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Issue Number 112 August 2008 Richard Andrews News Burbage North. May ‘07 Karen Darke Lecture health facility. There is an urgent need “Karen became paraplegic in a for some form of rain water collection incident 16 years ago (a fall that also broke system or to fix the well and direct a her skull, neck, ribs, and arms), but since pipe to the dispensary. then has undertaken many non-climbing http://www.karendarke.com adventures (kayaking the inside passage from Canada to Alaska, skiing across New Club Secretary Greenland, hand biking over the Many thanks to Bob Lee for his Himalayas). When she asked me to ski contribution as club secretary for the across Greenland with her in 2006, my first past few years, he has now handed comment was that she should climb El Cap over the spell checker to Mick Barnes instead, as it would be much easier (little - let’s hope it works better for him! did I know!!!)”. - Andy Kirkpatrick, alpinist. Over the last decade Karen has overcome Barbecue and climb many physical and mental barriers, Sunday 7th September, 4-8pm completing many trips others believed Climbing at Green Park from 1pm impossible; from marathons and triathlons, (same rule as always - fully paid up to kayaking, sit-skiing, hand-cycling and members only). With barbecues at climbing in some of the most inhospitable Wendover Woods from 4pm. Bring places on the planet. your own food and swop intrepid holiday tales. Profits from the lecture are going to a water project in Tanzanian Masaii village Guess who? that Karen is supporting. The village well Apparently it wasn’t Jenny Walker is broken and unreliable, and currently the who featured on the front cover villagers are drinking dirty water or milk picture of the last issue, but Paul from their cattle, and have no clean water Nurse - easy mistake! Still it provided either to drink or for the new dispensary / some level of mirth. Meets and events Climbing walls 2008 Club members can be found at the August 15-17 Camping meet at Nicholaston Farm The Gower (SA3 2HL) Amersham wall on Monday evenings from around 7pm and Oxford Brookes wall on Mon 25 Bank holiday Thursday evenings from about 7.30pm. If Sept Sun 7 Climb at Green Park and barbecue at Wendover Woods 4-8pm you want more information talk to Pete 12-14 Dinner Meet, Dalesbridge Yorkshire SD 762 676 Anderson 01844 260712 (for Oxford) or Oct 17-19 Bryn Golau, Dinas Mawddwy Mid Wales SH 858 148 Barry Wright 01525 385211 (for Nov Sun 2 Chiltern Chase Albury SP 965 126 Amersham). 14-16 High House, Borrowdale Lakes NY 235 119 Green Park Dec 5-7 Thorpe Farm, Hathersage Peaks SK 223 824 Climbing on Monday evenings (7-10pm) Mon 15 Christmas dinner at Green Park for fully paid up members 2009 only (for 3rd party insurance purposes, children of members who wish to climb Jan 17-19 Raven Crag, Great Langdale Lakes NY 286 062 can join the junior section of the BMC Feb 13-15 Glan Dena North Wales SH 667 605 through the ACC), until Monday 20th March 6-8 Bowderstone Cottage, Borrowdale Lakes NY 254 164 October. For more details contact Bob Lee April 24-26 Clwt y Bel, Deniolen North Wales SH 591 630 on 01296 651308, 07718 585106, May 16-18 Low House Coniston Lakes SD 301 973 or [email protected] /June 30-6 Glen Brittle Skye NG 411 215 Club members are also active most weekends. Day trips are made to areas such as the Peak District, Wye Valley or South coast. Bank holiday weekends are not formally arranged. Destinations, accommodation and transport are arranged by individual members. The best way to find out what the plans are is to come along to the Broad Leys public house in Aylesbury on Monday nights or to the climbing walls. 2 October in the Dolpa Turtles and mountains

air is very poor. The The usual reaction when told people that airport chaos is we were going to Oman was “Why? What unbelievable and the do you want to go there for?” It’s a traffic jams, especially country with little outside and in Thamel, are now being fairly central Middle East, not motor bikes and cars usually on the top of the tourist list. It is rather than the bicycles starting to become more popular though and pedestrians of the and I would suspect that in a relatively old days. It is strange short time scale will be a major venue. to visit a monastery To be honest we didn’t know a great deal and be taken up about it either. We’d got as far as the through the Lama’s border from Dubai once before and had house where his way seen that it had potential but had not got of life is apparently around to returning that way. If it wasn’t unchanged for A non-mountaineering friend of mine for the fact that we had friends living in hundreds of years to emerge onto the roof asked me why I was going back to the Muscat we probably wouldn’t have gone to be faced by a row of solar panels. I still Himalayas for the tenth time when there either. But they have been out there for cannot decide whether ‘progress’ in these were the rest of the world’s mountains to years and love it and as walkers and very remote areas will bring more explore. I cannot remember how I climbers have explored it quite well and problems than they solve, but wisely the answered, but many times on my last trek know just what it has to offer. in the marvellously remote Dolpa (or young are being encouraged to go to learn To put it into perspective, the country is Dolpo) in Western Nepal many reasons nursing, teaching good agricultural about 20% larger than the UK with a came to mind. Puffing breathlessly methods and veterinary work, but always population of around 2 million. It sits through deep snow to one of our higher to return to their own village or region. We smack on the Tropic of Cancer. The passes (the Numa La, 5190m) to gaze at noticed a huge effort, both in the city and country broadly speaking has four distinct the peaks of Dhaulagiri and the villages, to clear the streets and you don’t areas. The northern sector is the most Anapurnas as they burst into view, see all the beggars outside the palace walls populated but is also the area of the high framed by the prayer flags and a bright any more or so many mothers with babies mountains. A mountain range runs for clear sky; our first glimpse of the highest begging in the traffic jams – but sadly they approximately 200 or so miles parallel to waterfall in Nepal; traversing the have probably been made to go elsewhere. the coast, reaching heights in excess of incredible yak trail cut out high above the I am frequently asked which my best trek 10,500 feet and cut by deep gorges and Phoksumdo Lake, so narrow that yaks was. Probably the honest answer is the wadis and is becoming known as “a have to have half their load removed; present one – I’m still sorting out photos height junkies” playground. Much of the with the Sherpas at a and slides and re-living a truly wonderful interior of the country is desert, with the lunchtime stop on fantastic rock; the experience. Yes, it is disappointing to be “Empty Quarter” running into the vast brilliance of the stars when dashing out prevented from getting to Shey Gompa in Arabian Desert in Saudi. To the southern for a pee at -15°C. Those of you who the inner very remote Dolpa, but the end of the country is Dhofar, with its have been to the Himalayas will alternative route and the extra time tropical climate and monsoon season this understand I could go on and on with allowed us to see the last days of harvest is an area of lush green slopes, fertile such memories, but to those who have time in fertile high valleys. There is land, mountains and waterfalls. Finally not had this privilege, all I can say is ‘go’. always a plus if you look hard enough. there is the coast. My travelling companions this time were So, where next? It’s got to be high and Until around 30 years ago you had to be six men, one of whom I’ve trekked with remote, a month away from home to an Omani national to be allowed into the before, all of them with fascinating allow for full acclimatisation, preferably country. Schooling was for boys only. careers and diverse interests, most over with a small group into a Buddhist There was a strict night time curfew with 60 years old and very fit! Our leader, Ian region. And yes, I’m sure it will be