Hertfordshire Mountaineering Club
Dear HMC
We’ve had a fantastic trip to the Italian Dolomites over July. Several members got to the top of the ‘Queen of the Dolomites’, the Marmalada with its shining glacier and precipitous spires. We’ve also had a trip to the Peak District, camping at Hardhurst Farm providing good opportunity for good walks around Kinder and/or climbing around Stannage.
Coming up in August we have two trips; one to the much loved Robertson Lamb Hut, Great Langdale Valley in the Lake District and one to Pembroke for some fantastic sea cliff climbing.
Its our usual monthly gathering on Tuesday 30 June at the Three Horseshoes starting at 8.30pm. 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 have a good catch up with other members.
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 our mountaineering hut in Snowdonia, is at Rhyd Ddu. On a clear day you can see the top of Snowdon and you can walk from here all the way to the summit on 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. The shops, restaurants and pubs of 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 pass and most other popular mountains crags and paths within central Snowdonia. Even Gogarth is only an hour’s drive away. When we climb on Cloggy, we walk there!
The hut is fitted with electrical storage heaters, which makes it comfortable. It has four bedrooms and sleeps 22 people in bunk beds. One room (with 6 beds) is always reserved exclusively for use by Oread members – leaving up to 16 beds available for hire by other clubs.
There are three toilets and both men’s and women’s washrooms with showers. The kitchen is fully equipped with gas cookers, microwave oven, electrical kettles, hot water boiler and toasters, plus all the necessary cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery. The dining room is adjacent to the kitchen. There is also a good-sized utility room with fridges, food storage racks and a drying room for wet clothes. We have a large lounge with an open fire. Wood and coal are supplied. Outside there is a lockable bike shed, wood store and coal bunker.
We have our own car park adjacent to the hut, which accommodates 10 car park.
Organiser: Paul Hearn
The Bunkhouse – Hostel is located at the foot of the famous Roaches, a formation of rocks stretching for approximatly 3 miles with magnificent views over Tittesworth reservoir. It is an ideal base for climbers, walkers and cyclists and from this base, there are endless walks, climbing and cycling routes in all directions. Leek is the closest town for shopping (3 miles approx).
The rooms are simple and for sleeping only, with a communal area, tables and chairs, log fire, TV, board games, vending machines. Kitchen facilities including fridge, cooker, microwave, kettle, cutlery, crockery, pots and pans. Coin operated showers are available plus toilets, wash basins and a drying room. A shelter for smokers is located outside. The Bunkhouse provides mattresses and pillows but you will need to bring your own sleeping bag, however sleeping bags are available for sale.
Rooms contain 2, 4 or 6 beds. Parking is provided on site. We have no facilities for pets at the moment and simple site rules apply.
Organiser: Kat Judah
The HMC’s most popular event is back for 2015; another night of delicious fun with those ever favourite combinations of big bursting bombastic bangers and marvellous mashy goodness all wrapped up in the Herts Snowdonia Hut, cooked and served by the fair hands of the club’s committee (and any other willing volunteers). Book your place early to avoid dissappointment.
Organiser: Paul Hearn
An opportunity to show off your magnificent images taken over the year and talk about your experiences with other members.
The HMC Christmas event will be at the Sparrowhawk Independent Hostel in Moretonhampstead which is located in the Dartmoor national park.
Sparrowhawk Backpackers is a charming small friendly, relaxed, eco hostel, located in hillside village of Moretonhampstead, in the atmospheric Dartmoor National Park, south-west.
Visitors are accommodated in a beautifully converted stone stable, typical of the area, the dorm being originally a hay loft. The kitchen is fully equipped including tea/coffee and opens onto a courtyard where you are welcome to have a bar-b-q and fire. Books, maps and advice on the best hiking, cycle routes, archaeological sites and wild swims available at the hostel.
The local Tourist Info. Centre is just 2 mins walk
http://www.sparrowhawkbackpackers.co.uk/index.ghtml.
Organiser: Steve Deaville
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