Club Meets

1978-79.

The Club held 13 meets during the year, excluding the Annual Dinner, the Ladies’ Evening and Working Parties. Average attention was 22. A Special General Meeting was held at the Cairn Hotel, Harrogate, on the 18th November 1978. Rule 16 was rescinded and replaced to clarify the Club’s power to purchase or lease property. The 86th Annual General Meeting followed, and was in turn followed by the 65th Annual Dinner. The retiring President, F.D. Smith, was in the chair, and the principal guest was Sir Anthony Rawlinson (Alpine Club). 122 members and guests were present. The after dinner meet was held at Sparth House, Malham.

The December meet again enjoyed the hospitality of Dennis and Margaret Driscoll at the Grove, Kentmere. 63 members and guests filled beds and floors and overflowed into Head’s Cottage, tents, cars and caravans. Wet and muggy weather throughout the weekend limited but failed to extinguish activity on the hills. The Marton Arms at Thornton in Lonsdale was the venue for the January meet. Snow on the roads reduced attendance on Friday evening to four, and there were only 26 for dinner on Saturday instead of the expected 42. There were near white-out conditions on the tops; the Low Stern group could see more clearly down Marble Steps. There was snow in abundance also at the February meet at L.H.G. and a surprisingly small attendance of 10 members to enjoy excursions on Swirl How, Pavey Ark and Sharp Edge, and a surplus of food. The Scottish meet in February was split between the C.I.C. Hut below the north face of Ben Nevis and the traditional Grampian Club Hut in Glen Etive. Three members moved into the C.I.C. Hut on Thursday and on Friday climbed Tower Gully and traversed Carn Mor Dearg and all summits over 3,000 feet. By Friday night the Y.R.C. numbered 6 including the President. A second party traversed Carn Mor Dearg and the Ben. Others ventured up and down Ledge Route, No. 4 Gully, Raeburn’s Route and an unidentified ice bulge. A further 20 members and guests were at Inbhirfhoala in and traversed the Aonach Eagach both ways, the horseshoe of Beinn a’ Bheithir, Stob Dubh, Ben Starav, with skiing in the White Coire. A vintage meet. 8 members attended the Easter meet at Glen Shee. Half of them concentrated on skiing for which the spring snow conditions were good. The climbers were not so fourtnate at Lochnager with soggy snow in Block Gully. Carn Aosda, Cairnwell, Cairn a’ Gheoidh and Carn Bhinnein were traversed. Only 3 members arrived through driving rain, low cloud and high wind in Upper Eskdale for the high level camp in April. Each erected his own tent. Scafell was ascended in soft, wet snow via Cam Spout Crag and descended via Broad Stand. The Spring Bank Holiday meet saw 11 members and 1 guest camping at Coruisk. The weather was disappointing. Two parties unintentionally put up new routes on Sgurr a’ Greadaidh trying to follow Collie’s original climb from Coruisk and then followed the ridge to Bidein Druim nan Ramh. Two parties did the Dubhs and parts of the ridge. A party traversed north to south taking in Garbh Bheinn, Clach Glas and Blaven and on Blaven summit met the rest of the meet who had come up the S.W. ridge. An attempt on the main ridge started at 3.45a.m. for Ghars Bheinn and was abandoned because of persistent rain at An Stac at approx. 9.30a.m. 36 members and guests took part in the long walk in June, starting at Mungrisedale, taking in Blencathra, the ridge from White Pike via Helvellyn to Dollywaggon, Seat Sandal to Kilnshaw Chimney, John Bell’s Banner to 111 Bell, and down to Kentmere. The walk was completed but sadly marred when a new member collapsed and died twenty minutes after he had started. The front walkers were by then well away and unaware of the tragedy. A joint meet with the Rucksack Club was held at Lowstern in July. 13 Y.R.C. and 5 R.C. members attended, and along with members of the Northern Pennine Club tackled Link Pot on Casterton Fell on Saturday and Disappointment Pot on Sunday. 12 senior members and 7 juniors were at L.H.G. in August for the Juniors’ Meet. Because of rain and low cloud climbing was limited to Scout Crag and Middlefell Buttress. For the joint meet in September there were 13 Y.R.C. members at R.L.H. and 7 at L.H.G. A group from L.H.G. had in retrospect a great day on Bowfell Buttress. The Welsh meet at the end of September was at the C.C. Hut at Helyg. 25 members and guests attended and took, full advantage of excellent weather, climbing on Tryfan, Idwal, the Glyders, LLiwedd and walking on Snowdon. At the first joint meet with the Alpine Club at Malham in October, 30 Y.R.C. and 7 A.C. members also enjoyed excellent weather, visiting Gordale, Kilnsey, Parson’s Pulpit, Victoria Cave and the Cove.

