PRESTON MOUNTAINEERING CLUB (Affiliated to the BMC) ______THE NEWSLETTER October 2005

www.climbpreston.co.uk

With this issue you will find: The President’s Bit • AGM agenda Well, here I am writing my penultimate presidents bit after almost 3 years in the post. • Dinner, Patterdale YHA Unfortunately, I can’t say I have anything accommodation and meal booking slip exciting to say. Work and family life have taken over and with a second baby due in early Guest speaker: Jerry Gore, one of the November all terrain pram rides are about as UK’s most experienced mountaineers exciting as it gets at the moment.

• Meet reports: Our second baby is due a couple of weeks before the AGM so there’s a danger that myself and Clare won’t be there this year. If so, o Coniston I would like to welcome the new president in o Borrowdale advance and wish you all a great evening. o Eskdale o

There’re lots of things happening on the BMC Plus lots more… front and I have included a large amount of info from the NW Area that would I welcome feedback on. Armed with hot tea and a choice selection of Carl biscuits I settled down to browse. As secretary I know the names of the older members but now I can put faces to these names! The Secretary’s Bit I have to say they were doing some amazing I was hunting through the piles of stuff in the climbing; just looking at the new routes for room optimistically known as ‘the office for a Raven Crag in Langdale was a … pardon the little light reading when my attention was pun … revelation. I’ve climbed so many of caught by the discovery of PMC journals from these routes and never realised who put them the thirties and forties. up.

Preston Mountaineering Club

They travelled all over the world without the either Adobe pdf format or Microsoft Word benefit of the modern transport system and yet format. it seems nothing changes. There are still to be found comments in meet reports of “We had a Club Library great time… where were you lot then?” The Club library is now at Gordon Semple’s in And noted in the treasurers minutes in a very Garstang. Contact him if you would like to firm hand “Loss on Doe () trip.” browse the books.

I hope I can persuade the editor to reprint BMC Information some of the articles in a feature not surprisingly entitled ‘From the Archives’ in Trowbarrow: The main wall is showing signs future issues? of imminent collapse from Jean Jeanie rightwards. Members are recommended not to Enclosed are all the relevant bits for the annual climb there pending a detailed investigation by bash and this year Jerry Gore is coming over Geologists from Salford University. from France to do a show/talk on the Eiger North Face, expedition climbing and how to Craig y Longridge: The purchase of the crag survive it etc. has been agreed for some time now but the process has stalled due to illness on the part of Before the treasurer has apoplexy I will say the landowners solicitor. that we are not paying travel expense this time! Guidebook: Lancashire Rock aka ‘the brick’ Anyway I leave you with a quote from the 1937 has sold out and is fully out of stock at Cordee. journal as to how the mountaineering Plans have been in place to create a new community viewed the PMC guide for some time now but there is a desperate shortage of volunteers to make this “ … Oh, yes, the PMC, I’ve heard of them… I happen. The NW Area committee and BMC believe they’re the roughest and toughest Guidebook committee are considering a small climbing club in … ” print run of the existing guide in two volumes with soft covers and possibly new photos – Now read on. comments welcome to Carl. Mike 2012 Olympics: The BMC executive has been Website criticised by the Management Committee for

endorsing the 2012 Olympics and The PMC website address is recommending climbing as an Olympic sport www.climbpreston.co.uk without first seeking opinion from the membership. Initial straw polling suggests that If you have a photograph you would like to add members would rather see their membership to the ‘Gallery’, then please either send Ian subscriptions spent on other activities. Again, Bradley a print/slide or a scanned copy. comments welcome to Carl. Originals will be returned! Fairy Steps: The access problem at Fairy eNewsletters Steps is likely to be resolved soon. However groups are discouraged and that may include Point your web browser to clubs.

www.climbpreston.co.uk/members/ CROW: Les Ainsworth was recently ‘stitched and you will see all the available (photograph up’ by the Countryside Agency during a recent enhanced!) eNewsletters. You can download in Radio 4 interview on the subject of CROW 2 October 2005 Newsletter mapping errors in the North West. Radio 4 home Pat, Keith, and again with me in tow to gave final edit approval of the interview to the remind Keith how penalties ought to be taken, CA thus branding Les as a liar. However, had a pleasant walk up Middle . further clarification has proven Les correct in his claims that there are numerous CROW Present: Ian Bradley, Sheena and Mick mapping errors in the North West which pertain Cottam, Pat & Martin Edgar, Keith Rollins to climbing.

