Following a suggestion at the last AGM, I will extend the notification of forthcoming meets from one month to two. There will be a full description of meets in the first two weekends of 'month 2' and a brief reminder or update of the other meets in 'month 2'.
Arrangements are progressing well, and the week promises to be a good one, with customised accommodation giving close proximity to outdoor activities to suite most tastes. Twenty-one of the twenty-five places available have been taken. If you would like to join us, please give me a call when I will be happy to provide you with more details.
Come and visit the moors and forests of south-west Scotland where the agents of the Kaiser pursued Richard Hannay in "The Thirty-nine Steps". I expect to have some advantage over them in that I shall be escaping up V Diffs while my pursuers fume impatiently at the foot of the crag. I shall further elude them on my mountain bike. Seriously though, this is a splendidly quiet area for climbing, off road biking and hill walking. Just a hop and a step off the end of the M6 and not the long trek into the Highlands. Sadly the beautifully sited Caldons camp site is closed. We shall be staying at the excellently appointed Glentrool Holiday Park with our tents arranged around a pond (small children on reins please!). Map ref: NX780775 which has the important advantage of putting the pub within easy walking distance! Site has all facilities including small shop for papers, bread and milk. Map: OS Outdoor Leisure 32. Guidebooks: there is a definitive SMC guide, The Southern Outcrops. The Constable guide by Kevin Howlett has a good section on Dumfries and Galloway. If the weather is filthy I shall be heading for the sea cliffs. It would help me and the campsite to have some idea of numbers so please get in touch ASAP. I shall try to put myself about a bit at The Princess Victoria and The Smithfield, armed with guidebook and further information.
See 'Future Events', below.
We have no meet leader for either of these events as yet. If you would like to lead either or both, please contact Rob
Despite a poor forecast, 22 brave souls turned up at the George Starkey, including day visitor Dave Penlington. Saturday dawned dull and threatening, and the rain moved in mid-morning. Just as promised! Most folk had a crack at scrambling up Link Cove Gill, figuring that the waterfalls would make them little wetter than would the rain. Amazingly, when they returned, they seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed themselves! Rusty thrashed off into the cloud, accompanied by Penno, Tony S, and the meet leader, and despite a surfeit of GPS receivers, you all got happily lost on St. Sunday Crag. A ladies team stayed largely out of the cloud, with a slightly lower level excursion, whilst Roger Chapman made a solo tour of the Glenridding Dodd - Stybarrow Dodd ridge.
There was the usual sociable gathering on Saturday evening, fuelled by industrial quantities of red wine. Sunday was a much brighter day, particularly in the afternoon. At the time of writing, I do not have many details of what most people got up to, other than Rusty and myself, who had a pleasant outing on the High Street. Thanks to everyone who came, and made it an enjoyable weekend. All the best.Colin
First of all - a big thank-you to all those who came to help. It was a fantastic turnout on Saturday - 20 in all, but sadly only 10 on Sunday.
Unfortunately, we could not cure the problem of water leaking into the toilet building. On investigation it was found that there are cracks in Asbestos roof, so it was decided for Chuck Hooley to discuss it with the Estate.The Hut Sub Committee Colin H., Mike K., Keith G., Chuck H.
Ten Oreads and friends attended this meet to Corsica. Five of us, Mike Wren, Simon & Maggie, John Dobson and myself flew out on Good Friday 18th April, and drove to the Col de Bavella the next day, where we met up with Nick Evans, Pam Storer and Tony Raphael, and also with Gwen Tresidder & Ian Lewis. Nick Pam & Tony had already been to Corti & climbed the Arete De Corti with its 'jolly rappel' (see last year's description). Gwen & Ian had been walking round Cap Corse in the north of the island. Since it was late afternoon by the time we settled into the Gite, we completed the day sport-climbing at the Col de Bavella.
On Sunday we awoke to rain. However, it dried up in the afternoon, at least at low level, which allowed us to sport-climb on a small limestone crag at Monte Santu near Sari on the east coast.
Monday gave a better start and seven of us went for the Arete de Zonza on the Punta Di l'Agellu. Maggie walked round the Aiguilles de Bavella, via variants of the GR20. Ian & Gwen explored the Punta de Vacca. Meanwhile, the stream of seven reached the final tower of the Arete de Zonza at about 5.30. Nick was negotiating a steep off-width crack. The wind became very cold, and there were signs of rain. The back five abseiled off down the gully to the south (Voie de l'Etrier). Nick & Tony went on to complete the Arete with just enough light to descend to the sacks.
