tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15207216635005591532024-03-18T22:09:18.237-07:00SMC BlogSwindon Mountaineering ClubChris Homewoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13301829262485830256noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1520721663500559153.post-53155445502256881352013-04-10T14:53:00.001-07:002013-04-21T04:15:33.053-07:00Lake district Easter meet highlights<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Garamond;">Here's the highlights of the Lake district Easter meet:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><b style="line-height: 22px;">Who:</b></span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"> Lee, Theresa, Sam, Natalie, Celia, Rick, Simon, Bernard</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><b style="line-height: 22px;">Where:</b></span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"> Raven's crag, Hellvellyn, Ambleside and the pub</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><b style="line-height: 22px;">What:</b></span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"> Climbing, winter walking and freezing our arses off.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Garamond; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">As organizer I've decided on a few Lake district meet awards....</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Garamond; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><b style="line-height: 22px;"><u>Best route reading - Lee</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Garamond; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">Pitch one was a Vdiff , pitch two was an E1!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Garamond; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><b style="line-height: 22px;"><u>Best Gear - Simon</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Garamond; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">With his own brand of soft shell trousers Simon definitely deserves this one.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Garamond; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><b style="line-height: 22px;"><u>Best meal - Theresa and Lee</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Garamond; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">Seared sea bass, new potatoes and steamed green beans. And they cooked it themselves!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Garamond; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><b style="line-height: 22px;"><u>Best Anchor - Sam</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Garamond; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">An elaborate 3 point anchor is all very good - but what about that huge boulder?!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Garamond; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><b style="line-height: 22px;"><u>Best Photo - Natalie</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">There were plenty of shots of stunning landscapes - but this one just cracks me up: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151443546934915&set=o.12376903363&type=1&theater" style="cursor: pointer;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">Link</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Garamond; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><b style="line-height: 22px;"><u>Most confident Lead - Celia</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Garamond; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">"Oh it's so easy I'll just wander up in my B2 boots."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Garamond; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><b style="line-height: 22px;"><u>Most unusual lead - Rick</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Garamond; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">"Am I climbing or potholing?" Rick asks himself as he squeezes through a cave en route</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><b style="line-height: 22px;"><u>Best down Jacket</u></b></span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"> - I value my life so I couldn't possibly comment!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Garamond; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">Don't forget to have a look at the photos on the facebook page....</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Garamond; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">Bernard</span></div>
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<pre style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Massively belated, however better late than never...hope you enjoy even if you weren't there.
Contents:
1. Attendees
2.</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> Irrelevant/Notable 'facts'
3. Trip 'awards'
4. Trip Quotes
5. Routes Completed</span></pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
<b>1. Attendees: </b>Clive, Andy, Sid, Chris, Robin, Phil & 'Swear-meister' Matt (Non-member)</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<b>2. Irrelevant/Notable 'facts'</b></span></pre>
<ul style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">
<li>Possible divorces caused by the trip: x1 (Clive) - after 'Tweeting' "He couldn't imagine being anywhere better"after receiving a 'response' from his wife!</li>
<li>Time taken to cook 2 pizzas: x3.5 hours (Phil) </li>
<li>Kit durability tests: Olympus 'Tough' - Camera dropped down Invernooky ...and retrieved! Apparently "bounces really well"! (Clive)</li>
<li>Most kit lost on a route (4 pieces): Martin Newman </li>
<li>Kit christened on the trip: Sam's ice screw</li>
</ul>
<pre style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><b>3. Trip 'awards'</b></span></pre>
<ul style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">
<li>'Seamstress' Award: Clive, on sewing his gaiters</li>
<li>'Indecisive Simon' Award: Andy (x1 day Andy 'dropped out' at departure time, Second time it was at the bottom of the climb after the walk in!)</li>
<li>'Tea-maid/bitch' award: Martin</li>
<li>'Head-banger' Award: Martin Newman</li>
<li>Unanimous favourite beer: Tradewinds </li>
</ul>
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">4. Trip Quotes</b><br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;" /><ul style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">
<li>"Ive got a 'Compeed' on each knee" (Martin), after talking about being tugged off by six scouts.</li>
<li>Waiting for Chris on The Ventilator...is like.."Waiting for Tectonic plates to open"(Clive)</li>
<li>"Where is my room" (Sid after inhibiting Global Transient Amnesia)</li>
<li>"Where is my Tesco FINEST Colombian Coffee?" (Martin..having another strop. It turns out he left it on the kitchen so it was tidied away)</li>
<li>"I couldn't get over the sight of Clint Eastwood's helmet" (about Robin) </li>
<li>"Brandy at half past 3 in the afternoon is so decadent!" (Martin on the Saturday after our final climb of the week)</li>
</ul>
<pre style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><b>5. R</b><b>outes completed</b></span></pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> Key:
^Vegetable curry (Robin)
*Martin was pulled off by six teenage venture boys against his will.