Public Relations Officer: The BMC is about Coniston Meet 16th & 17th July appoint a public relations officer on the basis that the Ramblers Association do it so it must by Keith Rollins be a good idea. Given the above reference to CROW there is justification. What are the Following Laura’s post on the website, asking opinions of the PMC membership? Is that how members to book into the Coppermines Valley you want your BMC membership subscriptions YMC hut, with the meet Coordinator, I spent? Is this core activity for the BMC or, expected to be inundated with telephone calls should it be outsourcing the job to an expert asking for places, especially as the weather company in the field of PR for sport? Again, forecast improved steadily towards the end of comments welcome to Carl. the week.

By Thursday, I only had four bookings for the Wasdale Meet 21st & 22nd May Friday night and six for the Saturday.

by Martin Edgar Martin, Pat and I arrived at the hut at about 6.00pm. Gordon, fresh from a few weeks on With quite a few regular members up in Skye and the north west of Scotland, joined us Scotland it didn’t come as any surprise to find later in the evening. only six members turning up. What was surprising was the fact there were only four Saturday dawned fine and sunny. We headed tents on the whole site, this despite a cracking for via Levers Water, Swirl Hause forecast. Anyway everyone who came did and Prison Band. After elevenses on Swirl something. Sheena was chilling out prior to How we continued over , Little the expected arrival of Sophie, not on the Carrs and Wet Side Edge before descending campsite I hasten to add. Sheena was on the to Greenburn Beck where we had lunch. site and I guess so was Sophie in a maternal sort of way… Anyway I digress… The day was getting steadily warmer and it was a hot climb back up across the flank of Mick and Ian went up climbing onto Great Birk Fell to Dry Cove Bottom and the top of Gable and Pat, Keith and myself went a short Tilberthwaite Gill. From here we descended to walk up . This was followed by an Tilberthwaite and returned to a busy Coniston exciting afternoon in a Pub watching the FA via the roadside path. We stocked up on cup final. Keith being a Manchester Utd fan supplies before returning to the hut and the naturally wanted them to win. Sadly this was quiet of the Coppermines Valley. not to be as Arsenal cruised to a penalty shootout win. Never mind Fergy there’s always Ian and Trina turned up a short while later. next year! Being a Toffee I’m used to missing They had arrived earlier in the afternoon and out these days on titles, but Keith was had gone for a short walk round some of the distraught. mine workings above the youth hostel.

However, after a good nights sleep all was Sunday morning was dry but overcast with a forgotten and while the others packed up for fine mist covering the . We decided to do 3 Preston Mountaineering Club the usual round of Dow Crag and The Old website]. Anyway not to worry, after all he did Man; it was hot and muggy as we made our try. way to the Walna Scar Road and a few of us were suffering from the heat. However, the So, Pat and myself decided to go to Great cloud began to clear and by the time we had Gable via Base Brown and Green Gable. It reached Dow Crag it was above the fells and was extremely misty and damp but ever so the day was beginning to feel fresher. We had warm, as one would expect in July. On lunch on top of The Old Man by which time it reaching the summit we decided to have lunch was sunny with cloudless skies. and it was bloody freezing. It was while eating lunch that I almost had an inner body The original plan was to descend direct to the experience. I was just about to put my third hut via Low Water and the quarries to get away butty into my mouth when some pieces of ash at a reasonable time to avoid the usual M6 landed on it. I looked around for someone with delays, but a bit of gentle persuasion from Ian a big cigar but couldn’t see anything let alone saw us extending the round to include Brim any person. Pat suddenly pointed to a pile of Fell and Swirl How, returning to the hut via ash, a little cross and a teddy bear. Oops, so I Levers Water. Most of us took the opportunity decided to go for my fourth butty, omitting to shower and change before we left for home number three. Our descent took us down while Gordon decided to take advantage of the Windy Gap and onto Styhead and back to the fine weather and stayed on for an extra night. car.

