Dec 1977 to May 1980

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM DIARY

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 1 NOTES

1 This Diary was transcribed by Dr. A. S. G. Jones between June and.October 2013

2 He has attempted to follow, as closely as possible, the lay-out of the actual entries in the Diary.

3 The first entry in this diary is dated 23rd December, 1977. The last entry is for 26th April, 1980. Entries from start to 6th May 1978 are typed. Subsequent entries are hand written by a varirty of scribes

4 There is considerable variation in spellings. He has attempted to follow the actual spelling in the Diary even where the Spell Checker has highlighted a word as incorrect.

5 The spelling of place names is a very variable feast as is the use of initial capital letters. He has attempted to follow the actual spellings in the Diary

6 Where there is uncertainty as to a word, its has been shown in italics

7 Where words or parts of words have been crossed out (corrected) they are shown with a strike through.

8 The diary is in a four ring binder.

9 It was apparent that the entries were written by number of different people

10 Sincere thanks to Alister Haveron for a detailed proof reading of the text. Any mistakes are the fault of Dr. A. S. G. Jones.

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 2 RAF VALLEY MRT - CHRISTMAS GRANT 1977 - 23 DEC TO 3 JAN

Forward Base: Bethesda

Duty Team: Pibworth Illiffe Hulme Croker Walker Worsnop Hatton James Wathan Johnson Heaton Owen

The Valley MRT spent the Christmas Grant at the Tyn-Twr Climbing Hut. The Grant passed with the Team being involved in an incident on . Rescuing 2 crag fast climbers. Other days were spent in walking and even a visit to the climbing wall at Llangefni.

Visitors to Base included:

Marsden Howells Jones Pritchard Aldridge Wright Perkins Haveron

RBDTOG DE RBDT T15/005/1018/093 VV WJAD70RI8035 UU RR RBDTOG DE RBDIRC 038 0050945 ZNR UUUUU R 050930Z JAN FM RCC EDINBURGH TO RBDWC/MODUK AIR RBDBYS/MODUK AIR HARROGATE RBDPGL/HQ 18 GP INFO RBDBYI/HQSTC RBDTQM/CSRSCH RBDTOG/RAF VALLEY MRT -003-C/R BT UNCLAS DIG KAO/LEV925 SAR FORM R622 DEC 77 A LAND RESCUE 28 DEC 77 B MARTIN ASPEY, AGE 21, 7C HAZEL GROVE, IRBY, WIRRAL. ANTHONY JOHN DOIG, AGE 35, 11 DALM HILL, OXTON BIRKENHEAD C 281615Z DEC D CLIMBERS STUCK ON CRAG E NORTH POLICE F POLICE G EDINBURGH RCC 282045Z

PAGE 2 RBDIRC 038 UNCLAS H SHEET 115/645591 VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 3 J LOCATED BY CIVILIANS AT 281625 K RESCUED BY ROPES, VALLY MRT WITH HELP FROM BRIDGEND CIVILIAN MRT L (I) TWO (II) TWO (III) NIL M VALLEY MRT 1 CPL 8 AIRMEN 32 MAN HOURS TOTAL VEHICLE MILEAGE 30 MILES N N/A O N/A P N/A Q N/A R N/A S AT THE REQUEST OF NORTH WALES POLICE, VALLEY MRT ASSISTED IN THE RESCUE OF TWO CLIMBERS STUCK ON A CRAG IN . THE CLIMBERS WERE ASSISTED DOWN TO THE ROAD HEAD

RAF VALLEY MOUNTAIN RESCUE EXERCISE 6-8 JAN 1978

BASE CWM NANTCOL

BAINES WHITING ROBERTS CHAPMAN HOLLISTER FORSTER JAMES JOHNSON PIBWORTH WATHAN KAY MUST RANDALL MARSHALL

SATURDAY 7 JAN 78

VICTOR 1: Baines Hollister Forster

Base , Clip, Moel Ysgyfarngod 657 373 14 KM 1200 M Ascent 7 hrs

VICTOR 2 Randall, James, Marshall Reciprocal of Victor 1 12 KM 925 M Ascent 8 hrs

VICTOR 3 Chapman, Wathan, Roberts , , -y-llether, 15 Km, 1,100 M ascent 7 hrs

VICTOR 4 Kay, Whitting, Johnson Rhinog Fawr, Rhinog Fach, Y-Lethr-Moel, Blithcwm, Cil Cil Cychwyn Farm 11 KM 1250 M 51/2 hrs

Base Must, Victor Control Pibworth

SUNDAY 8 JAN 78

VICTOR 1 Baines, Wathan, Marshall, Forster VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 4 Hotel to Foxes Path, Cader Idris, Idris Gates 8 KM 718M 31/2 hrs

VICTOR 2 Chapman, Hollister, Johnson, Kay Idris Gates, Cader Idris, Hotel 8 KM 718 M 31/2 hrs

VICTOR 3 Randall, Must, James, Roberts 71/2 K 475M 4 hrs

Base Whiting Victor Control Pibworth

The whole weekend was spent in very thick fog - which made navigation very difficult.

RAF VALLEY MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM WEEKEND EXERCISE 13-15 JAN 78

Base:

Baines Marshall Kay Roberts Pibworth Chapman Cameron Forster Randall Worsnop Walker Hollister Morgan Hatton Wathan

Sat 14 Jan

Carreg Alltrem - Abseiling - Stretcher Lowring

Base - Randall. Victor Control - Pibworth

Sun 15 Jan

Victor 1: Randall, Morgan, Marshall - - Base. 10.5km - 1600ft - 51/2 hrs

Victor 2 Chapman, Worsnop, Hatton. Bwlch Ddeugaen - - Foel Fras - - Dulyn - Melynlun - Pipeline - Base 18km - 693m - 61/2 hrs

Victor 3: Kay, Cameron, Walker Tryfan - - - Devils Kitchen - 81/2km, 2994ft, 61/2 hrs

Victor 4: Wathan, Roberts, Forster Moel Elio - Cwum Eigiau - Melynllyn - Tal-Y-Bont. 23km - 1007m - 71/2 hrs

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 5 Base - Hollister. Victor Control - Pibworth, Baines

RAF VALLEY MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM WEEKEND EXERCSIE 20-22 JAN 78

The weekend started off with a call-out early Friday morning. A first light search was instigated from Oggie Cottage with civilian dogs and MRTs. The 3 missing persons were found soon after dawn. Team returned to Valley for late breakfast then left at 6pm as usual.

Baines Palmer Randall Croker Wathan Walker Morris (Trialist) Cameron Illife Chapman Roberts Johnson Forster Worsnop Haveron Kay Morgan Booth Hollister Pibworth

22 Sqn Standby: Cross, Whiting

SAT 21 JAN 78

Victor 1 Baines, Worsnop, Palmer Moel Elio - - - Moel Cynohorion - Haffodty New-Ydd - Base 11K, 616M, 6 hrs

Victor 2 Randall, Morgan, Morris Base - Clogwyn Station - Base 8.2K, 574M, 41/2hrs

Victor 3 Haveron, Wathan, Roberts Pen-y-Pass - - Clogwyn D'Arduu - Haffodty New-Ydd - Base 14Km, 730M, 61/2 hrs

Victor 4 Chapman, Croker, Johnson, Forster 16Km, 970M, 6 hrs

Victor 5 Hollister, Walker, Kay, Cameron Pen-Y-Pass - - Pyg Track Snowdon Base

A very bad weather day with gale force winds and soft snow. All parties sought alternative routes.

Base: Booth. Victor Control: Pibworth. Illife - Base Repair.

SUN 22 JAN 78

Victor 1 Baines Forster Hollister and 4 Wathan Morgan Croker Illife Palmer Cameron Walker Haveron Johnson

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 6 Moelwyns - Oakley Quarry - Cwm Cwmorthin

Victor 2 Chapman, Worsnop, Booth Watkin Path to Llewidd - Pen-Y-Pass Also involved in checking false alarm for 4 climbers stuck on LLewidd 81/2Km, 838M, 6 hrs

Victor 3 Randall, Morris, Roberts

Base - 573560 - 605522 - Cwm Llan Nant Gwynant 13K, 300M, 5 hrs

Base: Kay. Victor Control: Pibworth and Croker

WEEKEND EXERCISE 27 - 29 JAN 78

BASE BETHESDA

Baines Walker Randall Booth Pibworth Cameron Heaton Hatton Roberts Illife Morgan Palmer Hulme Whiting

22 Standby Owen - Wathan

Base originally Pont-yr-Afon-gam. Changed to Bethesda due to bad weather forcast. (Snow and high winds). However, on Friday night team still carried out night exercise in Ponty-yr-afom-gam area.

FRIDAY VICTOR 1. Baines, Walker, Cameron, Morgan, Randall.

D/O 816395 - Arewigfach - Cefngarw (Bivvy) - Pont-yr-Afon-gam. 12km 397m (51/2 hrs) Total 12 hrs.

VICTOR 2 Heaton, Palmer, Hatton, Hulme Illife

D/O 815330 - - Amnodd wen Bivvy at 816395

111/2 km 550m (5 hrs) Total 12 hrs

SATURDAY

VICTOR 3. Base - - Arenig Fawr

Pick up at 815330

Base Palmer v Control Pibworth VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 7 SUNDAY

Extremely bad weather - blizzard conditions. Team assisted in search for a climber/walker missing in Llyn Llngwy. No trace. Search abandoned due to extreme climatic conditions. Casualty believed to have drowned in the lake. All duty team involved. All major roads blocked with snow

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE WEEK ENDING 3 TO 5 FEB 78 - BASED AT TYN TWR, BETHESDA

Sat 4 Feb

Assistance to Police in recovering drowning victim (last Saturday) from Llyn Fynnon Llwgwy. Located by Runcorn Police Diving Team. Personnel and equipment uplifted by 22 Sqn from Gwern-Y-Gof-Isaf. Clark, Johnson, Morgan and Whiting (Owen and Palmer).

V1 Party. Heaton, Worsnop, Walker, Marsden. Devils Kitchen and Y Garn practising snow techniques. 3K - 380M - 4 hrs - Poor Snow.

V2 Party. Hollister and Cameron. From Ogwen, Pen-Yr-Olen-Wen, Dafydd, Llewelyn, Refuse, Base. Snow techniques and route finding 171/2K - 1035M - 81/4 hrs - good

V3 Party. Kay, Roberts, Morris and Marshall. From Ogwen, Y Garn, Mynydd Perfedd, Carnedd-Y-Filiast, Base. Snow techniques and route finding. 10K - 940M - 6 hrs - Snow melting fast.

Start: 0830 Finish: 1730 Cook: Forster

Sun 5 Feb

V1 Party. Heaton, Owen, Marsden, Johnson. Capel - Crimpiaw - Crafnant - Capel. 4K - 200M - 31/2 hrs - Crag Search.

V2 Party Hollister, Cameron, Walker, Worsnop. Plas-Y-Hremin - Siabod - Llyn-Y-Foel - Pont Cyfyng. 8K - 740M - 31/2 hrs.

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 8 Party V3, Clark, Forster, Whiting. Cwm Lloer from Glam Dema. Snow Techniques. 5K - 460M - 3 hrs.

V4 Party Kay and Roberts. Pen-Y-Pas - Lliwedd - Yr Wyddfa - Miners - Pen-Y-Pass 13K - 900M - 41/2 hrs.

V5 Party. Randall, Morgan and Marshall Base, Carnedd-Y-Fiuast, Foel Goch, Y Garn, Devils Kitchen, Ogwen 9K - 900M - 51/2 hrs - Good Start: 0900 Finish: 1700 Cook: Palmer / Morris

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE WEEKENDING 10/2/78 BASED AT: DOLGARROG

Saturday V1 Randall - Walker - Forster - Cross (with Madog). In SWB to Bwlch-y-Deufan fo a circuit of the Tal-y-Fan course, Cefn Coch, The Flats, and tracks. 8 km - 400 metres - 51/2 hrs - interesting day V2 Heaton - Roberts - Worsnop - Hollister - Cameron - Kay - Owen - James - Iliffe. In Ambulance to Eigiau and Craig-yr-Isfa. Heaton - Worsnop Bending Gully 800' II. Kay - Roberts Avalanche Gully 750' II. All done in good conditions - surperb situation and weather (once a year touch). V3 Clark - Morgan - Marshall. In SWB to Eigiau (722643) 10 km. - 800 metres 0 5 hrs. Pen-yr-Helgidu - Llewelyn - Foel Grach Refuge (still buried) - and back to SWB. A bumble in the snow. Soft mostly - hard going. No other details given. V4 Owen - James - Iliffe. To Eigiau with the others. Amphitheatre Gully 800' in 5 hours using 2 x 50 metres. Took the Left Hand line at top. Cook Whiting (burnt the chops). Control: Pibworth Gorseddgrugyn 116/ 836 596. Radio Link. Due to the surperb weather prevailing there were five mountain accidents reported before mid-day, ' Rescue Two-Two' (with John Croker and Mick Taylor aboard) attending to most off them - and the ones that occurred later. All providing great sport for John / Mick. 1. Cwm Tryfan (667 595) below North Buttress / Heather Terrace. Back injuries. 2. (Snowdon). Fatal. To ambulance at Pen-y-Pass. 3. Clogwyn Sta, (Snowdon). The Goldfish Bowl syndrome once more. Neck. Died in X-ray. 4. Black Ladders () (665 632). Head / Leg injuries 5. East of Bristly Ridge. Head injuries serious. Girl. School party - one teacher. 6. Y Garn ridge above Devils Kitchen. Suspect broken ankle. VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 9 A busy day that saw 22 Squadron into their 2,000 th scramble since being based at Valley.

Sunday Aroused by the Gendarmerie at 0500! Person overdue froma walking party on south side of Snowdon since saturday afternoon. Cook for the day was Paddy Cross, assisted by Gary Morgan (who became a Daddy again yesterday - and was in no fit state for the hill). All others and all the wagons around to the Snowdon Ranger Youth Hostel, where the search had been in progress since late last night. Steve Mitchell Search Controller. Lads off up the hill in three parties - to re-search the ground south of Cloggy Ridge. Rescue 22 is in attendance. There had been an epic fall of snow over night - even the drive down there was not without its humorous moments. But she walked into the Hostel fit and well afterhaving spent the night at a nearby farm! The local houses / farms should have been checked before everyone was called upon to search. This is the second time this year that this has occured - over Christmas grant (walkers seperating on Tryfan - Hotel). All back to base by 1200 for a super-soup and sort out. The fresh snow was a let-down from the climbing point of view - and really the rest of thae day was wasted, but Control / Pibworth were back up at Gorseddgrugyn and able to relay for Edinburgh Rescue, Mike Whisky Alpda, and Rescue 22 when they scuttled off down to Cwm Cowarch () to pick up an injured climber (Pelvis) for Bangor C and A. Booked in with Pitreavie at 1900 hrs.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE. w/e 17th - 19th Feb, 1978 Based at the Castle /

Pibworth Morris Hulme (leave) Vaughn (P/O from Bangor Univ. On local experience trial). Cameron Clark Kay Randall Worsnop Wathan Marshall Taylor Chapman Johnson (his last) Palmer Iliffe Walker

Saturday 18th Feb

V1 Randall - Vaughn - Marshall To PyP and up the PyG track as far as the Zig-Zags. Young Vaughn a bit whacked about here, so a gentle descent back the same way. At the car park Mike was just in time to see one of the locals departing up the Miners on a mission of mercy (33 year old married man had fallen from the Gribin Ridge while descending from Bwlch y Saethau (with friends who had crampons and rope). Fatal.) Mike left his party in the cafe and drove down to Gwynant to pick up V2 (who were too low to help from that side). Then back up to PyP and a gallop up to the scene of the incident (almost at the waters edge at Llydaw), just in time to see Rescue Two Two arrive / depart with the body. Whole thing took less than an hour and a half. 8k - 450m - 5hrs. V2 Clark - Johnson - Morris To Pyp and to the top of Lliwedd (fierce) via the miserable stumble up the scree, and down VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 10 to Gwynant - more or less directly (down the Gwynant shoulder). 8k - 450m - 12K - 744m - 8hrs. V3 Kay - Cameron Amphitheatre Gully. Left side. Grade II. 800 feet. Retreated due to insufficient belays / runners. Very strong wind and lots of spindrift. V4 Chapman - Iliffe From Ogwen up onto Glyder Fawr, then over onto Y Garn. Up and down by the Kitchen track. 6k - 911m - 6hrs. V5 Wathan - Hulme (leave) - Walker - Worsnop - Palmer Started off from the bottom of the Llugwy road (ambulance), walked up onto the Saddle, had a quick look at the state of the gullies on Craig-yr-Isfa, and decided to stagger up to Llewelyn. Hulme started to display the old exposure / exhaustion symptoms on the top and had to be assisted off the hill (he is on the Winter Course next w/e). A day of withering cold and very high north-east wind, that caused widespread drifting of the recent heavy powder snowfall. Cook: Chapman (Taylor - steaks done a la carte) Control: Pibworth from Gorseddgrugyn. Sunday 19th Feb V1 Kay - Cameron - Worsnop - Johnson Ogwen in SWB V2 Wathan - Walker - Palmer Cyffty Mine and Ancaster. V3 Randall - Marshall - Morris Rover at Ynys Ettws, and up into Cwm Glas Mawr for a general recce and snow practise. 3k - 550m - 3hrs. V4 Clark - Iliffe - Taylor Ogwenliaison with OVMRO. Another day of bitter cold and strong wind - which we thought would bring another spate of incidents, but none were reported (with the exception of the Phantom Flare Witness from Bethesda once more on return to Valley) Cook; Chapman (the meat pies and gravy were great). Control; Pibworth at the Grandstand.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 24th - 26th Feb 78 (Based at the Bethesda Hut).

After arriving and carting all the gear inside - we settled down to assemble the single beds into doubles. One hell uvva noise (the old dears next door must have been pushed to hear their Bingo caller, but it all came out OK. Saturday We went around to the (in spate - terrific, now that the thaw is on) in the morning to have a look at a couple of sheep reported by a local farmer to be crag-fast. (Mr.K.L. Ellis. Wig Farm. 115/636 721. 680393). With the lambing about to start in ernest - and although they had only been stuck for four days, we had a go and were successful. One party went up the tourist track to put the belays in - just in case it was necessary to slide down alongside of them, but in fact it was the intrepid trio (Haveron / Heaton / Legs) who climbed up from below - and after sorting the ropes out - got them off one at a time. Facing the falls - 0n the left - at mid-height - below the big Holly tree. V1 Owen / Booth. From the falls to Foel Fras - Foel Grach - - to base. 43/4 hrs. Cold, wet, and claggy.

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 11 V2 to Clogwyn Caerau. Heaton / Chapman - Conway Corner. 70'-S. Legs / Worsnop - Diagonal 100' - Diff. V3 Haveron / Marshall / Iliffe from the falls to Moel Winion - Gyrn - - Gyrn Wigau - base. 9k - 700m - 4hrs. V4 Randall / Forster / Morris. Back to base and then walked up the shoulder to the top of Pen yr Oleuwen. 12k - 829m - 41/2hrs. Wet / claggy. Cleared later. Croker on cook / Base. Pibworth on Control.

Sunday V1 round to Bryn Hall for their drop-off. Owen / Morris / Worsnop / Forster. Up onto the Carneddau for some sort of a stumble - 181/2k - 917m 0 6hrs. Boring in the clag - back down to base via Gerlan. V2 were Chapman / Booth, who leapt off at the Milestone and frightened themselves on Canopy. Did the same on Bochllwyd - and on the Gribin, and eventaully settled for just looking at the Slabs. But they made up for it by coming back to base and then going for arun - which is more to their liking anyway (6 miles). V3 drove down to Tremadoc (to escape the rain, but no luck) Heaton / Legs / Croker and Andy Marshall. They described it as being like a circus - nearly wiped out by a falling climber. Apparantly it was another of those days, so they tied knots, looked hard, and had some coffe and then came home. V4 Haveron / Iliffe were meanwhile staggering up into Bochllwyd, up the Gribin ridge (still a bit icy at the top), over the Fach and Fawr, then down into Cwn and up onto Y Garn (where they were practically trampled to death by masses of people) and down the North ridge back to Ogwen. 91/2km - 1337m - 33/4 hrs. Cook / Base was Randall, and Pibworth played with the radios again.

The weather could have beenkinder - Heavy showers throughtout the days, an a clearance after 1700 on both days. The snows of the last three weeks are well on the way out nw only sheets and patches left in / on sheltered slopes. The Winter course starts this weekend - another washout.

Morris - Forster - Marshall - Worsnop - Iliffe - Owen - Croker - Booth - Chapmam - Heatom - Haveron - Randall - Pibworth

Weekend 3rd. - 5th. March 1987 Based at Dolgarrog ACF Hut Present:- Pibworth Clark Forster Basic First-Aid Course held at the Heaton Owen Army training Camp Capel Curig James Walker Haveron...... Assessor Wynne Skett Morris...... Pass Randall...... Fail Palmer...... Fail

Saturday 4th Cook: Heaton (Lovely gravy). Control at Gorseddgrugyn: Pibworth V1. Wynne - Owen - Forster Drop-off at the Sychnant Pass to pick the Ambulance up at Melynllyn via , Bwlch Ddeufaen, Drosgl and Foel Grach (what happene to Foel Fras?). A good airy leg-opener for Dennis - as it was his last weekend of freedom with the team. The Refuge was free of snow at long last, but it was full of people and muck 161/2 k - 1150 m - 51/2 hrs. VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 12 V2. Clark - James - Walker - Skett They were going to attack Cnicht, but brother James forgot his hill-bag, and they had to drive all the way back for it. The modified route was then in Ambulance to Melynllyn and up to the top of Foel Fras, Drum, to a pick-up at Bwlch y Ddeufaen by V1. 10 k - 610 m - 51/2 hrs. Saturday night saw the team on Cloggy. A chap drove up to base from the British Legion at around 2130 with the news that we were to contact the Police, so down to the phone box in the village (after checking with WA on the set. One climber crag-fast on the third pitch of White Slab on Clogwyn du'r Arddu after his mate had come off (and managed to break one of the double 9mm ropes!) - and he wasn't injured, and he got himself off the crag, and down to a phone to raise the alarum. The Police couldn't get hold of the Llanberis MRT right away, so they asked us to assist. First wagon away by 2200, but the lads just happened to be drinking at that night and a fair bit of fetching was needed. Even so we all got to the start on the Snowdon footpath (115 / 582 592) by 2310 - no sense in fouling up the parking at Haffoty Newydd with wagons (by this time there was a load of Llanbris troops ahead of us). Heaton, Wynne, Owen and James legged it off up the railway with 500' ropes and lamps at half past on request from Llanberis. They traversed over to the top of Cloggy and joined the others who had set up the belays (boulders) just as the first bloke was about to abseil over. It was eventually decided that in the dark it would be too difficult and dangerous to try and get the cragfast climber down - so, as he was quite OK and only cold (it was a brass monkey night - clear as a bell), that he would be left there, and 22 would be asked to get him off in the morning. All back to the wagons by 0410 sunday for tea, soup and bully beef (Clark and Palmer had been back to Dolgarrog to fetch this) (Randall, Walker, Haveron and Forster had been as far as the Halfway House with Pyros) and then a 'crash out' bivvy on the spot. Chopper in at first light, and had the bloke off and away to C. and A. for a check-up by 0715. Back to Dolgarrog by 0820 Sunday. Sunday 5th. Cook: Morris did saturday night. Owen. Control: Gorseddgrugyn, Pibworth. V1. Clogwyn Caerau. Heaton - James Walker - Skett Jingling Wall 120' S Long Climb 120' VD Academy 80' HS Conway Corner 80' S Conway Corner 80' S Diagonal 100' D Wall Climb 70' S Sunny, and warm. V2. Wynne - Forster Drop off at Clogwyn Caerau, and back to base via Gwyder Park and tracks. Back away at 1730, and refuelled and stashed away at Valley by 1930, although the helicopter and troops were still searching for an unconcious diabetic lyning alone in the upper reaches of Afon Llafar under the BlackLadders. All safe and well by 2200. Hey ho, and so to a much needed kip.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 10th. - 12th. March (Castle / Llanberis)

Pibworth Owen Worsnop Roberts Whiting Randall Vaughn Forster Taylor James Walker Marshall Heaton Skett Chapman Booth

Saturday 11th. Cook. Walker (the meat was good). Control. Pibworth V1. Trenadoc (there were some good falls reported) Heaton - Booth Owen - Chapman Roberts - Worsnop One step in the clouds 180' VS Shadrach 180' VS Merlin 180' VS Bo Bo 180' VD+ Merlin 140' VS 1st Pitch of Shadrach VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 13 Heaton solo'd Oberon 160' S. variant 1st. pitch of OSITC 60' VS

They insisted that they didn't visit the Caff, but I was told different - anyway it rained nearly all day and they were frightened (it all gets different at Tremadoc when the mists closes in and you cant see the road!) V2. Randall - Skett - Whiting - Marshall - Taylor road (637 494) - Llyn Edno - Llyn Terfyn - Moel Druman - Cnicht - 637 468 and back.

Another sorry story of woe and wet feet. The clag was down to their ankles and there was great confusion. The map was wrong - these streams are running uphill - that lake should not be there - but they fought their way downhill with praiseworthy determination, and were safe in the bothy by some rediculously earlier hour than three frantically tying off Mariner Hitches to bannister rails and making busy noises. 7k - 1400' - 4hrs.

Sunday 12th. Cook (- for the first time!): Marshall (take the soup from the top). Control (- for the umpteenth time): Pibworth (who had a hot mike?). Owen - Worsnop - Walker - V1 Base - Eilio - Gron - Snowdon - PyP 141/2k - 1400' - 61/2hrs.

V2. Heaton - Forster - Roberts - Vaughn Base - Eilion - Gron - Snowdon - PyP As for V1, but I think that they had trouble with the summit. Geoffrey has his new boots on and a tin of plasters in his hand. Gavin didn't think that he'd make it either, and Geordie tried to take them all to church on the way out of Llanberis, but that is another story......

V3. Whiting - Skett - Taylor PyP to the Zig-Zags via Llydaw, and back down the Pig. 11k - 700m - 5hrs Young Ian thought he had seen something from the chopper last sunday, so with his mind full of of goodies and buckshee kit they legged it up the hill faster than usual - only to be disappointed when they found an old wind-blown farm fertiliser bag (titter). Anyway, they had a go at the last chance of practising on the snow so it was not entirely wasted.

V4. Randall - Chapman - Booth - James Ambulance (?) to and . Galloped up the Private Road to the compound of the Explosive Store (the long dressing shed was open and in good nick). Flogged up to the trig point, then back round the head of the cwm, via the big 'ole and down the trolly incline (aaaah!). back to the wagon past the Welsh Youth League hut (big sign). 9.6k - 620m - 41/2hrs.

It was not an attractive day to start with - rain and extensive hill-fog, but as usual it cleared beautifully by 1600 and when we left it was in brilliant sunshine. SAR were doing 22's job (Standrad presentation for them at Finningly), and they were heard on the air going and coming from some distant jobs. No accidents reported (too wet and miserable), and we covered for Oggy while they had their annual dinner. Control was able to recover one of Hafod Llans hounds that was lost, so Nant Gwynant is still OK as a base camp.

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 14 MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE MARCH 18th AND 19th

Saturday 18th (Penrhyn Mawr: 114/213 796) Pibworth Heaton Owen Iliffe Morgan Worsnop James Whiting Kay Booth Walker Forster Cameron Morris Skett

Friday night was a wee bit drunken due to us saying farewell to young Denis Wynne and Geoff Roberts, so it was an ideal time to stay local and catch up on the basic stuff. Sta. CO's inspection and Easter Grant all on wednesday next. The weather stayed bright, dry, and windy for us and although cold we rigged up the standard ' gorge lift-out' gear and raised three bodies. Left section at 1300, back for tea at 1630.

Sunday 19th (South Stac car park) Pibworth Heaton Owen Iliffe Morgan Worsnop James Whiting Kay Booth Walker Forster Cameron Morris Skett Marshall Randall Hatton

1000 saw us up the South Stac Aerial road, but it was hard to stand against the gale force wind and very wet - so we decided to return to the section and get some dry training in. All the usual ropes, knots, belays, self rescue, tying off, rope stretchers, etc., were indulged in - and the Sodjers sheets flashed from hand to hand as never before (hope they remember). A good days work, and not a bad week ends training, Terry ran the whole ahebang, and apart from the weather it all went well. Left section at 0930, and with packed-lunches tea at 1630.

Wathan and Palmer did their thing with 22 both days - saturday saw then flying over the central area with the team camera. Knacked it when rewinding - so all their shots (and the previous ones) were ruined. Let's try a new film for each session! Sunday being wet and windy they stayed grounded.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE EASTER '78 (Wed.22nd. to Tue.28th March)

Pibworth Heaton Marshall Kay Forster Hatton Worsnop Wathan Roberts Owen Cameron Clarke Whiting (Dunn) (Marsden)

Based at RAF Leeming MRT base camp in Broughton-in-Furness (Mao ref. 96/212 876) Owner: Mr, Jack Turner, 'Hillside', The Square, Broughton-in-Furness, Cumbria. Local Police Officer: Frank Dearden.

Wed/22nd. Left section in convoy at 1330 in good weather. Lost the SWB (Forster asleep) when he missed the turn-off the M56. The Bedford died on Stanley when the front joint on the front prop-shaft dis-intergrated on the M6 between junction 33 and 34. Engine exhaust manifold broken. Silencer and gubbins departed. Brake air pipelines all of a tangle. Dreadful noises. Catterick regional break-down recovery crew said they would help, but did not. 'Trucks(Kendal)Ltd.' eventually towed it off the motorway, and back to their depot in Kendall (96/519 943). Out of town centre on A6, under railway bridge, turn left into Industrial Estate, far end. Stan and Chippy slept VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 15 in the back overnight. All others in wagons with bedding to Broughton-in-Furness for beer and kip. Pitreaviie doing all they can to help. 2200 hrs. Thur/23rd. Cameron cooked. Control and SWB with Pibworth and Kay to Kendall to sort things out. Pitreavie advised that RAF Catterick can provide replacement vehicle. Kay, Owen and Wathan in SWB to collect. Troops arrive in Ambulance and SWB to capture food and cooking gear. New Bedford (09 AJ 36) back at Kendall for 1700, and all equipment changed over (keys to office). Back to BIF, and a massive refuel at the nearest Agency (Ulverston, Newlands garage). No snags. Fri/24th. Clarke cooked (chickens!). All away by 0930 to Langdale and Borrowdale. V1. Wathan-Whting-Hatton-Forster- Marshall up the Band onto Bowfell, down to Angle Tarn. Over Stakes Pass, and the long plod up to the top of Harrisons Stickle. Down to New Dungeon Ghyll for pick-up. 16k - 1550m - 61/2 hrs, Goodly. V2. Heaton-Dunn-Owen-Marsden to Shepherds Crag, Borrowdale in SWB. Heaton- Dunn. Monolith Crack 105'-VS Owen-Marsden. Kramsit Crack 65'-VS. Monolith Crack 105'-VS. Chamonix 85'-S. V3. Kay-Roberts-Cameron-Worsnop to Ravens Crag, Langdale in SWB. Roberts-Worsnop. Savernake 255'-S. Kneewrecker Chimney 125'-VS. Kay-Cameron. Kneewrecker Chimney 125'-VS. Bilberry Buttress 255'-VS. The first real day of the grant and, despite alously forecast the weather stayed good until the troops went to have a look at Wallowbarrow in the evning, so they came back without uncoiling. Sat/25th. Kay ruled the kitchen, but we had super steaks. V1. Clark-Whiting-Marshall to Wasdale for Black Sail Pass and Looking Stead. Returned by same route due to blizzard clamping down. Thought they were in Scarfs Gap Pass at one stage, but made up for it by having pots of tea in carpteted cafe in Ravensglass. 7k-550m-3 hrs. V2, Wathan-Hatton-Roberts-Marsden down the Kingsdale Head cave at Ingleton. Grade 3 and 4. (MR 698 774). Roberts wouldn't give up his fags - and regretted it. Wet. V3. Cameron-Worsnop-Forster-Owen-Dunn went to Borrowdale and looked. It was lousy. Sun/26th. Before copying morning met. forecast heard 'Miami Coastguard' loud and clear. Roberts cooked steaks and things. Control repaired - Distributor drive shaft U/S. V1. Kay-Worsnop-Forster to Wallowbarrow. Kay-Forster-Thomas-160'- HS. Worsnop-Forster Christine-30'-VD. V2. Clark-Wathan-Marshall-Marsden to Kingsdale Head cave again - Roger in a wet suit this time. V3. Whiting-Hatton to Coniston area for a look-see. Picked by Kay / SWB on return - and bust the fan-belts (a pair costs £6.70). Not a good day. Weather cold with showers and low clag. After tea Heaton-Owen-Worsnop-Cameron to Wallowbarrow. Heaton-Dunn Thomas-160'-HS. Owen-Cameron Digitation-175'-MVS. Mon/27th. Clark-Whiting-Wathan-Marsden were off again down 'oiles' in the Ingleton area as V1. V2. Zoomed off to Castle Rocks (90/322 196) and climbed. Heaton-Dunn. Slab Climb-80'-HVS. Slab Climb Variation-80'-S. Via Media-135'-HVD. Gangway Climb-110'-VD. - down 'No Name'-55'-Mod. Owen-Cameron. Slab Climb-80'-HS. Gangway Climb-110'VD. Via Media-135'HVD. V3. Kay and Roberts in SWB to Langdaleand Ravens Crag. Revelation-170'-S. V4. Hatton-Forster-Marshall dropped off at Wasdale and walked over Sty Head to the New Dungeon Ghyll and pick-up. 11k-650m-33/4 hrs. In the evening to Wallowbarrow again in reasonably dry conditions, but still very cold on the fingers. Owen-Cameron. Thomas-160'-HS. Heaton-Dunn. Digitation-175'-MVS. Kay-Roberts. Digitation-175'-MVS. Tue/28th. All away from BIF at 1010, and arrived Airmens Mess at 1700. R/22 have spent the day searching the coast and foothills of the Furness Fells for a missing Cheroke light aircraft. Hey ho...... VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 16 MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 31st March to 2nd April 1978 (Bethesda)

S/L J. Vernon (I.L.R.) Annual Inspection Baines Clark Haveron Pibworth Hay Owen James Cameron Hollister Hulme Illife Wathan Worsnop Morgan

Sat/1st April V1. Vernon-Kay-James- Cameron Moelwyns in SWB for a quick flog around the horseshoe, over Moelwyn Mawr and then to Cnicht. The early morning cloud and hill-fog cleared quickly (as luck would have it) so there was no real navving to be done! V2. In the other SWB to Capel Curig, and then up onto the Glyders and back to Bethesda over the tops - including Tryfan. Iliffe stunbled down to Ogwen with leg trouble and was picked up later. Hollister and Hulme were nearly involved in an incident when a lone walker was reported in trouble on Elidyr Fawr. V3. Clark-Wathan Were dropped off at the mountain gate at Aber Falls, and stumbled up Cwm Anafon, onto Foel Fras (lots of useless radio chat on the civvy frequency heard from Northern Fell Rescue people), Foel Grach Refuge Hut, over onto Llewelyn (where Chippy took a painfull toss downhill - get your boots resoled!), down Llafar to Gerlan. V4. Haveron-Owen-Worsnop From Base to Capel Curig including Tryfan (snow is still dodgy in the gully east of Bristly), and picked up the SWB (and Don, and the others near Ty Newddion). Not a bad day, but the clag come down again later.

Sun/2nd April V1. Vernon-Kay-Haveron-Owen-Cameron- Hulme- Iliffe-James Off to the Stretcher Lowering crag at Capel Curig *Waen Hir 115/742 586) for a spot of technique practise. Weather good and Z/91 landed on during the afternoon and flew some the lads around the Cyffty area for a quick look-see. V2. Clark-Worsnop-Wathan In SWB to Nant Mor for a protracted stagger up onto Cnicht. Weather OK, but hordes of walkers,

All wrapped-up and back to the section for 1900.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 7th to 8th April 1978 (Cwm Nant Col).

Morgan Hulme Iliffe Wathan Cameron Cross Hollister Forster Randall Croker Pibworth

Three drivers only available on Friday evening (Randall came out in his own car straight from the Weather Course at Plas y Brenin on the Saturday), so we left the SWB for the 22 Sqd (Heaton and Worsnop), and cancelled the F658 from MT. No Civgas available from the POL point today due to pump and tank snags, so we refuelled the Ambulance en route to Base. VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 17 Hollister-Cameron-Hulme-Forster had a drop-off at Nant Col farm after coming back from the Pub, and wandered off in the direction of Rhinog Fawr for a bivvy session - two in a Mountain tent and two in Ploy bags. A fairish dry night with no snags, and down again around 0800 for brekkers. All out to the crag at Barmouth for another Techniques run through. Abseiling,Tragsitz, Stretcher lowering (vertcal and horizontal), Self rescue, Babooning and the odd bit of climbing. A good days work ib dry cold conditions, Sunday was spent on the Moelwyns - climbing and getting to know the tunnels, caves and 'oilies. A bit boring, and due partly to lack of transport - and the fact that the Guide Book box was locked and the key adrift (change of Bedford and and Equipment Box). Randall-Cross-Forster (and Madog as V1 in Control and around to for a drop-off at Wern Fach (124/ 683 333). Over the ridge on a bearing of 220, past the two small quarries, and then into the forest and over the col between the Fach and Fawr, with a straight walk back to Base. 13k - 366m - 4 hrs. A good days exploration. Iliffe had the old leg playing up again - so he did cook on both the saturday and the sunday. Mr. Jones came down from the farm in his car on the sunday and dumped a young motherless Billy goat on Don - he couldn't say no so it looks as though we now have a suitable team mascot at long last, and the name is Rhinog! Back to Valley (still no Civgas) by 2030. MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE w/e 14th to the 16th April (Based at Pont yr afon Gam)

Pibworth Walker Morgan Cameron Clark Whiting James Hulme Worsnop Skett Wathan Randall Marshall Vaughn

What a pleasent change to be camping out under the stars once more - almost on 'the hill' by the side of a lake and close to rocks for clambering. Ah yes, you say - but it wasn't raining and the clag wasn't down to 1,000! Pont yr afon Gam is OK in the summer, but a whole lot different in the winter. So friday night was a really hard frost - white rime everywhere in the morning and the edges of the lake were lightly frozen, and most of the hills over 2,000' had a bright white cap of snow. A super day - hardly a cloud, and next to no wind.

V1. Clark- Morgan Hulme-Vaughn. Took the SWB round into Cwm Teigel, up the tarmac road, as far as they could go, and then hoofed it off up the hill over the Fawr and Penamnean, etc. Had a look at the 'oiles as usual, but found nothing interesting. 10k - 416m - 4 hrs. A good day. V3. Wathan-Whiting-Cameron. On a day like this we have sadists amongst us. Veritable clockwork road-runners - and they had a magificent drop-off by Bruce. Someone looked hard at the map (124/767 293) and discovered a motorway - and they dismounted for their sprint back to base at (124/794 323), and legged the 16 k's in 3 hrs - and 550metres! 793 322 - Siglen Las - Foel Boeth - Moel yr Wden - Craig Aderyn - Llyn y Garn - Llyn Congleg Mawr - Moel Lynfal - Base. Chippy and the Wee Jock Feller carried out a complete tour of the mines in the area of base camp after refuelling - or, at least, that is what they claimed. They came back wet and mudstained anyway. Like most mines and tunnel systems in Wales they all suffer from flooding - and the Pyag ones are no exception. In the caverns to the east of the base camp there have been several roof falls lately - so watch it your step. VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 18 V2. Worsnop-Morgan-Skett-Walker. After dropping the road runners they retired to a cafe to recover (in Dol'galoo), and promptly got snarled up in traffic problems. But eventually they navved their way out to the 'old quarry' (124/784 234), and got onto the hills Rhobell-y-Big, and (so they said) DDduallt. 16k - 460m - 31/2 hrs. V4, Randall - Marshall. Had a great stumble (after driving out from Valley in the late-wagon) from the road junction (124/817 394), up onto Arenig Fawr (plaque with names of crew of the crashed Flying Fortress) and over the wide flat bwlch, and the short pull-up onto MoelLlyfnant. Down to investigate the farm in the forestry at Amnodd Bwll (walls 'pointed' on the outside, but tatty inside though dry - not like Amnodd Wen which is now completely defunct). Back to SWB, then down to Bala and over the second class road (plenty of wide open base camps in the old range area) to Bronaber and Trawsfynydd - checking. 10k - 750m - 41/2 hrs. James cooked the chickens (fought off wind, fire, pestilence, and Chippy). Walker Taylor (leg still not right after falling through roof on Op. Burberry) and Pibworth in Control to Coed y Brenin to investigate the access / road problems, and to look at a few of the old Gold Mines. The roads are many (really need a 21/2" map) and often 'dead ends' (take the SWB next time you fool!) but are mostly good surface and capable of taking a Bedford. 124/732 305, 723 269, 730 234, and 768 291 are the best ways to get in. The Gold Mines areextensive (21/2" map again), and wet. From the big stone bridge at 730 277 up the hill - through the forest, to the house at Gwynfynydd (and deep cleft) at 735 283 bear investigation for those interested. In all a very pleasant day in good surroundings, but a different story in bad weather.

Sunday 16th April 1978

Another dry and almost windless day - in which to assist the Bethesda Detachment of the Army Cadets in some abseiling. Been on the books for some time this one has - and though these sort of things never seem to go off right, this one did and turned out remarkably well for all cocerned.

Away to Ogwen Cottage for ten o'clock (they were late - we were not!), and after seeing what we had to play with split up into three parties.

