Hertfordshire Mountaineering Club

HMC – January 2016 Club Update

 Dear HMC members

Welcome to 2016!

We are just a few weeks into the New Year and we’ve already had a brilliant event in Seathwaite, Lake District. On the hills, our little group of mountaineers found some white stuff despite having one of the mildest Decembers on record. Some pictures below:

 

Brasher Socks for Charity – snow joke!

The HMC has been contacted by a St Albanite called Ed who is taking on the challenge of ski trekking to the North Pole in April, raising money for charity. Ed has been given a whole bunch of brand new Brasher socks and wants to sell them to raise funds for his chosen charities. If anyone is interested in some new socks for 2016 contact Ed on ed2northpole@gmail.com

Upcoming Events

Allenburys Adventure Series – One Man’s Everest -Tuesday 26 January, 8pm

Ware is Kenton Cool? On Tuesday 26th january, the reknowned British mountaineer, Kenton Cool will be speaking about his adventures at Allenburys Sports and Social Club, Ware. Details are below if you are interested in attending.

VIDEO Ice Climbing-Ooyala Master HQ Quality Based.mp4

Kenton Cool is probably the UK’s top mountain guide and holds the record for the most ascents of Everest – 11, as well as being the first person to traverse Nuptse, Everest and Lhotse in one single expedition without returning to base camp. Not to mention a number of 8000m ski descents. Hear the story of the book!

 Tickets £10.00 – on the door or ring 01920 882189

For advance sales. Doors /bar open from 5pm.

Allenburys Sports and Social Club, Harris’s Lane, Ware, Herts, SG12 ODJ.

……..Also on Tuesday 26 January – HMC Pub Social

For those not interested in seeing Kenton Cool (really???!) the HMC pub social is at the Three Horseshoes as usual from 8.30pm in the main bar at the Three Horseshoes, 612 Hatfield Road, Smallford, ST ALBANS, Hertfordshire AL4 0HP. We usually get a few new prospective members coming in January wanting to get out and about to beat the mince pie bulge diligently developed over Christmas. It would be good to have a few HMC members coming along to speak to anyone new who may wish to join.  

Cyn Dyli Hut, Snowdonia, Wales 19 – 21 February 2016

The Cwm Dyli  (also known as the Emily Kelly Hut) is in Nant Gwynant below Snowdon (GR SH 653541). It was just a shell when the Pinacle Club first got it in 1932. It now has electricity for cooking and lighting, a fully equipped kitchen, hot shower and alpine bunks for 22 people. There is also a coal stove plus storage heaters for winter warmth. Coal is available but you will need to bring your own kindling. Parking is available approximately 150 metres from the hut. Plenty of walking, scrambling and climbing in the area.

Emily Kelly Hut

HMC AGM – March – TBC

Info to come on the AGM.

Aviemore Station Bunkhouse – Scotland 24 – 29 March 2016

For our Easter trip we’ll be heading north of the boarder to venture into the wilds that is the Cairngorm National Park. We have secured 8 places at the award winning modern hostel offering cheap, self-catering accommodation but places are going fast. Book your place now to avoid dissappointment.

Quiet, central location beside the River Spey and 5 minutes walk from shops, pubs, cafes, train and coach station. All bedlinen and towels provided. Free WiFi. Fully equipped self-catering kitchen. Cycle storage and car parking.

The Hostel has a drying room with heated boot rack. Coffee, tea and sugar is provided in the kitchen. It is located only 5 minutes from Aviemore railway station.

The magnificence of the Cairngorm National Park cannot be over emphasised but please do sign up to receive updates for the Scottish Avalanche Information Service http://www.sais.gov.uk/ before venturing out onto the hills.

 

Pen Ceunant Uchaf Hut, Llanberis 15 – 17 April 2016

In April, we will be heading back to Snowdonia for our Annual Dinner Meet and staying in the Pen Ceunant Hut. The Hut can be found on the tourist path up Snowdon about 300m above Llanberis, Caenarfon. There is ample parking outside the hut. From the hut there are wonderful views across the valley to Moel Eileo and also across Llanberis pass to Elidir Fawr. The accommodation consists of a common room, dining room, kitchen, Male and Female toilets and washing facilities, a shower and a drying room.The Kitchen is fully equipped with a gas cooker, cooking hobs and microwave cookers. There are also fridges, kettles and toasters. All cutlery, crockery and cooking pot and utensils are present There is also a sink with a hot water heater.  A group meal for the dinner will be organised nearer the time

HMC Membership Renewal for 2016

The HMC membership fee from the start of 2016 is £22. The new membership fee covers the BMC subscription fees and will also help the club to maintain a healthy financial position to continue to support future events.

If you are renewing your membership for 2016, fees can be made by:

– e-bank transfer to the HMC account (SC 20-74-09) (AC 90371467) – please notify the treasurer by email
– sending a cheque made payable to the Hertfordshire Mountaineering Club (not HMC) to the treasurer or secretary.
– cash given to committee members at the pub socials.

Please note that if any of your contact or address details have changed over the last 12 months, please complete a HMC membership form providing your new details and send it to the Secretary together with your membership fee. Membership forms can be downloaded from here http://www.thehmc.co.uk/membership/

A window of three months is open to renew your membership until 31 March to coincide with the HMC’s requirement to update subscription fees to the BMC each quarter.

Please note that in order to receive your Spring edition of the BMC magazine, Summit, please renew your membership by the end of February 2016.

As a demonstration of support for our mountain rescue services in 2016, the HMC is offering the option to make an additional discretionary contribution of £3 as part of the membership renewal which will be given to a nominated mountain rescue charity. The contribution will be entirely optional. If you wish to make a contribution please add £3 to your membership fee.

All the best

Steve Deaville

HMC Secretary

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