#"Ready, Steady...Opt-out" (Andy). Thurs 'opted out' upon departure time! Fri upon arriving at the bottom of the route after the 75min walk-in!</span></pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Sun:
^ Vehicle (Fiachille) Ridge of Snechta (Clive, Martin, Andy, Chris, Sid & Matt)
Mon:
^Central Gulley (Lead: Clive & Martin. Second: Matt) Left Central Gully {off piste!} (Lead: Andy. Second: Chris)
Tues:
^Goat Track Gully (Lead: Clive & Martin. Second: Matt) Aladdin's Mirror (Lead: Andy. Second: Chris)
Wed:
Red Gully (Lead: Clive Second: Martin & Andy)
Thurs:
#The Ventilator (Lead: Martin* & Chris)
Fri:
#The Ventilator (Lead: Clive, Chris. Seconded: Matt)
Sat:</span>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> The Runnel Grade2 (Alt Lead: Martin & Chris)
Invernooky 3/4 (Lead: Clive. Second: Andy/Matt)</span></pre>
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Who: Phil, Chris, Celia & Simon<br />
Miles travelled prior to oil light (after being 'tested'..apparently): 200<br />
Base: Fort William SYHA<br />
Weather: Warm, wet & windy!<br />
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Holiday bargain = 6p potato bag<br />
Food type most unlikely to eat when return home = potato<br />
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Most converted food item: Yule log!<br />
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Routes completed...none.<br />
Timetable reading error: Chris (causing 3 hr wait in Corrour station)<br />
Ice axe arrest used in anger: Celia, on a minor gully 5 mins after finishing ice axe arrest 'training'<br />
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Yellow snow culprit = Chris<br />
Red ice culprit = Chris<br />
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Mountain 'finds': 3 item (hex, sunglasses & snowbasket)<br />
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'Air'-time award (flying through the air): Celia, Phil came a close second in his car after a humpback in the road prior to almost heading towards a ditch<br />
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Collective time spent waiting for Phil on toilet: 20mins<br />
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Most contentious book: "Why men don't listen and women can't read maps"<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">As alternative to climbing Lee and I took our mountain bikes and headed South, on Saturday. It didn't take us long to hit an onslaught of rain. Although neither of us have any issues with a bit of rain, this felt like the heavens had opened so we decided to stop in Salisbury for coffee and await the arrival of Noah while watching a real-life version of The Jeremy Kyle Show.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />We optimistically chose a 37km bike route in Blandford Forest using "The Good Mountain Biking Guide". We also chose a backup option (indoor climbing), which we assumed the others already at Swanage must be doing by now!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />After the rains had stopped and the rivers had parted we headed to Blandford Forest and mounted our bikes. It didn’t take too long (1/2km) till we unexpectedly arrived at the UK Bike Park (within Eastcott Wood), a downhill course which we couldn't resist. We quick chat to some local riders others who gave heed of the walk up….. and decided to proceeded regardless.<br /><br />Initially the course consisted of berms, but it soon changed drastically as we hair'ed down a steep course with banked curves. The local advice was severely understated. It took us over 20mins to push our bikes up the steep gradient to get back to the start.....by far the most exhausting activity l did all weekend (and for a long time too!). But it did not put us off doing the course it again, however this time we took a sustained 4x4 route back up the hill, which was 'almost' cycle-able! We did a few more runs, each the time hoping that we didn’t encounter and walkers or horses as we hurtled down the hill, and each time complaining as we hauled our arses back up the hill!<br /><br />Having had a good 'warm up', our competitive side got the better of us and we decided to ‘race’ the next run! All was going swimmingly (also read fast) until a shallow water drainage channel crossed the path which neither Lee or I saw in time. My bike gave an awful whacking noise, which l assumed was my front chain ring protector 'giving way'..which had already lost a 'section' from a previous ride). However, something didn't feel quite right, and was made worse when I caught the end of a tree trunk 20 meters later!