V1. Randall-Whiting-Skett-Marshall Took four cadets from the car park over the hillside below Bochllwyd to Little Tryfan. Passing on as much gen as possible about the area, map reading, etc. An impossible task to do a really good job on, but we tried.

V2. Clark-Vaughn-Taylor Did the same thing with another four - only into Cwm Idwal this time, then back to the car park and to Glan Dena in Ambulance, then off to the rock.

V3. Worsnop-Caneron-Walker-James-Hulme This little lot of furry heads got lumbered with the rope side of things, and got it all together very well (this was abonus from the teams point of view - to be lumbered with this sort of task, and sorting it out.). Every one of the cadets abseiled down the main face using a bottle opener, helmet, harness, a top rope, and a safety man abseiling down alongside side of each one (what OAC offers so much!) Two or three cadets did in actual fact jibe at going down at the last minute, but they were not forced into anything.

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 19 Each bunch had a go as they came off the walking side, and those that started on the abseiling first all had a go with the navving, map references, and radios, - so they all said it was great and that they had enjoyed themselves.

Surprising how long it takes to do a simple little job like this Four hours for this. They wanted to be away for 1230 at first, but going flat-out it took unti; 1400 before they had all been 'processed' - and then they scampered off to Bethesda in their Transit for din-dins. We wrapped everything up, and drove back to base via different routes (and Ancaster) for a slap up dinner of steaks (by Chippy), and eventually back to Valley (Civgas was back on tap once more) by 2100 hrs.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 21st to 23rd April 1978 (Base RAF Valley)

Friday night was 'Jacks' night, much speechifying and guzzling of ale, presenting of clocks, pots and plaques. Not too bad, nobody disgraced themselves, and no disasters have been reported. Saturday morning was hard. Particularly the first part - getting up (for those of us who actually took the trouble to go to bed). There were bodies everywhere. Eyes were terrible, and guts even worse. But as Ian Wright had conned his Captain into bringing the first RAF Sea King up for us to play with we listebed to his 0900 briefing in nine tenths of a coma, and then stumbled over to SART's in all that brilliant sunshine (despite what misery the Met. man promised us). Eventually we all had a trip in the Super Yellow Taxi - and were duly impressed with the size, gadgets, power and the NOISE! Then we tried all the different types of MR stretchers for fit - inside and out, and thought that their naval version of the american Stokes Litter seemed a decent bit of gear, In the afternnon they flew a bunch out to the Carneddau, dropped them off for an hour or so, then picked them up and flew them over the Hump where the rest were practising the old techniques in the sunshine. Sea King / Carneddau (D/O Pen -helgi-Du. P/U Craig Llugwy) Randall-Walker-Hollister-Hulme-Marshall-Iliffe. Mountain. Owen-Morgan-Wathan-Heaton-Clark-Kay-James-Booth-Cameron-Whiting-Forster-Hannaford Back to the Mess for tea at 1800.

Sunday seemed harder, although it should not have, as the sun was still shining and we had a really super day - once we got our butts into gear and moving. Back to the Hump for the climbers to do hard things and soak up a bit of the old sun. Kay-Cameron (Elen's Castle) 2nd pitch of RAP 120' VS. (H'H'H') King Bee Crack 120' VS Bruvvers 90' HVS Tensor 80' VS Walker-Skett (H'H'H') Curtains 130' S Candlestick 70' S Corkscrew 20' VS (Both tried with a top-rope, but no go. Skett did his Prussik Sodgers on this.) Heaton-legs (marsden) (H'H'H') Teaser 80' VS Tension 80' VS Patience 80' VS Cursing 120' VS VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 20 Bruvvers 80' HVS Owen-James (H'H'H') Patience 80' VS Bruvvers 90' HVS (Elen's Castle) Pel 210' VS Randall-Clark-Wathan-Morgan-Whiting-Marshall Into Bedford / Ambulance . SWB and off to Ogwen for a quick gallop over the Glyders and Tryfan. All back to Valley for 1700 and tea (the Mess had made us another nine million packed lunches and dinner meals! A goodly two days, despite the pain.

(John and Arnie did another stint ar "22", but no real excitement).

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE Weekend 28th April to 1st May (Bank Holiday)

Haveron Randall Clark Heaton Pibworth James Owen Hatton Iliffe Walker Skett Wathan Palmer Worsnop Hulme Kay Cameron Marshall Hollister Legs Marsden and Paul Manacourt 22 Sqd standby: Whiting and Taylor (Fatality on ssaturday from Crib Goch)

Off to Ribblehead at 1330 and arrived - without snags, at 1900. First there so we had the choice of tents site (up against the Horton wall!) and had it all up before the troops from Saints arrived with Tom Taylor (only ten bodies). Off to the pub to check out the ale, and then to bed.

Saturday 29th April V1. Randall-Marshall. From base over to Whernside, cross the road at the Hill Inn, then up onto , then down to Horton for a costly glass of chilled Orange (35!). Up onto Pen-y-Ghent - then the long stagger back to base (well done Andy). V2. Hollister-Worsnop. From base to Pen-y-Ghent, Ingleborough, Whernside, and so to base. A goodly stomp. V3. Haveron-Walker-Kenton (Robby - from Saints). From base to Whernside, Inglwborough, Pen- y-Ghent to base. A speedy trip this - Alister was taken by Dreesh! 24m - 4,750' - 71/4 hrs. V4. Heaton-Kay-Cameron-James-Palmer-Manacourt. Crookrise Crags (Skipton) Heaton-Cameron Kay-James Edge Variation 25' S Route 2 35' VS Route 2 35' VS Route 1 45' VD Traverse and Crack 30' D Chockstone Crack 25' D Chockstone Crack 25' D Bilberry Crack 25' MVS Bilberry Crack 25' MVS Traverse and Crack 30' S Face Arete and Wall Climb 45' VD Griffiths and Crack 30' S Octpus 45' VD Old Lace 40' VS Diagonal Crack 45' VD Diagonal Crack 45' VD Old Lace 40' VS Craven Crack 40' S Walkers Wall 45' VS Slab and Nose 35' S Slab and Nose 35' S

Palmer-Manacourt VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 21 Route 1 45' VD Tiger Rag 25' S Route 3 35' VD Chockstone Crack 25' D Craven Crack 40' S Traverse and Crack 30' S Griffiths Chimney 45' S Slab and Nose 25' S Edge Variation 25' VD Moulsons Climb 30' S Solo'd Face Arete and Wall 45' VD Octpus 45' Vd Diagonal Crack 45' VD Arsenic Slab 40' VD

Owen-Taylor From base to Whernside, Ingleborough, Pen-y-Ghent - and back to (gasp!) base in a time of just under five hours. 24m - 4,750'. They reckoned that they were 'off-form'.

Clark rushed off to Leeds, and came back late - wedding bells! Hatton cooked a goodly trough and kept checking that the pub was still standing. Pibworth filled the jerricans from a stream (limestone country and dry weather made this slow work. Later discovered a willing farmer with a super tap in his yard - first under the Batty Moss viaduct), and then plodded up onto Whernside

Weather dry, with a coolish east wind - not a great deal of sunshine

Sunday 30th April V1. Randall-Worsnop Away on a mystery tour of Malham that into quite a good day despite the overnight worsening of the weather - clag sown onto the tops and an increase in wind speed. Malham horseshoe anf the Goredale Scar. 8m - 4 hrs. Victor Two checked out the ladders, lamps, and wet suits. Then Haveron - Hollister - Clark- Hatton-Ilffe-Walker-Wathan-and went off caving. V4. Heaton-Skett-Cameron Climbing at Rylstone Crags, Skipton. Kay-Hulme Owen-Legs Manacourt-James Andy Marshall went back up Ingleborough with the Saints troops to man a post. Pibworth hid under the viaduct in the Sigs and acted as link for the Saints rescue cover of the 3- peaks race. Approximately 500 runners took part this year-plus a field of twenty-five juniors. There was a fair ammount of confusion in accounting for accurate details of runners through the checkpoints. The airwaves were going gah-gah with all the different Yorkshire Dales rescue teams having a go - there seemed to be more on the roads and controls, than there was on the hill - seeing that no one got into difficulties. Of course it is Ok to look at it in this way - in retrospect, but things did go wrong. At around 1700 runner 65 was unaccounted for, 90'th through the Hill Inn, but 240'th through Ingleborough top. A bunch of Northern Rescue Organsiation came into base camp at around 1800 and told us that there was a call-out (we never saw them after that!), We wound our selves up and beetled round to the Control (South Ribble MRT truck) in the Playing Field at Horton. They were still waiting for the Cave Rescue Organisation Search Controller to be located - and were loathe to make a move. We grabbed a likely spot south of Ingleborough top to search - and rushed off to get on the hill before it was completely dark! What a night - just about able to stand on the top - visibility down to 15' in the clag with the Sharkeyes, but the lads searched and came up empty handed. All back in bed by 0300 - for an early start. VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 22 Monday 1st May V1. Heaton-James-legs-Wathan-Marshall (oh, not again)-Manacourt V2. Kay-Cameron-Worsnop-Skett V3. ######-Hatton-Walker-Hulme V4. Clark-Owen-Iliffe-Hollister Control Haveron-Pibworth Mick Randall cooked the steaks, and the ####.were good to eat. The weather was a little better, but still clag bound. There was a whole load of people searching Ingleborough that day, but the missing runner was located (on southern side) by a non-searching civilian - and he died of the exhaustion and exposure syndrom. Track shoes, running shorts, and sleeveless vest. Wrapped it all up, and on the road by 1400 back to Valley. The motor died on the Sigs on the way through Colwyn Bay, Eventually towed back 0300 tuesday - hey ho! But it was a good exercise despite the runner chappie not being found in time - there was not a lot in our favour from the start, Searches are always the ones that cause rescue teams all the trouble...... where do you begin... when do you start, etc. It is a new area for most of us - even the 'oiles (which can be cold!), and it was good to rub shoulders with the other rescue groups. Radio work was good, and the whole team did a good job. Thanks troops!

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 5th to 7th May 1978 Based at Talardd

Pibworth Randall Heaton Perkins Hulme Clark Iliffe Owen Morgan Hatton Wathan Walker Skett Handford Whiting Taylor Vaughn Croker Worsnop Legs Forster

Friday afternoon saw our old model Bedford turned loose by MTSS, so we thought it would be a good idea to give it a trial run out this weekend before we go to the trouble of changing everything over on monday, - and a good job that we did. It only got as far as Mona (with just personal bags in the back) before Stan decided that it was not worth the candle. Put the bags in the rear of the load carrier, and took the u/s one back to MT (SWB brought Stan and Chippy back out). All installed at Talardd by 2130, then down to the Eagles for ale.

Long ago and far away, on a routine exercise up in Cwm Mynach, Mick Randall had met a Forestry Commission bloke (Bob Thomas) who mentioned if we would mind helping to guide some blind people up to the top of Cader Idris, - and after lots of letter writing and phone calls we actually got down to it this weekend. Huw Roberts (National Parks Schools Advisory Service), John Ellis Roberts, and Bob Thomas, the 'Milton Mountaineers' and ourselves, all met at the Ty Nant Car Park at 1000 on the saturday. Split ourselves up on a one to one ratio (all they needed was an arm to hold or a rucksack strap to steady themselves with) and we were off in great style up the recently improved track that leads up onto the north west shoulder of Cader (via stepped zig-zags), and thence a stumble to the summit trig and a few minutes respite in the hut. Back down the same way. Most of them got to the top by 1300, and we were all off the hill by 1700. Cloud above 1,800' and a wet mist, but otherwise no sngas and everyone reported that they were well pleased with the outcome of it all. They call themselves the Milton Mountaineers because it was the Milton Hotel in Fort William that they held their first meet

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 23 - they are all ex-walkers and climbers. Their Secretary / Founder David Blackhall was also in the party to the top.

Sunday 7th. Still no rain, so up, up, and away reasonably early. V1. Pibworth-Wathan-Iliffe. In SWB over the moors to Gwynfynydd Gold mine in the (Coed-y- Brenin at 124/735 282, via 124/726 317. Good lights and wet suits allowed a fairly extensive recce to be carried out of all the possible holes (beside the main / obvious ones). While there at least two dozen people arrived to view the mines (with local guides), and there is a possibility of accidents occuring. Road access for Rovers only via the downhill forest track from 124/735 285, or via the bridge at 124/736 276 (with Forestry Commission approval). V2. Randall-Handford-Vaughn-Whiting. In SWB to 124/695 055 (above , up to Tarren-y-Gesail, Tarren Hendre, and back to the SWB (visiting the old quarries en route). On the return to base they popped up to the south west flank of Cader to investigate the possibility of a tented base camp in the area of 124/67 09. End of valley road - tarmac surface through wide flat ground - OK 3-tonner, and it is just possiblr to drive a Rover to 124/677 124. 71/2k - 560 m - 4 hrs. V3. Heaton-Skett-Owen-Hulme-Walker-Legs-Worsnop-Croker. Roared off in the Ambulance to Tan-y-Grisiau to climb on the Moelwyn crags. Gate key for Stwlan Dam road access collected. Walker-Legs Kirkus Climb Direct 420' S Slack 355' S Heaton-Skett Tight 260' S Croker-Hulme One for the road 330' D+ South Chimnaey 180' VD Owen-Worsnop Mean Feat 130' HVS Inverted Staircase 110' VS Double Criss 125' VS V4. Clark-Hatton-Forster-Morgan. Zoomed down to Plum'lumon for a quick up and down from the cafe on the Aberystwyth main road. Brought back a generator from the old crash site on the east side of the summit. 7 k - 752m - 21/2 hrs.

Back to Valley on the late'ish side tonight (2200), after one of the borrowed Rovers cast a gear lever just after leaving Bala - having the shot-gun change gear for you is hilarious if he only has a few inches of stick to work with.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 12th to 14th May (Tal-y-Mignedd)

Pibworth Heaton Clark Randall Kay Owen Havell Handford Hollister Hatton James Walker Forster Skett Worsnop

(22 Sqd, Croker / Hulme)

Saturday 13th V1. Tremadoc Kay-Havell Owen-James Kestral Cracks VS Meeshac VS Merlin MVS Merlin Brothers VS (Direct Finish) VS V2. Hollister-Forster-Worsnop-Skett

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 24 A drop-off at , then up to , via Cwm Cioch, to have a look for any remaining Asbestos in Owen Glyndwrs cave. Then over to Moel Lefn and the ruin at 115/ 540 495. Along to the top of Cwm Silin and , then back over the ridge to Y Garn via the spotheights at, . 655, .710, and .634. Eric got his boot stuck at one stage - and he found the 'jungle' coming down to base. Bruce shared his flask of coffee (it was really honking weather), and John S tried to bomb them all into the deck on the way down. 18k - 1854m - 7hrs 50mins. V3. Clark-Walker-Hatton-Handford Had a drop at Pen-y-Pass and trudged up onto Crib Goch in glorious confusion and negative vision. Crib-y-Ddisgl was much the same, and when they reached Yr Wyddfa the Kaff was closed (sorry, still holidaying in South of France on profits). Slunk off in the direction of Bron-y-Fedw and were glad of a pick-up in Rhyd Du. 111/2k - 935m - 5h 15mins. Cook was Terry Heaton (the Pears were great). Randall chased after the five lads from Hong Kong, collected them from Jack's place and delivered them to Plas-y-Brenin. Pibworth ran out of petrol in Control (!) - cheers Mick

Sunday 14th V1. Clark-Forster-Skett-James In Ambulance to Pen-y-Gwrhyd, and then went up into the clouds and hid all day. Said that they had a good nav exercise in Cwm Caseg Fraith, but we think that were lost. 4k - 2,384' - 41/2 hrs.- 718 metres. V2. Randall-Havell-Hatton From Pen-y-Gwrhyd to Gliders Fach and Fawr, and back down for a pick-up at Pen-yPass. 11k - 2,384' - 4 hrs. (honking!). V3. Hollister-Worsnop Dropped at Pen-y-Pass and did the full circuit of the Horseshoe in stinking clag 12k - 1,000m - 51/2 hrs. V4. Heaton-Kay-Walker-Handford Driven round to Cors-y-Llyn (115/ 488 498), tipped out into the rain, and crawled up the surprisingly steep grass (oh, what fun!) onto Mynydd Craig Goch. Then stumbled back to base over Garnedd Goch, Craig Cwm Silin, Tal-y-Mignedd, Y Garn. 111/2k - 988m - 6 hrs. (yeuch). Stan Owen did the cooking. Pibworth sat around in the Sigs trying not to run out of petrol. The lads with 22 had a nice interesting job getting an injured climber off Groved Arete on the east face of Tryfan - otherwise the air-waves were very quiet. When we came to pack-up - the weather cleared up tremendous!

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 19th to the 21st May (base: Bethesda)

Pibworth Heaton James Skett Hulme Handford Taylor Morgan Havell Palmer Hatton Walker Iliffe Cameron Wathan Worsnop Owen Randall Booth Forster

First-Aid Course in progress this week, so lots more than usual out - to enjoy really surperb weather for walking and climbing.

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 25 Friday evening saw the Control to Lawrence House, Porthdinorwig to show the MR film and lecture to a dozen young lads on a weekend OAC course from Wrexham, Pib did the talking, and Don ran the film.

Saturday 20th. V1. Randall-Hatton-Palmer In SWB to Llanrwst (for haircuts - after meeting the SWO), then to the Queens to deliver radio and battery adapter to Dave Curtis. Eventually to the dam at Cwm Eigiau, up past the Climbing Hut into the upper cwm, onto the 'airfield' above, over to Foel Grach and the north ridge bounding Llyn Dulyn, and back over to the SWB (Emergency telephone at Hafof-y-Rhiw for mountain rescue - connects with the Duty Engineer at Dolgarrog Aluminium Works). 10K - 603m - 4 hrs. Interesting. V2. Wathan-Iliffe-Havell From Base to Capel Curig over the main Glyder tops in roasting weather. Forgot to radio for pick- up before losing height, and had to go back up to get contact. 21 k - 1391 m - 6 hrs. V3. / Cromlech Heaton-Worsnop Owen-Cameron Shadow Wall 200' HVS Cenotaph Corner 120' HVS Skylon 200' HS with Direct Finish 50' VS

Evening - after tea. In Ambulance to the Milestone, Worsnop-Skett Owen-Heaton Milestone Direct 250' VD Wall Climb-Soap Gut Chimney Route 210' S James-Booth Canopy 160' VD (Comment: 'It aint arf smooth') Soap Gut (1st pitch only) 70' S.

Cook: Walker - he did try! (Yes, everybody) Control: Pibworth (0830 till 2030 - and not a damn thing happened)

A hazy day, but a great day for the hill.

Sunday 21st, V1. Randall-Handford-Iliffe-Havell In SWB to Gwydr Forest for a Nav / Ex. 10k - 107m -5 hrs. V2, Wathan-Skett-Taylor A drop-off at Mervyns tea shack the straight up Penny and along over Dafydd, Llewelyn and Foel Grach. Then down to Base. 151/4k - 921m - 5 hrs. V3. Worsnop-Morgan-Hatton From Base to Foel Grach (what, no drop-off?), then over Llewelyn and Dafydd, and dropped down to Glan Dena and A5. 16k - 1035m - 61/2 hrs. V4. Llanberis Pass / Clogwyn y Grochan Heaton-Hulme Owen-Palmer Babel 250' VS Nea 230' S James-Walker Delphos (up and Scramblers Gate 215' S down first pitch only) 45' VS Nea 230' S V5. Booth-Forster

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 26 In Swb to Ogwen. Slithered up onto Pen yr Oleuewn, then a gentle gallop back down to Base at Bethesda. 8k - 676m - 21/4 hrs. Cook: Cameron Control: Pibworth Back to Valley by 2000. All the traffic was coming off the island!

MOUNTAIN RESCUE EXERCISE May 25th to the 30th. Based at The Plough Inn, Leadmills, Hathersage, Derbyshire.

Pibworth Morgan Iliffe James Cameron Hulme Walker Forster Marshall Hatton Skett Worsnop Wathan Havell Hollister

Thursday 25th. Don and Eric off at mid-day to the Plough, via Stafford MRT to deliver the Ellis stretcher and Bead Bag - and to collect local climbing and caving guides. Garry and Dave were away in the Bedford after collecting the rations at around 1400. The front prop-shaft came off again on the M56 - so started another long delay (third time this has happened in twelve months). Donnington advised us of this at 1730. Valley MT tried to get Sealand to recover it, but they would not. Donnington recovery crew called-out to tow it back to Donnington. Valley MT gave us the all clear and we left the section at 2030 for Donnington, SWB and trailer, thenew LWB (40 mph - running in), and Control. On arrival (26.0100) we found no Bedford, but the replacement Bedford from Valley and a car (to take the driver back). After another delay we were told that the recovery crew had towed our truck into Sealand after all, and that we would have to go back for it. On arrival at Sealand we changed over everything, the car took the Valley Bedford driver back, and we started out once more on the final leg. Arrived at Hathersage at 26/0700 in need of sleep. Friday 26th. Cook shack thrown up and a sort of meal taken. Then on the hill. V1. Hollister-Forster-Hatton-Worsnop-Walker-Marshall. D/o at 110/232 879 - Buckstone Stanage Edge - Burbage Edge - Froggat Edge - Curbar Edge - p/u at 119/259 747. 181/2 k - 240 m - 51/2 hrs. (Worsnop Heather wall-55'-S). V2. Iliffe-Morgan-Wathan, 119/221 758. Carlswark Cavern. Enter from small track to base of cliff. Vertical hole. Tight squeeze at first. Then 600' crawl. Mostly mud with shell fossils. Diff grading. 31/2 hrs. V3. Froggart Edge. James-Havell-Skett- Slab and Crack 25' D Terrace Crack 25' S Sunset Crack 30' VS Heather Wall 55' S Chockstone Crack 25' S North Gully 30' D Cook. Hulme (Eyes glazed and faraway - still suffering from from the Darjeeling Trots, and while his back was turned the blasted horse and donkey destroyed the meat pies) Control. Pibworth drove over to Pete McGowans houes at Crowden (110/072 993) to do a mod to his aerial system 4 hrs. Saturday 27th. V1. Walker-Forster Helfensteins Struggle 60' D Hollybush Gully Left 60' VD Chockstone Chimney 40' M Wall End Crack 55' VD (Forster) W.E.C. Direct 55' S (Walker) Walker-Skett Flying Buttress 65' VD Kirkus Original 40' VD+ Worsnop-Skett Kirkus Original 40' VD+ Recess Wall 35' VD+ Right Wall Route 35' VD+ VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 27 Hulme-Morgan Flake Chimney 50' D Robin Hoods Balcony 40' VD Robin Hoods Zig-Zag 80' S Bishops Route 70' S Balcony Climb 40' VD Balcony Buttress 55' VD Intermediate Buttress 30' VD Havell-James Flying Buttress 65' VD Jitter Face 45' VD Birch Tree Wall 50' S Right Wall Route Direct S+ Leaning Buttress Crack Variation HS Cameron-Hatton Wall End Area. Hollybush Gully Left 60' VD Wall End Crack 55' VD Wall End Crack 15' S Intermediate Group Cleft Wall Route One 40' VD V2. Pibworth (Who?) - Marshall. SWB to Edale car park for a quiet stumble over Kinder. Up the Grinds Brook escalator, with all the Mums, dads, Grannies, etc. Lost most of last nights ale very quickly. Over Kinder Low (110/078 871) and the Downfall (110/ ) - not a single drop of water. On to 110/067 899) above the Snake path. Back along the north side as far as 110/085 896. Over the dried outgullies to 110/094 892 - 110/095 881 - 110/115 876. Down the VS grass slope back into Grinds (God, that water was lovely), then to Edale for cans of fizz and suckers. What weather - it was just like being back in the Desert Rescue Team at Aden, Never known Kinder to be so dry - and never seen it so completely. Good comms with Base from up on top. 19k - 405m - 7hrs. V3. Iliffe-Wathan in LWB to 119/108 818 to have a go at Jack Pot (or P8). Grade 2+ VDP. Permission to be gained from Perry Foot Farm (trespass fee 121/2p each). Up track to small shake hole of water to cool off in after long trog up in wet suits. Explored to main sump and other small holes (found fossilised worm). Returned additional ladder to other group on exiting - for which they bought refreshments. 2,000' - 41/2 hrs. Another superb day with action everywhere. Eric Hollister was Cook - and even he was kept busy answering damn fool questions put to him by tourists ('Can you sell us some food mister?' and 'Who do I give the camp fees to?'), but it was really too hot to do justice to your meal - sorry! V4. Hollister-Walker got a drop-off after tea to have a bash at the Water Shed route with a super overnight bivvy on Kinder. - also on that evening climbing at Lawrence Quarry. Cameron-Hatton Limpopo Groove 35' VS Ginger Bread 30' HS Cameron-Worsnop Ginger Bread 30' HS Cameron Jug Handle 60' VD Sunday 28th, V1. Worsnop-James-Skett-Cameron- Havell To Millerdale and Water cum Jolly to be frightened by the dreaded limestone in the sheltered gorge, but it was so hot and Bruce was not up to it, so the Wee Feller did do it, and then someone else had to have a top rope, etc, etc, (Crumbling Cracks 100' VS).

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 28 V2. Hatton-Hulme-Forster-Morgan. Went to the same place and did much the same - it was too sweltering to do anything energetic. Mostly exploratory.V3. Iliffe-Wathan to Castleton for Odins Slough - not fully known. Entered for about 2,000' - knee deep mud and waist deep water. At the point where daylight is lost they got the old dizzy spells and nausea, so the air is rotten hereabouts - and they turned back. Exited, covered in mud, to the amusement of tourist. Permission gained and 5p trepass fee paid (To Top Farm) to have a go at Dr. Jackson (Super Severe). Entered right of steam sink, at base of small cliff. Very tight turn after 20' drop. Eventually reached 'duck' (which can become a sump after any wet weather), and the Yoga hole beyond. After struggling for half an hour - decided that it was only fit for deformed midgets, so returned for repairs. V4. Hollister-Walker were waiting at Snake Road Top when Control brought their breakfast at 0930 (having made better time than they had anticipated). There had been a surprisingly heavy overnight dew where they slept, but now they were gasping for liquid (worst was to follow!). Bottles of milk and cold bacon and dogs cheered them up no end, and they were soon on their way again. Eventually they tottered down off the hill (sunburnt on one side only) at Cut Throat Bridge in a slightly addled frame of mind for more drinks and a pick-up back to base. D/O at 110/198 849 - Win Hill - Lose Hill - Mamtor - Lords Seat - SH. 490 - Brown Knoll - Edale Cross - Kinder Low - Downfall - Mill Hill - Snake Road - Bleaklow Head - Bleaklow Stones - Swains Head - Outer Edge - Matgery Hill - Low Tor - Back Tor - White Tor - Cut Throat Bridge for P/U (110/214 874). 56 k - 1323 m - 16 hrs. Well done Lads! Cook was Andy Marshall (Gammon steaks were just right for the weather), Pib did the back-up for Eric and Dave. A really super day. Monday 29th. (- and yet again, another tremendous day). V1. Birchens Edge. Hollister-Hulme-Hatton-Skett-Walker Sail Chimney D Hollister-Hulme-Hatton-Skett-Walker-Forster-Marsall Monument Chimnay D Hollister-Hulme-Hatton-Forster-Skett- Walker Monument Gully D Walker-Skett-Forster Chain VD Walker-Skett Nelsons Slab VD Hollister-Hatton-Hulme-Forster Sail Buttress S Hollister-Hulme-Hatton Trlfalgar Wall D (- complete with kids throwing rocks off the top of the crag!) V2. Wathan-Iliffe to Lathkil Head Cave (119/171 659) Diff. - 2,000'. Drive wagon to One Ash Farm. No permission required to enter pot, but asked just the same - the spot is crawling with tourists. Some very tight turns and crawls, must have a good memory to regain exit. Reached last pitch, but weather not yet dry enough to allow passage through wet section (last possible in the drought of 1959). V3, Froggat Edge Worsnop-Cameron Sunset Crack 40' VS Sunset Slab 40' VS Todys Wall 60' VS Heather Wall Direct 55' HS Terrace Crack 40' HS North Climb 40' VD Turret Crack 40' VD Sandy Gully 26' D North Gullyy 30' VD James-Havell Sunset Slab 30' VS Sunset Crack 30' VS Turret Crack 30' VD VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 29 Heather Wall 55' S North Climb 30' VD Sandy Gully 26' D Todys Wall 60' VS Cook for the day was John Skett (oop, sorry!) Garry Morgan (was that really gravey?). Pib was going to mount guard on the PennineWay / Snake Road crossing with a supply of water for possible dehydration casualties, but thought better of it at the last second and went up to 110/255 826 to mount a radio watch and keep an eye on things in general - and lo and behold am accosted (you should be so lucky) by a climber doctor who says he has a climbing casualty on Stanage that requires a stretcher and can he borrow the one that is on the truck at the road junction. So I call up the Tango Base and get permissiion to borrow - their blokes are climbing somewhere on Stanage, but cannot be reached by radio. On my way to their vehicle - I meet them coming back from their climb - and am able to advise Pete Wetherall and his lads of what is needed, and they gallop off and carry him back to the road by 1730. Tuesday 30th. All back in continuing sunshine and traffic jams to Valley for 1900. Noy a bad grant. Reasonably active - more or less a holiday really. If anything the weather proved too hot - day and night. But a different area - a different view, and we had no major hiccups - excepting for that damn Bedford.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE EXERCISE 2nd to 4th June 1978. Based at Bethesda.

Haveron Clark Randall Kay Morgan Croker Cameron Walker Forster Marshall Skett Pibworth Wathan Taylor Whiting Palmer

22 Sqd. Hulme

3rd. June Up early (0060) to assist in the annual 1,000 metres race from Aber foreshore over the Carneddau (Llewelyn and Dafydd), down to Glan Dena (hard on the old legs), up Cwm Tryfan to Bwlch Caseg Ffraith, down the Miners track past Llyn Ffynnon to the Youth Hostel at Pen-y-Pass. Up the Miners track (Zig-Zags) to Crib-y-Ddisgl, and then back to Snowdon summit. The eventual winner this year did that little lot in just under 31/2 hours! A fell-runner of course, normal running gear (with the necessary safety back-up), and in hot weather conditions, but that is some going. There was also a mountaineering section from Aber (normal hill gear - time for this is unknown), and a ladies and junior section starting from Glan Dena. it was decided to put a party of three (V3) Randall- Marshall-Skett to follow up the Carneddau section. Another from Glan Dena to Pen-y-Pass (V2 Clark-Morgan-Forster). Plus another to look after the Pen-y-Pass to Snowdon summit section (V4 Kay-Palmer-Whiting-Taylor) - this party had the only minor snag reported to deal with (a case of the dreaded cramps on Crib-y-Ddisgl - who was eventually walked off by Northern Rescue One who were doing rescue stand-by in the race). There was hectic of a lot of hanging about to do as always in a job of this sort, and it was boring to say the least. We also provided a LWB with crew (V1 Haveron-Walker-Cameron-Wathan) who followed the race round via the roads to act as trouble-shooters in case of incidents. Control was up at Nebo with fair radio coverage - although all the time that V3 was on the Aber side of the main Carneddau ridge nothing was heard from them. Control eventually to Gwynant and Pen-y-pass - where a search of the lower part of the shoulder of Glyder Fawr that runs down into the Llanberis Pass as a result of a number of reports of shouts being heard throughout the day from that vicinity. (115/637 563) Messrs Wathan-Marshall-Forster scoured the steep broken ground, with lots of advice and binocular work from the road - and confirmed that the 'shouts' originated from two goats who were calling to two young ones who had VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 30 got themselves stuck on a small buttress. Back for 'tea' at 2130 (Sorry John, and thanks for leaving such a welcome spread in the oven). Away to the Douglas. Sunday 4th June. (rain at last - even though it cleared eventually). V1. Walker-Marshall and Cameron-Croker East Face of Tryfan, Overlapping Rib Route 580' Hard Diff. (frantic in the wet!). Walker did Thomson's Chimnewy 60' VD. Haveron-Skett Pinnacle Rib Route 540' Hard Diff. Kay-Palmer Grooved Arete 700' Hard VD, and back to Glan Dena via Cwm Bochllwyd. V2. Randall-Forster-Morgan-and Maurice Clay (X-ValMRT now RAE in Amb. to Ogwen then Devils Kitchen-Esgair Felen top-Glyder Fawr-Glyder Fach-Miners track to Cwm Bochllwyd and back to Ogwen. 91/2 k - 756 m - 41/2 hrs. Garry bombing! V3. Clark-Taylor-Wathan in SWB to Melynllyn for Refuge Hut-Llewelyn-Yr Elen - and back. 12 k - 680 m - 51/2 hrs. Cook for the day was Whiting (loads of chicken left). Control was working with OVMRO on their abortive SAR Helicopter exercise, and was able to assist in comms link when an unfortunate accident occured around 1330 to Peter Clegg (Manchester), 21 years, who fainted while scrambling on Glan Dena Buttress (115/666 602) and fell injuring his spine. V1 party diverted to help get him into Rescue Two Two (Valley SMO in attendance). Tony Jones, Sparrow (Snowflake 67), Pea-Nuts, and six of the USAF Air Rescue boys were all there helping. (Monday morning report from Tony is that the casualty is paralysed from the shoulders down). The afternoon rain stopped the chopper completing OVMRO's exercise on Llewelyn - they all had to walk down! A weekend not without interest, and back to the section for 1930.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 9th to the 11th June 1978 Based at Cwm Nant Col

Heaton Morgan Hollister Booth Hatton Worsnop James Whiting Cameron Skett Hume Taylor Hatton 22 Sqd. Croker and Palmer Marshall

Saturday 10th V1. Heaton-Skett-Cameron-Marshall D/O at above (124/656 203) - Diffwys - - Rhinog Fach - Rhinog Fawr - Craig Wion - Moel - Ysgyfarnog - Nant Pasgan Fach. 21 k - 1334 m - 8 hrs. V2. Worsnop-Hatton-Whiting-Morgan-James Reciprocal of V1. V4. Hollister-Hulme Base--.550-Y Llethr- Rhinog Fach-Rhinog Fawr- Llyn Du-Roman Steps-Glowy Llyn- Foel Du-Mynydd Llanbedr-Base. Mixed weather. Good tent bivvy. Heavy day bags. 20 k - 1,600 m - 10 hrs. Base campcook: Booth

Sunday 11th All to the Crag above Barmouth Five types of abseil. Multiple belays. Basic rock climbing, Base camp cook: Skett

22 Sqd Crew

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 31 Croker and Palmer had another epic on sunday afternoon on the Orme. Ian Graham (17 years) from Thornton, Liverpool had fallen while birdnesting and had managed to get a fair way back up, but became cragfast. 22 did another magic job of retrieving him with the long strop. Lowered him into a waiting inshore rescue boat, lowered a stretcher, then lifted him on it back into the aircraft, and off to General. Valley SMO in attendance, plus Llandudno MRT and Police.

RAF VALLEY MRT EXERCISE 16-18 JUN

Forward Base: Llanberis

Duty Team: Heaton Clark Hollister Hulme Stevens Taylor Skett Worsnop Hatton Palmer Vaughn Owen

22 Sqn Crew: James, Cameron - no incidents.

The Team set off as per normal for Brynengan but one look at the river changed everyones mind so all off the 'Castle' Llanberis. The lads also spent the night searching the Carnedds for 3 RAOC Army Apprentices who had got lost and were overdue. Found safe and well by 22 Sqn.

SATURDAY

Cook: Clark

V1: Hollister, Hulme, Stevens. Pen-Y-Pass - Pyg Track - (basic map work and climbing techniques). Dist 7 Km - 310M - 2.5 hrs.

V2: Taylor, Skett Base - Moel Elio - Foel Gron - Foel Goch - Moel Cyhorion. 13Km - 651M - 4.20 hrs.

SUNDAY

Cook: Worsnop

V1: Clark, Vaughn, Palmer. Llanberis - Snowdon - Moel Cyhorion - Foel Goch - Foel Gron - Moel Elio - Llanberis. 17Km - 1378M - 7 hrs.

V2: Hatton, Taylor. Helys - Carnedd Llewelyn - Pen-Yr-Olewen - Ogwen - Y Garn - - Nant Peris.

V2A: Hollister, Stevens. Helyg - Pen-Yr-Olewen - Ogwen - Devils kitchen - Y Garn - Nant Peris. VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 32 17km - 1947M - 81/2 hrs.

V3: Heaton, Skett, Owen, Hulme Climbing Heaton ) Yellow Groove - 150ft - VS Skett ) Nea - 230ft - S

Owen ) Brant Direct - 75ft - HVS Hulme ) Phantom Rib - 260ft - VS

RAF VALLEY MRT EXERCISE 23-25 JUN

FORWARD BASE: FOXHOUSES DERBYSHIRE

Duty Team: Haveron Walker James Hulme Heaton Owen Kay Worsnop Skett Clark Croker Taylor Hatton Forster Marshall Booth Stevens Dunn

22 Sqn crew: Palmer - Morgan - no incidents.

This weekend saw the team off early (1400) and away into Derbyshire to Stafford's base camp at Foxhouses (very nice to). Mainly a climbing and pot holing weekend with only one party walking each day.

SAT

Cook - Booth

V1 Haveron - Walker - James - Hulme - Stevens Rock climbing at Birchen Edge SH 119 MR 281722

Walker) Trafalgar Wall 35 ft VD 3B Hulme ) TR crack 45 ft Diff 2B Sail Buttress 45 ft S 3C Chain 40 ft Diff 3B

Haveron ) Trafalgar Wall 35 ft VD 3B TR Crack 45 ft Diff 2B

Walker ) Sail Chimney 45 ft Diff 2C ) Captain Bunk 55 ft VD 3B Hulme ) Monument Gully 50 ft Diff 2B

Hulme ) Copenhagen Wall 30 ft S 4A Haveron )

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 33 James ) The Chain 40 ft VD 3B ) Captains Bunk 55 ft VD 3B Stevens ) Trafalgar Crack 45 ft Diff 2B

Trafalgar Wall 35 ft VD 3B Nelsons Slab 40 ft VD 3B

V2 Heaton - Owen - Kay - Skett - Worsnop - Dunn Climbing at Froggat

V3 Clark - Taylor - Croker Pot holing, Matlock, Matlock Bath Great Mason Cavern - Rutland Cavern - Great Masson Rake 5 - 6 km 21/2 hrs

V4 Hatton - Forster - Marshall D/O 195765 - Ladybower Reservoir - Derwent - Margery Hill - Black Tor - Cut Throat Bridge - Stannage Edge - Base.

1

After tea some of the lads were away to Bamford Edge for some evening climbing.

