All posts in Meet Reports

Wharncliffe Meet Report 14th May 2023

Lots of us met at Wharncliffe to do homage to Puttrell’s routes. In fine weather many routes were climbed and right tough some of them were. Much traditional stuff. I don’t know how many – but someone may make a claim for their own tally on whatsap. Good to see you all. We could easily repeat the experience, working along the crag from where we left off.  Geoff.

Kildale Away Meet Report: 6-8 May 2023

9 People and 4 dogs had a great weekend at Kildale in the North York Moors. Beautiful weather for 2 days on a great campsite which we effectively had to ourselves. 2 members went to Whitestones Cliff to do the best VS in the country, others went to Scugdale or a walk on the Saturday and then climbing and mountain biking on the Sunday. Some pictures have gone out on the whatsapp groups. Many thanks to all who came and commiserations to those that couldn’t make it – you were missed and missed out. Mary

Charles Knowles 90th Birthday – Thurs 20 April 2023

27 of us set out from the Foxhouse proceeding across Totley Moor to the Trig Point before descending to Barbrook Bridge for a coffee break. See pic below (courtesy of Andrew). We then headed up hill passed Lady’s Cross, over the White Edge Ridge past White Edge Lodge and so down to lunch at the Grouse to celebrate Charles Knowles 90th birthday. Apart from those walking, others had either travelled by car or cycled to swell our number. 43 members past and present, plus Charles’s nieces and friends, sat down for an excellent lunch. We also were treated to a very tasty birthday cake, kindly made by Rosy.
Speeches then followed by Vanda, Paul and Charles who in turn was delighted to see everybody including his old friend the writer Hamish Brown, whom he had accompanied on many trips in the UK, the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Himalaya and especially the Atlas mountains of Morocco over the past 50 years, and who had travelled down from Fife in Scotland. Some of us then returned to the Fox House via the Longshaw estate, skirting round some logging loading on the main track.
A great occasion, a great turnout and pleasant sunny weather. For those walking to and from the Fox House, a distance of just over 6 miles.
Many thanks to all for making it a special day for Charles.
Pete

Andrew’s picture:

JB’s pictures:

 

 

 

 

Linda’s pictures:

Easter 2023 at Capel Curig – Meet Report

16 of us stayed at the North London Mountaineering barn in beautiful Capel Curig at Easter. After a slightly soggy start the weather turned rather lovely until Monday where it again poured it down. Much climbing and hiking trips were done, including Holyhead Mountain, Tryfan, the Moelwyns, Moel Siabod, Glyder Fach, Glyder Fawr and even some sport climbing on slate in LLanberis. It was lovely to see everyone there making the most of the delights of North Wales. Thanks to everyone who made it a very enjoyable meet and hope to see you all on another soon.

Linda

Sunday 2 April 2023 Roaches – Report

five of us enjoyed what all agreed had been a brilliant day. weather continuing to improve from overcast to bright , warm sunshine with dry rock. lots of fun with small crawling challenges and scrambling on Hen Cloud and both lower and upper tiers of The Roaches,. The “torpedo tube” was specially enjoyed and lots of photos taken. views from the Skyline area were spectacular. lots of birdsong very much in evidence and thanks Richard P for identifying them.

The walk along the valley from Roach End produced a bit of mudnesss which needed a bit of care. We visited the crash sites of a Lancaster and later a German Junkers JU88. both were large bombers but little wreckage remains.

Return back to the cars was via the coll between Hen Cloud and The Roaches.

A couple of us took up Bill s kind invite for a coffee.

Gordon

Lathkill Dale walk report Sunday 26 March 2023

5 of us including new members Kim and Mark enjoyed a steady and relaxed day . walking up the dale revealed considerable evidence of recent flooding but the path still easily passable. We had a good look at Mandale mine. By group decision we opted to do the longer 11 mile version of this walk. views from the plateau were as good as ever and the pleasant nature of Lathkill dale and Bradford dale.
A good day was finished with a brew in the local pub,
Gordon

Walk Report Saturday 18 March 2023

Six met at Cawthorne village green and completed a six mile round of the parkland of Cannon Hall and Deffer woods. No rain as predicted, a few blue skies, good chat and easy going walking. An exploration of the historical village cafe was made at the end.
Hope to offer another Saturday walk next month.
Ali