On Tuesday Ian & Gwen completed the Arete de Zonza in good style, while the rest of us 'sported' at the Col, by way of a rest.
With renewed vitality Simon, John & myself returned to the Punta di l'Agellu, on Wednesday to complete the top of the Arete de Zonza, accessed via the Voie Normal. After some grubbing about above the col, and negotiating a jammed boulder by crotch-stretching bridging, a loose gully brought us to our previous high point. Shortly after this, in mid-afternoon, the clouds came in followed by thunder, lightening and steady rain. We completed the ridge by the Normal Route and descended by abseil to the Col. Meanwhile Ian & Gwen were climbing the adjacent ridge of the Arete de Quenza, which had some superb positions, and according to Ian offered several pitches of about HVS. Climbing these two routes on consecutive days was a very good effort
On Thursday our little band of ten spilt up. Nick, Pam & Tony flew home on Friday, as Ian & Gwen sailed back to Nice. Mike, John, Simon, Maggie & myself spent Friday on Gozzi near Ajaccio. A six pitch slab route of grade 4 gave access to some delightful sport climbing near the top of the crag. On Saturday, our last day, we climbed at Terre Sacree before beers overlooking the iles de Sanguinaires and the bay at Ajaccio.
I would like to thank everyone who came along, for making this such an enjoyable trip. Special thanks go to Simon for booking the accommodation (in French) and to Tony for much translation of text and local communications. My lasting memories are of wonderful climbing, with much more to do, stunning scenery of hills and coast, fun and games caused by a flat battery, convivial meals for ten at the Col, and towards the end, sore fingers and knees, an Irish bar, restaurants and Paella in Ajaccio. I can't wait to go back again! Tony Howard
Welcome to Tim Cairns who has volunteered to take over the organisation of next winter's lectures/slide shows. I am sure it is not too soon to start flooding Tim with offers to secure speakers or indeed to give some account of your last epic climb or hilarious mishap. Over to you Tim! Rob Tresidder
Here is your chance for another 'eating meet': a BBQ, along the same lines as run by Derek Pike last year. We have had several successful 'curry meets' in the winter months over the last couple of years. These have been very popular & very good fun. However, I don't think a curry night would necessarily work in the summer when the keen and enthusiastic could return late from the crag - to find that the hungry & the greedy had eaten their food. However, a BBQ is different. You should bring your own food & drink. I will provide some BBQ machines & a little surprise! If you have a good long day on the hill, you will return to a convivial atmosphere of drunkards with whom to chat while you cook & relax! Come & join me - I expect a good weekend. I suppose I ought to mention the climbing. It's the best in the UK of course. In dry summer weather we have Cyrn Las, Cloggy, Cwm Silyn, Craig Yr Ysfa, Llech Ddu, Black Ladders, and Lliwedd etc., as well as the more accessible crags in the Pass, at Tremadog, Gogarth, Ogwen & the Moelwyns. I'm getting quite excited already.
I will offer two prizes on Saturday evening (a) for the most E-points climbed in the day and (b) the highest score of E-points weighted for age. (I'm working on the intriguing problem of developing a fair algorithm.) HVS's will count as 0.5 points & VS's as 0.2 points. Some of you might fancy your chances at taking both these prizes! Come & join me, it will be a great weekend! If you want to come, let me know ASAP. Tony Howard
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
Last chance - Special Offer Vango Denali Rucksack 60+10litre. Rain cover, dark blue. Very useful for all you backpackers and hard mountaineers. Unused - surplus to requirement. Special Price: £ 40.00 o.n.o - less than half price of shop price.
A small group of Oreads took part in this year's working party in Wales, consisting of:-
2 Octogenarians Ernie Phillips, John Welbourn
2 Septuagenarians - Chuck and Margaret Hooley
3 Sexagenarians - Keith Gregson, C. Hobday, U. Hobday
1 Teenager and non-member Michael Gregson
Only one other - Tim Cairns from the main body of the Oread.
How disappointing. Obviously this has resulted in lots of work having to be postponed for another year.
It is your hut - for you to use. Don't leave it just to the O.A.P.s to keep it in good order. A bit more support would be really appreciated. The Hut warden's report will appear in next month's newsletter.
U. Hobday
At the last Committee meeting on 8th April, the Committee agreed unanimously that it would notify by Newsletter all those Members whose annual subscriptions were still outstanding.
Bob has asked that his speech to the BMC AGM on Saturday 12th April be made available to the Membership. At over 1400 words in length it is far too large for inclusion in the Newsletter. However, if you would like a copy of this please contact Bob