The YMC hut is superbly located for walking The numbers were swelled on Saturday night and climbing, the fells are among the best in as Dave and Lorna turned up with their dog. the Lakes, there are some great small crags Sorry but I’ve forgotten his name. On Sunday within half an hour of the hut and Dow Crag is the numbers were swelled even further with only an hour from the Walna Scar car park. the arrival of Gordon and Ian. Even the small drawback of having to walk down to the village to go to the pub has now While Dave and Lorna went off walking the rest gone following the opening of the Coppermines of us went round to Raven Crag and tackled Inn next to the youth hostel. It’s only open on Corvus. Not having climbed with Ian, my Friday and Saturday but it now makes the hut doughty partner of many an adventure, for one of the best located in the Lakes ☺. quite a few years we set about doing Corvus with great enthusiasm; until we reached the It’s difficult to understand why there weren’t bottom of the climb that is. Any way after more members on this meet, especially as we gearing up, we set about it, and scared were almost filling this hut only two or three ourselves daft in the process. Not having years ago. climbed for a number of years it was inevitable that we would make some stupid mistakes… Thanks to: Pat & Martin, Gordon, Ian and and so we did!! Trina. But we persevered and topped out a couple of hours later. The weather had been very kind Borrowdale Meet 30th & 31st July to us with the scorching hot sun above our heads all day. So ended a cracking day and a by Martin Edgar first class weekend.

This was the second Borrowdale meet in The next time we saw Dave and Lorna was almost as many months. So maybe that was when they came ripping past us on the A6. the reason only three people turned up on the Saturday, one of which missed the starting Present: Pat & Martin Edgar, Gordon Semple, point [despite the M.C. putting it on the Dave Hewitt, Ian Martin, Lorna Stewart 4 October 2005 Newsletter

Eskdale Meet 13th & 14th August over . Mick met us later in the pub where we were also joined by Jill Aldersley. by Keith Rollins We woke to a sunny Sunday morning. While Martin, Pat and I arrived on the Hollins Farm we were having breakfast, Ian Bradley and Ian Campsite, Boot , at about 5.30pm on Friday. Martin turned up to swell the numbers even Fliss, Tom, Tony and Gordon were already further. there having arrived early in the afternoon; ‘Twelve Tents’ Tony was showing off the latest Mike, Laura, Ian Bradley and Mick went to addition to his tent collection. [ed. Does that climb on Hare and Goat Crags. Among the make it ‘Thirteen Tents’ Tony?] Laura and Mike routes climbed on Hare Crag were Pleasant landed later in the evening. Slab (S) and Celebration (MVS).

As predicted by the weather forecast, we woke Goat Crag – a rather interesting crag – was up to rain on Saturday morning. After a lazy protected by impenetrable bracken. It felt like breakfast Tony, Fliss and Tom set off on a jungle bashing – without a machete – just to shopping expedition to Keswick. Mike and get there! Mike and Laura decided to let the Laura caught La’l Ratty to Ravenglass, walking bracken win! The bracken is also ‘sheep tick back to Boot via . heaven’ as Mick and Ian found out to their cost later… Pat, Martin and I set off for Burnmoor Tarn intending to return to Eskdale via Mitredale, The climbing is excellent although poorly with the option of taking in and protected. As Mick and Ian had no guide book, Whin Rigg if the weather improved. Gordon they also had great fun exploring. They knew decided to wait a little longer to see if the that the ‘main crag’ had a couple of severes up weather picked up. the front and a couple of VS’s to the right side. This would have been true if they were on the The fells were still clagged in by the time we Left Hand crag. But, they climbed on the Right stopped for lunch by Burnmoor Tarn, so we Hand Crag! Typical PMC navigation strikes decided to descend into Mitredale. As we again! dropped into the valley bottom the sky began to clear and the sun came out allowing us to They climbed what they thought would be the see Mitredale at its best. It’s a lovely, little two severes although they felt they were rather visited, valley – even on an August weekend easy for severe – they were, as they turned out there wasn’t a single car on the car park at to be VD’s (Billy Goat Cracks and Billy Goat Porterthwaite. Arete). They also tackled a 25m slab on the left side of the crag. Mick led one route at about At Eskdale Green we called in at the station HS, 4a with one piece of protection at half with the intention of catching the train back to height! Ian led another with similar protection. Boot. We’d just missed one and the next These turned out to be Gruff Stuff (HS) and wasn’t due for another half an hour, so we Goatee Beard (S). Any severe leader finding walked back. the latter would be the proud parent of many kittens by the time he/she reached the top! Gordon had left the campsite intending to Next they ‘found’ the two VS’s – short one or catch up with Pat, Martin and I but, in looking two move wonders which don’t actually appear for a shortcut, inadvertently took the path to in any guide! - and then called it a day. Blea Tarn instead of Mitredale, resulting in a sooner than expected return to Boot. The rest of us set off for Scafell via Eel Tarn, Stony Tarn and . Tony left us at the Early on Saturday evening we were joined by summit to return to the campsite via Burnmoor Mick Cottam who quickly disappeared for a run Tarn, the rest of us descended to Great Moss 5 Preston Mountaineering Club via Foxes Tarn and Cam Spout then back to http://www.gwynedd.gov.uk/gwy_doc.asp?cat= the road at Brotherilkeld alongside the River 3401&doc=9303. Esk. It is much better in many ways: it revisits the The Hollins Farm Campsite in Boot is among arguments of the 2002 document and the best in the Lakes, the ground is level and demolishes the financial case presented back stone free and the new (ish) shower bock is then. It also discusses the feedback spotlessly clean. This, coupled with the superb [opposition!] it received at the public meetings location, means that the site is often fully and through letters received. I found one booked at weekends over the summer. comment particularly interesting – “Whilst it Unlike the Fisherground site further down the was never the intention of the original Strategy valley ‘fully booked’ doesn’t mean tents pitched to compel visitors to abandon their cars in on top of each other; there is still plenty of favour of a Park and Ride arrangement, or to open space to relax in. totally ban the parking of cars within the core area the general perception, much of it Thanks to: Pat, Martin, Gordon, Fliss, Tom, orchestrated, is that it was.“ Having read the Tony, Laura, Mike, Mick, Jill, Ian Bradley and 2002 consultation document, they certainly Ian Martin. fooled me!

