Category: Featured Meets

Neil Goldsmith, the Journal Editor writes: The Rucksack Club membership appears to have a collective writer’s block.  So far I have four articles, with a couple of obituaries to follow.  There have been members going to interesting places, the Tatra earlier this year, where others might be interested to read about for a follow up visit but writer’s cramp appears to be affecting the hands of attendees.  I have been promised articles, but amnesia is affecting the would be writers. I am frequently told how important the Journal is, but without contributions it does not exist.  For the last couple of editions, the Journal has had a fair proportion of reminiscences of past adventures from the more aged members.  We need contributions from those who are doing things now!  It does not make any sense to publish a Journal with four or five articles.  Maybe writing articles is a generational thing and now social media is the standard for the younger generation, I don’t know.  What I do know is that the survival of the Journal in its current form is in doubt.  It is in your hands. Neil Goldsmith Editor

It’s that time of year again – The 2025 Rucksack Club Charity Calendar is now available for your purchase and enjoyment. As in the last three years, the design, production and printing of the calendar have all been funded by the Club and its members, so that EVERY SINGLE PENNY raised from sales will go to Climbers Against Cancer (Charity no. 115818) to fund cancer research and support for those living with and beyond this disease. Over the last three years the Club has raised around £15,000 for Climbers Against Cancer, and I thought it was worth highlighting some of the projects you have all helped to fund with your generosity: Nepal project, training doctors to use existing radiotherapy equipment to treat children – cancer survival rates for kids in Nepal are 20% (v 80% in UK). Just think what a difference we can make! Funding and awareness for ‘the Big Four’ (Breast/Prostate/Bowel/Skin cancer) in UK – raising money AND helping our climbing community to stay safe / get checked / look after themselves! Climbing Beyond Cancer – using our wonderful activity as a part of a recovery regime for cancer patients in Grenoble , Calgary and Inverness This year’s[…]

It is almost exactly two months until the Annual Dinner in Llandudno.  If you have not already secured the hottest tick in town, now is the time to do it.   You never know we might introduce surge pricing if demand gets too much to handle. To further encourage you I have even written you a poem (with the help of AI) Booking form is here, but if this too complicated / does not work you can just email me at markjenneson@gmail.com https://rucksackclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/RUCKSACK-CLUB-ANNUAL-DINNER-2024-BOOKING-FORM.docx   The wind whips cold, the seagulls cry, November’s chill hangs in the sky. Llandudno’s charm, a coastal grace, The Rucksack Club, a gathering place. From craggy peaks, and icy slopes, We gather here, to share our hopes, Of climbs to come, and tales untold, Of friendships forged, in stories bold. The table groans, with feast and cheer, The laughter rings, dispelling fear. Of icy winds and frozen ground, A warmth we find, in friends around. The stories flow, of daring feats, Of epic climbs, and daring meets, With nature’s wrath, and mountain’s might, We celebrate, the conquering fight. From Snowdon’s heights, to Scafell’s crest, We share the joy, of being blessed, With such a club, so strong[…]

With Dom’s time now been monopolised by the BMC the club needs a new Indoor Meet organiser.   This is a great opportunity to get involved in helping to run an important aspect of the Club.   Dom kindly dropped me some bullets and what the job entails, and I have copied the whole message below.  As Dom highlights there are lots of ‘helpers’ available and so if you take on the role you won’t be left to fend for yourself.   Interested parties please get in touch.   Hi Mark. In all the Olympics excitement I forgot to respond to your question about indoor meet organiser. Here goes: – 6 “indoor meets” a year, notionally 2nd Tuesday Oct through March.  3 in person & 3 on zoom – mostly Club speakers with up to one paid-for face to face star speaker per year – main tasks – book room/zoom, host/MC, find speakers – there’s lots of potential help with this e.g. from David Nightingale on zoom, Mark and others who can MC, me (Dom) who can help with venue and speakers – 2 speakers already lined up for 2024/25 – Dom is exploring the possibility of teaming up with a couple of[…]

Don’t forget – If you want a club arranged hotel room for the dinner I need to know this week.   We have had a great response so far and the good news is there are no limits, we can fit everyone in! Dinner information copied below to save you looking for it.   Yes, its the news you have all been waiting for, the 2024 Annual Dinner will be held at the Imperial Hotel Llandudno on Saturday 9th November. The Imperial Hotel Llandudno, North Wales | Official Site Another new venue for the club, and a location that should provide many options for members to amuse themselves.    Whether that is on one of our organised dinner weekend activities (Walking, Cycling, Running and Climbing meets are already planned) or by doing your own thing in the area is up to you.   Just make sure you are at the Imperial Hotel on Saturday night to celebrate 122 years of the Rucksack Club.   While 122 years does not have the same ring as last years coming of age plus a 100, it will still be a night not to be missed. The Imperial Hotel is nicer than recent hotels we have stayed in (swimming[…]

MOUNTAIN ADVENTURES COSTA BLANCA Join us 22nd-29th Feb 2025 at https://www.campinglaguar.com/ for great ridges to scramble along, some Via Ferratas to clamber up, canyons to explore, a range of sport & trad climbing, and opportunities for trail running and cycling (see the Cicerone guide). There are currently 3 more bungalows available to book there, each sleeping 4 people in a double & a bunk room. There’s also space for tents & vans; it’s a great campsite with friendly owners and a bar in the village. Book by email (they speak good English) and mention the Rucksack Club – Ivan and Mari will offer you a discounted rate of €420 for a bungalow for the week. Do contact us for more info – we had a great week there last year. Paul Taylor and Rachel Johnston

Neil Goldsmith, the Journal Editor writes: Many of you will have enjoyed flicking through the archives via the postings: a dip into the Club Journals, and been impressed by past achievements and found them a useful pointer to future trips.  None of this would be possible if past members had not written the articles in the first place! In this era of social media there seems to be a reluctance to commit to print and spend the time putting together a contribution to the Club Journal.  Without your contributions, there will be no Journals and no further Journals to dip into.  Now that the holiday season is on us and trips are being planned, don’t forget to think about an article for the Journal! Please the Journal needs You!