<br /><br />At the end of the run we compared notes. Lee had also hit the drainage channel, but managed to stay on his bike. A quick inspection of the bikes and we were off.....well we would have been had Lee not discovered the hitting the drain had buckled the back wheel on his fairly new bike. We both looked in awe neither had ever experienced the rim being deformed as if someone had too a hammer directly to it!..... then Lee noticed that the same had happened to his front wheel, too. How they had both hit the ditch we had no idea. Clearly an expensive day was ahead of him at his local bike shop!<br /><br />Setting off down the road l immediately noticed my bike was not 'right' either; my rear wheel had suffered exactly the same punishment as Lee’s. Crikey 3 out of 4 wheels screwed.<br /><br />This curtailed our ambitions somewhat, especially as l my rear wheel was so badly buckled that l had to detach my rear brake to allow it to spin freely! We spent the next hour or so leisurely exploring the forest tracks. It was only then that l realised the extent of the damage to my bike, l had somehow managed to damage my front forks to an extend that my they were now rigid and no longer </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">'spring-loaded'</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />What a day, hey, never before have l experienced so much damage on a ride, and considering the lack of technicality, lack of impact and lack of exposure it was certainly very memorable but all for all the wrong reasons!</span></div>
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><div class="blogger-post-footer">You have received this email as by default you have been included on the the SMC club blog distribution list.
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Swindon Mountaineering Club’s Jubilee Bank Holiday Snowdonia Meet Report</span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Jubilee Bank Holiday Meet arrived with a mixed weather forecast typical of any extended British public holiday. However, 20 of us made this the best attended meet of the year, so far! The early birds were on site by mid-afternoon, allowing Martin & Sid a good afternoons climbing on Tryfan Fach. The rest of the Friday arrivals pitched up throughout the late afternoon & evening, with those who had to work & then brave the weekend traffic needing to pitch their tents under the cover of darkness. Fortunately everyone made it to the pub by last orders, which were never knowingly called by the landlord for the entire weekend, allowing those brave souls amongst us to try the draught Hobgoblin.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7tIod97oZgS3DaZokisvhcddpdqoHI9bLepxXPQe77LKl2_QAA81edo8CzhvL11vcV_Wxn02EzvJKvQVkOOM32tmqScXpgCVatOtvti0-Ueg9dNflZTggBpfU2piL4WwBg6xyEv4ElMg/s1600/DSC_0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7tIod97oZgS3DaZokisvhcddpdqoHI9bLepxXPQe77LKl2_QAA81edo8CzhvL11vcV_Wxn02EzvJKvQVkOOM32tmqScXpgCVatOtvti0-Ueg9dNflZTggBpfU2piL4WwBg6xyEv4ElMg/s400/DSC_0095.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt;">Saturday morning brought good weather & once the effects of the Hobgoblin and previous days travel had worn off the day started in traditional SMC time. A climbing group headed to Tryfan Fach and enjoyed a good day’s multi-pitch trad climbing, which for some was their first experience of climbing outdoors & also of multi-pitch climbing. We headed back to the cars just as the weather was closing in & the midges had run out of places to bite us on! The others enjoyed a good days walking & scrambling , taking the Tryfan North Ridge then up onto Bristly Ridge & finally a more leisurely walk along The Glyders and back down in to the Devils Kitchen. We then all met back in the pub that evening for some good food & even better Hobgoblin.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sunday came along with the promised rain that had been doing its worst for most of the night, and once 'rain stopped play' was declared most of the group then headed to Pete’s Eats for brunch (2<sup>nd</sup> breakfast for some!). Upon return, the Sunday arrivals keen to stretch their legs mustered enough support for a local afternoon hillwalk & to road test their wet weather gear. The rest of us headed for Caernarfon along with the rest of North Wales, and after looking at the queues for the castle in the rain all ended up in The Black Boy for a late lunch and a pint of something that wasn’t Hobgoblin. Returning to the campsite and seeing the walkers returned safely, we became bored of counting midge bites and so made our way to the warm and dry of the local for some liquid carb-loading for the good weather promised for the next day. