OUTSIDE NOW!

March 2009

Out and About

Well here we are, in March 2009 already - and membership is fast approaching 80, what a great start to the year! The last few months have seen members taking advantage of the great winter weather on club trips, and individual outings.

The majority of the club was active over Christmas, with the Christmas Pud Walk having the best turnout in the whole 28 years that it has been going, and the New Year trip to Onich was very successful, as you will read later, with the musical talent of HMC providing entertainment not only to Scotland, but to the rest of the world (check out ‘hogmayney’ on Youtube).

Chris, Stacey and Lee set off for sunny Spain over the Xmas period, having a very productive trip!

Routes included Marin Agust F4+ ** and Salinas Ponselo F6a **.

“Christmas Dreams” was climbed on Christmas Day - a full list of routes appears on the forum.

There have been various ski trips already this year, with the Milsoms and Anstees heading to Flaine, Chris and Stacey have been to Austria, as have the Whyte family. I have been to Saas-Fee to see Ed, and am heading off there again in a couple of weeks, and at the same time Carolyn hits the white stuff in Méribel.

Richard E is running a trip to Lundy, 16th - 20th June. It sounds like its going to be a great trip, taking the ferry from Ilfracombe on the Tues morning. If you’re interested, let Rich know ASAP.

Thanks to all those who wrote articles for this edition, if anyone has any write ups, news etc, please email me edwardsandi@hotmail.com or take it to the Holywell on a Thursday evening. Thanks.

Andrea

HMC Spring Ball

Very exciting news, everyone!

The HMC Spring Ball, voted for at the AGM in November, will be going ahead on

Saturday 25th April 2009.

It will be held at Lutterworth Golf Club. Bar, buffet, band and disco, all for just £16! Bargain!

Kick-off is at 7.30pm and we have a late bar!

Tickets are on sale now, contact Sue E or Andy T to make your purchase. See either of them at the Holywell Inn on Thursdays, or give them a ring.

Cash or cheques acceptable, made payable to Hinckley Mountaineering Club. This isn’t just for members - if you have any friends that would like to come along, they’re more than welcome. It is a great excuse to go all out, get dressed up and GO WILD!

John T’s Xmas Mud Walk (oops...I mean Pud) John T

Sat 27th December saw 23 members and guests descend on the Plough Inn at Leadmill, Hathersage. Leaving the pub at 10am 18 members set off on the 7 1/2 mile walk, up the road for Hazelford, past Tor Farm where there was a footpath for Highlow Wood, crossing Highlow Brook at Stoke Ford. Abney Clough was negotiated with some difficulty. Conditions underfoot were horrendous, with mud knee deep in places, having been turned into a mire by cattle. Credit due, everybody came through smiling to the village of Abney.

A walk up Duper Lane to Over Dale, where we joined Shatton Lane. Passing the masts at the highest point (380 metres) a stop for coffee and leftover Xmas goodies was made. With excellent views across Shatton Moor to Mam Tor and Lose Hill. Pressing on we left Shatton Lane for a path across Offerton Moor to the road at Offerton Hall. Across the fields to join a path alongside the River Derwent, through Owls Nest Wood we joined the road at Leadmill Bridge and up the road to the Plough Inn where we were joined by five other members who had done a walk of their own.

A quick spruce up and everybody descended on the pub where more food, ale and wine was consumed to top up what was loft of the Xmas pud.

My thanks and appreciation go to all members and guests who turned out to make the best supported Xmas Pud Walk ever, in the 28 years of this annual event.

Members and guests on Xmas Pud Walk 2008: Brian Gillett, Pete Lee, Brian Kirton & Angela, Stuart M, Andrea E, Lily W, John T, Richard E, Maureen D, Ted C & Carol, John, Elvyn H, Annette B & Sam and Sophie, Joyce T. Members who joined at the pub: Mark , Alison and Ben H, Pete H and Cheryl.

Seathwaite

Fantastic weather on the Saturday and a mass exodus up Sourmilk Gill, , then Green Gable, Windy Gap and on to Great Gable. Harry, Sinc and Mark T opted for a more sporting variation, trying to get up a snow filled gully onto Base Brown, but it was too deep and soft to give any excitement. This was Rays first hut meet with the club and what a treat he had, with excellent winter conditions and great views to boot!

