Spring 2000

An Everest mountaineer in Hinckley, dinner for 50, a Welsh hut meet, a ski trip, articles in the local press and a new Club Web site. Not bad for the Club's first three months of the year.

Meanwhile, Ackie and Julie are packing their bags for their forthcoming Wedding in May Down under in Cairns - the lengths people go to just to avoid the tradition HMC ice axe salute on the Big Day. If that's not enough news to be taking in - Ewan has announced his engagement to Vicky! "She's lucky to have him" to quote a certain Mr Edwards.

There's also Belated "Big Birthday" Wishes for Phil Noon for Dec '99 - and a big thanks to Phil for the expertly crafted unique gift he created for presentation to George Band. Congratulations to you all!

"Welcome" to new members Ian Berrington and Gavin Beet, and a reminder to you previous members that it's subs time again. See Eddie ASAP to renew your membership.

If you're planning your HMC social life, then places for the next meet in Wales are being snapped up and I'm looking for folks to compete against Rugby in the annual skittles event. For those with aspirations of attempting the Welsh 3's Pete Marston is now accepting applications - forms and more info later.

Finally, the Club has been informed of the sad news that former member Dave Bearfield was fatally injured whilst climbing in Scotland in the New Year. Dave has been a distant club member whilst resident initially in Essex, then more recently Aberdeen. Dave was introduced to HMC by his friend Richard Ellis and has been an active climber and mountaineer. He joined other HMC members on meets in the Coppermines Valley, Onich and was part of the infamous Switzerland Mini-bus trip. Our thoughts and best wishes go to Dave's friends and family.

George Band in Hinckley

Everest expedition member, George Band (is this OK Ted?), joined over 50 past and present members of Hinckley Mountaineering Club to celebrate 20 years of HMC. The club was very honoured to welcome George Band to their evening celebratory dinner at Kings Hotel, Hinckley.

In 1953, then aged 24, George was the youngest member of the successful Everest Expedition which saw Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing reach the summit. In his after dinner presentation, George gave an enthralling account of this historic first ascent mixed with updates on the fate of the Sherpa people some 47 years on. Dave Gair presented George with a specially crafted momento of his evening with the Club. It was a great night out, strange to see everyone dressed in their finery - we'd better get planning for the "Silver Jubilee" next … any suggestions?

An Email from Peru

Dateline - 29th Dec 1999! Greetings from your former Chairman! You all may be dismayed to know that your former chairman is still alive and kicking in foreign parts. Since I was your chairman on the club's tenth anniversary I felt it might be appropriate to send you greetings on your twentieth.

After deciding to retire in '97 and fulfil a long-held ambition to travel in South America, I have discovered (for myself) a truly amazing continent. I based myself in Lima and since then, in the last (nearly) three years, I have travelled through Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador and most of Peru.

Peru alone has enough to keep you busy for months. From coastal deserts to multiple peaks over 6000m to primary Amazon rainforest to extraordinary ancient cultures and archaeology, this country has it all. As for the rest - well I've trodden glaciers at 5100 metres (in the Cordillera Blanca of Peru) and also at sea level (in Chilean Patagonia). I've been drenched under the waterfalls of Iguazu on the border of Brazil/Argentina/Paraguay, and managed to fall into a River Amazon tributary in Peru!

I have been deep inside a silver mine in Bolivia and nearly been deep-frozen on an over-night bus in the same country. I have made friends wherever I have travelled, both local and foreign. A few words of Spanish will open doors you would not believe. If it is adventure you seek then this is the continent to be in.

You can read some of my travellers tales on my web-site at http://iwilcock.tripod.com/. The web-site is far from complete for various reasons, but I shall be adding to it bit by bit. I knackered my right knee in a quite pathetic accident four years ago which has prevented me being an active mountaineer or walker. Consequently much of the potential I have had to pass by. However, I can commend this continent to anyone that is interested in trekking, backpacking or mountaineering (forget Nepal, this is the place!!).

For the last year and a half I have volunteered my services part-time to the South American Explorers Club at the Lima Clubhouse. If you intend to travel independently in this continent you need to be a member. See our web-site at http://www.samexplo.org/.

My E-mail address is iwilcock@computextos.net and I will be really pleased to hear from HMC members both old and new. (It's quite extraordinary; while writing this I really had the desire to sup a pint of Marstons Bitter - well, maybe one day but, on balance, I would rather be here!).

I am very glad to see that my old ski-buddy Brian is now President, Dave is Chairman, and from reading the newsletters via the E-mail I get the feeling that the Club is in excellent hands. To be honest, I miss you all, I would love to go on a weekend meet again, and I wish you every success in the future.

Cheers, Ian (Wilcox)

HMSki - Giraffes in Meribel

Train travel - it was a new concept.

As the twenty-one travellers amassed at Waterloo Station, the adventure was only just beginning. An hour to cross Paris, this seemed adequate, oh how wrong! After battling with French ticket machines, foreign currency, and automatic barriers (best hurdled for quickness when wearing a rucksack), there were just three minutes before departure as the front of the HMSki convoy approached the awaiting train's platform. With hearts pounding and luggage flailing, the convoy began jumping into the first available carriages. Andrea Edwards was with the front runners - but where was Dad, the holder of the ticket (oh the stress of a group booking!).