Nepal city gates locked. No TV or radio and Wade, summitted Everest in 2005 with a – again! Anyone interested? only 6 miles of sealed road in the entire mate (not a large expedition) and his Jenny Walker country! In a short space of time Oman input to the trek was enormous. He was has embraced the world and become a incredibly hard working, always helping modern and progressive country while the Sherpas to put up the tents, etc., a still maintaining its cultural and Islamic wise decision maker, especially when we traditions. Visitors are welcomed and the had to make a disappointing but correct country feels safe and friendly. decision not to carry on into the remotest area of the Dolpa to Shey Gompa We went in October which wasn’t ideal because of the early dump of snow, for exploring the outdoor activities as meaning we almost certainly would not temperatures were still around 37 to 40˚C, get back over the 17,600 feet high passes. our friends were seen to put fleeces on in Ian was a good friend to our Sirdar, the evenings though! Most walking and shared his enormously interesting climbing is done in the winter season, ie. experiences (when he could be November to March when the persuaded to forget to be so modest!) and temperature is more favourable to above all a safe and good leader over exertions. Nevertheless we did what such a diverse group. exploring we could. I was shocked by the changes in One of our main objectives was to visit Kathmandu since my last visit five years the turtle beaches. Each year for a few ago. (I went to Ecuador in between this months huge Green Turtles haul and the last Nepal trek.) The pollution is themselves up the sand to nest. We dire, and even out of the city on a visit to camped in the middle of nowhere (on a the World Heritage Site of Bhaktapur the designated camping site - ie there is a ... Oman 2007 The 5 minute interview - 3 picture of a tent marked on a map) and went out during the night and Sally Woodbridge again just before dawn to watch the mothers come to lay their eggs and some young from earlier in the season hatch. A very memorable How did you become interested in the outdoors? Growing up in a village in the Chilterns the outdoors experience. We went on to wild along the coast, were visited by began at the end of the garden. My slightly eccentric camels who took a shine to us and went snorkelling. The marine life is childhood resulted in a view of trees and birds as I sat on pretty good around here. the outdoor privy with the door open each morning. Wadi Tanuf I am currently planning... A solo long distance UK trail (work commitments permitting!), preparing for my International Mountain Leaders assessment in Switzerland in June and an expedition to Tanzania for a month this summer with ten teenagers (and two teachers, phew!). Top tip for a painfree holiday... Don’t get appendicitis, very painful. At least I got to chat to the locals in Whitehaven hospital after the emergency op. My best day out in the UK was... So difficult to choose. A real life changer was An Gearanach in January 2000 on a PYB Winter Skills course. My marriage was going down the pan, I was unhappy at work but there I was, standing on a snow covered peak, with just two other people and the emptiness and beauty of the Grey Corries spread before me. Suddenly none of that other stuff mattered. I’d never realized that winter mountaineering was something an ordinary girl from Bucks could achieve and it made me understand how strong I was, both mentally and physically. And holiday abroad? Again a tough one but it would have to be Nepal in 2006. Seeing the changing colours of sunset on Everest from Gokyo Ri was an incredible experience. One I would never have had if my ambition to climb Ama Dablam had We made it up to the mountains as well. There’s quite a bit of climbing been realized. here and some spectacular via ferratas, but it was too hot to try most of The kit I always take away (apart from essentials)... it. We did find some deep wadis to bash, that is long bumpy off road Duck tape - nuff said. driving to find a suitable place to picnic, with some welcome shade to do some walking and cool pools to swim in. There are some nasty What have you learnt from your travels? biting critters out here - spiders, snakes, scorpions etc, but apart from To question our materialistic western culture, but also a being stung by a hornet didn’t really encounter the wildlife (maybe deep, and environmentally unsound, love of clean something to do with 2 noisy 6 year olds!), most of the larger stuff has flushing toilets and hot baths filled with scented bubbles. been shot. Higher up in the mountains it was cooler, more like a With £200 to spend and a long weekend I would... decent British summer and we went walking on the Sayq Plateau (6,500 How about the Caledonian sleeper to Fort William and ft), on the whole we followed the mountain paths between the villages, onto Glenfinnan arriving at lunchtime on Saturday. Camp there are some good long remote mountain routes up here as well. at the head of Loch Arkaig that night. Walk the Corryhully So why did we go? Mainly because we like exploring new places and Horseshoe with (hopefully) views across the wilds of having been there once and seen just how much it has to offer we are Moidart and Knoydart on Sunday and get the train back very much hoping to return. on Monday? Moira Gainey I have always wanted to visit... Mars. Slightly more realistically, Antarctica, but also Sayq Plateau, Western Hajar Mountains Ethiopia, Malawi, Namibia, Patagonia. I could go on... In a nutshell my philosophy is... To quote Wilde “you should try everything once, except incest and Morris dancing…” 4 A Munro in our backyard and other pleasures

Well there a couple of inaccuracies about the title: it’s not a Munro, as it isn’t in Scotland, but it is 3,165ft high; and it isn’t quite in our back yard, the nearest trailhead is about a mile down the road but in this part of the world that is your back yard. What is it? Mount Monadnock. Where is it? In the south west corner of New Hampshire, about two hours drive west of Boston, USA. We live in a new development of seven houses (only three built so far, each on the minimum five acre plot) and we are the only house that does not have an all the year view of the summit – the elderly couple who had this house built last year obviously didn’t appreciate mountain scenery (they have moved to Florida, which proves it). Now the leaves have come down we can see the top Pedro did not appreciate a call at 8:15 one morning when he but we still haven’t been able to pick out the house from the was in the office with Morag at the top of the hill describing the summit. One benefit of this is that we don’t pay “view tax”, antics of the ravens. seriously the others do! It is the sort of mountain that on a sultry summer’s afternoon There are a handful of trails (well marked paths when translated people in the office say “Sod this for a game of soldiers, let’s go into real English) radiating from the summit, they all hit the road and climb Monadnock – it will be cooler at the top” or “It’s too network at about 1,400 ft so it is an easy climb. Unusually for frosty to pour concrete for the footings, it will have thawed out this part of the world the summit is above the tree line, by the time we get back from Monadnock”! apparently there was a disastrous forest fire back around 1900 The other local pleasures are the White Mountains with the which cleared the tree cover and the soil was eroded away nearest hikes being two hours away, but the winter delights of before it regenerated. Not good for the forest but it makes for a Mount Washington is another hour for the best routes. New nice mountain and as the state is more than 80% forest it can’t Hampshire has a list of 4,000 ft mountains (a measly 48 of them) have been too big a loss. The mountain is made out of granite so those who remember Pedro’s obsession with the Munros will which seems to compete with trees as the staple crop of the not be surprised that the tick list is being worked on, with 12 region – we have large lumps of bedrock in the middle of our already done. These are quite big mountains – up to 6,288 feet lawn, an interesting feature but hard to mow. for Mount