Meets
Christmas Meet
Goat Gap Inn, Clapham
6-8 December 1996.
This meet was typified by high sphits and low cloud. A total of 54 members and guests assembled for dinner several in their eighth decade. Many members recalled scores of years of passing the Goat Gap without ever considering a visit. In fact the venue offered good food, real ale, ambient sourroundings, camping, caravaiming, bivouacing and not to mention the close proximity of Lowstem and Harden. A veiy useful base for meets in the future or even for Saturday dinner on Lowstem meets. Our sole member from Surrey made a welcome appearance.
But above all our new President and Vice President made their inaugural appearances having been persuaded to sway to the Gregorian calendar! Our secretaries incoming and outgoing, were seen to swap helpful hints to one another about running the Club and, no doubt, continued the myth-cum-fact that one half of the YRC cannot read and the other half cannot write, thus making the Secretary’s job rather tricky!
Many local hills were ascended, some at the speed of light, others at a snails pace. Several members enjoyed lunch on the Saturday above the cloud though they would be lucky to enjoy the same conditions on the Sunday. The President’s party ascended Wildboar Fell via Aisgill during which a guest related to a younger member by marriage was seen to go becking in bare feet and underpants. A hardier party descended Roseberry Pot, Fern Pot and Pillar Halls to recover gear left on a previous trip. They also reconnoitred the Newby Moss area looking for a winter dig.
A five course Christmas Dinner was the social highlight of the Meet and our thanks to to the Landlord and our eccentric member from Ribblehead.
Sunday saw a variety of activites embarked upon all of which enjoyed poor weather. A group of potholers renounced guide books in order to make their trips more interesting and the President’s party aided and abetted by an ex-president renowned for a lack of sense of direction reorientated a party of lost scouts in Crummockdale.
And so that was it – again. Muscles exercised fresh paths explored, thirsts slaked, stomachs filled, friendships made & renewed, advice asked and freely given on a host of subjects – the YRC at its best! Then homeward to their other families.
DJH
Attendence:
| Tim Josephy, President Ken Aldred Denis Barker Bruce Bensley Chris Bird (G) Alan Brown Ged Campion John Casperson Albert Chapman Cliff Cobb Arthur Craven |
Ian Crowther Robert Crowther Roy Denny Eddy Edwards Iain Gilmore Mike Godden Ralph Hague David Handley John Hemingway David Hick David Holmes |
Gordon Humphreys Ray Ince John Jenkin (G) Alan Kay Mike Kinder Ian Laing David Laughton Gerry Lee Alan Linford Harvey Lomas Lohn Lovatt |
Rory Newman Roy Pomfret George Postill Keith Raby (G) Harry Robinson Arthur Salmon Graham Salmon John Schofield Jack Short David Smith Michael Smith |
Derek Smithson Tony Smythe George Spenceley Trevor Temple (G) Mike Thompson Bill Todd John White Tim Wilkinson (G) Frank Wilkinson Roy Wilson |
Glan Dena, North Wales
31 Jan-2 Feb 1997
This years first North Wales meet was, as usual, organised by Tim Josephy and held at the MAM hut at Glan Dena. Sitting at the foot of Tryfan in the Ogwen valley and having recently been renovated, it served as an excellent starting point for any mountain activities.
The weather outlook for the weekend wasn’t good and sure enough Saturday started off a bit grey and overcast. Not to be put off by this people set off in all directions, some headed for the Snowdon Horseshoe, some set off up the Carnedds and some even went shopping in Bangor.
A small group of four of us headed off up to Cwrn Idwal in search of some rock climbing. At the foot of the Idwal slabs we split into two groups of two and started to do battle with ‘Hope’ and ‘Charity’. After negotiating the slippery start to ‘Charity’ in our big boots we were away and progressed quickly upwards only slowing slightly to clear some footsteps in a patch of ice that barred our way. This was done by Daniel using my set of rocks! They looked a bit battered after that but now fit into places that they never would before so that’s OK. At the top of the slabs we regrouped and finished up a route called ‘Lazarus’. A short scramble and a walk across the nameless cwm and Tim introduced us to one of the hidden jewels of the Ogwen valley, the Cneifion Arete. I never knew this existed though I must have passed it by a good twenty times. It must be one of the best scrambles in the whole area if you keep right on the edge of the arete. Once on the top of the Glyders we finished the day off by descending by the side of Bristly ridge, over Tryfan and back to the hut, all in all a good day out.