As fast as the guard closed the carriage doors, they mysteriously opened again …. Mark Hardy! But there was still no sign of Ed. Ed, meanwhile, was on the train convinced that Andrea was lost somewhere in the underground's corridors. He was so convinced, Ed was just on the point of jumping back off when he managed to decipher one of the numerous shrieks resonating along the platform - ANDREA'S ON THE TRAIN!!!

As the train gently pulled out of the Gare de Lyon a strange sense of calm came over twenty-one travellers. The adventure had begun …

The bus pulled into Meribel before 9.00am, the shops were opening and the lifts hadn't even begun to run. Most of the group were on the slopes by mid morning with memories of the Paris platform pounding already starting to fade. Gentle snowfall continued overnight creating fantastic powder snow conditions on Sunday. From here on the weather was glorious with excellent snow. Still - "Mustn't grrrumble"!

For those who found that the fantastic snow failed to provide sufficient adrenaline, hand gliding on skis was on offer. Del took the opportunity to have two (now that's another story) tandem flights from one of the areas best mountain viewpoints, whilst Steve offered to play hunt-the-pilot's-ski in armpit high snow. I suppose Steve can claim to have been Off Piste now!

Our five apartments were sited around the village surrounded by a handy selection of bars, shops and eating-places. In our apartment, we initially stuck to traditional English fare - Spaghetti Bolognaise, Curry and Chilli before venturing out to sample the local French delicacies - Pizza and the Tex-Mex platters!

Other apartments had less luck - one was rumoured to have attempted to carve a semi rotisseried chicken with a hand held blender! Unfortunately the resultant debris had to be "washed up" with the hoover!! Flushed with subsequent culinary success, the "Boys Behaving Badly" tried out the dishwasher but had laced it with rather too much washing up liquid. Apparently its amazing how many bubbles can be scooped up into a dustpan and brush when you need to! And even more amazing, how long this can be kept up for!

Still, the French are such hosts - they arranged to be defeated by the England Rugby team on our first afternoon there. Very sporting - but not as entertaining as NFB's Neily's Fun-Bags …. Allegedly!

The local for the week was odd - it served Giraffes. OK, this was a column of beer delivered to your table for you to serve yourself. Mysteriously, after a particularly mellow night out, Ed somehow managed to get "Giraffe pooh" down his trousers … Maybe it was the local Gendarmes retribution against the anonymous speeding trolley dashers occasionally witnessed rattling through the twilight streets of Meribel!

Even on the last day, our eighth, it was possible for those with willing legs to ski some more. That is assuming some woman built like an Amazonian doesn't mistakenly take your bright yellow skis from the café whilst you're enjoying a croissant… Surely there couldn't be many six foot plus women called Dominique out there with size ten feet and yellow skis - or could there? Ian Ball certainly made a thorough, but amazingly unproductive, search for the elusive Amazonian and his deposit! "Outrageous"!

Reluctantly before heading for home, majority of the skied-out group headed for a quick dip in Meribel's pool. It was really a crafty way of getting a wash. Alastair was in for a surprise though when his locker key disappeared after a particularly intrepid descent of the flume. I'm not sure what the locals thought as Al prowled the lower depths of the children's pool. Perhaps he'll be diving next year instead, he's a natural!

Still, it was a great eight days skiing. Cheers to Ed for organising it. Train travel - it was a new concept. Alison Mills.

Rhydd Ddu - The Snowdonian Blow Job

We stayed in the Oread for some of the weekend, and the pub for the rest of it. Outside the wind blew and then blew a bit more. For once the forecast of gales was correct.

Lots of parties went out on the Saturday to tackle Snowdon and the Nantle Ridge. Most people had to turn back - I have never had to crawl up a ridge before but some hardy souls, possibly carrying more ballast than most, did make it to the summit of Snowdon to be met by the trainered hordes. Swampy entertained us with tales of his exploits with Johnny Dawes. How we gasped in awe and drank more of Dorothy's Goodbody.

Sunday was shopping. Some of us went to Aber falls which were spectacular. It was still windy. (There was a bit of blue sky, honest). Nick Procter.

HMC Web Site

Check it out on www.hinckleymc.freeserve.co.uk, suggestions or comments to Alison or Mark. It's intended that the site will be updated regularly so not only am I looking for articles, I'm also after your prize photos to scan into the rogues gallery!

WELSH 3000’S - JULY 7th to 9th

Members must arrange their own transport to Wales. Overnight accommodation is available at Ysgubor Bwlch, and a base camp will be established in the at Cae Perthi.

Breakfasts and lunches with the owner's name should be left here Friday evening. Drinks will be provided. Whilst most people prefer to bivi on Snowdon on Friday night, camping is possible at Cae Perthi.

The lunch spot is at Glan Dena, again drinks will be provided. Anyone taking two days to complete the challenge should break their journey here.

Transport will be provided from the usual finish to either Ysgobor Bwlch or to wherever cars have been left (within reason!!).

A decision will be taken at the Black Horse on Thursday 6th July regarding whether the event will go ahead or not in light of the weather forecast. If considered necessary, the organisers may take the decision to cancel the event.

And finally

Thanks to Lee Scott and John Trow for their articles - they didn't get included this time as I've temporarily misfiled them! If you're spring cleaning your cupboards and come across items of kit that you want to get rid of, let me know so it can "advertised" in future issues.

Cheers Alison M.