GRITSTONE CLUB NEWS November 2013

On the summit of Carn A’Chlamain - Ian’s Final Munro FORTHCOMING MEETS

Christmas Party Meet 5 – 7 December Co-ordinator: John Hutchinson, catering by Lynn Moss

The party meet this year is at the YRC hut at Lowstern, Clapham. Please contact John as soon as possible so numbers are known.

Spanish Theme New Year's Meet 27 December – 02 January Co-ordinator: Susan Melia The New Year Meet at the Smithy will be a mixture of walking on the tops and sitting by the fire … hopefully with blue sky , cloud inversions and snow to try Kahtoola microspikes that many members have invested in this last year ! As quite a few of us have been to Spain & Mallorca in 2013, the communal New Year's Eve Supper will have a Spanish Theme of Tapas , Chuleta de Caballo‏, Paella & Spanish deserts (Gateaux Basque and Flan), and of course Sangria. Anyone intending to come for the New Year Supper please let Susan know .

Smithy Meet 16 – 17 January Co-ordinator: John Ward

Annual General Meeting Thursday 23 January 19:45 The Dyneley Arms, Pool, LS21 1ET

Ribblehead Meet 15 – 16 February Co-ordinator: TBA

Scottish Winter Meet 22 February – 1 March Co-ordinator: Ian Hargreaves Location TBC Please contact Ian if you are intending to come so that he has an idea of numbers.

Smithy Meet 15 – 16 March Co-ordinator: TBA

Spring Hot Rock - France 5 – 14 April Co-ordinator: Andy Causer Climbing and Walking trip. Accommodation at Calames in the Ariege, Southern France (see www.basecalames.com). There are flights from Manchester to Toulouse.

Smithy Meet 26 – 27 April Co-ordinator: TBA

2 FORTHCOMING MEETS

Scottish Spring Bank Meet 23 – 31 May Location: Arran or Skye Co-ordinator:Tom Greenwood

“Le Tour de Yorkshire” - Ribblehead 4 – 5 July Co-ordinator: John Anderson

Snowdonia Cwm Dyli hut 8 – 10 August Co-ordinator: Andrew Dyson The Hut has been booked - http://pinnacleclub.co.uk/club-hut/ Please note the weekend in your diary. MEET IDEAS FOR 2014 Susan Melia has taken on the role of Meet List Co-ordinator, and is in the process of seeking ideas for and volunteers to co-ordinate next year’s meets. For the ones listed below, please contact the relevant co-ordinator if you are interested, to firm up on the numbers, date and detail. More ideas welcome!

New Member Meet 21 – 22 June Bring a Prospective New Member to the Smithy for the weekend, with Saturday night meal. Co-ordinator: Susan Melia

Devon & Cornwall Rock & Walking Late Spring or Early Autumn Co-ordinatior: Nigel Calaghan

Western Lakes (Wasdale Head Hotel, NT Campsite or YHA) Co-ordinator: John Belbin

Ribblehead Caving An easy caving trip for those members who have never explored the underground world form Ribblehead Co-ordinator: Chris Ambler

Gaping Ghyll Spring Bank Co-ordinator: Chris Ambler

High Level Camp for Walking & Climbing - Peak Co-ordinator: Chris Ambler

Elphin SMC hut - North of Ullapool, with views of Suilven Co-ordinator: Chris Ambler

3 FORTHCOMING MEETS

Pyrenean Haute Route (E. from Gavarnie) 2nd half July Co-ordinator: Susan Melia

Shropshire Cycling September? Co-ordinator: Gillian Travis

Crete Early October Walking in the White Mountains Co-ordinator: Andrew Dyson

Mourne Mountains Long weekend - September? Co-ordinator: Steve Skelton

Morocco trekking February or March 2015 A trip to the Atlas mountains Co-ordinator: Andrew Dyson Climbing Meets 2014 Initial Ideas Co-ordinator: Mick Green

Early Hot Rock February Turkey, Morocco or Southern Spain

SW Climbs Road Trip Mix trad and sprint

Verdun Gorge Summer Trip

USA Road Trip Autumn

Cheddar Gorge/Wye Valley Long Weekend DAY WALKS

Tuesday 3 December Luddenden Dean, Calderdale. Andrew Dyson

Tuesday 17 December From Digley Reservoir near Holmfirth Bill Hunter

If you would like to volunteer to arrange a walk then I would be glad to hear from you. Information on venues and meeting arrangements will be published on the Club website, and sent by email to those on the “Day Walkers” distribution list. If you would like to be added to the “Day Walkers” email list, then please send your email address to me. Ian Hargreaves