On the return, via Styhead Tarn, the “B” party (Sinc, Ian B, Tracey, Ted, Dave & Julie and Harry) split off to pull in Glaramara whilst the rest of us descended back to the hut.

Pete & Cheryl had set off earlier to do Glaramara - ticked it, and then - went gear shopping. Dave G had also taken “Miller” up a similar route, only to find that the pooch suffers from vertigo, refused to budge and had to be dragged and carried at one point to safety.

“Millers mountaineering days are now over” said Dave.

It had been about five years since we visited the “K’s” hut in Seathwaite, the last time being when Andrea was 17 and a miserable barman at the Scafell Hotel had refused her entry for being under age. Fortunately, he’s long gone and the Scafell was a bit more welcoming this time. Food not bad, excellent beer and Dave G managed to pull (well, Miller did - redeemed himself, I think).

Later, in the hut, Dave T & Julie introduced us to some unusual drinking games, involving shoving 2p coins somewhere and attempting to drop them in a tupperware container. Extremely funny, but of course, you had to be there to appreciate it. Sinc does have all the videos on his camera, and has (thankfully) so far resisted putting it on YouTube. Bribery and corruption spring to mind.

Sunday, and it’s a bit damp, but hey, this is the Lakes. Tracy, the two Marks & Bally went mountain-biking on the Altura Trail in Whinlatter forest whilst a group of us decided to tackle Julia Bradbury’s epic Wainwright walk up Castle Crag. A very pleasant walk indeed, Castle Crag is a very prominent feature in Borrowdale and the views over beautiful wooded country towards Derwentwater are stunning - well, they would have been if it hadn’t chucked it down.

More drinking followed in the Scafell and later, at the hut. I say later, because it was Sunday, and we had an extra night for nowt.

Monday, and whilst some of you were beavering away, and Brian & Ray headed home, myself and Sinc headed over Honister Pass - which was icy and scary. We went up Haystacks in glorious, freezing weather and we could have done with crampons at times, but just managed without ’em. Tracy & Bally continued with southern section of the Altura MTB trail in Whinlatter (“very icy, but very interesting and a brilliant route” said Tracy).

Malham El Presidente

A big group had taken over the hostel at Ingleton this year so a hastily re-arranged trip to Malham YH ensued.

Sat: A beautiful day dawned cold clear blue skies and a good 6”-8” of fresh snow. Winter wonderland. Stef, H, Ash and Alex set off up Janet’s Foss (it is legal) and on to an impressive Gordale Scar. Back out after meeting up with Dave P and Stuart who were doing the same walk. They went up to Malham Tarn then descending back via Malham Cove to the Y.H.

Stef, H, Ash and Alex leisurely stroll across top of Malham Tarn returning to the Y.H also.

Colin A and son Josh had a drive over to Ingleton to do the Waterfalls Walk. Good intro for Josh. Well done, Josh.

Tracey, Mark T, Ian B, Nathan and Brian K set off on a mega walk, 18 miles, over to sample the delights of the Falcon Inn at Arncliffe (Pie & peas with the Veggie option of peas). Brian K and Nathan bailed out to do a circular walk back to Malham of half that distance (makes sense to me!)

A most enjoyable evening spent wining and dining at the Lister Arms in Malham - staggering distance to the Y.H for some, Mark T!

Sunday dawned slightly cloudier but still relatively clear. Tracey, Mark T, Ian and Brian walked up to Gordale Scar and, despite the icy conditions, up and over the waterfall and onto Malham Tarn, descending back via Malham Cove to round off a great weekend for themselves.

Harry, Stef, Alex, Ash and Nathan went over to Horton in Ribblesdale (the road out of Malham being interesting to say the least—very!!).

Harry and Nathan left to do Pen y Ghent which unfortunately was clagged in but nonetheless up and down in 2 hours, a good effort in the snowy conditions.

Stef, Alex and Ash succumbed to the fleshpots of Ingleton where I joined them for a pint before returning home.

