Hertfordshire Mountaineering Club

HMC – November 2.1 Update – Christmas Meal & More

Dear HMC Members

We have lots of good stuff coming up over the next few weeks including the culmination of 2014 with our annual Christmas trip.

HMC – Slide Show – 18 November – St Albans Cotswold 7:30pm

Come and join us at our annual slide show and see some of the varied trips and activities club members have undertaken in the last year. If you would like to contribute some images to the slide show and talk about your experiences please contact Paul Hearn. thechairman@thehmc.co.uk

Held at the St. Albans branch of Cotswold Outdoors where you can use your 15% discount by showing your membership card. Show starts at 7.30pm. Optional beverages in nearby pub afterwards.

Chris’s Sunday Walk – 30 November – 10am – Rose & Crown – Essendon

Chris Frost is running another of his spendid Sunday walks, this time from Essendon. Starting at 10 am from the Rose and Crown Pub in Essendon (TL275085), its a 10 mile circular walk. Bring packed lunch, but we will have a drink at one of the pubs on route and/or at the Rose and Crown at the end of the walk. Book your place to let Chris know you’ll be attending.

Details can be seen at: http://www.walkingbritain.co.uk/walks/walks/walk a/1024/

HMC Pub Social – 25 November – The Three Horseshoes – Smallford

Its our regular monthly get together at the Three Horseshoes for a good ol’ chin wag. Come and join for a catch up and a drink and see what other members are getting up to.

Christmas Dinner Weekend – Eyam YHA – 12 December to 14 December

For our annual Christmas meal in December, the HMC have booked a weekend at the historic, medieval inspired YHA in the village of Eyam. This captivating Victorian folly resembles a tiny turreted castle perched on the hillside overlooking historic Eyam.

Eyam Youth Hostel

Eyam itself is famous for being the village of self sacrifice during the ‘Plague’ which decimated England in the mid 1600s which it quarantined itself from neighbouring villages and selflessly stopped the disease spreading to other communities.

On Saturday night, the YHA will be hosting a four course Christmas meal with cheese which is all included in the price of the trip. Please see the menu below for meal options.

For 2014 Christmas Meal - YHA Eyam

For 2014 Christmas Meal – YHA Eyam

The YHA would like us to confirm the meal options by the end of November if possible. If you are booked onto the event please could you email the event organiser with your preferred options or post a message on the event message board.

 If you are not yet booked and wish to attend please ensure that you book your place quickly to avoid dissapointment at this popular annual event. 

The accommodation is a fully licensed hostel. There is plenty to do in including climbing, walking & biking in the area. The Price includes 2 nights accommodation, 2 breakfasts and Saturday nights Xmas Dinner- which is always a jolly affair not to be missed so book now to guarantee your place!

http://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/eyam

 If you have any questions feel free to email us at thecommittee@thehmc.co.uk

All the best

Steve Deaville

HMC Secretary

HMC Ski Trip – March 2015

Dear HMC Members

HMC SKI TRIP march 14th-21st 2015

A part of the calendar of events for 2015, HMC member, Gary Bebb is offering to arrange a week’s ski trip to the French Alps in March to HMC members.

The proposed event would see a HMC trip to the Ski Chalet La Source, located in the charming traditional Alpine village of Villard Reculas close to Alpe d’Huez and quickly linked to 250km of varied skiing in the Alpe d’Huez domain – including la Sarenne, the longest black run in Europe and Pic Blanc at 3330 metres.

The Chalet is 300m from the nearest ski lift which takes you into the domain of Alp d’Huez. The ski chalet is a converted 200 year old traditional Oisans stone barn facing south with panoramic uninterrupted views of the surrounding mountains. Home comforts include: free view TV, free WIFI, outdoor Jacuzzi, Crabtree and Evelyn toiletries, ski boot warmer, wood burning stove, and stylish bathrooms with Italian showers.

http://www.lasourcechalet.co.uk/

How much will it cost?

