Hogmanay & New Year Celebrations at Club Huts

Co-ordinator : Richard Cameron- Faulkner

Join us for a fun day bouldering and trad. climbing at one of the Peak's least visited western gritstone edges. All grades are catered for , there is something here for everyone! Understated it may be  but there are dozens of routes to be had if we land a dry day. Weather permitting I will be there from mid morning to late afternoon. 

There is usually plenty of parking at the lay by just beyond and to the right of the triangular junction by Corner House on Newstone, which is west of the A53 st the junction immediately south of the Winking Man Tavern (carpark postcode ST138UQ,  grid reference SK017 636). Follow the footpath adjacent to Corner House in a northerly direction to reach the outcrop shortly by way of the charming moorland. Looking forwards to seeing you there - even if you are not planning to climb this is a great place for a picnic and deer spotting.

Coordinator ; David Nightingale

Bry Hafod Mountain Hut is set at the head of the magnificent Cwm Cywarch in the Aran Mountains of Mid Wales - an area rich in unspoilt climbing and hill walking. This is one of the nicest hut locations you could wish for. It is a remote isolated location and simply appointed with a large kitchen, Calor gas powered cooking hobs, mains electricity, showers, hot water and a multi-stove. The bunk room is Alpine bunk style (not individual bunks).

The opportunities for a great day out start immediately from the hut doorstep in the Aran hills or with a short drive to the Cadir Idris area. Meet participants are welcome to walk or climb as they please on this meet but I will be visiting Cadir Idris on the Saturday and will be very happy for anyone to join me. Crags above the hut offer rock climbing off the beaten path.

I shall be providing a delicious communal meal for all on the Saturday night (approx£5). I will also be organising an edition of the legendary light hearted 'Nightingale's Newspaper Quiz' (with prizes) on Saturday evening for those who wish to partake.

Hut OS Map Ref SH 853 194 For more info visit:www.themountainclub.org.uk

I have booked 10 bunk spaces for the Friday 26th and Saturday 27th of April at a cost of £25 per person for the two nights. The hut will sleep a few more than this so if needed I hope to be able to book more spaces. Booking will be on a 'first come first served ' basis and booking and payment should be made by 15th April please.

For more details, or to reserve a space, please contact David Nightingale Tel:
07584 933 844; email: david.nightingale321@gmail.com.

Co-ordinator ; Andy Tomlinson

Spring is a great time to visit Scotland whether for Munroing, climbing or both, which is what I plan! The crags are often in good condition and there are plenty in easy range of Craigallan and, equally, many Munros too, hopefully with some snow on the tops.

Come and join the Meet for all or part of the time and be part of the team that hosts our friends from the CC.

Contact me via email (andy.tomlinson@doctors.org.uk) if you wish to attend. My plan is to share the accommodation available on a 50:50 basis between the clubs, at least in the first instance.

Co-ordinator ; Andy Stewart 11th /12th Joint Climbing Meet with Lancaster University MC – Beudy Mawr 

I'll make a veggie chilli on the Saturday evening. Book early to avoid
disappointment! I'm keen to get up high if the weather allows, but equally keen to
climb on slate or at Tremadog. I'll head over early the Saturday morning if anyone wants
to share a lift?

Co-ordinator : Mark Hatton

It says Mountain Bike Meet, but please just come and enjoy
all that High Moss has to offer, along with good company and
dinner on the Saturday evening provided by us. If I don't get
much response for the mountain biking, I will lead a walk. My
son and his friends were keen for mountain biking, but family
commitments change plans. Please let me know by 14th May so
I can prepare.

Co-ordinator ; Kevin Wheeler

This is a three day self supported bike packing trip around the Cairngorms. We will meet at Blair Atholl station at 10am on the Saturday and head clockwise around the Cairngorm loop via Aviemore, Tomintoul and Braemar. The total distance is 200km, so 60-70km per day with 2,240m of ascent. We should return to Blair Atholl on the Monday afternoon. We will be camping and you will need to bring food with you although there are resupply opportunities at several points on route. The GPX file for the route can be found on Komoot. I suggest MTB rather than grivel bike. Please contact me and let me know if you wish to attend or have any questions. 

