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Gwent Mountaineering Club
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It has been a while since the last newsletter, 4 months in fact. Thank you yet again for the many people who have provided words and news. David Bingham |
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GENERAL NEWS |
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New programme |
The committee have beavered away to produce yet another programme for all to enjoy, as you will all know by now! It may be often said that you cannot run a club without this effort, but of course it is as true now as it ever was! So there you are, it’s been said again.
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Incorrect telephone numbers |
Ted has informed me that the telephone numbers for two walk leaders are incorrect on the programme. For security reasons (as this may appear in one or two shops) I will be vague and say that numbers for SC and CT should read 214698 and 484590 respectively, the STD codes being OK. If you are considering the walk, the initials should be pretty obvious! PS I am training for a career in MI5. |
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WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING! |
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Club Dinner… |
Well it wasn’t the best of weather, was it? Perhaps less rain than the forecast suggested though. Because of the wind many elected for a low-level route on the Saturday and a large group walked from Plas y Brenin to Swallow Falls and back. Entertainment en-route was provided by Trevor Williams and Richard Smith who took great joy adding one or two rocks to a few peoples’ rucksacks. Could these be the same two who swapped over the saddles on Robby and Ian bikes whilst they were stored in the bunkhouse? Surely not ! But if not, who is the Phantom saddle-swapper?
At this point it might be worth making clear to our new members that the GMC does get some mountaineering done, from time to time. But alas the wintry conditions of the last club dinner did not materialise for a second year running, so there were no gullies done on Snowdon. I’m not sure whether any brave souls did any rock climbing either, though surely the climbing walls saw a visit.
Another party did a linear walk from the Devil’s kitchen back to Capel Curig over the mountain tops, most people reporting that the weather wasn’t too bad.
Chris and guest speaker, John Ellis Roberts, gave the traditional speeches from the top table, but surely the “top” table was that occupied to their right – the table which managed to keep a handful of balloons in the air for most of the evening! Surprisingly not a glass or bottle were tipped over once.
Sunday saw many in the club taking a brief walk up Moel Siabod, hoping to get most of it done before the rains came again.
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Robby Crocker on Spain… |
Robby Crocker thought the trip to Spain (Feb/Mar), which attracted many members was excellent. In her words: “It was fantastic and Colin and Judith did a wonderful job of organising a full itinerary for the week for us”. The highlight being a gorge adventure involving 11 abseils over boulders and down wells, walking and scrambling. “Amazing!” –Robby.
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Sunday walks….
And better weather? |
A showery and windy time has been the experience of many parties out on the walks in the first 3 months of the year. Kay’s walk on Pen y Fan was abandoned when wind speeds made a descent of Pen Y Fan to Crybin a dangerous proposition and by that time everyone had mixed feelings about continuing in what was horizontal rain anyway! Most of the group (12 out that day) had a drink and bite to eat afterwards in the Mountain Centre near Libanus. Walks led by Dave and Ted (both in the Black Mountains) also had their fair share of windy weather to contend with.
But, as we all know, the weather has improved somewhat in the last few weeks and perhaps this may herald a warm summer allowing plenty of walking and climbing for us all? Please, please!
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Sarah Kirby enjoyed the Beginners Climbing. ....This is her story
Held 7 April, Gower
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“Nineteen people turned up for the first weekend climbing meet of the Summer Programme. The nineteen included climbers of various abilities and experience. There were accomplished climbers, new climbers and climbers who had not climbed for a while and ‘wanted to get back into it’.
The climbing took place at Boiler Slabs, which was bathed in sunshine all day. There are two V Diff routes and 2 Severe routes on the slab which kept most people occupied for the day in between the sun bathing. Colin also new routed on the left of the slab (on purpose!) and the more proficient climbers did the VSs and the HVS.
Thanks to Doug and the other leaders for setting up the various routes and their proficient (and patient) belaying.
Thanks to them also for ensuring that we had a ‘real’ climbing day out with the GMC including:
(a) Meeting in one place and then driving miles to another place due to ‘inconsiderate’ tides. (b) Rope management, including coiling and carrying ropes. (c) Taking the pretty way in to Boiler Slabs but the quick way out (d) Not starting to climb until after 12.
After the wonderful day out, Colin will definitely have more people joining his climbing expeditions!”
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GMC TABLES (list of members achievements) |
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Recent achievements …Mid Wales Marathon |
Kay Beechey became the 14th member to be listed in the Tables to complete the Mid Wales Marathon Walk. This is held each year in late March or early April and is 22 miles in length and involves around 6500feet of ascent. It is organised by the LDWA and the check points are manned by the Western Beacons Mountain Rescue Team who obtain some income from the event. The walk is a great mountain route from Dinas Mawddwy to Ty Nant north of Cadair Idris and travels over half a dozen 2000 foot peaks on the way, including Cadair Idris itself. If the thought of this event appeals in the future please contact myself, Dave Bingham, early in 2003! Is it that time already!