Snowdonia Green Key Initiative - Revisited The new proposals again are suggesting banning the traditional roadside parking in by Ian Bradley Ogwen (on environmental grounds but also adding on safety grounds as well – the cynic In 2002, there was a proposal – the Snowdonia might feel that since the proposers lost the Green Key initiative – to better manage tourism environmental argument last time, adding within the Snowdonia national park. This was ‘safety’ might get it through this time!) and the second attempt to do this. The suggestions Llanberis Pass and replacing these by were to create large ‘gateway’ car parks at screened and managed car parks. The idea is towns like Betws y Coed and Llanberis and to limit the visual impact – as perceived by ban car parking within the main Snowdon area, someone driving down the valley as opposed including all roadside parking in Ogwen and to from the ‘hill’. To me, the linear parking is Llanberis, and provide instead a park-and-ride much less intrusive than a massive car park style transport system. The driving force which is impossible to screen from the hill, seemed to be that many (10%) visitors spend never mind the reduced vehicle security very little within the Park when they visit. The situation - as evidenced by the significant logical conclusion they came to was to ‘pen’ number of vehicle break-ins at the Stanage visitors at the Gateways and thus extract some Plantation car park. But there again, I’m money from them! During the consultation conditioned that the view from the hill is more period, it was soundly trashed by the local important… population, specialist interest groups (including the BMC) and individuals. As a result, the There are again plans to provide a much proposals were withdrawn. improved and coordinated bus service within the Park which is to be welcomed. Just ask Well, it is back on the agenda again – for the Laura about (the lack of) Snowdonia buses! third time. One can’t but help feeling that this is One interesting and sensible suggestion is to the try and try again syndrome… eventually make the Pen y Gwryd to Beddgelert road one we’ll wear the opposition down… way only for coaches, as problems currently occur when two coaches meet. Anyway, you can find the new discussion document, all 60 pages, on Gwynedd Council The report recognizes that parting visitors from website – vehicles will be difficult. By their own figures 6 October 2005 Newsletter

The team (working off a good lunch?) at Levers Water, Coniston Meet (photo: Gordon Semple)

Martin and Ian at the top of Corvus, HD, Raven Crag Borrowdale (photo: Pat Edgar)

7 Preston Mountaineering Club

Bill Wiseman on Rumal, VS 5a, Trowbarrow Quarry (photo: Ian Bradley)

Thomas, on his first glacier ascent this August, aged 6. Taken on the Birkstal arm of the Jostedalsbreen Glacier, Norway (photo: Liz Porter)

8 October 2005 Newsletter

Nicky on Gargoyle Flake, VS, 4c, Bamford Edge

(photo: James McNaughton)

Danny Cottam on Jomo, VD,Trowbarrow Quarry (photo: Mick Cottam) 9 Preston Mountaineering Club

Ian Bradley on Lorraine, VS 5a, Bowden Doors, Northumberland.

