Author: Tim Taylor

  The outdoor world bursts into spring in April, so the Rucksack Club is geared up for a busy month: Easter in the Rucksack Club traditionally means Scotland and this year is no exception; we convene at Mill Cottage near Feshiebridge with the Cairngorms at our feet. The following week (10-12 April) is our President’s Meet, which this year will be at the Gritstone Club’s hut by Thirlmere, The Smithy. This will give great access to central Lakeland.  A week later and we’re back in the Lake District, this time with a joint meet with the Midland Association of Mountaineers at our own capacious hut in the Duddon Valley, High Moss (see photo). Finally in April (24-26), we return to the Fell and Rock Club’s Brackenclose hut, where we had a highly successful meet last year.  With kind regards          Andrew Beckett          Meetstaff Editor

Carole Smithies writes: Gerry Gee would like to go to Roger’s funeral, but needs a lift from Manchester.  Please get in touch with me if you can help.

Carole Smithies writes: I regret to say we have just heard that Roger Booth died on the 19th March.  Roger joined the Club in 1961 and he was our President in 2005-6. Roger’s funeral service will take place at Stirling Crematorium on Wednesday 8th April at 12.30pm.   His family say that any Club members who wish to attend will be most welcome as the Club was a very big part of his life.  [No black please.]  Refreshments will be available afterwards. The service will also be streamed. Family flowers only please.  Donations, if so desired, to Skye Mountain Rescue or Dementia Research UK. If you intend to go, please let me know so I can inform Roger’s family or, I can provide on-line streaming details. And finally, Roger’s family would be very glad to have some input for the funeral from Club members.  So, if you have anything you’d like to include, please get in touch with me in the first instance. Contact details in handbook.  

March is another busy month for the Rucksack Club, with a meet every weekend: We begin (6-8 March) with a visit to the Midland Association of Mountaineers’ Glan Dena hut in Eryri for a planned 18-mile walk around the sites of historic former Rucksack Club huts in the area: Cwm Eigiau, Tal y Braich Uchaf, and Tyn‐y‐Shanty. The following weekend (13-15) the venue changes to our own hut in the Scottish Highlands, Craigallan, for winter walking and climbing – or whatever the weather permits. This is a joint meet with the Karabiner Club.  The next weekend (21-22) we have a gargantuan walk in the traditions of the Rucksack Club pioneers. This will take us from Colne to Rowsley, timed to celebrate the centenary of its first completion. The pioneers started at 4.15p.m. and finished at 7.45p.m. the following day – with very sore feet! We’ll do well to match their pace.  Finally in March (27-29) we return to Craigallan for another chance to enjoy winter conditions, this time with the emphasis on walking. The attached photo is of the Glan Dena hut.  Best wishes          Andrew Beckett          Meetstaff Editor

There’s an Mount Everest Foundation lecture at the Royal Geographical Society on Thursday 26th March,  It’s been described as ‘one of the gnarliest routes’ of 2025. Over 9 gruelling days, George Ponsonby & James Price made the first ascent of the northwest face of Aikache Chhok (6673m) in Pakistan. Book now by using this link https://tinyurl.com/9a9s5vmc A few photos:  

The final Dip of 2025 into the Club Journals is from the 1905 Report, the third annual publication by the Club. Members had been active at home and abroad, both above and below ground. This month’s pick is a report on speleological activity ‘Underground Work 1905’ by JRC and EAB,  J Rooke Corbett taking a break from compiling his eponymous list and Ernest A Baker, doyen of early cavers. Click HERE to read the article and on this LINK to read the complete report in the Club archives. Finally, this choice being a day late allows New Years Greetings to all Club members! And as there was no Club publication in 1906, this feature will return in February.

The Rucksack Club in January Winter is upon us, with the prospect of snow and ice to get us off our Christmas couches and out onto the hills. The Rucksack Club offers a whole range of opportunities to do just that: We begin with our traditional Marsden-Edale meet, crossing the moors in around 22 miles – or double that for those starting from Edale the previous night (9th January) and visiting Marsden just long enough for a brief breakfast, before turning around and heading back to Edale with the main contingent! The following weekend (16-18 January) we convene at our well-loved hut in Eryri, Beudy Mawr, for a weekend of whatever the weather dictates. The next weekend (23-25 January) the focus changes to our cosy Scottish hut, Craigallan, with winter climbing in mind – so long as the weather cooperates! Finally, at the end of the month (30 January – 1 February) we have a caving meet based at Matlock, an annual fixture that has become justifiably popular.   The attached photo is: ‘A group of last year’s M-E participants at Fairbrook Naze’ (Ian Helliwell).   Andrew Beckett Meetstaff Editor  

Carole Smithies writes: Regret to say we have just heard that Derek Clutterbuck died on the 29th November.  Derek joined the Club in 1977. A Service of Celebration will be held at Rochdale Crematorium next Tuesday the 16th December 2025 at 11.50am.  Family flowers please by request – donations if desired to Killin Mountain Rescue Team – a donation box will be available on the day I know it is short notice, but if anyone is able to attend, please let me know as soon as possible and I will endeavour to inform his family.