Hertfordshire Mountaineering Club
In March the HMC went to Snowdonia and enjoyed a glorious weekend of sunny, dry weather. A new film was released showing the fun that was had – click here to watch the film. We celebrated Eddie’s 80th birthday and Chris birthday also as well as announcing Dave Williams as member of the Year.
The AGM was held at Cotswold on the evening of 4 April with approx. 15 members present. Minutes of the meeting are being prepared but we can announce that Rebecca Smith was re-elected as the Outdoor Meets rep for another 2 years.
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. Accommodation at the SYHA is all booked up but the Red Squirrel camp site is available and located next to the hostel. Bring a tent if you don’t have a room at the SYHA.
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.
In May 2016, Rob Lucas, a great supporter and friend of St Albans Abbey, set foot on the summit of Everest. Rob has kindly agreed to tell us about his climb. He will let us know what it takes to scale the highest mountain on earth. We will learn about his planning, strategy and sheer determination, not just against the mountain and its extreme weather but against local politics, tradition and myth. Rob will tell us how he and his ace guide, Kenton Cool, managed this extraordinary feat.
Tickets for the talk cost £10 each including a drink beforehand. To book please visit the cathedral’s website https://www.stalbanscathedral.org/whatson/special-events/climbing-everest-an-extraordinary-adventure or call the box office on 01727 890290.
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.
Come and enjoy some of the best sports climbing in the UK, or if your a walker, enjoy the Jurassic coast and the sea air. Staying at Woodyhyde Campsite, with good facilities and a relaxed atmosphere and a great location for the sea cliffs.
Every year the HMC arrange a 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.
This year there is interest in going back to the wonderful region of the Domomites to do more via ferrata in early July. The two options are to find a local camp site or book a chalet for a week.
I’ve made enquiries with Collets Chalet holidays (with whom I have stayed previously) who can provide rooms at Haus Valentin half board for £665 pp from 8th July to 15th July. Half board includes breakfast and evening meal (including wine). If any members are interested in either of these options please do drop me an email thesecretary@thehmc.co.uk
That’s it for now….
Hope to see you all at the next club trip
All the best
Steve Deaville
HMC Secretary