4 WEDNESDAY EVENING WALKS 20-Nov-2013 Station Hotel, Harecroft SE084357 27-Nov-2013 The Old Cock, Otley SE203453 04-Dec-2013 The Greyhound, Saxton SE476369 11-Dec-2013 The Turkey, Goose Eye SE028405 18-Dec-2013 The Beehive, Ripponden SE033199 01-Jan-2014 Brown Cow, Bingley (supper) SE105393 08-Jan-2014 The Clarendon Inn, Hebden SE025632 15-Jan-2014 Barge & Barrel, Elland. SE107214 22-Jan-2014 Dog & Partridge, Sowood. SE076182 29-Jan-2014 Bull's Head, Baildon SE154396 05-Feb-2014 Harewood Arms, Follifoot SE343524 12-Feb-2014 Gardners Arms, Bilton SE315577 19-Feb-2014 Old White Beare, Norwood Green SE140270 26-Feb-2014 Woolpack, Esholt SE183403 05-Mar-2014 The Grouse, Oldfield. SE010383 12-Mar-2014 Sun Inn, Norwood SE207539 19-Mar-2014 Shoulder of Mutton, Mytholmroyd SE011258 26-Mar-2014 New Inn, Cononley SD988469 02-Apr-2014 Fleece, Haworth SE030371 09-Apr-2014 Greyhounds, Killinghall SE286587 16-Apr-2014 Anglers Retreat, Wintersett SE381156 23-Apr-2014 Hunters Inn SE250464 Be at pub prompt for 7:30 departure

CLIMBING 17 November 2013 Leading Ladder Leeds wall 24 November 2013 Leading ladder Leeds wall

WEDNESDAY EVENING CLIMBING 13 November 2013 18:00 Leeds Wall 20 November 2013 18:00 Depot

For more details see the website or contact Mick Green

CLUB WEBSITE You are reminded of the club website which contains latest information on forthcoming meets / events and also lots of other information. Address is www.gritstoneclub.org.uk

5 MEET REPORTS Haute Randonnée Pyrénéenne - Hendaye to Lescun July 2013 or Bimbling through Basque Country past Hydrangeas and Hunters’ Hides beneath the gaze of bearded Vultures.

On a Tuesday walk, Ian Macmillan said the HRP was one of the best long distance routes he had walked, compliment indeed from such a seasoned walker. A September Gritstone Meet across the HRP was decided upon by JA, AD, IH and SM as a change from the Alps. Further research revealed that the first section through the Basque Country could be very rainy, very misty and very humid. Not to mention no actual sign posting on the ground and the need to carry camping kit due to a lack of refuges! Anyone less mad would be put off. But not us. Weather checks in June had continuous rain as the constant theme so Ponchos were purchased too. Due to such inviting conditions JA and IH decided to let the advanced ‘reconnoitre party’ of AD and SM complete the first section and report back! So we flew from Manchester to Bilbao, co-incidentally bumping into Ian M ‘en route’ to Geneva and an Argentiere walking trip .....there is no stopping his new knees now! Standing on the beach at Hendaye at 5:30 pm, the Mediterranean Coast seemed a long way off at 800 Km, but from past long distance GR experiences, the pleasure is in the journey not the destination. Soon the busy streets of Hendaye were left behind and we were walking through lush green fields, huge pink hydrangeas of a size never encountered

Pelaton at Biriatou in the UK, and a general impression of gentle walking, the difference being the humid heat which was to be our constant companion over

6 MEET REPORTS this 10 day walk. Biriatou was the first authentic Basque village we walked to and the game of Pelaton rather like Real Tennis was being played in the cooler evening heat. The court had high racked seating and the whole village seemed to have turned out to watch the game, the men dressed in crisp white shirts , hitting the ball with their hands at great speed.

