Author: Gareth Llewellyn

GOOD NEWS! There are still places available on my meet at Beudy Mawr next weekend. We had great conditions last year with frozen ground and Snowdonia shrouded in a thick blanket of cloud – all except Snowdon & Grib Goch – which is where we were!!! A sacrifice has once again been made to the weather gods (I accidentally burnt my veggie burger at lunchtime yesterday – does that count?) so excellent wintery conditions assured. Contact as per the handbook, let me know by Tuesday next week please.

Hi Everyone, Our good friend and member, Paul Shearman, has handed me a pair of almost unused Grivel G12 New-matic crampons which he can no longer use. He wants nothing for them, which is extremely generous. But, at circa £130 plus for new, could I ask for a modest donation to Climbers Against Cancer of £30 for them. Let me know if interested.

Who’s Up for a Winter Weekend in North Wales? Yes, don’t forget to book in on my Beudy Mawr Meet on 18/19 January for fun, frolics and food. (In fact, even if you think you’ve already booked in, please book in again as several people have asked to book on the Meet at a time when I didn’t have anywhere to write it down, so unless your name happens to be Charles B or Ian H I’m not currently planning to cater for you. Apologies, the little grey cell – singular – has been struggling to keep up recently!) But I am confident there are a limited number of places left. So don’t delay, do it now, commit to 2 days of fun at everyone’s favourite Welsh hut, owned by The Rucksack Club, with the initials BM! Contact details as in the Handbook.

It’s not too late, you still have time to pack a rucksack and make it to this year’s High Camp! The Rhinogs are a treat not to be missed by anyone who loves the wild, the remote and the rugged. Mike is offering a space in his car to anyone coming from the Sheffield direction and Dan is thinking of a train ride from Barmouth to Llandecwyn followed by a 2 day wander back to Barmouth, stopping overnight at Llyn Hywel of course. Anyone interested in accompanying him? Whatever your particular fancy, don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity (slight exaggeration) to spend time away from it all. Let me know if you’re interested in any of the above, or just turn up and share a brew on Saturday night.

One of the wettest New Years in living memory and the sunniest (and best attended) M-E for years. How do you follows that? I’ll tell you, you come on my Beudy Mawr meet this weekend for fun and frivolity in the Welsh hills, that’s how. There’s still bunk space available and Saturday night’s veggie goulash will soon be on the stove, bubbling. What’s not to like…! Contact details as in the handbook, get in touch soon to avoid disappointment. Gareth L

This is a final reminder of the adventure awaiting you this weekend. Spend the night on Mynydd Mawr under a perfect, moon-lit sky, spotting satellites and shooting stars in the presence of good company; 1 day of fun behind you and another lined up for the morrow. OK, so I have seen the forecast and it’s not so promising. Even so, I’ll be there from late afternoon until early morning. Come and join me via your own route, be it big or small. No need to contact me in advance, though it’s always nice to know that I will not be on my own…

The bad news; Regretfully I have decided that the risks inherent in a group of us sharing eating, sleeping and breathing space in the limited confines of Beudy Mawr just cannot be justified with the current levels of Covid infection throughout the general population. In common with a lot of people, I too have friends and family who really need protecting. So the planned weekend has been cancelled. The good news; Instead, I will be coordinating a walk on the Saturday. Parking in the layby on the A624 just below The Grouse Inn (Grid Ref SK 033 908) we will head over Mill Hill and circumnavigate Kinder in a clockwise direction, maybe getting as far as Madwoman’s Stones, maybe taking a short crossing earlier in the day depending on weather and inclination. Be ready for a 09:00 start and names in advance if you are intending to come along please. Contact as in the handbook. Gareth L

I now have a full hut for the weekend and can cater for no more so I’m taking no more bookings. Sorry if you’ve missed out this time, remember to book early for 2021! Best wishes