Category: Featured Meets

Carole Smithies writes: Regret to say that John Russell, who joined the Club in 1959, died yesterday the 16th of April.  Further details will follow.

This year’s Gogarth Meet is taking place on 20 & 21 June – no doubt it’s already in your diary (…and of course it will be if you’ve got a copy the 2026 Rucksack Club Calendar 🙂 ) ‘Got away with it!’ was the headline from the 2025 edition, when despite a dodgy forecast 92 members, family, friends and guests came together for the traditional BBQ on Porth Dafarch beach – more in hope than expectation. The rain held off, a good time was had by all, and I didn’t end up with a van full of soggy sausages. We even got some climbing done! Fingers crossed for better weather this year, especially as we’ll be hosting some of the visitors from across the world who are attending the BMC’s International Meet – I’ve promised the best crag on the planet and the friendliest club! Beyond that it’s the same old formula that has served us well for the last twenty plus years. Come equipped with a rack & rope; a bike; kayak or pair of binoculars; or just a tube of factor 50 and a bucket and spade – whatever you need to ‘Get Out There!’ and work up[…]

  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.  

The video of Adam Gouldsworthy’s excellent presentation: To the End of the World: From Aconcagua to the Patagonian Andes is now available via the Virtual Meets Gallery Link to Virtual Meets Gallery This brings the the collection up to a whopping 53 videos! Other gems recently added are: A tale of two treks – Helen and Rae Pritchard Winter Climbing the perfect antidote to a comfortable life – Andy Stewart Mount Kenya – Mark Jenesson and Richard Clegg Pabbay and Mingullay – Mark Hounslea and Khumbu Himalayas – Andy Barlass and Joe Fisher The Scoop and other Hard Rock ticks – Dominic Oughton, Bill Deakin and guests Alaska Expedition Alpinism – Adam Bowman Friends in high places – Will Rupp

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

Be entertained by the story of a two month South American odyssey! From a successful 360 degree traverse and summit of Aconcagua (6,962m) the highest mountain in the Southern hemisphere, to independent solo trekking through Patagonia’s dramatically varied landscapes. Travelling from Mendoza through the National Parks of Hahuel Huapi, Cerro Castillo, Los Glaciares and Torres Del Paine to reach Tierra del Fuego, Adam’s talk will inspire exploration of the Argentinian and Chilean Andes down at the ‘Uttermost Part of the Earth’! EVERYONE is welcome (even if you aren’t a Rucksack Club member) and it’s ABSOLUTELY FREE. Tell your friends and bring them along. We will be holding a raffle and also taking voluntary donations in aid of Every Step for Dave to support Club member Dave Palmer. https://gofund.me/696f907ba Taking place at Summit Up climbing wall in Oldham. Show starts at 7.30pm, so how about coming along early to grab a few routes (did you know Rucksack Club members get concessionary rates?) or to enjoy a chat over a brew, pizza or ice-cream in the cheerful cafe? You can even bring your own booze Summit Up Climbing https://summitupclimbing.com/ is at Egerton St, Oldham OL1 3SE. Here’s a Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ndUK5QxJVHFgEpj87[…]

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:  

I have compiled the Gallery photos I have received for 2025 and they can be viewed via this link: The Rucksack Club Gallery The vast majority of photos for the second half of the year have come from those sent to Meetstaff and for possible inclusion in the Calendar (sent directly to Dom). If any members have photos that they think could enhance the Gallery (especially for the months October to December), please send them to me via: photos@rucksackclub.org Please send high resolution photos and include details of: month taken, title and name of photographer.  The Gallery provides an excellent up to date photographic record of both formal Club activities as well as that of individual members. These are appreciated by both members and those considering membership of the Club, so please consider submitting the odd photo!