The Summer Equinox is soon with us, long sunny days on perfect rock. Perhaps not, but one can hope! Next months edition will be for both July and August, so if you are sending in material remember the next edition after that, will not be until September..
See you on Friday evening in the Scafell Hotel, Borrowdale, and thence to the campsite in Stonethwaite. This location is one of the best in the heart of the lakes, well placed for excursions directly to the high fells, the rock pools and scenery of Langstrath (a stones throw from the campsite), and the many high class crags and valley walks of Borrowdale and Buttermere. Over the last 2 years the site has become a touch more organised with a refurbishment of the facilities and elimination of the all night parties, so you chaps with a yearning for every facility have one less excuse. Caravans are I believe still totally discouraged! No matter of these domestic issues. We will be on the hill.
I suggest we head further afield than usual, to make the most of the maximum evening light and venture West to the Roaches (I'll be on the lower tier)and Ye Olde Rock Inn (Upper Hulme) afterwards. See you all there.
LIMESTONE WAY (Southern half, 28k)I have had mixed fortunes in the numbers coming on my walks. I have not been spectacularly successful in attracting the "once a climber, now a walker" brigade, so for this meet I have decided to up the pace and the distance with a view to drawing in maybe the alpinist training for the Ecrins in July. I am sad and angry that the excellent 174 Sandiacre-Castleton service has been torn to shreds. So this time I intend to use the TrentBarton TransPeak (TP) bus which departs Derby (Derwent Street Y1) at 0955, Belper bus garage at 1015 and Matlock rail station at 1037. We will alight at the pub (Waterloo Hotel SK133714) just after 1110. From here to Monyash where we'll pause for an early picnic on the green and ale from The Bull's Head before moving on at a pace approaching Naismith's, to Youlgreave, Robin Hood's Stride (bouldering?) and Bonsall. Those that wish to turn off here and continue on the new extension to Rocester are welcome to do so! I shall be following the original line to Matlock where the TransPeak bus for Derby leaves at 1825 and 1925. Like to join us en route? Get in touch now or text me on the day. If you'd like advice on getting to the start from Sheffield, Chesterfield or John o'Groats, just ask. Also please get in touch if you are looking for a lift or able to offer one.I hope we'll see you out on the day!
Jobs to be done will include:
o General clean-up, inside and out.
o Paint ceilings in bedrooms.
o Paint outside windows
o Tidy wood store and replenish wood supply.
o All will be welcome, you may meet some one you know?. Why not use the occasion as a familiarity week end and discussion over a cup of tea; one day working and one day climbing is acceptable.
Your Octogenarian Custodian
Chuck (CH1)
Taken from the cottage info:- "The cottage is situated at the head of Cwm Eigiau on the eastern side of the Carneddau, GR OS115 714638. The magnificent Cwm Eigiau is surrounded by some great hills; on the south side of the Moel Elio, Pen Llithrig y Wrach and Pen-yr-Helig-du, show their finest slopes, whilst Craig yr Ysa and Carnedd Llewellyn frown from the head of the cwm. The northern slopes are vast and set at a more friendly angle, the cottage nestles into these northern slopes at an altitude of 1360 ft, thus making it the highest climbing hut in Snowdonia.
The cottage was originally used by shepherds and slate miners. On 12th June 1912 it was opened by the Rucksack Club as the first club hut in Britain. Early visitors were WP Haskett-Smith and SW Jeffcoat."
The above says much about this great place. Getting there is fun! Leave the Conwy Valley at Tal-y-Bont (on the west bank).Follow the narrow road keeping right, passing gates and cattle grids until you arrive at the road end and a good car park. Leave the car here and walk along the track to the old dam, cross the stream and follow the path on the left then right to the cottage. About a mile and a half.
Climbing is Craig yr Ysfa. Amphitheatre Buttress, Mur y Niwl, Pinnacle Wall and Great Gully should keep us going for a while. The walking is magnificent, a cirque of the cwm will be enough for most.
