomites for the usual excuse of sitting in the sun, generally taking it easy and drinking to much beer and wine. Oh! there was mention of the odd route thrown in now and again to assuage the conscience. Apparently there are others in the club who are also week willed and have expressed a desire to join us. For these people we shall be staying at the Campitello de Fassa- Camping Miravalle. in the Val Di Fassa S.W. of the Sella Gruppe and west of the Marmolada.
Chiz Dakin who in a weak moment admitted she knew a few words of German has booked eight pitches from the 26th July which are available to the first come first served. Any other members who wish to go before this date will have to make their own arrangements. Site phone number is 0462 750502. Their Website is www.campingmiravalle.it. In the event of the site being full there are other sites a few miles away, Canazei- Camping Marmalada phone number 0462 601660 and the Possa di Fassa www.campingsoal.com. All are welcome to join us, the more the merrier as they say. If you desire any more information, like how to get there, a copy of a road map a lift out there or how many pitches there are on a particular route you have in mind please contact me. Derek
Camping will, as usual, be at Rhosson Ganol Farm, St Justinian's (GR 727252).
To find us, follow signs for St Justinian's lifeboat station from St David's. From the Cross, down the hill past the Farmer's Arms, then sharp right down past the Cathedral (one way system) and keep on towards the lifeboat station until you can see the sea, with Rhosson Farm on your right. The farm is overlooked by a prominent hill on the left of the road and the campsite is under the seaward side of this hill with views over Ramsey Island and the sound. Turn left up a track just past the farmhouse, take the right fork and then keep to the left. We usually camp in the first field on the left.
The Oread has long traditions in Pembroke. Alas, gone are the days of the "Rugby Club all-nighters" but they have been replaced by Old Eltonians with the Carnells, barbecues with the Fosters (depending on the fishing), and Feeling Foul ale at the various hostelries - the Grove gets my vote, whilst the Cross has an Alpine Club atmosphere and the Farmer's Arms the ethnic feel! There is of course lots of climbing to be done, most of which is in the middle grades and still retains the feeling of remoteness and pioneering. No doubt "the Two Derricks" will once again be with us to direct exploration and point the uninitiated at new and exciting things.
For those intent on high grade climbing Carreg-y-Barcud should keep you off the streets, and of course if you seek the popular hot spots you can easily drive down South to join the crowds.
A visit to Rosebush and the Elvis Presley Hills will be a must at some point as a break from non-stop sun-bathing and climbing, so there should be something for everyone.
I always look upon this meet as the best holiday on the Oread calendar. There is much to do; climbing, walking, swimming or simply lying on the beach etc. And the company is excellent, so come and join us.
Hopefully some of us will be there on Thursday or even earlier. However I'm confident that there will be an Oread presence until the following weekend so you will be sure of a welcome over the whole holiday period. If you need any further information please get in touch.
A week of cycling/walking/climbing/sight-seeing/music and good company was enjoyed by 20 Oreads and friends. The venue was excellent and suitable as our base. We experienced Dartmoor and its environs in their full glory.
Many thanks to everyone who supported the venture and for making their own unique contribution to a memorable time. They were: Colin and Uschi Hobday, Margaret and Gordon Gadsby, Roger and Beryl Turner, Dennis and Thelma Francis, Edith Colley, Stuart Watson, Freda Raphael, Georgina and Peter Amour, Graham Foster, Mike and Sue Wren, Leslie and Judith Fox, Mick and myself. Gill Keeling
Molly Pretty and I travelled down to London, to see this presentation of the first successful attempt on Everest 50 years ago. This was organised by the Everest Foundation. It was on one of the first hot summer days, and we were pleased to be inside the cinema, which was full to capacity.
In the foyer almost every book written about Everest was for sale, including a reprint of Edmund Hilary's 'Attempt on Everest'. How many first editions among Oread members?
David Attenborough was the 'master of ceremonies' and the main guests were Mike Westmacott, George Lowe, Charles Wylie and George Band, who were on the successful expedition, and also Doug Scott and Chris Bonington (Previous Dinner Speakers!).