Washington with the trailheads at about 2,000 feet. We usually hike the Marlborough Trail, because it is the nearest, They vary from the east side of Washington or the Franconia it’s free and it’s less busy. The main trailheads have State Park Ridge with lots of people and heavily used trails to big empty toll collectors so you have to pay $3 per person which goes to mountains like Kinsman. The main ridge is part of the maintain the paths. We use these occasionally so we don’t feel Appalachian Trail so there are huts at an easy day’s hike from too stingy about using the free route most of the time. The each other just below the tree line. We have not stayed in them trailhead has parking for about a dozen cars and is at the end of yet as they closed for the winter just as we established ourselves a dirt track, but that does not deter people. The first part of the here but we will there in the spring. hike (walk for those of you who still speak English) is up Morag and Pedro Landers through mixed forest but you can still see the traces of the granite dry stone walls, so this must have been pasture probably abandoned in the 1850s. At about half height the trail steepens to an easy scramble leading to a granite slab and your first big views. The trail continues up through steep bits of forest and scrambling over granite slabs. One last haul over the slabs gets you on to the ridge with a quarter of a mile scrambling and walking over rough rock gets you to the summit. Pedro’s record for up is about 55 minutes. The views from the top of a clear day are expansive in the extreme – Monadnock being an isolated mountain – you can see the skyscrapers of Boston but the main impression is that if it isn’t forest it’s lake. Unfortunately, you are almost never alone to appreciate the view - we got there at 7:30 one morning and there were already two other parties up there. Even after a big nor’easter storm, where and were required, we still didn’t get first choice of where to shelter. Climbing and meets reports 5 Dunmail Raise, Lakes enjoyed it. I learned that there were days climbing with not much queuing. 11th-13th January ’08 several things to think about - putting in The weather was very good and everyone protection, not falling off and the WIND!!! had a very good and full day with people Winter conditions at last. Saturday - gully Oh yes, and the WIND!!!! still climbing at 7pm. Far too many routes climb and walk on Helvellyn with Geoff, Zoe Smith (Aged 10) to mention them all. Loads of old Classics Ian, Nick L and others, descending via done, most of us repeating routes for the Thirlmere. Diccon and Paul N did a kind It was good to arrive about 08:00 on the umpteenth time, but still very enjoyable of “made up” 2 winter ridge on Saturday morning and make a start at all the same. Routes included, Straight Brown Cove crags and then carried on to Prow Corner. Zoe did her first lead here Crack, (VD), Hollybush Crack (VD), Red Tarn area to solo up the grade 1 (with me close behind!) with good Oblique Crack (S), Via Media (VS), Right Headwall Gully on Helvellyn's eastern protection and good progress - slowed Hand Trinity (S), April Crack (HS), flank and pop up through the cornice. only by the wind at the top. Emma Leaning Buttress Crack (VD), Black Hawk managed to climb up as well, but Sunday was rainy so many visits to Traverse (VD). gearshops, teashops and the pub. twanged her dodgy knee in the process. (It is well on the way to normality Then we all went down to the pub at Tan-y-Garth, Capel Curig, N Wales now.) Further climbs on Prow Crack Baslow to spin the tale...... Peter C and Bob Lee 8th-10th February ’08 before migrating up to Maude’s Garden rounded off the Saturday. As new Saturday - Peter A, Fiona and Mike E. Northumberland members to the group on our first meet, Walked from hut to Craig Wren then on 16th-19th May ’08 the social side was very warm, even to the Creigiau Gleision ridge overlooking Claire, Tom B, Barry, Mick, Mike, Lynne, though we were staying some 20 miles the Llyn Cowlyd reservoir where we met John E, John I, John K, Kay, Richard A, away at my parents. Sunday saw only up with John, Kay, Zoe, Martyn and John Val, Fiona, Peter C. Zoe and myself returning as Emma’s Ingold. Down to the dam and then up the knee was insisting that she stay doing Friday 16th. Richard, John, Kay and ridge to Pen Llithrig y Wrach for Martyn to very little for the day. With Tom we Peter went to Berryhill climbing, tick one of his few remaining Welsh made a good ascent of Crack and Marcher Lord (VS5a), Hi Diddle Diddle summits in glorious sunshine. Back to the Corner - Zoe lowered off the start of the (S4a), Eastern Arete (MS4a), Cheat (VD), hut via a well earned and much enjoyed third , but Tom and I made it to The Flutings (VD). pint at the Bryn Tyrch. the top. As Zoe and I left to pick up Saturday 17th. Some people were deterred Emma and return home the rain started. by the drizzle so walked along We all thought that it was a great meet. Lindisfarne, then Bamburgh Beach. A Emma, Matthew, and Zoe Smith TWO ICE CREAM DAY. Others had a good afternoon’s climbing at Kyloe Out Saturday - Peter A, Nick L and “new” Pete. The Woods once the rain stopped. Claire Great day climbing despite very hostile led Birdlime Crack (MS), Tom led looking weather. Comedy moment of the Christmas Tree Arete (D with a VS 4c morning was Pete topping out only for his finish), Barry led Flake Crack (S 4b) and hat to be blown off by the wind! With Twin Cracks (S 4b). We finished off by some Peregrines having rather selfishly top-roping Oxter Wall (E1 5b). decided to set up home in the middle of one of the best gritstone crags in the Sunday 18th. Started off at Corby’s Crag country, climbing was limited to the west near Alnwick with Tom leading Plonka end and lower areas. Nine routes done in (S), Barry leading Easy Rider (S) and top- all with Pete leading on rock on his first roping Black Wall (HVS 5a) before proper day out. Routes included Maud’s moving on to Simonside where Barry led Garden, Heather Slab, Fern Crack, Cairn Wall (MS), Boulder Face Crack (D Inverted Staircase, Chicken Run, and but felt like VS!), Tom led Swastika Cracks Rooster (harder than it looked) followed (S) and both Tom and Claire led by a few more at the Chalkstorm area Innominate Crack (VD). We also top- behind the hut. roped Nee Purchase (VS 5a) and Flake Corner Direct (VS 5a). Richard, John, Kay Sunday - Peter A, John, Kay, Lynne, Nick and Peter went to Bowden Doors and Bill. Walked North to the end of the climbing, Scoop (VS4b), Black and Tans Roaches ridge and on towards (S4b), Scorpion (VS4c), Triple Cracks (S), Danebridge, through the woods to Castle Cracks (VD), Russett Grove (VD), Gradbach via the spectacular Lud’s 2nd Leaning Groove (VS5a), Crab Wall Church Gorge. Back to the hut with a (S). Richard and Peter managing to slight diversion for a couple of pints in a damage the same toe, same foot on Sunday - Peter A and Nick L climbed at rather tacky pub on the A53. different routes within 20 minutes, so Clogwyn yr Oen in the Moelwyns doing retired injured not out. Chic and Slick (both VD). Fabulous Stanage, The Peaks climbing in T-shirts in February ...... if this Saturday 3rd May ’08 Monday 19th. Some walked over the Cheviot to have a look at Henhole Crag. is global warming it’s not all bad. Tony Scott, Mick Barnes, Richard Others (Mick, Mike, Kay, Claire, John E, Andrews, Peter Collins, John King, Kay Tom and Barry) went to Bowden Doors High Moss, Duddon Valley, Lakes King, Peter Templer, Tom Beckley, Bob where Mick started the day by falling off 7th-9th March ’08 Lee, Lynne Griffiths, Mike Padmore, Ian Banister Crack (VD). Tom finished it off Davison, Alex Thakway, Nick Loval, Chris No report. and also led Grovel Groove (MS), Black & Loval, Freddy Loval and friend Joe. Tan (S 4b) and Sue (S4c). Claire led Whillans Hut, The Roaches Must be a record for an ACC day trip, 17 Deception Crack (VD) and Barry led 2nd 18th-20th April ’08 of us made our way up to Stanage on the Staircase (D), Russet Groove (D), Castle I did my first outdoor lead rock climb on May Day Saturday. Yes Stanage was Crack (VD), Black Crack (VD) and Castle the Saturday at The Roaches. I really absolutely heaving, but still an excellent Wall (MS 4b). cont. on