Category: Member Posts

After a great meet this year in Knoydart with a number of ‘big’ hills in the area (and in truth it wasn’t actually an island) next year I’m intending to head for Colonsay. It is a lovely small island, about 10 miles long and 2 miles wide. Rugged coastline with some beautiful sandy beaches. The highest hills are just over 300 feet high, but there are 22 of them, so if you did all of them in a day it’s the equivalent of 2 Munros. https://colonsay.org.uk/ I have secured some really nice accommodation which although described as a ‘backpackers lodge’ as you can see from the link (https://www.colonsayholidays.co.uk/backpackers/) it is much more like self catering. The cost is £80.25 each for the 3 nights. Travel is from Oban on the Friday afternoon returning on the Monday afternoon. Dates September 11th-14th (note a month earlier than this year). If you would like to come along please contact me on the usual details as per handbook. Andy

I have started compiling the next outdoor meets programme which runs from May 2020 to April 2021. So potential meet co-coordinators out there please get in contact with me now to book your slot. New ideas for meets are always welcome just as much as re-runs of old classics. The meets programme needs to be completed and ready for the handbook by the end of the year so don’t delay get in contact now – contact details as per handbook. I look forward to hearing from you. Many thanks Andy

Hi SunRockers I’m getting in touch with plans for the 2020 SunRock meet. By popular demand I’m proposing to head back to the Costa Blanca and also push the dates back a bit from the usual slot – both aimed at putting the SUN back into SunRock (though don’t get me started with the ‘if only you’d come in the official week you’d have roasted in Leonidio’ story…) I’ve started looking into accommodation options (including FinePark near Finestrat (which is available) where we stayed in 2017 – check out https://rockaroundtheworld.co.uk/2017/02/11/rucksack-club-sunrock-meet-sella-costa-blanca/ https://rockaroundtheworld.co.uk/2017/02/12/penyon-difach/ and the posts around there if you need a reminder). Before getting too much further I’m keen to get an idea of numbers, so please let me know if you are keen.       Flights from Manchester that week are currently around £150 but cheaper from Liverpool (£100) and Leeds (£90) for some reason. There are plenty of flexible accommodation options in the area, so if you want to stretch your trip to overlap say 10-24 you can get a bargain from around £60. www.skyscanner.com is a handy site. More details to follow once I have an idea of numbers – all thoughts and feedback welcome! Cheers, Dom[…]

Do you eat enough protein? A fascinating question that my fellow anaesthetist and regular climbing partner, Jeremy Windsor, has put to Rebecca Dent, a sports nutritionalist living in Chamonix, who provides a nutrition service to endurance and adventure sports including mountaineers, alpinists, mountain guides, ultra runners, ironman triathletes, climbers, ski tourers and expedition members. See the full article on Jeremy’s Blog, Surviving the Death Zone…there is good advice for all of us all trying to stay fit despite advancing years! Andy Tomlinson

Now im retired (sort of ) can visit interesting places. Has anyone got any guidebooks or maps to Bulgaria – around Bansko and the Pirin Mountains and also the Zillertal/ Mayrhofen area. Happy to beg, borrow or buy. Now packing to take a walking group to Cuba

Rucksack Club Annual Dinner weekend 8-10 November 2019 Castle Inn Hotel, Bassenthwaite There is still chance to book in for our annual dinner – final closing date 6th November – details as noted in meetstaff. We have a superb weekend planned – highlights include landscape photographer Alex Nail and a top Davenport comedian! Hope to see you there, Dave Woolley

Carole Smithies writes: Sad to report that Geoff Grange, a member since 1959 died on the 12th of October. His funeral will take place at Peel Green Cemetery & Crematorium, 716 Liverpool Road, Manchester M30 7LW [Junction 11 off M60] at 1220pm on Friday 8th November 2019 and afterwards at The Swinging Bridge Hotel, 18-20 Trafford Boulevard, Manchester M41 7JE. Please let me know if you are going to attend. Contact details in handbook.

I’m away from tomorrow (24th) until the 8th of November. Please contact Steve Gregory if you want to make a booking during this period.

Winter climbing meet (pending being logged as an official meet) to Cogne in the beautiful Gran Paradiso NP in Italian Alps. Ice climbing galore with options for cross country skiing, piste skiing, snow shoeing or otherwise. 4 of us are booked as following details but usual open invite, you can let me know you’re coming but sort your arrangements yourselves please. If climbing you ideally need to be in pairs. We’re going on the following flight but it isn’t obligatory to do same. EasyJet EZY1949 DEP 2/2/20 07:00 MCR to Geneva. Return 9/2/20 EZY1950 10:45 Geneva to MCR. Staying at Maison Pierrot in Cogne village, email Sara on info@maisonpierrot.com for rooms.

For those who have not see this yet…