Hertfordshire Mountaineering Club
In June we went to Swannage to enjoy some sea cliff climbing along the Jurassic Coast with some of the best sports climbing in the UK. Photos posted on the HMC Facebook Group by Steve Moore.
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.
Camping in the Torrent Walk Caravan & Camping Site There are many walks surrounding Dolgun Uchaf, one of the most famous is the Torrent walk which is only 500 meters away from the site. Recently the area has become a Mecca for Mountain Biking. New toilet block with facilities for disabled etc hair dryers washing machines drying facilities fridge opening in March. http://www.guesthousessnowdonia.com/accom-camping.html
We have secured an excellent campsite, with amazing views of the sea, with an easy walk into St Davids for various pub options. This area has amazing walks and also great sea cliff climbing, the campsite has great facilities including hot shower! For more information see their website: Croeso – Welcome to the Porthclais Farm Campsite!
In September we will be camping in Exmoor – at Sparkhayes campsite in Porlock. http://www.sparkhayes.co.uk Lots of walking on Exmoor and along the coast. Also climbing opportunities at Hurlstone Point and Valley of Rocks. At least 2 pubs within 5 minutes walk in Porlock
The HMC have been fortunate to secure the booking once again of this wonderful hut in a great location in Great Langdale Valley. Its ideally situated for a great weekend of walks up into the Central Fells (Crinkle Crags, Esk, Bowfell, Great End & Scafell). Climbing is also available on the crags over Old Dungeon Ghyll.
Parking outside the hut for approximately 8 cars so do try to car share as much as possible.
The nearest pub is about 10-15 minutes walk away: The New Dungeon Ghyll hotel and the Stickle Barn, which both serve good food and real ale.
That’s it for now….
Hope to see you all at the pub social on Tuesday and in Wales for some Cadir Idris fun.
All the best
Steve Deaville
HMC Secretary
In February the HMC went to south Wales to hit the Black Mountains. The group was small but perfectly formed and got to grips with the wet and windy Black Mountains.
Club renewals are due by 31st March to maintain your access to HMC benefits. The £22 membership fee covers the BMC subscription fee and will also help the club to maintain a healthy financial position to continue to support future events for its members. For further details on how to re-join the HMC please click here to access last month’s club update where details can be found.
This month sees the return of the BMFF UK tour. Some tickets for the London dates are still available but going fast. To see some of the most exciting extreme adventure sports and amazing thought provoking films the BMFF tour is a must see. Click here to see which available dates.
Join us for a weekend in Snowdonia and help celebrate Eddie’s 80th birthday. A long time member – climber, cyclist and walker- come and help us celebrate Eddie turning 80 but still as active as the average 50 year old! Join the party!
Tan Yr Wyddfa, 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 hut is well placed for climbing – being within easy driving distance of Tremadog, the Moelwyns, the Llanberis pass and most other popular mountains crags and paths within central Snowdonia. If you want to climb on Cloggy, you can walk there! HMC has the use of three bedrooms which sleeps 16 people in bunk beds. The hut has its own car park adjacent to the hut, which accommodates 10 cars.
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.
We’ll be holding the next AGM on Tuesday 4th April from 6:30pm in the Cotswold store as usual. Each of the elected committee will be reporting back to the membership about the club and we invite all members to come and participate and have your say in how the club is run. The minutes of the 2016 AGM can be found by clicking here. A 20% discount has been secured by Costwold so if you’ve had your eye on that big purchase recently, the AGM is the time to buy. Drinks as usual in a local pub after the AGM.
Glencoe is perhaps Scotland’s most famous and most scenic glen. Glencoe has hillwalking, mountaineering, rock climbing, and skiing. It could be a combination of winter and/or spring conditions at this time of year. Staying at the Glencoe SYHA; accommodation only so you are not tied down to meal times as you may plan long days on the mountains. Also it is a short walk away from the famous climbers pub, the Clachaig Inn which is well worth one, if not several visits! Accommodation available from the Thursday through to Tuesday covering the full Easter weekend and so hopefully avoiding Bank Holiday traffic at each end.