Walker ) Alison 85 ft VD Hulme )

Dunn ) Sunset Slab 35 ft VS Skett ) Sunset Crack 35 ft VS Holly Groove 30 ft S 4A Hawks nest crack 30 ft VS 3B

Heaton ) Allen Slab 55 ft S Skett ) Slab Recess Diret 60 ft S Trapele 45 ft VD

SUN

BASE JAMES

V1-V2 Haveron - Owen - Worsnop - Hulme - Heaton - Kay - Booth - Dunn Walker - Skett Rock climbing at Stannage

Owen ) Inverted V 70 ft. VS Hulme ) Right hand Buttress 75 ft S Central Trinity 55 ft VS Leaning Buttress Gully 60 ft S Holybush Crack 50 ft VD Overhanging Corner 55 ft VS VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 34 Kay ) Central Trinity 55 ft VS 4B Hulme )

Kay ) Holybush Crack 50 ft VD 3A Walker ) Flying Buttress 65 ft VD 3B Right hand Trinity 50 ft S 4A Black Hawk Slit 80 ft S 4A Manchester Buttress 50 ft S 4A Christmas Crack 55 ft S 4A April Crack 55 ft S 4A Overhanging Crack 55 ft VS Overhanging Corner 55 ft VS

Skett ) Inverted V 70 ft VS Dunn ) Right Hand Buttress 75 ft S Central Trinity 55 ft VS Holybush Crack 50 ft VD Leaning Buttress Gully ) Dunn only Flying Buttress )

Heaton ) Garden Wall 45 ft VD Booth ) Flying Buttress 65 ft VD Grey Wall 45 ft VD Holybush Crack 50 ft VD Leaning Buttress Crack 55 ft VD Leaning Buttress 60 ft S

2

V3 Hatton - Marshall - Stevens - Forster D/O 197849 Yorkshire Bridge - Winhill - Madwomans Stone - Ringing Roger - Nether Tor - Upper Tor - Crowdens Heap - Grinds Brook - Edale

V4 Clark - Croker - Taylor Potholing - Castleton Area

V Control Both Days - Croker

3 MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 14th to the 16th July 1978 (Nant Gwynant)

Pibworth Randall Clark Jones Whiting Forster Hulme Marshall Morgan 22 Sqd. Palmer and Croker

Still sadly depleted in numbers due to the Pyrenees expedition, detachments and leave etc. but the faithfull carry on and cover for them all. The weather was very nice and so it was great hardship to bumble-off out to the Gwynant for the weekend - even if the scrambled geordie managed to go the wrong way (from the middle of the convoy) again. VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 35 Saturday 15th, V 2 (Whiting and Hulme) took off just after 0700 to rush up onto , Bwlch y Main, Snowdon, Crib y Disgl, Crib Goch, Crib y Disgl, Snowdon, Lliwedd, Gallt y Wenalt, Base. This little lot started off fine, but ran out of steam on the way up Snowdon due to the excessive heat and lack of breezes. Had to mod their route considerably,and ended up by pinching V3 transport from Pen y Pass, and sitting in the Grandstand carpark all day. 15 k - 1345 m - 8 hrs - Too many talkative tourists! V1 (Pibworth-Clark-Morgan) Staggered off up into Cwm y Llan and grappled with the Watkin as far as the summit, where they met some local TA lads manning radios for the Llanberis Carnival Snowdon Summit Race. They were looking after the Race competitors only, so V1 advised V2 and V3, and hung about - just in case. Lo and behold, someone came to grief over on Lliwedd. Two chaps completed a route on the face - unroped, and took a toss while scrambling up the scree to the top - just an ankle injury. MWA called Roberts y Parc up at the Carnival grounds in LLanberis. Roberts told them to get 22 on stand-by, and for them to find out more details of the incident from the blokes companion who was now at Pen y Pass. Roberts called up 68 (who should have been on the summit) for a weather report on Lliwedd - there was a 1,000' layer of inversion cloud west of a line Lleyn to Colwyn Bay. We were able to confirm that Lliwedd was gin-clear for him, via Snowflake Link (at Halfway Sta,), and the Yellow Taxi duly arrived and did its stuff to the applause of the tourist on the summit. The casualty ended up in C and A with a twisted ankle (wasn't he lucky, and a date with one of the nurses at Cobdens that night) and the all important car keys. Hulme went away in Mobile One eventually to C and A with the companion and back to Capel where they were staying. V3 (Randall-Forster-Jones) took the Ambulance from Base to Pen y Pass, then up onto Crib Goch, Crib y Disgl to the summit. Randall and Forster galloped off at the first word of the incident and just beat 22 to the top - not able to do anything, but they did make the effort! 12k-1059m-71/2hrs. When all the Race competitors had been through the Snowdon Control, V1 and Jones went down the Miners Track to Pen y Pass, and back to Base in the Ambulance. 10k-1200m-7hrs. Sunday 16th. V1 took V3 round to Tan y Grisau (Clark, Whiting and Forster - yes he got as far as Rhyd Du at one stage!) for a stagger over the Moelwyns, Cnicht and down to the Nantmor road at Bryn y Bedd, where they picked-up by V1. 11k-476M-53/4hrs. A hot day. V1 went back up to the Pass of the Irishmen and half way up the Glyder Fawr shoulder to act as linkman in case of any other snags, but it turned out very quiet and unnecessary. V2 (Randall-Marshall-Morgan-Jones) to Pen y Pass in Ambulance, then up the Miners Track to the summit (Marshall-Morgan included Crib y Disgl. Back to Base via the South Ridge and Bwlch y Main, Cwm Llan. 12k-744m-6hrs. Marshall was cook on saturday, Hulme on sunday. The Control was driven across the small stream onto the campsite next to the Cookshack for the cook to play with, but it is a hopeless location for contact on the Police net (nothing heard all weekend) - otherwise an OK thing, although it will need watching in the wet weather. Tremendous hot weather, small numbers, but work on the navigation and area knowledge! Croker and Palmer rode the Choppers, but saw no real action apart from the Lliwedd job.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 21st to the 23rd July (Based at Pont yr afon Gam) Pibworth Randall Morgan Marshall Taylor Skett Stott

Small numbers due to the lads being away in the Pyrinees still, so only the Bedford, Ambulance, and Control out this weekend to get PyaG off our backs for another spell. The weather was great on the way out, but it turned out to be a 'normal' wet one. Mick Randall called in to see Paddy Millen VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 36 (Coed Mawr, Bangor) on the way out to talk about the arrangements for this years Bike Race (Sept 9th). We also glimpsed Ian Wright on the way through Bethesda - he was motoring up from Culdrose with his family to take part in this weekends Mountain Flying exercise with the Sea King. Because of the grotty weather (severe turbulance) it did not really ammount to much, and although they flew - they never got around to coming down to us as arranged (only one contact with Navy Five Three Four made on the saturday). Down to Manod in B.F. on the evening for ale - Skett provoking this massive quarryman! Saturday 22nd. V2 (Randall-Palmer-Skett-Stott) away in the Ambulance, via Festiniog and Cwm Teigl, to investigate the quarries and mines around the Manods. They discovered the back entrance to the DOE Storage area. An army could hide in the labrynth of tunnels up there. V1 (Morgan-Marshall) had been out all night after a drop-off at 124/778 447 and a kip in Cefn Gawr (still unlocked and freshly swept). They set off at 05.00 and bagged the Fach, Fawr, , Moel y Slate, and Foel Cynfal on the way back to Base. Pibworth in Control acting as link for parties and the Sea King none-event. The mess people went mad this weekend and there was more than enough of everything, so we eat well. Mick ran the lads down to for a great night in the Foreign Legion, and picked them up after closing time. A helluva night with gales and heavy rain that nearly had the tents away, but it didn't stop the prisoner and his apathetic Defence Council getting swum. Taylor was cook for the day. Sunday 23rd. Dawned (!) wet and windy with clag right down to Base Camp, and a lousy forecast. V1 (Randall-Taylor-Morgan-Skett-Marshall-Stott) in Ambulance off to the bogs in Bala, and then the Mountain Road over to Trawsfynydd to the Gold Mine area around Gwynfynydd for investigation and navigation. Pibworth in Control at 124/710 393 (good spot for the Rhinos, Cader, Moelwyns. Oggy Base and WA/MWA loud and clear). Palmer cooked the beef, and dried out. All packed up and away into the tourist traffic early. Back in section for 20.00. Troops back from France on the late train.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 28th to the 30th July (Based at Bryn Engan)

Pibworth Randall Owen Walker Whiting Hulme Skettt Wathan Matshall Male-Mannion-Curry (Trialist from PMC)

Out to Brynengan at Capel Curig for a quiet weekend, not to many (only Stan and myself to Party Lead and drive - Mick Randall was on leave, and a scaly, but he faithfully turned out to assist), and three PMC Trialist to attend to. Brynengan is a hump for the kit, in the winter it is subject to flash flooding, and in the summer THERE ARE MIDGES! Saturday 29th V1 (Walker-Skett) Resisted all temptations and went away as soon as the camp was pitched, and made towards the top of Siabod for a final Sodjers signature. They reached the summit the next morning early - and were rewarded with Brocken Spectres, then back down for breakfast at eight (and more midges). 113/4k - 673m - overnight. Saturday was one of the bonus days, hot, still, and clear as a bell. V1 (Pibworth) In Ambulance to Idwal Cottage YH Car Park, up to Bochllwyd, up the Gribin Ridge, up onto Glyder Fach as Radio Link. Able to act as relay for a heart attack case (Fatal, John VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 37 Painter. Aged 45.) Bwlch Moch side of Crib Goch Summit. MWA - Pen y Pass Base - Snowflake 69 - Rescue Two Three. Also met Frank Baxter (Ex Saints MRT DTL 1963-6, now Sgt in REME. On leave from Germany. Staying at the Duggy. Walking the hills on his own.) up on the Cantilever. He went on with Stans mob over the Fawr and Y Garn down to Idwal. Pib eventually down via Fawr, Llyn y Cwn (that scree run is getting dangerous!), down the Kitchen track, along the newly improved west Idwal track (Nature Conservancy store at 643 599) to Ogwen. V2 (Owen-Skett-Curry) from Base up onto Glyder ridge. Fach, Fawr, Y Garn, Ogwen. A right good sweat. Skett was nadged (having already been up Siabod). Curry made it OK, but Stan went on alone and bagged Penny and Dafydd for good measure. Skett and Curry in Ambulance with Pib from Ogwen, and Stanley had a drink of orange waiting for him when he galloped down to his pick- up at Glan Dena. 141/2k - 1,449m - 53/4hrs. Stan did 211/2k - 2,206m - 7hrs. V3 (Walker-Marshall-Male) From Base and the footpath for the long slog up onto the top of Pen lithrig y Wrach, then up over Pen Helgi to Craig yr Isfa to Llewelyn, Dafydd and Penny, then down to the tea shack. No snags all going well despite the heat. 1,280m - 15k - 71/2hrs. V4 (Whiting-Hulme-Mannion) Had a drop-off at the Milestone and set off up Tryfan to do the Idwal Skyline, but young Mannion had trouble from the word go, and it all went to worms. They eventually made to the Bwlch on the Glyders via the Heather Terrace, Bwlch Tryfan and the Miners Track. Hulme nipped up to the top of the Fach, as a bonus, and all three made their way down the ridge to Base. 10k - 400k - a long time! Mannion was very snooped. All the trialists had blisters, and a good days introduction to MR. Mick Randall was able to tie up a lot of loose ends to do with the Bike Race in visits and dishing out advertising - saving postage. Dave Curtis is arranging some sponsorship from his brewery (ale for the contestants), he is providing a Cup that will be given to the winners each year (theirs for a year only), and Chris Briggs BEM has said that he will come up from Pen y Gwrhyd to start the race and present the cup to the winner. Chippy Wathan did a great meal for us (great steaks), and then we went down for another riotous night at Cobdens. Sunday 30th Now the plot thickens. About 0200 Pib was awakened by someone getting into the cab of the Bedford (he was sleeping in the back) and crashing about (there had been several groups going by in the dark eversince he turned in). The next thing was someone switched on (only briefly) the headlights of one of the Rovers parked further back,so he dressed, grabbed his torch and set out to investigate. Two yobs were in the Sigs Wagon pulling it to bits and ran off on approach, so Pib ran the Rover onto the bridge, switched on the siren and blue light, and called the Police on the radio. As luck would have it - Brynengan is no good for contacting WA, and eventually Stanley ran up to the public call box outside of Joe Browns in the village to make a treble nine call for the gendarmes. When we had a fair number (and a dog/handler combi) we drove up the track and found about eighteen of Hells Angels kipping at the end of the forest track. Some of them were arrested on the spot and driven away in their truck (BRS Hire Truck) to Llanrwst cop shop - stolen gear found inside. And a fair old search was carried out of the forest which resulted in the recovery of practically all of our property. By which time it was daylight and things started to calm down. The Filling Station across the way on the A5 had also been visited and some damage done. They also kicked a window in of a car and stole contents, and one bright lad even had a crap on the roof of an Alpine and daubbed it ove all and sundry - he even made it last as far as the Sigs and one of the LWB's. The cars belonged to the staff of a Scout camp who were occupying the adjoining field - and it was their stuff that the Police found in the hire truck (hence the arrest of truck and occupants). VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 38 Micks camera (minus case and bunch of keys) was found hidden in the undergrowth up in the forest, and his day was subsequently disrupted by police visits and statements etc. Just good to show that the team does need secure vehicles if this sort of thing is to be guarded against. Luckily for us everything was as secure as we make it (its not known how they opened the Sigs), but if Pib had not been in one of the trucks - these yobs could have pillaged to their hearts content, and got away without anyone being the wiser - and what trouble that would have caused! We are definitely 'in' with the local Bobbies now - they have not had such a haul like that on a saturday night for ages. Sundays weather was not so good. Rain and masses of hill fog. V1 (Pibworth) was 'floating' around base / forest. Also got three hours in at Nebo as link. V2 (Randall-Curry-Manniion) Police, and navving in the . V3 (Wathan-Skett-Hulme-Curry) Down to Bettws through the forest and back by the road for some new sort of record time. V4 (Owen-Walker-Marshall) Up to Waen Hir, , and Bettws for Sodjers nav ex, then another attempt on the road walk time back to base. All packed up and away in good time - after a visit by three Saints troops on leave who kindly offered to look after our spare food! A weekend not without interest. Two of the three trialist decided that MR was not for them, and cleared on monday morning.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 4th to the 6th August 78 (Operating daily from Valley)

Haveron Owen Hollister Worsnop Croker Kay Whiting James Hatton Skett Walker Male (PMC Trialist) Pibworth-Hulme on 22 Duty Crew

Dave Booth and Gerry Chapman had their House Warming party on saturday evening this weekend, so it gave us the chance to check out the Hump and carry out techniques on a daily basis. Booked out with Pitreavie both days. and had PBX alerted to put any panic calls through to the team bia Trinity House HQ (H'head: 2329) and their man at North Stcak. Saturday North Stack sea-cliffs. Techniques, Abseiling, Prussiking, Gorge Lift-out. First-Aid. Weather not too bad, but more or less continuous sea fog which meant that the damned Fog Horn was going all day long, and it was difficult to see the other end of the rope! Sunday The Upper North Stack Quarry this time. Weather not too bad - no fog today. Abseiling. Classic / Bottle Opener. Aerial Ropeway 450'. Prussiking - Bachman, and Prussik / Penberthy Knots. Assisted Hoist. Crevasse Rescue Technique. Restricted hours on 22 - only got off the ground on the sunday afternoon for practice with RNLI at Trearddur Bay.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 11th to the 13th August (Based at Cwm Pennant)

Haveron Pibworth Morgan Jones Hulme James Worsnop Hatton Skett Wathan Whiting Brittain (PMCaTrialst) Male (PMC Trialist)

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 39 Out to make use of one of our oldest base camps and one that is seldom used. Various odd bits of road widening has made access to the actual site easier, but it is still pokey, cramped, wet and fly ridden. Tents up and away to the Goat (back down the main road, turn right, 2 miles). Saturday 12th V/1 (Haveron-Skett-James-Hulme) Off to the Upper Tier at Tremadoc for a quick brush-up before going on the Summer Course. Came back reporting that strange things were happening to the cliffs down there as a result of the recent increase in rock falls onto the houses below. The cliff now has a corset of girders! to restrain any further falls, and towering great skyscraper crain. V/2 (Pibworth-Male-Brittain) Wandered off in the direction of Moel Hebog for a spot of navigation and initiation. 13 K - 832 M - 71/2 hrs. V/3 (Worsnop-Walker-Whiting) Leapt away for Garnedd Goch, Craig Cwm Silin, Mynydd Tal y Mignedd, Trum y Ddysgl, Mynydd Drws y Coed, Y Garn, and back to Base. 23k - 1170m - 9hrs V/4 (Wathan-Jones-Morgan) Moel Hebog, Moel Lefn, Mynydd Tal y Mignedd, , Garnedd Goch to Base. Well done! 25k - 1,762m - 10 hrs. Raymond cooked the scoff very nicely, and trued to restore the campsite to order, then we all squeezed into the LWB and went off to the Foreign Legion at Porthmadog for the evening. Not a bad day - everyone slept well anyhow. Sunday 13th Rain and low cloud promised in Pitreavies weather. V/1 and 2 Back to the Upper Tier at Temadoc once more for further revisiion and climbing Saturday Haveron / Hulme KMA VD 75' Revers Fell.Blk.Crk. Just S 80' Rammers Route VS 75' Marath VD 70' Central Arete D 80' Revers Bulging Wall VD 80' James / Skett KMA VD 75' Marath VD 70' Central Arete D 80' Revers Bulging Wall VD 80' Fall.Blk.Crk. Just S 80' Sunday Haveron / Skett / Hulme More techniques (4 Abseils, Multiple Belays, Assisted Hoists, Prussiking) Hulme / Worsnop Quatre Fois 80' S Skett Top-Roped Rammers Route 75' VS James / Whiting / Wathan Bulging Wall 80' VD James / Jones KMA 75' VD Monkey hanging, general belaying, etc. V/3 (Pibworth-Male-Morgan) off to the Rivals in the SWB for another spot of navigation and the annual chance to walk on good springy turf of those hills (115/410 450). 413 456 - 402 467 - 406 475 - 426 479 - 429 - 455 - Mostly in the clouds, but it didn't really start raining until we got down. 121/2k - 760m - 5hrs. Bracing! Alistair witnessed a sheep reverse the 80' Diff (Central Arete) on the upper Tier and shake its head to convince itself that it was still alive! When we were all back for food (Dave Walker did it!) - a family walked past very wet and very slowly. They had gone up Hebog from Beddgelert - and come down out of the clouds into Cwm VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 40 Pennant by mistake, and were faced with a very long walk back. Alister got young Geoff to run them back to Porthmadog in the LWB. A wet an soggy base camp packed up briskly, and all back to Valley and stowed by 2030. Randall and Forster had a quiet weekend with 22, although they almost got theit hands on a casualty on the sunday afternoon (Female. 62 years. Serious Head Injuries. Fallen while climbinb on Alphabet Slabs, Glyder Fach). A weekend of sweat anf effort. (Yes, it rained all the back too!)

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 18th to the 20th Aug. (Based at the Castle, Llanberis)

Randall Stott Brittain Hollister Morgan Marshall Forster Walker James Kay

Saturday 19th V/1 Randall-Stott-Brittain Windy on PYG track. Reached summit. Nick injured arm on way down. Very enjoyable. V/2 Hollister-Morgan. Helyg, Gallt yr Ogof, Glyders, Devils Kitchen, Ogwen, Pen yr Oleuwen, , Carnedd Llewelyn, , Helyg. 14k - 760m - 6hrs. Great day with no rain. Garry found 50p on the hill, so he's taking the team out tonight V/3 Marshall-Forster Snowdon Horseshoe. Windy on Crib Goch. Andy kept losing his trousers. Tactics for the Bike Race. Not taking a bike make it easier. 13k - 1035m - 6hrs. V/4 Walker-James Reciporcal of V/2. V/5 Chapman Inner Horseshoe. 8.6k - 350m. Cook for the day Kay

Sunday 20th V/1 Kay-Forster-Walker. Tryfan, Bristly Ridge, Glyders, Y Garn, Oggy Cottage. Brilliant sunny day. Kept meeting Jack Baines. Good days climbing. 12k - 1184m - 41/2hrs. V/2 Hollister-morgan-Marshall Up Railway, below Clogwyn dur Arddu, Snowdon summit, Snowdon Ranger track, Moel Cynghorion, Foel Goch, Moel Eilio, Base. 18k - 1325m - 61/2hrs. Very humid. V/3 James-Stott Nant Peris, Elidir Fawr, Mynydd Perfydd, Foel Goch, Y Garn, Oggy Cottage. 10.5k - 1099m - 41/2hrs. Excellant weather. Cook for the day Chapman. Brittain injured. Randall in Control.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE. EXTENDED AUGUST GRANT 25th TO 3rd SEPT BASED AT THE ATC HUT FORT WILLIAM

Haveron Skett Forster Kay Hulme Jones Hollister Marshall Hatton Worsnop Owen VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 41 Oldham Heaton Marsden

26th August V/1 Haveron-Skett-Forster-Oldham Poldubh-Carn Dearg--Carm Mor Dearg Arete-Carn Mor Dearg-Carn Dearg Moanhonach- Carn Beag Dearg. 16.4k - 1577m - 7hrs. Not too much clag, so saw quite a bit of the Ben. V/2 Kay-Hulme-Jones Glencoe-Three Sisters. Ant Sron-Stob Coire Nam Beth Lochan-Bidean Nam Bean-Stob Coire Nam Lochan-Stob Coire Sgreamhach-Lost Valley AQ. 12k - 1640m - 71/2hrs. Remrakable day. Weather great. Pity Alwyn knacked his leg. V/3 Hollister-Marshall-Worsnop-Hatton Glen Coe. Rover to Achtriochtan. Three Sisters via Ossians Cave Route. Stob Coire Nan Lochan- Bidean-Stob Coire Sgreamach-Lost Valley. 11k - 1400m - 71/2hrs. Hollister epic. Weather good. Good mountaineering day. Base Cook / Driver was Owen. 27th August V/1 Haveron-Skett-Oldham Allt na Reigh- - Aonach Eagach Ridge-Sgorr nam Fiannaidh-Clachaig Hotel. 9k - 1072m - 6hrs 938m - 5hrs. V/2 Kay-Forster-Hatton-Worsnop D/O at 213 558-Stob Dearg-Stob na Doire-Stob coire Altruim-204 531-down to path at 205 549- back along path to D/O point. 121/2k - 1072m - 6hrs. A plodding day. Weather not too good. V/3 Owen-Hulme-Marshall Carn Mor Dearg-Ben Nevis-Carn Mor Dearg-Carn Dearg Meadhonach-Carn Beag Dearg, 17k - 1460m - 7hrs. Hulme and Marshall mutinied. Base Cook was Hollister, and Jones did the driving. 28th August V/1 Haveron-Oldham Departed to do Ben Klibreck and Ben Hope on the sunday night. Departed on hill for Ben Klibreck 0600. Off hill by 0930. Travelled to Ben Hope. Off Ben Hope 1245. Returned to Fort William by 1800. V/2 Owen-Marshall-Jones . 167 692-An Garbhanach-SH 983-Am Bodach-SH1001-SAgurr a Mhaim-155 664. 16k - 1550m - 8hrs. 5k road walk. Owen led the way. V/3 Kay-Hatton-Forster Aonach Eagach Ridge. Clachaig Hotel to Allt na Reigh. 101/2k - 1060m - 5hrs 20 mins. Interesting route, but spoilt by a honking day. V/4 Hollister-Worsnop Aonach Eagach Ridge to Glencoe Village. 12k - 1100m - 51/2 hrs. In retrospect a vast panaarm was unfolded before us, but poor visibility and hill fog spoiled the slendiferous day. Base Cook was Skett, and Hulme did the clutching. 29th August V/1 Haveron-Skett-Worsnop-Oldham Castle Ridge on Carn Dearg NW. Return via Tourist Path. 141/2k - 1211, - 8hrs. Good and (wet V/2 Kay-Forster-Hatton-Owen-Hollister-Marsden D/O at 174 622-along the path to the right-up minor road-along minor road to Tigh-na Sleubhaich-136 644-Stob Ban-Mullach nan Coirean-Meal a Chaorainn-down bcak to 130 644. 17k - 1020m - 6hrs. Not a bad day considering the weather. Spotted an Eagle flying above the ridge.

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 42 Base Cook was Jones. Hulme and Marshall did the ration Run to Kinloss, plus a tyre for the Bedford and anothe one for the Ambulance. 30th August V/1 Haveron-Hulme-Skett-Oldham Crowberry Ridge Direct on Buachelle Etive Mor. 6k - 762m - 7hrs. Very good day with exceptionally fine views of the landscape - and a good climb. V/2 Owen-Marshall-Marsden 223 554-Curved Ridge (800' Easy)-Stob Dearg-SH 903-Stob na Doire-Stob Coire Altruim-Stob na Broige-Stob Duhh-Stob Coire Raineach-223 564. 16k - 1722m - 71/2hrs. Enjoyable and beat Stan off the hill. V/3 Hollister-Jones-Heaton-Marsden Ben Horseshoe. Carn beag Dearg-Carn mor Deargh-Ben Nevis-Meall ant Suidhe-Base. 101/2k -1300m - 51/2hrs. V/4 Worsnop-Forster-Hatton 158 763- Aonach Mor-- Sgurr a Bruic- to 187 688- along path to parking place for pick-up. 181/2k - 1114m - 6hrs. Better weather. Hardly any clag. Saw the Eagle again and a large herd of deer. Base Cook was Kay. 31st August V/1 Haveron-Skett-Rick Lavalla-Paul Green (USA Search and Rescue visitors) Distillery-CIC Hut-Ben Nevis-Tourist Path. V/2 Owen-Hulme-Marshall-Oldham Aonach Eagach Ridge. Clachaig Hotel-Sgurr nam Fiannaidh-Stob coire Leith-Meal Dearg-Am Bodach-Sron Garbh-SH 901. 14k - 1260m - 61/2hrs. Very good day considering the clag was down. Very wet. A bit slippy on ridgge - therefore no Had'eyes to be seen. V/3 Kay-Forster-Hatton D/O at 147 752-Carn beag Dearg-Carn dearg Meadonach-Carn mor Deargh-Ben Nevis-Lochan Meall ant Suidhe- P/U at 147 752. 18k -1024m - 51/2hrs. Met John Hinde with an Outward Bound party on Ben Nevis. V/4 Hollister-Jones-Heaton-Legs Buachille Etive Mor-Curving Ridge. 6k - 720m - 4hrs. Low cloud - clearing later. Total age of party 112 years. Get some in! Base camp Cook for the day was Worsnop. 1st September V/1 Haveron-Skett-Hulme-Oldham-and Paul Green Rock climbing at Polldubh, plus some techniques. Original Route (VD / 50'), Spike (HS), and Bullett (S). Good day for rock climbing. V/2 Kay-Hatton Buachille etive Baeg. V/3 Owen-Marshall-Heaton-Marsden Heaton and Marsden went off to do Tower Ridge, and the other two climbed at Polldubh Original Route (VD / 150'), Variation (S / short), Pine Tree Wall (D / 100'). V/4 Hollister-Jones-Worsnop Ballachulish Horseshoe (Sgorr Dhonuill and Sgorr Dhearg). 101/2k - 1409m - 5hrs 50mins. Cook at base was Forster. 2nd September V/1 Haveron-Oldham-Hulme-Kay-Worsnop-Hollister-Jones-Skett-Forster Half way House on the Red Burn - providing Rescue Coverage for the Annual Ben Nevis Race. V/4 Marshall VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 43 Ben Nevis summit, and return to Half Way House

Stan Owen ran it in 1hr 37mins and 39secs! The fastset Serviceman for the second year (Claymore Trophy) and was placed 12th out of over 400 runners!

No major snags with the competitors - the Army escorted 3 off the hill. Base camp Cool for the day was Hatton. Back down south in the evening - laid up overnight in a motorway service station, and continued on back to Valley on the Sunday. A good Grant - with Stans splendid effort as a fina'le.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE (8th to the 9th Sept. 1978) Based at Bethesda

Haveron Owen Kay Hulme Marshall Forster Hollister Cameron Skett Jones Wathan James Whiting Croker Stott Hatton Green Brittain Morgan Randall Pibworth

Saturday 9th Mick Randalls big day - after days of organising and effort, the 1978 Snowdon Horseshoe Annual Bike Race (all proceeds going to the local group of Cystic Fibrosis). All up to Pen y Pass early (0830) for a 1030 start. Mick established his base on the Llanberis side of Gorpwhysfa Restaurant - between the Pyg track and the road, so that a chopper could get in if necessary. Just the Command tent, tables, and brewing kit. The Lager - and plumbing was not successful. Next time make sure that it all goes together - before the day it is needed on! Checkpoint 1 was on Crib Goch, and consisted of Hollister and Cameron. They followed through to the summit after the last team passed through their location. Checkpoint 2 was provided by a party from RAF Stafford MRT. They followed through to Lliwedd, and down. Checkpoint 3 was manned by the RAF StAthan MRT, and they returned after the last team. Checkpoint Link consisting of Skett / Jones put up a tent up on the Horns (643 552) to give a radio back-up in case of difficulties, but they were not required as radio coverage between the three checkpoints and the Control vehicle (at Pen y Pass) proved adequate. Safety team held at Pen y Pass in case of any snags developing consisted of:- Wathan-Whiting- Croker-Stott-Hatton- Green-Morgan-James Young Brittain (broke arm) did the cooking for us. Ten teams took part, but of course Valley A team won it (Haveron-Owen-Kay) in 2hrs 15m, and our B team won the Fancy Dress (the Good, Bad, and the Ugly). The Summit Checkpoint - who were unaware of the Fancy Dress party, reported over the air that he had seen a caveman, a fairy, and a transvestite among the tourist during the day! Well done Geoff, Keith, and Andy. Mr Briggs from the Gwhryd presented both prizes, and donated a suitably mounted Saddle and Handlebar Trophy for next year. Dave Curtis kindly gave the Winners Cup, and this will be retained by the winning team for twelve months. The Lager (Skol) was donated by Amstells Brewery through Dave Curtis. The weather was kind - cloud base 3,000' - very windy - cold for the Checkpoint people, but -apart from sweat, all the competitors stayed dry. One of the Saints teams gallooped off down the Watkin Track instead of turning off up onto Lliwedd, and so this delayed the Award ceremony and final wrap-up a wee bit - and they were suitably redfaced about it, but all in all, a very successful and enjoyable day.

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 44 Young Martin Green drove us all down to the Cobdens for the usual get-together in the evening, and a good time was had by all - and it was surprisingly restrained considering the potential available! Sunday 10th Some very uninterested people around this morning. Tongues like Beer Mats, and heads like Kentish coastline. Eventually sorted and pointed in various directions. Victor 1 Haveron-Hulme-Skett-James-Kay-Cameron Had a protracted, but enlightening session on the weight-drop machine at Plas-y-Brenin (prior to the start of the Summer Course), then off to the Milestone for a scramble on the Direct and Super Direct Routes. One took a tumble - that came to nothing, thanks to good technique with Runners and Sticht Plate belay. Victor 2 Pibworth-Stott-Green Rover to the Bangor Waterworks, then blasted their way up to the Refuge on Foel Goch in gale force winds - Garnedd Uchaf to the hut being particularly had work! Then right back down the and Caseg to the Rover with V/5. 81/2k - 669m - 61/2hrs. Draughty. Victor 3 Hollister-Forster-Croker Went to climb on the Moelwyns, but joined up with V/4 to go down the Mines. Victor 4 Wathan-Marshall-Morgan-Whiting Went to go Mining at Tan y Grisau, but joined up with V/3. Victor 5 Kay-Hatton-Jones D/O at Oggy then up onto Penny to sort out their souls. Then over Dafydd and Llewelyn to the Refuge, and a subsequent join up with V/2 in the Caseg. A good day with bags of fresh air. 14k - 1,062m - 4.40hrs. All back to Valley and reverted to normal standby by 2000.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 15th to the 17th Sept (Based at Dolgarrog)

Pibworth Morgan Green Croker Cameron Browne Seamarks

The Caretaker was surprised to see us - this is the third time on the trot that he has not been told that the RAF would be using the buildings, but he opened with a smile - even though we caught in the middle of his favourite TV slot. - And there were very few of us out this weekend (as above) even counting three blokes on trial, so we were not looking for trouble.

Saturday 16th V/1 Pibworth-Seamarks To Ogwen in SWB to stumble round Idwal, up the Devils Kitchen, onto Y Garn and back down again in the Clag, Gale force winds, and Occasional showers. A rough passage - these young loons get blown over very easily! 7k - 643m - 31/2 hrs. followed by a couple of hours basic work in a more sheltered spot. V/2 Cameron-Browne To Ogwen in the Ambu., then haired off up to Idwal, Kitchen, and fought their way up onto Glyder Fawr (-and back down again). Enough is enough. 61/2k - 693m - 4hrs. Very strong winds, low clag, and driving rain - plus a session on basic hill safety, navigation, and area knowledge. V/3 Morgan-Green Ambu. dropped them off at Capel and then a battle up onto the col at the south end of Cowlyd, down past Siglen, and down to Base via the pipeline. 11k - 457m - 5hrs. Very windy, but just a wee bumble.

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 45 Saturday night in the Foreign Legion was the usual hospitable welcome from the Locals (we even played Bingo). It's amazing what these Scalies will get up to when they are away from home! John Croker was Cook of the day Sunday 17th V/1 Pibworth-Browne To the Grandstand in Mant Gwynant in the SWB, then up onto Cefncerrig for a lot of basic map reading and navigation. Down by the Pen y Gwrhyd and the road. Radios were much more efficient than yesterday in the wind and rain. Weather inproved a great deal after mid-day. 5k - 100m - 5hrs. Interesting. V/2 Croker-Seamarks-Morgan-Green Up to Pen y Pass in Ambu. Up the PyG track to Snowdon, and back down via the Miners track. Glad of the Cafe this time to get something hot into '61' - he had gone a funny colour again! Hordes of crazy tourists all over theplace. Cameron cooked the chicken meat for us. Whiting-James and Taylor looked after 22 for us, but what with the saturday gales there was no activity at all - other than the usual flights. Summer Course established at Llanrwst OAC - all the normal settling-in chaos.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE Sept 22nd to the 24th (Bethesda)

Pibworth Wathan Hatton Walker Forster Jones Hollister Cameron Marshall Randall Whiting Green Chapman Kay Browne Seamarks (P. Kays buddy back from Muscat Graham Pease) Croker and Palmer had a very non-exciting time with 22 Squadron.

Summer course still in action (they've had a super dry week of it so far), and saturday was the 'day off' and the day we promised to support the Bangor Venture Scouts charity Tug-of-War contest on the Sports Field at the Harbour. As it was scheduled to be held at 1300 it mucked the day quite successfully, and in fact after standing around in the rain and sizing up the opposition - our Lightweight and 'B' teams were literally pulled off their feet. Having to wear plimsolls and track shoes may have something to do with it, but we were wiped out.

V/1 Chapman and Seamarks They got an early D/O at Ogwen and staggered off up onto Pen yr Oleuwen, and down to Base - in time to come to Bangor with the rest of the Troops. Gerry has had the old tendon / ligament knee syndrom ever since he went ski-ing - and he has not been able to participate much lately. 7.2k - 676m - 3hrs.

Ian Wright had advised us during the week that his Sea King would be coming up for mount flying with us this weekend, but although we had abunch of guys standing by and comms already established through to SARTS - the bloody thing just wheezed its way up the Nant Ffrancon, turned round a couple of times, and then flew off. It is not worth getting involved in these fringe activities - where the other side is not definitely committed.

So saturday was not a really a great success - although everyone stayed in a good humor.

Sunday 24th VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 46 V/1 Randall-Whiting-Browne In SWB to the Slate Quarries. There is now a Roverable track from the Cwm Teigel side of the quarry - up over the shoulder of the Mawr and down to the other entrance. Looks as though this has been done (no easy or cheap task) in order to facilitate access. There are new Compressor trollies and rock drills on the site. The Mawr would be an excellant radio comms location in this area. They took the Sharkeyes with them, and spent five hours in the luxury of air conditioned tunneling and muddy mines, - and then picked up V/2 from the Milestone.

V/2 Hollister - Walker Had a D/O at the Milestone by V/1. Nor' Nor' Butress (Hard Diff). Aborted the route when the wind and the rain reached an unacceptable level. Abseiled into Nor' Nor' Gully. Climbed up to the North Ridge - and so to the summitt. A good day. (This must rate as one of the teams many masterpieces of understatement. What a wealth of cursing, wetness, and frustration is hidden in these few words).

V/3 Kay-Pease-Hatton-Cameron In Mobile 2 to Pen y Pass, then up to the top and down to Nant Gwynant. Thoroughly enjoyable. Restaurant open - closes 6th October. Cameron nearly bought the teas. Honking visibility. 13k - 729m - 41/2hrs.

V/4 Chapman- Marshall- Jones- Forster (yes, he led them astray again!) In Ambulance to Nant Gwynant. Watkin track - Summit - Miners Track - Pen y Pass. 13k - 1020m - 5hrs.

V/5 Pibworth Seamarks-Green In Control to Croesor via intensive map-reading session through Rhiwlas, , , , Moel Tryfan Hole, , Pen Morfa, and Llanrothan. Chucked it in about 200' short of Moelwyn summit - before someone got blown away. Managed to get back to the wagon (clag all the way) on a good bearing. 7k - 522m - 3hrs. Good sport.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 6th to the 8th Oct 1978 (Llanberis)

Wathan James Cameron Morgan Hollister Walker Male Worsnop Hatton Kay Browne Palmer Forster Randall Deegan Pibworth

Funny sort of weekend all told. Started with a cancelled booking for Dolgarrog, so round to the Castle at Llanberis with its filthy yard and dangerous roof - and grotty ale-house. Saturday opened up with the usual indifferent weather forecast - when there was not a cloud to be seen! And so we staggered off out onto the hill. V/1 Pibworth-Deegan. Off round to the Water works at Gerlan, and up over all the tops to Llewelyn, navigating like mad things in gin-clear conditions - we got some strange looks. Then down over Yr Elen to the wagon. One of the splendiferous days that only come once in a while - really hot, with a strong coolish wind from the SE. V/2 Left a wagon at he Gwrhyd and clumped their way up onto the Glyders via the Miners Track. Then over the Fach and Fawr - through all the hordes, over Y Garn and Foel Goch to he top

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 47 of Elidir fawr. Down to Nant Peris and back to base along the road - thirsty work, 19k - 1263m - 6.15 hrs. Randall-Browne-Palmer-Forster. V/3 Kay-Worsnop-Hatton Pure sadist this lot. Started from Oggy and went up onto the Glyders via the Gribin Ridge in one foul swoop - a great way to get rid of last nights ale. Over onto Y garn, Foel Goch, and Elidir Fawr (they managed to contact Z/91 eventually, but didn't get the lift they wanted back to Oggy - due to a misunderstand misunderstanding in location given. If you say it quickly, and with no emphasis, then Elidir Fawr sound like Glyder Fawr - and that's where the chopper went! For the 22 crew it is better to give a map reference - even if it is only a four figure grid square, with a physical description - in order to reduce this risk of confusion, like "Grid Refernce Six Two Five Three. Lliwedd. West Summit.") 17k - 1131m - 7 hrs. V/4 Hollister-Male-Walker. Moel Eilio from Base (that slowed the W/Op down for starters!) then over all the usual tops to the Cafe (last day open this year). A good day for the hill. Down to Pen y Pass via the Miners. 201/2k - 3300m - 73/4 hrs. V/5 Wathan-James-Cameron Dropped of at Capel and straight up Siabod. Then down to the Gwrhyd (naturally). Back onto the hill - up onto Lliwedd, and up the Saethau Screes onto the Summit (teas only), then down the railway to base. 23k - 1864m - 73/4 hrs. Sunday 8th Oct Despite the same sort of forecast it was a completely different sort of day - much more fierce. Gone were the blue skies. The wind was stronger, and the clag was down on the tops for most of the day, with rain in the late afternnon. V/1 Pibworth-Forster. Geordie was carried away for a spot of intensive map work. At one stage he was so upset that he was claiming Pen y Pass was down the Nant Gwynant from the Grandstand! But we got that sorted out and he ended up by drawing a passable map of North Wales with all the roads, principle towns, and all the 14-Peaks (in the right order too!), so he does know how to do it after all. And he can use a compass and protractor, adding and subtracting the 7 degrees variation as necessary, but he was very hacked off to find that all his maps were the 1st Edition ones. It was hard work though, his scrambler was jumping cogs towards the end! And he couldn't do the layback on Church Rocks either. V/2 Randall-Deegan-Palmer Capel Curig to Crimpiau, , Crafnant, Gerionedd. A good old low level walk about in the broken country north of Capel. Back to Capel for the wagon. 151/2k - 480m 5 hrs. V/3 Kay-Browne-Hatton. Helyg, and up onto Pen Helgi Du (a bit draughty up here!), Llewelyn, Dafydd, Tal y Llyn Ogwen and back to Helyg. 18k - 1500m - $1/2 hrs. Windy. V/4 Hollister-Male-Worsnop-Walker. Up onto the Glyders from Capel, and down the Miners from Llyn Caseg Ffraith to Ogwen 81/2k-750m-6hrs - Hollister / Male. 11k-750m-51/2 hrs Worsnop / Walker V/5 Wathan-Morgan-Cameron. Nant Peris to Elidir Fawr (Oh the pain!), Foel Goch, Y Garn, devils Kitchen, Ogwen, Old Roman Road to Capel Curig. 181/2k - 1136m - 6 hrs. Cooks were Morgan saturday, and James Sunday. Croker and James attended a casualty on Sunday with22 (ankle- blown over). Back to Valley and reverted to normal standby by 2000.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 13th to the 15th Oct (Based at the ATC Hut at Llanbedr airfield

Haveron Marshall Wathan Pibworth Male Deegan Randall Jones Owen Walker Cameron James Whiting Taylor John Boyle (Leuchars MRT) Terry McDevitt (Leuchars MRT) Ron Cameron (Ex-Valley MRT)

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 48 Instead of hiding up the cwm at the farm, we tried out one of Colins old haunts - and very good it turned out to be. Bags of room to park (watch the grass though). Limited accomodation, but all the facilities. And a bar / club right next door that is friendly and CHEAP with everything from colour television to Guiness! Saturday 14th Victor One Haveron-Marshall-Wathan D/O at 124/658378 (stay on the coast road as far as the Pont Brewit Toll Bridge junction - then turn up right), Moel Ysgyfarnogod, Craig Wion, .518, Rhinog Fawr, Rhinog Fach, Y Llethr, Diffwys and then down the long slope to the wagon at Sylfaen. 28.5k-1850m-10hrs. (no comment!) Victor Two Pibworth-Male-Deegan D/O at same place a V/1, 665370, 673363, 673354, 669353, 662348, 657346, over the stones and bogs to Clip. Down to the Wion Bwlch by the VS path (time 1520). To the road and a lift down the cwm to the village for Pib who then legged it back to the airfield, grabbed the Control and motored up to the Nant Col jnct to pick up V/3, Andy (boots), and V/2 from LLyn Bychan. Then all back (9) slowly to base. V/3 Randall-Jones-Ron Cameron- John Boyle (16k-950m-8hrs D/O at Sylfaen (631185), Diffwys, Y Llethr, Rhinog Fach, Bwlch DA, Nant Col road down to 600273. 20k-2,800feet, in 81/2hrs. Victor Four Owen-Walker-Cameron Did the reciprocal of V/1 (back in the dark as well- does it count as a night-ex?) Thought it rugged. 11hrs-6,000 feet-and 29k. Victor Five James-McDevitt-Whiting From the Gwernan Lake hotel up onto Craig las ridge and up to the summit - and out of the clag that was lumbering everybody else - into a brilliant sunlit cloud seascape ( on its own over in the east). Down back to the hotel by the Fox's Path after bagging Mynydd Pencoed and Mynydd Moel. 18k-1,040 feet-61/2hrs. Tea for 1800 was gammon steaks by Mick Taylor, but all back by 2100, and very quiet after an energetic day. Sunday 15th Victor One Haveron-Cameron-Owen-Marshall-R Cameron-J Boyle To the Moelwyns and Craig yr Oen, where Haveron / Cameron climbed SLICK 390'/VD, CHICK 345' HVD and KIRKUS'S climb DIRECT 350’/ S. Owen / Marshall climbed CHICK 200'/HVD, SLICK 300'/VD, BENT 90'/S, and a whole lot of rock techniques, rope work, belays and basic footwork. A good day enjoyed by all. Victor Two Pibworth-Male-Deegan-Jones-Taylor Down to the Nat. Park Car Park at 697153 out of on the back road (the Nat. Park authority has cleaned up the farm property and re-fenced it - and are in the process of rebuilding the farm house). Up onto the Craig Las zig-zags (the whole route has been extensively rebuilt and re-gate'd). On to the top for a quick respite (where did all the sunshine go?), and an orderly retreat back down the same way. 6k-718m-41/2hrs. Boot troubles again - and more clag. Victor Three Wathan-James-Walker-McDevitt-Whiting Around to the Gold Mines at Gwynfynydd for more exploration, and some suicidal ladder ascents. Wet and muddy. Mick Randall did cook, and turned out a great soup out of nothing, and super beef. All back to Valley and normal standby by 2000. We were able to borrow one of the Police portable generator light units from Colwyn Bay this weekend and it proved to be a vast improvement on the Camlight. Much impressed by the low weight, size, and ease with which it can be brought into action. Will speak to ILR on this one.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 20th to the 22nd Oct 78 (Broughton on Furness)

Haveron Walker Taylor Forster Pibworth Browne Morris Owen Marshall Male Kay Skett James Jones Worsnop Cameron Hatton Deegan Hulme Kendal-Ward VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 49 Early 'chits', late wagon. and a last minute change of Bedfords (broken fan blade this time) - and all away by 1415 through rain and traffic to the Lakes.