(photo: Bill Wiseman)

On the summit of Scafell, Eskdale Meet (photo: Gordon Semple) 10 October 2005 Newsletter over 30% of visitors are intent on going to a roadside parking is full, then either we go particular site – e.g. climbers, walkers – and elsewhere or park further away and walk… require a vehicle to get their equipment there. Even better, arrive early so that it is someone Many will be families (again estimated at 30%) else’s’ problem! Improved bus services would with young children where the vehicle is of course be welcome but I suspect would essential. The conclusion is that without never be financially self-sufficient. excellent bus network, any scheme will flop and even then, it will only cater for at most As yet the consultation on the new proposals 30% of visitors. hasn’t started. No doubt there will be a keen debate! Watch the Gywnedd Council website The report goes on to suggest how for future developments. development of the towns within the Snowdon area could progress. Again, the point is to extract ‘tourist dollars’. I formed the impression Norway in a nutshell – that there is a downplaying of the natural or rather, a Nissan X-Trail !! attractions of Snowdonia and a preference to by Liz Porter (with Paul & Thomas) expand the ‘artificial’ and marketable things. I guess the natural is ‘fixed’ whilst new visitor What a fantastic place!! We covered around attraction can be created. There have been 2000 miles, by car, stopping over in places, some good examples of such created such as the Hardangervida plateau, and the attractions recently – the Sygun copper mine at Jostedalsbreen National Park. We walked Beddgelert for example. Maybe other mines past massive thundering waterfalls, camped by and quarries could be developed into tourist azure blue fjords, fed by glacial melt-waters, attractions. There are also good suggestions and went island-hopping in our canoe in the that there should be extended provision of low- open sea. The Troll wall looked awesome, & level walking paths and creation of the high mountain passes of the Jotunheimen cycling/mountain biking opportunities. National Park were breathtaking. Best of all, Thomas, armed with ice axe, helmet and The reports [edited] recommendations are: crampons, made his first glacier ascent (see photo) on the Birkstal arm of the • The ‘Gateway’ concept should be retained Jostedalsbreen Glacier at the age of 6. Who but extended to additional locations knows what he'll have achieved, by the time • The Park and Ride as described in the draft 2001 strategy, linked to a reduction and he's old enough to become a member of the time limitation of parking in the core area PMC!! during high season, should be abandoned in favour of an upgraded SHERPA system, and to provide dedicated and appropriately Oh Northumberland, Fair Northumberland! charged parking and shuttle services • provide a dedicated network of low level by Ian Bradley footpaths and cycle routes • to produce proposals for each town that No Northumberland meet this year – I was so enhances the facilities and tourism sad that I decided to go anyway. The intention opportunities, and provides each with an had been to go with Mike and Laura but they unique purpose. ran out of free weekends… so I teamed up