1979-80. 

The Club held 13 meets during the year, average attendance at meets was 27. The 87th Annual General Meeting was held on the 17th November 1979 at the Cairn Hotel, Harrogate, and was followed by the 66th Annual Dinner. The President, J.P. Barton was in the chair and the principal guest was George Band (Vice President, Alpine Club). 118 members and guests were present. The after-dinner meet was held at the Racehorses Hotel, Kettlewell. The Christmas meet at the Coledale Hotel, Braithwaite, was attended by 57 members and guests. The weekend was wet and windy with low cloud, the hospitality contrastingly warm. Parties walked the Newlands and Derwent fells, others climbed in Borrowdale. The January meet was switched to LHG, where 39 members and guests assembled. There had been heavy snow on the tops, but roads were clear and Saturday was cloudless with warm sunshine. Guillies on the Crinkles, Dollywaggon, Deepdale etc. attracted some, others walked. Two sittings for dinner were followed by a slide show on Peru by Jack Carswell. The February meet in Glen Etive was also blessed with excellent weather. 25 members and guests enjoyed Stob Dearg, the gullies on Stob Coire nan Lochan and Bidean nam Bian and Long views, cloudless skies, skiing, early frost and good snow. The Ladies’ Evening on the 8th March was followed on the Sunday by a walk down the Washburn valley after morning coffee at the Hopper Lane Hotel, where the Club in 1892 held its first meeting outside Leeds. Six members and their wives, and one member and his son walked down from Fewston Reservoir, via Swinsty Reservoir, Dob Park, and Lindsey Wood Reservoir to Leathley. For the Spring Bank Holiday meet 20 members and one guest returned to Loch Stack and camped at Lone. Ben Stack, Arkle, Foinaven, Ben Loyal, Ben Hope were visited or revisited. There was climbing on Arkle and Ben Stack but the weather limited activity on Greag Urbhard. As usual the cliffs from Cape Wrath to Sandalwood Bay were walked, and the birds on Handa Island watched. Some botanised, some geologised and some caught trout on the tabs from empty beer cans. The long walk in June started at Tan Hill, then proceeded via Nine Standards Rigg, High Seat, High Seat and Great Shunner Fell to Hardrow; then via Ten End, Dodd Fell, Cam End to Ribblehead; and finally by Simon Fell and Ingleborough to Lowstern. 40 walked and 16 fed and ferried them with great efficiency. Rain fell most of the day. 11 members and guests turned up for the July meet at Lowstern. In heavy rain the potholers descended Christmas Pot and through to the upper reaches of the adjoining A.G. Caverns. The walkers braved the heights of Bowland. Sunday was finer: the potholers were in Chapel le Dale, the walkers on the fells above. A day meet was also held in July at Rylstone Crag. 4 members and one guest enjoyed a variety of routes on gritstone. Lowstern was the base for the August Junior meet at which 14 members were present. The younger members, and a few of the elders, went down Sell Gill Pot. The remaining fathers walked on Ingleborough. On Sunday there was climbing on. Attermire Scar. The traditional joint meet was held at R.L.H. in early September. Among climbers on Scout and Tarn Crags, Pavey Ark and White Gill, Jack Hilton celebrated his 90th birthday by doing Route Two, which was first climbed in 1922, the year in which Jack joined the club. 45 Y.R.C. members and guests were present. A North Wales meet was held at Beudy Mawe in late September with a surprisingly low attendance of 14. There were parties on Cnicht, and in the Cwm Silyn/Mynydd Drws-y-Coed as well as on the Snowdon range; there was climbing on Clogwyn-y-Person, Crib-y-Ddysgl, Carreg Wasted, Dinas Cromlech and Idwal, and canoeing somewhere off the Llyn Peninsula. Attendance at the October meet near Rothbury was also 14. An Outdoor Centre at Netherton provided sybaritic facilities. The Cheviot bogs were in prime condition but there was good climbing at Simonside and Ravensheugh Crags.