Saturday 21st Haveron-Walker-Taylor-Forster as V/1 off to a drop at Grasmere for Lang Howe, Castle Howe, Blea Crag, Stickle Tarn, Jakes Rake, pavey Ark, Langdale Pikes, Stake Pass, Black Crag, Bowfell, The Band, and down to the ODG. 201/4k - 1402m - 71/4hrs. The day started with good weathe. An interesting route up Jakes Rake. However the bad weather later on turned the route into a good navigation exercise for Geordie.

V/2 Pibworth-Browne-Kendal-Ward and Morris round to Wasdale Head in Control, and then for a sobering stumble up to the top of Scafell Pike via Hollow Stones, Mickeldore, and much hill-fog. Set off down for Styhead, but things went wrong somehow and after a good deal of to-ing and fro- ing ended up on the top of Lingmell Crag. A nameless descent was made to Lingmell Beck down a desparate hillside to emerge from the clag at the sheep pen alongside of the tourist route to Styhead / Wasdale. Back to the wagon via Burnthwaite. 11k - 900m - 7hrs An interesting route, but because of the clag we saw little of the super rock scenery between the pike and Scafell.

V/3 Owen-Marshall-Male Round to Wasdale and straight up onto Kirkfell into the fog. Over Great Gable, down to Styhead for a quick scamper up to Great End. Past Broad Crag to Scafell Pike top, then down into the daylight again in Wasdale. 15k - 1672m - 71/2hrs. A wet and claggy day. V/4 Kay-Skett-James-Jones sloped off round to the ODG in Langdale and made their way up to Pike of Stickle, Harrison Stickle, Thunacar Knott, High Raise, Sergeant Man, and down to Grasmere. 161/2k - 900m - 6hrs. A good day for losing ones self.

V/5 Worsnop-Cameron-Hatton-Deegan Rushed off round to Grasmere for a drop at Helmside and up onto Helm Crag, Calf Crag, High Raise and Sergeant Man. 18k - 1000m - 61/2hrs. A slow easy day.

Sunday 22nd V/1 Haveron-Manacourt-Walker to Raven Crag (after the Leeming MRT reunion) for a quick thrutch. First two pitches of Kneewrecker Chimney VS. and the last pitch of Revelation S.

V/2 Pibworth-Marshall-Male-Kendal-Ward for a drop at 146 895, and a quick sprint over the Black Combe ridge in the clag and juicy bogland. Pibworth drove round to pick the U/T PL and party up at 133 824, No snags - short day, 81/2k -450m - 2hrs exactly.

V/3 Kay-James-Jones-Skett-Morris-Taylor-Hulme. Climbing on Shepherds Crag, Langdale.

V/4 Worsnop-Cameron-Deegan-Morris-Forster-Hatton-Browne mass ascent of Hellvelyn.

Saturday cook was Geof Hulme, and Stan did the Sunday.

22 Sqd was manned by Hollister and Morgan.

Away from Broughton by 1615, and had a fast run back to Valley for 2230.

The Control was shunted from behind by a Mini outside of Conway on the run out. VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 50 MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 27th to the 29th Oct Based at RAF Valley and Bethesda

First-Aid Course held on camp this weekend. and small party out to the hills.

Saturday 28th Oct. V/1 Randall-Kendal Ward dropped off Ray anf Dave at Aber before going on the hill. LWB left at Ogwen, and up onto Pen yr Oleuwen (radio check with Vally Rescue L/C), Carnedd Dafydd (radio check with Alpine Victor Base L/C), SH 971, Carnedd Llewelyn (met up with Ray and Dave), Pen y Waun Wen, Ffynnon, track to A5, A5 to Ogwen. 17k - 1000m - 6hrs - weather: Hot. MR wore his shorts. Hill fog on the tops. Wind light. Good to have a trialist with a little navigation knowledge for a change. V/2 Hatton-Walker. D/O at 576 717, Foel Ganol, Drosgl, Drum, Foel Fras, Garnedd Uchaf, checked the visitors book in the Refuge on Foel Grach, Carnedd Llewelyn, SH 971, Carnedd Dafydd, Pen yr Oleuwen, and down to Ogwen. 191/2k -4,250' - 6hrs. A great day.

Sunday 29th Oct. Duty Cook trialist served Ray and Dave breakfast in bed! He had forgotten to put his clock back one hour. Area knowledge run to . Explored Manod Slate Quarry. Got behind the front door of the airconditioned mine. Warning. Blasting had taken place in the pit since last visit which gives access. Entrance nearly filled with rubble. As usual the Manod area was covered in a pea souper hill fog - never known it to be clear. NB road over the top to the pit now motorable with caution, but beware of blasting operations as pit now seems to be in use.

Food. Compo supplemented by fresh vegetables - most enjoyable.

The lightweight weekend was well like by all. One LWB and trailer. Gas bottle and the Bullfinch burner, couple of saucepans and dixies, fresh bread, milk and scran. KFS box.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 3rd to the 5th Nov'78 (Tal y Mignedd)

Randall Owen Hollister Wathan Palmer Jones Kendall Ward Male Morris Browne Seamarks Skett

Sat 4th Nov. V/1 Randall-Male LWB at Rhyd Du Car Park, up the ridge and over to the top of Snowdon (Radio check on Ultra to AV/Base - L/C). Down the Ranger track over Cloggy and back to the LWB. Very wet, and very strong wind above 3,000'. 15.4k - 894m - 51/2hrs. V/2 Owen-Jones-Seamarks From Base to Garnedd Goch, Craig Cwm Silin, Tal y Mignedd where Seamarks was taken back to Base by Owen because of exposure symptoms (he had been somewhat wetted by falling in a young river previously) Jonah joined up withV/4. V/3 Wathan-Skett-Browne From Beddgelert up onto Moel Hebog, Moel Lefn, Mynydd Craig Goch, Garnedd Goch, Mynydd Tal y Mignedd, Y Garn, and down to Base. 20.5k - 1850m - 8.5hrs. Wet and windy. V/4 Hollister-Morris-Kendall Ward From Base to Llyn Cwm Silin, Garnedd Goch, Craig Cwm Silin, Mynydd Tal y Mignedd, Trum y Ddysgl, Y Garn, and down to Base. VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 51 15k - 1020m - 5hrs. Very windy with rain at times. Palmer did the chickens a real treat!

Sun 5th Nov (no pyrotechnics!) V/1 Owen-Male-Kendall Ward Navex. SH/697, Moel Druman, SH/668, Afon Cwm, SH532, the quarries, Moel yr Hydd. 131/2k - 800m - 5hrs. A slow day. V/2 Wathan-Jones-Browne Mine exploration above LLyn Stwlan in the Moelwyns (South side of Moelwyn Mawr). More equipment needed for further investigation. 8k-500m-6hrs. V/3 Palmer-Skett-Seamarks D/O in Cwm Croesor. Cnicht, Moel Druman, Llyn Conglog, Llyn Clogwyn Brith, Llyn Stwlan, Moelwyn Bach, and a P/U by V/2. A good day with great views through the clag. 13k - 950m - 41/2hrs. V/Control Randall-Morris Area familiarisation and checking out the team camera. Eric Hollister cooked the steaks.

Croker and Taylor had a lot of un-excitement with 22! What's happening to all the accidents and call-outs?

An uneventful weekend.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 10-12 Nov 78

CASTLE HOTEL LLANBERIS

Haveron Owen Watman Skett Morris Forster Hale Morgan Walker Seamarks Pibworth Marshall Vaughan

SAT 11 NOV

V1 Haveron, Morgan, Seamarks, Vaughan. Croesor Fawr to Cnicht to Moel Druman the to Moelwyn Mawr and Moelwyn Bach.

151/2 Km, 1434 metres in 7 hrs.

V2 Owen, Marshall, Morris Oggie Cot, Y Garn, Glyder Fawr, Glyder Fach, Tryfan, Llyn Ogwen Craig Llugwy Carnedd Dafydd, Pen-yr-role-wel, Oggie Tea Shack, (Gasp!). Stan had a long wait for Andy and Noddy cried off at Ogwen with cramp.

18 Km, 2021 Metres in 7 hrs.

V3 Wathan, Skett, Forster Oggie Cot, Glyder Fawr, Y Garn, Oggie Cot, Pen-y-Role-Wen, Garnedd Dafydd, Carnedd Llewelyn, Foel Grach, Bethesda (Direction finder got lost!).

201/2 Km, 1908 metres in 81/2 hrs.

Dave Walker did the cooking, Pib was base driver and the WOP wopped. VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 52 SUN 12 NOV

Sunday and everyone away to MR 564624 (Eagle Rock) for abseiling and prussiking. However the heaven opened and everyone was back in the bothy by 1330 practising coiling ropes, lighting tillies and a run down on the kit in the waggons.

Cook was Andy Marsall and Pib was on control.

All packed up and back to Valley by 1800.

Sunday 26th November

V/2 and V/3 correction There were last minute alterations made - so, to keep the record as straight as possible, and so that this book can be used as a reasonable source of reference in days to come...... Taylor and Forster were dropped at the School in Capel to nav to the Monument at the north end of Llyn Gerionydd. They nipped up the path behind the school and up to the old farm building at Waen Hir (737 584), then across the Badlands as far as the Hostel Path (736 594) then down to the road at Crafnant- past that Monument, and round to the nort end of Mynydd Deulyn to come out at the Gerionydd Monument, and eventual pick-up by Worsnop in M/1 and Wathan and Hatton. Whiting was dropped near the 'house in the trees' at Capel (723 587) to rendevous at the same pick- up point. Skett did the same sort of thing from another point in Capel itself.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 8th to the 10th Dec 1978 (Dolgarrog)

Morgan Forster Randall Skett Pibworth Worsnop Hulme Deegan Marshall Whiting

Still low on numbers, but the regulars turned out for one of those dreary weekends that are all too frequent at this time of the yaer - nothing at all to recommend it weather wise, and there were even fewer people on the hill!

Saturday 9th Dec V/1 Randall - Deegan. Had themselves a drop-off at the Dam (Hafod ) in Eigiau, then to SH.585, and the top of Oen Llithrig y Wrach (where they had to admit that it was rather windy). Then a fight to get down the ridge to the gap and another struggle up the far side to the top of Pen Helgi Du. Down the 'tricky bit' to the col, then south past Fynnon Llugwy and on down the Water Board road to the Ambulance on A5. 9k - 800m - 5hrs. V/2 Hulme - Marshall. This pair left the Ambulance (688 603) and legged it up the road to the col, up past Craig yr Ysfa, to the top of Llewelyn, over to Yr Elan and back. They were very much nearer to the thunder up there and they lost no time in reaching the Refuge on Foel Grach when it started rattling round their heels. When it had eased they zotted off over Garnedd Uchaf (no sign of the Honda), Foel Fras, Pen y Cadair, and down for a pick-up by the Sigs at Bwlch y Gaer. They only saw five people all day. Got themselves hammered by hailstones at one stage, but an epic jaunt - the northern Carneddau being new country for them both. 22k - 1306m - 53/4hrs. V/3 Whiting - Skett. Had themselves a drop-of at Capel Curig (Joe Browns and Toilet), the up to the top of Siabod by a devious and half-remembered route. They back tracked as far as Pont VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 53 Cyfyng, then up the track past the farm - then turned left past the lake and quarry, up over all the bog round Llyn y Foel and into the cam formed by the South ridge of Siabod. Here they picked up a marvellous grassy ramp that broght them out a hundred yards (your words Ian!) from the Trig- point - some people have all the luck. Then back down to Capel, but Cobdens was closed(?), so they staggered up to Waen Hir and back down to Glyn Farm and the Ugly House. Along the north bank of the - to see it as it really is (but there were no Salmon leaping today), the crossed by the Miners Bridge to the waiting Sigs. 20k - 1020m - 71/2hrs. V/4 Morgan - Forster. Left their Rover in the Car Park at Beddgelert and tottered up onto Moel Hebog via Cwm Cloch. Geordie insisted they never got lost, but it hard to Believe...... Then down onto Moel Lefn, and return via paths through the forest. 12k - 850m - 5hrs. Bruce stayed behind and cooked in splender (gammon steaks). Pibworth took the decorations down to Bethesda, and collect more repairs from Browns, collect V/2 and V/3, and did the comms (which were good) from Nebo. Sunday 10th Dec V/1 Randall - Deegan. Dropped-off V/3 then went round to the Bethesda Waterworks for an exploratory visit to Cwm Caseg. A day for relaxation. A nice easy-going walk over much flat ground. 10k - 250m - 5hrs. V/2 Hulme - Morgan. Geof still had the get Tal y Fan crossed of his list, and thought it would brighten his day by claiming an unusual top (Pen Maen Mawr), but somehow or other there was lots of walls to climb and dreary moorland, and more bog, and the wind was still strong. They got a drop at Bwlch y Ddeufaen and did all the rocky bits - then staggered back to the wagon after 15k - 830m - 51/2hrs, during which they no one! V/3 Whiting - Skett. Suffered a great deal of early morning confusion at the side of the A5, but eventually radio'ed that Cwm Idwal was approaching (.....Aaaagh!) and even then they arrived in Cwm Bochllwyd looking for the Nature Conservency hut...... hey ho. All the gullies on the Fach looked cold and wet. The Bristly didn't really look worth the effort, and neither did the South Peak. They only just made the top of Tryfan, before it was time to descend back to camp five and oxygen again! 51/2k - 614m - 4hrs. V/4 Worsnop - Marshall. Drove away in the direction of Moel Fammou and 116/163 605. 7k - 1020 feet - 7hrs. Forster cooked (?) he threw the first cabbage out - it turned brown! Pibworth monitored the airwaves at Nebo - got good comms with everyone except hidden V/1. Picked up Stan as arranged (dirty stop-out) and brought him back to base where he did a quick 161/2k - 350m - 11/2hrs. Then off to the Police to identify a haversack held in the local 'shop', and off again to Nebo.

All washed up and packed away in the wagons and off by 1800. Forgot to put the sweeping brush on the wagon this week, so we were unable to do a really super clearing up job. And there is a broken window in the sleeping hut but that as reported to the Caretaker (Mr. Cavalier) on our arrival.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM RAF VALLEY 15th to the 16th Dec (Bethesda)

Pibworth Taylor Marshall Skett Jones Wathan James Deegan Saturday 16th - Always the same just before Christmas, everybody wants off, but we hacked it OK and as Tom Taylor and his men were sharing the bothy with us we were not lonely! At a quarter to six on VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 54 Friday before we left Valley Jim Craigs Troops rang up in desparation from Tan y - asking for a base camp as they arrived from Stafford to find their usual dry field now a swamp - along with the rest of after this weeks heavy rainstorms. We booked the Castle for them at short notice, and they arrived around 1930.

V/1 Pibworth-Deegan. Returned to Valley to pick up Taylor, then up to Pen y Pass for mid-day. Up the miners Track - recced the spot where Thursdays call-out ended (115/656 550), then up the newly improved track to Glaslyn (there is something that resembles a bird-watching hide close to the lake at 632 546 corrugated iron with camouflage netting). Up the gully onto the Pig and up carefully to the top of the Zig-Zags on snow and ice. Back the same way at a great rate of knots before dark. 14k - 1000m - 41/2 hrs. A great day for the hill.

V/2 Wathan-Marshall-Jones-Skett. Thought that they were in for a hard time when they were given 'a route', but they returned reasonably chuffed having run round it with very little trouble - and got a beer in. It would have been a different tale if the clag had been down, but it turned out to be one of those rare crisp winters days with sunshine. 14k - 950m - 31/2 hrs.

Came back to find that x-team member Rick Aspinall had turned up for his two Venture Scout lads to have a day out with us (Neal Smith and Michael Burrows). These two went along with our lads on the next day(inpreparation for the walk from to North Wales that they are taking part in (over sixty people!) over Christmas.). Colin James cooked, and then legged it. Sunday 17th Dec V/2 Taylor-Jones-Skett (plus Smith and Burrows) were dropped off at Ogwen and then up onto Penny for a quiet scamper in the snow over to the Gyrn Wigau pickup via Dafydd, Llewelyn, Foel Grach, Yr Arig, , Bach and Drosgl. Super day no snags. 151/2k - 906m - 51/2 hrs. V/3 Marshall-Deegan. Dropped the other patry first then up to 639 666 to meet up with them. Tried the direct scent of Yr Elen, but the Caseg was wide and deep, and it was too early in the day to get their feet wet, so off up the side of Yr Arig to the Refuge. Down over all the minor tops. 141/2k - 850m-5 hrs. Boggy! Pibworth kept Comms all day - for all three teams. Even had Tom on Dinas Mot and the Parsons nose! Wathan cooked a great piece of Beef, and as Saints had a long drive ahead of them, we packed up early and were back at Valley just after 1800. Quite a pleasant ex.

Mountain Rescue Team Christmas Holiday at Bethesda (22nd to 1st Jan)

Hatton Taylor Owen Wathan Palmer Whiting Hulme Walker Skett Male Deegan Pibworth

The weather was reasonable - bitterly cold, a fair bit of snow down to the A5, and the strong winds. We settled in OK - making use of the AR Hut next door for bunks and bogs. Pib put in some strip lights, power points, and windows on the saturday - Chippy fixed a couple more and the door latch, so the barn was reasonably warm and draught proof.

Saturday 23rd. Hatton cooked. Pibworth radioed. V1 Owen / Skett did the Moel Eilio Triangle. V2 Walker / Palmer / Males / Deegan went from Helyg to Cwm Eigiau for a techniques session. V3 Hulme / Marshall from Pen y Pass to Crib Goch and back 8k-490m-4hrs' .... the snow at PyP was not much cop, but as we approached Crib Goch it got much better. The wind was about 20 VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 55 knots and spitting with snow. It proved quite difficult coming down to the Pig track which proved interesting. Got in comms with Sierra One, didn't see a soul all day, Magic! Sunday 24th. Taylor cooked. Pibworth radioed. V2 Tony Jones / Hulme / Skett / Illife 5k-566m-4hrs Started off at Big Williams farm (Gwern y Gof Isaf), shot past Little Tryfan, up to the Heather terrace, Then up to Tryfan, back down to Bwlch Tryfan, and down to Bochllwyd, and down to the Rescue Post. Conditions were boggy snow and very wet rain. Saw just a few people on the hill. Monday 25th Dec. Owen / Wathan / Pibworth cooked - so it was a great meal. Stanley went berserck on the barcadi based Punch and beat the ladle to death (several times). Aaaaaargh! Tuesday 26th. Palmer cooked. Pibworth radioed. V2 Tony Jones / Taylor / Marshall / Male / Deegan / Walker / Tom Pritchard and Spot ascended Snowdon from Pen y Pass in the annual Xmas pilgrimage to cleanse the body and purge the soul. Twas not a day to hang about on - being truly Brass Monkey climate, but there were the usual hordes of Kamakazi hillwalkers loose and in order to keep the accident statistics with in reason the troops collered a family group of four who were in trouble on the icy Zig-Zags - and walked then down to the wagon at Hafof y Rhiw. V3 Owen / Skett to the Castle until thursday. V4 Forster / Hatton / Wathan / Hulme. Wednesday 27th Dec. Walker cooked. Pibworth radioed. V2 Marshall / Pritchard / Taylor off to the Lleyn Peninsular in the Ambulance. Thursday 28th Dec. Hulme cooked. Pibworth radioed. V2 Owen / Skett Carnedds. V3 Pritchard / Hatton / Walker / Worsnop to Tryfan, the Glyders and down by the Litchen. '..... a good day, but honking high winds and rain'. 7k-917m-4hrs. V4 Whiting with ATC party up onto from Plas y Brenin, and down to Pont Cyfnyg 10k-900m-4hrs. Friday 29th Dec. Whiting cooked. Pibworth radioed. V2 Walker / Pritchard / Mews d/o at 631 635 through the cwm, up gully to Carnedd y Filiast, Myn Perfdd, and to Nant Peris for a p/u. 71/2k-530m-4hrs. V3 Hatton / Marshall / Hulme / Male / Deegan mainly shopping bank, Bangor, Capel, Ancaster, Beddgelert. V4 Worsnop in SWB to Valley to p/u rations and Eric Hollister. Saturday 30th Dec. Marshall cooked. Pibworth radioed. V1 Worsnop / Hollister to Valley for rations after 1620. V2 Pritchard / walker / Worsnop / Skett direct ascent of Braich ty Du from 645 618 to Pen yr Oleuwen top. Whiteout and spindrift fierce. Descended via Cwm Lloer. V3 Owen from Base up the ridge onto Pen yr Oleuwen. V4 Whiting / Hulme / Deegan / Male a shopping run for coal and firewood via Y Garn 4k-500m-21/2hrs. V5 Hollister from Ogwen up to Bwlch Tryfan, then back to Base via Llyn Idwal and the Old road. 10k-500m-41/2hrs. had a call-out in the evening to start looking for a bunch of ten people staying at the Scout Hut (Hafod) who had set out in the late afternoon to walk over the Glyders in worsening weather. Luckily for them an Oggy search party found them together and more or less still alive before the mid night hour - otherwise it might have turned into a real epic. Drinking late in the Duggy that night (morning). Sunday 31st Dec. Skett cooked. Pibworth radioed. To Cobbies at night with Saints. Monday 1st Jan 1979, Returned to Valley by 1500.

A very alcholic 'standby'. Not a great deal done on the hill - the snow was not really in good condition, but generally everyone did their thing and had a good time.

Mountain Rescue Team Exercise 5th to the 7th Jan (Based at the Castle).

Haveron Morris Walker Hollister Male Palmer Kay Morgan Skett Booth Browne Randall

Saturday 6th. The day started from just passed Ynys Ettws. We walked up into the Cwm Glas Mawr. Here we found a small ice fall; where we spent an hour or more practicing ice climbing VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 56 techniques. From there we went further into the Cwm and up to Parsely Fern Gully. Here after a time it was decided that we would not all get up and so Pete, Eric and Dave B went up (later found that they had gone into Sinister Gully, realised and crossed into the latter). The rest descended into the Cwm, and a couple had some sport on another small ice fall, and so back to the Rovers, and a good sound meal. The climbers descended by the Railway to Base. Randall made the soup and cooked the nosh.

Sunday 7th. V/1 Haveron-Morris-Morgan-Browne The original plan was to do the Horseshoe from Pen y Pass, but this had to be aborted due to the Cooker blowing up. It had a complete strip- down and clean - which fixed it, but too late to restart on the Horseshoe. Tried for Cloggy, via Railway track, but at Hebron Station on black ice the Rover decided to sink into the mud and had to be extricated by the Base Rover. Time now pressing so a quick touch of the old road navigation exercise through Bryn Bras Castle to Groeslan, and back to Base. V/2 Owen-Palmer-Walker-Booth took themselves away for a scamper around the Horseshoe from Pen y pass via Lliwedd. 12k-900m-5hrs. Wet! V/3 Hollister-Skett-Male-Kay Tryfan, Bwlch Tryfan, Ogwen, and return to Glan Dena. Randall prpared the grub again - Many thanks. A miserable day with much rain, strong winds and no views. And as it was young Colin James wedding on Saturday - the troops had to nip over to the island to see him away in the evening, and then to stove delaying things, plus the Bedford going sick, and the Sigs getting to be close to death, - it was almost a relief to get back to Valley.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 12th to the 14th Jan '79 (Dolgarrog)

Pibworth Randall Kay Hollister Morgan Hatton Wathan Male Skett Browne Worsnop Morris

Frantic wiring schemes and much cursing restored headlights to the accursed Bedford - that went sick as we were preparing to roll Friday night (The Duty Electrician turned up as we were moving out). Stafford MRT were in by the time we arrived at Dolgarrog via the coast road (it was one of the coldest nights - and we stayed on ice free roads. Stafford had stowed themselves away very neatly (thanks Jim), and we shared in comfort. All the water was frozen up, so we used other toilets, and drew water from the Aluminum works yard. Saturday 13th. V/1 Hollister / Worsnop / Skett / Wathan Away in 89 AM 20 to do great things in Cwm Glas Mawr, but found only unconsilidated snow conditions. Made do with the Horseshoe - yeuch! 71/2k-850m-6hrs. V/2 Kay-Hatton Had to put the chains on to reach the D/O at 742 662. Up into Cwm Eigiau, Craig yr Ysfa, Llewelyn, Gleoriffordd, 728, Tal y Llyn ruin, back to wagon. What a struggle! V/3 Randall-Brown, Morgan, Male. Dropped at Pen y Pass. Pig track to Snowdon summit. Re- acted to an incident at 1450 above the Llanberis pass / below Clogwyn station (same location as last year). Galloped down through the chaos in 15 mins. - and, despite the spindrift and gale over the edge, were able to maintain a valueable radio link during the recovery of two casualties who had been injured in avalanches - one from below Clogwyn station, and the other from Cwm Glas Mawr. The helicopter (with Taylor on board) also investigated two climbers on the Parsons Nose who were thought to be in difficulties, but they had only stopped to watch the sunset! Down from that cold spot through more porridge to a P/U at Hafod y Rhiw by Control. 13k-709m-61/2hrs. morris cooked the much needed trough, then a splendid evening with RBL clubmates. Sunday 14th. VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 57 A grotty wet and overcast day, with the thaw setting in overnight. Yesterdays picture postcard weather had dissolved into hill fog with rain. V/1 Kay-Browne In 89 AM 20 for local area check out. V/2 Randall-Hatton-Male In 89 AM 23 was similar, but penetrated as far as the Brittania Copper Mines in evil conditions. 8k-100m-2hrs. V/3 Worsnop-Morgan In Ambulance to Crafnant and got the chains out for a spot of practice - and the Laplander snowshoes, on a trudge round theCrafnant Horseshoe. V/4 Wathan-Morris-Skett Dropped at Cobdens and up onto Siabod via the forest tracks and Plas y Brenin, but it was awful. 51/2K-400m-4hrs. Control met with Chris Perkins at the Grandstand. He and Alister did their demonstration of Rescue Techniques OK over in Ulster - and got a lucky lift back in a Puma on saturday, after passing a phone meaage via WA to Control yesterday that they wuld not require transport at Liverpool airport. Hollister fought the stove, and cooked today. All back to Valley and to normal standby by 1900.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 19th to the 21st Jan 79 (Bethesda)

Haveron Skett Taylor Worsnop Pibworth Jones Stapley Evans Kay Forster Wathan Booth Randall Thompson Hatton Whiting Deegan

Gearbox change on the Control Rover last week, so it was only a lash-up for this week end, and it was the first time out for the MK too - no trouble, goes like a bird.

Saturday 20th V/1 Haveron-Skett-Taylor-Worsnop. Gyrn Wigau, / Mawr, Yr Aryg, Garnedd Uchaf, Foel Grach. 131/2k-716.28m-61/2hrs. A planking day. In search of a wee bit of snow to plank on, but great success - even Afon Wen was not up to its usual depeth, and with ice axes as sticks - means you have to crouch pretty low. V/2 Pibworth-Jones-Evans- Stapley. Went off to the in their search for more snow and navigation (new recruits), but the A453 was closed at the A5 end and we only got as far as a ditched County Council Snowplough that was blocking the road. Tried to pull / shove him back up the right way, but it was hopeess - so took one of its crew back to the nearest telephone, where he got the depot at Llanrwst to come out to pick him up. We went back to Ogwen and had a quick blast around Idwal, but was not too keen to go higher where there was a promise of ice, so back to Base for a change of radio and then up onto Drosgl for a spot of rapid deep freezing - and back to the wagon at Gerlan. 8.5k-760m-5hrs. V/3 Kay-Forster-Wathan-Booth. Kitchen, Glyders, down cwm Tryfan to the A5, then along the road to Ogwen. Honking weather. Whiteout sometimes. Geordie was good fun going up snow slope. Basically a good day overall. 14k-760m-6hrs. V/4 Randall-Thompson-Hatton-Whiting. Bangor Water Works (Gerlan), Cwn Llafar, Lincoln Wreck, (a quick look at the Black Ladders!), Carnedd Llewelyn, Foel Grach (Refuge) then back down the Afon Caseg to the Wagon. The snow did not permit the hoped for chance to practice Ice Axe Arrest techniques. 16k-900m-7hrs. Messrs Hollister / Morris got their chance to get airborne with 22 late in the afternoon to try and pick-up a heart attack victim beyween Leek and Stoke-upon-Trent (there was heavy snow overnight in this area), but could reach Llangollen -where they were down to the level of the Dee and jumping over National Electricity Grid power cables. They came back as far as Bettws, flew north up a clear

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 58 Conway, but flew into a solid wall of clag at Point of Ayr (Prestatyn), and gave up. Young Tam Deegan cooked. Sunday 31st Dawned crystal clear and cold. V/1. Haveron-Forster-Whiting. SWB as far as Glan Dena, Cwm Lloer (snow good in grade 1 gully). Pen yr Oleuwen, Carnedd Dafydd, Carnedd Llewlyn, Craig Llugwy to wagon. 13k-100m-61/2hrs. Super. V/2. Pibworth-Deegan-Thompson / V/3. Randall-Stapley-Evans. As one party round to Pen y Pass and up the icy Pig Track to the Summit and back. 9.5k-729m-61/2hrs. A really magic day in superb scenery. Not a cloud in sight - cutting steps in shirtsleeves. V/4. Kay-Booth-Worsnop-Hatton. Ogwen to Llyn Clyd - and climbed all the gullies on Y Garn twice. Best day of the year. V/5. Wathan-Taylor-Skett. Capel Curig - Glyders - Capel Curig. Sunshine. Shirts off. 11k-700m-6hrs. Alwyn Jones cooked a great meal for us. All back to Valley and reverted to normal stand-by by 1945hrs.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 26th to the 28th Jan. (Golan School: 124/523 426)

Haveron Randall Wathan Thompson Seamarks Stapley Pibworth Owen Whiting Evans Jones Walker Deegan

New base camp this weekend at Dolmenmaen (south Snowdon), and very good it proved - with all the 'goodies' like electricity, heating.toilets, etc. An old school that is now used as a Community Centre for the surrounding area. It was a cold and snowy weekend.

Saturday 27th. V/1 Haveron-Evans-Walker-Owen. Off to Pen y Pass in the Ambulance then up to Snowdon summit via the Miners track and Glaslyn - yes, the Zig-Zag exit avalanched as expected. The heavy fall of snow early this morning plus an hour or so of bright sunshine was all that needed to capsize the whole edge. Back down to the car park then down to the Gwrhyd - and a quick bumble up onto the top of Y Cribau. Beautiful weather, but the snow was soft. 14.5k-1,120m-7hrs. V/2 Pibworth-Deegan-Stapley-Randall. Around to Ogwen and spent the day in Cwm Idwal carrying out the old basic techniques an what workable slopes we could find. Ice axe arrests - belaying and even poly-bagging! 5k-650m-6hrs. V/3 Wathan-Jones-Thompson-Whiting. Round to Pen y Pass and a splendid battle just reaching the top of Crib Goch in all the fresh snow and hordes of winter walkers. Not often you have to queue up for a turn at the belay on the awkward step below the summit! Kept an eye on all the potential suicide pilots floundering around, then beetled off the ridge after the pinnacles, and back to the wagon. Seamarks cooked (?) for us, and we booked out to the British Legion in Porthmadog for another birthday night (JD's). Sunday 28th. Weather not so good this morning. Overcast, blowing strong, and snow coming down. All men in wagons and off up to the head of Cwm Pennant (those ruddy gates!) for a fairly good sweep search practise and Bell stretcher carry-out. Cold and wet. VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 59 Ian Whiting cooked for us (good piece of pre-cooked pork from the mess), and Pib did the control - and checked out the Education Authority school at Rhyd Du that has been offered as another likely winter time base camp. Bags of room for wagons and bodies - plus the usual services.

The snow on the slab below Crib Goch summit avalanched with a couple of civilian walkers on it about 1430 hrs on the sunday - resulting in a suspected broken leg for one of them (his name was Illiffe!). Our two duty bods with 22 were flown in (Palmer / Hulme), and with JE Roberts and a bunch of the Llanberis MRT, they whistled him in a stretcher right down to the Causeway and along the Miners to the ambulance at Pen y Pass. Victor Control replied to a call by Valley Rescue (Storno net) while mobile on the return run at Port Dinorwic around 1750 hrs - advising us that Palmer and Hulme were still out (the chopper had been unable to return to lift off), and could we collect. Mobile Two was sent off to the Nant Peris wardens post and picked them up when they came off the hill with the rest of the Llanberis people. Back to Valley by 2100.

A goodly weekend.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE: Feb 9th to the 11th (Based at Talardd).

Pibworth Randall Worsnop Evans Stockton Ward Morris Skett Morgan Palmer Whiting Doonan Walker Male Marshall

Out to Dewi Roberts farm in wintery conditions, but the roads were not blocked, so the 21/2 hr drive was not too bad. A real bonus to sleep in a decent bed under a good roof on nights like these. Sat 10th. V1 Pibworth-Male-Ward In LWB to Hirnant for a walk-about initially, but on taking a second look at the weather on the hill - decided to establish comms with V2 to find out if they still intended to complete their planned course. Unable to do this from Hirnant or Base, so went over to Llangynog (sizeable drifts on the moor top - dodgy), and eventually round Vyrnwy to south Hirnant (blocked for four miles - as was Bwlch y Groes), but no joy at all (they had two sets) except for a quick 'goodmorning' with a couple of Sierra parties. Drove back, and raised V2 at the turnoff. Picked up and driven back very blown. V2 Randall-Stockton-Palmer-Marshall D/O at 914 244, SH/605, Foel y Geifr, 944 292, 936297, Rhydwen (921 295), Llangower, Junction (882 299) pick up. 16k-300m-51/2hrs. VERY strong north easterly winds. Snow not supporting body weight. V3 Walker-Skett-Evans Craig Cwm Du 685m, Dyrysgol 731m, Drws Bach, Aran Faddwy 907m, Aran Benllyn 884m, 866 262, Craig y Geifr, Base. 17m-3,300'-61/2hrs. After early sart (out of bed at 0630) off at 0720. Route took less time than expected as snow was firm (2" icy crust over firm base). VERY strong wind, and the clag was down to 1,599'. Also claiming a further 31/2k and 50'/45mins - after a lift down to the village. V4 Worsnop-Whiting-Morris-Doonan In Ambulance to Abergynolwyn Quarries for breezy gallop over the Taren Tops. The road was clear to the quarry, but the hut has been vandalised. Taren Hendre and Gesail. 12k-2,000'-4hrs. Different! A rough old day on the tops - Rescue Teams busy country wide. Sun 11th.

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 60 V1 Randall-Doonan-Ward-Whiting Left their LWB in the Cader car park at Crunant and ascended the ridge where the path used to be! From Thiw Gwredydd to Craig Las, and Craig t Llyn to Craig Cwm Llwyd, and picked up by Control at 632 120. A good sporting stroll that would sober the most drunken - even the Dachsteins could not keep the wind out! V2 Walker-Palmer-Evans-Morris Cader car park in SWB and up to the top by a sporting easy gully trying out the axes, cutting steps and cramponing - even into the hut! - and they didn't come off until well below the Zig-Zags, before the final 'get warm again' run to the wagon. VERY windy, but better than yesterday. The bad weather came in just as they reached the SWB. 10k-743m-23/4hrs. V3 Worsnop-Skett-Morgan-Marshall-Stockon Were intending to go up into the Upper Cwm to look for techniques slopes, but got the Bum's Rush from the local farmer and they ended up on the top road over to Bron Aber (Trawsfynydd) where they practiced snow and ice techniques on a frozen (partly) waterfall, and tried out ski and poly bags on nearby slopes. At one stage the Ambulance attempted its own version of winter sport by leaping off the road, so the mission was abandoned and despite the chains a long stint of reversing was necessary before order was restored. Control was busy recce'ing access routes to V2 original pick-up point, and getting involved in the request for assistance for the Glyder incdents. Not all public phone boxes will accept money from Englishmen! But it was all sorted reasonably well. It is nice to know that other people can get caught out with radio snags - besides ourselves. Garry cooked on Sat - Dave on Sun. Stockton / Ward got rid of the contents of the 'Box'. Sunday was a better day than saturday, but the weekend was mainly noted for very poor comms. Ensure your party radio works - and is 'on' when you depart Base. Advise Base / Control of change of plan / route - take advantage of high ground to contact. DO NOT come off high ground and expect to make contact from valley bottoms. Advise of location (no need for great detail) and intention (going up / coming down - and if you accept 'loud and clear' on radio checks, it should be just that! All back to Valley and normal standby by 2030 hrs. MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 16th to the 18th February 1979 (LLanbedr Airfield)

(Annual Inspection by the ILR Sqd Ldr John Vernon) Haveron Pibworth Randall Kay Booth Worsnop Skett Walker Thompson James Vaughn Deegan Stockton Male Doonan Evans Morgan Morris Jones 22 Sqd Marshall / Owens

Just recovered from the stations first Tac-Eval exercise, and a week of Siberian winter (even on the island) - but BR brought ILR to Bangor and we all met up down at the 200 Club adjoining Llanbedr airfield, and this time we were given permission to use the Cadets lecture hut for sleeping (a real bonus) and we cooked in the entrance to the equipment hut (no cook-shack needed).