with ex-members Mark Garratt and Jackie I guess they will find considerable opposition to Murdock. They drove up from south Derbyshire many of their proposals. Parking will again be and I met them in the pub – where else! – in the key issue, especially as there isn’t currently Wooler on the Friday night. really a problem to solve. There are problems on about 25% of weekends throughout the Now the climbing in Northumberland is year. Current parking is self-limiting. If the excellent. Reminiscent in many ways of a less 11 Preston Mountaineering Club popular Stanage… or an Angelzarke with solid Sunday was bright but still a bit breezy. rock. Most of the climbed rock is natural Bowden Doors was the place to be. Still rather sandstone, with the occasional quarried bit. cool despite the high temperature reported that The occasional flake though needs treating day on the Great North Run 50 miles away. with respect when placing friends… Joined by my brother and friend from There are no gimme’s here.., in fact many Cleveland and prospective member Bill routes could be described as sandbags. I Wiseman, a great day was had by all. Main prefer the phraseology – old fashioned grades! Wall (HVS, 5b) and Lorraine (VS, 5a) are two None of this upgrading in both technical of the classic in the area – see Bill Birkett’s difficulty and adjectival grade in the new 2005 book on climbing in Northern England. Lorraine Northumberland guide that seems to have had been on my tick list for several years... become de rigeur in many guides today. Excellent steep laybacking leads to what Having said that, there is something for seems a large roof. Huge jugs lead to a everyone here. Kyloe had routes ranging from leaning [out!] traverse to a delicate finish. Not Diff to E4 whilst Bowden Doors has excellent bad for 11 m of climbing – OK it was ‘brilliant’! routes over all the grades. Our discovery last Other excellent routes climbed include both year, Berryhill Crag, caters for what is (rather leaning grooves (VS and HVS) and Tiger Wall condescendingly) frequently referred to as the (VS, 5a). The latter is tough as the first gear at ‘lower grade’ climber. 7m is above all the hard moves! VS? Well traditionally… Anyway, to this year’s trip. The weather was indifferent on the Saturday. A stiff north- So what is so good about the place? Go next westerly breeze ruled out most places. Cloud year and find out for yourself. I’ve just been rapidly built up [interesting whilst still going told that the committee are suggesting rapidly sideways!]. Kyloe ‘out’ was clearly the reinstating the meet… Woopee! sensible option. It sits in a shallow valley and is generally quite sheltered. We started off on Snowy Stories – From Calm to Crazy ! Wilfred Prickles (VS, 5a) which Mark cruised – mind you he said it was good. A few others by Peter Thomas followed including one VS that I’d done several times and was pleased to see Mark pause at February had been full of flights: the steep bit above the protectionless 5a slab – grumble of ‘That’d be E1 in the Peak...’ • 2 flights to get to Turin on business. Not much snow there! I could see bare patches from the aeroplane flying over the southern side Finally to one of the classics of the crag – of the Alps. Tacitation VS, 5a. ‘That’s brilliant,’ floated • 2 flights back down from Mark at the top of the crag. Now 2 days off those of you who remember Mark will realise • 3 flights to get to Hemsedal with the family. Less snow there than there should have been, that such ‘outbursts’ are extremely uncommon. but enough for us. Jackie and I were in stitches. Poor Mark wasn’t • 2 flights back allowed to forget that comment all weekend. 1 day off ‘Only good… not brilliant…’ • 1 flight to Madrid with work. I woke up on Wednesday and got ready for the The weather got worse shortly and the bus ride to our meeting. Madrid was grid-locked because of heavy Snow. The heaviest for years. temperature plummeted after this. A trip to the The airport was closed all day. Then as beach was called for. Wild, windy, drizzly, suddenly as it came it was gone. towering castles, large breakers, and plenty of • 1 flight home bird life… And then there was snow in England!

12 October 2005 Newsletter

The Ski-lift in the Pennines. closed at about 4pm. We decided to have lunch a little way from the crowd and then skin I was ready for a calm and relaxing day and back up to the top. the North Pennines looked like a good place to find it. I had talked to James at work the day Ben was slow skinning up the hill next to the after my return from snowy Spain and agreed lift, but when we got past the top pylon, the to go up on Sunday 27th February. My ideal trip gradient eased off and he got a bit happier. As would have been to drive to a pub on the road we moved away from the lift things got quieter to Alston and then do Cross Fell and back and quieter. This was much more pleasant.

(perhaps 20km) on our Nordic Touring Skis. On we went until we discovered a wire fence encrusted with rhyme. Ben was amazed by James had other ideas. He wanted to check this, especially when I picked up a 2ft by 1ft out the ski-lift at Yad Moss. He was going to section of rhyme on my arms and gave it to take Ben with him. Ben was the same age as him. We carried on to the trig point on Matthew, but because he had skied every year Burnhope Seat and played a bit there. We then since he was 2 and a half, and two weeks in skied off piste back to James’s car. most of those years, he had done about 3 times as much skiing. This year James had This was a good learning experience for Ben. bought him some Telemark skis of his own. He had skied on piste and on tracks, but had This was done partly to give him the ability to never been anywhere requiring route-finding ski on steep slopes away from ski-hire, but ability. This time I led, with Ben under strict mostly to slow him down. Ben now treated instructions to follow me, and James behind black runs with some respect, though he still making sure he did. At one point I traversed got down one in Norway. along a bank, then turned down hill to get to a lower line. When Ben followed me I was able We arrived at a section of road with a long line to point out the steep 6 ft peat clough we would of cars parked on it at 10:30am. We could see have fallen into had we continued on our the ski lift a few hundred metres up the hill, original line. It had not been visible from up with lots of down-hillers struggling up to it there, but I knew it was coming up from the carrying their skis, while walking through deep general gradient. snow in their rigid smooth soled boots. There was very little space so we went up another Our off piste descent was much more 400m before parking. interesting than the piste. Not just more varied, but actually easier in some places. It was also We put our skins on our skis and then set off a lot quieter. up the hill. Rather than go straight to the lift, we We packed up and went back to Alston to find continued to the top of the hill before removing a café. our skins. Normally James skis quite fast up The Braemar Telemark Festival (11th–13th hill, but this time he was slow. Ben needed March 2005) encouragement. The ski down was quite pleasant, but when we got to the bottom there I had thought about going to the Braemar was a huge queue for the lift. By now it was Telemark Festival many times, but somehow I 1pm and when I asked about lift passes, I was had never taken part. The first year we were told that it was members only after 11am. actually up there skiing when it was happening, Membership brought the cost of a lift pass but it was Fran’s turn to ski and she had not down from £10 to £5, but cost about £30. wanted to take part. In other years I had either There wasn’t really much chance of us been away touring, or was about to go, or had returning this year so it would have been £35 just got back. for an afternoon of skiing. The queue was moving very slowly. We would probably get a This year the timing was just right for me. single 5 minute run every half hour until the lift There was also a good bit of snow! 13 Preston Mountaineering Club