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt;">Monday arrived with the promised good weather, so had the campsite midges! Therefore, several groups left the site early to make the most of the day. The first group successfully tackled The Snowdon Horseshoe in good time, whilst a second group set off for The Glyders circular walking route. The main climbing group went to Hollyhead Mountain and enjoyed a great day’s climbing returning with tales of climbing up an elephant’s bottom! ...maybe the Hobgoblin talking!? Finally, Martin took Tracy to The Gribbin Facet and lead 'Slab Climb' before sending her traumatised back down the M6. Good weather, a successful day out & high spirits lead to an impromptu late afternoon drink or few, followed by an instantly regrettable game of rugby thanks to George, 4 bottles of wine, a slug of Pernod & Dave’s secret stash of Sloe Gin! Somehow we all managed to follow our noses to the pub for dinner, only to find out that we had drunk the pub dry of Hobgoblin over the weekend! …only after a member who shall remain nameless had the last pint!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The rain promised for Tuesday morning arrived and then fizzled out, allowing those who wanted to make the most of the weekend a leisurely walk up Snowdon’s Watkins Path to the waterfalls. Why one member felt it necessary to wear his bright yellow B3 mountain boots for this route is best known to him… although leaving your regular walking boots out overnight in the rain might explain his lack of footwear! The rest of us packed up & started the long journey home after what was a thoroughly enjoyable and successful weekend.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt;">Huge thanks to all those who attended and</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt;">made this meet such a success, no doubt several Annual Dinner Awards were earned. If you have any good photos of the weekend and are on Facebook please feel free to add them to the SMC group. I passed on our thanks and compliments to the campsite owners, who were equally as complementary about our group and would be happy to welcome us back again next year and have promised to scare the midges away. The Glyntwrog Inn has also asked for advanced warning of our return so they can get in an extra barrel of Hobgoblin and warn the Coastguard!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dan Collins</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">You have received this email as by default you have been included on the the SMC club blog distribution list.
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Our President Colin Beechey and Mike
Porter recently completed what is widely regarded as Britain’s Finest
Mountaineering challenge just before the Queen’s Jubilee Bank Holiday last year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">After two years of preparation and several weather
related postponements, the two intrepid club seniors with a combined age of 125
years, managed a continuous traverse in just over sixteen hours (Gars Bheinn to
Sgurr nan Gillian) with an overnight bivouac. They enjoyed cool dry weather
while the rest of Britain had more unsettled conditions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"> It may only
be 12km on the map but the journey includes 22 peaks, clocks up over 4000m of
up/down with lots of exposed scrambling, abseiling and four rock climbs up to
severe grade, including the Thearlaich-Dubh Gap, Kings Chimney, Inaccessible
Pinnacle and the Basteir Tooth by Naismith’s route.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">A Zimmer Frame ascent of Sgurr du Mor via the Dubh Slabs is planned
for next year!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Mike</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E8XemN7WK8I/UXO565HmfFI/AAAAAAAAA4I/Fx8oi4oFz5Q/s1600/forgot+PJs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E8XemN7WK8I/UXO565HmfFI/AAAAAAAAA4I/Fx8oi4oFz5Q/s320/forgot+PJs.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"WHAT...no PJs"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WcA3H-Rnz7A/UXO55VMiGEI/AAAAAAAAA4A/DGqLRvDHx4M/s1600/sgurr+nan+Gillian-finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WcA3H-Rnz7A/UXO55VMiGEI/AAAAAAAAA4A/DGqLRvDHx4M/s320/sgurr+nan+Gillian-finish.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sgurr nan Gillian Finish</td></tr>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">You have received this email as by default you have been included on the the SMC club blog distribution list.
