Hertfordshire Mountaineering Club

HMC – April 2016 Update

Dear HMC Members

This is your club update for April 2016. We had an excellent trip to Aviemore this Easter with eight members hitting the Munros in the Cairngorm National Park. The weather, while changeable was generally good and allowed us to get out onto the hills including ascents of snow capped Ben Macdui, Cairngorm, Bynack More.

Chris Smith at the top of the Ficalli Ridge

David Ball in Glen Avon

On the way up to Ben Macdui with Steve Deaville, Jane Eyre, David Ball & Rebecca Smith

Dave Williams and Adam Harris practicing their navigation skills

The hero award goes to our Chairman, Paul Hearn who, about to sit down to a lovely home cooked meal, pretty much saved the lives of two young chaps who were about to throw water onto an electric heater fire; threw them out of the hostel and then grabbed the heater while it was ablaze and threw it into the road to save a whole bunch of gear in the drying room as well as the hostel itself. Well done Paul for your quick thinking and action.

We’ve got a few events coming up this month including the AGM on 19 April and our Annual Dinner meet. More info below:

Pen Ceunant Uchaf Hut, Llanberis 15 – 17 April 2016

This April, we will be heading back to Snowdonia and staying in the Pen Ceunant Hut. If you think that you’d like to brush up on your navigation (Chris?) then Paul Hearn will be happy to take a small group out on the hills to practice their skills. If interested, please email Paul paulhchairmanhmc@gmail.com

We’ve booked places at The Heights for our Annual Dinner on Saturday night. The menu will be circulated in due course. http://www.castell-caernarfon.co.uk/heights.html

After dinner we’ll head back to the hut for pudding and the usual round of announcements and thank you speech from our Chairman.

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.

The Hut can be found on the tourist path up Snowdon about 300m above Llanberis, Caenarfon.

The Pen Ceunant Uchaf Hut

HMC – Annual General Meeting – Tuesday 19 April, 7:30pm (doors open 6:30)

The AGM will be held on Tuesday 19 April at 7:30 in Costwold, St Albans. Doors open at 6:30 for some shopping. We’ll be reviewing how the club is doing and its a great opportunity for members to have their say on any subject of the club. There will also be the usual elections for all committee positions so if you have an idea about the running of the club or want more involvement why not put yourself forward for a position.

The HMC will be looking for a new Chairman as Paul Hearn has decided to stand down having served five consecutive years on committee. Thanks Paul for all your hard work over the last five years.

If you are interested in a position and want to find out more, just speak to a member of the current committee about what we do.

The exciting new edition of CRUX (the HMC club magazine) will be distributed at the AGM to all members present.

Tuesday 26 April – HMC Social at the Three Horseshoes from 8:30pm

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.

Come along and have a catch up with fellow members, make arrangements for trips, talk about your last adventures and meet prospective members.

Wasdale – Lake District – 29 April to 2 May (Bank Holiday Weekend)

A remote valley with towering mountains, cascading screes and a moody lake, Wasdale is an adventurer’s paradise. Whether you arrive by car, on foot or on a bike, the route into the valley is a challenge but the rewards are second to none.

Our campsite sits between Wastwater and Wasdale Head and provides immediate access to the highest fells in the Lake District, including England’s highest peak, Scafell Pike.

In addition to regular camping pitches, the site boasts seven heated camping pods, two Nordic tipis with wood burning stove as well as campervan pitches with hardstandings and electric hook up.

We are staying in the fantastic National Trust Campsite.The club has booked the campsite and paid in full, hence the money required prior to attending the event.

Wasdale Valley in full glory!

Cornwall – Tevaylor Camping Site – 27 May 2016 (May Bank Holiday)

The HMC will be off to Cornwall for the second May Bank Holiday; staying in a fantastic area of Cornwall St Just where there is amazing sea cliff climbing and great walks to be had. The campsite has great facilities, Shop, Bar, Showers, Toilets, Restaurant and WIFI.

download   download (1)

The lovely Cornwall seaside

The Peak District – Hardhurst Camp site – 17 June 2016

This is a little gem of a camp site, located in a great spot to access the delights of the Peak District. Plenty of walking, climbing and biking in the area.

The Travellers Rest is nearby for good food and a drink. Toilet and shower facilities and a breakfast bar are also available.

 

That’s it for now. Hope to see you all at the AGM on 19 April. Don’t forget that we have the annual dinner meet coming up this month and we will be looking for a new Chair at the AGM.

All the best

Steve Deaville

HMC Secretary

Follow us on Twitter @HertsMC
Sign Up to our Facebook page https://m.facebook.com/groups/17945758304?ref=bookmarks