Category: Member Posts

Only a couple of weeks before the closing date 31 August. Last chance to “Get In There!” This is the sixth year of the Rucksack Club Charity Calendar and we’re getting close to a total of £20,000 raised during that time. I’m really keen to make 2025 another bumper edition AND bumper fundraiser, but it doesn’t work without YOUR PHOTOS! In 2025 we will be continuing our partnership with Climbers Against Cancer. Please send High Res landscape format photos featuring and/or taken by Rucksack Club members in action “Getting Out There” between Sept 2023 and August 2024. Please change filename to the following format: MONTH_CAPTION_CREDIT for example FEB_Dom on a hiding to nothing_Photo Oughton collection Email to photos@rucksackclub.org I’m a bit pushed for time this year, so it would be really helpful if you could do the chore of the filename etc – I just won’t be able to go chasing missing details or asking for high res when you don’t send them first time. Thanks in advance for your support 🙂 Cheers, Dom

Here’s how it’s looking over the next month or so. There is now some room at the hut next weekend (16th-18th August). Chris Alston is using the main dorm so there are spaces available. There is an exclusive Veterans in Sefton group session booked for 21st -23rd but the Bank Holiday weekend immediately is available. Dave Atkinson has a meet the following weekend – contact Dave direct for details. In September, the hut is fully booked from 3rd – 5th and Peak CC have booked 14 places for the weekend of 6th – 8th. The hut is then empty until Lewis Ashton’s meet on 20th – 22nd. The next bookings are then in October and then only for small numbers, so plenty of room available. As ever, let me know if you plan on going.

Reflecting years of effort by Ben Tibbetts and Crowd Funding Ben has just published this remarkable guide.  Absolutely top quality photographs, info. Needs someone better qualified than I to write a book review. Here’s a link to Ben’s website.

The Wednesday walk tomorrow is my “Delph Circular via White Hill and Pennine Way (Ian’s back yard)” and promises to be a hot one!  The forecast is for it to be crackin’ flags as they say.  One thing I can promise is that the whole route is 100% bog-free (or your money back). It’s around 13.5 miles and takes in many little known beautiful paths joined together by the Pennine Way over Standedge.  There are a number of variations for anyone wishing to shorten it, or avoid steep bits in the sun.  Everyone welcome – start is at Delph car park SD986078 at 10:00. Full details on the Meets Calendar Gerry Goldsmith is leading a shorter Delph Circular for those who want something shorter – 8 Miles. Same start point/time. Ian Helliwell

The weather, and water, has been cold this year and I have not been spending time outdoors in the water. I still plan to swim the length of Llyn Padarn on Saturday with a smaller swim planned earlier in the morning (not too early though). On Sunday, a short drive to Ogwen, walk up to Ffynnon Lloer under Pen yr Ole Wen. Gareth is offering canoe support for the swim on Saturday but if we can also have a car at each end it will mean we can stow dryrobes, towels and warm clothing. I intend to wear a wetsuit to swim on Sunday, maybe just cozzy on Saturday. Canoe and paddleboard rental is available at Snowdonia Watersports for anyone fancying a different type of splashing . Pre-booking would be advisable. There is a meal planned for Saturday night – vegetarian and with a gluten free option for anyone who needs. Please book in by the end of Tuesday so I can sort out logistics – details in handbook Netty 🙂

Due to a cancellation, Beudy is now available to book for the weekend of 22/23 June. Just email me to let me know how many spaces you would like. Thanks.

Peak Climbing Wall  have kindly offered to give Rucksack Club members a discount.  The wall is located in Leekbrook – just outside Leek, Staffordshire (Unit 8, Cheadle Rd, Leek ST13 7DR) – more info here: https://www.peakclimbingwall.co.uk/ Prices are on their website.  They are offering members the lower concession rate normally available to seniors (over 65s) or under 18s (and if you are in that group already 10% off that rate). They ask for a basic indication of your membership – taking your Handbook or showing a copy of this post should be ok. Thanks to RC member Nick Bentley for arranging this.  Nick is willing to answer any questions about this (nick@peakclimbingschool.co.uk).

This is how it’s looking over the next couple of months;- This coming weekend (14-16 June) is Dominic’s Gogarth Meet but about half a dozen people have edged their bets on the weather by booking in the hut. Peak Climbing Club are in the weekend after (21-23 June) with 11 spaces booked and to end the month (28-30) June it’s Pete Edgerton’s Slate Trail Meet. Details in Meetstaff – contact Pete direct if you want to book on the Meet. In July, long-time regulars OBEC (Old Bromsgrovian Expeditionary Club) have booked the whole hut for the first weekend (5-7 July). Netty Llewellyn’s Club Meet is on the following weekend (12-14 July). Again, details in Meetstaff and contact Netty direct. Peak Climbing Club are back are back again (they really like the place!) the weekend after (19-21) with 11 spaces booked. Beudy is then available for the rest of July and, going to press, the whole of August. In fact, there are no bookings for September until Lewis Ashton’s Meet (20-22 September). So – plenty of opportunities for you to ‘Get Out There!’. I’m always puzzled by the lack of midweek bookings given the age profile of our membership and the[…]

As some of you know, I’ve been out of action with a back strain for the last few weeks. I’m on the mend, but still a long way from full fitness. So, with many apologies, I’m giving the Gogarth meet a miss this year (as I’m sure you can imagine, it’s a very demanding weekend!) Please give Dom as much support as you can with the barbecue – I know there will be many of you willing to step up! 🙏

Just a reminder about the working meet. If you intend coming, let Bill Deakin know by Tuesday 28 May so that catering can be organised. Thanks