Hertfordshire Mountaineering Club

HMC Update – September 2016

Follow us on Twitter: @HertsMC
Sign Up to our Facebook page 

Dear HMC Members

HMC News in Brief….

  • The HMC went to Pembroke during the August Bank Holiday
  • Eddie’s Sunday Walks returns – see what he has planned and how to join in.
  • Check out exciting events this weekend at the Royal Geographic Society including Kenton Cool and Ranulph Fiennes
  • See what events we have planned for the next few months below

Where have we been recently….?

Pembroke – August Bank Holiday

At the end of August, the HMC went to Pembroke to tackle the sea cliffs.

  

What’s coming up….?

Eddie’s Sunday Walk – Sunday 18 September – from 10am

Back by popular demand is Eddie’s Sunday walk. Eddie will be leading a circular walk from the car park in Sandridge (next to the village hall), starting at 10am. The distance is expected to be 8-9 miles goinf through Heartwood Forest and coming back via Symondshyde Great Wood. Should be finished about 1-2pm. Bring your own food if you want or try one of the three pubs in Sandridge. There will be an opportunity to sup the beer at the end.

Upper Booth Farm Camping Barn, Edale – 23 – 24 September

Upper Booth Campsite is situated on a working farm on the National Trust’s High Peak estate in the Peak District National Park. The site nestles in the western end of Edale alongside Crowden Brook as it tumbles down from the Kinder plateau. Upper Booth Campsite and camping barn make an ideal base for walkers to explore the hills and moors of the High Peak. Indeed the Pennine Way actually passes through the Upper Booth Farmyard. The walks in this area of the Dark Peak originating from Upper Booth vary from leisurely valley bottom strolls to the more challenging routes onto the moorland of the Kinder Plateau via Crowden Clough or Jacob’s Ladder.

  • Situated on a working family farm
  • Stunning location – walks and cycling from the site
  • Natural environment – not a manicured holiday park !!
  • Local Produce
  • Pubs within walking distance (field footpaths)

There may be a group going with mountain bikes.

http://www.upperboothcamping.co.uk/

HMC Social at the Three Horseshoes from 8:30pm – Tuesday 27 September

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.

Whitby Bunk House, Abbots House Farm, Goathland – 14-16 October

HMC have managed to secure one dormitory sleeping 8 in this lovely bunkhouse on the North Yorkshire Moors Abbot’s House Farm, Goathland, YO22 5NH Goathland village is a 15 minute stroll away along the farm road or on a path across fields. Located on a farm of about 40 acres in the heart of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, this is an ideal base for walking, cycling or simply relaxing on the farm or in the village of Goathland, 10 miles from Whitby. In Goathland, the farm is sign-posted next to the Goathland Hotel, opposite Goathland Garage. The farm is about 800m along the lane. The lane, which is a bridleway, is the track-bed of the original Grosmont to Pickering railway, and crosses a neighbouring farm to reach our site entrance, marked with sign boards. The bunkhouse and reception are a little further on, turning left, towards the house and farmyard. Accommodation is provided in a converted stone-built barn, on two floors. Accommodation includes a lounge with a wood-burning stove which provides heating and hot water in addition to the gas heating. The bunkhouse has a fully-equipped kitchen, dining room and first floor dormitories.  Cloakroom facilities are in the adjacent connected building, consisting of one shower room with toilet and hand basin, one shower cubicle, and one toilet and hand basin.

Bangers and Mash – Snowdonia Hut – 4-6 November

A HMC  tradition, and the most popular meet of the year. Held at the Snowdonia Hut,  3 course meal (including Bangers and Mash) is cooked by the committee for the members on the Saturday night (bring your own beverages). Fireworks are set off out the front and team games are planned indoors. The rest of the weekend is what you fancy, climbing/walking/scrambling in the local area.

Christmas Meet – Hartington Hall YHA Peak District – 9-10 December

Log fires, oak panelling and even its own beer and music festival – all of this makes this 17th century manor house perfect for weekend breaks or family getaways in Derbyshire. The hostel is in a lovely, unspoilt area of the Peak District National Park – just right for activity breaks and walking holidays.

That’s it for now….

Hope to see you all at the next club trip

All the best

Steve Deaville

HMC Secretary