The HRP is a walk of many changing landscapes and the next few days certainly had its fair share of Cols and Passes over 500m and one top or Puig La Rhume 900m ( those of Mallorcan GR221 know the routine ! ) This was climbed only to find 'Blackpool' at the summit as a funicular railway runs to the top from the other side! Hordes of fast food eating tourists rubbernecked in lightweight footwear! We headed East and found the first border stone Number 25 ....a beautifully carved stone pillar. We encountered these border stones every time the French Spanish border was met and wondered at the actual number across the whole Pyrenean route …. Future trips will have to provide the answer. As we walked East it was a surprise to find very dense Beech forests with thick carpets of leaves. This route is not walked often, and over the 10 days we only met three other HPR walkers. One was a young Canadian on his first trip to Europe. He had a 60 litre rucksack, no maps, compass or GPS and was relying totally on the small maps in the Cicerone guide book. We met him a couple of times ...lost! Our second encounter was an Essex man, despite the sweltering heat he wore top to toe Gortex and gloves! The final person was a Frenchman suffering with blisters, he had a different French HRP route, as we discovered it is a route only defined by the guide book you are using!

DAY 4 Saturday 20th July Les Aldudes to Roncevalles

7 MEET REPORTS

While walking across the tops we noticed the consistent low lying cloud over France, while the Spain always had drier sunnier skies. There was also a marked difference between the villages, the French ones being very run down with many closed shops. While in Spain we stayed in Arizkun an authentic busy Spanish village, Pelaton was again being played in the evening and the Fonda Exterberria where we stayed served delicious Basque food, along with a bath.... such a rare commodity on the HRP . While walking, many hunters’ hides were encountered and it soon became clear that shooting birds is a national Basque pastime apparently for Paloebe or Pigeon Pie. This is also the region of the two major European Bird Migration routes. Twitchers were in evidence waiting for the arrival of Bearded Vultures, Honey Buzzards and many other birds. It was here that we crossed the Santiago de Compestella. Suddenly we were walking towards a tide of Pelerins as we headed to Roncesvalles. It’s a Monastic centre with a huge Monastery to cater for the hundreds of pilgrims. We were mistaken for 'pilgrims' and received the 7E Pilgrim Meal that night ....never slow to refuse a cheap three course meal! Every day along the route we saw beautiful ponies in all shapes and colours, rather like the Howgill Ponies in the way they roamed free but in family groups. Later in the trip after a particularly delicious steak, we realised to our horror, it was the ponies we had been eating! After Roncesvalles the mountains started to arrive with harder limestone underfoot and we left the soft green rolling hills and beech forests behind. They have lovely names like Mendi Chipi 1506m , Pic d'Orhy 2017m and the Crete de Zazpigagn 1765m an Arête scramble

Basque country ponies

8 MEET REPORTS

A sad feature was the many abandoned refuges now falling into disrepair but providing good camping places with water being available. The daily need for carrying three litres water was constant due to the uncertainty of streams in this new limestone country. But the major surprise of the whole 10 day trip ....the weather! Every day was sunny. Just one drop of rain was felt on the Plateau d'Ocabe. We had departed on the same day as Ian M had in 2006, the 16th July and with total amazement this gave us similar sunshine the whole way! We were hoping that the advance 'reconnoitre’ party's sunshine would continue in September for part two Lescun to Gavarnie. (This will be in the next edition)

Col d’Anaye 2011m - Wednesday 24th July Cabane d’Ardane to Source de Marmitou However, the highlight of the trip was the final day through a bizarre limestone labyrinth. Luckily for us, this has been recently marked with red and white stripes. Without these, it would be very difficult navigation as there is hardly any 'path' on the ground. The final scramble to Col d’Anaye 2040m which nestles under Pic Anie would be almost impossible to find due to small snow fields and huge limestone boulders. Pic Anie was left to another day as after 1470 m of ascent and descent in stifling humid heat; we did what it says in the book.... ‘Head to Lescun, wash your clothes and take in the view of the magnificent Cirque de Lescun with a beer and ice cream!

Final thoughts ....do take a GPS, UTM maps, a poncho to be carried and hopefully not worn ! Susan Melia

9 A Toast on the summit of Carn A’Chlamain - Ian’s Final Munro

Last Munro meet, Pitlochry, Scotland October 18-20 Present: Tim Abbott (G), Carmen Abbott (G), Chris Ambler, John Anderson, Robin Beard, Tony Bell (G), Andrew Dyson, Jenny Greenwood, Tom Greenwood, Brenda Hargreaves (G), Ian Hargreaves, Bill Hunter (G), Neil Hutton, Helen Kerr (G), Ian McMillan, Susan Melia, Dave Owen, Ken Peart, Carol Pettifar, Malcolm Sizer, Steve Skelton, Kay Staveley (G), Malcolm Staveley (G), Clio Weight (G).