The trip is initially offered to 12 HMC members but could be increased to 16 if there is enough interest. Gary can also arrange a few introductory ski touring courses if requested

The estimated cost breakdown for the trip is below:

  • Half board accommodation for seven nights, £490
  • Ski hire and boots, 132 Euro for 7 days, (pay in resort)
  • Lift pass 6 days 248 euro (pay in resort)

The price includes choice of continental or cooked breakfasts, cake and drinks in the afternoon when you return from skiing, three course evening meal with wine. The trip is suitable for beginners, ski school is 120 Euro

Flights to Grenoble could be arranged individually by each member or could be arranged as a group by Gary if there was enough interest.

At the time of writing Ryanair flights from Stansted to Grenoble is around £40. Gary recommends flights FR2138 outbound & FR2139 inbound.

Interested?

If you are interested in going on this trip please book you place on the published HMC France Ski Trip event and contact HMC Member Gary Bebb directly to express your interest. Early expressions of interest to fill the places will ensure that the trip will go ahead. Gary will be going to the HMC Bangers and Mash meet and is happy to discuss details.

Steve Deaville
HMC Secretary
thesecretary@thehmc.co.uk

HMC November Update & 2015 Events Calendar

Dear HMC Members

HMC 2015 Calendar

I am pleased to announce that the events for 2015 have been uploaded onto the HMC website. We have some real corkers to look forward to next year so be sure to book on them quickly. Some key events next year include the Castleton meet at the end of January, the Easter trip to Glen Coe, a week’s skiing in France, two weeks in the  Dolomites in July and much more.

It is hoped that the events booked for 2015 reflect more of what our members asked for in the recent HMC survey which is more huts, bunkhouses and camping events in interesting parts of the country.

In order to view all the events planned for next year, simply select the ‘Events’ tab on the HMC website Home Page, and click ‘Events Calendar’. Then simply scroll through the calendar to see the events planned for 2015. Alternatively you can use the Advanced Search function on the Upcoming Events page.

Bangers & Mash Update – Hert Snowdonia Hut – 7 November to 9 November

The Hertfordshire Snowdonia Hut is now fully booked up. If you didn’t get your skates on in time to get a bed in the hut, fear not as there are plenty of other accommodation options available at the local YHAs so that you can still join in on the Bangers & Mash meal.

The nearest one is Bryn Gwynant YHA with its splendid Victorian building over looking the lake. Or you might want to stay in the Pen-y-Pass YHA and see Mallory’s signature in the old guest book from 1921. You will need to book your own accommodation but dont forget to book onto the Bangers & Mash meal only option on the website.

For those lucky enough to get a place in the Hertfordshire Snowdonia Hut, this is situated at the base of Snowdon’s Watkin Path (where scenes from Carry On Up the Kyber were shot) and gives access to the lesser trod areas allowing enjoyment of the mountain without too many crowds. Watch out for Gladstones Rock!

Member’s Slideshow – 18 November – Cotswold St Albans

Come and join us at our annual slide show and see some of the varied trips and activities club members have undertaken in the last year.

Held at the St. Albans branch of Cotswold Outdoors. Doors open at 6pm, Show starts at 7.30pm. We usually meet up in the pub opposite Cotswold afterwards so a great opportunity to talk about the upcoming events.

If anyone has access to a portable projector and a screen please contact thecommittee@thehmc.co.uk Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Chris’s Sunday Walk – 30 November – Essendon

Starting at 10am from the Rose & Crown Pub in Essendon – a 10 mile circular walk across Hertfordshire’s rolling hills. Bring a packed lunch – there will be an opportunity to have a pint at one of the local pubs.

Christmas Dinner Weekend – Eyam YHA – 12 December to 14 December

This year we are staying all weekend and having our Xmas Dinner (Saturday Night) at the Eyam YHA. This captivating Victorian folly resembles a tiny turreted castle perched on the hillside overlooking historic Eyam. Fully licensed hostel. Plenty of climbing, walking & biking in the area. Price includes 2 nights accommodation, 2 breakfasts and Saturday nights Xmas Dinner- which is always a jolly affair not to be missed so book now to guarantee your place!

http://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/eyam

All the best

Steve Deaville

HMC Secretary