A fabulous meal was then produced by the president Tim which included a toast to the late Peter Swindells. On the only occasion I went walking with Peter, I remember he managed to guide us accurately along the Five Sisters of Kintail in thick cloud without getting lost once. I’m sure he will be sorely missed.
Reports of the other days activities uncovered conflicting views of less successful feats of navigation that took place on the Carnedds. Members were said to have departed from the top of Carnedd Llewellyn only to return twenty minutes later and then set off again in a completely different direction. All the parties involved however managed to return in time for the evening meal.
The Sunday saw a group of ten set off up the north ridge of Tryfan in misty conditions with verglas covering the upper slopes. At the col between Tryfan and the Glyders, the group split with some descending to Idwal whilst the rest continued up Bristly Ridge, over the Glyders and down via the side of the Devil’s kitchen. Also on Tryfan at the same time the President and Mark Pryor managed to get up Gashed Crag, an excellent route on the North face, in somewhat icy conditions.
Tim Bateman.
Routes:
Charity V Diff **
Hope V Diff ***
Lazaraus Severe *
Gashed Crag V Diff ***
Attendance:
| Dennis Armstrong Dennis Barker Tim Bateman Derek Bush Derek Collins Ian Crowther Andrew Duxbury Nigel Duxbury (Guest) Eddie Edwards Iain Gilmour Mike Godden Ray Harben |
Tim Josephy Frank Platt (Guest) Mark Pryor Jim Rusher Euan Seaton (Guest) David Smith George Spenceley Frank Wilkinson Alan Wood Barrie Wood Daniel Wood (Guest) |
Inverardran Cottage Crianlarich
11 -13 April 1997
The first thing to say about this meet concerns the Ochils M.C. Inverardran Hut. We have stayed here before but this time we were pleasantly surprised by the improvements that the club have carried out. It is not yet complete -some rooms are still awaiting the accumulation of further funds, but ah in all it is now an excellent venue, easily accessible for a weekend from our area. There is adequate parking space and plenty of room to camp, although the ground is rather rough for tents. All other desirable facilities are available nearby.
The usual alcoholic gathering took place on the Friday evening as members started to arrive from early afternoon onwards, but not before one keen soul had climbed Ben Vane on the way.
Saturday was a brilliant day – warm enough, clear and sunny with just enough snow left on the hills to add interest and make others wish they had earned ice axes and crampons. Good days were enjoyed by several parties including one that completed the Aonach Eagach traverse (including the Pap of Glencoe) before finding it necessary to repair to the Clachaig Hotel for medicinal reasons. A second party had a super day on Ben Lui and Ben Oss ending in a gorgeous walk back through the Coille Coire Chuilc woodlands. Other parties completed varying combinations of Cruach Ardrain, Beinn Tulaichean, Beinn a’Chroin, An Caisteal, Beinn Chabhair and some of the lesser heights nearby. Everyone retired thinking that they had had a ‘good’ day on the Southern Highland hills.
Sunday was not nearly such a nice day, rather gloomy and misty with much low cloud.. There were nevertheless some substantial hill days completed. A party of three traversed two Munros, two tops and a Corbett – Sgaith Chuil, Meall a’Churain, Beinn Cheathaich, Meall Glas and Beinn nan Irnirean – an excellent trip. The President seems to have achieved most of the Arrochar summits as we would expect of him, and some of the previous days summits were repeated by alternative parties, plus Beinn Chabhair and some of the Balquidder braes.
All in all a first class meet and our thanks are due to Cliff Large for his organisation.
