Author: Tim Taylor

Tom Anderson writes: I would like to send a thank you to all members who made the trek to Carlisle (Brampton) for Anne’s funeral, or sent messages to me.  It was a great consolation to receive them and gave me great comfort at this sad time. Best wishes to all Tom Anderson photo Anne on Blencathra ================================================================= We’re very sorry to let you know that Anne, Tom Anderson’s wife of fifty years, passed away on 10th June.  Although Anne never formally joined the club, member many members knew her well. The funeral service took place on Tuesday 30th June 2026 at 10 a.m. at Brampton Methodist Church. The service was followed by the committal at Carlisle Crematorium at 11:40 a.m.

Here’s what the Rucksack Club has lined up for July: Our fabulous Duddon Valley Hut, High Moss (pictured), is the favoured venue for our July meets, but we range further too: We begin with a road cycling event, 3-5 July, based at High Moss. As the hut is nestled in the Lake District hills, expect a tough ascent or two! The next weekend (10-12 July) we have a family-orientated climbing meet, again based at High Moss. There will be lots of options for smaller family members. The weekend after, 17-19 July, we’re back to High Moss for a joint meet with the JMCS. Then we break the sequence (24-26 July) by convening at The Smithy, Thirlmere, which is a Gritstone Club hut. This hut provides ample opportunities for climbing, hillwalking or just taking a steamer… Finally, taking us into August (July 31-2 August) we have a meet at our Welsh hut, Beudy Mawr, with opportunities for walking, running, bouldering and climbing.

Hi all,           Rather later than I’d intended, here are a few words of encouragement for our June meets.   High summer may have been and gone for a while, but the Rucksack Club has a programme to get us all out whatever the weather: We begin (5-7 June) with a Family Meet at our well-loved and capacious Dunnerdale hut, High Moss. Then over the weekend of 19-21 June, the renown Gogarth Meet will take place. On past precedent it will draw climbers from far and wide to enjoy the seaside location, spectacular routes and famous barbecue.  We end the month with more climbing, this time based at our lovely Scottish hut, Craigallan. Photo: a scene from the previous Gogarth Meet.           Andrew Beckett          Meetstaff Editor

Good afternoon,   Here are some teasers for our May meets:   Spring really takes off in May, so the Rucksack Club calendar is packed with activities to encourage us all to get out and enjoy the mountains: Taking advantage of the bank holiday weekend, we have a camping trip over the wild hills of the Ben Alder Forest, both north and south of the Bealach Dubh. We start from the remote railway station at Corrour on Saturday 2nd, then head north east to Beinn Eibhinn for our first ascent (of many…) The following weekend we’re off to our great hut in North Wales, Beudy Mawr, with climbing in mind.  Another weekend, another country – this time (15-17 May) we’re in England, the Duddon Valley to be precise, to enjoy the Lake District from our superb hut, High Moss. This is a joint meet with the Wayfarers.  Just a week later and we’re back to Scotland, this time taking advantage of Craigallan, our wonderful hut in Ballachulish, to give us a springboard for tackling the great ridges of Ben Nevis, not to mention trying out the new kitchen.  Finally in May, we’re back to High Moss to coincide with the[…]

Carole Smithies writes: Regret to say that John Russell, who joined the Club in 1959, died yesterday the 16th of April. His funeral will be held on Tuesday 5th May 2:30pm at Altrincham Crematorium; Rucksack Club members are invited. Please let Carole or John’s son Nicholas know if you will attend, contact details in the Handbook.

  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: 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.