Category: Member Posts

Summer arrived just in time for the Hobby evening meet, with temperatures soaring into the 20s – toasty! Especially good timing as we’d designated this as a joint meet with the MUMC. Nothing like a bit of sunshine to bring out the crowds, and the crag was absolutely rammed – there were around forty climbers in the quarry and all there for the meet. Especially good to catch up with all the MUMCers who’d braved the train and the bike ride up from Stalybridge. Also great to welcome some Associate Members and a bunch of potential second generation Rucksackers along. Hopefully see you all again next week at New Mills Torrs.

Hi, I am involved with a local climbing group in the south and am looking for any recommendations for hotels for a mixed group of up to 30 for a dinner meet. Area wise thinking Peaks or Dales and time of year is October. Thanks, George

For anyone looking for some inspiration for climbing this weekend, I’ve been browsing the Hut logbook. On the opening meet 70 years ago, Peter Harding and Norman Horsfield made the first ascent of Trilon on the Saturday and on the Sunday went up Spiral Stairs, then up and down Tributary Crack before descending Pharaohs Passage. On the way back to Beudy, they made the first ascent of ‘The Great Flake’ on the Grochan (now the first pitch of Sickle). Other routes climbed that weekend were The Gambit Climb, Avalanche/Red Wall/Longlands, Paradise Climb and The Cracks. Away you go!

Week of 16 – 22 April 2018 Wednesday Walkers: From Upperdale Car Park [177722] taking in Cressbrookdale, Tansleydale, Litton Slack, Taddington, Deepdale. Pub: Queens Arms, Taddington. Details Gwyn Thomas. Wednesday evening climbing: Hobson Moor. Pub: Wagon and Horses. More details in Dom Oughton’s Member’s Post Weekend: Beudy Mawr 70yrs on…join the celebrations of our iconic Hut. More details in Bill Deakin’s Members Post. For full details see the Meets Calendar, Posts and December Meetstaff  

Bill Rowntree writes: The hotel’s garden adjoins the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path. Nearby there are the famous lily ponds at Bosherston, various bird sanctuaries and nature reserves. The meet will be from Monday 14 May though to Thursday morning 17 May. Bookings are on a “first-come, first-served” arrangement, so please contact the hotel directly on tel: 01834 871358 and mention the Rucksack Club or my name…8 people booked to date. The rates for Dinner, Bed and Breakfast are: – Doubles / Twins £275 per person for the three nights – Singles using a twin room incur a £5 nightly supplement Reservations require a deposit of £50 per person. www.Castlemeadhotel.co.uk. e-mail: Castlemeadhotel@aol.com Further information contact Bill Rowntree

Here are a few details. Food – ‘Granville’s Pop-up Kitchen’ will be operating on Saturday 21 April. Brews, cake and biscuits available from 2pm until 6pm primarily for our day visitors. Buffet service from 6pm onwards. Choice of chicken korma /vegetarian coconut and chickpea curries, chili con carne/non carne, all served with rice, naan Brad and jacket potatoes. Cake and custard for pudding. It’s going to cost Granville £5 to £6 per head for the food, so all donations will be welcome. Bring your own liquid refreshments and food for the rest of the weekend. Parking – Richard Griffiths, who owns the farm next door (left hand side) is very happy for people to park there. We’re trying to contact whoever looks after the house on the right hand side for more parking. Ian and Clair Wilson are staying at Cwm Glas Mawr – there is some accommodation available. Contact them for details. Activities – do what you want! We have 30odd people confirmed – if you haven’t told us and intend coming, let us know ASAP!

The usual ‘early season’ Hobby Meet this year will have the extra attraction of being specifically open to Associate Members and the MUMC – not that AMs aren’t welcome on EVERY Wednesday Evening Meet, but you’ll be EXTRA welcome on this one! If you haven’t been to Hobby (or Hobson Moor Quarry as it is more accurately known https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crag.php?id=151 ) then it is a really user-friendly venue. It’s the nearest decent bit of rock to Manchester (a few mins from the end of the M67 ); easy access (just minutes from the car); catches the evening sun; and has classics of all grades from VDiff upwards. A great place to get a first taste of climbing outside; well protected routes ideal for getting back into placing gear after a winter on the wall; and trickier options if you want to push the boat out! A few pics below to get you inspired! No need to bring a partner – if you’ve got a harness, and know how to tie into it, I’ll make sure you get something done. Even better, it’s then just a few minutes walk down to the Waggon and Horses https://goo.gl/maps/SUwvo8MtM1Q2 for some post-climb refreshment and banter.[…]

The BMC are hoping to get feedback on their Organisational Review at the forthcoming Peak and NW area meetings ( this Wednesday and next Monday respectively!) Your chance to have your say – see below for more details https://www.thebmc.co.uk/bmc-organisational-review-april-update

Week of 9 – 15 April 2018 Wednesday Walkers: 9.25ml from Roadside, Ridgegate reservoir [957714] via Langley, Shutlingsloe, Wildboarclough, Oakenclough, Sutton. Pub: Ryles Arms [942694]. Details Mike Gregg. Wednesday evening climbing: Pule Hill…on A62 between Saddleworth and Marsden. Park in layby just past the Carriage House pub and walk up the incline to access the crag. Co-ordinator: Craig Hannah. Pub: Carriage House [GR028102]. Weekend: High Moss. The “plan” is to be a free spirit and do your own thing. That said I plan a walk on Saturday (roughly the Dunnerdale fell race route) but hopefully at a fraction of that pace. Un bon repas (meal anyway) is on offer on Saturday evening for all those that can let me know of their intentions to scoff by Wednesday 11th (please bring own refreshments). Sunday (weather permitting – ie not too hot to move) I plan to sample the local climbing delights at either Dow or Wallowbarrow crags. Contact Dave Woolley for details/if planning to attend. For full details see the Meets Calendar, Posts and December Meetstaff

As the Hanging Gate has now closed we will visit the Ryles Arms instead – SJ 942694