A club favourite is the trip to Pembrokeshire where climbers can experience the thrill of sea cliff climbing and walkers can explore the rugged coast line. ; Tides are favorable this weekend for climbing sea cliffs. Plenty of walking & biking can be done in the area too. Campsite, Glebe Farmhouse, Bosherton.
The George Starkey Hut is in Patterdale near Ullswater, at the heart of the Lake District’s Eastern Fells. It is ideally placed for the High Street range to the East, whilst from the front there is a splendid view of Helvellyn and its neighbouring fells: to reach them, all you have to do is put on your boots and walk from the Hut.There is convenient local rock climbing at Castle Rock and Raven Crag in Thirlmere, Dove Crag in Dovedale, Scrubby Crag in Deepdale and Gowbarrow by Ullswater. Langdale and Dow Crag in the South West and Borrowdale to the North West are easily accessible. There are mountain biking opportunities from the front door, canoeing and sailing on Ullswater.
Every year the HMC arrange a 2 week trip to a European destination to experience some of the bigger mountains. In recent years we have been to Corvara in the Dolomites to try out the Via Ferrta, Aiguille d’Argentiere for attempts on Mont Blanc, Gressoney Saint-Jean for Monta Rosa range, and Lauterbrunnen valley for the famous peaks of the Eiger, JungFrau and Monch. We would like to request any suggestions for locations to go for 2017 to and a meet organiser to find and book a suitable campsite. Please send your suggestions to thecommittee@thehmc.co.uk
Hope to see you all at the next club trip
All the best
Steve Deaville
HMC Secretary
In January the HMC went to High House in Seathwaite in the Lake District. Despite being early January, the mild weather had not allowed any snow to accumulate on the hills so we packed away our ice axes and crampons. The ground was soggy with mist on the upper reaches of the fells leaving little to see on the windy summits. Over the weekend, groups of HMC walkers managed to summit Esk Pike, Great Gable, Scafell, Glaramara, Seathwait fell and High Raise to name but a few. Many thanks to Jane for organising a great weekend.
The HMC on a misty Seathwaite Fell
Club renewals are due by 31st March. Please note that in order to receive your spring edition of the BMC magazine, Summit, please renew your membership by the 15th of February 2017. The £22 membership fee covers the BMC subscription fee and will also help the club to maintain a healthy financial position to continue to support future events for its members.
If you are renewing your membership for 2017, fees can be paid by:
Please note that if any of your contact details have changed over the last 12 months, please complete a HMC membership form and send it to the Secretary together with your membership fee. Keeping your information updated will avoid potential issues with any BMC insurance policy you may have.
As a demonstration of support for our mountain rescue services in 2017, 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.
The Dragons Back ( formerly The Castle Inn ), is the highest pub in the Brecon Beacons National Park, a Country Inn with plenty of accommodation, b&b rooms, bunkhouses, Shepherds hut and a campsite.
Located in a glorious valley, over 1000ft above sea level in The Black Mountains – part of The Brecon Beacons National Park. Ideally situated for the local towns of Brecon, Hay on Wye & Crickhowell.
A whole host of activities are available on our doorstep, and you can mountain bike – The killer loop, or hike a huge variety of walks straight from the Inn . The whole of The Black Mountains are literally on our doorstep.
The pub provides generous servings of very tasty home cooked food, a fine selection of local real ales, with a huge log fire on one side of the pub, and a lovely log burning stove with leather sofas to sit on. The HMC has booked the 10 bed bunkroom.
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.
Join us for the Annual Dinner to celebrate Eddie’s 80th birthday. A long time member – climber, cyclist and walker- come and help us celebrate Eddie turning 80 but still as active as the average 50 year old! Join the party!
Tan Yr Wyddfa, 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. Beddgelert is five miles away. The hut is well placed for climbing – being within easy driving distance of Tremadog, the Moelwyns, the Llanberis pass and most other popular mountains crags and paths within central Snowdonia. If you want to climb on Cloggy, you can walk there! HMC has the use of three bedrooms which sleeps 16 people in bunk beds. The hut has its own car park adjacent to the hut, which accommodates 10 cars.