I went up with James on Thursday night to started in the combined group 6 & 7 with about Braemar. We should have gone in his car, but 7 others. The two instructors wanted to split so it was at the garage being mended so we had they got us all to ski down a rather icy bit of to go in my campervan. I had too much to do at piste. 6 did Telemark turns the whole way work so I ended up leaving at 5:30 rather than down, while 3 of us used alpine technique 4:00 pm. I got things ready and packed them in when it was particularly icy. The three of us the van but it was 8:00pm when we left formed group 6, and had an instructor all to James’s house. It took 3 hours to get to ourselves. A good ratio. Sterling and James phoned the warden to say we would be late. I had a Danish pastry and a That evening we got on a pair of buses and pint of cappuccino at the services and we got headed off to Mar lodge with 180 other people back into the van. We got to the hostel at 1 am for a ceileidh. The bridge wasn't strong enough to find that the warden had left the door on the for busses so we walked over and then had a latch for us. torch-lit procession for about half a mile to the hall. There was a good buffet and then dancing Friday started with a trip to the shop; a until Midnight. On the way back the busses dangerous place especially just before pay drove round and crossed the strong bridge to day. My trip to the Alps had persuaded me that save us a long cold walk! a shorter pair of skis might help me keep up with those pensioners (alpine ski- Sunday was better weather, and we went up mountaineers). I worked out what I wanted and for the start of the mountain race (which had left the shop to sort it all out for me. The been postponed from Saturday afternoon) at weather was windy so we avoided the hills and 11:00 am. We started with a dash from the skied 13km on tracks in the woods near cafe to our skis, and then skinned up the hill. Huntley. It’s not often you can ski on tracks in The guys at the front were very fast and I was Britain. working hard to get up to 8th position at the top of the hill. Off with the skins and then down We drove back through falling snow to (quite fast!) to the loch, then right round it and Braemar. I collected my new skis and up the hill again.I did consider going uphill registered for the Telemark Festival, which without putting my (mohair) skins under my started that evening with a Drambuie reception skis because I could potentially have moved up outside the sport shop. We then had a good 5 places (including 2 Swiss guys who had meal in a nearby restaurant. skated past me on the loch) by omitting all that faffing, but the snow was a bit icy and I would It snowed in the night and the track from the have had very little grip going up without them. YHA car park to the main road was well The final descent was great. Straight off into a covered on Saturday morning. The 60psi of gully, then follow it round, avoiding all the rocks pressure in the van tyres was enough to crush and holes, passing lots of downhillers and all the structure out of the snow and we got no through to the finish line. 10th place! About 5 grip at all. We needed to put snow chains on minutes behind the winner. the campervan! (What kind of person buys snow chains for a After lunch was the Tele-cross. A very unusual campervan? … A crazy Telemarker perhaps?) event! I had heard stories about these being completely crazy events with all sorts of Glenshee Ski area opened up at 11:00am so hazards on them. They took us round to the our morning of tuition became half a morning in gully we had been down on the mountain race. a howling gale, and most of an afternoon in We knew they had been modifying it a bit to strong winds. My new skis seemed to love make it more exciting for us! Instead of starting turning, but they looked incredibly short. in the stream bed, the start was about 30 foot (1.80m!) There were 10 groups, ranging from above it on the bank. There were poles total beginners to really good. James and I marking the course which made it wide enough 14 October 2005 Newsletter for 2 skiers to race side by side. The women's tried to get back down into the gully I found race was a straight final. Straight down the that the man in second had boxed me out and I bank, 90 degrees left and they were gone! crashed in a heap. The third man went past Then it was the first of four men’s heats. before I got up and I poled after him despairing of my chances. Then I came round a corner, I was up against 2 Swiss guys, who were very hit the humps and zipped past a stationary and fast on the piste, and a man with a helmet who snowy opponent and on to finish second. This had done one of these things before on alpine was probably the most stupid thing I have ever skis. The first two through would qualify. For done on Skis ! some reason I did not have a strong desire to pole down hill, and I arrived at the first bend in We all watched the semi finals and then waited last place. The others were hammering down for the final. This was won by one of the Swiss and I then followed as fast as I could. guys, and got quite physical as it approached The course was narrow and twisty, giving little the line. time to react. Straight after a bend we found a little present from the piste machine. A 30 inch The Prize giving was in the cafe, along with a hump! - Then a Second! - And a Third! Still big pot of mulled wine. The winner of the Tele- upright I hurtled to the next bend then poled up cross won a new pair of Skis. The winner of a slight incline in time to see the two Swiss the Mountain race won an adventurous holiday crossing the line. I had survived! for 2 for a week in Europe.

