Category: Featured Meets

We’re pleased to make available a recently published book in which the Rucksack Club played a major part in the early days of the subject – Mountain Rescue in Scotland – by Bob Sharp.  This is an updated and expanded edition of Bob’s earlier history of mountain rescue in Scotland.   It now includes a section on the development of mountain rescue (across the UK) from the 1930s to the 1980s; a period when several Rucksack Club members including iconic figures such as Wilson Hey and Eustace Thomas played an instrumental part.  Bob has also included an historical account of all (bar one) the Scottish teams and Associations from the year they were founded up to the present day. The book is now part of the Rucksack Club Archives, click HERE to read it. A printed copy is available at £15 +pp, please use the Contact Us button under the About option on the top level menu of the website and we’ll put you in touch with Bob. Bob with Breac.

Carole Smithies writes: I regret to announce that Tony Moeller died on the 1st October last year.  Tony, who was 90 when he died, joined the Club in 1958. A full obituary will appear in the 2025 Journal. 

Join us for a New Year get together – as the days are getting longer, and we look forward to the coming trad season, what better way to get psyched than a skim through Ken Wilson’s great book: HARD ROCK… The headline act will be a dash to the Outer Hebrides for an ascent of The Scoop – Ken’s “spoiler” intended to stop Puerile tickers from collecting the full set. Episode 14 of Bill and Dom’s Excellent Adventures was a whistle-stop affair to bag the penultimate route in Dom’s obsessive ticking of Hard Rock. Short, but action packed! The show will also feature others of the more far-flung entries in this definitive compendium of the finest climbs in Britain. If you have a Hard Rock story or pictures to share, it’s not too late to make a guest appearance! Drop me a message! The show will commence 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? Summit Up Climbing https://summitupclimbing.com/ is at Egerton St, Oldham OL1 3SE. Here’s a Google Maps link:[…]

It was great to have a good turnout at Tuesday’s Slideshow to hear tales of Alaska Expedition Alpinism with Adam Bowman. Gripping stuff! A bunch of us took the opportunity for a few routes ahead of the show, as we were welcomed at our new venue at Summit Up climbing wall in Oldham. Also great to raise some much needed funding for the British Heart Foundation ♥️ If you missed out, you can still view on catch up at the following link: … Or click the “Get Out There!” Menu tab and select “Virtual Meet Gallery” to view this and dozens of other great shows. Next up, The Scoop – Episode 14 of Bill and Dom’s Excellent Adventures. 7.30pm on Tuesday 14th January. Hard Rock is the definitive UK ticklist, featuring 60 of the best routes from HVS to E4, plus an “outlier”. The Scoop on Strone Ulldale, Britain’s steepest crag, is a bit of a stopper, whether in original A3+ form, or free at E7. Join us for an entertaining “Bill and Dom’s Excellent Adventures” ascent plus other standout routes from this iconic collection. Taking place at Summit Up climbing wall in Oldham. EVERYONE is welcome (even if you[…]

Carole Smithies writes: I can now confirm that it was Tom’s wish that he should have a direct, that is, an unattended cremation. However, there will be a celebration of his life later.  I will let you know the details in due course. Carole wrote earlier: It is with great regret that I have to inform you that Tom Waghorn died last Saturday, the 30th November. Tom joined the Club in April 1955 and in 2021, he became the Father of the Club.  More details will follow. Carole Smithies

The Meetstaff Editor writes: Before getting carried away with mince pies and turkey, the Rucksack Club have some hill business to pursue: This year our Annual Hotpot Walk and Christmas Quiz will take us over the hills from Hope (The Old Hall Hotel in Hope, Hope Valley S33 6RH) to Edale and back, where the hotpot and quiz will await.  Meet 09.30 for 10.00am departure. We prepare to celebrate Hogmanay at our Scottish hut, Craigallan; if fortune favours the brave, we may have snow on the hills to welcome us.  28th December – 2 January. The photo is from John Beatty to illustrate the Hotpot Walk.  Andrew Beckett Meetstaff Editor

Carole Smithies writes: I regret to say that Rob Fowler who joined the Club earlier this year, died on the 24th August.

Brilliant Slideshow from Will Rupp this evening, celebrating adventure and trad climbing around the world.   From hard Peak District classics, winter climbs, European multipitches to African big walls. Combining stunning photographs with tales from some of the world’s best climbers and unknown heros. If you missed out, it’s now available on catch up here: If you enjoyed the great photos and stories and want to treat yourself to the book then here’s the link: https://www.willrupp.co.uk/product-page/friends-in-high-places Huge thanks to Will! Meanwhile, be sure to get next month’s show in your calendar: Tuesday 10 December: Alaska Expedition Alpinism – Adam Bowman (at Summit Up, Oldham and on Zoom). Adam is the latest recipient of the Club’s Expedition Grant, which helped to fund his participation in this Alaskan Odyssey as part of the Young Alpinists Group. Climbing and skiing in the heart of Denali National park, Adam will talk about his first trip into the big mountains with six other nemebers of the YAG. They climbed a variety of objectives and made the most of the excellent early trip skiing conditions with some steep descents. Show starts at 7.30pm on ZoomHere are the details to join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 871 1747 6215Passcode:[…]