We’ll be holding the next AGM on Tuesday 4th April from 6:30pm in the Cotswold store as usual. Each of the elected committee will be reporting back to the membership about the club and we invite all members to come and participate and have your say in how the club is run. The minutes of the 2016 AGM can be found by clicking here.
HMC has booked the Alpine bunkhouse for our sole use. 5 nights accommodation . Sleeps 16. Plenty of free parking. Very close to the famous Clachaig Inn.
The Alpine Bunkhouse is just yards away from the main Hostel and was originally a barn on the farming croft. A major refurbishment of the building has taken place and now offer 3 heated bedrooms sleeping up to 16 (all bed linen is provided free of charge).
The bunkhouse facilities include a communal area for dining, relaxing and cooking as well as access to the site drying room with commercial de-humidifier and wifi in reception. The bunkhouse has 3 wc’s and 4 wash hand basins inside and another 2 wc’s, 2 showers and 3 wash hand basins accessed externally.
A club favourite is the trip to Pembrokeshire where climbers can experience the thrill of sea cliff climbing and walkers can explore the rugged coast line. More details to follow in the March Update
Every year the HMC arrange a 2 week trip to a European destination to experience some of the bigger mountains. In recent years we have been to Corvara in the Dolomites to try out the Via Ferrta, Aiguille d’Argentiere for attempts on Mont Blanc, Gressoney Saint-Jean for Monta Rosa range, and Lauterbrunnen valley for the famous peaks of the Eiger, JungFrau and Monch. We would like to request any suggestions for locations to go for 2017 to and a meet organiser to find and book a suitable campsite. Please send your suggestions to thecommittee@thehmc.co.uk
It is a challenging time for BMC clubs. With online websites offering people the opportunity to experience outdoor walks without having to join a club, BMC clubs are noticing a drop in memberships. Do you have any ideas to help support the club? If you have a bit of time to help support the promotion of the HMC the committee would be interested in hearing your ideas. We would love to get some support for the design and production of posters for local shops and climbing walls, gyms and community centres, helping out with generating content for the website and any other ideas to help promote the club. Please contact the committee if you feel you could help. thecommittee@thehmc.co.uk
Hope to see you all at the next club trip
All the best
Steve Deaville
HMC Secretary
Just a quick update on the upcoming HMC events where spaces have been increased due to popularity and of course our January pub social is just around the corner.
We have our first social of the year this coming Tuesday at the Three Horseshoes. I would like to encourage as many of you to come as possible as we have received lots of enquiries from prospective members and we may have some new members turning up too. It would be great to show what a great bunch of people we are. The secretary will also be there to hand out new 2017 membership cards. If that isn’t a reason to turn up….what is?
Beer!
As usual the social is 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.
This event is proving popular so we have increased the available spaces. We do expect these to go quickly so best to book your place now. The Dragons Back ( formerly The Castle Inn ), is the highest pub in the Brecon Beacons National Park, a Country Inn with plenty of accommodation, b&b rooms, bunkhouses, Shepherds hut and a campsite. Located in a glorious valley, over 1000ft above sea level in The Black Mountains – part of The Brecon Beacons National Park. Ideally situated for the local towns of Brecon, Hay on Wye & Crickhowell.
The Black Mountains
Spaces have also been increased for the Annual Dinner to celebrate Eddie’s 80th birthday. A long time member – climber, cyclist and walker- come and help us celebrate Eddie turning 80 but still as active as the average 50 year old! Book your place and join the party.
The Tan Yr Wyddfa Hut
Membership Update
Don’t forget that to receive your copy of the BMC magazine, ‘Summit’, members need to renew their HMC subscription by 15 February.
That’s it for this January. Look out for the full February update coming out soon.
All the best
Steve Deaville
HMC Secretary
Dear HMC Members
In June the HMC went to the Peak District to try out their moves on some real Eastern Grit!
Getting to grips on the gritstone!
The HMC also went to the Lake District in August for a summer camping trip and got some great weather it seems.
Left: A male Kestrel – not quite an Osprey 50L backpack as we originally thought. Right: catching those sun beams!
