Gwent Mountaineering Club NEWSLETTER Number 14   16 July  2001

Plenty has gone on in the last two months (only a selection is shown below).  Thanks to all contributors.
 A special thanks to those who have worked on the emergency programme.  (Not me, I’m only reporting it!)

WHAT’s HAPPENED

Beddgelert Weekend   - May 19/20                                            by Dave Bingham 

 6 members and 4 friends of Colin were on the weekend.  On Saturday Ian and Robby traversed Snowdon starting at Pen y Pass and then descended the Watkin Path to Nant Gwynant.  They used the Sherpa Bus transport to Pen y Pass as the car park was closed as part of the Foot and Mouth restrictions.  Most people climbed at Tremadog: Colin, Andi, Russell and others; whilst Terry and I had a scrambling day on the Glyders.  After a grade 2 scramble up Glyder Fawr from Cwm Idwal, we went over the rocks of “castle of the winds”, strolled over to Glyder Fach, and then  down-scrambled Bristly ridge ( a first for both of us).  Then it was over Tryfan south peak, up Tryfan, and then, for good measure, down the North Ridge!  We returned to the A5 a little tired after a long time from the mountains, but very happy.
On Sunday Ian, Robby and Terry did more scrambling and 7 people did Second Pinnacle Rib on the East Face of Tryfan (Diff).  I do enjoy mountain routes and Tryfan is in my top list of mountains, so this was a special day for me!   The enjoyable weekend was rounded off by…… yes, you guessed it, fruit cake and tea in Colin’s van beside the shore of Llyn Ogwen. Bliss.  

Trip to Skye   May 26- June 2                                       by Dennis Pickett

Five of us made the trip up in good time  and clear weather and camped at Sligachen. On the Sunday Keith, Vaughan and myself did a traverse of Garbh Bhienn (Corbett), Sgurr nan Each, Clach Glas ( top grade scramble) and Bla Bheinn starting at the head of Loch Ainort and being picked up at the head of Loch Slapin.  The weather started bright but it absolutely poured down when we were committed on the Clach Glas climb and the walk out required a waist high (for me at least) stream crossing.  Dian and Pat met us at Loch Slapin car park after spending the day around the Castles, Gardens and woodland walks on the Sleat Peninsular.
The next three days followed a similar pattern with the morning half suggesting a getting better sort of day only for us to end up getting soaking wet in the afternoons.  Colin and Judith arrived on Monday and we met up with them after Keith, Vaughan and myself had scrambled up Sgurr Mhic Choinnich and Pat and Dian had walked up into the loch at Coire Laggan.  We used Colin's van as a refuge during evening storms which saw several tents being flattened and other torn to shreds, we decided it wiser to take Vaughan's tent down and he slept in the van while the vans were used to shelter Keith's tent from the worst of the gales.  
Tuesday we spent the morning drying out followed by the seven of us going on a pleasant coastal beach and cliff walk around the Braes with close up views of nesting shags and cormorants.  On Wednesday Collin and Judith decided to travel back to the mainland to visit friends and find less stormy weather.  Keith, Vaughan and myself again approached the Cuillins but by the time we arrived at Glenbrittle the storm clouds had enveloped the ridge so we travelled further North and had  a day walking around the Quirang in bright sunshine but again during the homeward walk we were caught in heavy rain and hail.  Thursdays weather forecast offered no improvement on the west coast; Keith, Dian and Vaughan made tracks home while Pat and I travelled east to find better weather and ended up having a better day climbing Ben Wyvis and it's outlying tops.  Friday  we spent sightseeing in Edinburgh  and on Saturday made our way home in glorious sunshine!!
Despite the weather an exciting and interesting time was had by all.  ROLL ON NEXT HOLIDAY!!!
THE WORST DAY WALKING IS BETTER THAN THE BEST DAY WORKING.

Welsh 3 peaks – 23 June               by Hugh Woodford

 An 11th-hour decision following the re-opening of Pen y Fan and a good forecast spurred us into action. Dave Bingham and I met Trevor Flint at Storey Arms, and at 4.15am we set off up Pen y Fan via the tourist route.   A strong cold wind greeted us at the top, but there was time for photos before retracing our steps back down.
On to Dolgellau for a fried breakfast at the little Chef (8.00am) .  Ty Nant car park was surprisingly empty and we had the summit of Cadair Idris to ourselves.  More photos, on the top and in the hut before retracing the Pony path.  As we descended the crowds were making their way up as the temperature began to rise.
On to Beddgelert, where we booked into the Cae Du campsite and left one car.  Then a short drive to Nant Gwynant where we left the other car and took the next bus to Pen y Pass.  Slap on the suncream and then up Crib Goch, which was fairly quiet for once.  Over all the pinnacles and on to the Snowdon summit, which by now had clouded over!  A brief stop in the café for well-earned drinks before descending the south ridge of Bwlch Cwm Llan, down to the quarry buildings, on to the Watkin path and back to the car at Nant Gwynant.  Hot, sweaty, tired; but well pleased as none of us had done anything like as much walking as we would have liked in recent months and we had gained another entry into the GMC tables.  Unfortunately, our elation was dampened later that evening when we heard about Pen y Fan about to close again (after being open for only 9 days) following a new case of foot and mouth at Libanus.

 Start    Storey Arms                   04.15 hrs

Finish    Nant Gwynant                 19.00 hrs

Actual walking time                     9.5 hrs approx

Total ascent                               6,500+ ft

Total descent                             7,500+ ft 

 The Pinnacle

 Chris Barber is still seeking articles for the next edition of the club journal, the Pinnacle.  As usual articles can be about club events or personal experiences, and anecdotal items relating to the club’s 25 year history are particularly welcome on this occasion.  The Pinnacle will be produced at some stage this year when sufficient material has been received.   Chris will be pleased to receive all items whether they be 2 paragraphs or 2 pages!

 Entries into GMC Tables of recent achievements 

Cuillin ridge/Inca Trail/Welsh 3 peaks/Tower ridge

Julie and Geraint have traversed the Cuillin ridge on Skye (22 hours of pure pleasure).  This has made quite a few members a little jealous!  

(Given this is such a prized goal amongst mountaineers and climbers, I had no choice under rule 43f of the club’s constitution to appoint 3 “grandees” of the ridge to pass judgement on the validity of the traverse. Dennis, Trefor and Keith will form a working party and report their findings no later than the Club Dinner 2002 ! So you’ll just have to wait…..)    Only joking Geraint and Julie, you’re both in there, honest! Well done.
 Incidentally the pair warmed up on Tower Ridge on Ben Nevis making a memorable week.

Congratulations to Stuart Clark and Roger Millett for completing the Inca Trail during their holiday in Peru. Both felt a little unwell with the altitude at times, but battled through to reach the Inca ruins of Machu Pichu at the end.  On a separate holiday Sarah Kirby went on the Inca Trail also, and found out that the ruins were discovered by a ”Bingham” in 1911 and now his descendants are reputed to very rich through gold!

 On Saturday, June 23, Dave Bingham, Trevor Flint and Hugh Woodford did the Welsh 3 peaks (Pen y Fan, Cadair Idris, Snowdon)  - see Hugh’s report above.

EMERGENCY PROGRAMME

Sundays/weekends

  Thursdays

•  In addition members are meeting at the Welsh International Climbing Centre at Bargoed during the week.