Co-Ordinator ; Bill Deakin

1 – 2 June
Beudy Mawr Working Meet Bill Deakin and Steve Gregory
The stalwart Friends of Beudy know the ropes, but all others are warmly welcome
to come and help keep Beudy in good order for another year. We will provide the
materials and food for the weekend; you just need to bring your working clothes and
your own drinks for the Saturday night meal. We would hope that the jobs can be
completed in sufficient time for you to have some R&R on the hill or crag as well!
To avoid any confusion, please let Bill Deakin know if you are going to attend by
Tuesday 28th May. We hope to welcome you for a busy but enjoyable weekend.

Co-ordinator ; Ben Llewellyn

This cycling meet will be based at High Moss. I will be doing a reasonable length
road ride on the Saturday taking in several of the hills in the area; join me for this or
feel free to come along and do your own thing, on road or off, by bike or on foot. I will
provide an evening meal on the Saturday so please let me know by the Tuesday if you
will be coming along (Ben.a.llewellyn@outlook.com, 07840533115).

Co-ordinator ; Dominic and Helen Oughton

‘Phew, what a scorcher!’ was the headline from the 2023 Gogarth Meet, and of
course we’ll be hoping for more of the same when we gather this year on Porth Dafarch
beach. In any event, it’s the same old formula that has served us well for the last
twenty years. Come equipped with a rack & rope; a bike; kayak or pair of binoculars; or
just a tube of factor 50 and a bucket and spade – whatever you need to ‘Get Out
There!’ and work up a thirst / appetite. Bring your friends and family – the more the
merrier!
In terms of logistics, plans will be familiar to anyone who’s been along for any of
the last twenty years:
Camping is pre‐booked at Valley of The Rocks https://goo.gl/maps/
WHtttGVJG5DkdWxf7 – you don’t need to book separately, but on arrival please let
them know you are there. They’re offering a special rate for The Rucksack Club and are
always very welcoming, so be sure to say Hi and thank you!
The Saturday morning rendezvous is the South Stack Café (as usual) https://goo.gl/
maps/8XDRPNpPknzXK4xU6. They’re open at 10 a.m. and as they’re expecting us, they
will be laying on extra supplies for bacon or/and egg butties etc. NOTE there is now a
parking fee at South Stack – bring coins (or you can pay in the café). Parking is free for
RSPB members.

Beers and other aperitifs will be served on the beach at Port Dafarch from 7 p.m.
https://goo.gl/maps/REsJwAwTGj2f6XsC7 with food from 7:30 or thereabouts. No
whinging if you are late and miss the hot food (or have to incinerate your own!)
We’ll rendezvous at the café again on Sunday at 10 a.m. for another day of fun.
Helen’s Beach Yoga was popular again last year, and she will be putting on another
session or two this year (weather permitting). Keep an eye on the website for timing
details.
Let me know if you are planning to be there, and whether you prefer your BBQ fare
to be plant‐based or meaty. Get in touch if there’s any more info you need; if you want
me to try to fix you up with a climbing / walking / paddling / sandcastle buddy; or
indeed anything else! We’re looking forward to seeing you all! Dom and Helen +44
(0)7778 873512; dominic@oughton.uk.com.

Co-ordinator ; Dave Atkinson

This weekend will be the true height of Summer so
when better to have a stay in the Club’s hut in the Duddon
Valley in the beautiful Lake District. As one of the ex‐
Anabasis contingent, I am expecting that a gathering of
remnants from that group will be present, along with, I
hope, Rucksackers of other denominations. At this stage
there are no plans for activities of the organised kind, just
come and do what appeals.

My own knowledge of the area comes from Anabasis camping meets at Turner Hall
Farm. To the east, the Walna Scar track gives access to the Coniston Fells and to rock
climbing on Dow Crag. From Cockley Beck at the head of the valley, there is access to
the high fells around Upper Eskdale and to quick‐drying big crag climbs on Esk Buttress.
Close by are more gentle rock things on Wallowbarrow Crag, plus walking ‐ along the
Wallowbarrow Gorge, to nearby Seathwaite Tarn or up the delightful small hill, Caw.
And you can paddle, swim, run, cycle, or just rest up, as you please. Whatever, we will
gather, greet and meet, maybe with music.
Information about any organised things, including meals, will follow. For now, just
let me, Dave Atkinson, know if you would like to book a place at the Hut for the Meet.
T: 07878481541; E: dave.atkinson27@gmail.com.