Hertfordshire Mountaineering Club
Dear HMC Members
‘Speakers from the Edge brings living legend, Sir Ranulph Fiennes to St Albans this week. Officially ‘the world’s greatest living explorer’ – is bringing his new ‘audience with…’ style theatre presentation, A Life at the Limits, to the Alban Arena, St. Alban’s, on Thursday, 2 July
Sir Ranulph’s shows appeal to people who enjoy adventure activities and the big outdoors, with appreciation for adventurous life stories, so we would be very grateful if you would let your members know about the event. More info can be found here: http://bit.ly/1DtIoBn
While I would love to say that Ran will be attending our pub social on Tuesday 30 June before his event on Thursday but I can’t, so its his loss that he won’t be meeting our lovely little group. Just a quick reminder that tomorrow evening will be the next HMC social at the Three Horseshoes in Smallford from 8:30. We have a couple of prospective members wanting to attend so it would be good to see some of you there tomorrow to give them a big HMC welcome.
See you then
Steve Deaville
HMC Secretary
Dear HMC members
Jacqui Deakin has kindly offered to edit the next edition of CRUX magazine, the HMC’s dedicated publication, written by members for members. Jacqui is would like to request any contributions to the next edition in the form of articles, trip reports, photos, gear reviews and anything that explores what we love about the outdoors and mountains.
Click here to go to the CRUX website page for previous editions
Whether its climbing, hiking, mountaineering, biking, walking skiing, ice climbing or just good ol’ walking, you are welcome to submit your articles for the reading enjoying of your fellow club members. Crux will be distributed beyond the club readership in order to entice new prospective members into the club by showing the amazing adventures we have.
So if you’ve had a particularly interesting experience that you think other members would be interested in, why not write about it?
The deadline for articles is Monday 20 July. Please try to keep your articles to around 700 words. Photos are welcome to be sent (JPEG files please) to enhance your articles.
All information to be sent to crux@thehmc.co.uk by the deadline date to make the next edition.
As Secretary of the Club, I sometimes receive some interesting emails from third parties most of which is usually junk. I have recently received the below email from a trainee mountain instructor called James who is looking to gain his MIA in the next six months and would like to use the time before his assessment to get in as much experience as possible. His request is below. If anyone in the club is intersted in taking up this offer, just drop me a line and I’ll put you in touch with James directly.
Dear Stephen,
I have located your email on the Hertfordshire Mountaineering website- I hope you don’t mind me contacting you directly.
I have a strange request, which I hope Hertfordshire Mountaineering will be able to help with.
I am an MIA (Mountaineering Instructor Award) trainee based in Bedford and am preparing to undertake the assessment for the award in the next 6 months. In preparation for the assessment, I am looking to diversify my client base and work with mountaineers from a wider variety of backgrounds.
Specifically, I am looking to offer multi-pitch climbing and scrambling instruction, coaching and/or guiding to a wide range of people and for a range of aims and objectives. Relevant people would be those new to multi-pitch or have not climbed for some time, those looking to progress their lead climbing outdoors, and those looking to get into the mountains for the first time. Of course, I would not be looking to charge for this, and I am willing to assist with transport to and from Snowdonia and/or Lake District for weekends, for a nominal contribution to fuel costs.
I am hoping to offer this during the weekends of July, August and September, and can provide any equipment as required, other than climbing shoes. Ideally, I would be looking to work with two people at a time.
Do you know of anyone within the club who would be appropriate, and appreciate some free mountaineering tuition? If so, I would love to hear from them by email or phone
Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.
All the best for now
Steve
HMC Secretary
Dear HMC members
This is just a quick message for our upcoming trip to the Lake District on 19 June to Baysbrown Farm. If the recent warm weather is anything to go by then this camping trip looks set to be a good one. Located deep in the heart of the fabulous Great Langdale Valley from where you can climb up into the heart of Scafell, tackle Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell, or stand on top of Pike of Stickle.
This camping trip is booked at Baysbrown farm Campsite in Great Langdale Valley. Baysbrown Farm Campsite is located about 7 miles from Ambleside in the village of Chapel Stile at the entrance to the stunning Great Langdale Valley at the heart of the Lake District. It is a working Lakeland farm with an area set aside for camping.
The view from the campsite is spectacular and is a superb location for fell walking and climbing. Routes include Bowfell, Crinkle Crags, The Langdale Pikes and even Scafell Pike.
There are great low level walks through woodlands, valley bottoms and picturesque villages including Elterwater. It is also a great base for exploring the larger villages nearby including Ambleside, Grasmere and Hawkeshead. Basic facilities include solar powered showers, toilets, a washing up room and drinking water. We also have a waste/recycling point. Small camper vans and motorhomes are welcome but a narrow entrance with a hump bridge makes anything larger impossible. There is no hard standing or electric hook-up.
Organiser: Rebecca Smith (Outdoor Meets Rep)
Looking down into Great Langdale Valley
The descent from Loft Crag
Dear HMC
Since our last update we have had a brilliant trip to the Isle of Purbeck in May with lots of sea cliff climbing despite a wet Sunday. Here are some images on Facebook taken by one of our new members. Thanks Przemek. The upcoming HMC events are listed below.