See Meet Report page 16

10 A Toast on the summit of Carn A’Chlamain - Ian’s Final Munro

Photo SM

Present: Tim Abbott (G), Carmen Abbott (G), Chris Ambler, John Anderson, Robin Beard, Tony Bell (G), Andrew Dyson, Jenny Greenwood, Tom Greenwood, Brenda Hargreaves (G), Ian Hargreaves, Bill Hunter (G), Neil Hutton, Helen Kerr (G), Ian McMillan, Susan Melia, Dave Owen, Ken Peart, Carol Pettifar, Malcolm Sizer, Steve

11 MEET REPORTS Lakeland Challenge meet 20/21 July Participants: Andy Causer, Berenice Causer, Mick Green, Roy Ruddle, Derek Tole, Nigel Calaghan, Steve Skelton, Peter Greenwood, George (Peters friend). We were blessed with fantastic weather for this meet. Participants were issued with score sheets and rules on Friday night. Different scores for different crags/ peaks the more distant the peaks/crags the higher the scores. I arrived late Friday night to a barrage of questions about the rules to which the only feasible answer was “Meet organiser is final arbiter”. Derek’s refrain was “It’s not a competition..” - yes it was! The setting was Langdale on Saturday. Teams set out in different directions. MG/RR and DT/NC up the band to the north facing crags in anticipation of a hot day and PG/G up Stickle Gill opting for the shorter distances. Climbs were done on Neckband Crag (Razor crack) , North Buttress (sword of Damocles),Cambridge crag (Cambridge climb), Gimmer crag (Intern, F route, Asterisk, and (?)Gimmer string) and Pavey Ark (Golden Slipper). The walkers completed a round of the valley with the addition of Great end AC/BC and Scafell SK. In the evening we had a good curry and the prize giving for the winners. Steve Skelton for the walkers and Mick green and Roy Ruddle for the climbers. Everyone thought it a good alternative to the 4 crags and worth doing again. Maybe Buttermere next time Nigel Calaghan

Morecambe Bay Walk (Smithy) 30 August – 1 September Co-ordinator: Alan Moss

All accounted for after the crossing of the sands Photo AM 12 MEET REPORTS Smithy – Lakes Circular Walk - Stage 4 28/29 September Co-ordinator: Chris Ambler Present: - John Anderson, Robin Beard, Dennis Chapman, Andy Simmons, Jane Simmons (G), Bill Hinde, Ian Hargreaves, Dave Owen, Andrew Dyson, Peter Haigh, Helen Kerr (G), Paul Winterbottom & Chris Ambler. Peter and Mary Jackson came for the Saturday evening meal.

The plan this year was to use High Moss as a base but unfortunately it was fully booked by the beginning of January so this year we were again based at the Smithy and because of the transport logistics we only completed one stage – day 7 - of the walk starting where we finished last year near Torver and finishing at Broughton.

One car went to the start and four cars went to Broughton where Bill and Andy & Jane Simmons had parked. Jane was not walking but went for a bike ride. Two cars then went back to the start, which was only about 15 min drive away!

From the car park at Hummer Lane we headed back towards Torver for ½ mile then followed a b/w to Troughton Hall then back towards Torver again before picking up a pleasant b/w to Cockenskell. The undulating nature of the terrain combined with bracken made route finding tricky. On a couple of occasions Robin had to get a fix with his GPS. At Cockenskell the Way was joined and followed to Kiln Bank passing Tottlebank. At Tottlebank Dave decided to take a direct line to Broughton and see us there at our estimated arrival time of 3:00. Mobile phones were checked in case we needed to make contact. From Cockenskell to Tottlebank the path gave splendid views to the East. A series of little used paths got us to Kirkby Moor and the entrance to the Burlington Quarry site. The path along the bottom of the enormous spoil heaps was not easy to find. When it was, we reached Buckhorn Lane from where by following tracks and roads the Cumbria Coastal Way was joined. The CCW goes through the market square in Broughton where at 4:30 (!) we expected to find Dave kicking his heels. Alas, there was no sign of him and there was no mobile signal. Thirsts had been slaked and we were just wondering what to do next when Dave appeared. He had made a navigational error and at 4:30 found himself at a farm a couple of miles from Broughton. On asking to use the phone to get a taxi the lady said “you won’t get a taxi so I will run you into Broughton but you will have to put plastic bags over your muddy boots”.

