An enthusiastic group of 12 club members and a couple of spectators met at Lawrencefield yesterday for the abseiling session, The aim was to practice abseiling skills in a controlled situation which could then be transferred to situations encountered in the mountains or at sea cliffs. After an initial practice session using trees at the base of the quarry we then did lots of abseiling down Red Wall – which luckily proved unattractive to climbers wanting to do the excellent routes there.
We set up two ropes. Rope 1 was fairly steady whilst Rope 2, set up by Hugh, was a more adventurous affair. In fact it was the abseiling equivalent of “Oblivion” and made the other rope seem like the “Tea Cup Ride”! By the end of the day we were all abseiling like Clint Eastwood’s stunt double in Where Eagles Dare.
An enjoyable day which allowed less experienced members to learn about basic safe practice and veterans to experiment with different methods of backing up their abseils. Hopefully these skills sharing sessions will continue to be a part of club activity. Paul Embley
Walk report: Sunday 13th March 2022
10 of us and 2 dogs congregated on Sir William Hill Road in sunshine but with a chill wind. We followed footpaths up to the trig, along the ridge and down to Gotherage plantation. Here we took an early coffee stop to allow 1 additional walker to catch up, bravely cutting down open moorland at speed.
We wended our way down through Bretton Clough, then up again to Abney and on to Offerton Moor, where we found another sunny but windy spot for lunch.
Carrying on to the top of the moor we had fabulous views of the Hope Valley , Ladybower reservoir, Bamford, Stanage and Millstone.
Another descent took us down through Callow wood to Mount Pleasant Farm then Highlow Brook.
The only way was up after this, passing Hog Hall to join a path taking us back up the eastern end of Eyam moor to the start.
Thank you all for a very enjoyable and sociable outing. Kathy
On Sir William Hill; photo by Steve Warwick
Crossing Offerton Moor; photo by Steve Warwick
In Callow Wood; photo by Steve Warwick
Hazelford Hall; photo by Steve Warwick
Sunday 6th March 2022
Start: 09.30 Rails Road
Distance: 16k/10miles
Time : 4 hours 10 mins
Weather :dry
Company: 7 wonderful collaborative and chatty members. This really was a combined effort!
We walked along to the Head Stone, squeezing out of the cave above Wyming Brook (new to me) and eventually a quick scamper up the Head Stone for those inclined. Return was via Rivelin Rocks and mud. Finally a dip in Rivelin Plunge Pool.
Thank you all. Helen
Photo: Dave Crowther
Photo: Dave Crowther
Aircraft Crash Sites Walk sun 27th Feb 2022
A small select group, all 2 of us enjoyed a brilliant day over Torside and onto bleaklow. We took in 3 crash sites as planned. A really good day.
Gordon
Report for Sunday 20th Feb 2022 walk
Just as I was thinking that it was safe to abandon this walk and go home away from the gales and rain, one hardy soul appeared, keen to keep a promise to join in this meet. As the road to our start point was already flooded and likely to get worse, we agreed to retreat to lower Bradfield and had a pleasant soggy quite sheltered walk admiring the foaming streams and impressive overflow from Agden reservoir. Lots of ponds on the road home too. In retrospect I should probably have cancelled the walk in advance, but in any case it is now saved to enjoy another time. Thanks Chris K for your company.
Marian
Sunday Walk report – 6th February 2022 – Totley Moor
Well the weather said it all really.
4 brave souls and soggy scottie dog headed from the shelter of Blacka Moor woods into the headwinds across Houndkirk Moor towards Burbage Edge. And it wasn’t just rain, there were hail showers beating in our faces too. We continued on, splodging through boggy ground. Before long the meet leader took pity on the drenched folk and cut a few corners off the orginal route. This was fortunate and we were blessed with a beautiful double rainbow near Higger Tor. We turned southwards and got slight relief from the weather. The meet leader then decided to make another short cut and the mention of a hot drink at Longshaw cafe was sound to people’s hears. When we arrived at the visitors’ centre we were disgraced to hear that dogs weren’t allowed in the newly renovated cafe. So to not risk people getting cold, we decided to drive on and up over Totley Moor where we saw a herd of red deer. On the descent back to the car, there was a spell of blue skies and it felt almost pleasant.
~9 miles in total. Thank you to Hugh and Alison and Archie for bravely turning up. I hope you’ve dried out!
Photos on facebook.