Saturday 17th V/1 Haveron-Doonan-Stockton-Walker Had a drop at Cwm Bychan and started on Clip, Craig Wion, SH/518, Rhinog Fawr, down to SH/617, then back to Cwm Bychan for a P/U. Young Stockton took a toss and lay stunned for a few minutes on the way down from the Fawr - just after the crampons came off, but he got down OK and was able to 'volunteer' to do cook on Sunday! 11k-620m-61/2hrs. V/2 Pibworth-Morgan-Vaughn-Deegan Left the Rover at Pont Cerrig (Afon Nant Col) and went up over Foel Du to the top of the Fawr. Morgan just happened to be in front and did a great VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 61 job with the axe up the last 500'! The weather was not spectaculsr, but it stayed reasonably clear and dry, and the top of the hill was 'spoting'. Came off - avoiding the gully, to the east and down to Bwlch Drws Ardudwy, then the track to Maes Garnedd farm - and a humping road walk back to the Rover. 131/2-615m-61/2hrs. Brought party back to Base, then back up the \cwm to collect V/5/. V/3 Booth-Skett-Evans-ILR Drop at 657 203, then staggered off in the direction of up. Eventually arrived on Diffwys where it was cold! Carefully on to Y Llethr and Moelyblith cwm, and back down to the road in Nant Col. 111/2k-656m-5hrs20min. Evans made his mark afterwards in the hut when looking at the day sheet and asking '...what's ILR?' V/4 Kay-Jones-Morris-Male-Worsnop Drop at 631 257 (V/3 picked up this Rover) then on to Moelyblith cwm, Crib y Rhiw, Diffwys, and down to wagon at 656 202. 111/2k-580m-51/2hrs. V/5 James-Thompson-and three very fit local cadet lads. In wagon to 637 259, up past Craig Isaf, onto Y Llethr, Llyn Hywel, Rhinog Fach, Bwlch Drws Ardudwy, Rhinog Fawr, SH/617, and dnown to Maes y Garnedd farm at the Nant Col roadhead. A goodly stomp with the snow in quite good nick in places. The cadets did well. 9k-996m-61/2hrs. Randall toiled all day over a hot stove and had lots of goodies for us to eat. Sunday 18th A spot of text book sweep searching to show-off to the ILR today - up on to the ground between Bychan and Nant Col (Grid Squares 63/29, 64/29, 63/28, 64/28, 63/27, 64/27) On the hill at 1000hrs. Randall i/c. Line started at 633 273, moved northerly to DoelDdu SH/473. Booth left flank. Kay right flank. Line moved round for an easterly sweep towards Rhinog Fawr. Line stopped at 645 285 for a scran break. In all three walls had to be climbed over. Male carried a Base type radio. Walker andSkett carried the half Bell sections. Terrain very easy spacing 30 yards. Line satisfactory. Various troops first time sweep. Kay took over after break on instructions of ILR. Return sweep to Foel Ddu and swung round to maintain high ground to the south of SH. James acted as a casualty (easy job for Colin!) at 634 285. Injuries: Broken Femur, Humerous of left arm, plus hypothermia. Walker i/c First Aid carried out inspection of casualty. Morris treated arm. Walker the Femur. Casualty in Bell and ready for evacuation at 1330hrs. Worsnop acted as i/c the carry down to the Maes y Garnedd farm - arriving 1415hrs. Hand-overs (of stretacher / casualty) were on the slow side - on one the stretcher fell to the ground and casualties head hit the leading carriers pack-frame. Back to base by 1445hrs for more food and a 'pigs-head soup' which despite it sitting there in the bottom of the dixie looking like a second-hand foot, tasted very good indeed. But the thaw had set in by now, and it was all packed up in a thin drizzle and back to normal standby at Valley by 2030hrs. Marshall/ Owens had a trip out to Cader around 1700 to pick up a chap who had '...a bit of a fractureed head' after falling 700' and he was taken to Aberystwyth.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 23-25 Feb (Llanberis)

Haveron Morris Hollister Walker Hulme Doonan Male Randall Stockton Deegan Wathan Jones Thompson Booth Morgan Palmer Skett Forster (22 Sqd - Pibworth)

Saturday 24th Feb. V/1 Haveron-Morris-Hollister-Walker Round to Ogwen for a bash at the 'Skyline' - up the North Ridge of Tryfan, and over to Bwlch Tryfan, up the Bristly Ridge to the top of the Fach. Then along to the Fawr and down the scree to Llyn y Cwn, trugged up onto Y Garn (What a viewpoint!) and exit stage left via the East Ridge for a change. A beautiful day. 9.5k-3,500ft-71/4hrs. V/2 Hulme-Doonan-Male VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 62 Clobbered for an overnight bivvy session. Set out on friday night to 'do' Elydr Fawr. First they pitched their tent in the Cwm, then went up to the top for a radio check, but failed miserably - so down to the tent after only 30 mins. Decided the set was u/s in the morning, and somehow got themselves around and to the top of Gallt yr Wenallt. More problems here - troops not happy on steep snow (claiming ignorance!), so a short period of ice axe work was indulged in. Then to Pen y Pass, and back to wagon. 27k-1505m-? A good days work. V/3 Randall-Stockton-Deegan Llanberis, Snowdon, Yr Aran, Nanr Gwynant. 14k-965m-71/4hrs. A nice walk with some good snow, but some honking snow as well. (What a wealth of detail is omitted from these routes - Free Style should be able to write a book on the descent of the South Ridge!). V/4 Wathan-Jones-Thompson From Base uo onto Moel Eilio (gasp), then over the tops (Cynghorion etc) to Snowdon. Down the Zig Zags (straight down I bet!), to Pen y Pass, and a masochistic road walk back to Base. 261/2k-1651m-81/2hrs. (They earned their beer) V/5 Booth-Morgan-Palmer-Skett Nant Gwynant, Watkins path up onto Lliwedd, then back down to Bwlch y Saethau and staggered carefully up to the Cafe (snow'd over this time). Set course for the top of Cloggy and away over the tops - Cynghorion, Gron, and Eilio, then down to Base for a cuppa. 171/2k-1530m-71/4hrs. Sharp eyes located the tail fin of another 2inch Mortar shell in upper Cwm y Llan (Watkin). The whole Cwm area was used as a range during the 39-45 war - and the odd Nastie is still lying about, so tread carefully! Geordie Forster did the cooking, and Pibworth went out in the early evening with 22 to pick-up a couple of people who had taken a toss coming off the Carneddau in the vicinity of Afon Wen, Tumbled down the steep snowy grass and 'all shook up'. A bit of blood, but a quick body check of the lassie revealed nothing obviously broken - so into the Neil Robertson and off C and A in under an hour from take-off. Sunday 25th February More Chopper work in morning - team and vehicles to Hafod y Rhiw, winched up and dropped by the lake under Cloggy for a massive snow technique session in excellant conditions (no sun to spoil it). Ice axe arrest, Belaying using Deadmen and bollards, Walking in coils, Step cutting, and stretcher lowering. Morgan-Male to Colwyn Bay Police HQ to return Searchlight / Generator, and Palmer did the cooking. A good fine weather Winter weekend exercise, preceeded by call-out from the station to Snowdon first light on the Friday - to look for two blokes who were overdue. Subsequently found by the Llanberis MRT before 0900 after spending the night in a snow hole near the top.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 2nd - 4th MARCH (DOLGARROG)

Pibworth Wathan Evans Doonan Palmer Hulme Morgan Forster Cameron Skett Jones Warsnop Whiting Male Hatton Perkins Williams (Randall and Deegan on 22)

The Dolgarrog hut caretaker (Mr Cavilier) now has a telephone so it will be easier to book in future. The broken window has been fixed by Eddie (OAC Llanrwst), the pipes are thawed out - and it was all systems go again. Some people still cannot navigate to Base camps though - the excess mileage will need some fiddling!

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 63 V1 Perkins-Williams-Pibworth In several inches of rain drove round to Gwern y Gof to chat to a party from Inner Educat. Auth. A classic example of how not to take young persons to the hills. Then to drop-off, via Tan y Bwlch, Fach Wen and Jacks place. Left the Sigs at 583 583 (yes!) - crossed the swollen river (it was thawing) by a good bridge at 583 576, legged it up the valley (overtaken by a couple of cagoule clad fell-runners en route) to Bwlch Maes Cwm. Round onto Foel Goch, Foel Ground, and Moel Eilio (still a small patch of solid snow / ice remaining). Then down the ridge to find the SWB that V3 had left at 559 599 - had to use 4-wheel drive to get down through some of the snow banks to Llanberis. Having two drivers - back up the track to collect the Sigs, and the SWB was able to nip round to Ogwen on its way back to Base to pick up V3. What with minor diversions and chats it was a late start. 8k-500m-3hrs. V2 Cameron-Skett-Jones Rushed off south to the Moelwyns, up on the Bach and Mawr (bet they didn't hang around there long in that wind), and over to Cnicht and Yr Arddu, then back via Joe Browns at Capel (new ruccksacks this time). Vague comments made about '40 fathoms' and bog-trotting. 16k-962m-51/2hrs. Croesor car park. V3 Hulme-Morgan-Forster 'Disaster Incorporated' set out to do big things, but down at Nant Peris young Geof decided to leap off this bridge affair into the raging river. Everything got wet - no messing with this kid, even the radio! They had come down off Eilio and were just starting off on Elidir, so it did slow them down some - it was no day for swimming. Got it all back together in the end and came down to Ogwen for a pick up. There were big ice blocks down below Devils Kitchen. 22k-1606m-7hrs. V4 Wathan-Evans-Doonan-Palmer From Base up the pipes to Moel Eilio and Pen Lithrig, but there was much honking and gasping, so not so much done as expected. Back down the Eigiau to Base. 22k-51/2hrs-850m. V5 Worsnop-Whiting-Male-Hatton Had a drop off by the cook at Bwlch y Deufan (the Gas Board vehicles have ruined the top section of road above White Hart bridge). Drosgl, Drum, Foel Fras, Garnedd Uchaf, Foel Grach, and down to Melynllyn and a long trudge back down the road (?) to Tal y Bont. 211/2k-960m-£1/2hrs. Yeuch!

Had a call out from Base at 1830 to act as back-up to the Saints troops (at the Castle) who were involved in an incident in Cwm Glas. Roared off as far as the Gwrhyd and heard that the Chopper had arrived and was about to pick up the casualty. All up to the car park where Saints had their Sigs, and waited till they were off the crag and starting back down. John Cunningham (Glenmore Lodge) and Ron James (Ogwen Cottage) were part of the casualties group (I. M Marsh College Liverpool). Struck by falling rock while unroped on Clogwyn y Person - lost finger / thumb of one hand. Only our two chaps on the Chopper involved. They were eventually returned to Valley when saints went to collect their stretcher (It makes things easier if you load the Chopper head first and remove the handles).

Sunday 4th March

V1/Control Pibworth-Evans Up to Nebo (above Llanrwst) to maintain some sort of radio coverage with Edinburgh, Choppers, WA, MWA, anf Hill parties - all good stuff, partcularly with V5. Also a gen session on Nav, compass, map, and knots, etc. in between rigging a temporary HF aerial base, and rewire the GEC and Vanguard. V2 Cameron-Skett

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 64 Not too impressed with yesterdays bogtrotting, so to the Milestone after dropping V5 - and up into the gullies on the west face for a sporting route to Adam and Eve, Down to Bwlch Tryfan and into the cwm for a few routes on Little Tryfan. Then back to pick up V5 from Eigiau. V3 Palmer-Morgan-Whiting A bit of a mystery tour around the Cwm Penamnean are Ty Mawr, Dolwyddelon Castle, Crimea Pass, Glan Aber Terrace, Craig Blaen y Cwm, Carreg Altrem. 12k-620m-6hrs. V4 Wathan-Hulme-Hatton-Forster (In no fit state after last nights affair) Chose the wrong time of year to go visiting the mines at Cyffty - all very wet and even more dangerous than usual after the thaw. When they got back they discovered that they had been abseiling on a damaged blue rope from the previous weekend! It has now been 'chopped', but give a thought to this situation - if the rope had come adrift with anyone on ut, body and rope could have ended up at the bottom - and with no other rope to hand recovery could have taken a long time. CHECK. V5 James-Williams-Male-Jones Dropped by V2 at the Tea Shack and went straight up Pen yr Oleuwen to clear their heads, then over Dafydd, Llewelyn, Craif yr Isfa, then down into Eigiau for a pick up on the road. Pat Williams first weekend and he did well. 131/2k-761m-51/2hrs. All roads lead to the Ancaster! Saturday was not all that brilliant, so Colin didn't mind cooking, but sunday was a vast improvement and Bruce was not too keen on cooking the chickens. Doonan did a kamakazi off the rafters the night before so he stayed behind and kept him company.All packed, swept, and closed by 1800. Back to the section after refuel by 2000 and normal stand-by.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 9th - 11th March (Bethesda)

Pibworth Randall Wathan Skettt Cameron Palmer Doonan Worsnop Taylor Male Forster Thompson Evans

Saturday 10th March V1 Worsnop-Doonan In SWB to a disputed parking spot (596 625), then up into the clag to the top of Elidir Fach. Nothing much to see up there so on up into the snows and the top of the Fawr at long last. Past the almost empty lake - still working on it even in this weather, crossed Bwlch y Marchllyn and up the wall to Mynydd Perfedd top. Along to Carnedd y Filiast - still in clag, and back down to cross the CEGB road and regain the SWB. 13k-800m-51/2hrs. V2 Cameron-Skett Dropped at Capel and up onto the Glyders, Gallt yr Ogof (where is the cave?) the Fach and the Fawr (evil up there!), Y Garn, Foel Goch, Perfedd, Filiast, and down to Base. Found it hard going in the soft snow and indifferent ice conditions - crampons 'balling up', etc. 12k-1,000m-7hrs. V3 Wathan-Thompson-Evans From Base to Ogwen via Perfedd, Y Garn, and the Devils Kitchen track. Then up to the top of Pen yr Oleuwen and along to Dafydd, then back down the shoulder to base (gasp!). No comments - a goodly trog in wild weather. 17k-840m-7hrs. V4 Palmer-Male-Forster Ogwen, then Cwm Idwal and Bochllwyd. They attempted a gully, but were turned back by lack of experience and kit. A wise decision, and complicated by the fact that a bunch of bumblies had followed them up as well, but eventually reversed without incident. 10k-850m-6hrs. Randall cooked a super beef and Yorkshire pud scoff - the rations have been noticeably better lately.

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 65 Pibworth manned the Control vehicle at Pen y Bwlch - and up until 2100 as we were standing in for the OVMRO who had their AGM and Dinner today. Mick went along as our representative - ably supported by brother Wathan! Young Hulme was whisked away just about nightfall when 22 answered a call to the Lake District (Blencathra / Scales Tarn) where two had fallen, one dead, one seriously injured. Injured taken to the Walton Hospital, Liverpool that specialises in head snags. All done in the dark, in lousy weather - even the return to Valley was delayed because of it. Last Briefing nights details of 22 Duty was applicable here, so watch it - you could end up anywhere! Sketty zoomed off the catch the Irish Mail at Bangor BR, after closing time, to start his course in Norway. Sunday 11th March V1 Randall-Doonan-Forster-Palmer Up to Gyrn Wigau in appalling wind and rain. Navved over Bera Bach, and Yr Aryg (the dreaded Triangle) until the snow banked wall on Foel Fras confirmed their computerising. Then down over Drum and Foel Ganol to a pick up at the road head (676 716). It cleared as the Cold Front passed away, but it was no consolation for the soaking and buffeting - even their shreddies got wet! 14k-800m-5hrs. V2 Worsnop-Male-Thompson Capel Curig, Cowllyd, Crafnant, Tal y Llyn and back. Chossy, boogy and wet. 15k-600m-53/4hrs. V3 Wathan-Taylor-Evans Pen y Pass, and straight up onto the Fawr from behind the Hostel. Wet and unpleasant in the conditions, but a good quick route. Down by the Kitchen track and along the old road to Base. 141/2k-650m-5hrs. V Control at Pen y Bwlch, and pick-ups. Cameron cooked great Gammon steaks. Hulme found himself in the Berwyns today - Flew two exposure cases to Gobowen Hospital, Oswestry. All packed, swept and locked by 1815, and Valley by 2000.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 16th -18th March 1979 (The Castle, Llanberis)

Randall Wathan Worsnop Booth Morgan Hulme Deegan Doonan Hatton Cameron James Jones Palmer

Winter has not yet departed - the snow came back in fine form on the friday and kept coming all weekend, causing traffic chaos, and slowing things down on the hill as well. On sunday night the Llanberis Pass was still blocked above Pont y Cromlech, do was the Capel Curig to Pen y Gwrhyd section, and all the usual side roads. Bethesda High Street - with all the normally parked vehicles was particularly difficult to negotiate, the first plough that went through promptly buried all the cars and that is where they stayed!

Saturday 17th March V1 Wathan-Palmer-Doonan From Base to 573 560, up onto Moel Cynghorion, down to 592 557, and back to Base via Hafod y Newydd. 14k-720m-6hrs. One sheep rescued down at the farm. V2 Worsnop-Cameron-Deegan-Booth Base to 637 560 to Base. 12k-250m-11/4hrs. V3 Hulme-Morgan-Jones To Moel Eilio and Bwlch y Groes. 81/2k-600m-5hrs. Strenuous going in the fresh snow - even with the snowshoes, mostly snowholing.

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 66 The proposed Freedom of Bangor flypass radio preparations were a waste of time and effort - as the whole thing was cancelled due to the weather. Sodjers tuition at Base in evening. Booth talked on the contents of the MK, and Palmer on the coiling and storage of ropes. Worsnop and Cameron made Rope Stretchers, and Doonan tested and practised Self Rescue techniques from roof beams. Sunday 18th March V1 Randall-Doonan Ogwen area. Area knowledge and Radio procedure. V2 Booth-Cameron-Hatton From Base, via Tourist track (hard enough in these conditions), to Snowdon and back. 16k-900m-5hrs. V3 Wathan-Morgan-Jones Dropped at 734 567 for Siabod top and return. The Pass was blocked with snow and the Caernarvon road blocked by a ditched large crane. V4 Worsnop-Palmer-Deegan Same as V2. Snowshes 21' on ice near top. Clocks went on one hour this morning - back to local and Zulu Time once more. Hatton cooked on Saturday, Hulme on Sunday. St Patricks Day drinking in the Castle is not for the Faint Hearted - Wathan is definitely not what he used too be! All back to Valley and normal readiness by 2000. Whiting had an uneventful weekend on 22, and the Winter Course bods came back in the afternnon after another abortive course of poor snow conditions with no one Assessed.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 23rd - 25th March (Bethesda)

Pibworth Randall Morgan Male Cameron Walker Jones Forster Wathan Hatton Deegan Doonan

The weekend of the big thaw. The hills looked terrific on the drive out on friday night, but on saturday there was a full gale blowing from the south east and the snow was on the way out. Saturday night saw the start of heavy rains, and the hills were awash on the sunday - the proposed base at Pont yr Afon Gam would have been a disaster.

Saturday 24th V1 Pibworth-Deegan Left Control at Glan Dena, and up into Cwm Lloer by the normal track. The snow was lousy and it was hard work climbing up to Dafydd - breaking through every other step! The wind was really something on the top - no place for hanging around. Round towards Pen yr Oleuwen, and then floundered down the ridge to Gerlan. Came out through the Forestry track to Stryd James and back to Base. 7k-750m-41/2hrs. V2 Randall-Doonan-Jones Round to Pen y Pass for another ascent of Snowdon in rough conditions. No Zig Zag route today - nasty cornices! From the bottom fence straight up to a point close to Crid y Ddisgl trig point, and up to Yr Wyddfa. Walking on the Cafe roof at snow level! Then carefully down the start of the South Ridge to pioneer an exciting route on untouched snow / ice to Bwlch y Saethau. A stomp down the cwm to Nant Gwynant - a lucky 'lift' back to PyP in an Army vehicle. A walk on the wild side. 121/2k-1085m-6hrs. V3 Cameron-Forster-Wathan

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 67 Left their wagon in the Helyg car park and legged it up the Llugwy road to do gullies and things on Craig yr Ysfa, but were not impressed by the state of the snow, wind, spindrift, etc. So over Llewelyn, Foel Grach, Garnedd Uchaf, Yr Aryg, Bera Bach, Drosgl, Gyrn Wigau, and back to Base. One member took his rucksack off - to go and look for one other member, and it got blown away! Eventually recovered, but it goes to show how strong the wind was - or that it wasn't very heavy (checked at Base that night). 18k-1.044m-5hrs. V4 Walker-Male-Hatton Dropped at Ogwen and up Penny, then Dafydd, Craig Llugwy, Llewelyn, Foel Grach, Foel Fras, Drum, Drosgl, Foel Ganol, and down to a pick-up at Aber village. A wild stagger in rough conditions - not many tourists about this time of year. 870m-21k-8hrs. Sunday 25th March V1 Pibworth-Doonan In Control carrying out area familiarisation until mid-day, then from Ogwen up into Idwal to get wet. The whole place was one great waterfall. Round the west side of the lake and up to the Kitchen, but sick and tired of climbing waterfalls - used a rope to safeguard the crossing of one stream! Asked by Oggy to turn the troops out to assist in a search at 1400. Scampered down past the slabs, informed Base from Ogwen, round to Cyffty to contact V2 and V4, back to Ogwen. V2 Randall-Deegan-Morgan To Cyffty (Cwm Llanerch 797 577) and a good inspection of Forestry trails in the rain and wind. 12k-300m-41/2hrs. Then to Idwal to assist Oggy. V3 Wathan-Hatton-Jones Off to Cwm Pen Machno to inspect quarries and various holes. Back via Pont yr Afon Gam and Crimea. 7k-100m-71/2hrs. V4 Cameron-Male-Forster Way to Bwlch y Deufan to attack Tal y Fan (a good way as any to get wet!), but what with Gas Pipeline excavations, the snow blocking the narrow walled lanes, and all the thaw flooding - they didn't quite make it. 8k-320m-4hrs. The recovery of the casualty from 646 595 went smoothly, and was carried down to the road at Hafod (Scout Hut) by 1700. It is not often that the team has a chance to carry stretchers these days - tricky points were noted. Morgan cooked on Saturday, Walker on Sunday. Palmer was on 22, plus James on saturday, and Whiting on sunday, - due to back of aircraft there was little or no flying (the weather wasn't so good either). One report of an aircraft crash on sunday - heard by Walker on the 479 (we had it rigged in the Bothy off the mains), proved to be a Hang Glyder! Not really the best kind of conditions for that lark. The yard outside was a quagmire as snow melted, but we swept up and left by 1840, and all back to normal standby for 2015. A rough weekend.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 30th March to the 1st April (Broughton in Furnesss)

Haveron Doonan Deegan Hollister Jones Walker Worsnop Forster Cameron Booth Morris Hulme Owen

Saturday 31st March V1 Haveron-Doonan-Deegan Three Shire Stone, Carrs, Swirl How, Little How Crags, Old Man of Coniston, Dow Crags, Brown Pike, White Crag, Caw. 181/2k-1097m-61/2hrs. VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 68 V2 Hollister-Jones-Walker High Proadrayne, Grisedale House, Dollywagon Pike, Nethermost Pike, Helvellyn, Striding Edge, Swirlral Edge, Helvellyn, 338 167, wagon at Stanah. 161/2k-1491m-6.4hrs. V3 Worsnop-Firster-Cameron 319 190, Sticks Pass, Raise, .868, Helvellyn, Nethermost Pike, Dollywagon Pike, Seat Sandel, Down old Pack Horse road to P/U. 14k-1330m-51/2hrs. V4 Booth-Morris-Hulme Torver, Walmer Scar, Brown Pike, Buck Pike, Dow Crag, Old Man of Coniston, Swirl How, Graet Carrs, Little Carrs, Wet Side Ridge to P/U. Plus a rock route on Middle Buttress (Langdale crag). 14k-2075m-6hrs. The rain held off and it turned out a pleasant day for all. Owen was Cook. Sunday 1st April (-anyone get caught?) V1 Haveron-Morris-Deegan-Jones-Doonan To Broughton Crag for the Sodjers basic Crag Rescue Techniques session. Abseiling, Prussiking, and Tragsitz lowering. Well worthwhile. V2 Owen-Forster Thomas - 220' - HS Walker-Cameron Nameless -210' - VD V3 Booth-Hulme All at Wallow Barrow Crag. Digitation - 175' - VS(M) Then 'Bouldering' on Wall Corner - 80' - Diff. A good morning but cut short by an early departure. Hollister did the cooking. Worsnop did the driving. Back early (1530), due to AOC's parade rehersal first thing monday morning, and the fact that the MK wont do much more than 45 mph on the Motorway! Valley by 2100 hrs. Palmer and Whiting were on 22 this weekend, and they got caught up in a search for a missing light aircraft (friday / 1330 hrs). Found by a searching civilian Islander on the sunday at 125/116 354 - just above one of our old campsites at Pantiau in the Berwyns. Both occupants dead - SMO along to check.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 6th-8th April 1979 (Pont yr Afon Gam)

Haveron Booth Doonan Skett Wathan Morgan Palmer Worsnop Male Cameron James Pibworth Thompson Whiting Randall Taylor

Out to the wild and desolute country this weekend, but good to be back under canvas after four months of bothies.

Saturday 7th V1 Haveron-Randall To Pen y Gwrhyd to talk to Chris Briggs about MR Post equipment and Bike Race arrangements, then down to Browns at Capel for collection of boot repairs. Back to Base and off to Cwm Prysor (Pont Dollyd). Up onto Moel y Wden, Moel y Slates, Moel Llyfnant, Arenig Fawr, and p/u at 817 395. 151/2k-990m-51/2hrs. Wild! V2 Pibworth-Whiting-Thompson Rover left at Tan y Grisau, up into Cwm Orthin, onto Moel Druman, Allt Fawr, down across the A470 at Crimea, up onto Moel Farllwyd and Moel Penamaen, then down across the badlands to the VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 69 narrow gauge railway at the endof Llyn Newydd (picked up a very groggy lamb that had been abandoned in the bog, but it died at Base that night). Down the Incline into Maen Offeren quarry and back to Blaenau, and eventually the Rover. 24k-980m-61/2hrs. V3 Worsnop-Male-Cameron-James (out with late wagon) No details, but roughly the reverse of V4. 17k-632m-6hrs, V4 Wathan-Morgan-Palmer From Base to Moel Trwn Swch and onto Carnedd y Filiast (the 'real one'), track down to A4212 (861 411), B4391 (802 398), for p/u on road (Wellies getting a bit warm at that stage!). Weather honking - enough is enough. 28k-880m-7hrs. V5 Booth-Doonan-Skett From Base to Carnedd Iago and Mochowgryn, up gaily onto the Fach, sacmpered down to the road and rushed up the Fawr. Over to Craig y Bychan and then flogged up onto Llyfnant before wading ove to Foel Boeth, and down to the road via Moel yr Wden to p/u V1 Rover and collect them on the way back to Base. 22k-1225m-8hrs. Taylor did the cooking (chicken, but his soup was good). A rough old day, with the parties widely spread and indifferent comms. Sunday 8th V1 Haveron-Taylor-Cameron-Booth-Palmer Left Rover at 718 514, had a shufti at the Army hut Hafod Gwenllan, then up onto the forestry fence above the old Base in Cwm Penamnaen. Foel Fras, Manod Mawr, Carreg and to Base. 151/2k-921m-51/2hrs. V2 Pibworth-Male-Thompson-Worsnop-Morgan Rover left at the aerial Mast (709 393) at Mynydd , then over the ridge to Graig Wen. Good viewpoint this, but not in snow showers! Then over to Foel Cynfal - follow the black dots, shown on the map, north to the road for the driest escape route. Up the nasty bit onto Llyn y Dwarchen, over the watershed, then down to Base past the quarry holes. 10k-1,050'-4hrs. A throughly good bog-trot. V3 Randall-Doonan-James-Whiting-Wathan From Base to Y Garnedd, Llynau Gamallt, Manod Quarry, Cwm Penamnaen, Dolwyddelan and p/u of Rover. 11k-495m-51/2hrs. Skett cooked, but the lamb (from the Mess) was good. Heavy fall of snow late in afternoon, cleared up bright and sunny while we were packing. Back to the A5, via Yspty Ifan, in slow and stately Bedford MK speed - a two hour journey. Back to Valley and to normal readiness by 1900. An incident involving three missing persons on Snowdon involved R/22 and very nearly ourselves from about 2200 onwards - cleared througth, Off i/c, and Pitreavie, but they were located safe and well ay 09/0300 by Llanberis MR party bivvying between Crib y Disgl and the top of the Zig-Zags - having baulked at descending to Llanberis across the Cloggy ice sheet. Walked down with assistance. Stop o9/0400. Hulme was on 22 on saturday and had fun. Scrambled for an incident on the Zig-Zags (612 548) at 07/1430.

(see overleaf)

Unable to reached Casualty (Margaret Brotherstone, 16 years, of 180 Highbury Grove, Cosham, Portsmouth) suffering suspected neck and back injuries. Dropped off at Glaslyn, up to casualty, and back down with stretcher to the lake and some sort of visibility for uplift and disposal to Bangor C and A. On the way back to drop the kit at Nant Peris - heard of another incident on the south side of Snowdon, Cwm y Llan, Watkin Path, 619 535. Really rugged flying in falling snow / failing light. VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 70 Casualty eventually winched in on stretcher at 2100 (Mrs Ann Barlett, 23 years,, 46 Garnoyle Road, Liverpool) with suspected neck injury. Evacuated to Bangor C and A - then back to Valley on almost empty tank. Gripping!

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE (EASTER) 12th to the 18th April. Nant Col.

Pibworth Kay Male Owen Perkins Hollister Walker Skett Hulme Worsnop Deegan Cameron Hatton Doonan Wathan Marshall Taylor

Loads of rain and wind - not very promising at all, but after the first day it took an unexpected turn for the better and proved to be a great spell of sun, we even had the shorts on and at least one case of sunburn! The campsite (Cefn Uchaf) needed very careful use initially, but dried out well. The two sleeping tents were put up end to end - and seemed to give us more room. Being a six day stint - we soon had full waste bins, and these were emptied at the Penrhyndeadreuth tip (124/603 389). The Barmouth Bobbies came in their Panda car and woke us up at half past one the next morning, and at six o'clock we were at Nant Peris, and on our way up Snowdon to look for a missing walker. His body was subsequently recovered from Clogwyn Goch and carried out to the railway where we got a free ride down. It had been a foul night on the hill and was only just clearing up when we finished. That took care of the first day - aand despite 'booking out' at night, and daily radio watch our services were not required again. Back to base, via the Ancaster, and Kay's Cookery. Saturday 14th. V2 Perkins-Hollister-Male-Walker-Worsnop-Owen-Deegan All off to Dinas Mawddwy to do the reciprocals on the Cowarch Horseshoe, but poor old Chris be came stricken with some evil gut bug and had to come off half way (he had come out in his own car to have a day on the hill). Hollister-Walker covered 24k and 1,095m up in 7 hours. Perkins-Male did 20k with 935m up in 7 hours, and the others a lot of plugging somewhere between the two. V3 To Trenadoc (where else!) while the sun shone. Skett-Hulme Oberon S Kay and Shadrach VS Merlin HS Jeff Roberts C Curry Micha HS Scratch VS V5 Cameron-Hatton-Doonan-Wathan Tyn y Ceunant to Rhiw Gwrredydd, Pen y Cadair, Mynydd Moel, and back. In other words they rocketed their way up Cader from the Nat. Park Car Park, and then yaa-hooed it down the Foxes before they closed! Andy Marshall did the cooking. Pib listened for the Police, and everyone except Chris had a great day - bright and breezy. Sunday 15th. V1 Pibworth Legged it off up Moelfre, after dropping off V3, Pont Scethin, Bwlch Rhiwgyr, Pont Scethin, Pont Fadog, Bron y Foel, to base. 15k-1,080m-6hrs. V2 Kay-Skett-Hulme-Owen Back to Tremadoc for clambering in the sun. Skett-Hulme Nell for a Jackdaw S Owen-Kay Creag du Wall HS One step in the clouds M-VS Striptease VS Y Broge J-VS Grim Wall VS V3 Wathan-Hatton From Barmouth to base via Llethr, Rhinog Fach. VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 71 V4 Hollister-Walker-Cameron-Worsnop-Marshall-Doonan-Deegan To the Crag at Barmouth for Techniques, etc. Walker-Marshall 70' VD, 70' HD, and two 50' D. Walker solo'd 50' VD. Dave Male failed miserably as cook and was duly Courts Martialled, convicted, and subjected to his own concoctions - along with his Defence!

Next page:-

Monday 16th. V1 Hollister-Marshall-Walker 124/754 173 to Gau Craig, Mynydd Moel, Pen y Cadair, 694 135, Llyn y Cadair, and back carefully to start point. 19k-2.259'-61/4hrs. Thirsty weather. V2 and V3 Worsnop-Taylor-Doonan-Wathan-Cameron-Male-Hatton All off to investigate Punlumon. Not umpressed - too easy, or something, but they were impressed by an all-wheel drive vehicle that they caught sight of lumbering up and down the hill. V4 Trenadoc Hulme-Skett Valeries Rib 250' HS Kay-Owen Brothers 210' VS Claptons Crack 175' VS-J Merlin Direct 140' VS Oakover 165' VS Meshach 200' HVS Deegan cooked - carefully. Pibworth radioed, emptied rubbish, lit Tillys etc. Tuesday 17th. V2 Walker-Taylor (Moelwyns - Craig Fach) Top Plate 100' M Hollister-Marshall Milky Way 220' D Top Plate 100' M Mars 180' VD-J Easter Parade 135' M Andromena 160' VD-J Orion 55' D Orion (first 4 pitches) (first two pitches, then own variations0 plus last pitch of Andromena 205' VD-J

Cameron-Hatton Skett-Hulme Kirkus's Climb Asahal 170' S (by easy variations) 410' VD Ushers Dilema 175' HS Bent 315' MS Depression Direct 125' VS-J Pied Piper 280' MS V3 Worsnop-Wathan-Deegan-Male Leyn Peninsula. Moelfre, Gurn Goch, Gurn Du, Moel Penllechog. 11k-500m-5hrs. Beautiful. V4 Owen-Dreesh Moel Druman to Moel yr Hydd from Tan y Grisau - then almost to the Stwlan Dam. Bent-215'-MS, Slack-355'-S, Slick-390'-VD, Kirkus's-420'-MS, plus the earlier 1,800' - makes a total of 10k-3,180'-6hrs / and a bit. Doonan did the cooking thing, and Pibworth listened hard. Wednesday 18th. V2 Walker-Marshall-Hatton-Cameron-Hulme-Skett To Tremadoc for:- Walker-Marshall Cameron-Hatton KMA 75' VD Christmas Curry 250' S-J VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 72 Falling Block Crack 80' S-J Valeries Rib 250' HS Marath 70' VD Oberon 180' S-J Bulging Wall 80' VD plus Belaying techniques Skett-Hulme Shadrash 180' VS Brothers 210' VS V3 Owen-Male-Deegan-Wathan-Doonan From Nant Col roadhead up onto Rhinog Fawr. Down again, and up onto the Fach, round over Y Llethr and Diffwys. One went sick so it didn't all get done. 6k-541m-2hrs. Bruce cooked what was left - it was OK, but corned dog suited most of us! Pibworth radio'ed - no snags with any of the gear, or contacts, over the period. All packed, site cleaned, wall re-stoned, better than before - payment chit made out etc, - and away by 1800. Valley for 2015 for first real wash in nearly a week.

Palmer and Whiting were on 22 duty and got the hours in, but very little action considering that it was Easter.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 20th to the 22nd April '79 (Bethesda)

Pibworth Randall Owen Cameron Thompson Skett Palmer Morris Stockton Forster Marshall Whiting Doonan (Walker/22 Sqd)

Saturday 21st. V1 in Control from 0730, dropped V2 at Bwlch y Gaer (744 693), came back round to Oen y Bwlch for comms - responded to the Siabod incident at Capel (22 Sqd, Tony Jones, and Stafford MRT on First Aid Course at Capel Curig Training Camp), then toDeganwy to make contact with V2 - picked up at 774 777. Back to base with them, then to Capel to make contact with the rest and to refuel at Bettws, then back to base. V2 (Randall-Stockton) off up Pen y Gadair, Pen y Castell, Drum (nothing seen of the Mosquito), Bwlch y Deufan, SH.598, Tal y Fan 610 Trig Point, SH.39, SH.300, Pen Sychnant, Allt Wen, Penmaen Bach, Conway Mountain, to Pick Up. Despite a miserable weather forecast - it did clear up well, and it turned out to be a great day for Stomping. Repaired Curlies were going well, but Dollies not so hot. 20k-1,000m-6hrs. V3 (Owen-Doonan) Left the SWB at Cobdens and then hared off over Siabod and into the clag. Up to Snowdon via Gwrhyd, Pen y Pass, Lliwedd. Then Cynghorion, Gron, Goch, and Eilio to Llanberis. 28k-1,908m-61/2hrs! V4 (Cameron-Thompson-Skett) From base to Carnedd y Filiast, Mynydd Perfydd, Elidir Fawr, Foel Goch, Y Garn, Llyn y Cwn, Glyder Fawr, Glyder Fach, SH.603, Capel and Cobdens. 20k-1,436m-81/2hrs. V5 (Palmer-Marshall-Forster) From Capel to Base Via the Glyders, down past the Kitchen to Ogwen and the Old Road. 21k-1,002m-6hrs. Arnie takes over from Jack as 'Boggy'.

Sunday 22nd. V1 in Control again from 00730. Pen y Bwlch (Bryn Bras) for comms, then round to Bwlch y Groes to collect V2 - and take them back to their eagon at Pen y Pass. V2 From Pen y Pass to Snowdon via Pig track, then back down over Moel Cynghorion Randall-Marshall

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 73 to Moel Eilio (- there was someone hang-gliding! and these recent winds have really mangled the W/T mast0) and the pick-up at Bwlch y Groes. No lack of fresh air today - Snow frozen hard still above the lower Zig-Zags - and not too many casual wanderers - rain really came down as they got on board. 18k-1330m43/4hrs. V3 (Cameron-Doonan-Morris) Helyg to Fynnon Llugwy, Pen Helgi Du, Pen Lithrig y Wrach, carreg Wen, Creiggau Gleision, Craig Wen, Helyg. Sounds easy when you say it quickly! But a rough day over some rougher ground. 16k-900m-51/2hrs. V4 (Skett-Forster-Stockton) Sent away to clamber and instruct - and turned out to be good fun, but loose rock / holds (winter frost action) were found. Skett-Forster-Stockton Diagonal (?) 100' D Conway Corner 70' S Tree Climb 100' VD Skett-Stockton Academy 70' MS V5 (Owen-Palmer) In SWB on saturday night to Llanberis - then off to Nant Peris, Y Garn, Foel Goch, Mynydd Perfydd, Elidir Fawr, and back down to Nant. See over A draughty day, but as they started before the clag they had it clear and dry. 15k-1,277m-2.50hrs. Morris cooked on saturday - Thompson on sunday, all good scoff. Dave Walker got involved with 22 on the Siabod incident on the saturday. Mark Stephen SELBY (aged 15) School party. Boisterous weather on 63, Kings Road the rocky ridge Essex Location: 115/716 559 Minor head injuries with concussion. To Bangor C and A.

All back to Valley and normal readiness by 2000.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 27th to the 29th April (Ribblehead, Yorkshire)

S/L Vernon Haveron Whalley Heaton Allan Tony Jones A. Jones Hulme James Worsnop Hatton Skett Walker Wathan Hollister (22 - Thompson and Morris)

Saturday 28th V1 Whalley-Hatton The Three Peaks V2 Hollister-Hulme-James-Walker-Doonan to Attemire Scar for rock climbing:- James-Hollister-Hulme Cave Crack HS 60' Walker-Doonan Gangway VD 50' Upper Tier HS 50' VD 50' Mellow Yellow HVS 70' HVD 50' V3 Skett-Forster Ray Wall 25' D Zero Wall 30' S OM 30' VD Curving Crack 25' VD Broken Wall 25' VD Night Club 25' VD V4 Owen Bay Wall 25' D Zero Wall 30' S Pericles 30' S Breakaway 30' MVS Curving Crack 45' S OM 30' HS Broken White 25' VD Right Hand Crack 25' VD Twistleton Crack 35' VS Handjam 25' VD VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 74 Bottle Neck 25' S Night Club 25' VD .... and a bumble round the Three Peaks in 3hrs 25mins. V5 Worsnop-Cameron Bay Wall 25' S Caneron Broken White 25' VD Curving Crack 45' S Skeleton Scoop 30' HVD Breakaway 35' MVS Christine 30' D Pericles 30' S Night Club 25' VD Zero Wall 30' S Handjam Crack 25' VD OM 35' HS Clinker 25' D Left Hand Crack 25' VD V6 Wathan-Allen-Heaton Caving at Swinstone Pot, and then:- Clinker 25' D Christine 30' D Bottleneck 25' S Bay Wall 25' D Skeleton Scoop 30' HVD OM 30' HS (Heaton solo) Vernon-Haveron-T. Jones To Manchester for MRC Meeting Alwyn Jones did the cooking. See overleaf:- Sunday 29th V1 Haveron-T.Jones-Whalley Malham Tarn and Gordale Scar area. V2 Hollister-A.Jones-Walker Gordale Scar and Malham Tarn area. V3 Owen-Skett-Forster Malham Tarn and Gordale Scar area. V4 Worsnop-Cameron Gordale Scar and Malham Tarn area. V5 Wathan-Hatton-Doonan-Hulme-Marsden (Legs) Caving at Swinstone Pot. V6 Allen-Heaton Three Peaks Fell Race Control. Lousy weather. Several competitors evacuated to Hospital on completion with mild exposure. James cooked the scoff. All back in one go to Valley by 2100 and normal readiness.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 4 MAY 79 - 7 MAY 79 RHIN GOCH

Haveron, Allen, Heaton, Whalley, Walker, Thompson, Cameron, Morris, Doonan, Stockton, Forster, Kay, Skett, Hulme, Owen, Hollister, Male.

SATURDAY 5 MAY 79

V1 Whalley, Doonan, Skett

Barmouth - Diffwys-y-Llether - Rhinog Fach - Rhinog Fawr - Base. 211/2k-1220m - 81/2 hrs.

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 75 V2 Hollister, Hulme, Stockton.

Drop off. Tyntwll - Moel-ys-Gyfarnogog - Craig Ddirwg - Clip - Rhinog Fawr - Pick Up 684303 16k - 1305m - 71/2 hrs.

V3 Owen, Morris, Male.

Cefn Clawdd - Clip - Moel Nion - Rhinog Fawr - Rhinog Fach-y-Llether - Diffwys - Pick up 657202. 21k, 1369k - 9 hrs.

V4 Cameron, Forster, Walker.

Graig Ddrwg - Graig Wion - Rhinog Fawr - Rhinog Fach y Llether - Grib y Rhid - Diffwys - Pick up - 657202. 22k, 1437m - 9 hrs.

V5 Thompson.

Base - Cefn Galt - Moel Ysgyfarnogod - Roman Steps - Rhinog Fawr - Foel Ddu - Pen-y-Bont.

BASE: Haveron, Allen, Heaton.

Team Leaders Course Comm's Ex.

Cook Kay.

WEATHER A bit of everything! Sun, snow and wind!

SUNDAY 6 MAY 79

Joint Exercise with St Athans MRT. Techniques on Crag rescue. Haveron, Whalley, Allen, Heaton, Doonan, Stockton, Male, Morris, Owen. Vertical, Horizontal lowers, aerial ropeway, basic abseiling.

V1 Kay, Cameron.

Xmas Curry (first 2 pitches) Severe (last pitch Cameron only). Grotto (first pitch) V/S (last pitch Kay only).

V2 Hulme, Skett.

Clapton's Crack. 175 ft MUS Scratch Arete - V/S (first pitch only) Scratch - (second pitch only)

1

V3 Hollister, Walker.

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 76 Slick VD 240 feet. Kirkus (Variation) VD 240 feet.

V4 Thompson.

Manod Bach, Manod Mawr, Llyn Morynon, Pont Yr, Afom Gam, Foel Cynfal, Moely Croesaw Poldmass Transfyndd - Base.

COOK - FORSTER.

WEATHER - Fair in morning, rain in afternoon (typical techniques weather).

MONDAY 6 MAY 79

Base camp abandoned! (Due to flooding) enough said!

2

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 11th MAY - 13th MAY 79 (Llanberis)

Pibworth, Randall, Morgan, Worsnop, Walker, Hatton, Skett, Palmer, Booth, Cameron, Marshall Hollister, Foster - 22 Sqd Haveron, Whalley, Doonan, Male, Stockton, Allen, Heaton First Aid Course.

SAT 12th May. Weather Wet and claggy but not too cold Wind surface S/W - 10 knots. 3,000 ft 250o - 25 knots. Freezing level 10,000 ft. Visibility - Moderate to poor. Nil in hill fog, Cloud base 200 ft occasionally 1000 ft.

