Category: Featured Meets

It was brilliant to get back to ‘Business as Usual’ for the 2022 Gogarth Meet, with more than 70 Rucksackers and Guests enjoying a sunny, if a tad breezy, BBQ on Porth Dafarch beach (and the odd bit of climbing of course!) We will be crossing fingers for even better weather this year, but otherwise it’s the same old formula that has served us well for the last 20 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 a thirst / appetite. Bring your friends and family – the more the merrier! In terms of logistics, plans will be familiar to anyone who’s been along for any of the last 20 years: Camping is pre-booked at Valley of The Rocks https://goo.gl/maps/WHtttGVJG5DkdWxf7 – you don’t need to book separately, but on arrival please let them know you are there. They’re offering a special rate for The Rucksack Club and are always very welcoming, so be sure to say Hi and thank you! 😊 The Saturday morning rendezvous is the South Stack Café[…]

Carole Smithies writes: Peter Greenaway, who joined the Club in 1963, passed away on Sunday 19th February. His funeral will now take place on Thursday 8th June with a Service at: All Saints Church Fulham, London SW6 3LA at 4pm, followed by: afternoon tea/drinks at the Hurlingham Club, Ranelagh Gardens, London SW6 3PR. Please, let me know if you intend to go, so I can let the family know. Contact details in Handbook.

Carole Smithies writes: We have just been informed that John Maguire who joined the Club in 1963,died on the 6th of September last year.  In 2021, John published First Poems at last, a book of poems which reflected a lifetime’s passion for mountains and remote places, [see Meetstaff April 2022 p32].

A huge thank you to Will and Neil for an enthralling and entertaining show on Tuesday evening – two thrilling tales of cutting-edge exploits in remote and extreme environments, made all the more enjoyable by the self-effacing style of both these highly-accomplished climbers. Here’s the link to the whole show: And a separate link for Neil’s presentation as there were a few glitches on the video quality on the zoom recording: If you are wondering why Neil was appearing via a pre-recorded video rather than “live” from the West Coast, it’s because he was on a mission for a solo-Big Wall-winter ascent in Yosemite. That’s hardcore! That’s it for the 2022-23 Winter Indoor Programme. They’re all available for catch-up on the Virtual Meets Gallery Virtual Meet Gallery If you’ve got suggestions or even better fancy volunteering for the 23-24 season then please get in touch! Meanwhile, thanks for your engagement over the last 6 months and looking forward to seeing you “on the hill” in the near future. Cheers, Dom

Carole Smithies writes: More sad news I’m afraid.  Arthur Howcroft, who was 96, passed away on Saturday 25th February.  Arthur only joined the Club in 2000, but he quickly became a stalwart of the Wednesday Walkers. The funeral will be on Thursday 30th March at 1pm in the Rowan Chapel at Stockport Crematorium.  I understand Arthur planned every detail of his funeral well in advance and it will very much reflect his passion for walking and the mountains.  He even left instructions as to what walking gear he wished to be cremated in -including his red bobble hat! Arthur wanted his funeral to be a celebration of his life.  So, after the service, do join his friends and family at the Heaton Sports Club, Green Lane, Stockport SK4 2NF for refreshments and to share your memories. Please, let me know if you will be at the funeral and/or the get-together, so I can let the family know. Contact details in Handbook.

Carole Smithies writes: Sad to report Peter Greenaway, who joined the Club in 1963, passed away on Sunday 19th February.  He was a Vice President in 2003.  Peter who turned 90 last year was a very active member of the London Section of the Club for many years. He chaired the LS Committee from 1998 to 2001.   I will post the arrangements for his funeral as soon as I receive them.

Carole Smithies writes: Sad to report Trevor Hart, who joined the Club in 1963, passed away on Tuesday 14th February.  After he and his family moved South, Trevor was a very active member of the London Section of the Club. He chaired the LS Committee from 1996 to 1999. Trevor’s funeral which took place on 2nd March was for the family only.  Afterwards, they celebrated Trevor’s life by going for a walk and a pub lunch.

The season finale will feature two thrilling tales of new routing in remote and extreme environments: Will Harris is a British Mountain Guide, based in Chamonix, a highly accomplished Alpinist, and a Rucksacker. He’s made numerous lightweight expeditions in the Greater Ranges and is going to talk about success and failure in alpine climbing in general – with tales and photos from lots of times when it went wrong as well as once or twice when it went right. Neil Chelton is one of the world’s most capable Big Wall climbers and the founder of the instructional website: https://www.vdiffclimbing.com/ He and his partner Maria Parkes have just completed an epic first ascent in Baffin Island, involving a ten-day approach and 20 days on the wall! If you can’t wait until March, there’s a sneak preview here: Admission is FREE for EVERYONE – Be sure to share the event with your friends 🙂 Zoom Doors open at 7:15pm and the show starts at 7:30pm. Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82807381553 Meeting ID: 828 0738 1553 Passcode: The year of Founding of the Rucksack Club