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If you would prefer not to be emailed the blog, please inform webmaster@swindonmountaineeringclub.co.uk to be removed. Note this will not remove you from the club email distribution list.</div>Chris Homewoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13301829262485830256noreply@blogger.com0Isle of Skye, UK57.242689899999988 -6.188241100000027556.693890399999987 -7.4791346000000276 57.791489399999989 -4.8973476000000273tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1520721663500559153.post-73528115215122808352012-05-20T11:00:00.000-07:002012-05-23T14:56:53.268-07:00MTB from LadybowerHaving bought "The Good Mountain Biking Guide" I was damn well going to use it!<br />
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The route was picked for the having the most annotation, indicating the arduous/ rewarding riding for our day!<br />
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Saturday was a no-goer really...as we realised that carrying the guidebook may have been a better option that trying the 'guess' the route..which created an arduous adventure!<br />
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After studying the route on Sunday, we headed off from Fairholmes Visitor Centre, Ladybower. The route contained some challenging and very demanding uphill sections (in the guidebook the climb from Shatton to Shatton Edge is described as "a monster"!), giving way to some excellent technical downhill trails notably along Derwent Edge (called in the guidebook "A top obstacle strewn descent) and to quarryrock-rumble trails down Pin Dale. A fine day...though must get the fitness up for next time!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/95525767/">http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/95525767/</a><br />
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Sorry about the picture...Phil got in the way! ;)<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">You have received this email as by default you have been included on the the SMC club blog distribution list.
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If you would prefer not to be emailed the blog, please inform webmaster@swindonmountaineeringclub.co.uk to be removed. Note this will not remove you from the club email distribution list.</div>Chris Homewoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13301829262485830256noreply@blogger.com0Ladybower Reservoir, Peak District National Park, Hope Valley, Derbyshire S33, UK53.3690785 -1.70035953.331182 -1.779323 53.406975 -1.621395tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1520721663500559153.post-50227192176567103472012-04-14T09:32:00.001-07:002012-04-16T15:00:34.759-07:00Quiz Night<div><p>Thanks for all those that came to support the quiz evening Martin organised last Tuesday.</p>
<p>The winning team were The Wroughton Wrotters (Bev, Any and Gill), second were Whale Oil Beef Hooked (Sasha, Tracey and Dave), third were The Greatest (Jim and Marcus a potential new member who turned up looking for the club). There was a tie break question to separate 4th and last which was won by At Home With Wood (Andy, Chris and Saz) who beat The Undecided (Simon, James and Sid).</p>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">You have received this email as by default you have been included on the the SMC club blog distribution list.
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Not the whisky.....but where does this refer to...??</div>
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Being in Sheffield over the weekend I couldn't resist the temptation to squeeze in an early morning run prior to my friends waking up following our night out...</div>
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Thankfully no one stirred as I grabbed for my alarm at 6am (bearing in mind the last ones only hit the sack a few hours prior to which I was oblivious).</div>
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Clearly too early for many, all was quiet, all was still. Leaving Sheffield via Ringalow Road I only passed one MTBer 'plodding' it out towards Stanage.</div>
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My arrival at Stanage's Burbage parking was marred by a thick blanket of mist, making me reconsider my options and sanity, especially as my car was the only car in the car park..... thankfully I kept to my original plan. </div>
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Without a map the plan was to run along the edges as far as time would permit to enable me to get back at a decent time to see my friends prior to heading down South for lunch with my family in Birmingham.</div>
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With poor visibility, only about 30-50m (see insert) and with uncertainty over the exact route I set off. The track was initially dry mud composite, making an easy running track making it easy to gain pace slowly.<br />
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Arriving at the top of Stanage Popular the 'track' had changed considerably. It was now the more familiar inter-dispersed small to medium boulder 'tops' that some of you will be familiar as used for your climbing anchor points. (Does anyone else always seem to find themselves doing a combo of having to use a shortened cordlette and crawling under them to thread it through?)<br />
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It was not before too long the boulderers became more interspersed by a wet mud path, though some might have said bath! Initially avoidable by choosing an offset line. Naturally I avoided the mud at all costs as one never wants to get their foot 'wet' prior to 'needing' to! This encourage me to play leapfrog between the boulders, later providing to not to be so wise!<br />
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After a while of hugging to the top of the Edge, I dropped down to make by return leg, hoping it would prove a little easier below the crag. This didn't prove to the be case...<br />
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Despite a clear path 'off'' the edge, this turned into a myraid of trails interwoved amongst the low-lying bracken. Conscious of the time, I picked up pace having the confidence of firm ground under foot, however this mean I wasn't quite so good at avoiding snagging my Helly (trouser) 'bottoms' every few meters.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6MXiu40c170/T1M3P4Jt1KI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/e1gAU9o9S6U/s1600/IMAG0060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6MXiu40c170/T1M3P4Jt1KI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/e1gAU9o9S6U/s320/IMAG0060.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">As I approached the beginning of the rock-edge the bracken wasn't giving way the the trails became 'rougher' under foot. This is a photo when I arrived back on the edge, as you can see </span>'Full' daylight was not realised by this point despite the visibility much improving. The reverse route it seemed a slog as I was trying to maintain speed, and as previously described the path was not really suited to such intentions. An example being where my 'mudclaws' lost their traction as I was bouncing between boulders and took a slip crashing onto my knee... a stark reminder that the playground (how I love to call the Peaks) doesn't come with crash mats! </div>
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As I left Stanage Popular I could make out two people leaving the car park, these were the first people I had seen! Were these walkers, or climbers. No knows, but it was good that others too would get to enjoy the pleasures of natures playground.</div>
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Thoroughly enjoyable, despite nursing my knee over one week on!</div>
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See my route...</div>
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<a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/71193998" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/71193998</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">You have received this email as by default you have been included on the the SMC club blog distribution list.