V1 - Randall, Morgan Moel Cynghoriob - Rangers - Snowdon - Cwm y Llan - Watkin Path - Nant Gwynant - Llyn Dinas Distance 17k, 1635m 6 hours

V2 - Worsnop, Walker, Hatton Dakota crash (657527) - Coed Mawr - 697513 - Castle Dolwyddelan Distance 211/2k 571 metres 6 hours

V3 - Skett, Palmer SH 119 (Gwastadnant) - Cwm Cneifo - Glyder Fawr / Fach Capel - Siabod quarries - RTN to Capel for pick up Distance 19k, 1471 m, 61/2 hours

V4 - Marshall (leg still u/s) Pen y Pass - Llyclcw

V5 - Pibworth - Control

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 77 Cameron - Flu bug u/s in bed for day

Cook - Booth

SUNDAY 13th MAY

Weather - Surface wind S - S/W 10 - 15 knots Wind at 3000 ft 200o at 20 - 25 knots Freezing level 11,000 ft. Drizzle and extensive hill fog. Visibulity Moderate to poor nil in hill fog. C.oud base 500 ft.

V1 Randall, Marshall Ogwen - Llyn Bochlywd - Graig - Bochlywd - Gribin Facet - Llyn Idwal - Ogwen Recce of cwm Bochlywd and routes for Graig Bochlywd and the Gribib Facet Distance 71/2 k 350 m 4 hours

V2 Worsnop Booth Llanberis Pass Wrinkle 240 ft V/D Bouldering on the Cromlech.

V3 Walker Palmer (555 443) Tyddyn Nawr, - Moel Hebog - Rhyd Ddu Distance 191/2 k 651 metres 51/2 hours

V4 Cameron Skett Llanberis Pass Carreg Wasted Sun Valley 200 ft V/S 4c 4b 4b First Test 200 ft V/S 4c 4c Bouldering on Cromlech

V5 - Pibworth Control

Cook - Hatton

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 18th May - 20th May 79

Base Camp:- Bethesda.

Whalley, Pibworth, Randall, Kay, Wathan, Worsnop, Hatton, Deegan, Thompson, Male, Whiting, Walker, Marshall, Doonan, Cameron, Morris, Williams, Jones, Forster, Palmer Total 20 James 22 Sqd

Weather:- 19th May Nice day (wop lost forecast)

V1 - Kay, Walker Ynys Ettws - Cyrn Glas - Parsons Nose, Crib y Ddygel - Snowdon - Yllidedd - Pen -y-Pass. Intentions were to do Mainwall but rock to wet, climbed on Parsons Nose instead, a good mountaineering day VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 78 Distance 13k, 946 m, 6 hours V2 Cameron, Hatton, Cameron, Jones Ogwen - y -Garn Glyder Fawr - Glyder Fach Tryfan - Ogwen Distance 13 k, 999 metres 5 hours Jock Cameron jumped Adam and Eve (daft Jock) V3 - V6. Randall, Worsnop, Marshall, Thompson, Forster, Doonan, Deegan, Palmer, Williams, Morris Filming in Cym Idwal for station P/R film. Finished filming at 1400 and parties split up for walking. Callout Cym Idwal Climber fell while descending on the Slabs. Valley party made casualty and administered first aid within seventeen minutes on receiving call for assistance. Casualty evacuated in Bangor Hospital by 22 Sqd Part on callout Palmer, Whiting, Deegan, Williams,, Marshall, Randall. Casualties injurys - multiple (head) chest and ankle. Casualty later died in Bangor. V4 - Whalley, Doonan, Forster, Thompson, Morris Ogwen - Devils Kitchen - Y Garn Foel goch - Mynydd Perfedd - Carnedd Filiast - Bethesda. 13ks, 1147 m - 4 hours Cook Hatton Control - Pibworth

Sunday 20th May 79

Weather:- wind S/E backing to East Moderate Fine but hazy later in day with outbreaks of rain and hill fog developing Freezing level 5,000 ft. V1 Randall, Williams, Thompson Blaen Nant - Cwm Glas - Bwlch Coch - Crib y Ddysgl - Snowdon - Lliwedd - Miners Track - Pen-y-Pass 11ks - 1204 m - 61/2 hours

V2 Whalley, Male, Hatton Bethesda Waterworks - Gyrn Wigau - Drosgl - Bera Bach - Yr Aryg - Carnedd Uchaf - Foel Grach Carnedd Llewelyn - Pei Helgi Du - Penllithrig y Warch - Capel 17k - 1487 m - 6 hours

V3 Kay - Cameron Tremadoc - One Step in the Clouds VS - 200 ft. Leg Slip HVS - 210 ft.

V4 Wathan, Jones, Doonan Cyffty (756576)

V5 Walker, Forster Grooved Arete - 700 ft HVD (Summit Tryfan) 8 hours on route due to loads of civys, waiting at belays etc

V6 Whiting, Deegan, Morris

As V4 VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 79 V7 Marshall - (Solo) Ogwen - Penyrolewen - Carnedd Dafydd - Carnedd Llewlyn - Foel Grach - Yr Aryg Bera Bach - Gym Wigau - Base 16 k - 1010 m - 51/2 hours (Painful but enjoyable)

Cook - Palmer Control Pibworth

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 26th - 27th May 79

Base Camp Nant Gwynant

Haveron, Whalley, Randall, Pibworth, Owen, Hollister, Booth, Male, Stockton, Deegan, Worsnop, Marshall, Cameron, Wathan, Morris, Hulme, Whiting 17 22 Sqd - Palmer

Victor 1 Whalley - Owen Bivy summit Snowdon Friday night (honking weather) 14 Peaks Saturday finish on Foel Fras at 1700 top to top 1145 hrs Distance 36 ks height 2993m time 1145 hrs

Victor 2 Booth - Hollister - Snowdon bivy (honking weather) Snowdon - Y Garn (aborted due to weather etc) Distance 201/4 k 1100 metres 61/2 hours

Victor 3 Haveron - Male Aber - Clog factory - Joe Brownes Capel - Milestone Buttress Direct 200 ft Diff

Victor 4 Randall, Stockton, Deegan Ogwen, Peny role wen - Carnedd Dafydd - Llewelyn Carig yr ysfa - Afternoon spent on Carnedd Llewelyn maintaining cover for 14 Peaks Party 121/2 k - 1000 mt - 7hours

Victor 5 Worsnop - Marshall - Cameron Aber falls - yr Aryg - Foel Grach - Carnedd Llewelyn - Craig Llugwy - Ogwen 171/2 k - 1000 m - 51/4 hours

Victor 6 Wathan - Morris - Hulme Base - Snowdon - Grib Goch - PYP - 653540 Llewedd - Base 25 k - 1963 m - 9 hours

Weather S/E light to moderate becoming E to N/E - moderate to fresh Wind at 3000 ft Southerly at 15 knots becoming easterly at 25 knots Cloudy with outbreaks of rain becoming heavy at times hill fog. Visibility moderate to good becoming poor with hill fog Cloud base 3500 ft - lowering to 500 - 1000 in rain VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 80 Freezibg level 3000 ft. Summery (At times a bogging day snow, sleet etc)

Sunday 27th May 79

Victor 1 Haveron, Male, Marshall Tremadoc Upper Tier Bulging Wall V/Diff Central Arete - Diff, KMA - VDiff, Makath - V Diff

Victor 2 Whalley - Cameron Moelwyns - A girdle traverse of various route due to Mad Jocks route finding 400 ft - V Diff

Victor 3 Hollister - Worsnop Moelwyns - One for the road 330 ft Diff

Victor 4 Booth Stockton Moelwyns - As V 3

Victor 5 Wathan - Whiting - Morris - Deegan Mining Ugly house Capel Curig exploring Distance 4 mls - height Downhill 4 hours

Cook Randall Control Pibworth

Victor 6 Owen - Hulme Orangetang Tang - MVS 130 ft Slick - S 320 ft

Weather Wind South - S/W light to moderate. Wind at 3,000 230o 0 20 knots. Cloudy with occasionaly heavy showers in afternoon Hill fog isolated thunder storms may occur. Visibility good poor in hill fog showers Cloud base 3000 lowering to 1500 in 2000 in showers. Freezing level 4500 ft.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 1.6.79 - 3.6.79 Base Camp Dollgarog

Whalley, Walker, Randall, Wathan, Pibworth, Kay, Cameron, Taylor, Stockton, Gough, Male, Owen Morris, (Deegan, Hulme, 22 Sqd) Morris, Booth, Jones, Hollister, Whiting 19

Weather Wind at surface variable 8 knots, 3,000 feet E - N/E 20 knots, rain later, visibility 15 2.6.79 kilometres perhaps seven later, around 200 metres in hill fog! Cloud base little cloud below 5,000 ft patches around 2,000 ft later in day. Freezing level 8,000 ft.

Ninth Welsh 1000 metres Peaks race 37 Kilometres 2,700 metres Owen Running time Position VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 81 Walker Walking time 6 hours 32 min gold Booth Walking time 6 hours 43 min silver Hollister Walking time 6 hours 50 min silver

* A great effort all four very well done.

Victor 1 Whalley, Gough Pen y Pass - Galt Wenallt - - Snowdon - Crib-y-ddysgl - Zig-Zags pyg track - Pen y Pass. Back up for 1,000 peaks race 9 kilometres, 856 metres, 8 hours (two and half hours on summit of Snowdon)

Victor 2 Randall, Stockton Aber falls - Carnedd Uchaf - Carnedd Llewelyn - Carnedd Dafydd - Craig Llugwy - Ffynon Llugwy - (A5 Oggie) (Unoffical sweep of Carneddau for 1,000 m Race) 20 K 1030 metres 8 hours

Victor 3 Kay - Male - Spiral Stairs 180' V-DIFF Cameron - Jones - Flying Buttress 305' DIFF (Llanberis Pass Dinas Cromlech

Victor 4 Whiting Morris Base - Pipes - - Capel Curig - Gwydr Fforrest above PYB - Llyn au Mymbyr - Cwm Clornel isaf - 675564 20 K 660 metres 6 hours Victor 5 Pipes - Moel Elio - Pen Lithrig y Wrach - Pen yr Helgi Du - Helyg - Capel 22 K 1225 metres 6 hours Cook - Taylor Pibworth - Control 3.6.79 Weather - wind easterly at 10 knots (sea level) 3,000 ft E -S/E at 20 knots Cloudy Visibility 15 kilometres, locally 200 metres or less in hill fog. Cloud base scattered at 2000 ft. Freezing level 10,000 "Weather was great brillant sunshine franic tanning on summits"

Victor 1 Whalley, Cameron) Amphitheartre Buttress 960 ft VD Victor 2 Booth, Walker) " " 960 ft VD Cwm Eigiau

Victor 3 Kay, Jones - Cwm Eigiau - Llewelyn Dafydd - - Oggie - Capel - Tyny Coed Hotel 201/2 k 1097 m - 6 hours

Victor 4 Wathan, Palmer, Whiting, Male Cobdens - Siabod - Llyn Gerryoneydd - Pen Craig Betws-y-Coed - Ancaster 211/2 k 1150 m - 61/2 hours

5 Randall - Taylor - Stockton - Morris Base - via Llyn Cowlyd - Garreg Wen - Pipeline - base 131/2 k - 160 m - 6 hours

Weather great Cook Hollister - helper Gough u/s snooked ankle VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 82 Pibworth - Control.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 7th - 12th June 79

Base Camp Brodick "Isle of Arran"

Whalley, Hatton, Cameron, Marshall, Wathan, Worsnop, Walker, Jones, Thompson, Whiting, Taylor, Forster, Morris, Hollister, Hulme, Williams, Stockton, Dryden (visitor) 18 Randall, Kay 22 Sqd 2

Left Valley at 1800 hours 7 June and arrived in Brodick (Home Farm) at 0830 after a long drive and ferry crossing. Forton filling station would not supply fuel due to shortages. After long journey to Arran Friday was a day off for all and the island refreshment areas were visited by all. It was found that on this "Fantasy Island" the pubs closed at 0100 AM. Enough said.

Sat 9.6.79 Weather: Cloudy with mist or fog at first, rain, visibility poor with hill sea fog at first becoming good later in day. Cloud base 500 ft rising to 3,000 - 4,000 ft in afternoon

Victor 1 Whalley, Foster, Stockton, Dryden North Glen Sannox - Creag Dhubh - Caistel Abhail 834 Ain Mhor - A'Clin - Beinn Ghbabhain .653 Distance 16 km - 1250 metres - 111/2 hours An enjoyable day with lots of gen for all abseil etc. Victor 2 Wathan,, Jones, Taylor Goat Fell - Cir Mhor - A Chin - Beim Tarsuinn - Base Distance 191/2 k - 1124 metres - 7 hours Victor 3 Hollister, Wiliams, Walker Sannox Bay - Coire Nam Fuarah - SH.810 - Aoch Na H Oighe - Goatfell Distance 16 km, 954 metres, 71/4 hours Victor 4 Worsnop - Marshall - Morris Base - Glen Rosa - Beibb a Chliabhain - Beinn Fersuinn - Bein Nuis - Coire Nuis (aircraft wreckage) - Glen Rosa - Base. Distance 20 km, 967 m, 71/4 hrs Victor 5 Hatton, Hulme, Thompson, Whiting Lochranya - Gleann easan - Bioricl - Loch na Deivie - Caisteal Abheil - Cir Mhor - A Clin - 50 ft Abseil Coire Daingean - Glen Rosa - Base 221/2 km, 1391 metres 8hrs 50min * THIS IS WHAT THEY WANT

Cook, Cameron Sat 9/6/79, Walker 8/6/79

Sunday 10/6/79 Weather, Red Hot with no wind

Victor 1 Whiting, Jones, Morris, Thompson, Williams, Dryden Sannox Bay - Suidhe Thearglias - .634 - Ceum na Caillich - Witches Step - Caisteal Abhail . 859 bulk Cir Mhor. Williams u/s SUNSTROKE SICK ETC. Thompson took him back via Glen Sannox rest of party Ain Mhor Goat fell - Base

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 83 Distance 16km - 1388 mtrs - 81/2 hours Victor 2 Cameron - Hatton) Rosa Slabs - Evening Traverse Hulme - Forster ) 800ft V-DIFF with severe variation on last pitch. The day was finished by a scramble up Goatfell. The route was typicaly Scottish. loose rock, poor protection. Taff Hulmes party also left a super tape on hill in situ nice one Geordie (6648 action to come) "THIS IS WHAT THEY WANT" (AGAIN HATTON) Victor 3 Worsnop, Taylor Rosa Slabs - Route 1 250 foot Diff - Goatfell Abseil off route, complete with keys for wagon failed to crack the key of the route Victor 4 Wathan Whiting, Stockton Glen Sannox mines exploring (-31/2 hours underground) sea cliff / rocks techniques at 026434 then Lamlash. Chippy fell on traverse (not the Dougie whisky traverse) and looked dead tough with his blooded back. Victor 5 Hollister - Walker A typical Hollister day Glen Rosa - Beinn Clabhain - A 'Clin - Cir Mhor - 859 Ceum Na aillich (Witches Step) They both assure us that they followed the ridge all the way not the path 17km, 1425 netres, 9 hours THIS WHAT THEY WANT Cook - Marshall - soup screwed by unknown person

Mon 11/6/79 Weather, really hot Victor 1 Hollister, Thompson, Taylor Beinn Bhreae - Beinn Bharnain - Coire Lochain 13k - 964 m - 4 hours 50 min Victor 2 Hatton, Stockton, Williams Corrie Lochan - Williams u/s again Victor 3 Wathan, Whiting (-Bay) Morris 878450 Beinn Bhreac - Beinn Bhannan - SH 715 Victor 4 Worsnop, Foster, Cameron 881468, Cotrie Lochan Meall Bhig .415 Meall nan Damh - Corrie Lochan 101/2k, 650m - 4 hours

Victor 5 Marshall - Goatfell - Base solo 13km - 874m - 31/2 hours - who is this guy! Victor 6 Whalley - Walker Corrie Lochain - Beinn Bhreac - Beinn Bharnain - SH. 715 11km - 925 m - 4 hours Victor 7 *HULME DAY OFF

Cook Jones

It was an easy day for all parties after and excellant grant especially VICTOR 7 as base had to be taken down as we left on the 0820 ferry next day. All the troops enjoyed themselves especially the 0100 am refreshments and in view of the times some of the troops were off the hill its just as well. The natives for Jocks were mostly very friendly and it would be worth going again. None of the troops fell in love and no epics happened. "I think". Two

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 84 new saying have arrived "THIS IS WHAT THEY WANT" and "Bring back PIB" enough said. Colin Stockton cooked breakfast and burnt the stew and took up diving at 0730 not volunterly. The bothy was good with lights and a cooktent and plenty of room for the wagons. The early start on Tuesday classes as a night Ex? Snipet Book ferry -

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE Base ?????? 15th June 79 - 17th June 79

Whalley, Male, Randall, Pibworth, Hatton, Cameron, Worsnop, Marshall, Walton, Forster, Owen, Skett (visitor) 22 Sqd Whiting, Stockton

Sat 15.6.79 Weather Wind S/W 10 kts but N/W at first 3000 - wind N/W 15 kts. Mostly cloudy but a few bright periods. Light rain or drizzle in afternoon and evening Visibility mainly good but fog patches. Cloud base patches of low cloud 1,000 feet to cover high ground Main base 3,000 - 2,000

Victor 1 Whalley - Male Yr Arddu - 339 - Cnicht - 506 - Moel Heirch - Y Cribau - 592 - Siabod - Plane crash wreckage - Capel. Distance 24 ks - 1652 mtrs - 9 hours Sporting and informative day - MLC type navigation Victor 2 Worsnop, Cameron, Marhsall, Hatton Craig-y-Garn - Mynydd - Carnedd Goch - Graig Cwm Silyn - Mynydd Tal-y- Mignedd Y-Garn - RTB. 211/2 k - 1100 - 8 hours "Theres nothing like experience Bruce" Victor 3 Wathan, Forster, Walker, Skett D/O Brithdir - Moal Hebog - Moell Lefn - Bwlch Dwy elor - Mynydd Drws-y-Coed - Mynydd Tal y Mignedd - Craig Cwm Silyn - Garnedd Goch Cwm Pennant - Base Good day with warm sunny weather. New trailist "Skett" was a bit slow. Some interesting mine workings at 528476 including a disused water wheel "This is what they want" 27 k - 1466 m - 81/2 hrs Cook Pib Good meal

Vicyor 5 Owen Siabod Race Came in 3rd 10 secs behind winner in ----- (time) "Who is this guy?" and he says he's not fit

Sunday 16.6.79

Weather:- Wind variable 5 - 10 knots. 10 knots at 2,000 ft. Cloudy at first becoming away from W facing slopes. Visibility good, some hill fog patches at first Cloud base 2500 - 3000. Low cloud at 1,000 near west facing slopes.

Victor 1 Whalley - Male VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 85 Pen-y-Pass - Crib Goch - Crib y ddysgl Snowdon - Clogwyn Du'r Arddu - Moel Cynghorion Foel Goch - Foel Gron - Moel Eilio - Llanberis 18 k - 1327m - 7 hours Victor 2 Hernon - Cameron First Slip M/XS 160 ft 5b/4b Extraction - Hernon 1st pitch only 5b Skett - Forster Oberon 170 ft V/D Step in the Clouds 230 ft V/S 3b, 4a, 3b, 4c, 4b Victor 3 Wathan, Hatton, Marshall Trevor - 362457 - Λ.564 - 485 - Moelfre - Moel Penllechog - Gurn Dou - Trevor 121/4k - 1251m - 4 hours Victor 4 Worsnop - Walker D/O Pen w Gwyrd - Aircraft Crash - Moel Siabod Moel Gid - Clogwyn Bwlch-y-Maen. Llynau Diwannedd - 713533 - 719547 - Dam 724 559 Distance 19k - 750m - 71/2 hours Late off hill due to terrain and Daves knee u/s. Practised bearings etc. "JUST ONE OF THESE DAYS"

Owen - Cook Victor 5 Randall - Pibworth Siabod - Cessna crash - Tyn y Coed up the N/E ridge then to top of S/E ridge to Llyn-y Foel and more searching of face! 61/2 ks, 1050 mtrs

MOUNATIN RESCUE EXERCISE Base Camp "Bethesda"

22.6.79 - 24.6.79 BIKE RACE

Haveron,, Whalley, Pibworth, Randall, Worsnop, Male, Hollister, Booth, Kay, Hollister, Owen, Hulme, Jones, James, Marshall, Cameron, Forster, Doonan, Perkins, Wathan, Taylor, Devine 22 Visitors. Skett, Taylor, Moore, Batson, Stoddart, Morning, 2 Leeming troops 1 Luechars troop 9 Total 31 Palmer - 22 Sqd "Again"

Weather 23.6.79 S-S/W veering in afternoon to west - mod to fresh 3,000 - S/W veering later 20 - 25 K cloudy occasionally poor with hill fog and outbreaks of rain giving way to showers in afternoon Visibility - mod - poor with hill fog. Cloud base 2,000 in rain 1000 / 1500. Freezing level 7,000 Whalley, Hollister, Devine, Trialist Bivy below Crib Goch on Friday night. Rained all night. Millions trooping up hill during night. Then on to Snowdon for check point for race. Weather not too nice! Hollister - Devine down zig-zags to Pen-y-Pass.. Whalley - follow last party over Lliwedd to Pen y Pass. Race results Owen, Kay, Booth ------time (first home) James, Skett, Jones ------time VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 86 Hulme, Forster, Marshall ------time

The rest of the team was spent in various back-ups for the race. The weather was very poor indeed with high winds and lots of rain. A great effort from all concerned especially "A team DIDN'T THEY DO WELL"

Cook - Male excellent apart from the soup Pib - Control, as usual excellent comms for race by Valley, many thanks Pib.

Sunday 24 June 79

Weather Wind - light and variable gradually becoming light north-westerly. Wind at 3,000 variable ??? than 10 knots N/W 10 - 15 knots. visability cloudy with outbreaks of rain heavy with thunder, hill fog - mod - to poor in hill fog.

Victor 1 Whalley - Cameron Tremadoc Oberon - VD 170 ft Valeries Rib - 230 ft H/S Hulme 0 Jones Oberon - VD 170 ft Knell for A Jackdaw S Victor 2 Randall - Devine Ogwen - Cwm Bochlwyd - Bwlch Tryfan - Cwm Tryfan - Glyder Fach - Glyder Fawr - Llyn-y-Cwn - Twll Du - Cwm Idwal - Ogwen 10K - 700m - 6 hours Heavy rain and hailstones on tops! trialist ????? Victor 3 Worsnop - Forster - Burrell Helyg - Tal y Braich - Bwlch Trimarchog - Pen yr Helgi Du - Penywaunwen - 11ks - 700m - 41/2 hours Met Chris Burrel and he provided us with interesting and stimulating conversation. Weather wet and honking Victor 4 Wathan - Male Foel Fras - Carnedd Uchaf - Foel Grach - Carnedd Llewelyn - Yr Elen - Foel Grach - Bethesda 201/2 k - 1165m - 6 hours

Cook - Skett - good soup, good meal Pib - Control Rest of troops departed to Royal Tournament and left us to hack it on our own again!

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE "Pont yr Afon Gam" 30th June - 1st July 79

Whalley, Pibworth, Cameron, Male, Morgan, Marshall, Randall, Devine (trialist), Morris, Thompson, Forster, Palmer, Hatton, Hulme (Sat only) VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 87 Weather 30.6.79 Wind N/W - mod to fresh (sea level) 25 - 30 knots. Rather cloudy with patchy hill fog abd perhaps some scattered showers. Visibility good apart from hill fog, mainly between 3 + 5000.

Victor 1 Whalley, Thompson, Devine (trialist) Arenig Fach, Carnedd - y Filiast, Foel Borth, A 4212, Dam - Mynydd Rodol - .327. Arenig Fawr 251/2 k - 1656 metres, 9 hours "Reasonable day till JD blew up (ex member) and trialist bombed JD into the deck "nice one Sid" Victor 2 Cameron, Forster Temadoc Poor mans Peuterey 255 Severe (lead thro) Scratch 270 V/S 4b, 4b Claptons Crack 175 V/S 4b, 4a. A good days cllimbing with good weather to go with it. Victor 3 Hatton, Palmer, Morris Cynwyd Forest - Moel Fferna - Memorial - Cadair Bodelen - Cader Berwyn - Moel Sych - Llangynog. 24k - 1300 - 51/2 hrs Victor 4 Booth - Marshall - Male Reciprocal Victor 3 24k - 1300m - 51/2 hrs Victor 5 Randall Hulme (lecture hospital open day)

Cook Morgan - good meal apart from non-use of fresh veg. Future cooks to note Pib - Control.

Sunday 1st July 79 Weather Wind - mod - N/W sea level. 3000 - N/W 15 knots - W at 25 knots. Visability good. Bright becoming cloudy 1/2 cover at 5,000 ft Becoming 800" by evening and full cover at 3,000

Victor 1 Tremadoc Whalley, Cameron Tremadoc - Merlin 160 ft V/S

Victor 2 Hatton - Male - One for Road (330ft Diff) Booth - Forster Kirkus climb direct (420 severe) - Good start to this climb with a difficult move on the 5th pitch a commiting move up over on to the slabs. Good weather all day Victor 3 Palmer, Marshall, Devine 716513 - Hafod y wenllian - spot height 429 - Foel Fras - Moel Offeren - Manod Bach - Manod Mawr - 658 Manod Quarries Carreg y Fran - Graig Goch - Y Garnedd - Quarries Base 20 K - 1252m - 5.50 hours (20k - 1000m - is a hard day if you do the right route. Trialist snooked after a long hard weekend, good day plenty of sun with cool easterly breeze Victor 4 Randall - Morgan Moelwyn Bach - Moelwyn Mawr - Cnicht Moel Druman - Allt Fawr - Cwmorthen - Tan y Grisau.

Cook - Morris - good meal used veg Control - Pib VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 88 * Callout see attcahed Report A.

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE "Llanberis" Friday 6th - 8th July 79

Whalley, Cameron, Randall, Kay, Male, Morgan, Skett, Stockton, Wathan, Whitting, Jones, Devine, Abbot, Marshall 14 Hollister - Stockton 2

Weather S/W veering N/W mod - fresh at sea level Wind at 3000 - 25 - 30knots. Cloudy with rain and drizzle, extensive hill fog before noon, cloudy with occasional hill fog Visability poor becoming good later in day Cloud base 1,000 - 1500 rising to 2,000 - 2500 ft Freezibg level 10,000 - 7,000 ft [IN TRUTH HONKING]

Victor 1 Whalley, Marshall, Devine An attempt on 14 Peaks Left base 0600 Bwlchy Gaer, Foel Fras, Foel grach, Carnedd Llewelyn, Yr Elen, Carnedd Dafydd - Pen Yrole wen - Ogwen (aborted due to weather at Ogwen.) Cwm Idwal - Devils Kitchen - Llanberis Pass 24km - 2005 m - 101/2 hours 71/2 hours of honking rain and high winds and heavy honking Aborted at Oggie, plated on Cwm Idwal (heavy's idea) A reasonable day trialist did well Victor 2 Cameron - Skett - Clogwyn Grochan Brant - 360 ft V/S 4c, 4c, 4a, 4a "Cheaper than Browns" Victor 3 Randall - Morgan Base - Snowdon track via Miners track - Pen y Paas Garry recalled to Valley by chopper picked him up at Glaslyn 20k - 1000m - 7 hours Excellent day. Victor 4 Wathan, Whiting, Jones, Abbot Moel Eilo - Snowdon - Grib Goch - Pen y Pass - Base 22k - 1104m - 81/2 hours Victor 5 Cook - Stockton / Kay Male - skulking Colwyn Bay Moel Elio - 9K - 601m - 1hour (its true its on the telly!)

Sunday 8th July 79

Victor 1 Kay - Cameron Tremdoc - Meshack HVS 230 ft [4c, 5a] Phantom Rib - FIRST PITCH ONLY Cameron didn't use peg, free ascent Victor 2 Skett - Stockton Slab Climb - 180ft V/D - Gribin Facet Slab Recess route 140ft mod VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 89 Top roping in tin can alley! Skett fell out off monolith crack! Victor 3 Ogwen Randall - Abbot Trialist tuition Ogwen area 10km - 500m Victor 4 Whiting - Devine - Jones Clogwyn Cyrau Stretcher lower - abseiling and prussiking belays for sojourns Victor 5 Marshall - Male - Whalley Ogwen - Y Garn - Glider Fawr - Glider Fach Ogwen - Abseil practise + techniques and navigation exercise 81/2k - 1096 metres - 7 hours (Techniques day for troops Cook - Wathan - excellent meal

Weather - not so good

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE 13-15 July 79

Whalley, Randall, Cameron, Jones, James, Stockton, Abbott, Morgan, Skett, Whiting

Sat 14 July 79

Randall - Whiting Instruction of C.C.F. cadets on hillwalking and navigation on Rhinog Fawr Remarks: A enjoyable day with the cadets. "Nice one Cecil" James - Skett - Stockton - Cameron Barmouth Crags instruction on basic ropework, abseiling, climbing techniques etc. Remarks: "A jolly good day" Thse action men from "Eton" had a weekend of bonus gen given by troops free. The climbing parties and walking parties involved forty cadets in total. We had to use our own transport to convey the climbers, cadets + all to the crags, as they could not use their transport? Who has nine screwgates which are missing? Whalley - Jones - Abbott (trialist) - Morgan Tyn-y-Fach, .583 - Cader Iris - Craig Cwm - Tyn-y-Fach 101/2k - 1200m - 6 hours "An easy day for the trialist" Weather Excellent Cook Whiting - "with help from our friends" Sunday - 15th July 79 As 14th July Morgan + Abbott Skett with M. Randall with the hillwalking parties and Jones and Whiting helping the climbing instruction at Barmouth Crags. Whalley - Cameron Moelwyns - Kirkus Climb Direct 420 feet Severe "Someone has to do something positive." Cook James - with help from us all. Comment It is magic taking on all these summer instruction type weekends which will only involve four at maximum of our team. In the end you have to use most of the troops and VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 90 there weekend is wasted! Thanks to the troops who hacked the weekend! THIS IS WHAT THEY WANT

MOUNTAIN RESCUE WEEKEND 20th July 79 - 22 July 79 Betws-y-coed - Base Camp

Whalley, Jones, Kay, Abbott (Trialist), Skett (visitor) Dreish - Owen The Team was non-op due to Pyrenees - Royal Tournament - block leave - WOP in love etc, but the famous five went out with Stan Owen bolstering us to a magic total of six + Dreish (Twently men)

(Heavy had been conned into another bivy by Alwyn for his sojouens and) (after a good night in Betws of we went)

Whalley - Abbott - Jones + Driesh Cwm Eigiau - Craig-y-Ysfa - Carnedd Llywelyn - Foel Grach - Cwm Eigiau. Tent was pitched below crags in Cwm Eigiau and a route up to the left of Great Gully was done - V/S rushes, moss annd steep grass. Not to be recommended but may be good in winter - joke The tent (flysheet was pitched) and a reasonable night was spent. The Trialist slept outside as he is tough Distance "very little" Height not much Time - plenty A weekend off really but a lot of gen gained by all! Alwyn please note Owen - Snowdon Rcae ------Place Time ------A great effort as usual Stan. Skett - Kay - Tremadoc Striptease - Leg Slip - Sunday Kay - Skett Tryfan - Glyders (walking off hangover)

VALLEY MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE Thursday 26 July - Sunday 29th July 79

Whalley, Kay, Male, Morgan, Stockton, Jones, Taylor, Cameron + Driesh (Twenty men)

Friday 27 July 79 Weather - Very close and hot

Victor 1 Kay - Male Glimmer The Crack - 240 ft V/S A good day, very warm Victor 2 Whalley - Stockton - Taylor - Jones - Morgan Wastwater .77 - Yewbarrow - .612 - .801 Red Pike - Swatfell - Windgap - Piller - Kirkfell Great Gable - Wasdale Head - .77 Distance 19k Ascent 2108 71/2hours Very warm day for burning up/out troops, lots of naving VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 91 Note It took us to 1100 AM to get fuel therefore both parties were not off the hill till 2000 hours. * It would be wise for future trips to the Lakes to check on fuel issue situation and not take it for granted that we can get fuel at Forton or round that area. Cook - Whalley Breakfast and tea didn't he do well? and get a couple of hills in Saturday 28th July Victor One Kay - Cameron - Stockton - Jones Laigdale Cross - too wet to do anything Victor Two Whalley - Morgan - Male Lingnell Pike - Scafell Pike Distance 9k - 992m - 41/2 hours Terrible weather with crazy rain all day "Lords Rake was a river" The WOP honked only twice. Weather - Monsoon Lake District weather u/s rain very bogging indeed. Cook - Taylor - excellent Sunay 29 July 79 Victor One - Kay - Jones Ravens Crag Holytree traverse - 240 ft VD Whalley Cameron - Whalley Holytree traverse - 240 ft VD Whalley forgot his boots - fool and had to wear his socks instead of his boots in the pouring rain. He also dropped his sticht plate down the crag - what an idiot! Weather was very wet again. Victor Two Taylor - Male - Morgan - Stockton Underscar - Littleman - (SH 865) (Skiddaw) 6k - 667m - 13/4 hours A bumble due to petrol crisis and early finish. It was an enjoyable day trip to the Lakes even though the weather was lousy for two days. The women and Leeming troops were very nice indeed!

MOUNTAIN RESCUE EXERCISE 4th Aug - 7 Aug 79 Rhi Goch - Base Haveron, Whalley, Owen, Walker, Doonan, Worsnop, Hatton, Forster, Clamp, Whiting, Wathan, Randall, Jones, Stockton Pibworth - 22 Sqd

As it had been a long time since techniques had been practised the Team spent the weekend on this subject All members of the Team took part and many types of lowers etc were carried out Techniques done:- Vertical - horizontal lower 500 ft abseil

Cooks - Worsnop - Walker Sat 4th (before techniques day summer course pupils) VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 92 Owen - Forster - Kirkus Direct Walker - Forster - Slick Sun 5th Aug After techniques many troops climbed the crag via various routes, others went, mining or to "hospital" then walking!

WEEKEND EXERCISE 10 Aug - 12 Aug 79 Nantgwynant - Base

Whalley, Hatton, Walker, Booth, Hollister, Doonan, Jones, Morgan, Whiting, Palmer, Stockton, Forster, Driesh. Morris, Hulme 22 Sqd Sat 11th Aug 79 Victor 1 Whalley, Hollister, - Jones, - Morgan, - Driesh. N/E Ridge of Tryfan - Bristly Ridge - Glyder Fach - Glyder Fawr - Llyn y Cwm - Cwm Glas Bach - Cloggy station - Snowdon - Pen y Pass. An enjoyable day ending with a quick search for a missing civy with Hollister - Jones descending Crib Goch - Whalley - Morgan zig zags Victor 2 18k 1878 metres 10 hours - where are you JACK?!!! Victor 2 Booth - Forster "Pass" Spiral Stairs 180 ft Hard Diff Flying Buttress 300 ft Hard Diff A good two routes and good day Walker - Stockton Dives with Better Things 245 ft Severe Parchment Passage 140 ft V/diff Victor 3 Hatton - Palmer - Whiting Capel - Siabod - Lefnycerrig - PYG - Miners track PYP Llydaw - Lliwedd - Pass Cwm Llan - Base 22k - 1425 m - 7 hours - Hmmm!!!! Weather - occasional rain in morning becoming heavy and more continues later in day, visability good becoming mod Cloud base 4,000 lowering to 1500 - 2000 in afternoon. Cook Doonan - Rubbish - has to cook again swam twice for no intrest in meal! Sun 7 Aug Victor 1 Whalley - Doonan Pont Cyfyng - Carnedd Moel Siabod - Capel Curig back on wreckage in gully and cwm Victor 2 Hollister Stockton As above 9k - 872 m - 5 hours Navigation exercise in lousy weather rain all time and lousy visability, typical welsh weather Victor 2 Booth Forster Walker Moel Hebog - Cwm Choch - Moel hebog - Moel lefn 557485 - Cwm meillionen - meillionen - wagon 14k - 950 m - 5 hours Victor 3 Palmer - Whiting - Morgan Cyffty - mining and collecting wood well done Cook Hatton - excellent nice to see VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 93 Weather - honking rain, wind etc.

RAF VALLEY OPEN DAY AUGUST 79

Team:- Haveron, Morgan, Male, Pibworth, Randall, Hollister, Wathan, Worsnop, Booth, James, Whiting, Hatton, Hulme, Cameron, Walker, Taylor, Forster, Palmer, Jones, Marshall, Morris, Doonan, Deegan, Stockton, Thompson 24

The Saturday was spent on the hanger roof doing various techniques for the public. Stretcher lowering - abseiling etc. The Team also had a static display and a climbing wall. The day went well and the evening was spent socially in the section. The Sunday it was "clean - up" - Air Force even named it Ex "Clean up" Really original thinking. The Monday was the Police "7" hill race and the team assisted in the cover of the race in which the Team Leader assisted in two hypothermia cases (exposure for the less educated).

VALLEY MRT TEAM GRANT SCOTLAND 1 24 Aug - 2 Sept 79

Haveron, Male, Owen, Stockton, Deegan, ?????, Cameron, Whalley, Walker, Jones, Wathan, Taylor, Deegan, Marshall

After an uneventful journey the Team arrived in Scotland and spent the night at Kinloss at a wedding which we had been invited too. On 25th Aug 79 we arrived at Dundonnel our base for the first five days. The bothy was an old smiddy which had been converted by the JMCS. The bothy sleeps eight officially and has cooking and toilet Facilities and is "5" star with five minute walk to the pub. We put up a cook shack to give us more room, As we arrived on 25th after lunch we went down to the local crag Gruinard Bay 19/762727 Haveron - Male - Stockton - Deegan For rescue techniques - Abseiling - Prussiking - Belays Chock placement for summer course.

Whalley - Moore Moore's Folly - 200ft HVD ↑ Sunset Slab - HVS 200 ↑

Moore - Cameron - V/S 200ft ↑ Central cracks? (Whalley failed too follow again) Cameron - Wathan - Moores Folly 200ft HVD (Chippy followed in big boots summer course Al?) Walker - Taylor - Marshall Leo 40ft Ab'd off not happy Leo 50ft top rope lowered Leo 50ft V/Diff (Marshall.

Cook - Owen - Rubbish as usual! 2

26 Aug 79 Victor 1 - Haveron - Male - Stockton 093877 - Glas Mheall Mor - Bidein A Ghlas Thuil Sgurr Fiona - Sial Liath - Coir A' Ghiobhsach VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 94 Distance 20k - Ascent 1621m - 9hrs 15 min. Victor 2 Whalley - Cameron - Taylor Beinn Dearg - Cona Mheal - Meall nan Capraichean Eidielh nan Clach Geala distance 27k - 1864 metres 9 hours Remarks Still snow on Beinn Dearg in Aug 79 Victor 3 Moore (Kinloss) - Owen - Marshall D/O 152761 - A'Chailleach - Sgurr Breac - Sgurr nan each - Sgurr nan Clach Geala - Meall A' Chrasgaidh - Sgurr Mhor - Beinn Leathmor Fannich - Meal Gorm - An Coiloachan - PU 276/743 Distance 38k - 3090 metres - 11 hours Remarks:- Who are these guys? A complete traverse of the Fannich Ridge. A TREMENDOUS DAY AND A GREAT START TOO THE GRANT BY 3 SUPERMEN Victor 4 Wathan - Jones - Walker Glas Mheall Mor - Biddein A Ghlas Thuill - Sgurr Fiona - Sail Liath - 083812 - Base Distance 251/2k - 1671 metres 8 hours 20 min Remarks. Poucher says it takes 10 hours - we was back too soon Cook - Deegan - very enjoyable makes a change nice one "tam Patey" Weather - cloudy - and a bit of rain

27 Aug 79. Dundonnell Haveron - Walker - Jones - Deegan D/OFF 114851 - Sheneval - 026 843 - 037 865 - Ruigh Mheallin Victor 2 28 Aug 79 Remarks - The day involved 4 river crossings, a brew in a jock bothy and a bogging jock bog walk out! Weather - Terrible - rain all day with wind 35-40 knots on top Visability poor Clag after 1500 ft. Good day for cook Cook - Stockton - good meal Taylor - u/s at base helped cook. Saving himself for the big bad "Ben"

29th Aug 79 Travel to for Ben Race and collect rations from Kinloss. Day off granted by Alister for all team apart from poor Heavy who cooked a brilliant meal again. "Happy" Hatton joined us from a RAFMA meet in Glencoe. Jock - Alwyn - Chippy went back too Valley as they only got the normal grant off. It was good of them too come up for such a short time. THIS WHAT THEY WANT!

