Members’ Holidays In 1912

E. E. Roberts:- At the New Year was in Snowdonia and did, with G. Barlow: Arenig, Moel, Lyfnant, Dyphwys, Llethr, the Rhirogs and Tryfaen (North and Central Buttresses). At Easter.- Mardale to Wasdale, Arrow head Ridge, &c. May 5th.- Little Hull Hole. Whitsuntide.- Mere Gill Hole. July 12-14.- On Penyghent with R. F. Stobart: Long Churn, Sell Gill Hole, Browgill Cave, &c.

In August.- From the Riffelberg, with Stobart and W. M. Roberts, did the Stockhorn, Klein Matterhorn and S. slopes of Breithorn to Schwarzthor (descent most trying owing to the immense extent of soft snow to be traversed), Monte Rosa, Riffelhorn by Matterhorn Couloir, Theodulhorn. With Bishop and Stobart did the Cima di Jazzi and Schwarzberg Weissthor (in dense mist), Trifthorn over the whole ridge from Triftjoch, Lo Besso, Pointe de Zinal from the Col de Zinal and walked over the Sanetsch Pass (7,000 feet), two hours in deep snow.

“The Matterhorn Couloir on the Riffelhorn is a fine climb over difficult, smooth rock. It does not lead to the summit at all, but finishes on a broad alp half-way up from the glacier. The long line of crags can then be climbed in many ways to the W. ridge, which has one very stiff bit just below the summit. On a second climb, with Bishop, the head of the couloir was entered by descending a gully from the W. ridge low down. A traverse was made to the alp, and the upper crags were then traversed to the E. until a popular and interesting route was crossed, which led direct to the top of the Riffelhorn.”

Claude E. Benson spent September in West Craven and Bowland. “The dales,” he says, “are full of beauty and interest, but the fells present morose and cowardly features. Any amount of grouse and a lamentable absence of grit.”

W. A. Wright spent August in Dauphiné and (with Miss Wright and guides) crossed the Clot des Cavalles from Alpe to the Chatelleret and Promontoire Huts and to the Brèche de la Meije, but bad weather compelled them to return to St. Cristophe; from latter place by Col de la Lauze to La Grave; thence by the Brèche to La Berarde; thence to Ailefroide Hotel by Col de la Temple, ascending Pic Coolidge en route; climbed Pointe Puisieux of Mt. Pelvoux from the Provence Hut; to the Caron Refuge for Les Ecrins, but the weather broke in the night; crossed the Col Emile Pic, ascended the Pic de la Neige Cordier, slept in Alpe Inn and returned to La Grave. The very variable weather prevented bigger climbs.

C. R. Wingfield:- In January had a few days’ good ski-ing near Llangollen; spent February at Chester Barracks in training; at Easter was at the Wasdale Y.R.C. Meet, where on the 9th April, led by Sanson, climbed the New West route on Pillar Rock in a heavy snowstorm.

May 4.- Slanting Gully, Lliwedd, led by Burne.

May 5.- Looked at Devil’s Kitchen and climbed Hanging Garden.

Whitsun.- At the Gaping Ghyll Meet.

June.- Training at Conway, explored some small caves and (led by J. M. Davidson) climbed the Great Gully in Craig-yr-Ysfa.

July.- Explored some old shafts near Bull Pit, Derbyshire.

August.- Yachting in Gwynfa (60 tons), could not get round Land’s End, so ran East.

September 17.- With H. L. Kentish and E. A. Baker, completed first descent (250ft.) of Noon’s Hole, near Enniskillen.

November 29.- Had a good day’s ski-ing near Llangollen.

W. A. Brigg was at the Wasdale Meet at Easter; spent Whitsuntide in a solitary ‘push-bike’ circular tour by way of Sedbergh, Eden Vale, Alston, Teesdale, Mashamshire and Richmondshire; had a week end at Ogwen Cottage with Mr. Haskett Smith and did some gullies on Tryfan, Idwal Slabs, Great Gully in Craig-yr-Ysfa (led by Mr. J. M. Laycock); and was at Chamonix in August with J. J. Brigg and Messrs. Greenwood and Garden, where he and his brother hoped “to burn fifty candles” on Mt. Blanc, but the weather was bad, and even worse at Arolla.

J. J. Brigg was at Villars in February for winter sports; in the Desert of Sinai in April; and in the Alps in August.