Autumn is nearly upon us and the nights are drawing in so as in the past two or three years a table has been booked for eight o'clock at the Balti House Restaurant in Matlock Bath. It should be dark by eight but the keen should be able to get a route or two done on Wildcat, Willersley or any of the other local crags before sitting down to dine.
Contact Simon through the usual channels for this last minute insertion. At present it looks like Bosherston.
Colin told me before the last newsletter that he would be unable to lead this meet. So apologies to him and you for not letting you know sooner. Neither he nor I have been able to find a replacement leader. MeetsSec
It is a long time since we had a meet in the K Fellfarers hut at High House in Seathwaite, about eight years I think. For those that have not been before, the hut is situated at grid reference NY 235 119. Go through the farmyard, turn left over the bridge (very narrow!) and through the gate. They ask we keep this closed at all times.
The nearest pub is The Scafell at Rosthwaite. I shall be there during the Friday evening enjoying a pint. The hut has 25 beds available and as we have reciprocal rights with them, the price per night is £3.
There is much to do in this popular area. Excellent fell walking over Glaramara, Great Gable and Brandreth. It is on the start of the Styhead pass to Wasdale so climbing on the Napes, or Scafell would be very reasonable if the weather is kind. As this meet is the last one in the Lakes during summer, it would be a good opportunity to catch up on some of those climbs you have been thinking about for years!
Tim himself kicks off the winter indoor season with an illustrated talk on walking and climbing in Spain and a weekend (!) in Yosemite.
Two rule changes will be proposed at an EGM to be held immediately before the annual dinner. More details in the October newsletter.
Apart from the crossing (there were one or two green faces on the Oldeburg), the weather was superb all week. Excellent rock and the magnificent choice of climbs in a variety of grades gave a week of impressive ascents by Oreads. American Beauty, Satan's Slip, Devil's Slide, Immaculate Slab and Nonexpectimus Jugisimus being some of the highlights. A complete climbing log and photos will appear shortly on the web site.
For non-climbers, the serenity and the sense of feeling safe even when alone created a very special experience. Stunning views were shared by all and the islands unique landscape, history, flora and fauna intrigued us each day. Richard was the first to discover the Lundy Giganticus Parabolus Mushroom-delicious.
Some of the party circumnavigated the island by fishing boat, meeting basking sharks, seals and dolphins. They located just a few of the island's 200 wrecks. Sadly our own planned exploration of the marine nature reserve on the last day was cancelled. Although Ben, the Ranger had shared stunning photographs of the marine life with us in his evening lecture.
Old Light and Lundy Experience provided our evening succour in the Marisco Tavern where tales of our adventures were shared and where Mike survived a shower of glass. Sharon suffered a different fate being bitten by the famous bracken bug on the ---.
Thanks to everyone for making this very memorable meet. All in all, a great week. Highly recommended. Pam Storer
After a long illness, Mike died on 11 August. Mike joined the Oread in the early 50s and was meets secretary in 1956. He emigrated to New Zealand in the early 70s to work on, what was then, the largest hydro-electric scheme in the southern hemisphere. Later he became traffic engineer with the City of Christchurch. During this time he returned to his early love of dinghy sailing. His wife, Rae, recalls how often Mike used to remember enjoyable days with the Oread and I am sure that there are Golden Oldies in the club who will recall many enjoyable days climbing with Mike. Roger Turner
October sees Tim Cairns getting the ball rolling (details above). In November Phil Baker will talk about trips to Alaska, Norway and La Grave. Someone else may talk about the "Deepest to Highest" trip highlighted in these pages earlier this year. Mike Hutton will speak in December about Australia and perhaps Norway. Our very own President will take the January slot with accounts of his two trips to Nepal. Gordon Gadsby makes a welcome return in February to talk about New Zealand. Mark Vallance will round off the programme in March. All of these events occur on the first Tuesday of the month at The Royal Oak in Ockbrook. See y'all there.
The public inquiry into the Longstone Edge quarrying proposals will take place in the Paxton Room at The Pavilion Gardens in Buxton, starting at 10 a.m. tomorrow, Wednesday 14 September and running to the end of the week. More details on SLEG's website: http://longstone-edge.org.uk/
The well known Oread and former general secretary of the BMC has written a novel, 'Todhra' which will be published in late September, by the Flux Gallery Press. There will be a launch on October 8th at 8.00 p.m at the Flux Gallery, 16a Midland Road, off Kensington Terrace, Hyde Park, Leeds LS6 1BQ. Dennis will read a couple of short passages from the work. This is also by way of being a celebration of his seventieth birthday so there will be wine, beer, music and snacks to keep the troops happy.
Any Oread who cares to attend will be more than welcome.
Dennis writes: "Todhra might be seen as controversial in some quarters, for the central character is gay. But as Ken Wilson (the voice of British mountaineering) has commented 'The climbing world is now a broad church! And people are no longer easily offended!' I hope he proves to be correct."
PLEASE NOTE THAT I WILL BE AWAY ON HOLIDAY FROM SEPT 8TH - 28TH. ANY HUT BOOKINGS TO CHUCK HOOLEY.