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::MMC Newsletter June 2009:: |
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This months newsletter has the Yorkshire meet report. Bea's Ecrins meet planning should be complete. Contact Andy M yesterday if your planning to go on the Portland meet, a great location and close enough to London to day-trip it. Please be aware of changes and important details of July (particularly for Lemony, Meggie and Max who might just have to go and organiser their own meet somewhere else!?!) and August meets, hence the NL has been brought forward, as well as a very prompt meet report, thanks Maija - if only they were all organisers so efficient... Although I am still trying to understand the 7 thread but then maybe it was the wrong way round, can you check please?. |
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::Meets |
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Next Meet: Swanage: 5th - 7th June Venue: Tom's Field Grid Ref: SY 995786 Organiser: Andrew Mennim (call him its this weekend!) Details: The trad and sport [Portland] limestone of the south coast and all a couple of hours from London. |
Future Meet(s): Les Ecrins 26th June - 5th July *** The meet of the year*** This is the meet you don’t want to miss out! The best campsite surrounded by everything the mountains and glaciers can offer you… and everything is walking distance, even the wine shop. Choose one of the Grandes Routes, climb it and return exhausted to a beautiful fire at the campsite to enjoy dinner and your well-deserved beer. There are easy bolted single pitch for your first climb, long easy bolted multi-pitch to warm up and practice your rope work (don’t forget getting down is always the most difficult part, so make sure you and your partner are very comfortable setting up abseils) and all the grades of difficulty and length to satisfy the hard-core ones, including long trad routes. Maybe this year the MMC conquers Barre des Ecrins at 4102m? Please don't be shy please contact Beatriz ASAP. |
North Wales: 24th - 26th July Venue: Gwern Gof Uchaf Grid Ref: SH 670599 Organiser: Wendy Kewley Details: The great mountains of North Wales in full midge season or 'Summer' as they know it round there. PLEASE NOTE: As its a working farm there is a strictly NO DOGS rule. 'White' Peak: 14th - 16th August Venue: Mandale House Organiser: Victoria Spashett(h) 02076283351 Details: Lathkill dale for the 'White Peak' more details next NL PLEASE NOTE: Change Of Location from the previously published one. |
Yorkshire May 2009 |
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Why was 6 afraid of 7? This may seem like a random way to start a meet report, but if you were on the trip to Yorkshire you’d understand why I’m still laughing. As this was my first MMC meet, I wasn’t sure what to expect…so let me tell you what happened… The drive up with Roz and Valarie was pleasant and uneventful. Our combined navigation skills were not so great, but we managed to arrive at the Dalesbridge camp just before mid-night. Michael and Andy arrived shortly after and we somehow found the other MMC tents. Apparently with every MMC membership you also receive an internal homing device, which allows you to locate other members in the dark. Day 1: I woke from a typical nights sleep in a tent, surprised to learn I would not be eating any ordinary camping breakfast! I would be privileged to a “Breakfast Royale” - courtesy of Roz and Valerie. Also, learnt the group was much smaller than expected; it appears that due to the credit crunch, one of the cars couldn’t afford the petrol and had to stop further south. That’s ok, more food for me!! The weather got better as we hiked to Crookrise craig; we didn’t waste any time stripping off our winter layers! With the sun occasionally breaking through the clouds we geared up to Trad climb. Michael, Andy and Stephanie led, while Roz, Valerie, Hannah and I seconded. After a slightly piggy start, we completed our first climb and the adrenaline starting pumping. Hannah and I spent most of the early afternoon climbing with Andy, who kindly lead despite a twisted ankle. Valerie and Michael climbed near by – this I knew because Michael has a very distinctive grunt. Stephanie and Roz were around, but we only saw them briefly when they stopped to eat. By mid-afternoon the sun was shinning and I got a chance to climb with Stephanie, who scaled the rocks effortlessly and always had energy for one more climb!! But like all good climbing days – there comes a time when your pumped forearms are in desperate need of a pint! Luckily we made it to the pub just in time to order the last 6 lamb shanks – we were a very creative bunch! Catered for in our private dinning room, we got to know each other better and most importantly we did not eat Crème Brule!! We arrived back at the camp, dosed Andy up with ibuprofen and realised Roz’s car was leaking something that smelled a lot like petrol…?! Day 2: Sunday started much like Saturday, Breakfast Royale complements of Roz and Valerie! We drove a little further this time, again with stellar navigation skills, to Brimham Rock. Patrick joined us for the climb, and from what I hear had a fantastic day; the pictures confirmed this rumour. With the groups encouragement, Hannah, Valerie and I all had the opportunity to lead a few routes! Well done us!! The weather was perfect, the climbing was a huge success, and by 7pm Roz had to drag us away! We found a great little pub for dinner in Pateley Bridge, and this time we were a little more creative with our food choices. We also learnt the Roz’s car was leaking a lot of petrol and made ourselves comfortable while we waited for AA to arrive. Fortunately we had a comedian amongst us, and were entertained for - what felt like - hours. Now you may not believe me, but close to mid-night the mood turned…. The AA man arrived and towed the car, Roz and Valerie to Bradford?!?! – as they left we weren’t convinced we would ever see them again! Luckily they arrived back at camp a few hours later. Meanwhile Hannah, Stephanie and I naively went back to camp in the car with Michael and Andy. Little did we know that during this eerie drive back there would be Werewolves in Appletreewick (no joke), accompanied with appropriately themed music courtesy of BBC3. We arrived back at the camp just in time for the freezing rain! Day 3: Torrential downpour or at least what sounded like it, kept us in our tents till late morning. We unanimously decided to forgo any activities for a greasy breakfast and a spot of shopping…for dry socks of course. I finally got a chance to speak to Sarah and Sarah, the two walkers, who were very friendly and told me they had a lovely weekend walking (I can’t remember where though). We headed back to London with countless scratches and bruises, smelling not so nice but still buzzing off the adrenaline. Maija ps – in case you are still wondering…7 ate 9 (Warning: actions may be required for desired comedic effect) |
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All quiet on this front, anyone would think they've stopped talking to me about things... :-) |
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Training
People don't improve their climbing by accident. You need
to practice. So if you want to up your grade, start leading or just not continue
as a V.diff bumbler for the rest of your life come to the wall and practice.
Fairly regular sessions are now taking place at the Westway and the Castle as
follows: |
Club Library The club has an ever expanding collection of books for use by members. These include climbing and walking guides, as well as guides to first aid, navigation, mountain weather etc. For a complete list check out the website. |
Safety There have been some fairly poor practices noticed of late. Climbing is dangerous and accidents do happen. Please look at this section of the website or try and go on a course if you have any doubts about your ability. |
Copy Deadline for copy for the next newsletter is July 10th or whenever I have enough content... Please send all copy to Robin newsletter. Please contact the organisers directly if you are coming on the meet. Don't forget it is the responsibility for the meet organiser to write the meet report and collect the images (send images direct to Nick please) |
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