page 6 6 Climbing and meets reports cont. Cairngorms very cold and windy and a long way from classic Sling Shots (5). These routes being 20th-24th May ’08 the car for a short crag! Everyone did much more enjoyable. Unfortunately Platform Climb (D), Tom, Dave and Mike Barry sprained his ankle walking along Pam, Claire, Kay, Val, Fiona, Lynne, Sally, did Outside Left (D) and Bob fell off No. 4 the horrible path below cliffs, so retired Jenny, Jo, Fiona, Dave, Bob, John I, Tom, Chimney (VD). injured. Everyone else went down to the Bill, Paul, Mike, Barry. other slabs down by the sea level and had Tuesday 20th. Tom and Paul went Castle Crag, Thirlmere, Lakes a good time doing lots of routes. Then it climbing at the Pass of Ballater with Paul 24th-25th May ’08 was back to Weymouth for fish and chips leading BO (VD) and Aftershave (S), and Tom Beckley and Barry Wright. and a pint before the drive home. Peter C Tom leading Swivel Head (D), Right Stopped off for some fun on the way Guard (D) and Razor’s Crack (VS4c). Ariege, French Pyrenees home from the Cairngorms. Arrived at Claire, Sally, Jo, Kay and Barry went for June ’08 lunchtime on the Saturday and ticked off an 18 mile trek from the hut to Lin of the classic Zig Zag (VS4b) followed by Mike Padmore, Mick Barnes, Richard Dee, White Bridge, Glen Dee, Glen Yew Tree Climb (VD) and Slab Climb Andrews, Peter Collins. Linberg and Glen Lin. Generally low level; (S4a). Then spent some time searching Another visit down to the Ariege for a a nice day, good stomp and, but for an without success for a camp site on a Bank week, after last years successful trip. This unplanned ‘trip’ winding Claire which was Holiday and ended up wild camping time staying at Climbariege, a luxury a bit worrying for a moment, it would behind Blencathra. After a good lie-in and bunkhouse, (if the Northumberland have been rosy with a visit to the Corrow a late breakfast we spent another hot bunkhouse gets 1 star then this one gets 5 Hut - but still a good day out. sunny day on the Sunday ticking the stars}. Lots done, highlights being Richard Wednesday 21st. Claire and Jo had an classic Overhanging Bastion (VS5a) and and Peter’s Fleur de Rhodo 350 metres 6a, easier day setting off at 10.45 for some the bold Gazebo (HVS5a) before the long Mike and Mick’s Dalle Blanche 300 metres off-road biking to Balmoral and another drive home. 4c, both topping out on Dent d’Orlu at low level bumble for 35 miles or so – very 2222 metres. Also staying at Estangouse enjoyable. Tom couldn’t resist more Stanage, Peaks hut 2245 metres, with the most climbing and took Barry back to the Pass Sunday 25th May ’08 spectacular sunset that evening, and up to of Ballater where he led Ping Pong (S), Whilst it was a traditional soaking wet Mont Valier 2838 metres the following Lucky Strike (VS4c), Original Route (VS5a) bank holiday in the south Pete A, Pete morning. A full account from Mike and made a very good attempt to lead Templar and Alex took a chance for a day Padmore will be in the next newsletter. Blutered (E15a). Barry took things a bit at Stanage. Although very windy on the easier and led Jumble Blocks Crack (VD), top it stayed dry all day and we did 6 or 7 Medium Cool (VS4c), Left Hand Crack routes starting at Stanage End with The (VS4c) and Giant Flake Route (VS4b). Ariel (HVD), Prospero’s Climb (VD), Sally, Kay and Bob went for another walk Doctors Chimney (S) and then Alex Discount maps from Invercould Bridge up Fendallacher showed us how it should be done by Burn to the col between the Carn an jamming up Surgeons Saunter Direct (HVS and compasses Sagairts then over Carn an Sagairt Beag 5b). Having failed to even get off the We are a keen group of mountain walkers (1044m) to the Sturic (1093m) and from ground I then bravely allowed him to and have set up a business - there to Lochnagar's main summit taking lower me down it to recover his gear. A http://www.mapandcompass.co.uk in views of Eagle Ridge on the way. couple more routes were done at Crow We sell Ordnance Survey and Harvey Returned the same way but detoured up Chin, New Year’s Eve (S) and Autumn Maps as well as Silva Compasses. We to Carn a’ Chaire Bhaideach (1110m). Kay Gold (HS) finishing with the excellent and hope you find the site useful and, more and Bob detoured up and over Carn an well protected Cosmic Crack (VS 4c). importantly, you take advantage of the Sagairt Mar (1047m) whilst Sally carried Pete Anderson special rates that apply to your members on west to bivvy above Loch Callater. Po r t land buying maps and compasses from us. Thursday 22nd: Sally made her way from Saturday 7th June ’08 We offer a volume discount scheme her bivvy up the track towards Morrone Bob Lee, John and Kay King, Mike whereby the amount of discount increases turning off to Carn na Drochaiche (830m) Padmore, Lynne Griffiths, Mick Barnes, as you buy more maps. If you order two and Carn Mor before dropping down into Barry Wright, Peter Collins. maps with your first order, you'll recieve a Inverey (thanks to Claire for the loan of 25% discount off the price, if, then you her bivvy kit, Bill for the maps and Kay For a change we headed south instead of later order another 4 maps, you enter the for the blister plasters!). Claire, Val and Jo north for a day trip to the sunny islet of 6+ category and so for that second order took advantage of Bill and Barry driving Portland Bill. After a gourmet fry up at the receive a 26% discount off the whole to Loch Muick and cadged a lift. They Blue Fish Café, it was down to Blacknor order. Your discount remains with you so then traversed Lochnagar to Keilach car for a day of clipping good old British long as you use the same login details park adding a few tops on the way – bolts. We all headed down to Fallen Slab, each time you visit the website. Discounts Cuidhe Crom (1083m), Cae Carn Mor, Cae doing the very photogenic Fallen Slab apply per brand, this is so that we can Carn Beag (1110m), Carn an t-Sagaire Arete (3) and Fallen Slab (3). Have a look offer you more discount the more of that Beag and Mor (1047m). They descended at Mick posing on the yahoo website. brand you buy. to Feindallacher Burn and through the Barry and Peter then headed for the Balmoral Forest. A fabulous day – even upper cliffs, starting with and almost ACC is setting up a Club Account through better traversing the tops. After giving the finishing with Valerian (5+). Bit of a which all purchases will count to increase girls a lift and keeping them company on horror this one and should have been the discount level. This will need all maps the walk in to Lochnagar, Bill and Barry avoided. If we had done our home work to be purchased through a single contact. had a fantastic day climbing Eagle Ridge we would have realised that everyone has Pete Templar has agreed to be our club in 7 pitches plus a 50m snow pitch at the epics on it, due to blocks coming off, and coordinator for this activity. Have a look start. Tom wanted even more climbing so half the route missing, managed to finish at their website and if there is anything he went off on a 1.5 hour drive followed it but both of us took considerable falls en you would like to purchase get in touch by a 1.5 hour walk in to Clach Na Bienn route. So egos dented it was round the with Pete either at the pub on Mondays or with Bob, Kay, Dave and Mike. It was corner to do Cake Walk (6a) and the on [email protected]. BMC club guidance notes - Leadership and Duty of Care 7

