Andy Tomlinson – Page 8 – The Rucksack Club

February Update: Anabasis MC, Handbook and Covid

8th February 2021 Andy Tomlinson Featured Meets

I plan to Post a brief update of RC related information/activities at the beginning of each month [ideally a bit earlier than this one!]. There are three things I would like to highlight this month: Firstly, a very warm welcome is extended to all former Anabasis Mountaineering Club [AMC] members who have now joined the Rucksack Club. The AMC decided to dissolve after 60 years of activity as a result of losing the tenancy on their hut in Snowdonia. They approached the Rucksack Club to discuss whether their members could join us and I am delighted to say that our Committee and AGM approved this transfer. The last few months must have been very difficult for the Anabasis membership, but we hope they enjoy their new found home. RC members will have noticed that they have not yet received the 2021 Handbook, which is normally published about now. We decided to hold back on its publication so that we could include as many ex-Anabasis members’ details as possible, which our Secretary and Membership Secretary are currently working on. Our aim is to get the Handbook to all members by Easter, which will almost certainly be before any form of Meet[…]

Virtual BMMS lecture: “A Climate Conscious Mountaineering Medic – My Personal Viewpoint” Dr Jon Morgan

8th February 2021 Andy Tomlinson Member Posts

Jon is a fully qualified UIAGM guide as well as an Associate Specialist in Anaesthetics at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. He is also an incredibly accomplished mountain “all rounder” – equally at home in rock shoes, trainers and ski boots! His achievements are wide ranging and have recently included an unsupported winter run of the Bob Graham Round and completing the classic Chamonix – Zermatt ‘Haute Route’ ski tour unassisted in just over 30 hours! For many years Jon has highlighted the planet’s climate emergency and has gone to great lengths to minimise his own impact upon the environment. So, ‘stay in there‘ and hear about how he’s done this and the difference you can make in what promises to be a fascinating talk. You need to reserve a place before the lecture begins, by going to the following link: https://mountainmedicine.7thwave.io/blog/2457

El Capitan Gigapixel Climbing Routes

28th January 2021 Andy Tomlinson Member Posts

Anyone interested in El Cap climbing or the way digital photography is enabling fantastically complex pictures to be produced should check this out. Simply, gigapixel photography is done by taking thousands of photographs of a subject and stitching them together digitally to produce super high-resolution images that you can scroll into. There’s an amazing one of The Nose that tracks climbers on every pitch…for anyone who has climbed it, you can relive the fun, pain and suffering! El Capitan Gigapixel Climbing Routes

Classic RCJ Article: Recuperamo On the Walker Spur by Nick Wallis [2006]

17th January 2021 Andy Tomlinson Classic Journal Articles, Featured Meets

In his On the Hill With, Nick Wallis made reference to his ascent of the Walker Spur. Along with fellow Club member Martin Cooper, 2006 proved a very successful alpine season and this article encapsulates all that can be had from an alpine trip, accessed by clicking here. This is my last Classic Article…George Wilks has kindly agreed to take over this occasional series, giving me time for other duties I’ve taken on!

Two great winter webinars: Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th January

12th January 2021 Andy Tomlinson Member Posts

Two winter Mountain Medicine webinars that might well be of interest to members this week are: 8pm Wednesday 13th January: Pre-hospital Management of Severe Hypothermia 8pm Thursday 14th January: The Power of Negativity by Kev Shields, a Scottish based climber sponsored by Rab. He is well known for decades of cutting edge soloing all done with the limited use of one hand. In his talk, Kev will explore the physical and psychological impact climbing has had upon his life and what it can offer those who take up the sport. Click here to access these two sessions, which will be of interest to all

Covid-19 Latest: National Lockdowns as of 6th January 2021

6th January 2021 Andy Tomlinson Archived

The BMC has provided updated guidance following the announcement that England will go into a national lockdown from today. They have also included links to the guidance for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, which are also highlighted below. The full BMC guidance for England can be found here. Wales has been in national lockdown since 18th December 2020 and full details can be found here. For full details of the current Covid-19 rules elsewhere in the UK, click here for Scotland and here for Northern Ireland. In summary, the BMC states: climbing and walking in England appears to be acceptable as a form of exercise under current guidance, but only if it can be done within your local area (now clearly defined). However, it is worth stressing once again the immense pressure the NHS is currently under and highlighting the need for everyone to dial back their aspirations to objectives well within their abilities. I appreciate that this guidance will have a significant impact on many members, but hopefully we can look forward to a slow return to normality as the vaccination programme is rolled out. Andy Tomlinson President-elect.

Classic RCJ Article: Sailing to the Faeroes by Boece Cardus and John Payne [2004]

6th January 2021 Andy Tomlinson Classic Journal Articles, Featured Meets

In his ‘On the hill with…’ Geoff Bell recalls that his President’s Meet on the Faeroes in 2004 was a gamble that paid off handsomely. Four members decided to sail there and in his article on this Meet in the same Journal he writes: Meanwhile Boece Cardus had clandestinely contacted me, sworn me to secrecy, and said that he fancied the idea of sailing there. A few days before our departure I had an email from him ‘…tight time table…weather is going to be crucial…my commander is beginning to say it is going to be a lot of hard work just for a Rucksack meet tick. Don’t hold your breath.’ This Classic Article recounts this journey and is a fascinating read and shows the breadth of interest and activities undertaken by Club members. The wonderful descriptions of the wildlife encountered could almost convert this confirmed non-sailor, however the thought of big waves and dense fog soon bring me to my senses! Click here for Sailing to the Faeroes with Boece and crew.

Rucksack Club 2021 Calendar and Urban Uprising

4th December 2020 Andy Tomlinson Member Posts

Check the link below for a feature on our 2021 Calendar and it’s link to Urban Uprising https://www.thebmc.co.uk/rucksack-club-and-urban-uprising-team-up-for-2021-calendar

Mountain Medicine Winter Webinar Series 2020/21

4th December 2020 Andy Tomlinson Member Posts

In collaboration with the British Mountain Medicine Society (BMMS) and University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) the mountain medicine blog has announced the dates and speakers for their forthcoming Mountain Medicine Winter Webinar Series, with each webinar lasting for one hour. The lectures cover a wide and diverse series of topics, from speakers who are experts in their fields and will be of interest to anyone who enjoys adventures in the hills, not just those with a medical background. The Mountain Medicine Winter Webinar Series is generously supported by Alpkit. Places are FREE but must be reserved in advance. A certificate of attendance will be provided to those who complete the feedback questionnaire. Please follow the link below for more information on this great series of on-line lectures. https://deathzone.7thwave.io/blog/2349

On the hill with…Helen Oughton

25th November 2020 Andy Tomlinson Featured Meets, On the hill with

‘On the hill with…” returns with a look into the very full and active life of Helen Oughton. Helen will need no introduction to any Club member, as she has been a very active member for as long as I can remember…and I’ve been a member longer than she has! Helen in Quebec, Autumn 2019 How did you get into walking and climbing? My parents (Pete and Chris Cockshott) took me walking and climbing from babyhood (see the picture of me at the Roaches when I was just a few months old) and I toddled over rocks and mountains from about the age I could walk. I like to think we have perpetuated this cycle of abuse with our own children. Helen at the Roaches with mum Chris Cockshott (late ’63 or early ’64) Who has had the most influence on your mountain experiences? This has to be my Dad – not least because he is also the earliest influence on Dom’s mountain experiences too! We still strictly follow the rule (developed by Dad in conjunction with Peter Benson, I think) of “three routes before butties”. How did you come to join the RC? My parents were[…]