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::MMC Newsletter March 2010:: |
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Important bit - If folks hadn't spotted - the typical Easter UK meet at Cornwall has been reinstated after flirtations with Scotland and the snow. Finally the late running February newsletter. Still an absense of meet reports, badgering or not has not lead to many words reaching my inbox - Wendy & Chuck & Tony T you know to whom I refer. Also I think 'tba' will be busy organising all these meets... V.dl.R; any chance of getting people to organise some meets - I recommend press-ganging the laggards whilst they've had a shandy or three at one of the social meets. The very excellent idea of recording the fwit stories for furture generations of MMCers somewhere on the website was mentioned to myself on the last meet. This I think is an top notch suggestion, will start adding these soon as for some reason I have good knowledge of most of the recent events for either being responsible for them or doing the speach more times in recent years than I care to remember too clearly. And I promise, promise, promise to add some piccies in next time and a bit of a style mashup... as long as I get those bloomin meet reports... ps. thanks for Ric's 2007 meet report, will include next time round. |
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::Social Events |
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MMC Potluck Feast: Venue: Nancy's House Details: 6pm, Saturday, 6th March Potluck at my pad. A potluck is a gathering of people where each person or group of people contributes a dish of food to be shared among the group. The last few potlucks have brought out the competitive MMC spirit, not in the great outdoors but in the kitchen! Dust off the aprons and let the cooking begin.On the menu will be a selection of yummy consumables made by those who decide to come! RSVP, email me[nancy], your social secretary at socialsec@themmc.org.uk and let me know whether you will be bringing a main, side or dessert! Don't want us all overdosing on desserts only! Or take Pot Luck...?? |
Last Social Meet: The last social meet took place 4th Feb at the very lovely Islington Chapel for the Banff Mountain Film Festival. There were 12 of us in total consisting of MMC members (Nancy, Jason, Petra, Mike, Jason, Cath B, Maija, Andy, Elwyn, and Jeremy) and joining us was Andy number 2 and Zena invited by Cath and Nancy. Those arriving early enjoyed a wholesome cooked meal where proceeds went to a local charity and a few drinks were thoroughly enjoyed before spending the next 4 hours watching 7 films ranging from crazy solo climbs in Yosemite, mountain biking, speed flying, crazy perpetual slides, to a not so pleasant documentary about solo kayaking across the Tasman Sea. Unfortunately, no one in the group had exotic enough names to win a number of items available through the prize draw available that night, not that any of us would need a free climbing lesson at the Castle! If you missed out for the Banff Film festival, February provides a bumper season of activities with not just one but 2 social activities. Mark your calendar for the next February event. Spend the 26th February with Josie Dew, intrepid cyclist at the Gallery, followed by dinner and drinks in Farringdon area with a few other fellow MMC'ers. |
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::Meets |
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Next Meet: Peak District: 19th - 21st March Venue: Thorpe Farm Bunkhouse Organiser: tba Details: Peaks, you know the usual... grit climbing, valley walking and cycling all easily accessable from London within about 3 hours. Staying at Thorpe Farm Bunkhouse - Old Shippon, up stairs. And the meet report is likely to start with the words 'several of us went up the hill to stanage...' |
Future Meet(s): Cornwall: 2nd- 5th April Venue: tba Organiser: tba Details: tba |
Fontainebleau: 2nd- 5th April Venue: Camping La Musardiere Organiser: Simon Menzies-Back'acher(w) 01372838144 (m) 01372838144 Details: Font, home of the most classic bouldering rock on the planet. The gang will be off down there to sleep on bouldering mats, work on their tans and drink the local hooch. The smelly cheese isn't too bad and comparable in intensity with Simon's rock shoes ;-) Yorkshire: 30th- 3rd May To follow shortly after the two Easter Meets. Watch the website for details. |
NY Meet - 2009 Words by A.N.Onomus |
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People went, things happened... |
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January North Wales Meet - 2010 Words by A.N.Onomus |
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People went, things happened... Like rescuing old ladies off nearby hillsides and losing the hut key... maybe. |
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Feb Lakes Meet 2010 |
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Jase and Andrew were the first to arrive at the George Starkey hut in Patterdale ('one of the better ones') on Friday, and further to a short foray into the hills met Margaret (not a formal meet attendee) who had driven over to say 'hi'. The following morning the perfectly gender-balanced group (though I am not sure about the dogs) split into more and less hard-core elements, all intent on ascending Helvellyn, just across from the hut, by means of one route or another. Simon A, Janet, John and Sarah G did the classic (and, given the ice factor, rather scary-sounding to yours truly) approach via Striding Edge. Elwyn and Robin's preference was for the similarly exposed Swirrel Edge. Meanwhile, Jase, Andrew, Melissa (newby) and Sarah W took the broader and easier way in via Glenridding. All agreed that the experience at the summit was stunning. Powdery snow and bright sunshine, with extensive and beautiful views across the fells. On the return, Simon and Janet took Swirrel Edge, then, at an appropriate point, stopped to practice ice-axe arrests. John and Sarah headed out via Dollywaggon Pike, then, with impressively renewed energy, ascended Fairfield, and came out along St Sunday Crag. Elwyn and Robin took a route out to the north as far as the lesser spotted Lakes ski resort - including skiers (downhill & telemark) and borders. Jase, Andrew, Melissa and Sarah W went via Dollywaggon Pike, Grisedale Tarn and Grisedale. Sunday was snowing, with poor visibility higher up. John, Elwyn, Jase and Andrew did a circuit involving an ascent of High Street, experiencing whiteout and the opportunity to practice micro-navigation skills. Simon and Janet headed for Glen Cathra, for more (relative) exposure. Sarah G and Melissa sauntered in the vicinity of Sheffield Pike, and Sarah W the same along the opposite shore of Ullwater. Robin went fell running around the back of Place Fell. (The covering of snow even at low levels made for a picturesque experience.) In turn, all pitched up at Fell Bites in Patterdale, and got waylaid by lunch. Jase and Andrew stayed on for Monday, in retrospect a smart move given the unusual and wonderful weather conditions. Sarah W |
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Debbie was the latest member of the MMC to become engaged, sad to report no other MMC member involved.
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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 come to the wall and practice. Regular sessions take place at the Westway and the Castle as follows:
Sunday afternoon at the Castle contact Patrick Regnault patrick @ themmc |
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 11ish April unless I'm snowed in still. Please send all copy to Robin newsletter @ mmc. 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 photos @ themmc.) |
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