All of us were novices at some point, publishing standards of accepted good pertaining to the chosen activity. (*As and through a combination of personal practice. By following a few simple stated on our membership form). experience and guidance from others, a procedures Clubs can reduce the • any person involved is aware that novice becomes a competent climber or likelihood of a negligent act arising in those perceived of as ‘in charge’ are not mountaineer. Clubs have always played the first place. necessarily qualified, do not need to be an essential role in this process, and qualified, are not regarded by the Club should continue to do so. However, Everyone has a Duty of Care to not nor regard themselves as ‘technical before joining a club, new outdoor users cause harm to others by their acts or experts’, but are amateur climbers, may gain experience in a variety of ways, omissions. In situations where walkers or mountaineers with some sometimes in situations where someone individuals of comparable experience experience who are happy to impart else is partly responsible for their safety. climb or walk together (in a Club environment or otherwise), there is their knowledge, and that any advice Clubs are not providers of hill walking, often no discernable ‘leader’, and given be viewed with this in mind by mountaineering or climbing instruction, therefore each will owe the other an the recipient. but many people join all types of equal Duty of Care, but nothing more. • the Club follows the guidance within amateur sports clubs wanting to learn, the BMC Club Guidance Notes – it is also and clubs provide a framework for At times, individuals will find themselves highly desirable that student clubs are people to share their skills and learn providing informal advice, or more represented at the BMC Safety and Good from each other. However, it’s important formal instruction, to those less Practice Seminar. to state exactly what a club is providing, experienced than themselves. This could and to make clear that individuals have include introducing a newcomer to the • individuals leading groups select responsibility for themselves. sport, or taking a group to the objectives that would normally be within mountains, and applies proportionally their capabilities, and those of the group. If a club member decides to organise a depending on the difference in • individuals leading groups should: trip, it can be done in many different experience. In this situation, it is vital i) have an awareness of foreseeable hazards ways. It could be on the basis that he or that the person(s) perceived to be ‘in she is simply sharing his or her charge’ and/or who has the highest level ii) make those hazards clear to those involved knowledge, and is in no way qualified or of experience, is aware of the greater iii) minimise those risks where possible regarded by the club as an expert. Any level of Duty of Care that may be placed iv) be aware of appropriate actions to less-experienced members must be made upon them. Within this context, take if emergency situations do occur. aware that they are electing to take individuals have a duty to ensure that • in groups containing minors, suitable advice on this basis, and therefore have those in their care are aware of the individual(s) are appointed to act in to make a decision as to whether to rely hazards and risks that may arise. on it or not. loco parentis, exercising the care of a Put simply, the main question over reasonably prudent parent, and The British Mountaineering Council does suitability to lead is that the objective is following the appropriate BMC not require volunteer leaders in a club within the capability of the leader, and guidance on dealing with minors, environment to hold leadership or the physical and mental capacity of the particularly with regard to child instructional qualifications. The BMC group. Therefore, if an incident occurred, protection issues. The informed recognises the value of training courses the person perceived of as ‘in charge’ consent of parents must be sought. in enhancing and consolidating could expect to have to show that they knowledge, whilst supporting the ethos By adopting these basic principals the had suitable and sufficient experience for Club and/or individual concerned could of mountaineering where there are few the activity that was undertaken. shortcuts to genuine experience and demonstrate that they had promoted ‘good practice’ to the best of their where mountain skills and leadership Therefore the BMC strongly abilities in the circumstances. Where abilities are gained over time through recommends that where advice or applicable, guidelines or operating interaction with others of similar or instruction is provided within a Club procedures provided by parental bodies greater experience. type environment, the Club should (e.g. a Local Authority, Students Union, ensure that: As the National Representative Body for etc.) should also be followed in the sport, the BMC has a duty to ensure • any person involved is aware of the conjunction with this statement. that its members are aware of their legal BMC Participation Statement*, and is and moral obligations. This includes made aware of and understands the risks

Club guidance notes - Child Protection and Loco Parentis

Occasionally someone from the club takes another under 18 (not their own child) on a club activity, ie on a club meet, or day’s climbing. This is allowed under BMC child protection guidelines, providing that the member taking the under 18 is acting as loco parentis. In order that both parties understand situation, a loco parentis form has been drawn up for for both parent/guardian of under 18 and acting loco parentis to sign. This is attached to BMC child protection guideline, which should be read by both parties. The above also applies if a club member takes another members child on an activity where the parent is not present. The forms and guidelines are at the back of the emergency folder, which should be on every club meet. The guidelines are on our website and loco parentis form will be soon. 8 Double or quits ~ Tramping the Routeburn and Caples Tracks back to back

“I think we should both get rat-arsed”. Nick paused, his pint at his lips, and stared sideways at me. What had turned Ms. Placid into an incipient alcoholic? Maybe everything gets turned upside down Down Under. Nothing so profound, it was just frustration and disappointment. We’d rolled up at Glenorchy, leaping off point for New Zealand’s world famous Routeburn track, already braced with the knowledge that the unseasonably wet and cold weather would make it a tougher proposition. What we’d not banked on was finding the track closed due to avalanche hazard. Our accommodation bookings, made by necessity back in September, might be cancelled and all our plans and preparations would be scuppered. Denial is a great thing though. Returning above Lake Harris we then headed south, At the cairn at the top of the pass, four to the kennel (an unlovely but cheap, over 1000m above the Hollyford Valley, and a half hours after setting out, the warm and dry garden shed, marketed as a looking across dense woodland and the clouds cleared and we nipped through chalet) we nevertheless readied our man-made grass flats of the valley floor to the bogs on boardwalks with great views backpacks with sleeping bags, cooking the icy, jutting outlines of the peaks of the surrounding mountains. The next equipment and four day’s food. Our opposite. Very quickly we were looking section down through the beech optimism paid off and at just past 10am down on the varied greens of Lake woodland and crossing small streams on Friday 1st December (2006) we McKenzie and next to it McKenzie Lodge. began to feel interminable though. We boarded the minibus to start tramping the This was a short day again with only 4 couldn’t stop to rest for long as the Routeburn. The plan was to follow the hours walking. sandflies, evil midge – like creatures, Routeburn Track from the start at the smelled us and hunted us down. There is The evening talk by the warden was Routeburn Shelter and head westwards a Maori saying that sandflies are the Gods’ funny and informative, no nationality through the Humbolt and Ailsa mountain method of ensuring that you don’t escaped his observations, but we were ranges via the Harris Saddle (1277m) to become lazy in paradise. As a work quite relieved not to be Australians. He the Hollyford Valley. From here, just incentive it’s not very subtle. I can’t gave us a great insight into the effects of 35Km east of Milford Sound, a stunning imagine that the introduction of swarms the introduction of non-indigenous fjord of ‘Lord of the Rings’ fame, we of infuriating bugs all trying to gnaw species into New Zealand. For an island would leave the Routeburn track and loop holes in you to lap up your blood would with no native mammals (apart from a back eastwards over the McKellar Saddle get past any trade union representation. couple of types of bat) the impact of pass following the less visited