Author: Dominic Oughton

This year’s Gogarth Meet is taking place on 20 & 21 June – no doubt it’s already in your diary (…and of course it will be if you’ve got a copy the 2026 Rucksack Club Calendar 🙂 ) ‘Got away with it!’ was the headline from the 2025 edition, when despite a dodgy forecast 92 members, family, friends and guests came together for the traditional BBQ on Porth Dafarch beach – more in hope than expectation. The rain held off, a good time was had by all, and I didn’t end up with a van full of soggy sausages. We even got some climbing done! Fingers crossed for better weather this year, especially as we’ll be hosting some of the visitors from across the world who are attending the BMC’s International Meet – I’ve promised the best crag on the planet and the friendliest club! Beyond that it’s the same old formula that has served us well for the last twenty plus years. Come equipped with a rack & rope; a bike; kayak or pair of binoculars; or just a tube of factor 50 and a bucket and spade – whatever you need to ‘Get Out There!’ and work up[…]

Be entertained by the story of a two month South American odyssey! From a successful 360 degree traverse and summit of Aconcagua (6,962m) the highest mountain in the Southern hemisphere, to independent solo trekking through Patagonia’s dramatically varied landscapes. Travelling from Mendoza through the National Parks of Hahuel Huapi, Cerro Castillo, Los Glaciares and Torres Del Paine to reach Tierra del Fuego, Adam’s talk will inspire exploration of the Argentinian and Chilean Andes down at the ‘Uttermost Part of the Earth’! EVERYONE is welcome (even if you aren’t a Rucksack Club member) and it’s ABSOLUTELY FREE. Tell your friends and bring them along. We will be holding a raffle and also taking voluntary donations in aid of Every Step for Dave to support Club member Dave Palmer. https://gofund.me/696f907ba Taking place at Summit Up climbing wall in Oldham. Show starts at 7.30pm, so how about coming along early to grab a few routes (did you know Rucksack Club members get concessionary rates?) or to enjoy a chat over a brew, pizza or ice-cream in the cheerful cafe? You can even bring your own booze Summit Up Climbing https://summitupclimbing.com/ is at Egerton St, Oldham OL1 3SE. Here’s a Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ndUK5QxJVHFgEpj87[…]

David will give us the inside story from the 1975 Expedition, with access to fantastic images from Sir Chris Bonington, Doug Scott and others, many of which had never been seen in public before. At 6.00pm on the 24th September 1975 mountaineers Dougal Haston and Doug Scott became the first Britons to stand on the summit of Mount Everest.The expedition, led by Chris Bonington, was also the first to successfully climb the South West Face, which had defeated all previous attempts. Chris told the story of the climb in one of the most famous mountaineering books of all time ‘Everest The Hard Way’. The 50th Anniversary of this climb was celebrated with a number of events  during September 2025, including a special exhibition held in the Lake District. Rucksack Club member David Nightingale was the exhibition curator, with access to Bonington and Scott’s photo libraries and to many artifacts and items from the climb.David’s slide talk will tell the fascinating story of the Everest The Hard Way climb illustrated by fantastic expedition photographs and insights from his discussion with Sir Chris about the climb. Each Slideshow this season features a raffle, with all proceeds going to a climbing related charity.[…]

Kick off 2026 in style as our Indoor Meets Season gets back underway at 7.30pm on Tuesday 13 January. We will be spanning continents and hemispheres as Helen and Rae Pritchard entertain us with a Tale of Two Treks. From the high peaks of Ecuador to the Greater Ranges of Nepal, there are tales of gold smuggling, smoking volcanos, helicopters and tea houses….stunning sunrises and breathtaking views ….. from the Equator to the Himalayas. Each Slideshow this season features a raffle, with all proceeds going to a climbing related charity. The January event will support Mountain Rescue England and Wales EVERYONE is welcome (even if you aren’t a Rucksack Club member) and it’s ABSOLUTELY FREE. Tell your friends and bring them along. Taking place at Summit Up climbing wall in Oldham. Show starts at 7.30pm, so how about coming along early to grab a few routes (did you know Rucksack Club members get concessionary rates?) or to enjoy a chat over a brew, pizza or ice-cream in the cheerful cafe? You can even bring your own booze 🙂 Summit Up Climbing https://summitupclimbing.com/ is at Egerton St, Oldham OL1 3SE. Here’s a Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ndUK5QxJVHFgEpj87 If you can’t make it[…]