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It took a few days to get used to the climbing there - probably a combination of the long, steep walk-ins, the searing heat, the evening Rioja, 30m+ routes and a staple diet of chocolate biscuits and chorizo!<br />
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Eventually we did actually manage to get some decent routes done though, Jon bagging 4 or more 7a/+ routes, and me with an extra day, and extra layer of skin on my fingertips could have bagged my first 7b sport climb, next time!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1b2swBfnWA/T0wFqlKgkWI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/1YUf1T6kZ-k/s1600/Paris%2B%2526%2BEl%2BChorro%2B2012%2B072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1b2swBfnWA/T0wFqlKgkWI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/1YUf1T6kZ-k/s400/Paris%2B%2526%2BEl%2BChorro%2B2012%2B072.JPG" /></a></div><br />
On such a long trip you need a rest day, and what better way to recover than following a 90 year old crumbling footpath embedded (just!) into the walls of a 400ft deep gorge? Enter, the Caminito del Rey. Via ferrata all the way (mostly), although I wouldn't like to test the wires! A great day out nonetheless. (For a 3D guided tour, visit <a href="http://www.caminitodelrey.com">www.caminitodelrey.com</a>).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I462ESTuZuU/T0wF6Ot0TBI/AAAAAAAAA9k/eQaOeWPDIYI/s1600/Paris%2B%2526%2BEl%2BChorro%2B2012%2B240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I462ESTuZuU/T0wF6Ot0TBI/AAAAAAAAA9k/eQaOeWPDIYI/s400/Paris%2B%2526%2BEl%2BChorro%2B2012%2B240.JPG" /></a></div><br />
What better way to escape the British winter blues?!<div class="blogger-post-footer">You have received this email as by default you have been included on the the SMC club blog distribution list.
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">You have received this email as by default you have been included on the the SMC club blog distribution list.
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<br />
But first, the tedious task of packing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M6Bc9mOh_S8/TzwO6Ln-P1I/AAAAAAAAA88/3sqnxqvkgJI/s1600/2012-02-15+19.35.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M6Bc9mOh_S8/TzwO6Ln-P1I/AAAAAAAAA88/3sqnxqvkgJI/s400/2012-02-15+19.35.42.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">You have received this email as by default you have been included on the the SMC club blog distribution list.
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Last weekend did bike ride with Mike on Fri, followed by a night ride. On the Sat a proper 20miler MTB with Mike, followed by a hardcore run against the snow. Enjoyable Curry after the Rugby with Martin, Ifor, James, Dan, Tasmin, Herman and Jim.<br />
<br />
More details of these activates to follow.<br />
Woke Sunday with aching legs do took day off.<br />
Yesterday made mistake of winter run. The run was no mistake, however finishing in the dark without a head torch, and having had a beer before k started was!<br />
Anyhows on train to Bristol to go bouldering now :)<br />
Chris<div class="blogger-post-footer">You have received this email as by default you have been included on the the SMC club blog distribution list.
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<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">More info here: <a href="http://www.theclimbingacademy.com/blog/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #551a8b; text-decoration: none;">http://www.theclimbingacademy.com/blog/</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">-Ifor</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">You have received this email as by default you have been included on the the SMC club blog distribution list.