Caples Lack of bureaucracy is an obvious mice, rats and stoats on the ground Track south east along the Caples River to advantage when you are omnipotent. nesting bird population has been the shore of Lake Wakatipu, a short boat devastating. Another major pest is ride from our starting point, Glenorchy. When we arrived at the Upper Caples hut possums. Being nocturnal (unlike myself) We would cover 56Km in 4 days crossing it was unoccupied (except for a million of the only ones we ever saw were roadkill. two 3,000ft passes and walking through the vicious little buggers) and unwardened Squashed and dead, or just dead is red, silver and mountain beech forests, (any connection?). We did have other apparently the preferred state for a grassy river flats, orchards of mountain company later; a solitary German lad possum in New Zealand. A magazine at ribbonwood trees and alpine snow- turned up for the night. He had crossed the hut enumerated the many and varied tussock grasslands. over from the Greenstone Track using the ways of dispatching the beasts. The most Steele Creek Track. This is apparently ingenious was a tree mounted trap that An assorted selection of long distance and indistinctly marked in places through the kills them as they put their head in to take day hikers alighted from the bus at the dense rainforest, he’d also cut his hand the bait. There was an unintentionally shelter and begin to wind their way on after slithering down a slope, so amusing photo of a proud trapper wide, well maintained tracks up towards companionship was very welcome. Plus standing next to a tree which was still the mountains. With only 8.8Km and he didn’t have to add a million little being hugged by an obviously dead 500m height gain to cover I dallied deaths to his conscience as Nick and I had possum after it had been ‘whicked on the behind taking photos while Nick raced already exterminated the biting menaces. bick of the nick’ by this device. ahead of the pack. We lunched together with the local tomtits on the grassy The next day, number 3, was going to be The last day was an easy 15Km plod Routeburn river flats and continued to a long one. We had to cover 21Km and down beside the widening Caples River, lighten our rucksacks with early afternoon climb over the 945m McKellar Saddle with through beech forest and meadows with snacks whilst sunbathing on the smooth our large packs. There was a worry as some root avoidance and small stream grey glacier scarred rocks alongside the well that we may have to turn back. It crossings thrown in. Flocks of lime green crashing water of the Routeburn falls. At had been raining heavily all night, it was parakeets wheeled in and out of the trees 1000m it wasn’t surprising that we felt still raining when we left the hut and the and a heard of deer burst from the cold once the sun had dropped behind route information had warned about dappled trees and crashed away through the peaks but the Routeburn Falls hut was hazardous river crossings in these the river in a blinding white spray. warm enough and had huge windows conditions. We doggedly set off, starting It was a relief to drop the rucksack down providing a wild view of beechwoods by continuing south above and, at the end car park and snaffle the dropping down to the criss-crossing lines eventually along the bottom of, the remaining emergency rations as we of water in the braided river valley below. Hollyford Valley passing the very vigorous waited for the bus / water taxi ride back. An earlyish start, pre-planned to avoid a Earland Falls and possibly one of the It had been a fantastic route, full of large school group, resulted in an empty world’s most remote portaloos. The only contrast. There had been riverside path and the privilege of being alone stream we has to cross before the ascent meadows, rainforest, alpine flora, trickling together in this alpine environment. The was very slow flowing, but deep enough streams, crashing waterfalls and silent plants were fantastic; everlasting daisies, to need to take your boots off, roll your lakes. Sometimes the landscape felt white gentians and huge glossy-green trousers up and feel the mud squidge up unnervingly familiar, like Scotland or the leathery-leaved white buttercups, the between your toes. The climb up to the European Alps, and then suddenly alien, endemic Mount Cook lilies. The snow and saddle was wet too, over rainforest tree reminding us that home was half the the clear sky turned the lakes we passed roots, mud and slippery, mossy boulders. world away. into contrasts of diamond white and This was quite a change from the sapphire blue. After crossing the pass manicured tracks of the Routeburn. Sally Woodbridge Summary of committee meeting - Bob Lee & 9 Mick Barnes

Of 18th January, 16th March and 6th is not asking a fee but profits will go to a June 2008 charitable cause that she is supporting. Publicity for this event will start at the end Present of July with a follow up in September. Claire Guy, Barry Wright, Bob Lee, Ticket price set at £7.50. Kay King, John King, Moira Gainey, Pete Collins. The Autumn Barbecue will take place on 7th September at Wendover Woods. Bob Outstanding actions from the last to be asked to book Green Park from meeting midday to 16.00. Barbecue site to be Barry still has to call the BMC re the ‘duty booked to follow this. of care’ policy. The Chiltern Chase is on Sunday 2nd Meets November, starting at 10am for Albury. For future meets a consent form is to be Lake on Harris Saddle produced to cover children not with their Membership parents. A copy will be posted on the Current membership is approximately 80. View along the Hollyford Valley website and members informed of this. If people are members of more than one to Key Summit Dunmail Raise. Sadly another poorly club or have individual BMC membership attended meet at this hut and the club has then Pete has the forms that allow them to made a further loss. We have written to reclaim their BMC affiliation fee. the Booking Secretary and complained at how dirty this hut is becoming. Since this Finance was the second time a meet at this hut has The issue of people that pay for a meet been poorly attended it was decided not on Monday and are then not able to to use this hut next year. attend and are expecting a refund was discussed. The decision was that refunds Tan-y Garth, 16 members attended. would only be provided in exceptional High Moss. Another small attendance but circumstances. Barry to ensure that this is the minimum costs were covered. in the first meeting handout notes. Whillans. Oversubscribed so some people The finances have been audited and were camped. presented for the AGM. Scottish/Northumberland combined meet. Bank authorisation forms for the new was very successful. committee have been signed. Dalesbridge. We have paid for the stage Green Park and bar for this venue and are Resumed on Monday 31st March and runs investigating a speaker. The menu for the until Monday 20th October. It was agreed was discussed and it was agreed to that Bob Lee will still arrange Green Park negotiate a price for the club’s but the money will pass through the club requirements. Menu’s will be circulated accounts as previously agreed. nearer date. http://www.dalesbridge.co.uk AGM Took place on 21st April. It was decided to go to Derbyshire in December ’08 and back to Swanage in ’09. All committee members were willing to stand again except Bob. A nomination was Some bookings have been made for 2009. received for Mick Barnes proposed by Mike As a general policy the bookings are now Padmore, seconded by Lynne Griffiths. done month by month one year ahead. As River crossing below sometimes considerable deposits are There were no proposals from the membership. McKellar Saddle required this piecemeal booking system There was an action from the last AGM to evens out the cash flow for the club. review the level of affiliations and Emily Peak from Routeburn There have to be exceptions to this for donations. It was decided to retain the Track above Lake MacKenzie very popular huts. current level on all of them. This provides John will ascertain if members can use nearly equal payments to the three main huts for longer weekends on request. UK mountain areas that we visit.