It made one think how the years have passed, to see these great mountaineers still somewhat active and 'on show' now in their prime, sitting on stage relating their experiences. Edmund Hilary celebrated in Kathmandu, and spoke to the audience by live video link.
It was a touching experience, recapping this wonderful achievement, and done with such modesty from these great men.
We hoped we may have seen some more Oreads there - after all we are a mountaineering club! We understood that Bob Pettigrew was going to the evening presentation when the royal party was present. I hope he enjoyed it as much as we did. Shirley Wainwright.
Good weather had been ordered, and was duly provided for this busy meet, which was attended by 19 Oreads and 4 guests.
On Saturday people climbed on Cloggy, in 'The Pass', Lliwedd and elsewhere. Tim went somewhere too esoteric and did things too hard for me to understand. The routes in Llanberis included The Grooves, Sickle, Spectre, Brant Direct, and Kaisergebirge Wall, which I do understand. On Cloggy it was Great Slab and Curving Crack. A rock fall from The Boulder and the helicopter rescue of a guy unfortunate enough to be hit, took the edge of the day for some of us who witnessed this. I have been told by his friends that he is recovering slowly, from both back and leg injuries. Lets hope he makes a full recovery over the next few months.
On Saturday evening G&T and Pimms preceded the BBQ - which was held outside in the warm evening air. The veggies ate veggie kebabs, while Derek ate half a cow in a manner I thought only the Americans could do! Wine and beer flowed well into the night.
Sunday was another good day, albeit slightly windy. Many Oreads climbed on Dinas Mot. Gill's lead of West Rib was the highlight of the day here, but other good routes included Western Slabs, Loraine and Direct Route. Elsewhere Roland Smith and Ellie Roddick did Slape Direct, Wind, and Brant Direct. Angela and Roland stayed over on Monday, and polished off SS Special. This was an excellent weekend of weather, climbing and conviviality.
TAN-YR-WYDDFA
July 1/2 Guest S. Bashforth 4 beds.
July 11/12 North Kingston M.C. 16 beds.
July 14/18 Foxwood School 16 beds.
July 18/21 High Sport Climbing wall 16 beds.
July 25/27 G. Gadsby Whole hut.
July 27/1 B Kenyon 10 beds.
HEATHY LEA
July 4/5 Mercian M.C. Cottage.
July 11/12 Wolverhampton M.C. Cottage.
July 18/19 P. Storer Cottage.
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).
At the committee meeting in May, an application for full membership of the Club was received from James Tubby. Members who would like to comment on James's application should send their comments in writing to the Secretary, Derek Pike, before the next committee meeting on Tuesday 8th July. [This notification should have appeared in the June newsletter - sorry James. Ed.].
I was [recently] handed the following e-mail which was headed: "Seeking Bob Pettigrew of the Derbyshire Himalayan Expedition. It continued: Hello! I believe that a Bob Pettigrew is still active within your organisation, or perhaps a related one. If it is the same Bob who was the leader of the Derbyshire Himalayan Expedition, 1961, then I have a small relic signed by him (and five other team members) - a menu from the Royal Mail Ship Caledonia on which I assume they voyaged to and from India (my grandmother was chief stewardess). If it is of interest, he - or the MTB can have it for the "annals". I don't want anything for it, provided it is going to a good home. …. Regards, Steve Wallace."
Needless to say I made contact with Steve who has kindly sent me the menu for Sunday 10th September, 1961 of the luncheon on RMS "Caledonia" of the Anchor Line, out of Bombay for Liverpool. It is signed by Stephen M Read, D.D Gray, Jack Ashcroft, R. Handley, Derrick Burgess and myself. The menu cover is a beautiful photograph of Loch Shiel, Inverness. Accordingly I shall have it copied and distributed to the four survivors, who will then be able to recall which particular curry they had for lunch that day. Cheers Bob Pettigrew.
[Good stuff this, a reminder of the ambitious efforts of the early Oread. Congratulations to the four surviving expedition members: Dennis, Jack, Derrick, and Bob. Ed.]
Please ensure that material for the next newsletter reaches me before Thursday 24th July. I would like to hear from the leader of the Golden Oldies Meet, from Neil Weatherstone (HL), and Mick Keeling (Forest of Dean).