A great weekend had by all which I would assume set everyone up for Christmas and New Year.

As always fantastic company. Many thanks.

H

Things to note...

Burbage Common Open Day

This year sees our return to the Burbage Common Open Day on 10th May. It’s a really good opportunity to talk to people in the local area, many of whom (surprisingly) don’t realise there is a local mountaineering club, and to encourage people come along a have a go. The club is buzzing at the moment, with loads of different activities and outings, so it’s the perfect chance to share experiences and enthusiasm for the mountains. Not only that, but its also really good just to take part in a local event to support the area.

If anyone is able to help out that day, be it for an hour or the whole day, please let me know.

If not, come along anyway.

Networking: Did you know the club has various tradesmen, just itching to do some work for you.

PETE B for carpentry,

replacement windows etc

RICHARD E is Corgi registered plumber and

TRACY W for your leaded windows!

Give ‘em a call.

WaterAid

Dave T is organising the club’s participation in this years WaterAid charity event on June 6th. Last year, members climbed Cnicht raising over £800 for the charity.

WaterAid helps to provide clean water, sanitation and hygiene education to some of the poorest people in the world, working in 17 different countries.

This year, the club will be climbing Cnicht again, this time from Croesor taking in Moelwyn Mawr and Moelwyn Bach on the return.

Donations are already flooding in, so lets try and beat last year!

To donate, please visit

www.justgiving.com/hmc

As they say, every penny counts.

Cotswold Discount

Don’t forget our Cotswold discount. For those of you that aren’t aware of it, we are getting a 15% discount in Cotswold shops. We have a discount code that you will need to present when making your purchase. Our code is printed on the back of the membership cards - so if you want your discount, make sure you pay up!

However, the discount is dependent on us spending £1000 (as a club) before November 2009, when our discount will be reviewed. Happy spending! In addition,

Born Extreme a new gear shop in Hansom Court, Hinckley will give us 15% discount (with HMC card)

BMC Area Meeting

Conveniently for us, the next BMC Area Open Meeting will be held at the Holywell Inn on Thursday 26th March 2009.

Anyone who wants to attend is welcome. One of the items on the agenda is an update on the Leicestershire Climbing Guide.

Starts 7.30 pm. A good opportunity for our members to see what goes on at the BMC.

New Year in Onich Dave G

The party assembled at the BMC hut, which is in fact in North Ballachulish rather than Onich, a fact causing some bemusement to a few. Poor Dave P brought a nasty virus with him and had to retreat after two days and Andy T spent the first day in a delicate state. The weather was fantastic. Day after day of cloudless blue skies and hard freezing temperatures down to the road. On the one cloudy day this turned out to be a high inversion that a hardy trio broke through to have a great day. There was not a great deal of lying snow. What there was hard packed into gullies and north facing hollows. There were some tricky conditions underfoot where the delight of skimming across frozen bog was offset by water ice on the paths.

On the Sunday Harry went to recce Beinn an Dothaid to the south, soloing a grade1 gully to the summit. Daves G & T with Julie, Tim and Alistair walked up Sgorr Dhonill where the party split; the Daves and Julie following the NW ridge and Tim and Alistair grabbing Sgorr Dhearg. The apparent gentle descent of the NW ridge was blocked very steep hard snow, and the party descended west to the main road where a simple 4 mile hitch-hike would secure the car. Dave T had the keys so he was dispatched whilst the rest munched Mars bars and drank hot chocolate. Henceforth Dave is to be known as ‘4mile Dave’ as not a single vehicle stopped for him. A blues ballad recording the incident is in the writing stage. ‘ I hung out my thumb until it was numb – my hearts in a layby on the Oban road’.

Sinc and Carolyn arrived on the Sunday night, and on Monday a mass attempt was made on Bein Sgulaird. However a late start and a long walk in meant that Andy T & S with Alistair made a subsidiary summit and the rest wandered up to a high lochan. Tim, in the meantime, with a pre-dawn start had bagged Aonach Mor and Aonach Beag on his own. Stef and Harry walked up Mon Meall Mor.