Newsletter AOB Following the production of two The issue of ex-members still being on newsletters in quick succession (Nov, the Yahoo group was discussed and it Jan), the supply of articles then slowed was decided that this should be for up. As the current log book is still members only that and that ex-members missing, it was agreed to start a new one. should be removed. Social Events It was agreed that the BMC maps were The and Self Rescue course was good for our activities and members a great success. Thanks to Pete Collins for should be reminded of their value in the organising it. Thirty people attended. next news letter. Karen Darke has been booked as a Next Meeting speaker for a lecture on 29th October. She TBC 10 Report of Annual General Meeting of 21st April ’08 - Bob Lee

Chairman’s Welcome case and he can extend a booking if he is The Creditors figure of £630.00 relates to given enough notice. It was agreed that Barry welcomed all to the meeting. the fees received from members for the John will investigate extending the Little Aston Clinton Skills Day payable to Apologies for absence Langdale meet in June and the Mountain Activities on 26th April 2008. Received from, Jackie Verrinder, Diccon Borrowdale meet in November. Proctor, Jane Atkin, Gill Beck, Moira Membership Secretary’s Report Social Secretary’s report Gainey, Ian and Ruth Davison. Membership for 2006/2007 was 84. We held the same regular events as Compared with 76 for the previous year. Minutes of the last AGM previous years ie. Family Meet, Dinner All of the new members are very active Meet, Christmas Dinner, Green Park The report of the last AGM on 23rd April and have also decreased the average age. 2007 was presented and accepted as the barbeque and Chiltern Chase. We plan true record of the meeting. The BMC fees are £9.75 per member the same for the forthcoming year. which comes out of subscriptions. As has been recorded earlier, the Dinner Matters Arising We have 11 children who are BMC junior Meet had very good attendance. Covered later by the committee’s proposal members via the club. and recommendations. Bob Lee won the Chiltern Chase after the Members that wish their children to only other entrant (Richard Andrews) got lost. become BMC junior members, the cost is Chairman’s Report £6.65 per child, all of which is passed on The Christmas Dinner at the Broad Leys Barry thanked the committee for their to the BMC. For those members that take went well, the poussin were huge! work in the last 12 months and thanked this up, Pete will give them a copy of the We are running the ropes skills course on Bob Lee for his work on the committee BMC child protection policy. the 26th April at Green Park. and Green Park. Pete stated that we seem to be within the We are considering a lecture by Karen Barry commented the number of active guidelines of the BMC child protection Darke in October. new members and the fact that many of policy but under 18’s need to sleep in the them were at the AGM. He speculated same room as their parents. Also if The “Go Ape” course at Wendover that the high level of interest in the club members take other people’s under 18’s Woods was suggested as an event as was was due to the recent level of TV climbing there needs to be a clear the orienteering course at the same place. coverage of climbing. agreement with the parents that they are Ruth Ward suggested canoeing with the accepting full parental responsibility. Marlow Canoe club, the National Canoe Treasurer’s Report centre at Nottingham was also suggested There is a link to the BMC child policy Club membership of 84 brought in but may well prove too expensive. subscription income of £1,443.00, documents on the ACC website and also Members Activity Report accounting for our three Life Members, on Yahoo. and one free subscription won at the Ben Barry read Moira’s notes. Only 5 replies Meet Secretary's report Heason lecture. Also current subscriptions have been received with details for the from 2 new members were included. The low point of the year was May 2007 annual report. when a meet was cancelled due to low Committee Nominations Occupancy rate for the meets was almost attendance, there was no cost to the club. identical to last year rising by just 0.5% to Chairman Barry Wright The high point was the Dinner Meet 74.5%. Guest fees contributed towards the Treasurer Kay King which had 34 people (up from 19 the profit on the year of £137.00 compared to previous year). Secretary Mick Barnes a loss in 2006 of £99.55. The success of Meets Secretary John King the Dinner meet in Llanwrst with a profit John implemented a couple of changes. One of £156.00 more than offset all the was to go to Swanage in December which Newsletter Editor Moira Gainey relatively small losses of other meets. was overbooked in spite of bad weather. Membership Secretary Pete Collins The other was a split, one week meet in Social Secretary Claire Guy There were various social events May, the first part in Northumberland and subsidised or paid for by Club funds: the All were elected en-block. the second part in Scotland. July Family Meet food to the sum of Proposal and Recommendations from No major changes to venues are planned £123.25; hall hire for the AGM of £25.00; the Committee Wendover Woods barbecue at £30.00. for 2009, but there is a change to the booking system. Rather than book the The committee proposed that - All 2008 calendars were sold. The Club whole year in advance, for the majority of The subscription for the ACC year 1st met the cost of £26.10 for 3 copies for the huts, John will book them one by one, May 2008 to 30th April 2009 shall be £25 archives, Ramblers Shop and The Climb. just one year in advance each, this (currently £18.50 + £5 initial registration From 16th April to 22nd October 2007, reduces the impact on the club’s finances. fee for new and lapsed members). At the same time we wish to introduce a £5 £1,045.00 was collected from members on Dunmail Raise was poorly attended for renewal discount for payment of annual Monday nights at Aston Clinton Wall as the second year in a row so for 2009 the subscriptions before 1st June each year. climbing fees and duly paid on in full to meet has been moved back a week and As a consequence Clause 8.3 of the Green Park management. This is a changed to Raven Crag in Langdale. massive 95% increase on the takings of constitution will be amended to read “8.3 £536.00 for 2006. Jenny asked if the Scottish meet for 2009 Any member who does not renew his/her could be a full week and in June. John subscriptions by the 1st June ceases to be The balance sheet of 29th February 2008 said that his intention was to book Glen a member”, the current wording being shows £597.00 of deposits paid for hut Brittle in Skye in June if available (last “8.3 Any member who does not renew bookings in the coming year with £527.00 week of May, first week of June). his/her subscriptions by the end of June received from the members booked on the ceases to be a member and will have to Ruth Ward said that she finds the Lakes a Northumberland and Cairngorm meets. pay the initial registration fee to rejoin”. long way for a weekend and asked if it The bank account balance was £1,502.64 would be possible to use some of the This was accepted with one against and at the year end with the National Savings huts for a day or two either side of the two abstentions. Account balance being £1,459.50. meet. John pointed out this is often the ACC Annual Report 2007/2008 11 The committee’s recommendations were - May 2007 and walking in Andorra, the Ardeche and a) The guest fee should remain at the Skye meet. A brilliant week. the Dordogne. present level of £2.50 per night. A Proctor-Ryall family trip to the Lakes. Geoff Bowles led an Air Cadet mountain b) All donations should remain the same Walks round Hawkshead area, Eskdale, activities course out of Capel Curig with a as in 2007/2008, ie. Wasdale, Tilberthwaite and a bit of successful ascent of Snowdon. Mountain Rescue Council £3 per member cragging on Heron Crag, Eskdale. John Muir Trust £25.00 The ACC bank holiday meet was at Black Bill was walking in Jura region of France. c) The following affiliations should be Sail. Geoff biked to the hut from retained:- Ennerdale. He then moved north and September 2007 went up Ben Nevis, (recommends the BMC £9.75 per member for their financial Dinner Meet, Llanrwst, North Wales. A train ride from Fort William to Mallaig!). year 1st January to 31st December 2008. very successful weekend, with a meal at He also bagged a couple of Munros, Ben Snowdonia Society £30 The Tannery Bistro followed by a lecture Oss and Ben Dubhchraig. (same as 2007/2008) from Tim Bird, a guide working with Friends of the Lake District £25 Jagged Globe. (same as 2007/2008) June 2007 Claire Guy completed the Corsican High Note: affiliation subscription fees are set Jo Alford and Jackie Newman walked the Level Route the GR20 with a work by each association and may increase or West Highland Way. colleague. One of the best trips ever done decrease. Sally Woodbridge worked for two weeks and highly recommended. These were accepted. in the Stubai