Red Brooks Scramble 19/03/23 Meet Report

Nine of us set off in better than predicted weather to scramble up and down some of the many Red Brooks which drain from the Kinder plateau. After trekking up Ashop Clough we ascended Upper Red brook with two of us shedding our rucksacks to wriggle through the chockstone finish. Joy at reaching our high point at the trig point was short-lived. We then had to make a steep descent to Mermaid’s Pool and scrambled back up to the plateau via Red Brook No 2. Whilst the majority enjoyed their sandwiches, Phil led a few of us down an exciting scramble to a hidden cave right on the lip of Kinder Downfall. We concluded that it might have been preferable on a day when the waterfall was not blowing back up the cliff! After a bog trot across the plateau we descended Nether Red Brook and returned to the cars via Ashop Clough.
An enjoyable day out which kept us away from the Sunday crowds and revealed some of Kinder’s hidden secrets. Paul.

Paul’s pics

Rick’s pics

 

Rhyd Ddu 24th-26th Feb 2023 Report

An excellent meet in a comfortable hut, a beautiful location and fantastic weather.
On Saturday we woke to blue skies and great conditions. After some toing and froing dropping off enough vehicles at the end of the ridge-10 of us set out to do a full traverse of the Nantley ridge in perfect conditions. The initial ascent from the hut to Y Garn was pretty brutal, but the remainder of the ridge was straightforward enough with 2 scrambles and 6 summits. A modest length of 8 miles, but some 3,360 feet of ascent overall made some legs feel weary at the end! The views across to Snowdon and the Moelwyns to the east and over the coast on the west easily compensated for any discomfort.
Back at the ranch a team of cooks led by master chef Leon prepared a great communal curry with a complimentary aperitif of good quality port. The curry was followed by a fresh fruit salad, gateau and Christmas pudding-all washed down with liberal amounts of alcohol.
The drinking and socialising continued in front of the fire in the lounge afterwards-but it all proved too much for the meet leader who had to be woken from his slumbers on the settee after everybody else had gone to bed!
On Sunday the clear weather continued, but with a strong northerly wind and some verglas on rocks in exposed locations. The party split into different groups, with mountain biking, an ascent of Moel Hebog and an ascent of Yr Aran.
A great week-end.
Thank you to all who came for your company and help with the catering and hut management.
Mike D

Scotland, Roybridge 11/2/23 Report

A not so wintery week didn’t stop a 14 strong Castle contingent ticking off 15 munros between us with ice axes and crampons being used sporadically on most days.
Day 1:
A unusually early castle start of 7:30am at Creag Meagaidh car park. We split into two groups to make the ascent, one group opting for Easy Gully while the others took on Raeburn’s Gully. From there parties split and either descend The Window or carry on for the full round of munros (Creag Meagaidh, Stob Poite Coire Ardair, Carn Liath).
Day 2:
We made the most of the best weather and did an anti-clockwise round of The Ring of Steel, finishing off crossing the wire bridge under torch light even though we’d made another pre 8am start! Munros covered – Sgrr A’Mhaim, Am Bodach, Stob Coire A’Chairn, An Gearanach
Day 3:
Some decided on a rest day and explored the local cafe while the majority headed up Stob Ban (the little one). Whilst 3 brave souls decided to climb the wet, greasy & slimy Castle Ridge which had zero snow & ice – it was a long day getting back to the digs at 10pm.
Day 4:
A rest day for all (although a few did opt for indoor climbing at Kin Loch Leven).
Day 5:
3 parties today, 8 went to do the Easains which consists of 2 munros. A really interesting route although everyone was bored of trudging through bog for the last 5 miles. A party of 3 headed a little further east and summited Creag Pitridh and Geal Charn. Two others headed over to Appin in search of snow but only found wet rock an the ascent up School House Ridge to Sgorr Dhonuill & Sgorr Dhearg.
Day 6:
A train day for some, others over slept and missed it! Those who did get up early enough took the train to Corrour and either summited the munro (Beinn Na Lap) or the corbett (Leum Uilleim) only 29m lower. Later in the evening people visited the Fort William Mountain Festival taking in lectures from Tom Patey and 6 films in the running for the adventure film awards.

Thanks to everyone that came and made it a very enjoyable week, lets hope for some snow next year!

Kial

Spot the climbers

Brocken Spectre

Late night river crossing