This month we go back to 1915, a year into the First World War. I can only imagine the difficulty of trying to produce a Journal in such difficult times, although the articles are all about activities undertaken before the war had started. There are also a lot of articles to choose from, recording adventures overseas and throughout the UK.
I have chosen one of the shorter articles which records an early ascent of Troutdale Pinnacle in 1915, just a year after the first ascent. The author describes the route as a ‘fascinating climb’ with ‘the only slight detriment being the presence of vegetation in the lower portion’…how things have changed on this ‘all time classic’ as Rockfax describes it. It is a favourite route of mine too! The route description is obtained by calling on the first ascensionist in his home in Keswick, and Borrowdale is accessed by way of a bicycle. As well as an excellent description of the route there are also a couple of atmospheric photographs. Click here to access the article.
Later in the Journal there are two sobering references to the impact the War had on the Club. The first is a section referred to as ‘Notes’, with one section records the following:
‘A number of our members were on the Continent on, or immediately before, the outbreak of war. Two were in Norway, two in Strassburg, half-a-dozen or more in Switzerland, and one in Paris. All arrived home after more or less inconvenience, with two exceptions. William Stern was at Bad Nauheim and was unable to get away. He remained there under restrictions until the beginning of November, when the general arrest of Englishmen took place and he was taken to the Ruhleben racecourse camp, near Berlin. He has just been appointed Hon. Secretary of the Ruhleben Lancastrian (interned prisoners) Association, which numbers 240 members. H. B. Avery is also at Ruhleben and is a member of the Association.’
Immediately after the Notes, there is a Roll of Honour, which notes that ‘The Committee is proud to place on record that the following members of the Club have been accepted for active service in His Majesty’s Forces and otherwise during the War’ followed by a list of members and their positions.
To access the full 1915 Journal, please click here and enjoy a long and interesting read.