1980-81. 14 meets were held during the year, with an average attendance of 26. The 88th Annual General Meeting was held on the 15th November 1980 at the Cairn Hotel, Harrogate, and was followed by the 67th Annual Dinner. The retiring President, J.P. Barton, was in the chair and the principlal guest was John C. Frankland, doctor to the Cave Rescue Organisation. 113 members and guests were present. The after-dinner meet was held at the Miners’ Arms, Greenhow. The Christmas meet at Kentmere was a splendid weekend for the 55 members and guests who attended. Clear blue skies, sunshine and hard frosts, with snow above 1500 feet made for good going and memorable views. Provision at the Grove was as usual superb. A New Year-weekend meet was held at Lowstern. On a wet and windy day the regular cavers pushed on with their exploratory dig, working in a small lake. The walkers had a breezy trip to Stainforth via Austwick and Feizor. There were 8 residents and 6 day visitors. There were 34 members and guests at the LHG meet at the end of January. Dow Crag was cold and windy, Bowfell Buttress snow covered and slippery. Walkers on the Coniston and Langdale fells were less uncomfortable. 42 members and guests overflowed the hut at Inbhirfhaolain in February. Parties ranged from Craig Meagaidh. Ben Nevis and Lochaber, the Mamores and Glencoe, to Glen Orchy and even Ben Lawers. The March meet was at Dinas Mawddwy. It was very wet from Friday evening to Sunday morning but the Red Lion was not affected and was fully appreciated by the 19 members and guests on the meet. On the Easter meet in April six members enjoyed the facilities of the Cairngorm Club hut at Muir of Inverey, and excellent weather throughout the weekend, with climbing at Loch-nagar, the circuit of Meikle Pap, Cuidhe Mor and Cac Carn More, and ascents of Braeriach, Carn Bhac and Carn Creagach, and Ben Macdui. A potholing/working party meet was held at Lowstern in early May and advertised as suitable for beginners and Past Presidents. 15 members and guests spent Saturday down Long Churn to the Bridge of Alum Pot. Sunday was certainly too wet to tar a roof. The Spring Bank Holiday meet camped on a superb site on the shore of Loch a Braoin. The Fanichs ridge served as a starter, followed by Ben Dearg, the Coigach group, An Teallach in a spectacular thunderstorm, Seana Bhraigh and Corie Mhic Fhearchair, Sgurr Ban and Beinn a’ Chlaidheimh. Red throated divers flew in every morning, black throated divers less frequently, and greenshank nested nearby. Good weather crowned a successful week for 19 members and for 3 who were there the previous week. The long walk in June started on Wetherlam in mist and rain, took in the Old Man, crossed the Duddon Valley to Black Combe and back to Hardknott summit, from which two members carried on to Crinkle Crags, Pike o’ Blisco and back to the hut. There were 37 walkers and 11 suporters. A dozen members and guests were at Lowstern in July, potholing, working on the hut, three-peaking, climbing on Twistleton Scar – an enjoyable, friendly weekend. 15 fathers and sons assembled at LHG in August, climbing on Scout Crag and Dow. The Welsh meet in September was at Helyg on one of the wettest weekends of the year. One party climbed on Tryfan, another canoed off Great Orme’s Head, the rest walked on Snowdon, in Cwm Silyn and Mynydd Mawr. Sunday was wetter and the meet abandoned Snowdonia. Attendance 26. The October meet was switched from Cleveland to Lowstern. Rain and mist started and ended the day on Gregareth, Whernside, Ingleborough or Lock Fell Ease Gill, Barbon Hill and Gregareth. Sunday was fine on Widdale Fell. The attendance was 10.