30th Aug 79 Victor 1 Haveron - Male - Stockton - Owen Curved Ridge - Buachaille Etive Mhor Climbing + techniques Distance 41/2k - 752 metres ascent - 71/2 hours Victor 2 Whalley - Deegan - Marshall - Walker - Hatton Binnein Mhor - Na Cruagaichen - .983 - - An Bodach - .1001 - Stob Ban Distance 17k - 1647 m ascent - 91/2 hours A nice slow day - due to various reasons

Victor 1 continued Sail Mhor - Ardessie - Base

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 95 Distance 28k - ascent 1118m - 7 hours Deegan - less Sail Mhor - 26k - 7 hours 850 metres Jones - 201/2k - 7 hours - 850 metres Remarks Dave saw a Mouse Alister " " Heron Tam " " Bumble Bee Alwyn had a "saw" knee Joke? Victor 2 Whalley - Stockton - Male - Wathan A'Challearch - Sgurr Breac - Sgurr Nan Each Sgurr Nan Clach Geala - Meall a Chresgaigh Distance 22k - 2302 metres - 9 hours Stockton u/s after Sgurr Breac - Frostbite / bad circulation Distance 16k ascent 1024 m 71/2 hours Victor 3 Owen - Cameron - Taylor Glas Meall Mhor - An Teallach - Sgurr Ruadh - Base Distance 221/2k - 2432 metres ascent - 83/4 hours Taylor u/s (4ks distance - 500 metres - 4 hours) The big hills beginning to take effect! Weather - excellent a little windy on tops Cook - Marshall

29 Aug 79 Victor 1 Haveron - Walker - Deegan - Male Beinn Dearg Distance 21k - ascent 1124 metres Time 6hours Victor 2 Whalley - Owen - Marshall D/Off 162761 - Loch Wraon Bothy - Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair Distance 24k - ascent 1100 metres - 9 hours 31 Aug 79 Victor 1 Haveron - Owen - Stockton - Marshall Polldubh Rockclimbing Haveron - Stockton - Pinnacle Ridge 140 V/Diff Pinnacle Ridge 20 ft Hard/severe Central Cracks 20 ft V/Diff Techniques for summer course Owen - Marshall - as above Victor 2 Whalley - Hatton - Deegan Bidian Nam Bian Distance 10k - ascent 1100 metres - 6 hours Just a little walk as Tam was poorly Victor 3 Walker - Taylor A traverse of the Aoneach Ridge from Clachaig Hotel to Base Distance 18ks - 1457 metres ascent - 8 hours

Cook - Male very nice Weather - Rain - clag + wind Typical jock type

1st Sept 79 VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 96 Last day off an enjoyable grant and a mass ascent of the "Ben" especially for Mike Taylor who achieved his main aim of the grant to get the "Big One2 in, Stan ran the race and came in 30th out of 350 entrants He did very well and did the team very proud as well "Nice one Stan". We all did a mass ascent of the Ben via the waterslide and followed Stan down the Ben as he flashed past. A few pointers to the grant was that the team going without the MK made a big difference and the trailers were ideal - lightweight is good. The bothies were excellent especially Dundonnel ideal base - the showers at Kinlochleven were a bonus and even Stan had two showers well done. Showers can be had at hostel on top of the road above bothy. The land clearance is big problem and must be carried out. Next time Kinloss will check things out a bit better for us, but it is still worth checking out locally every day. The midges were enjoyable and really annoying. We made the journey back on Sunday in twelve hours Cook Sat 1st Oct Walker - very good

MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM DIARY RAF VALLEY MRT

7th Sept 79 - 9th Sept 79 Base Camp Golan

Sat 8th Sept Victor 1 Whalley - Devine - Abbott Golan - Mynydd Craig Goch - Carnedd Goch - Craig Cwm Silyn - pickup 533499 Distance 18k - ascent 1090 m - 7 hours Remarks: Two ascents of first hill due to navigator (Abbott) Navigation day for two new troops - in lousy weather hence a short day. Victor 2 Hollister - Walker D/O 522562 - - Nantlle Ridge - P/UP 534484 Distance 19k - 1164 m ascent - 6 hours. Remarks: High winds - heavy rain - poor visability. Great Scottish weather. Victor 3 Randall - Whiting Navex in Moelwyns - MLC then Bethesda Distance 12k - 668m ascent - 4 hours Victor 4 Owen - Marshall Tan y Grisau - Allt Fawr - Cnicht - Moelwyn Mawr - Tan y Grisau Distance 15k - 1208m - 5 hours Remarks: - gentle stroll not very interesting Victor 5 Wathan - Cameron 89 AM 20 "bogged in" One of Heavy's ideas ended up in rescueing Al's inventory [spanish] Windlass does not work. Victor 6 Skett - Stockton Blwch y Moch Upper Tier KHA - HVD. Falling Block Crack - severe Marath - V/Diff Central Arete - Diff Bulging Wall - H/VDiff Knell for a Jackdaw - severe. Cook - Foster - par excellence Good to see. Weather - lousy - rain wind 30 - 35 knots 3,000ft.

Sunday 9th Sept 79 Victor 1 Whalley - Cameron Creag Dhu Wall - hard severe 170ft 4b/5a Excellent route Thanks Jock VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 97 Cameron - Hernon - Fandango Mild x/severe 5b/5a 240ft - Who are these guys Whalley ran back to base out of his depth Victor 2 Skett - Forster Creag Dhu Wall - 4b - gasp - 4b Yogi - severe (says who) two hard technical delicate panic stricken climbs See "Reasons to be cheerful Part 46" Cameron Firsted it - Whalley seconded it - Forster thirded it - Skett fourthed it! Victor 3 Randall - Devine - Abbott SH - 123 - Bwlch Mawr - Gurn Goch - Gurn Ddu - Moel Pen Llechog - Moel Bronnmiod - Pen-y- Gear Cwm Ceilo - Distance 15k - ascent 650 m - 7 hours Remarks: Excellent day for nav/ex in clag Victor 4 Hollister - Stockton Tryfan - East Face Direct? Second Pinnacle Ridge 450' - climb down abseil off! Remarks - Another Hollister - epic "Erics Epics" Victor 5 Wathan - Whiting - Walker Barmouth - Ddifwys - ylletr - Rhinog Fach - Cwm Nant Col Distance 23k - ascent 1411m- 6 hours Remarks - Practice mutiny 1200 - 1300 - Chippy took control completed route with no cares done Victot 6 Owen - Marshall Cwm Nant Col - Rhinog Fawr - Rhinog Fach - y Llethor Moel y Bu?? cwm - Cwm Nant Col Ascent 15k - 1210 m - 5 hours Remarks - Sorry Stan I'm not fit enough yet Cook - Pib - excellent - Stan to note Weather - Cloudy till 1100 - 1200 then magic!

VALLEY MRT WEEKEND EXERCISE Base Camp Bethesda 14th Sept 16th Sept 79

Whalley, Haveron, Owen, Morgan, Pibworth, Randall, Male, Deegan, Morris, Hatton, Stockton, Forster, Walker, Cameron, Hernon, Hollister, Whiting

Doonan, Taylor 22 Sqn. Haveron, - Forster - Owen - Stockton - Left for summer course Sat 15th 79

Victor One Walker - Morgan - Male 14 Peaks Bivy Snowdon Walker - completed route 2115 Sat 15th Sept. Distance Ascent Time "Typical Valley day" Morgan retired after - Y Garn Distance 22ks ascent 2126m Time 81/2 hours Male retired after - Tryfan Distance 29ks ascent 2666 metres 111/2 hours Remarks - A good attempt Well done Dave Walker A good solo effort in the end "Who are these guys"? "Speed is essential" Quote from D, Male

Victor 2 Hollister - Deegan - Morris - Cameron VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 98 Carnedd Filiast - Mynydd Perfedd - Y Garn - Glyder Fach - Glyder Fawr - Tryfan - Callout see attached Report "A" on Tryfan Well done Victor 2 especially "Eric"

Victor 3 Whalley - Whiting - Hatton Whalley - Llafar - Llwelyn - Dafydd - Pen yr Ole - Oggie (Link for callout on Glyder Fach) Distance 23 k ascent 2234 m 71/2 hours Whiting as Whalley till Oggie then Llyn y Cwn Oggie Distance 191/2k ascent 1854 metres 71/2 hours Hatton - snooked at 115/668637 ???? ????? feeling lousy sick / toilet troubles See a "Medic"

Whalley - Cameron - Drum - Foel Fras Check Davie Walker okay on 14 Peaks - heavy lost camera "McNeishes" owned it. He left it while being an angel of mercy to various members of public on Foel Fras. Sorry Jock Cook - Randall - excellent meal even at 2300 hours. Shows it can be done "Thanks Mick" Pibworth Control - as usual excellent. A typical Pib 14 hour day looking after 14 Peaks Party, callouts and DTL. Weather - excellent. Wind 5 - 10 knots sea level - 10 - 15 knots - 3000ft S/W - visability - great - cloud base 3500 - 9000ft.

Sunday 16th Sept Weather - High winds 30 - 40 knots - Visability - 2000 - 2500' ????? Seaking exercise was planned in Cwm Eigau but due to high winds was cancelled. Therefore most of morning was wasted as pick up time was 1030 after a tea at Betws y Coed. Victor 1 Whalley - dropped off 500ft from Drum to look for McNeishes camera. found it at 0930 on Foel Fras and then set off for Cwm Eigau to meet troops Arrived 1045 Exercise called off Parties split as follows

Victor 1 Cameron - Whalley Tryfan - Soap Gut Hard/severe 200ft Remarks "Tight Rope"

Victor 2 Morgan - Male - Deegan Cwm Cywion - Y Garn Search for crashed aircraft Maurader - Two engines - wing No machine guns found Must be a hoax.

Victor 3 Morris - Oggie - Cwm Cywion - Foel Goch p Mynydd Peredd - Carnedd Filist - Base Went home early with scran and parties on hill "Watch this space" Victor 4 Randall - Oggie - Cwm Clyd - North Ridge Y-Garn - Idwal Victor 5 Walker - Hatton - Oggie - Devils Kitchen - Base (via Y-Garn etc.) Pib - Control Cook - Hollister - "You cant swim me". Watch this space.

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 99 RAF VALLEY MRT WEEKEND Bae Camp Rhiwgoch 21 - 23rd Sept 79

Whalley, Powell, Deegan, Worsnop, Whiting, Taylor, Worsnop, Walker, Morgan, Palmer, Cameron, Jones, Hatton, Anderson, Male, Booth, Randall, Skett 18 Doonan - Marshall 22Sqn 2 Total 20

Weather 22.9.79 Excellent - shirts off - shorts on September Victor 1 Whalley - Powell - Deegan Diffws - Moel-ysgyfarnogad - Clip - Craig Wion - Rhinog Fawr - pick up 683302 Distance 19k - ascent 965 m - 9 hours An easy day for the trialist "take it easy with them I'm your mother now" Victor 2 Walker - Morgan - Palmer Garn Gorllwyn - S/H 515 - Diffws - Yllether - Rhinog Fach - Rhinog Fawr - pickup 683303 Distance 24k - ascent 1465 m - 8 hours Cameron - Jones Victor 3 Moelwyns - "Chic" - V/Diff 325ft "Slick" V/Diff 390ft "One for the Road" 350 Diff All routes led through Alwyn finishing his Sojourns Good to see Victor 4 Cameron Worsnop - Whiting - Taylor - Worsnop Manod Mawr - Llyn Cors - y Barcud - Llyn Conglog - Y Garn - Moel y Weden - Base Distance 281/2k - 585 metres - 9 hours "MLC training day" Victor 5 Hatton - Anderson - Male Sylfaen - .588 - .637 - Diffwys - Y Llether - Rhinog Fach - Rhinog Fawr - Roman steps to Forest for pickup Distance 19k - 990 m - 7hours Cook - Booth - excellent Control - Randall (Trying to do a "Pib") Sunday 23.9.79 Victor 1 Whalley - Morgan - Anderson (trialist) Rhobell y Big - Rhobell Fawr - Moel Cors y Carnedd Distance 12k - 555m - 6 hours. An enjoyable day for MLC navigation and trialist Victor 2 Cameron - Skett Tremadoc Walker - Jones - Oberon - Severe 200ft (in boots both routes) Poor Mans Peuterey 225ft (Severe) Alwyn finished his Sojourns

Victor 3 Worsnop - Whiting - Taylor - Powell MLC ropework - abseiling - safety on steep ground Nav ex - Capel Curig Pinnacles

Victor 4 Booth - Hatton - Male Talardd - Aran Fawddy - Aran-Benllyn - Talardd Distance 15k - 602 m - 41/2 hrs

Cook - Palmer - The day of the wasps Good meal VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 100 Control - Randall Weather - Lousy at first rain - clag etc. but got better later on and became magic. Worth going out in the end All the troops gathered wood for the winter.. Good to see. Enjoyable weekend not too much done. Two new trialist did OK for "nothings" Bruce went on hill in wellies - Boggie band to note

VALLEY MRT BASE CAMP BETHESDA 28 - 30 Sept 79

Whalley, Hollister, Walker, Morris, Booth, Taylor, Palmer, Whiting, Worsnop, Hatton, Morgan, Wathan, Cameron, Dryden, Randall, Walker Doonan, Jones 22 Sqn 18

Weather - Wind S/E moderate - increasing fresh or strong 3000ft - 25k - 35k, cloudy, hazy, hill fog cloud base 3000ft lowering to 1,000 - 1500.

After the callout (see Report A 7/79) most of the troops were still tired and a late start B/fast for 0900 was ordered. The team had been asked to do a comms exercise with 22 Sqn but due to various reasons this was cancelled after the troops had deployed on the hill. "Typical helicopters"

Victor 1 Whalley - Dryden Gyrn Wigau - Drosgl - Yr Arg - Foel Grach - Carnedd Llewyn - Carnedd Dafydd - Base Distance 12k - 1120 metres - 7 hours Very easy day spent waiting for helicopter. Not so good second day wasted hanging around for helicopters. Victor 2 Hollister - Walker - Morris - Booth Pen y Pass - Pig track - Dinas Mot - Llyn Glas - scramble on lower pitch of Parsons Nose - Parsley Fern Gully - 605555 - 598540 - summit cafe - Y Lliwedd - Pen-y-Pass Distance 15k ascent 800 m - time 8 hours Victor 3 Taylor - Dougie Due to bothy being locked 1110 - 1210 went to north face of Dougie (exercise). This is not what they want. When troops arrived back M. Taylor was in bed and got upset when night exercise was mentioned. Victor 4 Palmer - Whiting Bangor for wedding Suits if Arnies wedding is still on after kiss/kiss in Dougie? Bryn Poeth - Cwm Bochlwyd - Cwm Idwal - Devils Kitchen Roman road - base Distance 161/2k - 780 m - 5 hours. Victor 5 Worsnop - Hatton - Morgan - Wathan Base - Carnedd y Filiast - Foel Goch - Y Garn - Devils Kitchen - Main road to base

Pinned down on Carnedd Filiast due to trogs blasting everywhere. Wanted air cover but no comms so we got the hell out of it? (John?) Distance 19k - 975m - 7 hours

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 101 Cook Cameron - not bad. Mince a little chewy but DTL saved the day - (Recipe - brown mince in butter Cook for 4 hours slowly Add onions + carrots. For future young troops add salt + pepper + Bovril Meal was good in the end. A few troops had a party after the Dougie Stan + Jock were ill! Women in the "Bothy" Sunday 30.9.79 Victor 1 Booth - Holiister Tryfan - Gashed Crag E/Face 580" Hard Diff Another power battle between the two Demi Gods. Victor 2 Worsnop - Walker Tryfan - East Face First Pinnacle Rib (Overlappin Rib Route) 580ft Hard /Diff. Thompson Chimney 60ft V/Diff? Walker fell while talking to M. Randall so he says Victor 3 Cameron - Whalley Grooved Arete East Face Tryfan (Ben Tyndrum) 760 ft Hard V/Diff Jock fell asleep - on each pitch - 4 hours for route - Betws for coffee. A good day. met Boggy Baines Handy - Handies on Tryfan with a young lady. Victor 4 Owen - Dryden - Taylor - Morgan Tryfan - Glyder Fach - Glyders - Base 15k - 1410 m - 61/2 hours Victor 5 Wathan - Whiting - Palmer - Hatton Capel - Moel Siabod - Bryn Engan - Stafford base Distance 17k - ascent 825m - 6 hours Poor old Happy still asleep at 0900. Don't tell A/L. Chippy was scared to wake him, so was ! Cook - Morris - snooked on Saturday Control - Randall Note. Nobody staked out after meal for various ?????? reasons "The past always catches up" eventually! A good weekend after a good callout! VMRT rool OK!

SAT 13 OCT Base camp Nant Gwynant

Haveron, Daniels, Oldham, Randall, Powell, Male, Wathan, Marshall, Forster, Whiting, Murphy, Jones, Pibworth, Devine 14

Victor 1 Haveron Daniels Oldham Rhyd Ddu - Llechog - Snowdon - Cloggy - Moel Gynghorion - Foel Goch - Moel Elio - Llanberis Distance 20K ascent 1562m Time 6 hrs.

Victor 2 Randall Powell Male PyP - Miner track - Snowdon - Cloggy - Moel Cynghorion - Foel Goch - Moel Elio - Llanberis Distance 20k ascent 1412m time 6 hrs. A decent day with poor visability in hill fog patches Victor 3 managed to nav Victor 1 to Pete's Eats, thank you Daniels for a wonderful cup of tea.

Victor 3 Wathan Marshall Forster

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 102 Llanberis - Nant Peris - Elidir Fawr - Y Garn - Llyn y cwm - 623569 - Cwm Glas Mawr onto Crib y dysgl - Snowdon - Watkins to base Distance 22 K ascent 2084m time 7 hrs. Shirts were not worn all day causing comment from duty tourist " its not the middle of summer you know". Chippy has been elected for MR body beautiful

Victor 4 Whiting Murphy Jones Nav ex Moelwyns fron Nant Gwynant Distance 17 k ascent 886m time 6 hrs Wet

Kev Devines first cook, not a bad effort but use should be made of fresh veg. Well done.

SUNDAY

Victor 1 Haveron Oldham Tryfan - Grooved Arete (or something)

Victor 2 Randall Devine Murphy Powell Daniels Idwal - Devils Kitchen Glyders Capel Distance 12K ascent 1,000m (??) time 7 hrs.

Mick and his merry band of nothings on a tourist walkabout. How much further is it

Victor 3 Wathan Male Marshall Jones Pont Cyfyng - Moel Siabod - Dolwyddelan - Moel Siabod - Pont Cyfyng Distance 17K ascent 1405m 6hrs. A day for indecision but Moel Siabod is such a nice hill it should be visited twice in one day Honking weather

Not a bad meal from Forster enhanced by a choice of menus

BASE CAMP BETHESDA 19th - 21 October 79

Pibworth, Randall, Cameron, Daniels, Walker, Duckworth, Hatton, Wathan, Lewis, Forster, Kay 11 Bethesda. Haveron, Whalley, Male, Devine, Stockton, Taylor, Morgan, + 1 visitor, Perkins, Jones, Worsnop 11 *First Aid Course*

Victor 1 Cameron - Daniels Cwm Cnefio - Llyn y Cwm - Glyder Fawr - Cribin - Llyn Bochlwyd - Tryfan - Glyder Fach - Glyder Fawr - Llyn y Cwm - Cwm Cnefio - Nant Peris 19k - 1841 metres - 81/2 hours An interesting day - Plenty scrambling - a mini mountaineering day

Victor 2 Walker - Duckworth - Hatton D/O Ogwen - Pen y Role Wen - Carnedd Llewelyn - Pen yr Helgi Du - Gallt yr Ogof - Glyders 21k - 1774 metres - 8 hours 45 min Victor 3 Wathan - Lewis - Forster VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 103 ?HA (748722) - Tal y Fan - .598 - Bwlch y Ddeufaen - Drosgl - Drum - Foel Fras - Carnedd Uchaf - Foel Grach - Carnedd llewleyn - Dafyd - Pen yr Ole Wen - Ogwen - Base 261/2 k - 1351 metres - 8 hours 50 min. ????????? Victor 4 Fine sunny day with exceptionaly good weather and little clag. Trialist done well and even got the teas in at Oggy. However he didn't do so well at ???? back trying to beat V3 who got a lift from ????? Control - Pib (return to Valley for repairs to tail lamp) Pick up V3 + V4 Randall - Liason visit? in SWB - Castle - Victoria Bike Race ????? Kay Weather - Wind 260o at 15 knots - mist in valleys now dispersing - dry and sunny - vis 30k - 1500ft in ?? valley mist patches - cloud base 3,500 Freezing level ???

Sunday 21 Oct 79 Victor 1 Randall - Duckworth - Lewis ??? Pen y Pass - Snowdon Horseshoe - Pen y Pass ?????? day for the Horseshoe. Trialist actually ?????? Crob Goch. 12k - 1014 metres - 6 hours

Victor 2 Kat - Hatton Xmas Curry - Mica variation - Hard severe 250ft Grim Wall - V/severe 180ft 4c, 4c Scratch Arete + Scratch V/severe 200ft 4b/4c Kay the snow plodder returns? Happy said its only V/S? Victor 3 Cameron - Forster Y-Broga V/S Failed Oakover - first attempt Merlin - 160ft V/S 4b 4b Oakover - second attempt. Victor 4 Walker - Daniel D/O 676515 - Yr Aran - Snowdon - yLliwedd - Cwm Dyli - Grandstand Distance 13k - 1404 metres - 7 hours (Chopper winch) Cook - Wathan Control - Pibworth Weather - excellent The base should have been Llanberis but due to sick horse we moved to Bethesda. As there was no P.S. out the team seemed to enjoy "themselves"

VALLEY MRT WEEKEND EXERCISE 26th Oct - 28th Oct 79

Llanbeder Base Camp ATC Hut

Duty team:- Whalley, Pibworth, Randall, Kay, Cameron, Stockton, Hollister, Wathan, Walker, Duckworth, Lewis, Hatton, Worsnop, Jones Weather Sat 27 Oct - excellent Sunday 28 Oct - terriblr, rain, wind, clag The team had been requested to cover the Karrimor Mountain Marathon purely as back up but "come the race" Valley were covering MRT back up for the race. John Ellis Roberts was organising the MRT cover! The race was run over Rhinogs.

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 104 ??????? got the gen on the route on Friday night at about 2200 hours and started to work out our coverage. It was decided to put the Ambulance in Cwm Buchan, one party on ∆.623 Moel ysfarnog with a stretcher, another on .590 Clip and a link on Rhinog Fawr with another stretcher on the Bwlch Drws Ardudwy. The weekend went okay and a lot of hanging around by all parties. We had a few incidents and just managed to hack it. Stafford were on standby just in case we needed back up. It was a boring weekend and the troops out hacked it well even after the COS inspection and the bullshite that went after it, but this is the RAF. (It is not a recruiting manual) Never mind, if you cant take a joke you shouldnt have joined! Report "A" 8/79 refers briefly to the incidents. The two trialists did well cooking (for trialists) Heavy only lost his rag once. Even Stan only went wobbley once / twice/ WOP'S radios / batterys were rubbish! Again!

VALLEY MRT EXERCISE DOLLGARROG 2 Nov 79 - 4th Nov 79

Duty team:- Whalley, Randall, Morgan, Owen, Hollister, Stockton, Palmer, Wathan, Lewis, Duckworth, Whiting, Devine, Wathan, Marshall, Lewis, Davies, Harvey, Skett, Booth, Walker, Total 20 + Cameron 22 Sqn - total 21 Sat 3 Nov 79 Victor 1 - Whalley, Lewis, Devine, Duckworth, Harvey ????? Moel Elio - - Pen y Helgi Du - Capel Distance 141/2k - ascent 1001 m - 5 hours As weather was wild very strong winds etc. we did not complete route. Check ascent Sid! Victor 2 Owen, Marshall Attempt at 14 Peaks - weather to bad aborted at Foel Fras Did Carneddau walked off to Betws y Coed. 251/2k - 1300m - hours + hours. Poor old Andy. Its not his route. Victor 3 Hollister, Whiting, Morgan, Forster, Davies Roewen - Tal y Fan - .598 - Drum - Carneddau - Dollgarog 25k - 1258m - 7hours. Victor 4 Wathan - Palmer - Walker - Stockton - Skett Base - Moel Elion - Pen y Lithrig - Pen y Helgi Du - Helyg - Capel - Betws y Coed. 26k - 817 m - 6 hours How did Victor 1 get more ascent in! on the same route Cook - Booth - Control Randall Callout 1800 Sat See report "A" 9/79 Weather Terrible:- 35 - 50 knot winds, rain, cloud base 2,000ft Sunday 4 Nov 79 Victor 1 Booth, Harvey, Whalley, Davies - Skett - Whalley - Lewis 734767 - 745746 - 745718 - Tal y Fan - Moelfre - Penmaenmawr - Cefn Coch - Fairy Glen? 16k - 760 m - 5 hours Looking round race for Dave Booth. Nav exercise for Pete Lewis and Sketty (whoes rubbish) Victor 2 Owen - Marshall As Victor 1 Victor 3 Wathan - Whiting - Morgan Mining 115/665462 Victor 4 Hollister - Walker - Forster - Devine - Stockton - Duckworth VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 105 Tin can alley techniques - abseling - prussiking - knots - basic climbing - belaying - 471/2ft diff. Cook - Palmer - burnt mince Control Randall Skett - Harvey - self swum Betws y Coed? Weather - high winds, rain. Wagons u/s Sigs and MK

VALLEY MRT WEEKEND EXERCISE Base Camp Bethesda 9th - 11 Nov 79 Duty Team Haveron, Booth, Forster, Cameron, Duckworth, Stockton, Taylor, Morgan, Devine, Male, Jones, Pibworth.

First Aid Course:- Haveron, Booth, Stockton, Taylor, Morgan, Devine, Male, Jones Victor 1 Booth - Forster - Cameron - Duckworth Pen-y-Pass - Snowdon Horseshoe - Crib Goch - Pen y Pass Distance 11km - 900 m - 6 hours. "The remarks written were cut very short as Geordie jibbered on "This was the first ????? ascent of Crib Goch. Geordie naving still needs working on. A winters walk in virgin snow" Duty cook - Owen (excellent?) Pib - Control Callout - see attached report "A".

VALLEY MRT WEEKEND 16th - 18th Nov 79 - Base camp Fox House Derbyshire Duty Team:- Haveron, Whalley, Cameron, Skett, Hollister, Forster, Marshall, Worsnop, Reece, Taylor, Walker, Duckworth Sat 17 Nov Victor 1 Haveron - Reece - Forster - Duckworth Climbing - Birchens Edge - Monument Gully - Chain 1st pitch Victor 2 Boulder problems Eagleston Boulder on Currbar Edge then walk back to Base via Froggat Victor 2 Whalley - Worsnop - Skett - Marshall ???928 - Bleaklow - Kinder - Edale Distance 143/4 k - ascent 140 (?) metres - 5 hours MLC nav ex for Bruce and Sketty Victor 3 Hollister - Wathan - Walker - Cameron Edale - Kinder Scout - Mill Hill - 088928 Distance 11k - ascent 750 m - 5 hours Cook - Taylor - burnt bacon? All parties back off hill by 1600 for night ex vertical lower down Curver by team. And strecher walk off practice by all team in dark. A worthwhile exercise. Good night socially in Fox House. Met a name "HAS" Oldham. Noisy fellow. Weather. Snow, clag, rain, wind, lousy! cold etc. Sunday 18th Techniques at Burbridge ALL TEAM. Vertical lower - Horizontal lower - Forster - patient Skett Cameron - Walker - patient Marshall Skett - Wathan - " Duckworth Basic abseiling - Worsnop - Duckworth / Reece A enjoyable day despite weather conditions and nights hangover Cook - Hollister - very good except the porridge or was it milk? Nice one Eric. Weather was terrible again even though it was a good weekend for informatio. VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 106 The journey out were was a magical mystery tour. Thanks All!

SAT DEC 1st

V2 Oldham Shanks Heaton Marsden

D/O Ogwen - N. Ridge Tryfan - Bristley Ridge - Castel y Gwynt RTB via Llyn y Cwn

V3 Stockton Reece

Flying Buttress pitches 1 - 3 plus techniques on the 2nd pitch

V4 Hatton Bilham Duckworth

Base - Moel Elio - Moel Cynghorion - Rangers path to Snowdon - RTB

A good day for Ray and his not so happy band of pilgrims. Bilham decided enough was enough and returned from whence he came on monday

Hill parties a little thin on the ground due to the Annual Team Reunion dinner held at the Royal Victoria hotel. Most of the troops opted to stay sweat free and travel to base later in the day on Saturday. The dinner was once again a success with young Duckworth providing his body for this years "baby" and other notable events during the evenings supping included an impression of the incredible hulk who thinks of opening doors is a bore, the Station Commander displaying a talent for joke telling and an entertaining singsong. Thank you to Mick Randall who organised the event.

Sunday 2 Dec

A quiet day with ex members taking leave and troops filtering back to Valley nursing hangovers and empty wallets. Base camp packed and on normal standby by 1800

SAT DEC 8 Base camp Dolgarrog

V1 Haveron Hugo Wilkinson Melynllyn - Craig y Dulwyn - Garnedd Uchaf - Poel Grach - Carnedd Llewelyn - Pen y Helgi Du - Bwlch Trumarchog Moel Eilio 191/2k 1021m 61/4 hrs

V2 Stockton Hatton Llanrwst - Gwydyr Forest - resevoir 11k 240m 4 hrs A quick haircut followed by a navex on easy ground because of Colins bad knee (Hoppy and Happy) VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 107 V3 Hollister Whiting Morgan Tryfan - Glyder Fach - Twll Du - Ogwen 8k 1.017m 5 hrs A wet windy and Welsh day

V4 Cameron Marshall Duckworth Helyg - Fynnon Llugwy - Carnedd Llewelyn - Dafydd - Pen yr Ole Wen - Ogwen 12k 927m 43/4 hrs

Cook Male

Control Randall

Sunday 9 Dec

V1 Haveron Male Stockton Duckworth Hugo Wilkinson A quick session on rope stretchers in the bothy then off for a nav ex and techniques on Pen - Gogarth

V2 Hollister Marshall Cameron Pen y Pass Pyg track Crib y Ddysgl - Snowdon - Miners track - Pen y Pass 12k 820m 5 hrs The Horseshoe aborted when winds rose to an unacceptable level

V3 Whiting Morgan Hatton Cyffty Mines 115/762318 & 788602 (Parc mine)

Cook Randall

15 DEC 79 Golan

V1 Booth Hugo Whiting Male Rhyd Ddu - Y garn - Trum y Ddysel - Mynydd Tal y Mignedd - Craig Cwm Silyn - Carnedd Goch - Mynydd Craig Goch - base 171/4k 930m 61/2 hrs

An impressive low flying display from Dave Booth in 70 kts wind. Major repairs to his port flaps were carried out after a forced landing. We all felt a bit silly after dislodging a stone and shouting "above". An entertaining day

V2 Wathan Duckworth Palmer Wilkinson DO 659541 - Cwm Dyli - Y Lliwedd - Snowdon - wagon 14k 1354m 61/2 hrs

Cook Pib A very good meal, scaley spotted with unfinished meal is this the end of the world as we know it?? VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 108 16 Dec Golan

V1 Booth Wilkinson Hugo Male Beddgelert - Moel Hebog - Ogof Owan Glyndwr - Beddgelert 13k 920m 5 hrs

A fine morning,down to T-shirt but short lived. A fruitless search for the cave (Ogof??) but "we have a good idea now"

V2 Wathan Duckworth Whiting Palmer Gold mines Bont Ddu Ders gold in dem hills. Troops slightly glazed after this trip! is this golf fever??

Cook Pib Another good meal from our master chef

Quote of the week-end Trialist: How is it that only party leaders can lift their daybags in one hand?? Budding Team Leader: Shut up (Displaying a powerful leadership quality)

The Black Spot

5 JAN 1980

Base camp Llanberis

V1 Haveron Wilkinson Stockton Hugo Talywaen Elidir Fawr - Foel Goch - Y Garn - Glyder Fawr - Glyder Fach Llyn Bochlwyd - Ogwen Cottage 14k 1275 7 hrs

V2 Randall Male Davies Base - Moel Cynghorion - Snowdon - Llechog - Tryfan - Llanberis 13k 817 6 hrs Hardly a sporting day being cold and windy on the tops with clag.

V3 Booth Duckworth Kay Helyg - Penyhelgi Du - Craig yr Ysfa - Carnedd Llewelyn - Dafydd - Penyrole yr Ole Wen - Helyg 15k 870m 41/2 hrs A good day although cold and windy. The "nothing" kept opening his mouth, unfortunate but he will learn. He'd better!

V4 Wathan Forster Worsnop Base - Moel Elio - Foel Gron - Foel Goch - Moel Cynghorion - Snowdon - PyP - base 271/2k 1695 6hrs

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 109 Only the PL completed the course. The CPL and nav caught the bus at the hard bit. Who said CPL's are leaders of men.

Cook Cameron

Sunday 6 Jan

Search exercise in Cwm Tregelan

V1 & V2 Kay Worsnop Cameron Forster Hugo Davies

V3, V4 , V5 Booth Wathan Male Duckworth Wilkinson

V10 Haveron Randall

A better day for weather with good conditions for sweep searching. An effective search ang a good carry off

Cook Stockton A very near swinning effort. Cookers not working is no excuse for cold food!!

Sayings of the week end 1 Q. PL: "Wheres Bruce??" A team "Who's Bruce??"

2 Bruce: "I wonder if I can claim back my bus fare" GEORDIE "Yes corps" (Displaying a highly polished talent for having no idea whats being said to him)

12 JAN 1980

Base camp Cross Foxes

V1 Haveron Tomkins Davies Kerrone Urquhart Tilly 123/632121 - Graig y Llyn - Craig Las - Cader Idris - Gau Graig - Base 16k 1.073, 7 hr 10 m

V2 Randall Wilkinson Hugo Hatton Recip V1 Start 756140 16k 1,000m 51/2 hr

V3 Owen Stockton Duckworth 124/697151 Recip of V4 Return to wagon via Tyddynednyfed & Rhyd Wen 211/2k 900m 51/2

V4 Cameron Male Palmer Hollister 124/697151 Rhiw Gwredydd Refuge hut - Mynydd Moel Fox's path 124 697151 A quick day so we could have time to visit John Skett Improving greatly. Would like more troops to visit. Excellent day on the tops.

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 110 Cook Chippy - Grand CTL Pibworth

13 Jan

V1 Haveron Wilkinson Hugo Davies Stockton Craig-yr-Ogof 124 913245 for techniques

V2 Randall Kerrone Urquhart Liaison Moel isygoedwig farm for base camp. Bwlch Groes 125 043376 (100 miles???)

V3 Owen Palmer Hatton Wathan Cwm Nant Col - Foel Ddu - Rhinog Fawr - Fach - y Llethyr - Diffwys - SH 637 - Llyn Dulyn - Moel y Blithcwm - Cwm Nant Col. 171/2K 1210m 43/4 hrs Cold but sunny

V4 Hollister Male Cameron Tomkins From A470 - 800172 - 564 - 655 - 779 - Craig Cywarch - Y Gribin - Tyn y Braich + ridge to base 23K 1300m 6 hrs A good day with magic weather. This what we want V2

Cool Duckworth / Tilly

CTL Pibworth

Plenty of trialist out this week-end and only one blew up. Well done

Saying of the week-end Jock - "Spangle Eric?" "Eric - ok sit down I'm not walking and sucking" WOP - "Fag Jock" (Another successful smoke break by duty mutineers)

DOLGARROG 18 - 20 Jan 1980

Friday

V1 Haveron Male Stoclton Wilkinson Duckworth Tomkins Bwlch y Ddeufaen to Taly y Fan

A short night walk to do a trial on batteries for the Sharkeye torch. RAF version of the U2 failed. Enjoyable stroll and a chance meeting in a pub of an Ex Valley troop (1956-57)

Sataurday

V1 Haveron Stockton Wilkinson Forster

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 111 M.A.M. hut - Cwm Lloer - Pen Yr Ole Wen for techniques in Cwm Lloer in ice axe breaking - deadman belaying - glissading snow holing somersaulting and crampon use 6k 794m 5hrs

V2 Randall Hugo Lewis Kerrone Helyg - Craig Llugwy - Carnedd Llewlyn - Carnedd Dafydd - Afon Nant Fach - Cwm Llafar - Bethesda road walk to Ogwen 19k 791 630m 5 hrs

V3 Booth Duckworth Cameron 732663 - Craig Yr Ysfa - Amphitheatre Gully (800' grade II [V1 sup]) - Ffynnon Llugwy Llugwy reservoir - Helyg 111/4k 630m 8hrs Duckworths first winter ascent, a good sporting day using a minimum of equipment. Comment for day: "Tight rope Jock"

V5 Wathan Tomkins Taylor Whiting Cwm Eigiau - bwlch Trimarchog - Pen Yr Helgy du - Pen y waenwen - Carnedd Llewelyn - Cwm Llafar - Bethesda 18k 836 5hrs Rescued essential equipment (Mick Randall's ice axe) that was left on Llewelyn. Beer will be bought for this error

Cook Worsnop - a great effort (rations supplemented with his own money)

CTL Male

Sunday

V1 & V2 Haveron Wathan Worsnop Whiting Male Duckworth Hugo Tomkins Lewis Taylor Kerrone Cwm Eigiau for Helicopter Exercise (Sea King). Casualty location and hoisting, flight familarisation, Bell stretcher lift. All members uplifted to Bera Bach then walked to Foel Grach refuge hut. Novices single hoisted. All members up lifted and dropped at Melynllyn. Worsnop planked down from Foel Grach.

V3 & V4 Both Cameron Stockton Wilkinson Amphitheatre Gully - Techniques, front pointing, peg placement, fallen leader / second braking, walking coils, belaying, runner placement, step cutting, knots (10k)

Cook Forster Not bad for a beginner!! CTL Randall

Quote of the w/end Chippy: "What did you get the Bronze for Bruce?" "tying them on?" Bruce: "Shut up and give another hand up"!!

January VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 112 WEEKEND EXERCISE 25th - 27th August Base Camp Bethesda

Duty team:- Whalley Hugo Tomkins Duckworth ???? ????? Kay Owen Perkins Randall Palmer Hatton Cameron Forster Tomkins Kerrone 21 Victor 1 Whalley, Hugo, Tomkins, Duckworth, Urqhart, Wilkinson, Davies Techniques at Melynllyn Fri 25th Good bivy a bit cold Techniques on Craig Fawr Deadman placement, pegs, chocks, cramponing, front pointing 15ft ice pitch falling leader ???? forwards, backwards, head first etc. Crampons on all day cramponed up to Foel Grach and off into Cwm Eigiau. Excellent weather and perfect day for instruction. Little Jock put his ice axe in his face not the snow "silly boy" Victor 2 Cameron, Boardman, Sands, Kerrone Oggie Cott - Twll Du - Llycwm - Y Garn - Llyn Cwm - Glyder Fawr - Llyn Cwm - Oggie Cott - Base drop of Kerrone u/s - Oggie Cott - Llyn Bochlwyd - Oggie Cott 13k - 1102 m - 8 hours Poor Jock a trying day Cook - Kay - "laugh" Control Randall The rest of the troops were at M. Taylors wedding

Sat night Callout See attached report "A" when typist does it! Weather Clear skies, no wind, cold / good snow in cwms

Sun 27th Feb 80

Victor 1 Whalley, Tomkins, Duckworth, Davies, Kerrone, Forster Snow ice techniques Y Garn Cwm Cywion "1000ft grade I Gully" Geordie keed a hold of your ice axe especially at the top. Victor 2 Kay - Hugo - Wilkinson Tryfan - Glyders Kay sort out for winter course Victor 3 Wathan - Sands - Boardman Ogwen - Kitchen - Glyders - Capel Curig

Cook - Hatton Very good Randall - Control Due to various callouts. See attached report A's Routes are very vague. Pete Kay was a hero on Idwal and Mick Randall controlling well! In between all this Mick managed to take the Blue Peter man on the hill.

WEEKEND EXERCISE 1-3rd Feb 80 Tallardd Base Camp VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 113 Haveron, Urquhart, Sarsby, Cameron, Wilkinson, Lewis, Walker, Duckworth, Hatton, Male, Walker 11

2nd Feb Victor 1 Haveron - Urquat - Sarsbury Llanwwchllyn - Moel Ddu - Aran Benllyn - Llanwwchllyn Remarks Pork pies or beer was off. Poor Al was ill and had to come back Victor 2 Cameron - Wilkinson - Lewis D/O 888259 - Quarry - Aran Benllyn - Aran Fawddwy - Drws Bach - Graiglyn Dyfi - Cwm Llwyd - Llynllwbran P/O 888 259 Distance 19km ascent 919 m - 101/2 hours Lousy weather Victor 3 Walker - Duckworth - Hatton D/O 889259 - Llyn Lliwdran - Aran Benllyn - Aran Fawddwy - Drws Bach - Craig y Ffynnon - Cwm Cywarch - Dinas Mawddwy P/UP 889149 Distance 19k - ascent 999m - 6 hours Hard naving in clag (isn't it usually)? says D Walker Cook - Hugo Control - Male Weather: Lousy rain / wind / etc.

Sunday 3 Feb 80

Victor 1 Haveron - Wilkinson - Hugo Navigation exercise and communication exercise for new troops Victor 2 Cameron - Lewis - Urquat As above Victor 3 Hatton - Duckworth - Male Tyn y Fedwen - Godor - Moel Sych - Cadair - Cadair Bronwen - Foel Wen - Llyndd Tarw - Tyn y Fedwen Distance 13k - 715 metres - 4 hours Cook Walker / Sarsby Weather as 2nd lousy

LLANBERIS 8 - 10 FEBRUARY 80

Haveron, Whalley, Kay, Cameron, Stockton, Palmer, Whiting, Booth, Hugo, Morgan, Forster, Perkins, I.L.R. Randall 14 Walker 22 Sqn

Sat 9th February

Victor 1 Haveron - Hugo - I.L.R Crib Goch - Snowdon - Zig Zags - Pen-y-Pass Distance 11k ascent 820 m timr 6 hours introduction to M.R. for new I.L.R. in typical lousy weather

Victor 2 Whalley - Stockton - Both - Cameron VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 114 Snowdon via railway Distance 11k ascent 75m time 4 hours Revolt at Cloggy but mutiny quelled

Victor 3 Kay - Whiting - Forster Snowdon Horseshoe Distance 12k - 1,000 metres - 5 hours The old Snowdon Horseshoe ploy -

Cook - Morgan Control - Randall

Weather - Strong winds - rain - cloud level 1500ft.

