There are still a few places left on this meet so if you fancy that conditions are looking good in the week before, it could be worth getting in touch. Another embarrassing admission: I think that a message has disappeared from my Inbox. How do they do that? Can anyone tell me? At present I have Graham, Michael, Simon, Chris and Gill on my list. Please get in touch with me again if I have missed you out!
See previous newsletter.
Over the years we have had many fulfilling meets at our Welsh hut. All types of mountain sports have been carried out. It is therefore difficult to come up with something that has not been done before. As this weekend will be the first day of Spring I thought it would be nice to circumnavigate the Yr Wyddfa massif. The height will depend upon the weather, which hopefully will be fine, but the normal route to Cwm Clogwyn, Cwmbrwynog and Cwm Glas would be the start, and then it will depend on how tired we are as to the return! If we are lucky and have lots of snow (dreams!) climbing should take priority. In the evening we could look at some slides from long ago in days when we used to get real winters and of course a few drinks. Sunday will take care of itself.
The 55th A.G.M. of the Oread Mountaineering Club will be held at The Bear Hotel Alderwasley on Saturday 27th March 2004 at 20:00 hrs. May I remind members that subject to Rules 8 and 9 of the constitution of the club the Secretary must receive any nominations for election of officers and committee members at least 14 days before the A.G.M. Derek Pike. Hon. Sec.
Joe Brown was the originator of many superb rock climbs throughout the Peak, but the indelible stamp he left on the Goyt Valley is virtually unknown.
Whilst working at Whitehall he created an orienteering challenge in the area, starting and finishing at Whitehall, consisting of twenty checkpoints spread round a seventeen mile circuit. Each checkpoint is a six digit number, in two-inch high figures carved into landmarks of rocks, walls etc. These are either a six figure grid reference or a grid bearing and distance in yards, which refers to the next checkpoint.
I intend a circuit of seven checkpoints starting from the car park by the reservoir on Goyt Lane - map ref 024752, leaving at 10:30 am. This round should be about 9 miles.
However, for the more adventurous I will be there from 9:30 am and will provide details of the first checkpoint for any teams wanting to try it on their own. A sealed crib sheet will be available for the set of checkpoints that I intend to visit. Beyond them, you will be on your own.
Some wag on the committee tried to convince me that someone had actually thought we were flying to Italy for the evening. I'm not that easily taken in! Usual format for this meet, the first of our summer evenings. We shall disport ourselves on this mini-Civetta with its fragile powdery holds and remind ourselves of bigger things to come. My guidebook recommends the use of nails, on account of the soft rock! I shall once again attempt the "tortuous flue of great strenuosity". If wet, I intend to run round the pinnacles starting from below Brassington Church at 6.30. Do join me. If you fancy Rainster for a change and before the nettles take over, give me a ring. Afterwards at The Olde Gate in Brassington.
I apologise for denying Oreads the pleasure of reading what would have been a more humorous and enticing notice than the one that follows. I had allowed confusion to creep into the selection of leader and have left Brian with insufficient time to submit a notice. Newlands will be for many people the least familiar of Lakeland valleys. The Carlisle MC hut is beautifully situated at the end of a grassy track right in the bottom of the U-shaped valley and surrounded on three sides by the soaring peaks of Hindscarth, Dale Head and High Spy. There are four west facing crags on High Spy with one or two fine routes. I have climbed Miners' Grooves, Jezebel and Dale Head Pillar and rather like the look of Brandywine. So something for everyone here plus the ambience! If you've previously booked with Jack Ashcroft and you're NOT from Lancashire (we know about you!), please re-book with Brian!
A mini working party took place on Feb. 10/13th at Tan yr Wyddfa.
Work on the main electricity supply board in the kitchen, the fitting of an R.C.D., a new earth wire and rod, plus a degrease.
Upstairs in the ladies washroom a new Mira shower unit was fitted. This was tested by the H.S.C.
Members of the hut sub committee present, T Smedley, M Keeling, G Foster, C Hobday, plus the help of K. Gregson who helped to carry out a survey of the work required the previous week. Colin Hobday
The last indoor slide lecture of the season will take place on Tuesday March 2nd at 8:00 pm in the Royal Oak Ockbrook.
Mar. 2 Vintage Films + The Dolomites Chris Radcliffe
I have enjoyed organising the slide evenings over this winter and have agreed to do the same next year. I would like to thank all of the speakers who have entertained us during this season (Chris in anticipation), all of you who have supported the events, Steve Bashforth, Mike Hayes, Tony Howard and anyone else who has helped me over the last six months. If you would like to do a slide show next season, please get in touch with me.Cheers: Tim Cairns
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).
I am planning to lead a meet to the Alps this summer and would like to have some idea of who might come along so I can book us into a campsite. The current plan is to be in the Swiss Alps for two weeks between the 24th of July and the 8th of August. The plan is to camp at 'Camping Schonblick' in Saas Grund and although I have not been there myself it does come highly recommended from several Oreads. Loads of peaks, beautiful valley and the company - what more can I say! Let me know if you are interested and please pass this message on to anyone who might be interested.Michael Hayes
At the time of the last Committee Meeting on 17th February, Membership fees were still outstanding from 13 Full Members and 9 Prospective Members. These were:
Full Members with Subs Outstanding:Provisional Members with Subs Outstanding:
Allan Allsop, Paul Allsop
Kim Davison, Ian Frearson,
Rob Johnston, Tracey Johnston,
Simon Read, Doug Scott,
Roland Spencer-Jones
According to the Club rules, those who have not paid by the AGM, will automatically forfeit their rights to membership.
If you wish to remain a member of the Club and have still not paid, please do so before the AGB on 27th March.
Membership fees are as follows:
Full member £26.00
Family member £39.00
Senior member £13.00
Family senior £19.50
Provisional member £13.00
Thank you. The Committee
Please make all cheques payable to 'Oread Mountaineering Club' and send to Simon Pape
Despite her husband's protestations, Maggie Pape was accepted as a full member of the Oread Club at the February Committee meeting. Welcome to the Nymphs Maggie! [PS Only joking about the protestations Maggie ]. Maggie's details are given below: she lives with the Treasurer!
Applications for full membership have also been received from Peter & Alison Kennington. If you have any views on Pete or Ali's applications, please make them to the Club Secretary, Derek Pike before the end of March.
You may recall that some time ago a complied a database of Members Experiences or 'Oread Wanderings'. If you have been somewhere new in the last year or so, or have not yet contributed to the list, please let me know where you have been. I can then them to the database for others to use for inspiration or to contact you for advice. Examples are:
Sharon - you must have a good list to add to our database now! Also you might have a story you want to tell. If so send it to me. If its short enough (< 300 words) I'll try to put it in the Newsletter. If it's longer it can go on the website (with Graham's approval). The database can also be viewed on the website.
Please ensure that material for the next newsletter reaches me before Monday 29th March. I would like to hear from Daryl Kirk (S Pembroke - Easter), HSC (TYW & HL WP's), C Radcliffe (South Pembroke) R Larkam (Seathwaite) D Kirk (Cornwall).