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<br />
I don't think there's anything easier than a 6a or harder there, so it's not a crag for the beginner! The best lines seem to be 7a/b and harder... a great excuse to get down to the wall and start training!<br />
<br />
-Ifor<div class="blogger-post-footer">You have received this email as by default you have been included on the the SMC club blog distribution list.
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<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IeMEKPPc8TY/TzlHhHD1PkI/AAAAAAAAA80/EzdjhSU9Xec/s1600/IMG_2126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IeMEKPPc8TY/TzlHhHD1PkI/AAAAAAAAA80/EzdjhSU9Xec/s400/IMG_2126.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">You have received this email as by default you have been included on the the SMC club blog distribution list.
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<br />
After struggling V.Diffs and Severes in all weathers for a couple of years my eyes were opened when I climbed with Rolend Edwards (still putting up new E3's in his late 40's) in 1966. He took us up our first H.V.S routes and showed us how to use the then "modern" protection - meccano nuts on bootlace nylon and the newly invented "moac" chocks. He was a superb technician and would spend hours on a pitch fiddling tiny nuts in the most unlikely places, He also realised that we had already climbed technically 5a and 5b moves on our "classic" routes in the wet with big boots and sac on. Also as a recent visit to Ogwen confirmed, our polished unprotected "Hard Severe" leads equated to H.V.S in Pembroke or elsewhere.<br />
<br />
Encouraged by this I gradually picked off most of the classic V.S routes in Wales, never quite achieving all the V.S's in the Llanberis Pass as some bugger kept putting up new ones every time I neared my goal! An equally depressing fact was that guide book writers kept mucking around with grades. For example after we climbed our first "extremes" such as Sickle, Brant Direct, Kaiserberge Wall they were all demoted to H.V.S.<br />
<br />
Another important aid to climbing we found was to never read guidebooks until after you had climbed the route as descriptions often designed to put you off. For example who in their right mind would go near Munich Climb, V.S on Tryfan that was described thus:<br />
<br />
"Only strong and competent parties should attempt this as it is not easily protected and there have been too many fatalities here. The crux is extremely exposed and a bad place to fall"!<br />
<br />
At last by the mid 1970's after a year of doing pull ups above the toilet door at work I felt that my arms were strong enough for <a href="http://www.ukclimbing.com/images/dbpage.html?id=91104" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cenetaph Corner</a>, now downgraded of course from extreme to a mere H.V.S. I found it steep but not unreasonable, provided of course you used the peg for aid and a rest as everyone did in those days.<br />
<br />
Cemetry Gates was left well alone as it sounded too steep and open for me - that was until this summer when after 23 years apprenticeship I finally felt ready. Thus, on a warm July morning, I found myself sorting gear under the route. I now had dozens of chocks and slings but still scorned "Friends" as nasty, mechanical monstrosoties that ripped trousers and were impossible to retrieve whenever I used them.<br />
<br />
Feeling extremely nervous I set off, the first thirty feet were wet from recent rain, and even reaching the first hard move seemed bad enough. A sweaty handhold and a bold swing up and left out if a niche brought a massive spike into reach and a rest. I was now committed and moved on quickly up the crack with another fingery move where the crack closed in. Above the crack continued but the moves onto the so-called belay ledge were done in a panic when my foot shot off leaving me suspended from small finger pockets. My arms were so weak that I could hardly pull onto the ledge and only after putting on three belays could I relax. I brought up my partner and then launched myself at the final crack, finding it as hard as anything below. Finally I pulled up over the top into sunshine with a whoop of joy, the whole route having taken only thirty minutes to climb.<br />
<br />
We felt elated and content as we ran back down the screen to the car park......that was until a spotty youth in leopardskin tights, casually doing one arm pull - ups on the Cromlech boulders said<br />
<br />
"Great crag that mate, my first trip to Wales this, I've just lead Left Wall and yes, that easy route on the right, Cemetry Gates I think its's called "<br />
<br />
You can't win can you?<br />
<br />
[By Colin Beechey, mid 1970s]<br />
Cemetry Gates on UKClimbing <a href="http://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/c.php?i=3202">http://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/c.php?i=3202</a><br />
Cenotaph Corner on UKClimbing <a href="http://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/c.php?i=3195">http://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/c.php?i=3195</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">You have received this email as by default you have been included on the the SMC club blog distribution list.
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