We were back at the Smithy by 6:30 and an excellent meal was on the table by 7:30 Homemade cream of vegetable soup, JA produced Lasagne or spaghetti with a creamy salmon and dill sauce, both served with salad, Andy D knocked up apple pie and an apple sponge served with cream. An excellent selection of cheese completed the meal. Cost £6.00 per head!

13 MEET REPORTS

We only passed one mountain bike, a man with a dog and farmer in a walking distance of about 13 miles – gone are the days when the Saturday on these walking meets would be 25 miles with an easy 12 miles on the Sunday!

On Sunday a party walked over the Rigg where the trail hounds were out and AD & HK made a rapid ascent of Sharp Edge. The weather on both days was perfect though visibility not brilliant.

High Moss is already booked for next year and after four years of low cost communal meals we will be pushing the boat out at The Highfield Inn. CRA

Annual Dinner – Millstone Inn, 12th October Present: Dennis Chapman & Jackie (G), Ian Hargreaves, David Owen, John Anderson, Peter Haigh, Rod Shaw, Chris Ambler, Tom Greenwood, Jenny Greenwood, Andrew Dyson, Michael Hammill (G), Dave Pettifer, Carol Pettifer, Alan Moss, Lynn Moss, Robin Beard, Malcolm Sizer, John Gresty & Maxine (G), Stephen Skelton, Nigel Calaghan, Andy Causer, Bernice Causer, Neil Hutton Richard Topliss, Helen Topliss, James Topliss (G), Tim Elliott, Rod Brown (G), Dale Brown (G) Tim Josephy (YRC Guest),

Of the above, the first 17 sat down to splendid meal at the Platt’s Farm Bunkhouse in the middle of Bamford. Whole poached salmon with salad or pate and toast for starters, by Lynn, followed by venison stew with tagliatelli, by Andy, pudding course, by John, was blackberry and apple crumble. To really fill the remaining corners there was a carrot cake with cream brought by Dennis and Jackie. Peter Jackson, who sensibly decided not to travel up from London, generously provided the beer and wine for the evening. The meal cost £4.00 p.p! The weather on Saturday morning was very unpromising with drizzle, misty on the tops and quite windy. Various parties walked from the bunkhouse and returned to overload a drying room which had rather limited hanging provision. AC and DP set off for a walk but turned back and went to the opening of the new Awesome Walls in Sheffield. Minibus to the Millstone worked well again and the carvery meal was better than last year. Alan Moss proposed the toast to The Kindred Clubs and the Air-Sea Rescue Service – Tim Josephy being a retired RAF helicopter pilot – to which Tim responded. The President gave a brief summary of the club year and proposed the toast to the Gritstone Club. The meal was followed by slides of various club activities. Sunday dawned grey, damp and windy so most found good reasons to head for home. However, given the weather and the reduced numbers the weekend worked out OK. Next year it is intended that a return will be made to the Yorkshire Dales. CRA

14 MEET REPORTS Last Munro meet, Pitlochry, Scotland October 18-20 Objective attained - hardly a unique occasion, as over 5300 names are listed on the SMC website as “compleaters” of the Munros, and there are at least six other members of the Gritstone Club with the same achievement. However there is something deeply satisfying about reaching a personal objective such as this. I started 40 years ago, when I did not know what a Munro was, on the Aonach Eagach – testing but exhilarating. Slowly the list of ascents grew - 135 with the ICI Harrogate Mountaineering Club and the late Eddie Edwards (YRC) in particular, 27 with Brenda and friends, and the remainder with members of the Gritstone Club. The objective slowly crystalised as the years went by, but I never thought completion was a possibility until the Fisherfield six (now five) were climbed in a day with Peter Roberts and Malcolm Sizer in May 2009. That left 88 to go with no obvious problems except remoteness and encroaching old age. Andrew Dyson took up the challenge with much enthusiasm, and he has been with me on nearly all of the last 88 ascents, some of them involving extremely long walk-ins (no bikes!), bothy stops and the inevitable atrocious weather. Many thanks, Andrew – I am here to support you in your quest, if you only had a list! The last Munro, Carn a’Chlamain in Glen Tilt, picked itself – it was what was left after a couple of trips in May and June when the original plans were much disrupted by the weather. It happened to be a good choice, with an easy track virtually to the summit. Despite a gloomy day with rain higher up, there were 19 on top to celebrate with the obligatory tot. The Moulin Hotel proved a very welcoming venue for the celebratory dinner. A sincere thank you to all those who made the effort to come and support! Ian Hargreaves