1981-82. There were 15 meets during the year, the average attendance was 21. The 89th Annual General Meeting was held on the 21st November 1981 at the Cairn Hotel, Harrogate. The 68th Annual Dinner followed. The President, W.R. Lofthouse was in the chair and the principal guest was David Cox.
105 members and guests were present. The after-dinner meet was held at Long Ashes, Threshfield. The Christmas meet at High Trenhouse, Malham was attended by 32 members and guests. Facilities included a sauna. The favoured route included Fountains Fell, Penyghent and a return via Littondale. The first meet of 1982, in mid-January was at Hag Dyke, above Kettlewell. Great Whernside was invisible under a wet mist for the whole weekend, 20 members and guests were present. The L.H.G. weekend at the end of January saw 34 members and guests buffetted by high  winds  and  limited  by  indifferent  weather. An attendance of 15 at the Glen Etive meet in February was well below the usual figure. Those who stayed at Roy Bridge for the week before the meet had the best of the weather on the White Corries, Black Mountain, Aonach Eagach and Ben Nevis.   An  avalanche  in  Observatory  Gully involved members in rescue operations. The week-end party were active on the Glencoe Etive hills in poor visibility and worsening weather. At Lowstern in March caving parties were down Sunset Hole and the Easegill/Top Sink system, and walkers were on the fells around Dent. 11 members and guests made up the meet, plus 3 day visitors. 17 members made the long journey on the 30th April to Dolygaer, north of Merthyr Tydfil. In gale force gusts some made the circuit of the Brecon ridges and the Black Mountain. The potholers visited Little Neath river cave, Ponthyr Ogaf and Pant Maior. The Garbh Choire Bothy in the Cairngorms provided shelter for five members for the Easter meet. High winds, low cloud snow and spindrift tested navigation. The Spring Bank Holiday meet with 22 members and guets was at Inchnadamph for a memorable week of unbroken sunshine. Parties traversed all the major Assynt summits plus Ben More Coigach, and climbed on Quinag. Botanists and ornithologists (with Handa on the list) were also active. In June, on the 25th anniversary of the Club’s Himalayan Expedition, eight of those who had been involved held a reunion at L.H.G. Their Saturday route was up the Band, Bowfell, Crinkle Crags and Pike o’ Blisco, followed by dinner at the Three Shires and a nostalgic viewing of Dan Jones expedition film. 27 members turned up in depressing weather at Motherby House for the long walk in the Cumbrian Pennines. 21 walked, 5 supported, 10 completed the walk from Warcrop to Brampton. The Lowstern meet in mid-July was attended by six members, one guest and one day visitor. Cherry Tree Hole, including the “duck” leading to Aurora Hall, Gavel and Short Drop Pots were bottomed. One member competed in a fell race, another did a strenuous day on a lightweight racing bicycle. 30 members and guests represented the club at the joint meet in September, as usual accommodated at L.H.G. as well as R.L.H. Dry rock was enjoyed by climbing parties on Gimmer, Pavey Ark and Tarn Crag, and most of the fells at the head of Langdale were walked. The Welsh meet at Beudy Mawr began with a prospect of a wash out, but Saturday turned out a good day. One party ascended Cwm Glasbach by a scrambling route up Llechog Buttress, followed by the east route scramble up Cloggie and descended by Lliwedd and the horseshoe, or by the Gribin ridge. Rain, wind, hail and thunder prevailed on Sunday and guests attended. Gunnerside in Swale-dale was the venue for the October meet. 33 members and guests were greeted on Saturday by a fine white frost and clear skies and took full advantage of the day on the fells north and south of the dale. Sunday was different and navigation indifferent.

1982-83.

