OREAD MC NEWSLETTER

June 2004

Forthcoming events

June   12 & 13      Cwm Eigiau                    John Green

          W16           Midsummer Madness               Rob Tresidder

          Su 20          Summer Stroll                          Pete Janes

          26 & 27      Ballachulish                    Steve Christian

July    10 & 11      Tan-yr-Wyddfa BBQ              Tony Howard

          22               Saastal                                     Michael Hayes

June 12 & 13     Cwm Eigiau                          John Green

See April or May newsletters.

W16  June          Midsummer Madness          Rob Tresidder

This is the moment. This is the crag. Upper Tor on Kinder seems all too infrequently to warrant a weekend visit from the Oread, so I propose we visit in the evening. A beautiful walk up in early evening sunshine and then some real unpolished rock under our fingertips. Loads of routes here in the severe to HVS range with a few harder and some easier ones. If that's not enough for you, you could always slope across to Nether Tor and climb the exacting Moneylender's Crack which "makes climbers pay with interest for all favours received." Afterwards in The Nag's Head in Edale.

Su 20 June         Summer Stroll                      Pete Janes

The Lathkill half circular walk will commence at the car park on Long Rake above Youlgreave. Map reference SK 194644. Probably free car parking but have change handy just in case. The walk will go north towards Over Haddon and then follow the River Lathkill to Monyash. Refreshments will be taken in the village at The Bull's Head. Return will be by the Limestone Way. Start 10 for 10.15

June 26 & 27     Ballachulish                         Steve Christian

The Alex MacIntyre hut at Ballachulish is ideally situated, between Glencoe and Fort William, to walk and climb amongst the highest mountains in Britain.

If hard rock is your bag then routes like King Kong, Titans Wall and The Bat on Carn Dearg Buttress on Ben Nevis or Kingpin, Spacewalk and The Clearances in Glencoe, should provide sufficient excitement for the average day.  More moderate rock rats might prefer such classics as Crypt Route on Bidean Nam Bian or January Jigsaw on Buchaille Etive Mor.  Anyone craving an alpine challenge, to act as a kick start to the alpine season, is amply catered for on the 1400 feet of The Long Climb on NE Buttress, Ben Nevis or the 1700 feet of The Clachaig Gully in Glencoe.

For those who don't feel inclined to be vertically challenged, there is plenty of walking scope with Munro's and classic ridge traverses galore, including the Carn Mor Dearg arete and Ring of Steall, or gentle valley walks on part of The West Highland Way.  Quite simply there is everything to go for including real ales and live music, courtesy of The Clachaig Inn, Glencoe.

Anybody who can't resist such delights should sign up with me, Steve Christian and I will coordinate transport arrangements.

 

from July  24              Saas-Grund                                   Michael Hayes

Just another gentle reminder for those with Summer holidays still to plan then why not join this years Alpine meet to the Pennine Alps.  So far we have over 30 Oreads booked on the meet and many more expressing an interest.

Robin Beadle who uses camping Schonblick as his base has kindly booked the site for us and we should have our own field to take over.

Mountaineering objectives are many and range from the surrounding 4000m peaks to bolted rock. The Lagginhorn and the Taschhorn are high on the longlist I have.

As usual there will also be some members arriving earlier and leaving later depending on when people can get holidays.

If you need any more details then give me a call.

 

 

PAST EVENTS

South Pembroke 1 - 3 May

The weather forecast for the weekend was indifferent and predicted continuous rain for Bank Holiday Monday.  This made it all the more satisfying that we enjoyed three excellent days climbing, with the Monday being the sunniest day!

There was rain on Friday evening as we set up the tents and we woke to a light shower, but this was the last we saw of the rain.  Gill and I, together with Simon, Mike and Nick first went to Crystal Slabs where hazy sun broke through and it became quite warm. Later we moved to Crickmail Point before meeting up with the others at St. Govan’s Inn in Bosherston.  Roger & Sharon with Dave & Victoria had been at Stennis & Huntsman’s Leap, Chiz & Reu had investigated Saddlehead and Simon Wren and friends had upped the ante with hard routes at various crags.

Sunday was quite misty, but there was some hazy sunshine and again good conditions for climbing.  Gill & I headed for St. Govan’s and by getting there early Gill was able to get straight onto Frontline and likewise Mike Wren onto Army Dreamers, possibly the most popular routes in the area.  Generally the crags were not exceptionally busy and when we went round to Saddlehead later in the day, we had no problem getting onto the routes we wanted to do.  Another convivial session at St. Govan’s Inn straight after climbing, before returning to the pleasant camping at St. Petrox.

Monday was quite breezy, but pleasantly sunny.  Again the teams were scattered over various crags in Range East.  A low tide enabled Gill and I to visit Bullslaughter Bay, with only one other team there, to enjoy some very pleasant routes in a pleasant ambience.

All appeared to have enjoyed the weekend.  Thanks to those of you who came along to make the meet a success: Simon Pape, Mike Wren, Nick Evans. Simon Wren and friends.  Sharon Fletcher and Roger Gibbs, with their friends Dave Moore, Victoria and family.  Chiz and Reuben Dakin. Gill Heys.

CJR

HUT BOOKINGS JUNE

TAN-YR-WYDDFA

June 4/5th             vacant

June 11/12th         ABMSAC        Whole hut.

June 18/19th.        Fylde M. C.       16 beds.

June 20/24th         N.& T. Weatherstone

June 25/26th.        vacant

July  2/3rd            Austrian C.C.      10 beds.

 

HEATHY LEA

JUNE 4/5th          Oread meet.

June 11/12th.       vacant.

June 18/19th.       K Fellfarers         cottage.

June 25/26th        Cave and Crag    cottage/barn

July 2/3rd.           vacant.

 

IMPORTANT NEWS TAN-YR WYDDFA    

The hut will be closed from Monday 26th July for 3/4 weeks while the following work is carried out

Electrics, complete rewire.

Install fire alarm system.

Fit fire doors etc.

 

WORKING PARTY REPORT TAN-YR WYDDFA

17 Oreads attended over a period  of 6 days from April 19/24th.

Meetings took place early in the week with the Gwynedd County Council on HMOs

Also two meetings with Gwynedd Fire Protection Services.

Work carried out,

New gravel path to the rear door.

Cut grass.hedges, prune holly tree.

Fit new shower in the men's washroom.

Paint kitchen, rotten beam above kitchen window tobe replaced.

Wood cutting, there is now a large supply of logs and kindling.

Bonfire to burn the old mattress and furniture.

Spring clean inside and out.

Many thanks to all who gave up their time to do some work on the hut, but I think we all had a super day on the Sunday in the sunshine walking and climbing

 

Newsletter publication and circulation

I intend to publish the newsletter on the first Tuesday of each month - except this month, as noted in the May newsletter. Those who receive an electronic copy should find it in their inbox sometime during the day. Those who receive a printed version can collect it from The Smithfield in the evening. Uncollected newsletters will be posted second class the following day.

I shall publish the next newsletter on the the first Tuesday (!) in July - the 6th. Please let me have all copy ASAP and in any event not later than Sunday the 4th.

Rob61.Tresidder@virgin.net