A definite favourite for climbers and coastal walkers is our Pembroke trip coming up on the August Bank Holiday. 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 in summer, plus easy walking to the local pub with great food.
Great sea cliff climbing in Pembrokeshire and lots of coastal walks
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.
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.
http://www.upperboothcamping.co.uk/
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.
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.
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.
Hope to see you all at the next club trip to Pembrokeshire
All the best
Steve Deaville
HMC Secretary
Dear HMC Members
May the fourth be with you. Yes this is your HMC May 2016 update on Star Wars day! Just don’t mention Jar Jar.
I want to thank all those members who attended the AGM and gave their time to ensure that the club membership was represented. As usual, annual reports were given by the Chair, the Secretary, the Treasurer and the Outdoor Meets Rep about how the club has been running and what actions have been taken to ensure that the best interests of the club have been upheld. Paul Hearn stood down as Chair after two years. Paul has served on the committee for 5 years and I want to thank Paul for his contribution to the club during his time as Secretary and Chair.
First and foremost was the election of a new Chair following Paul Hearn’s departure. Those members present at the AGM elected Chris Smith as the new Chair of the HMC. I wanted to congratulate Chris on his appointment and wish him all the best in his new role. Chris has been working with the committee for the last year as a non-elected member and so brings a fresh new perspective to the role. I’m sure that we will all lend our support to Chris as he helps to guide the direction of the HMC and its committee over the next two years.
The new Imperial Emperor – Chairman Chris Smith
Following the election of the new Chair, Stephen Deaville was re-elected as Secretary while Dave Williams was re-elcted as Treasurer. Rebecca Smith remains in place as the Outdoor Meets rep as she is half way through her term. David Ball and Jane Eyre have kindly volunteered their time to work with the committee as non-elected members. For her contribution over the last year, Jane Eyre has also been awarded the coveted Member of the Year Award. Congratulations Jane.
The HMC has also decided to support the BMC campaign ‘Mend our Mountains’ with a donation of £100 to the cause. To find out more about the cause please click here to go to the BMC webpage which has more information.
The evening was wrapped up by a trip to the local pub for a brew and to wet Chris’ head as the new Chair. Minutes of the AGM will be published in due course and uploaded to the AGM webpage
The exciting new edition of CRUX magazine was issued to members present at the AGM. A big thank you to Jacqui Deakin for all her hard work collecting and editing the latest magazine. An electronic version of CRUX Spring 2016 can be downloaded from the CRUX webpage.
HMC members enjoying the late snowy conditions on the fells around the beautiful Wasdale valley. Simply stunning conditions for early May.
HMC members in Mid April enjoying the colder conditions in Snowdonia on Trevelyan and the Glydders.
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.
The lovely Cornwall seaside
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.
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.
Last year the HMC had a great trip to the Italian Dolomites, spending two weeks on those fabulous limestone cliffs, seeking out via ferrata and the Marmalade. This year, the HMC committee is actively seeking volunteer/s to help choose and arrange this year’s trip. If you have any great ideas about where the club could go but are a little nervous about making the arrangements, please do contact the committee who are there to help advise and support. While it sounds like a big task, the trip organiser’s main job is to find and book a camp site in a wonderful mountain location that has good mountain and access for walking and climbing. If you think you can spare a bit of time helping the club identify a good location for a European trip and make a few enquiries, please do let us know.
Hope to see you all at the next pub social. Don’t forget that we have a cracking trip to Cornwall coming up and we’re looking for someone to help arrange a location for the summer Alps Trip, its really not as difficult as it sounds.
All the best
Steve ‘I am your father’ Deaville
HMC Secretary
Dear HMC members
The Annual General Meeting has been called for Tuesday 19 April, starting at 7:30pm. The venue is Cotswold in St Albans. The minutes of the 2015 AGM have been uploaded to the AGM section of the website and can be viewed by clicking here.
As usual, the AGM will look back at how the club has been running over the last 12 months and HMC members are welcome to put their ideas, comments and questions to the committee and the wider membership. We will also be asking the HMC membership to elect or re-elect the committee. If you want to make a difference to the way the club is run, please consider running for a position. The current committee will be happy to explain what their role is and what it involves.