On Tuesday Carolyn and Sinc made the summit of the Ben. Sinc coming to the rescue of what he thought, from behind, was a young maid, who turn out to be a long haired trench coat wearing male goth. Teeth went up the Buachaille on his own, and Harry, Tim and Dave G went to Beinnn an Dothaid where Harry and Tim completed a 3 pitch II/III out of Harry’s gully. Dave T and Julie completed a lower level walk from Kinlochleven, encountering a lot of ice near the pipelines.

Whilst most then felt ready for a rest on Wednesday, Harry, Tim and Alistair climbed on Stob Coire nan Lochan and were rewarded by breaking through the above mentioned cloud into a sea of high peaks. That night we shared a great meal prepared by Eddie and Sue and a fine musical evening was had by all including Harry and the Hobbits and an emerging star Eddie ‘Ginger Baker’ Edwards performing on most of the utensils held in the kitchen. We are a surprisingly talented club. Thank you Harry, Andy T and Dave T.

Feeling surprisingly chirpy on New Years Day those remaining at the hut made a mass ascent of a very icy Pap. Tim went off to the Ben.

A splendid week during which group bonding was aided by the officious attitude of one of the two hut wardens, who had an unchallengeable opinion about everything, and tried to treat us as if we were schoolchildren.

Chairman’s Note

Last year was a fine year for the club and this one already seems to be off to a good start with Spain and Onich, and Red Point allowing a start to wall climbing as well as demonstrating the generosity of members. Thank you Tracy for the breakfast; sorry to miss that.

Before the forum fills with comment I know that technically some of this was in the old year, but you get my meaning.

On the subject of the forum it has recently been the focus of debate. There has been some support for a separate section of the site accessible only to members where they could exchange views unseen by outsiders/potential new members browsing the site. Others feel the site represents what the club is. They want it left open to public browsing surmising that anyone trying to gauge what HMC is about is going to be mature enough to filter out a bit of noise. Certainly a lot of the vibrancy would be lost if conversations were to go.

At the moment the latter council prevails, but the point might be worth bearing in mind when using the site, which has proved such a great asset to the club for all sorts of reasons. Many thanks to Mark for setting it up and running it. It would be interesting to hear from anyone who has used the site before joining.

Dave G

Meets Sec Note

Thanks to all those members who support the monthly hut meets programme, which, I think, are the backbone of the club. We can only put on such a varied and regular programme with your continued support.

On a number of occasions, I have been in the unfortunate position of having to turn folk away, as we’ve been oversubscribed, only to have people drop out at the last minute, leaving the club in a vulnerable position, financially, and me trying to fill places at the last minute.

With 34 members in both Scotland & the Lakes recently, and 9 dropping out within a few days, you can see my problem! If you have to cancel, so be it, but please be aware - no space filled - may mean you having to cover any shortfall.

Cragrats

This time of year, the climbing fraternity keep fit down at the local walls. Just about every Tues over the winter has seen an ever increasing band down at Warwick, and increased use of both Redpoint and Creation in Birmingham. In addition, The Tower at Beaumont Leys is still popular on a Thursday. Interested parties usually post on the forum when they are going, or make arrangements at the club on Thurs nights. As the weather picks up, watch out for hastily arranged trips to our “local” playground - The Peak. Stacey, Chris & Barra have already been up, and Rich was climbing at a “cold” Wallabarrow in the Lakes.

Having such a large contingent turning out every week has raised the clubs profile, and in turn, appears to have attracted a lot of new faces, some of whom have joined, some have still to take the plunge.

Reminder - feel free to enter your routes on the forum or in the club logbook as it makes easy writing for me. Some of you might even get the urge to put pen to paper!

Saga Louts

Not much to report other than the “boys” continue to get out just about every Wed. Andy T had to cancel one walk due to the snow, and welcome additions to the pack include Ray & Geoff Kelham, who have been making good use of those free bus passes. Monty finally clocked up 2000 miles in 2008 and cultural attaché (Brian G) has reported in from NZ (spotted some SEB’s, whatever they are!) Next organised trip is on Mon 30 March (to the Peak), get in touch if you’re interested.