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…Abergavenny 3 peaks |
Many members did the Abergavenny 3 Peaks on April 6, Stuart Clark, Richard and Tim Dowle, Roger Millett, Mike Holt, Dawn Brown, Marjorie Coles, Carol Wright and possibly others.
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4 new walking routes added
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Four new routes have been added into the Tables: These are the Yorkshire 3 peaks (24 miles), The Twmbarlwm Trek (26 miles), the Abergavenny 3 peaks (20 miles) and Talybont Trial (20 miles). Although these did not meet the original criteria I chose for the Tables , I have decided to include them on the grounds of fame and/or local popularity. And so, if you wish to be entered as having completed any of these, please email Dave Bingham or let me know in due course.
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Q: So why hasn’t this been published Dave? |
A: Many years ago a naïve, but spirited person embarked on a ‘small’ project to collect peoples’ achievements. Three years later he hasn’t given up, but has undertaken to collect peoples’ agreement in order to meet the Data Protection Act. He has 42 signatures so far, with 29 to go! Nonetheless the document has been taken to the last 3 club dinners and several other meets for people to view.
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WHAT’S COMING UP!
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Beginners’ Mountain Biking…Robby Crocker has some information. |
“Some information for the beginners’ cycle ride in the Forest of Dean, on Sunday the 21 April. The bike hire charges are £17 for a day with 24/27 gears and front suspension, or £12 for a Tourer with 21 gears. But it’s best to have a mountain bike or we can't go off track at all. Deposit of £50 is needed, and a cheque for this is acceptable. Booking the bike in advance may be a good idea also, as they do get busy in the dry season? Telephone 01989 770357 or email ingo@pedalaway.co.uk . I plan a pub lunch stop so people get a rest!” |
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Colin has some information on the low tides |
From Colin Powell: Low tides are around the middle of the day for the weekends of April 27/28, May 11/12, May 25/26 and June 8/9. It is hoped to organise extra meets to Pembroke or the Gower for some of these weekends. Contact Colin. |
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Special note on Thursday evening walk – 23 May |
From Ted: Thursday walk on the 23 May to Chartist's Cave is from the Quarryman's Arms, but the sign outside there is in Welsh and I missed it. So if anyone going there can watch out for it!! Not much parking there either!! |
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South Wales Marathon Walk |
Chris Barber is still seeking further interest for the South Wales Marathon Walk which is to be held on June 8 and has 15 entrants at the time of writing. This year the direction will be from Llanddeusant to Capel y Ffin Youth Hostels over the 7 highest peaks in South Wales. Pre-booking onto the event is essential and interested people should contact Chris for details and an entry form. Distance 47 miles. |
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AND FINALLY….. |
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“Next Step”, an event run by the SWMC and BMC to assist youngsters with outdoor climbing
….John Moore explains |
“Gary Lewis from the South Wales Mountaineering Club is organising a 'Next Step Event' in conjunction with the BMC, and is looking for some assistance from us. These events are primarily aimed at young people (typically aged 12 upwards) who have had some climbing wall experience and want to try climbing outside. The next one is on the 18th May at Symond's Yat. The events are run by volunteers at no cost to the young people attending. The number of places is limited by the number of leaders available. The intention is to operate with a ratio of 2 'pupils' to one leader. Gary is looking for volunteers from the GMC who can help out with this event. Obviously they will have to be competent climbers who are comfortable with looking after a couple of youngsters for a day's climbing. Anyone who is interested in volunteering as a leader, or would like to take advantage of this opportunity to try climbing outside, should contact either myself or Gary (contact details below). Although this event is primarily aimed at young people it is also open to adults providing enough volunteers are available.” John Moore 02920 850384 mailto:jacmoore@beeb.net Gary Lewis 02920 214677 mailto:gary.lewis2@ntlworld.com |
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Mountainering Rock Routes in North Wales.. Dave Bingham seeks partners/interested people |
I have been inspired recently by entering many people’s names against Classic Rock routes in the GMC Tables over the last 3 years and by the purchase of a book by Robin Ashcroft titled “The Long Routes – Mountaineering Rock Climbs in Snowdonia and the Lakes District”. Thus far I have completed three of the Classic Rocks with Kay, the routes which appear in Ken Wilson’s coffee-table book: Tower Ridge on Ben Nevis, First Pinnacle Rib on Tryfan and Hope on the Idwal Slabs. All three are great mountaineering routes, the hardest being Vdiff. Although these grades are small beer for some, the routes provide a grand day out nevertheless. If the weather is kind the views are dramatic and in many cases you finish off with a mountain summit as well!
I have in my sights other classics such as Grooved Arete and Gashed Crag on Tryfan, Milestone Direct, Spiral Stairs and Flying Buttress on Dinas Cromlech – all in the hard-diff/Vdiff category. With the summer weather upon us (hopefully) and in particular the bank holidays not far away, I would be interested in finding those in the club seeking similar mountaineering routes. If this is your cup of tea please contact me on 029 20 852771 or email Dave Bingham and maybe we can get some of these type of routes done. Thanks. |
