R.A.F. ST. ATHAN MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM EXERCISE REGISTER Opened: July, 1967 Back Cover:- EXERCISE LOG-BOOK StMRT Complete Diary 67 69.doc 1 NOTES 1 This Diary was transcribed by Dr. A. S. G. Jones between July and August, 2007. 2 He has attempted to follow, as closely as possible, the lay-out of the actual entries in the Diary. 3 The Register and Log Book contains both attendance records and written diary. Attendance was upside down compared with the diary. 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 There are no page numbers in this diary. Page breaks are shown by heavy line between entries. 9 It was apparent that the entries were written by number of different people 10 The attendance record is at the back of the document. 11 Sincere thanks to Alister Haveron for a detailed proof reading of the text. Any mistakes are the fault of Dr. A. S. G. Jones. StMRT Complete Diary 67 69.doc 2 CWMYSTWYTH G.R. 127/792738 CAMPSITE O.K. WATER YES ROADS FAIR PHONE YES DEVILS BRIDGE G.R 127/740770 CAMPSITE ? WATER YES ROADS GOOD PHONE YES DYFFRYN CASTELL G.R. 127/773815 CAMPSITE ? WATER YES ROADS GOOD PHONE YES TYN CWM G.R. 127/865818 CAMPSITE ? WATER YES ROADS GOOD PHONE YES StMRT Complete Diary 67 69.doc 3 FOREST INN: 30th June to 2nd July A quiet uneventful weekend spent walking in the Radnor Forest - an area seldom visited by the Team - and one that proved that there is plenty to do (Certainly when the hills are wet, and conditions poor). Forestry access roads give easy access to the highest ground (2,166') - with no locked gates or other hazards. Base camp was alongside the Forest Inn (Landlord:- Tom Lander) and was very convenient in all respects. The Team was asked to search for a couple of middle aged ladies who were overdue on a hillwalk (water - break it's neck!") but they turned up else where after only a couple of hours diversion. Radio's, ration's, M.T. - All OK. Pennard Cliffs: Gower 5th July. The Gower sea cliffs are within easy reach of the Team on a Wednesday afternoon (in summer) - and provide opportunities for all grades of climbing. OK for parties of two to "potter about" practically anywhere, without getting "gripped up" (it is as hard as you care to make it). It is better to have the tide out - so that access to the lowest sections of rock is possible. Base camp is on a decent spot on the cliff top - and it is twenty minutes stroll to most of the climbing. If the tide is in - then gullies and ridges are descended first. There are some good traversing lines. Rock needs care high up but is mainly sound and pleasant. Storey Arms: 7th July to 9th July Location decided by a request from four boys from married quarters attempting the fifty mile D. of E. walking M.R. coverage of their route through the Brecons was given - and no snags. Base camp was on the open ground to the west of the main road to the south of Storey Arms (1/2 mile) - and proved OK - though possibly badly drained after / during persistent wet weather. Parties walking overnight bivvying and one roped scramble up the North face of Pen-y-Fan. Radio coverage very good throughout. Visit from Donovan (Valley) (S.R.C.C. were trying to locate us during this period!!) Dinas Rock: 12th July Afternoon visit to this seldom visited spot - mainly to "case the joint". Team members suitably impressed with steep rock face (120' of rock) in such an unlikely spot. Abseiling and a very good aerial ropeway rigged and used. Some basic rock climbing and rope work carried out. OK for small parties. Take a dustbin for rubbish. No known routes up the main face. Bryamman. Top of the Road: 14th to 16th July A reasonably uneventful weekend. Saturday saw parties walking reciprocal courses over Bana Sir Gaer Ridge between Base and Taffen-y-Garreg. A recce of the Towy River area and other places in the district also - not very helpful but a lot of new forestry and roads. Sunday was claggy early on and allowed some basic navigation practice to be carried out before it lifted and the sun came out. A party of two climbed on the quarry cliffs at the top of the pass, peg routes etc. One walking party located a kindly farmer who more or less gave them a disused farm house. The Team need s good bothy for winter use - and this one seems OK provided a certain amount of repair work is carried out. This will be looked into. (Ref: 140/704196 Pen-Cae-Garw) StMRT Complete Diary 67 69.doc 4 Wednesday 19th July At 13.30 only seven of the MRT were able to attend - so the number being low NCO i/c cancelled the exercise location - changing it to the * farmhouse recently acquired by the Team (for want of a better name - "Pont Tilly" after one of the party). The two main rooms were cleared of muck and water - one roof had props placed under its joists to hold it more securely, and fires were lit in both grates and their chimneys cleared. A front door was found to keep out the stock, but it deserves one on hinges! Nettles and dung were dug away from the outside of the house and the area fenced off by a rather tatty "honking rail". Water sources were checked and all are poor. Water for the meal was obtained in plastic j/cans from Pont Clydach. A local Police Constable (58) was informed of our activities when he promptly visited us - after seeing smoke coming from the chimney * 140/704196 Pen-Cae Garw. Weekend 21st to 23rd July North Wales: Rhayader The customary visit to Rhayader Festival was held this weekend in glorious weather conditions, and without incident. Based on the now disused railway station it was more of an "off weekend" but some resisted and fought their way up to the crags on Saturday and got some rope practice. Some even reached the rock on Sunday though some found it in the process of fording the river. The North Wales splinter group were able to scrounge off the Valley MRT at Nant Gwynant and get the gen on camp sites (for next w/e), and were glad to be able to help out by taking their W/OP to Bangor C. and A. after he had "taken a toss" and broken his ankle. He was in fact taken back to Valley - and so allowing them to continue with their training plans. No incidents heard of in the area this weekend. Wednesday 26th July Section Mr De Jong, the Public Relations Officer for Horlicks Ltd. arrived at 14.30 and gave the Team (10) a very interesting talk on concentrated foods and the various activities of his company in feeding large and small expeditions. Officer i/c and O.C S of P.T. were in attendance. Lecture finished at approx 17.45. Weekend 28th - 30th July The Team moved up to North Wales to the Forestry hut in Cwm Penammaen (107/736506) for the weekend (Valley MRT to Dinas Mawddwy). It never stopped raining all weekend, and even the normally dry hut let water in. Three parties over Snowdon on Saturday - and one token party over Tryfan on Sunday. Although this proved to be a wet weekend (the first this summer in North Wales) it proved useful and interesting. The St. Athan M.R.T. lacks the facility of a real mountain area with a rock climbing community to keep in practice and "up to date" with mountaineering techniques, possible call-outs to mountain accidents etc. There is a built-in wastage regarding the composition of all MR Teams - and the lack of a mountain area does nothing to assist in maintaining interest - and holding the volunteers when they leave a Team. AnyRubbish scheme / exercise which allows any Team to exercise in a true mountaineering environment is to be applauded - and can only result in a more effective organisation. Useful contacts were made over the weekend with individuals and other rescue teams - both on the hill and "after duty", so it was by no means a wasted exercise period - even though it was extremely wet. StMRT Complete Diary 67 69.doc 5 The booking of the hut should always be requested through Valley MRT - and every effort made to preserve the cleanliness and security of the surrounds while in use. Book-in and out with local Police in Dolwyddelan. Wednesday 2nd Aug East Camp Water Tower Abseil and stretcher lowering practise. Weekend 4th - 6th Aug. (Troedrhiw) Only eight personnel out this weekend so it was not a success from the overall enthusiasm point of view, but it still proved interesting. First the three ton tuck (SL) ran off the road on the way up to the campsite and slid down the bank.