Having served for five consecutive years on committee, Paul Hearn will be stepping down from the role of Chair. The HMC will be looking for a new Chair. The Chairman looks after the overall interests of the club and provide the general direction for the year ahead. They referee at the committee meetings and make interesting speeches at the Annual Dinner and other events. They are one of the (two required) signatories for club cheques.
The Secretary is responsible for membership, dealings with the BMC, and recording the minutes at committee meetings, AGMs and EGMs. If you are a prospective member then this is the person you want to get in touch with your queries. They are one of the (two required) signatories for club cheques.
The Treasurer looks after the club finances. They are responsible for ensuring the club spends your money wisely, stays solvent, and that all incomes and expenses are recorded, banked and accounted for. They are one of the (two required) signatories for club cheques
The Outdoor Meets Committee member coordinates the outdoor meets programme for the year. They ensure we have a good variety of locations representing the different interests of our club members. They ensure each meet has a coordinator and that attendance and the monies paid are recorded accurately for the Treasurer.
All the best and have a good Easter
Stephen
HMC Secretary
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:
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Info to come on the AGM.
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.
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
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
Dear HMC members
Before we all settle into our festive holidays, tucking into mince pies and turkey dinners, there will be the opportunity for HMC members to meet up one last time before the New Year to raise a glass and toast to the many excellent and safe adventures we have had this year.
We are meeting at the Ye Olde Fighting Cocks pub in St Albans (reputed to be the oldest pub in Britain) at 8pm on Saturday 19 December. Everyone is welcome; past and present members as well as partners. This is a way to meet new members and discuss all the fun we had in the past year and up coming trips.
I hope that you have had an excellent year of adventures over 2015 and are looking forward to gettig out into the hills in 2016. As of the 1st January, your HMC subscription will be due in order to continue your existing membership of the club.
The HMC membership fee from the start of 2016 will be £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.
We look forward to seeing you all return for another great year of adventure in the mountains.
DON’T FORGET – our first trip in 2016 is planned for the Seathwaite in the Lake District on the weekend of the 8-10 January. This is a great event and it would be great if the HMC can show support for the people of the Lake District given the recent weather impacts.
Hope to see you on Saturday 19 December at 8pm at the Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, St Albans
Steve Deaville
HMC Secretary
Dear HMC Members
In the theme of Game of Thrones – ‘Winter is coming’. In fact its practically on our doorstep. Anyone following the HMC twitter account (@hertsMC) will see that poeple around the country are posting images of snow capped mountains.
As a mountaineering club, its time to dig out that ice axe and sharpen the points of your crampons as we’ve got some good winter trips planned which will test your winter skills.
We’ve had some good events over the Autumn including bangers and mash which was well attended. Thanks to all members who attended and made the event one to remember.
For the start of the winter season we have booked a lovely little hostel in Moretonhampstead, in the foothills of Dartmoor National Park to have a pre Christmas celebration and raise a glass or two to a successful 2015. We have 14 beds booked for the Sparrowhawk Hostel and for those quick to get in, there is a family room available too. Details below.
Trips for 2016 are already on the Events Calendar on the webiste which I am sure you have spotted already, you keen bunch! Start planning your year of adventure, and book your places to avoid dissappointment.
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 over a pint.
The Three Horsehoes on the Hatfield – St Albans Road.
Followingf suggestions from members for an event in Dartmoor, 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.
We have booked places at The Horse in Moretonhamstead for the Christmas meal served at 8pm on the Saturday evening. There is an excellent menu with reasonable prices below; food to be chosen in advance. Please email the organiser (Steve Deaville) your choices by the 5th December so I can email the restaurant our orders, to be paid for individually on the night.
Please choose starters, mains and desserts (2 or 3 courses). There is a supplement on the ribeye steak and on the cheese board.
Please do let me know if you have any specific dietary requirements and we will obviously do our very best to cater for that.
