Category: Archived

Marsden – Edale 8th January 2022 – update.   I am withdrawing as the coordinator for this year’s Marsden – Edale and will not be taking part, but the meet will go ahead in a restricted form coordinated by Gareth Llewellyn.   In taking this decision, a I have considered a number of factors: The rapid spread of the Omicron version of covid is putting untenable pressure on the NHS and we all have a responsibility to do what we can to reduce the risks of transmission – there has been a 500% increase in infections in just the last week across the North West and High Peak Maintaining social distancing over a twenty-odd mile tough walk will be important to avoid breathing in particles from others and could be difficult when puffing and panting if close together up the steep bits, so care is needed… I do appreciate that, mostly, people are strung out across the moors! The crowded pub at the end is a perfect place for transmission (obviously individuals can opt to not go into the Ramblers). To put the icing on the cake, there are now no trains from Edale on Saturday due to engineering works! […]

Had 2 sun-soaked days climbing in the pass,if you plan staying at the hut be aware there are NO pillows in the dorms and NO tea towels in the kitchen,not sure why maybe covid stuff. John

Steve and I were going to do some jobs at Beudy next weekend (it was originally down as the Working Meet). Something has cropped up which means neither of us will be there. So, Beudy is free from Friday 4 June to Tuesday 8 June inclusive. Under current Welsh Covid rules, up to two households can form an ‘extended household’ and can use the hut. We are not sure what the position will be after 21 June, but Beudy is available from that day until 29 June inclusive. Members wanting to book needs to follow and observe all the Club Covid stuff (which can be found elsewhere on the website). Let me know if you want to book either of these dates.

  Hut Warden John Patrick writes:   CRAIGALLAN FULL FOR THE SUMMER Under the current (and continuing) restrictions there are no more blocks of time available at Craigallan until late September.  There is just the odd midweek night between bookings and the 48 hour blocks of downtime.  If anyone is wanting a one night stopover on the way further north they might be lucky but don’t count on it.  There is continuous availability for self contained campervans and the occupants of one van may get access to the downstairs bathroom if there is a Member in the hut at the time who is happy to allow this.  Booking is essential for all campervan parking please. The hut availability will only change if the time comes when social distancing is no longer required and we decide to allow multiple households to sleep in the hut.  I am monitoring other providers with dormitory accommodation but none seem to be suggesting an opening date at the moment.  If a decision is made to allow additional use of the hut I will contact all those who are already booked in as I know there will be a range of views about sharing with multiple[…]

Given the poor weather forecast for tomorrow [15th May], and after consulting the three members who signed up to attend, I am cancelling my Meet at Stanage [Popular End] tomorrow.  Andy Tomlinson

The BMC has provided updated guidance following the announcement that England will go into a national lockdown from today. They have also included links to the guidance for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, which are also highlighted below. The full BMC guidance for England can be found here. Wales has been in national lockdown since 18th December 2020 and full details can be found here. For full details of the current Covid-19 rules elsewhere in the UK, click here for Scotland and here for Northern Ireland. In summary, the BMC states: climbing and walking in England appears to be acceptable as a form of exercise under current guidance, but only if it can be done within your local area (now clearly defined). However, it is worth stressing once again the immense pressure the NHS is currently under and highlighting the need for everyone to dial back their aspirations to objectives well within their abilities. I appreciate that this guidance will have a significant impact on many members, but hopefully we can look forward to a slow return to normality as the vaccination programme is rolled out.  Andy Tomlinson President-elect.  

By the end of last month after protracted discussions the Committee had decided the time was not right to organise activities in the Club’s name, although the government was allowing “organised sports”, ie the Ramblers and clubs in membership of the BMC, to sponsor outdoor pursuits for groups of up to 30 following “Covid secure” arrangements. We agreed we should prepare the paperwork for when the time was right but it is no longer clear when that time might be since the Westminster government’s decision to tighten up social distancing by several notches. The permission for organised sport – except at premium level – has been cancelled as has the ability to meet six others outdoors. We may now only meet one other person from outside our household bubble for exercise, not share transport and by implication at least not travel far. On the huts front you have received John Patrick’s schedules for re-opening Craigallan, saying amongst other things he would take bookings from 5th November. The Committee confirmed that Craigallan can be used from that date, wholly mindful of the constantly evolving regulations and advice aimed at suppressing Covid-19, which we affirm we will follow and expect members to[…]

As we approach the winter climbing season, we have been giving careful thought to finding some way of getting Craigallan open for limited use during these difficult circumstances.  A number of Committee Members have helped to make this possible and we hope that the Club may benefit from what is on offer.  The Committee has approved plans for a limited opening of Craigallan.  In order to allow for a 72 hour gap between bookings, the hut will normally be available from 12 noon on Thursday to 12 noon on the following Monday.  If there are no other demands on the hut, it may be possible to extend a visit but priority will be given to the above schedule built around weekend visits.  At present only one household may use the hut at a time.  The Risk Assessment and Conditions of Use have been prepared for a maximum of two households known to and trusted by each other so that this can be allowed if the law changes.  In addition, up to four self-contained campervans with no access to the hut will be able to use the car park but bookings must be made through the Warden.  No “on spec” visits[…]

Day Meets and hut openings: BMC update On Wednesday 21st October the BMC posted a very helpful article on their website clarifying all the changes to regulations and guidance recently produced by governments (for England and Wales) that relates to club meets and to club huts. A pdf of this article is available here, along with another pdf providing guidance on returning to climbing indoors here. The BMC have said they will provide updates should guidance change.   Following on from this, the situation with regard to Club Meets and Huts is as follows: Rucksack Club Meets The assumption is that everyone in the Club is keen to see a resumption of ‘formal’ day meets, once conditions make this possible safely and responsibly. We were moving towards this possibility earlier this month. Rapidly rising infection rates coupled with increasing numbers of areas moving to Tier 3 lockdown means such plans have been put on hold. Informal meets, adhering to the ‘Rule of 6’ will continue to be the best way for members to continue to walk and climb, obviously following Government guidance as outlined in the BMC documents. We have a appointed a Covid Officer (Joe Fisher) who, along with[…]

  It is very sad to report that Dave Cowans died unexpectedly on Tuesday 8th September. He had not been in good health for quite some time.   His funeral is at Colwyn Bay Crematorium on Friday 25th September at 12.30. Because of continuing Covid19 restrictions, only family and a few invited close friends can be present in the crematorium building itself, however the service is to broadcast outside so that others may listen in the grounds, suitably distanced. This will be overseen by the funeral directors and, unfortunately, numbers may have to be limited such that some people could be turned away.   Jean, Sarah and Tom are very keen to hold a post Covid celebration of Dave’s life based in Llanberis, hopefully next summer, and all will be welcome to attend this.   Donations would be gratefully received for the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team. Memorial Page: Dave’s family have created a memorial page on Remembr.com (link below). They would really appreciate it if friends could take time to share stories and memories of him. https://remembr.com/dave.cowans   Live Webcast of Funeral: Because of the significant restriction in numbers allowed to attend (even with some being admitted to the Crematorium[…]