Category: Member Posts

Jez Nasse is coordinating a summer Alpine meet in the first two weeks of August this year, based at the Ailefroide campsite in the heart of the Ecrins National Park. It’s a fabulous venue, with something for everyone: access to major Alpine peaks including Barre des Ecrins, the highest mountain in the Ecrins National park at 4,102m climbing and cragging on long routes and single pitch granite, direct from the campsite nearby world-class limestone sports climbing numerous via ferrata in the Briancon valley road biking and mountain biking to suit all levels and tastes stupendous walking in a fabulous setting Most of all, it’s a gorgeous campsite, spread over 17 hectares and perfect for families. Jez writes to advise that they don’t take group bookings but that you can reserve your space directly with the campsite here Get in touch with Jez directly (details in the handbook) if you are interested or want to know more information.

It seems that the meet at the Cairngorm Club hut from 1-6 October will be viable, judging by the bookings received so far.  I will need to finalise numbers fairly soon, so it would be very helpful to receive any additional bookings in the next few days.  The idea is to come along and do your own thing – there’s plenty to go at.  Within a 12-mile radius, there are 37 Munros, 8 Corbetts and a Graham.  There are many sub-600 m Marilyns (for those so inclined) around Aberdeenshire, Angus and Moray, and literally dozens of excellent low level walks.  There’s also climbing up in the hills, at the Pass of Ballater and at the coast, plus brilliant mountain biking on the hill paths and tracks and new purpose-built MTB trails around Tarland, going up onto Pressendye. Details of Muir Cottage are at https://www.cairngormclub.org.uk/muircottage/muircottage.  The location is OS grid reference 076896, 1.5 km downstream from Linn o’ Dee and 8.5 km from Braemar.  The cost is £12 per night, so the cost for 5 nights will be £60 per person.  It should be noted that everyone would need to stay in the hut, as the Cairngorm Club does not allow[…]

Great forecast for tomorrow. Meet in front of the visitor centre cafe at 10:00 (SD940153 pay and display).  For those who don’t like paying for parking, there is free parking at SD9386 1626 and its a very pleasant mile to the visitor centre. From the carpark, go NE along the canal bank for a couple of hundred yards before crossing the lock and following the path E in front of the terrace to meet the track. Turn right and follows this alongside the stream all the way to the visitor centre car park. Note: the walk will pass within half a mile of the free car park on the return leg. more details in the calendar entry  

High Moss Meet 20/21 May The original meet for this weekend is unable to take place. Instead I’m running a High Moss weekend aimed at but not specifically for associates and new members who have not experienced our Lakes hut but open to everyone. There is no particular plan its a do as you please weekend. Walk, Climb,Bike,Run etc.. I will provide a meal on Saturday evening. Please let me know by 16th May if you wish to attend.

John Payne is handling the distriubution of the late Arthur Howcroft’s comprensive Mountaineering library. John writes… After the passing of Arthur Howcroft I agreed with his niece to collect and distribute his substantial library of mountaineering books on her behalf. This library is now available to view in my garage…… You are cordially invited to visit and take any books you wish. I propose to keep these available for approx 1 month to the first week in June. When I will put them in the hands of any charities who will take them. To avoid me staying at home every day for a month you will be welcome to view and collect them by phoning me to arrange a mutually agreeable time, day or evening. These visits can not be Tues am or all day Wednesdays. Types of books. There are perhaps well over 100 to chose from. A4 or larger ‘Coffee table’ hard backed, high quality colour. Costing originally around £20 or more each. To make it clear there will be no money asked for or collected. If members wish they may donate to a charity of their choice. Some of the authors. Bonnington, Hunt, Shackleton, Messner, Rebuffat, Cleare,[…]

Hi all, Just a reminder that a Wednesday evening meet at Wilton One (I believe shooting restrictions are on the others) is planned for May 3rd. It’s the first meet I’ve run, so I realize I should introduce myself to members I haven’t yet met. All you really need to know is that I’m a student living in Lancaster and pretty keen on climbing in the North West! I’ll be at Wilton from about 3:30 onwards. For those arriving afterward, I’ll be wearing my purple Rucksack Club/ Climbers Against Cancer t-shirt, so I should be fairly easy to spot. For pubs afterward, I have planned to head to the Bank Top Brewery in Horwich. This is very flexible though. If anyone else with some local knowledge has any suggestions, I’d love to hear them. Hopefully see some of you down there on Wednesday! Cheers, Jack

The midweek climbing Meets have started! Below are brief reports on the first two Meets, along with some photos. Carry on to the bottom and see where the Meets are throughout May. On 19th April, fifteen members enjoyed a magical evening at Windgather, with stunning views and a very warm crag…until you popped your head over the top when the strongly easterly cooled things down!    On 26th April, the first of this season’s TBD (To Be Decided!) evening Meets headed to Hobson Moor Quarry (aka Hobby), a regular favourite that was washed out at the end of March. No such problems this time with glorious sunshine and a dry crag. More than a dozen members enjoyed the climbing, the craic and even a bit of cleaning to restore a couple of back wall obscurities to pristine condition: Apres Midi and Crock’s Climb. Wednesday evening climbing plans through May are: 3 May: Wilton 1 10 May: Bamford 17 May: TBD (join the WhatsApp Group to have your say!) 24 May: Hidden Quarry, Stoney 31 May: Stanage Popular

There was a lot of interest on the recent survey in a ‘Get Out There!’ Tech T-shirt and/or Cycling Top so I’ve picked up the baton, and hatched a cunning plan with Climbers Against Cancer  This is along the lines of last year’s regular T-shirt collaboration, for them to source and print a jointly branded CAC – ‘Get Out There!’ version of both. Here’s a pic of the T-short logos: … and an example Tech T-Shirt:                   … and Cycling Top:                   With the potential for spiralling variants of colour / size / style it would be ideal if we can go for just one colour and style of each, but not if that would severely limit sales, and so I would welcome your input (rather than me second guessing). It would be helpful if you could indicate your preferences and add any comments. Please complete this short survey to have your input (This isn’t a commitment to order 😊)  SURVEY NOTE – as with the T-shirts, every penny of profit (at least £10 per item) will go to fund cancer research. What’s not[…]

All the bunks have taken for the meet (if everyone who has said they want one turns up) but there is still scope for camping and campervans. Let me know if you want to attend and want a meal on the Saturday night.