WCIC
Attendance:
| The President – Tim Josephy Ken Aldred Denis Barker Ian Crowther Iain Gilmour David Hick Alan Kay Cliff Large |
David Large (G) David Martindale Roy Pomfret Derek Smithson Tony Smythe George Spenceley Stuart Thompson (G) James Whitby (G) |
Ladies Weekend, Ravenstonedale, Cumbria
25 – 27 April 1997
Three of our stalwart couples were unable to attend this year yet a record total of forty-seven sat down for the Saturday night dinner, a statistic which heavily underlines the continuing success of this popular meet.
Most had assembled at the Black Swan Hotel on the Friday night when there was much swapping of news since the last Ladies weekend in Holmfirth. Talk of the morrow’s activities was overshadowed by gloomy weather forecasts, especially disappointing after April’s warm spring weather and softened our resolve, but everybody, including the Saturday morning arrivals, was on parade in the Hotel. Crowther quickly steered 80% of the party to a parking spot in The Street. From here the ascent of Wild Boar Fell was tackled via a route which meandered in mist, gave us a glimpse of ##missing text ## and had most of the party on the summit by lunch time. The limited visibility ruled out the enjoyment of stunning views so conversational exchanges were the order of the day. The descent over Ravenstonedale Common and Fell End Clouds enlivened our return making our 4 pm arrival at the Hotel feel as if we had fitted in a good day in spite of the weather.
The low level walkers parked at Newbeginn and aimed for Green Bell 2#half# miles to the south via Beckstones, Pinksey and Swarth. Between Swarth and Green Bell the miserable weather caused a change of heart and the party struck North East down Swarth Gill to Greenside thence back to Newbeginn.
Both the Swan’s two dining rooms were fully taken up by the YRC for the Saturday night dinner which meant that our Vice President, Ian Gilmour, had to deliver his elegant and well deserved ‘vote of thanks’ speech for Ian Crowther in each location. The evening didn’t really lose any buzz because of this split. The four course meal was both interesting and appetizing. Included amongst the starters was ham knuckle and rabbit roulade with warm potato salad and mustard dressing – an original collection of ingredients which excited the taste buds for what was to follow. We were all delighted to greet Shirley and Arthur Salmon once again. Observers of Ladies’ Weekends, perhaps spurred on by the very success of the occasion, often search for hidden messages which might influence the Club’s future.
This scribe merely wishes to record that the move towards informal dress for the Saturday dinner continues apace: only four suits were spotted which could mean we will have trainers and T-shirts for the Millennium dinner.
Sunday’s weather was glorious and the 10am start had everybody setting off from the Hotel, North along the river to Smardale Bridge, on to Smardalegill viaduct with a lunch stop just short of Crosby Garrett. West from here along Ladle Lane brought us to the picturesque Pott’s Valley were it was good to see (and hear) a buzzard soaring effortlessly above us for several minutes. At the western end where the road is reached Ian had thoughtfully parked a car enabling five drivers to have the whole party back at the Swan by 4 pm.
Ian Crowther’s intimate knowledge of this lovely corner of England, which many of us had not explored before, helped us to endorse enthusiastically all the claims he has always made for Ravenstonedale. The organisation was excellent throughout and we are gratefully indebted to Ian for the had work he must have put in to make the weekend such a success.
Attendance:
| Ken Aldred Alan & Madge Brown Derek & Yvonne Bush Ian & Dorothey Crowther Iain & Sarah Gilmour Mike & Marcia Godden Richard & Elizabeth Gowing John & Janet Hemingway Bill Todd & Juliet White Alan & Julia Kay Ian & Una Laing Cliff & Cathy Large Jerry & Margaret Lee |
Alan & Angie Linford Bill & Brenda Lofthouse Frank & Wynne Milner Chris & Joyce Renton Harry & Margaret Robinson Arthur & Shirley Salmon Roy & Margaret Salmon John & Pat Schofield David & Elspeth Smith Michael & Helen Smith Herbert & Elma Wunsch (G) |
Wasdale Meet
9-11 May 1997
Good weather saw the dawn of Friday as some members set off early for Wasdale. Snow had fallen on the tops, and Scafell Pike was ascended from Brown Tongue. Skiddaw House was visited, part of the Cumbrian Way traversed, and one member walked to the camp site from Rosthwaite.