14 meets were held during the year with an average attendance of 27. The 90th Annual General Meeting was held at the Cairn Hotel, Harrogate on the 20th November 1982 and was followed by the 69th Annual Dinner. The retiring President, W.R. Lofthouse was in the chair and the principal guest was Dennis Gray of the B.M.C. 99 members and guests were present. The after-dinner meet was at High Trenhouse Malham. 40 members and guests gathered at the Grove, Kentmere for the Christmas meet. This was to be the last meet at the Grove and a presentation was made to the Driscolls for their hospitality over many years. Conditions were good on both days with sunshine and snow. For the January meet 37 members and guests assembled at Hag Dyke, Kettlewell. Parties on Great and Little Whernside, Buckden Pike, the elusive Meugher and adjacent moors enjoyed clear, dry and windy conditions. Early evening snow on the Friday caused some problems for the L.H.G. meet in February. The eventual tally was 20 members and guests. Rain and wind, combined with wet snow to set a limit to the quality of achievement on the hills, but greatly enhanced the dining and wining. Glen Etive in February gave a perfect weekend – blue skies, sunshine and splendid firm snow. The gullies on Stob Coire nan Lochan, Bidean and Buchaille Etive Mor were in excellent condition as was the Aonach Eagach. Ben Starav gave 50 mile views. Ben a Bheithir, and on the way home Ben More and Stob Binnein were also topped. 23 members and guests attended. The Lowstern meet in March mustered 19 members and guests. The coke stove and electricity were greatly appreciated. One walking party covered Gregareth and Whernside, Grag Hill and West Fell. Two late comers dashed up Ingleborough. The potholers mastered single rope technique and Bull Pot, followed on Sunday by Ireby Fell Cavern. The April meet, based on L.H.G. was aimed’at the Lake District 3,000s. Because of the weather and hours of daylight it was decided to drive between the three main mountain groups to eliminate the tedious road walking. A member and his guest nevertheless did the full route. 24 members and guests tackled the 4 peaks from various starting points and in sufficient depth of snow to point the wisdom of taking axes. The May Day weekend meet was a camp at Blackbeck Tarn with an attendance of 9. Some climbed on Burtness Combe on Saturday on greasy.rock, others walked the Ennerdale fells. Hopes of a classic route on Pillar on Sunday were foiled by high winds rain and sleet. Only 2 tents and 3 members stayed on until Monday. The Spring Bank Holiday meet took a totally untraditional form in putting a Y.R.C. member on the top of every Munro during the week. The main base was the Scout Camp at Roy Bridge, with an Operations Controller at a local hotel. The meet attracted the biggest turnout for a meet in the history of the club. 75 members and guests operated in small groups – backpacking, using bothies and tents, canoes and trains to achieve their objectives, before coming together for the final peak on Carn Liath on Friday. A member was to have flown over the peak in salutation at 13.30 hours, but the low cloud base prevented that. On the June meet 24 members and guests tackled the Welsh 3,000s from Beudy Mawr. 19 walked, 5 supported, 15 finished. All the walkers were away between 0400 and 0415 hours and the last group finished at Aber at 01.15 hours on Sunday. 13 members and guests attended the July meet at Lowstern. One caving party descended Lancaster Hole, visited the Colonnades and the main sump then passed through the master cave to Oxbow Corner and came out of County Pot via some of the lesser known passengers of Oxford Pot. A second party descended Cow Pot using single rope techniques, visiting the master cave, Stake Pot inlets and the upper series. Activities also included fell running, climbing on Attermire Scar, diving at Devil’s Bridge and walking.

A Juniors’ meet in August was also held at Lowstern. 11 fathers and sons went down Tatham’s Wife Hole on Saturday and Sell Gill Pot, the second deepest pot in Britain on Sunday. For the joint meet with the Rucksack and Wayfarers Clubs, on the first weekend in September, 14 Y.R.C. members were at R.L.H. and 15 L.H.G. Torrential rain and fierce winds prevented serious climbing. The joint catering was excellent, as was CD. Milner’s slide show “Mountains for pleasure”. At the North Wales meet at Cwm Cowarch on the last weekend in September 20 members and guests were present. Despite poor weather two members climbed on S. Buttress, two others disappeared down a mineshaft, the remainder found their way up the Arans to be rewarded when the cloud lifted after mid-day. On Sunday there was more climbing on S. Buttress and an ascent of Cader Idris on a lovely autumn day. 18 members and guests assembled for the Cleveland meet at the end of October at the Scout camp site at Kirkby near Stokesley. They were all away before 9.00a.m. across the moors towards Hawnby. Some got there and had their pints, others circled a radio mast, all had an invigorating day. Maurice Wilson kindly showed slides of the 1953 Himalayan expedition at his home in the evening. A gale blew up during the night and it was still blowing hard on Sunday as members crossed Tripsdale and Urra Moor.