The Horse, Moretonhamstead Christmas meal menu
2 courses £21
3 courses £26
2 courses w/ pizza as main course £16
3 courses w/ pizza as main course £21
Tapas to start– choose one:
Trout gravadlax
w/ toasted almonds and mustard mayo
Cornish calamari
w/ lemon aioli
Crispy tiger prawn
w/ Marie Rose sauce and baby gem
Ham hock terrine
Piccalilly and pickled veg
Pan fried lamb breast
Red cabbage marmalade
Crispy turkey croquette
Cranberry & orange compote
Home smoked cheese fritters
Spicy tomato concasse
Main courses
Braised wild boar
Gnocchi gratin and glazed root vegetables
Poached and roasted guinea fowl breast and crispy leg
Quince puree, Brussel sprout fricassee, garlic oyster mushrooms
Pan fried cod loin
Crispy potatoes and mustard lentils, sherry dressing
Chargrilled 21 day hung Dartmoor ribeye | £3 supplement
Dauphinoise potatoes, carrot puree, beans in pancetta and veal jus
Jerusalem artichoke and wild mushroom lasagne (V)
With fresh rocket
Pizza main courses
Margarita (V)
Classic pizza with just tomato pasata, mozzarella, oregano, parmesan and fresh basil pesto
Prosciutto, funghi e tartufo
Parma ham, mushrooms, truffle oil and parmesan shavings
Nicoise
Tuna fish, anchovies, olives, capers, onions, red peppers and hardboiled egg
Puttanesca (SPICY!)
Garlic paste, tuna fish, anchovies, onions, olives, capers and chilli
Capra (V)
Goats cheese, toasted pine kernels, balsamic onions, tomato chutney, red peppers, and fresh rocket. Drizzle of chilli oil
Cappricciosa
Smoked gammon, courgettes, aubergines, red peppers, capers, olives, balsamic onions and soft free range egg. Chilli oil
Diavolo (SPICY!)
Chorizo, sweet red chilli and hot chili
Quattro formaggio (V)
Raw onions, oregano and four cheeses – Grana Padano, mozzarella, dolcelatte and goat’s cheese
Salsicce tuscana
Fresh Tuscan sausage meat, smoked pancetta, onions, capers and rocket
Mediterraneo (V)
Grilled aubergines and courgettes, roasted red peppers, balsamic red onions, olives, capers, artichokes and fresh basil pesto
Marinara
NO MOZZARELLA! Garlic paste, anchovies, chilli, parmesan and fresh herbs.
Stromboli (SPICY!)
Spicy Italian salami, onions, mushrooms and sweet chilli
Desserts
Orange tart
Caramelised orange and Grand Marnier crème anglaise
Sticky toffee pudding
Homemade vanilla ice cream and toffee sauce
Prunes and almond clafoutis
Almond ice cream
Cheese | £2 supplement
Selection of Italian and local cheeses with crackers and tracklements
Affogato
A scoop of our delicious homemade vanilla ice cream w/ a shot of espresso
Cantucci vin santo
A glass of Italian dessert wine with cantucci (almond) biscuits to dip
Neapolitana
Homemade vanilla and chocolate ice creams and strawberry sorbet with a brandy snap
Organiser: Steve Deaville
– High House Bunkhouse, Seathwaite, Lake District – 8 January to 10 January 2016
High House is situated at the head of the popular valley of Borrowdale in the English Lake District, OS Grid Reference NY235119 – see map. It offers a high standard of bunkhouse/hostel self catering accommodation, and is considered to be the best in the Lakes. It is a converted stone built 16/17C farmhouse in its own grounds, with car access and parking. http://www.highhouse.talktalk.net/ff.htm
With snow fall aleady on the fells, this event should provide a good opportunity for winter hill walking.
– Cwn Dyli Hut, Snowdonia, Wales – 19 February to 21 February
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. Rubbish is collected at the nearby farm and parking is available approximately 150 metres from the hut. Plenty of walking, scrambling and climbing in the area.
As the year comes to a close, the HMC committee hope that our members have had some fantastic adventures over the last 12 months. We hope that the last event of 2015 in Dartmoor will be a well attended trip with a toast raised at the Christmas meal to a safe and happy Christmas. We hope to see you all in 2016 for more HMC adventures. Wishing you all a very happy Christmas. Stay safe on the hills.
Steve Deaville
HMC Secretary