valley, Austria. Highlights Diccon did a guided climb up Cenotaph were the Elferspitzer, with a short Proposals Corner - a prize for a writing competition. scramble section to the 2631m summit None. and Blaser with its fantastic alpine flora. Geoff visited Ireland with his wife. Nick Haine and Sally then camped in Kayaking the River Nore from AOB Zinal in the Val d’Annivers in the Valais Thomastown to New Ross, and did a Pete Collins reviewed the arrangements region of Switzerland. The weather was couple of solo sea kayak trips in for the ropes skills course. very mixed but we had some great walks Bantry Bay. A group have booked a gite in the South including a two day walk over high of France and have 3 places left, see Pete passes to the neighbouring Turtmanntal October 2007 Collins/Mick Barnes if interested. valley and to the spectacular viewpoint Steve and Jackie were in Roc de la Vache. Paklenica Gorge, Croatia. Dress code at the dinner meet was discussed. Several club members were active Bob Lee, Pam Trill, Richard Andrews, climbing in the Peak District. Mick Barnes, John King, Lynne Griffiths, There being no further business the Mike Padmore and Peter Collins. Another meeting closed at 10pm. July 2007 trip to the sunny crags of the Costa Blanca. Cragging done at Marin, Forada Sally took a school group to Western and Sella. Kenya and Uganda, undertaking a charity project at a very rural Ugandan primary The Erwoods went walking in the school and also made an ascent of Mount mountains of Oman. Elgol in Uganda. November 2007 Recommended The Newmans were in the USA, climbing The Chiltern Chase, won by Bob Lee. accommodation in Yosemite, Tuolumne Meadows, Lake Tahoe, Smiths Rock and Leavenworth. Geoff led an Air Cadet mountain activities Hawkshead Hall Farm campsite They made an attempt at Mount Rainier course out of Capel Curig. Taking them This Lake District campsite comes but a storm came in. up Y-Garn and down the Devil’s Kitchen recommended by Diccon. in the mist, and got them scrambling up Peter and Jane Collins went to Olot, in Tryfan in excellent visibility. A medium size family run site for families the Garroxa National Park (Spanish or couples only. Basic facilities but new Pyrenees), an absolute gem of a place. Bill and Gill went to Ecuador, (Jungle, shower/loo block/washing area for 2007. Joined by Bob Lee, Pam Trill, Richard Cloud Forest, Galapagos Island and Andrews and Mick Barnes for some volcanoes) walking on Chimborazo and Well run, peaceful, good views and even climbing around Tarrascon is in the Cotopaxi (at 5000m. approx). a ‘bouncer’ on the door to deter Ariege region of France. Also did a Via troublesome groups! 10 minutes walk into Ferrata on Pic Bony in Andorra. December 2007 Hawkshead for pubs, shops etc. Geoff was slumming it on a business trip Diccon Proctor, Pauls Day and Nurse, Telephone 015394-36221 to Ottawa, and spent a cold (-17˚C) day and Pete Ryall had a week in http://www.hawksheadhall-campsite.com cross country skiing in Gatineau Park. Chamonix. Climbed Aiguilles Dorees, Following it with New Year in Oban. After Roaches Papillons Ridge on the Aiguille Peigne, one day walking around the island of There is a Youth Hostel at Gradbachmill Couzy route on the L’M. Kerrera, the main walking event was a and a YHA camping barn at Underbank. Bill Russell went walking in the Cairngorms, circuit over Ben Cruachan in winter Basic camping at the Hen Cloud including Ben Macdui and Lochangar. conditions - a long day in poor visibility, Campsite as mentioned in Rockfax. and a (planned) descent in the dark. August 2007 http://www.roachestearooms.co.uk February 2008 Tel 01538 300419 The Wrights had two weeks of great Steve Newman went climbing in Anti- weather with lots of walking, climbing, Or White Lee Farm, Blakelow Road, Atlas, Morocco. via ferratas, white water rafting and some Onecote, Leek, ST13 - looks more climbing as well in the Ecrin, French Alps. Sally went up to Scotland but, due to high civilized! winds, only managed one Tel 01538 304 522 The Erwoods went climbing, via ferratas cont. on page 12 12 ACC Annual Report 2007/2008 cont. really good day out, to A’Mharconaich and Geal-Charn in the My first trip with the the ACC was to Robertsons hut in the Lake Drumochter pass. Nick and Sally spent a week, skiing every day, District and I was hooked, joining there and then.(I also learnt based in a small village just below Alvoriaz in the Porte de Soleil that weekend that taking bright turquoise winsiette pyjamas area of France. adorned with dancing elephants really isn't a good idea!) Everyone made me feel welcome and Clare very kindly offered to March 2008 walk with me on the Saturday. Steve Newman went in Norway. My only other trip with ACC to date was to Snowdonia in Diccon and Barry Wright got in a Scottish winter mountaineering February this year - the hottest February on record! It was with trip, ticking off Tower Ridge (IV) on Ben Nevis, and Sron na some trepidation as I didn't think any other “girls” were going Lairg (II) on Sto Coire Sgreamhach, Glencoe. and not being in any way a rufty tufty climber, I thought I may get left out. But I had a great time on both days, walking with April 2008 different people, and in very different terrain. I went back a Jackie walked the Dartmoor Way . couple of weeks later with a pal and led them all over the Glyders and the Carneddau. Geoff ran a one-week Air Cadet course out of an adventure For me the great thing about ACC is you can get out and do training centre at Windermere. He also ran a climbing session in stuff in the mountains, and, while obviously you have to be Tiberthwaite quarry, mountain biking in Grizedale and able to take responsibility for navigation, first aid etc, it feels a kayaking/canoeing on Windermere. lot safer (and a lot more fun) doing it with other like-minded Steve N went ice climbing in Scotland. people. I’m booked to go to Scotland with the ACC and am looking forward to it. Meanwhile... Fiona Broadbent The Landers are getting to know their local mountain - Mount Monadnock and have started to do all the 4000 feet mountains in New Hampshire - 12 done out of the 48 on offer (some in good winter conditions). They also went ice climbing on Mount Washington and hiking near San Diego - through one of the areas burned 4 years ago, driving through where one of the recent fires happened to get there.

Bob and Pam visited the Faroes and walked round some of the islands.

Pete Collins and John King had a few days in the Karwendel Mountains north of Innsbruck, having spied a ‘Classic Climb’ on the Lamsenspitze, Die Nord Ost Kant, or, to John, The North East Arête.

The Andersons ventured to the Sella region of the Dolomites in varying quantities 3 times in 2007-08. Peter and Debbie had a HUNZA GUIDES PAKISTAN - Tours, Trekking and Expeditions (child free) week walking, Peter and Chris along with Dave and PO Box 468 G-9 Markaz Alex Sweeney had a fabulous weekend doing via ferratas and the Islamabad 44000 whole family went skiing in Corvara during the February 2008 Pakistan half term. Debbie and Pete also escaped for two long weekends Tel: +92 51 210 68 91 skiing, Lech in Austria in January (expensive but excellent snow) Fax: +92 51 210 68 37 and Garmisch Partenkirchen in Germany in March. E-mail: [email protected] For me...I “discovered” the joys of walking up mountains as [email protected] opposed to bumbling around the countryside (which I also enjoy) http://www.hunzaguidespakistan.com last year when I discovered how easy it was to get to the Brecons http://www.hgp.com.pk and Snowdonia for a weekend. http://www.hunzaguides.com

Newsletter Articles Committee Members Any news or articles for the newsletter are legible. If you wish to send digital pictures Chairman & Web Barry Wright 01525 385211 welcome and more are always required. then please supply them separately (do They can be anything from a paragraph or not place in a Word document). Secretary Mick Barnes 01844 352102 two to a couple of pages and can be Send to: Treasurer Kay King 01442 236616 supplied in various formats: - on CD or by PO Box 4, Little Milton, Oxfordshire OX44 7AJ email, saved ideally as “text”, but Word Email [email protected] Meets Secretary John King 01442 236616 Perfect and Word are also okay; typed; or Fax 01844 277910 Membership Sec. Peter Collins 01296 434524 hand written - please try to make them Social Secretary Claire Guy 01296 612365 Web Site and Yahoo Group Forum News Editor Moira Gainey 01844 279955 http://www.aylesburyclimbing.org.uk http://www.acc.org.uk “The committee are particularly Both of the above addresses lead to the same web site. As with the newsletter, any anxious for feedback on any issue or ideas, pictures or other contributions for the web site will be gratefully received. subject. It would help us to run your We also have a Yahoo group site. It is a fast and convenient means of getting in touch club in the way that suits you if we are with other club members and finding out what is going on. It also has photos and a made aware of any views, news, log book on it. If you want to subscribe contact Barry on [email protected] gripes, groans etc.”