Sunday 10th Feb 80

Haveron - Whalley - Kay - Booth - Cameron - Forster - Palmer - Stockton - Hugo - Morgan - Perkins - I.L.R. Crag techniques Capel Curig Vertical lower - horizontal lower - Tragsitz - abseil - Helicopter winch - stretcher raise (Bell) - winch of cragfast climber - pyo introduction new troops - helicopter drop off Note! Dont use karabiners for stretcher. Put slings straight through by prussik Not bad weekend Pity about weather and no snow.

WEEKEND EXERCISE 15th - 17th Feb Base Camp Golan

Duty Team:- Kay, Cameron, Booth, Urquat, Wilkinson, Wathan, Lewis, Male, Hatton, Worsnop, Hugo, Walker, Pibworth, Randall 14

22 Sqn:-

Sat 16 Feb Victor 1 Kay - Cameron Moelwyns - Slick 390 ft VD Kirkus Direct 300 ft Severe Remarks Too wet for PA's Victor 2 Booth, Urquhart, Wilkinson Croesor - Yr Arddu - Cnicht Remarks - Fitness in party poor, navigation even worse! Trialist don't use whistle unless you need it. Poor Dave Booth! This is not what they want. Distance 121/2k - 800 metres - 6 hours Victor 3 Wathan, Lewis, Male, Hatton Croesor - 666448 - Mines - Croesor Distance 13k - 987 metres - 6 hours Victor 4 Worsnop - Hugo - Walker Navigation exercise for Winter Course pupil Needs more practice in clag Distance 9k - 300 metres - 5 hours Cook - Pibworth - excellent Control - Randall Weather Lousy

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 115 Sunday 17th Feb Victor 1 Kay, Cameron Tremadoc - Grim Wall 180ft V/S 4c, 4c Remarks Only another 99 to 120 (must be climbers jargon) Victor 2 Booth - Walker Pont Gyfyng - 508458 - Carnedd Goch - Crag Cwm Silyn - Mynedd Taly-Mignrdd - Trum y Dvysgel - Moel Lefn - Moel Hebog - Tyddyn Mawr Distance 20k ascent 1622 metres 6 hours Good day. Booth to fast. Victor 3 Worsnop - Urquat - Lewis - Male Dakota crash Navex Dalynddillan 9ks 410 metres 31/2 hours Bruce must know that area well? Victor 4 Wthan - Hatton - Hugo - Wilkinson Capel - Moel Siabod - Lyn y Foel - Llyn Elsi - Capel 19k - 975 metres - 5 hours Cook - Randall Control - Pib Weather - good

WEEKEND Feb 22 - 24 Base Camp Dollgarog Duty Team:- Whalley - Pibworth - Cameron - Urquat - Male - Sarsby - Whiting - Worsnop - Hatton - Wathan - Duckworth 11 Randall - 22 Sqn Sat 23.2.80 Victor 1 Whalley - Duckworth Bwlch y Ddeufaen - Drum - Foel Fras - Foel Grach - Carnedd Llewelyn - Peny Helgi Du - Capel Curig Distance 21k 975 metres 6 hours Soft snow on tops Visability 20 - 30 yds. Good day for navigation "He only bought 3 pints" in the end. Good naving by a nobody Wathan Victor 2 Urquat - Whiting - Sarsby Dollgarog - Pipes - Llyn Cowlyd - Craigiau Gleision - Cyffty (-navigation) Betws y Coed 19ks - 750 - 7 hours Victor 3 Worsnop - Male Capel - Llyn Cowlyd - Lledwigan - Tal-y-Llyn - Pen Craig - Betws 18k - 505 m - 6 hours Indifferent day but pleasing with no hills (typical) Victor 4 Wathan - Hatton Pen Llithrig y Wrach - Llewelyn - Ffynnon - Llugwy Pipe line - Moel Elio - Crimpiau - Betws Distance 25k - ascent 1216 m - 71/2 hours A pint in Cobdens (or two) was needed? Cook Cameron - excellent but no toast or scrambled egg 8/10 Pib - Control Weather Wind N-N/westerly - mod to fresh - cloudy with rain snow on tops - hill fog - vis 1000 - 2000k Freezing level 2500 ft (Good naving weather) Good night in Llanrwst Bruce is in love but we stopped him. Jock is a bully. Heavy is a saint.

Sunday 24 Feb "Bruces Folly" VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 116 Victor 1 Cameron - Duckworth Craig yr Ysfa Amphitheare Buttress 960 ft V Diff. Very good climb in good conditions. Who says it always rains in Wales. 23/4 hours to do route!

(Weekend Dollgarog continue 22 - 24 Feb 80) Victor 2 Worsnop Male Wagon recovery exercise 1/2 mile along track at Bwlch y Ddeufaen. Wagon stock in mud. Nearly rolled had to be belayed to keep in on the deck. Mick Sarsby was driving! Jeep also stuck! Saved by Colin Pib (B.E.M.) 7 two 250 ft ropes and two hill ropes (and young Heavy) Bruce to driver "I don't think it will get through" Driver tio Bruce "Yes it will" Answer no. 2 hours spent saving wagon and party well done Young Pib. Bruce is an idiot. They say Heavy is a bad driver! Does Bruce ever go on the hill? Victor 3 Wathan - Whiting - Hatton "Mining" - Betws y Coed Cook - Whalley Excellent apart from the custard Toast boiled eggs scrambled egg etc. Pib - Control and vehicle recovery Weather - Wind light easterly - wind 3,000ft 10 knots vis - excellent, cloud base 3,000ft Freezing level 3,000ft Tremendous day A good weekend apart from Bruces folly. Poor Paraquat said MRT was not for him and is joining the Rocks (watch this space) Saying of the week "if you don't eat your meat you'll not get any pudding" Spoken in Jock lingo?

WEEKEND EXERCISE Bethesda 29 Feb 80 - 2 March '80

Duty team: Whalley, Pibworth, Cameron, Walker, Forster, Palmer, Stockton, Abbott, Duckworth, Wathan, Elliot (trialist) 22 Sqn:- Male

Friday 29th Feb. Cameron - Whalley Llanberis Pass Spiral Stairs 180 foot (hard diff)

Sat 30th F 1st March '80 Victor 1 Whalley, Forster, Duckworth Bethesda - Carnedd y Filiast - Myndd Perfedd - Eilidir Fawr - Foel Goch - Y Garn - Glyder Fawr - Glyder Fach - Tryfan - Oggie Cottage Distance 17k ascent 1631 metres 71/2 hours Remarks tea on the top of the Glyders with Saints troops. New descent route on Tryfan "Bum jammer" route. Rebellion at Ogwen nobody (Geordie and Duckstick) would not do Penyrolwen. Enjoyable day. Victor 2 Wathan - Elliot - Palmer Bethesda - Carnedd y Filliast - Y Garn - Glyders - Capel Remark "Wheres the need" 23k ascent 1057 metres 71/2 hours Arnie not well aborted at Llyn y cwm - Kitchen - base 23k ascent 1057 metres 7 hours. Poor, poor Arnie Party leader had to carry rope and radio for trialist. Chippie must be getting soft? Victor 3 Walker - Cameron VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 117 D/O 676716 - Foel Goch - Y Garn - Drum - Foel Grach - Penyrole wen - tea shack - Tryfan (North ridge frantic) Distance 25 ks - 1666 metres - 8h 9 hours Davie Walker failed to jump Adam and Eve Victor Base - Victor 3 what is your location? Victor 3 don't call me whem I'm gripped! New route by Jock on Tryfan! Victor 4 Abbott - leg u/s road walk Capel and back 16 ks Cook - Stockton - just passable lucky fellow! Control - Pibworth Poor trialist decide "this not for him and handed kit in, another guy after a posting Weather - Excellent - wind fresh North West, Cloudy with occasional showers falling as snow on high ground Cloud base 2,000 - 3,000 ft. Visablity good.

Victor 1 Cameron - Whalley Tryfan Milestone Whalley crawl - 50 ft diff Chimney route - 35ft Severe Traverse into Soapgut 40ft Severe A desprate girdle of the Soapgut chimney route area. Extremely wet and muddy, second (Heavy) failed to follow and abseiled off! Cameron abseil down to collect chocks that the second could not reach an interesting day. Rock wet, slippy and muddy. Victor 2 Stockton - Duckworth Soapgut 200ft Hard Severe Rock wet and slippy but a good day for Ducks top ropes rule okay! Victor 3 Wathan - Palmer Cobbies - Siabod - lyn y foel - Dolwyddelan - Rhiwddolion - Miners Bridge - Betws y Coed - Miners Bridge 17k - 868 m - 6 hours Roundabout route Victor 3 Walker - Abbot - Forster Carnedd Daffyd - Helyg - Siabod Distance 20ks ascent 1358 metres 6 hours Met drooge on hill who was lost and Dave Walker helped him off. He was on a poucher route. Again Geordie would not go on and do another hill well done Davie Walker who is this guy! Cook - Elliott (failed trialist) not a bad cook though Control - Young Pib Weather. wind north-westerly - mod to fresh; wind 3000ft 20 - 25 knots. Cloudy with rain turning to snow on the mountains, hill fog, cloud base 2000 - 3,000ft lowering to 1,000 - 2000ft. Freezing level 2,000 - 3,000. An enjoyable weekend with a good bit of action (Sat night at Betws in Royal Oak (St Davids day) with 5 American women all single to chat up an thats all! Callout Sunday night (see attachd report A 5/80 refers) and a few beers down the Naafi.

VALLEY MRT WEEKEND EXERCISE 7th - 9th March 80

Base Camp Llanbeddr

Sat 8th March '80

Victor 1 Randall - Sarsby

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 118 Cwm Bychan - Rhinog Fawr SH518 - Craig Wion - Craig Ddwnwg - Pub Cwm Buchan. Distance 16K - ascent 800 metres time 6 hours Victor 2 Cameron - Lewis D/O 657202 - SH 637 - Diffwys - Crib y Rhiw - y Llether - Rhinog Fach - Rhinog Fawr - Roman Steps - Cwm Buchan. Distance 17km - 1318 mtres - 8 hours An easier day than anticipated when the weather cleared but clagged in later to give good naving weather. A touch of cramp slowed the party down and the party leader ended up carrying the rope Victor 3 Hatton - Stockton D/O654201 - .437 - Diffwys - Craig Doleryn 121/2k - 520 metres - 4 hours Poor Happy not well according to Colin? Should see a medic. Victor 4 Booth - Palmer - Forster Running at Shrewsbury, visit to young Sketty whoes doing fine Sunday 9th March 80 Victor 1 Randall - Sarsby - Hatton PRICIPICE WALK - WHAT EVER THAT IS MUST BE A NEW ROUTE! DISTANCE ? ASCENT ? TIME ? WHAT IS IT? TOURIST ROUTE? THIS NOT WHAT WE WANT! Victor 2 Cameron - Palmer D/O Gwernan Lake Hotel - Cader via Foxes path The large buttress above Llyn y Gadier was scaled in fine style 650 feet HVD - M/S. Thr rock was extremely loose wet and cold, not recommened for D.T.L. Arnie for summer course? Victor 3 Booth? Booth Booth Moel ysgyfamogog - Clip - Rhinog Fawr - Rhinog Fach - y Llether - base. 21k - 1480 metres - 6 hours

Victor 4 Stockton - Forster - Tremadoc Christmas Currry - 240 feet Severe Oberon - 170 feet V/Diff Yogi - failed who are these guys Various drawings by Geordie god knows what they mean. Where did Abbot go? after his epic night out Swim next week at Lakes by order (DTL) Did he not go on hill what a drooge, last chance.

Cook Sat, Abbot Cook Sun, Lewis Control young Pib

Duty team Pibworth, Cameron, Abbot, Lweis, Stockton, Forster, Hatton, Palmer, Sarsby, Booth, Randall 11 22 Sqn Whalley, Duckworth One job on Snowdon, Diabetic in a coma, dropped of by 22 Sqn at Bulk , climbed up to position of incident, casualty had vanished and walked off via railway. Whalley, Duckworth walked off to Llanberis where 22 Sqn had gone and got lift back by MT. Probably did a harder day on the hill than Victor 1 on Sunday. Why are so good?

MOUNTAIN RESCUE WEEKEND EXERCISE Base camp Windermere VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 119 Lake District 14 - 16 March 80 Duty team:- Whalley, Cameron, Duckworth, Hugo, Kernone, Stockton, Abbot, Palmer, Forster, Chell, Sarsby, Hatton, Walker, Wilkinson, Forster, Worsnop 15 22 Sqn Hollister Victor 1 Whalley, Sarsby, Hugo, Kernone D/off 321250 - .726 - .856 - Helvellyn - Fairfield - Ambleside Distance 27k - 1900 metres - 91/2 hours An enjoyable day, met Chris "Bovril" on Hellvellyn. The novices did well for novices! Victor 2 Walker, Chell, Abbot, Stockton D/off 286062 - Pike of Blisco - Red Tarn - Cold Pike - .833 - Crinkle Crags - 3 Tarns - Bowfell - .586 - Stake Paso - Langdale Pikes - Dungeon Ghill - 286062 Distance 15k - 1,118 metres, 81/2 hours A descent of Bowfell Gully was the highlight of the day. The trialist name was Brian the Snail and had to go back after 11ks, what a drooge! Victor 3 Cameron - Duckworth Wasdale Head - Napes Needle - Great Gable - Sty Head Distance 9k - 795 m - 7 hours Napes Needle 55 ft V/D First 40 ft were "easy" but last 15 were impossible. Tried etriers but failed oh for a peg! Abseiled of after trying for 3-4 hours. Quackers knows what cold fingers are now. Victor 4 Old du Worsnop - Forster Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel - Bowfell - Langdale Pikes - Stakes Pass - New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel 14k - ascent 1,003 m - 6 hours Bruce saved four lives, two going up Bowfell and two going down to Langdale. Victor 4 Alpha - Hatton - Palmer Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel - Rosset Pike - .651 - Saffell Pikes - Broad Crag - Esk Hause - .865 - Old Dungeon Ghyll 20k - 1148 metres - 7 hours Arnie showed unusually bad navigation in mistaking Esk Pike for Bowfell otherwise it would have been longer and higher! Bought Happy a coffee. Weather - Snow, mild, wind good weather for navigation Cook - Wilkinson not bad enough for a swim Sunday 16th March 80 Victor 1 Whalley - Duckworth - Hugo - Kernone Skiddaw - Little Man 71/2km - 803 metres - 3 hours Victor 2 Stockton - Abbot Hard Knott Pass - Basic climbing techniques abseiling classic - sit sling Italian hitch - Belaying techniques chock placement + 100 foot diff. Victor 3 Palmer - Forster - Chell - Sarsby D/Off 267242 Keswick Mellon Dodd - Jenkin Hill - Skiddaw - Little man - 267242 14k - 874 metres - 41/2 hours Palmer and Forster got there nearly 3/4 of an hour before the two members but had to wait for the fourth party member later returned to the wagon okay. Victor 4 Hatton - Walker Sheperds Crag - Little Chamonix - Borrowdale 200 ft VD Victor 5 Cameron - Wilkinson VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 120 Shepherds Crag - Borrowdale Little Chamonix 200 ft VD Chamonix 85 ft Severe Crescent last 4 pitches 160ft VD All routes done in boots alternate leads. A good day young Wilkinson did well, Jock said "that" Duty cook: Worsnop Weather very cold and snow fell on tops An excellent weekend worth the effort of the drivers pity their was so much snow which made it a bit cold for the rock men. Another trialist bit the dust after a posting again. The Bothy was excellent well done Quackers, Dave Walkers last weekend was noisy to say the least.

RAF VALLEY MRT Weekend Exercise Base Camp Bethesda

21 March 80 - 23 March 80

Due to the bad weather the weekend exercise at Pont Afon Gam was cancelled "hip - hip - horay"

Duty team:- Haveron, Whalley, Worsnop, Summerfield "trialist", Kay, Wilkinson, Abbot, Wathan, Duckworth, Hugo, Morgan, Randall 12 22 Sqn - Forster

Victor 1 Haveron - Whalley - Summerfield - Worsnop Aber - Bont Newydd - Aber Falls - Foel Grach - Aber Distance 15k - ascent 910 metres - 7 hours A hard day in really soft snow. Heavy left his ice axe and we had to come back the same way The snow was thigh deep but Flight broke the snow for us. We all enjoyed Bruces tea. Victor 2 Kay - Wilkinson - Abbot N Ridge Tryfan - Bristly Ridge (ect) whatever that means Distance 91/2k - 987 metres - 6 hours "The Tin Man collapsed" The snow was not so good (What does "etc" mean) Victor 3 Wathan - Duckworth - Hugo Base - Carnedd y Filiast - Mynydd Perfedd - Y Garn - Glyder Fawr / Fach - Capel - Betws y Coed. Distance 271/4k 1082 metres - 81/2 hours - How does he do it! Cook - Morgan - not to bad Control - Randall Weather:- Blazing sunshine, soft deep snow Not the place for glen walking, Aber Falls grade I tourist path! Sunday 23 March All team up to Y Garn to Lyn Clyd for winter climbing, stretcher lowering techniques but due to terrible weather had to abort after dragging the McInnes and casualty bag up the hill. Good practice for the new troops. After a bit of fun cornice trundling we returned to Tin Can Alley to do a horizontal lower (2 clove hitches and a bowline (tie on)) and some basic abseiling for newer troops in a white hell! We returned to base to a shambles of a meal by Pete Kay (the meat was not to bad though) but this meal was not good enough and if I was bigger I would have swum him! Signed anon! A reasonable weekend with a good night in Betws y Coed with the Ancaster lassies. The D.T Leader left his ice axe twice and got into trouble from Al.

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 121 "Even gods make mistakes" Al to Heavy "Whats a callout?"

WEEKEND EXERCISE Bethesda 29 Feb 80 - 2 March '80

Duty team: Whalley, Pibworth, Cameron, Walker, Forster, Palmer, Stockton, Abbott, Duckworth, Wathan, Elliot (trialist) 22 Sqn:- Male

Friday 29th Feb. Cameron - Whalley Llanberis Pass Spiral Stairs 180 foot (hard diff)

Sat 30th F 1st March '80 Victor 1 Whalley, Forster, Duckworth Bethesda - Carnedd y Filiast - Myndd Perfedd - Eilidir Fawr - Foel Goch - Y Garn - Glyder Fawr - Glyder Fach - Tryfan - Oggie Cottage Distance 17k ascent 1631 metres 71/2 hours Remarks tea on the top of the Glyders with Saints troops. New descent route on Tryfan "Bum jammer" route. Rebellion at Ogwen nobody (Geordie and Duckstick) would not do Penyrolwen. Enjoyable day. Victor 2 Wathan - Elliot - Palmer Bethesda - Carnedd y Filliast - Y Garn - Glyders - Capel Remark "Wheres the need" 23k ascent 1057 metres 71/2 hours Arnie not well aborted at Llyn y cwm - Kitchen - base 23k ascent 1057 metres 7 hours. Poor, poor Arnie Party leader had to carry rope and radio for trialist. Chippie must be getting soft? Victor 3 Walker - Cameron D/O 676716 - Foel Goch - Y Garn - Drum - Foel Grach - Penyrole wen - tea shack - Tryfan (North ridge frantic) Distance 25 ks - 1666 metres - 8h 9 hours Davie Walker failed to jump Adam and Eve Victor Base - Victor 3 what is your location? Victor 3 don't call me whem I'm gripped! New route by Jock on Tryfan! Victor 4 Abbott - leg u/s road walk Capel and back 16 ks Cook - Stockton - just passable lucky fellow! Control - Pibworth Poor trialist decide "this not for him and handed kit in, another guy after a posting Weather - Excellent - wind fresh North West, Cloudy with occasional showers falling as snow on high ground Cloud base 2,000 - 3,000 ft. Visablity good.

Victor 1 Cameron - Whalley Tryfan Milestone Whalley crawl - 50 ft diff Chimney route - 35ft Severe Traverse into Soapgut 40ft Severe A desprate girdle of the Soapgut chimney route area. Extremely wet and muddy, second (Heavy) failed to follow and abseiled off! Cameron abseil down to collect chocks that the second could not reach an interesting day. Rock wet, slippy and muddy. Victor 2 Stockton - Duckworth Soapgut 200ft Hard Severe VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 122 Rock wet and slippy but a good day for Ducks top ropes rule okay! Victor 3 Wathan - Palmer Cobbies - Siabod - lyn y foel - Dolwyddelan - Rhiwddolion - Miners Bridge - Betws y Coed - Miners Bridge 17k - 868 m - 6 hours Roundabout route Victor 3 Walker - Abbot - Forster Carnedd Daffyd - Helyg - Siabod Distance 20ks ascent 1358 metres 6 hours Met drooge on hill who was lost and Dave Walker helped him off. He was on a poucher route. Again Geordie would not go on and do another hill well done Davie Walker who is this guy! Cook - Elliott (failed trialist) not a bad cook though Control - Young Pib Weather. wind north-westerly - mod to fresh; wind 3000ft 20 - 25 knots. Cloudy with rain turning to snow on the mountains, hill fog, cloud base 2000 - 3,000ft lowering to 1,000 - 2000ft. Freezing level 2,000 - 3,000. An enjoyable weekend with a good bit of action (Sat night at Betws in Royal Oak (St Davids day) with 5 American women all single to chat up an thats all! Callout Sunday night (see attachd report A 5/80 refers) and a few beers down the Naafi.

VALLEY MRT WEEKEND EXERCISE 7th - 9th March 80

Base Camp Llanbeddr

Sat 8th March '80

Victor 1 Randall - Sarsby Cwm Bychan - Rhinog Fawr SH518 - Craig Wion - Craig Ddwnwg - Pub Cwm Buchan. Distance 16K - ascent 800 metres time 6 hours Victor 2 Cameron - Lewis D/O 657202 - SH 637 - Diffwys - Crib y Rhiw - y Llether - Rhinog Fach - Rhinog Fawr - Roman Steps - Cwm Buchan. Distance 17km - 1318 mtres - 8 hours An easier day than anticipated when the weather cleared but clagged in later to give good naving weather. A touch of cramp slowed the party down and the party leader ended up carrying the rope Victor 3 Hatton - Stockton D/O654201 - .437 - Diffwys - Craig Doleryn 121/2k - 520 metres - 4 hours Poor Happy not well according to Colin? Should see a medic. Victor 4 Booth - Palmer - Forster Running at Shrewsbury, visit to young Sketty whoes doing fine Sunday 9th March 80 Victor 1 Randall - Sarsby - Hatton PRICIPICE WALK - WHAT EVER THAT IS MUST BE A NEW ROUTE! DISTANCE ? ASCENT ? TIME ? WHAT IS IT? TOURIST ROUTE? THIS NOT WHAT WE WANT! Victor 2 Cameron - Palmer D/O Gwernan Lake Hotel - Cader via Foxes path The large buttress above Llyn y Gadier was scaled in fine style 650 feet HVD - M/S. Thr rock was extremely loose wet and cold, not recommened for D.T.L. Arnie for summer course?

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 123 Victor 3 Booth? Booth Booth Moel ysgyfamogog - Clip - Rhinog Fawr - Rhinog Fach - y Llether - base. 21k - 1480 metres - 6 hours

Victor 4 Stockton - Forster - Tremadoc Christmas Currry - 240 feet Severe Oberon - 170 feet V/Diff Yogi - failed who are these guys Various drawings by Geordie god knows what they mean. Where did Abbot go? after his epic night out Swim next week at Lakes by order (DTL) Did he not go on hill what a drooge, last chance.

Cook Sat, Abbot Cook Sun, Lewis Control young Pib

Duty team Pibworth, Cameron, Abbot, Lweis, Stockton, Forster, Hatton, Palmer, Sarsby, Booth, Randall 11 22 Sqn Whalley, Duckworth One job on Snowdon, Diabetic in a coma, dropped of by 22 Sqn at Bulk , climbed up to position of incident, casualty had vanished and walked off via railway. Whalley, Duckworth walked off to Llanberis where 22 Sqn had gone and got lift back by MT. Probably did a harder day on the hill than Victor 1 on Sunday. Why are so good?

MOUNTAIN RESCUE WEEKEND EXERCISE Base camp Windermere Lake District 14 - 16 March 80 Duty team:- Whalley, Cameron, Duckworth, Hugo, Kernone, Stockton, Abbot, Palmer, Forster, Chell, Sarsby, Hatton, Walker, Wilkinson, Forster, Worsnop 15 22 Sqn Hollister Victor 1 Whalley, Sarsby, Hugo, Kernone D/off 321250 - .726 - .856 - Helvellyn - Fairfield - Ambleside Distance 27k - 1900 metres - 91/2 hours An enjoyable day, met Chris "Bovril" on Hellvellyn. The novices did well for novices! Victor 2 Walker, Chell, Abbot, Stockton D/off 286062 - Pike of Blisco - Red Tarn - Cold Pike - .833 - Crinkle Crags - 3 Tarns - Bowfell - .586 - Stake Paso - Langdale Pikes - Dungeon Ghill - 286062 Distance 15k - 1,118 metres, 81/2 hours A descent of Bowfell Gully was the highlight of the day. The trialist name was Brian the Snail and had to go back after 11ks, what a drooge! Victor 3 Cameron - Duckworth Wasdale Head - Napes Needle - Great Gable - Sty Head Distance 9k - 795 m - 7 hours Napes Needle 55 ft V/D First 40 ft were "easy" but last 15 were impossible. Tried etriers but failed oh for a peg! Abseiled of after trying for 3-4 hours. Quackers knows what cold fingers are now. Victor 4 Old du Worsnop - Forster

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 124 Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel - Bowfell - Langdale Pikes - Stakes Pass - New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel 14k - ascent 1,003 m - 6 hours Bruce saved four lives, two going up Bowfell and two going down to Langdale. Victor 4 Alpha - Hatton - Palmer Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel - Rosset Pike - .651 - Saffell Pikes - Broad Crag - Esk Hause - .865 - Old Dungeon Ghyll 20k - 1148 metres - 7 hours Arnie showed unusually bad navigation in mistaking Esk Pike for Bowfell otherwise it would have been longer and higher! Bought Happy a coffee. Weather - Snow, mild, wind good weather for navigation Cook - Wilkinson not bad enough for a swim Sunday 16th March 80 Victor 1 Whalley - Duckworth - Hugo - Kernone Skiddaw - Little Man 71/2km - 803 metres - 3 hours Victor 2 Stockton - Abbot Hard Knott Pass - Basic climbing techniques abseiling classic - sit sling Italian hitch - Belaying techniques chock placement + 100 foot diff. Victor 3 Palmer - Forster - Chell - Sarsby D/Off 267242 Keswick Mellon Dodd - Jenkin Hill - Skiddaw - Little man - 267242 14k - 874 metres - 41/2 hours Palmer and Forster got there nearly 3/4 of an hour before the two members but had to wait for the fourth party member later returned to the wagon okay. Victor 4 Hatton - Walker Sheperds Crag - Little Chamonix - Borrowdale 200 ft VD Victor 5 Cameron - Wilkinson Shepherds Crag - Borrowdale Little Chamonix 200 ft VD Chamonix 85 ft Severe Crescent last 4 pitches 160ft VD All routes done in boots alternate leads. A good day young Wilkinson did well, Jock said "that" Duty cook: Worsnop Weather very cold and snow fell on tops An excellent weekend worth the effort of the drivers pity their was so much snow which made it a bit cold for the rock men. Another trialist bit the dust after a posting again. The Bothy was excellent well done Quackers, Dave Walkers last weekend was noisy to say the least.

RAF VALLEY MRT Weekend Exercise Base Camp Bethesda

21 March 80 - 23 March 80

Due to the bad weather the weekend exercise at Pont Afon Gam was cancelled "hip - hip - horay"

Duty team:- Haveron, Whalley, Worsnop, Summerfield "trialist", Kay, Wilkinson, Abbot, Wathan, Duckworth, Hugo, Morgan, Randall 12 22 Sqn - Forster VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 125 Victor 1 Haveron - Whalley - Summerfield - Worsnop Aber - Bont Newydd - Aber Falls - Foel Grach - Aber Distance 15k - ascent 910 metres - 7 hours A hard day in really soft snow. Heavy left his ice axe and we had to come back the same way The snow was thigh deep but Flight broke the snow for us. We all enjoyed Bruces tea. Victor 2 Kay - Wilkinson - Abbot N Ridge Tryfan - Bristly Ridge (ect) whatever that means Distance 91/2k - 987 metres - 6 hours "The Tin Man collapsed" The snow was not so good (What does "etc" mean) Victor 3 Wathan - Duckworth - Hugo Base - Carnedd y Filiast - Mynydd Perfedd - Y Garn - Glyder Fawr / Fach - Capel - Betws y Coed. Distance 271/4k 1082 metres - 81/2 hours - How does he do it! Cook - Morgan - not to bad Control - Randall Weather:- Blazing sunshine, soft deep snow Not the place for glen walking, Aber Falls grade I tourist path! Sunday 23 March All team up to Y Garn to Lyn Clyd for winter climbing, stretcher lowering techniques but due to terrible weather had to abort after dragging the McInnes and casualty bag up the hill. Good practice for the new troops. After a bit of fun cornice trundling we returned to Tin Can Alley to do a horizontal lower (2 clove hitches and a bowline (tie on)) and some basic abseiling for newer troops in a white hell! We returned to base to a shambles of a meal by Pete Kay (the meat was not to bad though) but this meal was not good enough and if I was bigger I would have swum him! Signed anon! A reasonable weekend with a good night in Betws y Coed with the Ancaster lassies. The D.T Leader left his ice axe twice and got into trouble from Al. "Even gods make mistakes" Al to Heavy "Whats a callout?"

VALLEY MRT WEEKEND EXERCISE Base Camp Llanberis 28th - 30th March 1980

Duty team:- Haveron, Whalley, Lewis, Summerfield (trialist), Parnell (trialist), Booth, Hatton, Palmer, Hollister, Stockton, Male, Forster, Wathan, Kay, Cameron, Pibworth 16 22 Sqn - Whiting Sat 29.3.80 Victor 1 Haveron - Whalley - Summerfield - Parnell D/off 732572 - Moel Siabod - Peny Gwrd - Pen-y-Pass - Miners track - yLliwedd - Snowdon - Railway - Llanberis Distance 27k - 1525 metres - 81/2 hours Parnell snooked at Pen-y-Pass (sore toe) young winnet did fairly well for a trialist but the Team Leader and DTL had to share the old rope ploy! Victor 2 Hollister - Stockton Cryb-y-Ddysgl - Snowdon - Llywedd - Pyg track - Zig-Zags - Snowdon - Hafodtynewdd Distance 19k - 1827 metres - 9 hours

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 126 A goodly day with nine lives saved and nearly a dog we went to look for on Bwlch Main but could not find. A typical Hollister joint around Snowdon. The distance took some working out! Even The T/leader had to check it! Victor 3 Wathan - Lewis - Forster Llanberis - Moel Eilo - Snowdon - P.y.P - Glyder Fawr - Llyn-y-cwm - Nant Peris Distance 26k - 1800 metres ascent - 9 hours Left Lewis at P.y.P and Chippy had the carry the rope again. Victor 4 Cameron - Kay - Palmer - Hatton Glyder Fawr - Glyder Fach - Galt yr Ogof - Capel. Distance 17k - 967 metres - 6 hours A white hell traversing the death zone on G.2, Happy's horse fell at the seventh Who is Ben Nevis. Cook - Booth "par excellence" Pete Kay to note. Control - Pib / Males. Poor old Pib broke his finger at the beginning of the weekend and Al drove the MK very well. Sunday 30.3.80 Victor 1 Haveron - Whalley Lewis - Parnell - Summerfield Tremadoc Upper Tier techniques Basic belaying, climbing, various types of abseiling. Victor 2 Kay - Cameron Striptease 160ft VS 4c, 4c Shadrach 170ft VS 4b, 4b, 4c Scratch Arete 100ft VS 4c (First pitch only) "An Excellent Day 97 to go" (who are these guys?) Victor 3 Whalley - Booth Capel - Cefn y Capel - Glyder Fach - Glyder Fawr - Y Garn - (Booth is great) Distance 12KM - ascent 1134 metres - 4 hours An enjoyable very short day due to illness after party. It won't happen again! I wont go with Booth again. Victor 4 Hollister - Stockton Little Tryfan - 160 ft VD. Milestone 369ft VD North Ridge Tryfan (Pulpit Route) Victor 5 Forster - Male Milestone Direct 320 ft VD. 200ft Diff Little Tryfan Comment. A good mountaineering day but did not WOP or Geordie on top (signed Eric the Epic) "I cant climb but I can reverse" (WOP) "Strength, grope and panache will never replace style" Geordie Cook Wathan - very good Booth Kay to note Control "fingers Pib" Weather was rather windy on Saturday and pretty pleasent on Sunday (makes a change from all the usual rubbish)

EASTER GRANT 4 - 8 APRIL BASE CAMP RHIWGOCH

4TH APRIL

V1 Haveron Hollister Stockton Male Wathan Lewis

Climbing on Moelwyns VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 127 Haveron / Male:- Slick 390' VD Chic 325' VD+ Kirkus Climb Direct 300' S A great day, weather supurb, only wish Alister wouldn't make it look so easy Stockton / Lewis:- One for the road 330' D Kirkus Climb (not so) direct pitches 1, 2, 3 120' VD 50' Thumbeline (pitch 4) S 60 Chic VD+ (pitch 7)

Hollister / Wathan Craig Fach 2 unnamed 150' D Mars 180' VD

V2 Whiting Abbott Reece Hatton Cader Idris - 733116 (Minfordd) - Llyn Cau - Craig Anach - Pen y Gadair - Mynydd Moel - 733116

Cook - Duckworth

5 APRIL

V1 Haveron Lewis Male Duckworth Climbing Moelwyns - Clogwyn Yr Oen Haveron / Lewis Kirkus Climb 310' VD Slick 390' VD Male / Duckworth As above Enjoyable day, weather not as promised

5 APRIL

V2 Hollister / Stockton Abbott / Reece

Climbing expedition to the Rhinogs - 1 aid route attempted but aborted due to blind cracks and wise cracks, a number of small routes of about VD standard were done climbing up and down a number of small routes of VD. Instruction on style, chock and peg placement carried out.

V3 Wathan Whiting Coed y Brinon - Roman Steps - Rhinog Fawr - Rhinog Fach - Ddu - Dolwreiddiog (Cwm Bychan) Roman Steps / Bwlch Tyddion Coed y Brynen

24k 1204 5 hrs

Cook - Hatton

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 128 6 APRIL

V1 Haveron Stockton Duckworth Hollister Reece Clogwyn Yr Oen Hole and Corner Climb 235' D Kirkus Climb Direct 420' S The sheep lead Alister on pitches 6 & 7 of Hole and Corner Climb. Its chock placement needed working on, otherwise an intelligent climber and quick mover.

V2 Hollister Reece Nav ex above then a look round the old mine workings, followed by a trip through Rhosidd mine.

V3 Wathan Whiting As V2

Cook Abbott

7 APRIL

V1 Haveron Stockton Duckworth Abbott Climbing on Barmouth Crag The climbing was aborted after 2 routes due to 24 kamikazi Irish kinds practicing techniques so the old cant't beat 'em join 'em ploy came into action. Started with classic, itlatian hitch and sit sling abseil, followed by self rescue, prussicking with Penbethy, Bachman prussik knots and the babboon swing. We then moved higher to less steeper crags to get away from the kids and to practice the assisted hoist. A truely wonderful day in all.

V2 Wathan Reece Hatton Do Gorllwyn - SH 515 - SH 588 - Diffwys - Llyn Bodlyn Cors y Gedol - Tal y bont - Beach - Barmouth - Gorllywyn 221/2k 654m 61/2 hrs

Cook Whiting Studying Hollister OBE BA BSc Phd NFI

8 APRIL

V1 Haveron Abbott Duckworth Pont yr Afon Gam crag 2 tragsitz lowers 80' 2 - " - 100'

V2 Whiting D/O 788448/124 - 792439 - Bryn Mawr - Moel Trn yr Swch Moel Frynserw - Trawsnant - Cefrgarw - .479 - Llechwedd Mawr - 764437 - p/u 13k 336m 31/2 hrs

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 129 V3 Hollister Wathan Stockton Hatton Gabowan Hospital

Cook Reece BETHESDA 12/13 APRIL

V1 Randall Davis Edwards Bethesda Water Works - Drosgl - Carnedd Uchaf - Foel Grach Llewekyn Dafydd - Pen yr olewen - NW ridge - Base 181/2 k 1028m 71/2 hrs A good day for shorts

V2 Wathan Reece Hatton Summerfield Base - Carnedd y Filiast - Y Garn - G/fawr G/fach Ogwen - Pen y rolewen - Base 251/2k 2048 81/2 hrs

V3 Worsnop Wilkinson Forster Male As V1 plus one hill more!! Decent day mared only by the wind and Micks knee 181/2k 1050m 71/2 hrs

V4 Whiting Abbott Duckworth Kloss Galn Dena - North Ridge Tryfan - Bwlch Tryfan - Llyn Caseg Fraith G/fach G/Fawr - Devils Kitchen - Oggy. Techniques above Devils Kitchen - rope stretcher, Alpine Basket (trialist "volunteered" - bottles of water "fell" on it him

Cook Pib

13 APRIL

V1 Worsnop Male Forster Duckworth Wilkinson Climbing Clogwyn Caerau Male / Forster Diagonal 100' D Forster / Male Tree Climb 100' VD Conway Corner 70' S

Worsnop / Duckworth / Wilkinson - As Male / Forster Visit to mines when rain stopped play. Forster and Male dislayed their usual skill, grace, panache, diligence, confidence and luck

V2 Wathan Davis Abbott C/curig - Crimpiau - Cragiau Gleision - Pen Llithrig y wrach - Llewelyn - Foel Grach Pen Llithrig y Wrach Capel 14k 826m 5 hrs

V3 Whiting Koss Edwards Nant Gwynant - Dak crash - Nant G Navigation around Dak crash, basic techniques above nant Gwynant 8k 500m 7 hrs. VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 130 V4 Hatton Reece Summerfield Mining - Cyffty area.

Cook Randall ) a bit of Zanussi found much fault in cooker and the bomb. Ctl Pib )

NANT GWYNANT 19 Apr 80

SATURDAY V3, V3a Whiting & ATC cadets - Mosquittoe crash cwm Tegelan - Bog trotting river crossing gut turning paingiving tea buying ever moaning super bering space cadeting V1, V2 Haveron Wathan Wilkinson Sarsby Summerfield Abbott Duckworth

Upper Tier Tremadoc Techniques and Rock climbing

Reece KMA 75' VD Top rope Abseil classic, sit sling, ilatian hitch, Bottle opener, prussic penbathy - tragsits lowering Duckworth Falling block crack 80' S Haveron KMA 75' VD Reverse Central Arete 80' D Marath 80' D Bulging Wall 75' S ?? Patient on tragsits Lowering on tragsits Italian Hitch Abseil Abbott Bulging Wall 75' S KMA 75' VD Marath 80' VD Central Arete 80 D Lower Tragsits Italian Hitch Abseil Summerfield Falling block crack 80' S Bulging Wall 75' S Abseil - classic bottle opener, sit sling, prussic, tragsits and lowering

Sarsby - (Taff 2) - KMA 75 Vd Abseil - classic, sit sling, bottle opener, prussic, penbathy knot Tragsits, lowering

Wilkinson Abseil - classic Central Arete 80' D Bulging Wall 75' S Marath 75' VD KMA 75' VD Tragsits guide, patient, lowering Cook Hugo VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 131

Sunday Stretcher lowering and rock climbing Clogwyn yr Cynau V1 & V2 Haveron Wathan Whiting Hugo Duckworth Abbott Sarsby Summerfield Reece Techniques - Horizontal vertical stretcher lowers

Cook Wilkinson

SAT 26 APRIL Base camp Golan FIRST AID COURSE RAF VALLEY

V1 Randall Whiting Yr Arddu and Moel y Dyngl area 10k Returned half way to Valley to meet MR misses who kindly brought out 2 frying pans salt / pepper which PS forgot (I did - WOP). Open day at Dinorwic to many people queing a look underground. On the hill in the Nantia area exploring an unknown area to the team (Eds comment - You not in the team??) The Yr Arddu and Moel Driewyd area is worth a visit by everyone. Its a mini Rhinog. Various outcrops in the area no doubt have potential for the techniques and putting up routes? THE END

V2 Hollister Male Forster Craig Yr Wrysgan ROMULUS - 120' VD BABYLON 120' VD A smashing days climbing, this 3 men and a rope ploy is not as stimulating as 2. QUOTE OF THE DAY "Boulder problems can't be bothered" Are we really V1? What did MR do? Did he really go on the hill. Wtach for next weeks exciting episode. Who is this guy Male. Hasn't he got a brain anybody can climb boulders Mines above crag also investigated V3 Wathan Hatton DO 531453 - Moel Hebog - Beddgelert - Yr Aran - Mutiny - Rhyd ddu Mynydd Tal-y- Mignedd. 26k 1801 m 8 hrs - Too bloody hot. Cook - Hollister

Sunday V1 Randall Whiting

15k 500m 6hrs

Another day off ------the tourist routed, increasing area knowledge Crimea pass area writing in diary unreadable from here) Another good weather day for shorts.

V2 Hollister Male VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 132 Climbing Clogwyn Yr Oen One for the road D 330' Slick VD 390'

Another quick day as joint cooks. Might have been longer if people would have breakfast at breakfast time. The only rain in the country fell on . Is he trying to tell us something. V3 Cameron Forster Hatton Wathan Tremadoc Y Broga VS 140' 4c 4b 4b Oakover VS 140' 4a (4c) 4b 4a First pitch of Oakover should be graded 4c luv Geordie xx

VMRT 77-80 Comp.doc 133