1983-84.

There were 14 meets during the year. Average attendance was 24. The 91st Annual General Meeting was held at the Graiglands Hotel, Ilkley on the 19th November 1983. The 70th Annual Dinner followed. The President, W.A. Linford was in the chair and the principal guest was Sandy Cousins, Past President of the J.C.M.S. 125 members and guests were present. The after-dinner meet was based at Highfield House, Ilkley. The Christmas meet was held at High Trenhouse, Malham. Two days of heavy rain had caused flooding in Wharfedale immediately before the meet, but there was a hard frost on the Friday night. Parties were out early on Penyghent, Fountains Fell and Parson’s Pulpit over solidly frozen ground with a light dusting of snow and magnificent views. Sunday was another fine hard day, attendance was 38. The L.H.G.meet in early January had an attendance of 24. Winds increased to gale force on Saturday with low cloud and snow flurries, which made even the familiar ground of the Coniston group difficult. Sunday was little better on Pike o’ Blisco and the Crinkles. The Welsh meet at the end of January was at Beudy Mawr with 18 members and guests setting out on a sunny, crisp Saturday morning towards Snowdon, Y Garn and the Ogwen valley. The weather steadily deteriorated as sleet turned to pouring rain. Sunday saw parties on Crib Goch, the Glyders and Moel Siabod. By the time they got back the weather was fine. The February meet at Glen Etive attracted 32 members and guests. Friday was mild with slushy snow and low cloud. Saturday brought clearer, colder weather with good snow conditions. Parties made up Tower Gully on the Ben, Ben Dorain, Stob Coire an Albannaigh, Stob Coire nan Lochan, Bidean, the Blackmount area and the Glenduror Forest area. Sunday was much colder and clear with strong winds. Aonach Eagach, Beinn Fhionnlaidh, Ben Vorlich, Stuc a Chroin were traversed by different groups. Those who stayed on did Crowberry Gully on the Buchaille on Monday and two members filled out the week bothying in Barrisdale and Knoydart with a day in the Mamores. Long Marton, 2 miles north of Appleby was the venue for the March meet. 21 members and guests attended. There was good skiing on Cross Fell, no one could find Knock Cave, but Murton and Dufton Pikes Mickle Fell and High Cup Nick were ascended, descended and circumnavigated. The new Cross Burn Bothy, west of the Merrick was the centre for the Galloway meet in early April. 11 members and guests enjoyed good weather throughout the weekend. There was soft snow above 1800 feet and excellent visibility as members traversed the Merrick, Kirriereoch, Tarfessock, Shalloch on Minnoch, the Rhinns of Kells, Meikle Millyea and Cairnsmore of Carsphairn – surely the most intriguing set of hill names in the British Isles. Excellent weather also graced the L.H.G. meet at the end of April for 25 members and guests who climbed on Dow and Gimmer or walked over Crinkle Crags, Bowfell, Scafell Pike and Scafell. The Spring Bank Holiday meet returned to the excellent camp site at Spean Bridge and took full advantage of a week of sunny weather – back-packing to the Ben Alder area, climbing on the Ben, visiting the Grey Corries, Craig Meagaidh, Stob Coire Easain, Stob Ban and the Streaps. 17 members and 1 guest were present. The long walk in June started and finished at L.H.G. and took in Swirl How, the Old Man, Cockley Beck, Cam Spout, Scafell Pike, Esk Hause, Wythburn Church, Helvellyn and Grasmere. 29 members and guests walked or supported. 11 members arrived at Lowstern for the July meet. On Saturday Christmas Pot was bottomed by one group, others walked on the Howgills. On Sunday some climbed on the summit crags of Penyghent, others dived in the river at Kirkby Lonsdale. Four lads and six dads assembled at L.H.G. in August, climbing on Scout Crag and Dow Crag, canoeing on Little Langdale Tarn and Coniston Water. For the last weekend in August 21 members and guests revisited the Rhinogs. Over the two days, from Llyn Cwm Bychan they traversed south over Rhinog Fawr, Rhinog Fach, Y Llethr and Moelfre, and north over Clip and Foel Penolau then back to Clip and on to Craig Wion – all rough stuff in low cloud. 25 members turned up for the joint meet in September and were evenly divided between L.H.G. and R.L.H., coming together for supper on Saturday at R.L.H. and for a slideshow by CD. Milner, both excellent. Inclement weather limited climbing. For the last meet of the year 29 members and guests were at Gunnerside in Swaledale. Almost every hill within a ten-mile radius of Spring End was visited on a brilliant day. Harry Stembridge then gave an illustrated talk on “Travels in retirement”, covering mountains in Chile, Nepal, all the European Alps and Corsica – an amazing achievement.