There’s no official Indoor Meet in December, but fear not – there’s still an opportunity for the club to gather. How about coming along to Summit Up on Friday 12th for the BritRock film show and in-person Q&A with ‘Climbing Blind’ legend Jesse Dufton? You can watch the official trailer here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_0y5n2eSUZA All profits to Climbers Against Cancer and as a special ‘thank you’ from the Trustees, Rucksack Club members can enjoy the £10 concession entry price. Book your tickets here: Brit Rock Film tour 2025 Ticket There will also be an opportunity to do your Christmas shopping at a pop-up CAC stall – who wouldn’t want a CAC T signed by Jesse in their stockings? Also remember you can bring your own booze (and mince pies?). How about getting there early and having a session on the wall? PS – if you already paid full price then I will happily reimburse the £6. Cheers, Dom

Now the clocks have gone back it’s time to look forward to a winter of adventure, thrills and spills at the Club’s Indoor Meet Season, starting TONIGHT! Tuesday 4th November 7.30pm: Winter clmbing, the perfect antidote to a comfortable life! with Andy Stewart Andy will be regailing us with tales from the COLD face – Winter Climbing in all its glories (and attendant suffering). We will be holding a raffle and also taking voluntary donations in aid of Every Step for Dave to support Club member Dave Palmer. EVERY STEP FOR DAVE Friday 12th December: Brit Rock film screening with live Q&A with Jesse Dufton Not strictly a Club event, but undoubtedly of interest to Rucksackers, this special screening of the BritRock Film Tour will feature the very best new climbing and adventure films from the UK — epic ascents, big laughs and gripping stories that’ll leave you buzzing for your next adventure. This special evening will feature a live Q&A with ‘Climbing Blind’ legend and CAC ambassador Jesse Dufton. Unlike the rest of the winter programme, there’s an entry price for this show. Tickets in advance – they’re going fast! All profits to Climbers Against Cancer BUY TICKETS Tuesday[…]

The Rucksack Club 2026 calendar features 50 photographs of club members in action on crags, hills, and mountains, participating in a range of activities from climbing and alpinism to ski-mountaineering and bouldering. Exploits cover five continents, from Aconcagua to the Alps; New Zealand to the Sierra Nevada; and the Himalaya to the High Peak. The 28 page full-colour calendar is A4 landscape (folds out to A3 when hanging) and has a feature image from activities by club members in the same month the previous year. There’s plenty of space for notes and appointments. The production and printing of the calendar has been funded entirely through the generosity of  The Rucksack Club and its members, so every penny of the purchase price of this calendar will go to support Climbers Against Cancer You can learn more about some of the projects that CAC has funded over the last year or so – donating tens of thousands of pounds to fund research and support for those living with and beyond the disease. Read highlight here about training for doctors in Nepal ; Radiotherapy in Uganda; Groundbreaking research in Arizona ; Nutrition for kids with cancer in Tanzania ; support for ‘the Big Four’ (Breast/Prostate /Bowel /Skin cancer) in UK; and our Climbing Beyond Cancer  programs to use our wonderful activity[…]

This year’s Gogarth Meet is taking place on 21 & 22 June ‘Everest Summitted!’ was the headline from the 2024 Gogarth Meet, as 80 members, family, friends and guests came together to climb the cumulative 8,848m height – raising funds for Climbers Against Cancer https://climbersagainstcancer.org/ in the process. Success was duly celebrated with the traditional BBQ on Porth Dafarch beach. We’re teaming up with CAC again this year for another Summit Push, although as always the actual climbing is entirely optional! Beyond that it’s the same old formula that has served us well for the last twenty years. Come equipped with a rack & rope; a bike; kayak or pair of binoculars; or just a tube of factor 50 and a bucket and spade – whatever you need to ‘Get Out There!’ and work up a thirst / appetite. Bring your friends and family – the more themerrier! In a new twist this year we’ll have some extra guests joining us from the BMC Summer Climbing Meet to add even more buzz on the beach! In terms of logistics, plans will be familiar to anyone who’s been along before:Camping is pre‐booked at Valley of The Rocks Google Maps – you don’t[…]