Paul Hearn is holding a meeting to review the details of the upcoming Dolomites trip. If you are going to the Dolomites or are intending to go on the Dolomites trip, this meeting will be a good opportunity to get more details and finalise plans and travel arrangements. If you cannot attend please do contact Paul Hearn.
This camping trip is booked at Baysbrown farm Campsite in Great Langdale Valley. Baysbrown Farm Campsite is located about 7 miles from Ambleside in the village of Chapel Stile at the entrance to the stunning Great Langdale Valley at the heart of the Lake District. It is a working Lakeland farm with an area set aside for camping.
The view from the campsite is spectacular and is a superb location for fell walking and climbing. Routes include Bowfell, Crinkle Crags, The Langdale Pikes and even Scafell Pike. There are great low level walks through woodlands, valley bottoms and picturesque villages including Elterwater. It is also a great base for exploring the larger villages nearby including Ambleside, Grasmere and Hawkeshead. Basic facilities include solar powered showers, toilets, a washing up room and drinking water. We also have a waste/recycling point. Small camper vans and motorhomes are welcome but a narrow entrance with a hump bridge makes anything larger impossible. There is no hard standing or electric hook-up.
Organiser: Rebecca Smith (Outdoor Meets Rep)
The view from Baysbrown campsite of Great Langdale
Its our usual monthly gathering on Tuesday 30 June at the Three Horseshoes starting at 8.30pm. We have had low turnout for the monthly socials over recent months. As well as being an opportunity to meet up with fellow club members and enthusiasts, the monthly social is usually the first point of contact for potential new members to come and talk to members to find out more information. The socials are there to provide members the opportunity to discuss and plan upcoming events as well as having a good catch up with others. If you can, I would like to encourage all members to consider attending at least one of the monthly socials each year – please do use the event listing on the HMC website to post a message if you intend to go which may encourage others to attend.
Our summer trip this year is to the fabulous Dolomites in north Italy. The image below speaks a volumes about what adventures you can have in this location. The plan is to spend one week camping near to Cortina to explore the mountains in that region which could include the famous Tre Cima national park. During the second week the plan is to relocate to a campsite in Corvara (to the west of Cortina) to explore that region which includes the mightly Marmalada, Queen of the Dolomites. Ice and crampons required for that one. There are plenty of opportunities for daily hikes, multi day hikes (using the huts), climbing, via ferrata and even mountain biking.
Contact Paul Hearn if interested in going as the organiser for the trip
The magnificent Dolomites
The HMC are returning to the Hardhurst Campsite near Hope in the Peak District for this event. A great location to access Mam Taw, Kinder Scout, the great Ladybower reservoir or the Stannage climbing area. Basic facilities include showers, toilets and wash rooms, onsite cafe (which does the most amazing breakfast bap). Nearby pub only 5 mins walk away for a good pint and a hearty meal. Organiser: Chris Smith
Climbing in Stanage – a short drive from Hardhurst Farm Campsite
One of the HMC’s favorite venues in the Lake District is the Robertson Lamb hut (RLH). Situated in the Great Langdale Valley the Wayfarers’ Club hut officially opened on Saturday 16th March 1930. RLH was the first dedicated climbing hut in the Lake District. Converted from an existing 18th century barn, the hut is named in memory of Robertson Lamb, whose sister largely financed the conversion. There have been many alterations since 1930, but they have always maintained the character of the hut and its surroundings. As a base for mountain adventure and valley conviviality, RLH has a special place in Wayfarers’ hearts.
Organiser Jane Eyre
Upstairs men only bunkroom for eighteen, two wc’s, shower, wash basins. Six bunks reserved at all times for the use of Wayfarers and Climbers Club members. Downstairs mixed accommodation in the annexe with 12 bunks, two wc’s, shower, wash basin.
Lounge with open fire. Kitchen with gas & electric stoves, ovens, microwave, fridge, pots & pans, plates, cutlery etc. Drying room. Car parking for approximately 8 cars (car sharing is a good idea for this event – or leave your car in Ambleside and take the Dungeon Gill Hotel bus, getting off half a mile before the hotel) – OS map reference NY 304067
Looking east, down into Great Langdale Valley.
Camping in Pembrokeshire; tides are favourable this weekend for climbing sea cliffs. Plenty of walking & biking can be done in the area too. Campsite,Glebe Farmhouse, Bosherton. The camping facilities are basic , but normally does have a freezing cold shower which is great, plus easy walking to the local pub with great food. Organiser: Chris Smith
Sea cliff climbing in Pembroke
Tan Yr Wyddfa hut in Snowdonia, it’s an old station masters house, at Rhyd Ddu and you can walk from here all the way to the summit of Snowdonia the well marked Rhyd Ddu path.
The hut is also a superb base for walks onto the Nantlle ridge, Moel Hebog, Mynydd Mawr and Yr Aran. There is a pub, a café and a Welsh Highland Railway station close by. Beddgelert are only five miles away. The hut is well placed for rock climbing in Snowdonia anywhere – being within easy driving distance of Tremadog, the Moelwyns, the Llanberis e.t.c. Organiser: Paul Hearn
The Tan Yr Wyddfa Hut
Thats it for now folks. Don’t forget, we’re looking to update the website with new photos and content for the next edition of Crux. Any members welcome to submit their artices/photos to the committee or upload directly to the website.
Steve Deaville
HMC Secretary