Author: Ian Helliwell

Here are a few photos from this year’s High Camp at Pen yr Helgi Du. Many thanks to Gareth for organising and choosing a perfect spot. Tents and Bivvy shelters on Pen yr Helgi Du. From left to right: Gareth Llewellyn’s, Mike Pinder’s, Ian Helliwell’s, Nigel Wadsworth’s, Hannah Calvert’s. Tom Gregg joined us just as it was getting dark after this photo was taken. The walk in was from the car park at Cwm Eigiau via Foel Grach and Carnedd Llewelyn. This is the view to Pen yr Helgi du from the slopes of Foel Grach. A chilly Carnedd Llewelyn summit. L to R: Gareth, Hannah, Nigel (trying to contact alien life via his ham radio) and Mike. The camp from the summit of Pen yr Helgi Du in the fading light. Toasting the sunset. After a somewhat windy and wet night the return was via Pen Llithrig y Wrach and Craig Ffynnon. This a moody view of Tryfan in the early morning light. View back to Carnedd Llewelyn from Pen Llithrig y Wrach. By the time we returned to the cars, the sky was blue and sun was out to finish off a great couple of days.

Because of the severe fires above Dovestone Reservoir our walks on Wednesday 29th July had to be changed. We have decided to walk from Friden SK172607. Walks are on the Rucksack Club Meets Calendar, if you want to check the route. Gerry G and Gerry O

Due to the devastating fires and associated footpath closures, the evening climbing on 22nd July is being moved to Running Hill Pits https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/running_hill_pits-152/

Here is a guide to some of the features of the Rucksack Club website that you may not be aware of: Hut Availability Calendar This calendar shows the availability of High Moss and Beudy Mawr (Craigallan doesn’t use it yet, but this may change). Note: the availability calendar is intended as a guide before contacting the Warden. The Availability Calendar shows if the hut is empty, partially occupied, full, or reserved on any day. If you hover the cursor over a date, it also shows how many beds are reserved and by who. Currently the Availability Calendar is only visible to logged-in members, but discussions are underway on making it accessible without login. The Availability Calendar is accessed via the Huts menu Meets Calendar The new Meets Calendar is set up to display current information of all Rucksack Club events (Outdoor, Indoor, Wednesday meets etc). The coordinators of the different series of events have access to create and update events using a Google calendar at the back-end.  Members can subscribe to this calendar from their own personal calendar. This means that all meets can be visible on a Member’s calendar (outlook, apple calendar etc) on their phones, laptop, tablets etc[…]

EASTER MEET 2026: One place now available Friday 3rd April – Monday 6th April 20026 (Bed nights of 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th April) with David Nightingale at Mill Cottage (Bell Memorial) climbing hut, Feshiebridge, near Kincraig, Scotland One ‘last minute’ place has just become available on this year’s sell-out Easter Meet. If you’d like to attend please contact David ASAP to grab the place. The hut is managed by Scottish Mountaineering.  The area is chock full of Munro, Corbett, winter ice routes and cycling opportunities …. far too many to fully list.  The meet is a ‘do as you please’ gathering, so whatever your outdoor pursuit is – you are welcome. David will be providing a delicious communal meal for all on one of the nights (approx..£7 per person). Entertainment:  light-hearted (and optional) activities over two of the evenings. The Rucksack Club Variety Show: Your chance to be a star! ‘Nightingale’s Newspaper Quiz’ game (with sensational prizes) for those who wish to take part. Cost: £60 per person for 4 nights (plus communal meal cost: approx. £7.00) Booking will be taken on a ‘first come first served’ basis, with payment in advance to secure the place Contact: David Nightingale (see[…]

Forget joining a gym, giving up alchohol or even going vegan, the only resolution for 2026 that is worthwhile is to complete the Marsden-Edale on the 10th January! The annual winter challenge of 22 miles across the finest of the Dark Peak, pioneered by The Rucksack Club around a hundred years ago, has been a yearly event for the last 80+ years! Now is your chance to continue this tradition, to stretch those legs and burn off the Christmas & New Year excesses. The last couple of years have been done in perfect weather and in great company – let’s make the 2026 M-E another one to remember. No more making excuses to yourself that it’s just too complicated to get to/from the start/finish – get on WhatsApp or the phone and talk to each other, organise lifts, share taxis… If you can get to/from the airport for your holidays, then you can manage to get to Marsden and back from Edale!  Here are a few photos from last year: The details: Start – 7:45 at the end of Wessenden Rd (GR SE048107 OS South Pennines OL 21 map) – finish at The Ramblers in Edale. The route I’ll be[…]