Gemma
The start of the headwind
Double rainbow over Higgar Tor
Sun shining (briefly) at Longshaw
Crowden walk report 30th January 2022
Eight humans and two dogs took advantage of the weather window between Storms Malik and Corrie to make an enjoyable ascent of Black Hill from Crowden. We were joined by Alison who has moved to Stocksbridge from South Wales and was out with the club for the first time.
The first section of the walk, along Crowden Great Brook, involved a lot more boulder hopping and crossings of the brook than some of the participants had anticipated. But as usually happens karma intervened and the only person to fall in was the meet leader. We then crossed open moorland to the summit of Black Hill, stopping to investigate the remains of the two Meteor jets which crashed on Siddens Moss in 1951.
We descended via the long ridge over Tooleyshaw Moor enjoying extensive views. On Hey Edge we attempted to set a record for the most number of people to attach themselves to a trig point – a fairly hazardous exercise as the trig point was surrounded by a deep moat! The walk ended with an exploration of Great Crowden Quarry. Geoff assured us that he had climbed there in the past but judging by the massive chunks of rock which looked like they had recently come away from the main face we suspected that his routes now lie in pieces at the base of the quarry. Our safe return to the carpark was celebrated with slices of chocolate swiss roll generously provided by Geoff. Paul.
Meet report from Kial’s Wildboar Clough Scramble 23/1/22
8 of us met at Torside reservoir carpark to find the parking God firmly on our side – the ticket machine being out of order meant free parking all round 😊
We set-off at a leisurely pace along the Trans Pennine Trail before heading off into woodland to join the bottom of Wildboar Clough. With very little water flowing we found ourselves deep in the middle of the riverbed hoping across moss covered rocks. We soon arrived at the first major obstacle with each of us finding a different route up the waterfall, Bill taking the direct line and straight up the flowing water!
Several waterfalls later and only the odd damp foot we made it to the top of the clough and headed across moorland to pick up the Pennie Way.
We followed this for a couple of miles before heading West towards the B29 crash site (the whole of Sheffield seemed to have had the same idea, all blindly following there mobile phones) and then to the trig point at Higher Shelf Stones. From here we followed the path West before cutting across moorland, heading North towards Yellowslacks Brook which provided a welcome lunch stop.
We followed this to Wain Stones and then on a compass bearing headed across moorland to pick up the Pennine Way at the top of Torside Clough.
We split up at this point with 3 members opting for the quick way back down the Pennine Way while the rest of us did more rock hoping, stream crossing and scrambling down Torside Clough. We then picked up the Pennine Way and followed this back down to the Trans Pennine Trail and the flat walk back to the carpark.
11.5 miles covered in a thoroughly enjoyable day, thanks to everyone that turned up.
Kial
P.S photos on facebook via this link
https://www.facebook.com/groups/365080970512881/permalink/1573575146330118/
Recruitment of working groups on the future of the clubroom and length of tenure of committee members
Message from our Vice President Lin Warriss, dated 14 Jan 2022
An outcome of our AGM was the need to establish working groups to look at the future of the clubroom and tenure of committee posts. We are now seeking volunteers for the groups, the briefs for which are below.
We are aiming for small groups (single figures) covering cross sections of the membership, with at least some people with topical knowledge. Groups would initially be convened by a committee member who would look for mutually convenient meeting times but the group could then appoint their own chair and note taker.
We cannot quantify the time demands, but you need to factor in availability for meetings and research tasks, over the next five months or so. Findings and recommendations to be made to the committee no later than June 2022.
- The future of the clubroom. This group will build upon the work already done by the committee to establish whether the club room continues to be an asset to the club and to produce information for circulation prior to an all-member vote. The vote will be held before our next AGM so that any necessary amendments to the constitution may be passed. Consideration should be given to:-
- What might be done to maximise the use and user friendliness of the current clubroom to avoid abandoning a unique asset without due consideration
- Cost effective alternative venues for current and future club activities. (e.g. meetings / socials / training on wall)
- Provision of cost effective, suitable and accessible storage of our library and equipment.
- The length of tenure of committee members. This group will look at the current constitution as it pertains to the committee and produce proposed amendments for consideration at the next AGM. Length of tenure is the main focus but a couple of anomalies have been identified which would benefit from clarification as part of the process.
The current rules limit the tenure of the President and Vice President to 2 years but do not cover any other roles.
Consideration should be given to:-
- Established good practice, whether from the BMC or other clubs of a similar size and remit.