We waited for the next heat to come through. What an excellent event! One man was in front then a little later two more arrived. Mid-Week Walking Programme 2005 The third heat came steaming down, and there was James (who had never intended entering The remaining walks on the Thursday midweek such a crazy race) out in front going very walking programme are: slowly. He moved off sideways and the other 4 men came whizzing past. The mystery of the Thursday 20th October missing man was now solved! James had Leader David Spencer come down at the back of the second heat, Meet at Hare and Hounds, Abbey Village been destabilised by the first hump, thrown by (A675 Belmont Rd) the second hump and had crashed into the 10:30 am coffee, 11 am start for Reelers Trail. third hump. His goggles were cracked and he was not particularly happy. Once the fourth Thursday 17th November heat had come in he skied off to the cafe to Leader Keith Hall recover, while those who had qualified plus a Meet at Gisburn (A59) café/farm shop North few crazy heat losers went back up for another end of village go. 10:30 am coffee, 11 am start for Gisburn Park and Bracewell. The starter called for the losers’ runoff and three of us stepped up. We waited a bit for a Thursday 15th December fourth man, but none arrived. I saw a man with Leader Phyllis Hopkin blood on his cheek from a fall and asked If he Meet at Shireburn Arms, Hurst green (B6243). was in the losers race. "I'm one of the 10:30 am coffee, 11 am move cars to Lower winners!" he replied. What were the losers like Hodder Bridge. Park on verge on right, uphill from his heat? over bridge, for Great Mitton round. This time I knew the course so I poled as fast as I could down the hill and cornered using the Contact Don Hopkin for further information. gully wall. I was right at the front! But when I 15 Preston Mountaineering Club 10% Discount on production of PMC In general discount is only given on membership card at the following shops. mountaineering hardware and clothing, not on maps, guidebooks or sale items

The Kentdale Rambler The Mountain Factor 34 Market Place, Kendal Lake Rd, Ambleside tel: 01539 729188 tel: 015394 32752.

The Climbers Shop Needle Sports Compston Corner, Ambleside 56 Main Street, Keswick tel: 015394 32297 tel: 017687 72227

Rock and Run Ultimate Outdoors 3-4 Cheapside, Ambleside 17 New Street, Lancaster tel: 015394 33660 tel: 01524 66610

Homebarn Holdfast Church Avenue,Clapham (climbing wall holds) tel: 015242 51162 8 Meadow View, Clitheroe Tel: 01200 425132

Outside Outdoor Action Main Road, Hathersage 26 King Street, Blackburn tel: 01433 651936 tel: 01254 671945 High Street, Llanberis tel: 01286 871534

OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE FOR 2005

President …...……….…….…….…………. Carl Spencer …………. Vice-President …...……….…….…….…………. Mike Pringle …………. 01257 375984 Secretary ….…….…………….…………. Mike Pringle …………. 01257 375984 Meets Secretary …....………………….…………. Laura Semple …………. Treasurer …...……….….…….…………. Bill Suringar ………….

Committee: Sheena Cottam, Martin Edgar, Liz Porter, Keith Rollins and Dave Spencer

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