I shall carry in a box of wine to cheer everyone with a drink, bring more of your own if possible. I look forward to another great meet in the best of summer. J. Green
This year's alpine meet will be in the Dauphine Alps at a campsite to be decided. The dates are 26th July - 9th August. More details will appear in the newsletter in due course: in the meantime, please get in touch with me if you're interested in going.
Saturday was generally dry with good visibility on the hills. Only Snowdon was encased in cloud. However, the main feature was exceptionally high winds with some gusts strong enough to knock you over. Tim and James climbed Pinnacle Ridge on Craig y Bera and found this a tour-de-force in these conditions. Pam and Nick avoided the winds by going down a mine. The meet leader, accompanied by Chris, Richard, Simon, Tony and Rock attempted the 5 cols walk around Snowdon. Having climbed onto the Snowdon Ridge above Upper Cwm Glas we found hard neve and it was clear that the wintry conditions, coupled with a lack of adequate winter gear on the part of some of the team, would prevent a descent into the cwm. Apart from Rock who returned to the hut via Llanberis, the rest of us continued up towards Bwlch Glas with the storm force winds and hard neve' adding to the excitement. It was a relief to reach the Snowdon Ranger path and descend to less violent conditions. Richard and Simon continued to Moel Eilio, whilst the rest of the party returned to celebrate the meet leader's birthday back at the hut.
Sunday revealed a low cloud base, was equally windy and no longer dry. This typical Welsh weather deterred most people from setting out on the hills. Ever organised Pam and Nick headed for another mine. The meet leader and her stalwart party headed up to Pennant Col and descended through the Beddgelert forest. Tim and James were last seen heading off to the slate quarries for more excitement. Gillian Heys
Derek Pike, for August bank holiday in Pembroke.
Please note that hut fees should always be paid to me and no one else.
To all Tan-yr-Wyddfa Users please note: Do not place your milk containers in the large fridge with the small compartments, as bottles laying on their side always leak and leave a terrible mess for others to clean up. Please use the small fridge for your milk containers. Thank you from the working party cleaning ladies!!! Colin Hobday.
Ron was one of the earliest Oread members, having joined in 1950 when the membership list was fewer than twelve. In the 1940's he completed an apprenticeship with Ericsons followed by flying officer training at Cranwell. after training flights over the Canadian Rockies he returned to Nottingham into the bosom of the Oread. I met him while he was working in the civil service.
After Teacher training he worked for 25 years in Science Departments-the last 10 years in Penrith. The Wainwrights then became an enduring interest in contrast to Black Rocks, the Peak and the Alps of earlier years.
Ron was the archetypal fell walker who could never fail to remind us that he was one of the few who walked the Colne/Rowsley over a weekend when most would settle for Marsden/Rowsley in those early years of the Club. Jack Ashcroft 28:04:08
Gordon Wright died on Sunday 11th May 2008 from complications associated with bone cancer.
Gordon came late to the mountaineering scene, a fugitive from Rugby Union, which he played until he was 44. He brought the enthusiasm and 'press on' attitude of that physical sport to his mountaineering activities.
I first met Gordon at the Garrick MC in 1960 and climbed with him regularly, generally at about VS, with excursions into the higher grades and occasional artificial routes.
In 1965 we both joined the Oread. I think we felt we needed a bigger pool of experience to back venturing into the Alps. From this point he went on to climb a series of Classic Alpine routes and British winter climbs, Scotland featuring prominently, often these expeditions were in the company of his sons, Brian and David, they made an accomplished team.
By his mid sixties his focus had changed to long distance walking, both in the UK and in Europe, these included the GR5 and an epic Land's End to John O'Groats walk with Pauline. He took great pleasure from these long exposures to the natural world and was a keen Botanist.
Certainly he was an exceptional Mountaineer, and his enthusiasm was boundless. He will also be remembered as an outstanding Meets Secretary for the OMC.I doubt we shall see his like again. The Club's condolences go to Pauline and the family. AJS