- Encouraging fresh ideas versus losing existing expertise.
- Practicalities such as changing banking authorities every time the treasurer and other signatories are changed.
If you would like to join one of the groups, please email Lin Warriss (Vice President) on linwarriss@aol.com stating which group you would like to join and whether you feel you have any particular knowledge which might support the group. This should be done before Friday 28th January so that the committee can discuss group membership at our February meeting.
Follow up from Lin, dated 21 Jan 2022
Hello again
I am not getting a huge response to the call for participants in our working groups and those I have had are from current or ex committee members.
The group looking at tenure of committee members could work with the existing volunteers although input from the members of the future would be helpful. How long do you think is reasonable for someone to serve before coming up for re-election? Should we be able to remove committee members mid term? Lots of questions require an answer. Can you help?
The club room group needs more members and we really do need people who have little or no experience of using the facility. All the current volunteers are old enough to remember the glory days when a lot of members met every Thursday and many of our current friendships were formed. This does not make for an objective view of current benefits. Assuming that we wish to continue with a programme of social events we need a fresh look at what is on offer from our club room versus what is available elsewhere. This requires people with opinions on where they like to meet and what facilities are required. For those who do not know the clubroom and the treasures it holds a visit can be arranged. Bearing in mind that we also need to consider the lease, the costs and the state of the building anyone who has some grasp of legal or financial matters or knowledge of construction would be useful but all you really need is to be a club member who wants a bit more than our outdoor programme.
If people would like more information before volunteering please get in touch.
Lin Warriss
linwarriss@aol.com
linwarriss@aol.com
North Wales long weekend 13th to 16th January 2022
North Wales Meet Report:
6 of us meet at Capel Curig Thursday morning and set off past the impressive gorge of Afon Llugwy and headed up to the disused quarry on route to Moel Siabod. Although the weather was clear and sunny it wasn’t hot enough to tempt any of us to take a dip in the water pool crater of the quarry!
After a quick coffee stop, we pressed on to reach the southeast ridge of Daear Ddu and the start of the scramble up warm rock to the summit of Moel Siabod where we enjoyed the views across to Snowdon and Tryfan, both looking impressive with the clear blue-sky backdrop.
After a quick bite to eat we headed back down the northeast ridge to pick up the outbound path back at the disused quarry.
We then all headed over to Coetmor Mill to unload our gear and claim a bunk. The rest of the evening was then spent pondering over the next days activities.
Friday saw us splint into 3 groups. One group headed out to Foel-fras taking in Foel-ganol, Pen Bryn-do and Llwytmor on this circular walk. Llwtmor providing stunning vistas over Anglesey.
The other two groups opted to go climbing, one group heading over to Tremadog and the other opting for Grooved Arete on Tryfan which turned out to be elusive to find with climbing not starting until after lunch. The climb was topped out just as the sun was falling below the surrounding mountains leaving us to don headtorches to find the route back down the mountain, arriving back at the digs close to 9pm!
Friday evening also saw the arrival of the remaining 5 members, growing our number to 11.
Saturday we split into two groups with 6 people heading out for a walk straight from the hut taking in Moel Faben, Ilefn, Gyrn, Drosgl & Gyrn Wigau.
The remaining 5 headed over to Snowdon. Leaving the masses behind on the Pyg Track from Pen-y-pass we headed up to Crib Goch, scrambling along the ridge to Garnedd Ugain and then to the summit of Snowdon. After a spot of lunch we headed back down the Watkin Path to Bwlch Ciliau then continuing along the ridge line to Y Lliwedd and descending down to Llyn Llydaw reservoir where Matt couldn’t resist a quick swim with many cheers from passes-byes. Then a quick walk along the Miners Track to complete the circular route around the Snowdon horseshoe.
Saturday evening proved to be very sociable with us all contributing to cooking up a communal curry and a few drinks.
Sunday the weather finally let us down, turning wet and windy. We all went our separate ways, some heading straight home while a couple of brave souls headed up to Glyder Fawr via Bwlch Tryfan & Glyder Fach and returning via Devils Kitchen.
A great weekend was had by all, photos on Facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/castlemountaineering/posts/155162610184070
Kial Wright
Southeast ridge of Daear Ddu
Approaching the summit of Moel Siabod
Summit of Moel Siabod
First pitch of Grooved Arete, Tryfan
Pitch 5 of Grooved Arete, Tryfan
Crib Goch ridge
On Snowdon