1984-85.

The 92nd Annual General Meeting was held at the Craiglands Hotel, Ilkley on the 17th November 1984 and was followed by the 71st Annual Dinner. The retiring President, W.A. Linford, was in the chair, and the principal guest was Bill Birkett. 106 members and guests were present. The after-dinner meet was based at Highfield House. The Christmas meet was held at Scar Top, on Whernside at the invitation of Albert Chapman. 55 members and guests enjoyed the hospitality, the feasting, the viewing of slides, the Three Peaks (or parts thereof), Ingleton Falls and other diversions. The January meet was at L.H.G. with a thin coating of snow above 1500 feet and a forecast of -6 degrees C on Friday night. But Saturday was mild and dry with some sun and good visibility. The alternatives followed were the Langdale skyline from Lingmoor Fell to Chapel Stile, Wetherlam, the Carrs, the Crinkles, and Hell Gill, the Old Man via Tilberthwaite and back via the Carrs. Sunday was less promising with snowy rain and blustery winds. The major group was on the Fairfield horseshoe, some in Long Sleddale. Attendance was 29. The North Wales meet at the end of January was based at the Chester M.C Hut at Pen Cennant Uchaf, Lanberis, 15 members and guests were present. Parties walked in icy conditions over the Glyders, Y Garn and Elidir Fach; over Yr Wyddfa and via Moel Eilio, Foel Goch and Clogwyn dur Arrdu; over LLiwedd and Snowden. Other climbed in Slanting Gully on LLiwedd, in Cwm Cneifon and on to Glyder Fawr and Y Garn. The Glen Etive meet in February had 3 days of sub-zero temperatures, little wind, clear visibility, and hard though not abundant snow. 32 members and guests in a dozen parties were out as far south as Ben Cruachan, as far east as Beinn a Creachan, as far north as the Central Mamores, as well as on the nearer ridges and gullies. Sunday remained dry with a slight thaw and most members had a fairly full day near at hand or on the way home. Sixteen members and guests arrived at Alport Castles Barn for the March meet, some following the snow-plough over the Snake Pass. Saturday morning produced near-blizzard conditions, though the afternoon was better for those struggling on Bleaklow and Kinder. A cloudless sky and 3 or 4 inches of snow underfoot on Sunday allowed for enjoyment of the moors on both sides of the Snake road. On the April meet at Lowstern it rained all Friday night and all day Saturday. The intended descent of Magnetometer Pot was impracticable. Ingleborough and Wild Boar Fell were practicable. Attendance increased on Sunday to 15 and the experts conducted four geriatrics/ novices from Calf Holes to Browgill, wading Old Ingand and ascending Birkwith Cave, all of which were full of water. The high level camp was at Scoat Tarn on the May Day weekend. 9 members attended and in low cloud and indifferent weather traversed the Ennerdale ridges and the Wastwater Fells. The Spring Bank Holiday meet on Skye was based on the camp site in Glen Brittle. 36 members and guests had an active week despite heavy rain, violent winds and low cloud which finally defeated the planned attempt on the ridge.