Ribblehead Bonfire Meet November 2-3 Present: Andrew Dyson, Peter Haigh, Malcolm Sizer, Susan Melia (part) Gales and torrential showers meant that the Saturday was spent viewing the weather from the comfort of the hut, after a visit to inspect the new bridge over Gayle Beck at the bottom of the Roman Road. Sunday saw the wind abate, and and were climbed on a round from Ribblehead station, with a welcome half-way stop at the Hill Inn for warmth and refreshment. On Whernside - photo SM

15 MEMBERS’ NEWS

Sheffield Sewer Gas Lamp Walk. The strangest hill walk in town - 22 lamps/23 miles

This month I officially joined the ranks of the ancient (nerdy) and infirm. After an injury I had to refine my activities and find options to suit my limited status.

Those inclined to the esoteric or obtuse, may be aware that Sheffield once had 84 sewer gas destructor lamps, designed by Joseph Webb (a fellow Brummy), to burn off pockets of gas which built up in the sewers. These were often on hills and, Sheffield being very hilly, probably had more lamps than any other city. All very interesting but more than this, to some they are a thing of beauty!

Today 22 of these lamps survive, in varying states of repair, and some are in splendid form, lovingly cared for, preserved and still burning. Maybe it doesn’t sound like a very bright idea to walk round all the existing lamps but somehow it caught my imagination. I noticed that when plotted on a map they describe a graceful arc around the city, passing by or through many of Sheffield’s beautiful parks and green spaces.

So on Thursday 7th Nov 2013 we took the tram to Meadowhall (not to shop) to inaugurate the walk and headed for our first gas lamp. The surprising thing about this urban walk was the fabulous views over the city and across the surrounding moorland as well as the addictive allure of ticking each lamp. We had no fear being benighted and relished the prospect of finishing the last few at nightfall. By the time we reached Meersbrook the cityscape was twinkling like a jewel below. The last lamp, on Brincliffe Edge, was one of the best situated, intact and burning well.

The merits of this walk were not in the tradition of the epic hill walk, or technical challenge but for urban interest and history you could say, it shines bright. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it-but then again you could say I’ve seen the light! Karen Stock

16 MEMBERS’ NEWS

Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc August 31st - September 1st

The dream began in 2009 when I completed the UTMB in 31hrs 24 mins. I was surrounded by some fabulous athletes. I had entered in a drunken moment at Christmas 2008 after my Bob Graham round, which gives you the required entry qualification. . Since that time I have privately wanted to do sub 30 hrs and also as an aside be in the top 100 ultra trail runners in the world.. Everything has been thrown at me……. In 2010 the event was cancelled after 4 hours due to it little rain. 2011 I finished , but was very slow and frail at the finish for all sorts of reasons. 2012 due to the popularity of the event I could not get a bib, which was just as well due to poor weather forcing the organisers to make a France only race. I decided in autumn 2012 to start to train for the UTMB 2013 hoping I would get a bib to race. Previously at the 2011 UTMB I made a great friendship with a Japanese runner Chiharu Watanabe. This lead to me entering the Ultra trail mount Fuji. I ran this in april 2013 and felt strong finishing well. I had an entry for the UTMB by then so I began to try to put a training program to complete my dream.

This weekend the dream happened……..The UTMB set off from the start in Chamonix, France over 168 Km and 9600 metres of climb. The route takes you over the Col du Bon Homme into Italy , through to the almost mid point of Courmayeur. Then over grand col ferret into switzerland then over Catogne back into France via Vallorcine, a great final stop. Then there is a last blast up over La tete aux vents. This has to be one of the most beautiful sights on any race, even coming close to my Mt Fuji sunrise. The whole of the Mt Blanc massif was illuminated pink and this gave me a huge lift. I was very strong over the last 6 hours moving from 160th to 96th in the end managed to finish in 29 hrs 24 mins 5 secs, . There were not many friendly faces at the finish, but some well know runners which made me content with what I had done. I just sat at the finish with an Ilkley friend, Beverley who used to babysit for us which was great. A tidal wave of emotions washed over me as I had finally achieved something of personal satisfaction and I was content. The crowds were unbelievable, Chamonix, at the Ultra Trail Du Mont Blanc is worth a visit for this alone. What makes the UTMB special…..I do not know. It certainly challenges every competitor at all levels. The scenery is stunning. Support at the cols and aid stations is fabulous. The whole race put together is a freak of Mountain sport. What do you need to take part ?…. No idea besides race qualifying points from other Ultra Marathons……. and I think a love of the mountains and to be pushed to your limits of mental and physical capabilities.? Would I recommend it? Probably not…. it takes it out of you and your family.

I dedicate the race to my Dad who died in November 2012 Brian Melia

17 FROM THE TREASURER MEMBERSHIP FEES 2014

Club Membership fees are due for payment on 1 January 2014.

Membership fees The Committee has agreed the following fees for 2014: Ordinary members £25.00 Unwaged & members aged 18-21 £17.50 Members over 65 who have been members for over 30 years may elect to pay £17.50 Overseas members £12.50 For each member, the Club pays the BMC affiliation fee (see below – no options) and prints and posts four newsletters per year. If you would like to save the Club money, get your newsletter by email – tell the Newsletter Editor if you would like to take up this option. Overseas members are not covered by the BMC insurance and no affiliation fee is paid on their behalf. It is more convenient for both the Club and yourself if you pay annual membership fees by Standing Order. If you do not already do this, please ask the Treasurer for a Standing Order form to send to your bank. HUT FEES Hut fees per night are:

Smithy Gritstone Club member £4.00 Yorkshire Ramblers Club member £4.00 Spouse/partner of member of GC or YRC £6.00 Rucksack Club member £6.00 Guest £8.00 Junior (U18) guest £4.00 Day visitor £1.00

Ribblehead Gritstone Club member £3.00 Yorkshire Ramblers Club member £3.00 Spouse/partner of member of GC or YRC £4.00 Rucksack Club member £4.00 Guest £5.00 Junior (U18) guest £3.00 Day visitor £1.00

Details of individual dues should be recorded in the hut invoice book. Please pay hut fees to the Treasurer within 7 days of your stay.

18 FROM THE TREASURER METHODS OF PAYMENT

Standing Order If you have a Standing Order for the correct amount in force, then you need do nothing. If your standing order is not for the correct amount, then please change it NOW! Forms are available from the Treasurer.

Bank transfer Please transfer to the Gritstone Club account at: Yorkshire Bank. Please ensure that your name (and hut invoice number if relevant) is included as a reference.

Cheque Please make payable to THE GRITSTONE CLUB, and send (with the hut invoice if relevant) to the Treasurer.

Cash Please hand (with the hut invoice if relevant) to the Treasurer. BMC INSURANCE COVER The Club pays an annual affiliation fee of £11.75 to the BMC on your behalf. Amongst other benefits for the Club, affiliation gives individual members Civil Liability Protection. A copy of the cover is shown on the Club website. MULTIPLE MEMBERSHIP OF THE BMC Any Club members who are also members of other BMC-affiliated club(s) are entitled to reclaim from the BMC the cost of the additional BMC membership fees paid. To claim a refund, download a Refund Form from the Club website and send it to the BMC, or ask the Treasurer for one, or e-mail the BMC ([email protected]) and tell them the clubs of which you are a member. You can use your refund to: * Upgrade from club membership to full individual membership. * Help the Gritstone Club by asking the BMC to pay it back to us. * Keep the refund to yourself. If you have claimed in previous years, you do not need to claim again.

MEMBERS’ NEWS

19 CLUB OFFICERS

President - Neil Hutton

Vice-presidents - W Hinde, E R Hodgson, C Ambler

Hon. Secretary - David Bateman

Hon. Treasurer - Ian Hargreaves

Assistant Sec. (Webmaster) -Mick Green

Membership Secretary - Alan Moss

Newsletter Editor - Andrew Dyson

Ribblehead - Mike Wood

The Smithy - Lynn Moss

Meet List Co-ordinator - Susan Melia

HK on the Ring of Steall

Morecambe Bay crossing - photo SM

Meet co-ordinators! Please send your Advance Notice (for meets January - April 2014) and Meet Reports (for meets in November 2013 to January 2014)) to the Newsletter Editor for inclusion in the February newsletter. The deadline for the next newsletter is 26th January 2014

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