On Saturday one party headed for Pillar via Black Sail Pass, with some visiting Robinsons Cairn and completing Shamrock Traverse onto Pillar. Others took the direct route up Pillar and then via Little Scoat Fell to Dore Head where horizontal snow gave them a thorough wetting. Yew Barrow was judiciously avoided hi favour of the track down Over Beck. One loner did this circuit in reverse, Yew Barrow and all.
Another circuit was completed via Sty Head, Aaron Slack, Green and Great Gable, Kirk Fell and Black Sail.
Climbers were not to be daunted, and Grove Arete, Pikes Crag, Scafell Crag routes were completed in poor conditions. Slingsby’s Chimney was not completed, but not surprisingly so in view of the snow conditions experienced. A party were out on Napes hut conditions were rather rough on Needle Ridge leading to an abseil off. Their route home was via the Gable traverse, Corridor route, Scafell and Lingmell.
The usual pub fare was enjoyed at Wasdale Head on Saturday evening, where an unusual ‘Where am I enquiry was made by a stranger who stated he had been on Snowdon and Scafell, and was to be picked up at Seathwaite to be transported to Ben Nevis. The ‘Effort’ was in aid of Victim Support, and luckily someone was going round to Borrowdale and thus able to give him a lift. Guess what? The gent concerned was none other than the Director of Victim Support.
Sunday saw the completion of the Wast Water round by a good few members before leaving for home territory. A good weekend was enjoyed by all, with much variation in conditions creating interesting walking and climbing.
Attendance:
The President Tim Josephy,
Denis Barker
Alan Brown
Derek Bush
Eddie Edwards
Mike Godden
Mike Hartland
Jeff Hooper
Vic Maloney (G)
Frank Milner
Martin Milner (G)
Derek Smithson
Alan Wood (PM)
Michael Wood
Outer Hebrides
Spring Bank Meet
22 – 27 May 1997
The following is a distillation of the experiences of those present on this most successful of meets. People arrived over several days and took up residence in various forms of accommodation, ranging from the beautiful but basic Atlantic shore campsite, through caravans to the rugged stone built slate roofed tent of the Meet Leader’s party. Here the inmates huddled over a spirit stove to eat their meagre rations, washed down with nothing more than red and amber coloured liquids. Nevertheless, they bravely overcame adversity – so much so that sounds of merriment were often unaccountably to be heard. Others sat outside on the magnificent beach where the evening light had a clarity and quality never seen further south.
The Linfords arrived early and enjoyed the best weather, others made camp in a torrential downpour and almost gave up, but overall the weather was veiy kind. With the extraordinarily long days we would have been well advised to go for afternoon starts, the mornings being usually misty; nevertheless everyone managed some good days out. Most took advantage of the poorer days to visit the antiquities, brochs, Black Houses and of course the Callanish Stones. Members ranged far and wide over the splendid lulls and coasts of Harris. What this area lacks in size it more than makes up for in grandeur and loneliness; paths are rare and erosion, unheard of. Most parties only ever met other YRC people in the hills, whilst evening walks along the flower studded machair and limitless sands of the west coast were almost magical experiences. A list of hills ascended would be tedious but at least eight people climbed Clisham, the highest mountain, and two parties completed the excellent Clisham Horseshoe.
Rock climbing was indulged in and I can do no better than quote the words of the youngest member of that party. “On Tuesday me, Michael and Tim climbed up Sron Ulladale which was a five mile walk to it, then a six hundred foot Severe climb. One bit I found very hard was a traverse across a few centimetres wide ledge which had hardly any hand holds. At one point Tim was in danger of being knocked off by a huge rock, so when Michael passed he kicked it off. We watched as it bounced down leaving big holes in the ground. When we had finished the climb we stopped to have lunch at the top of the mountain at five o’clock. I ate lots of Jaffa cakes and we looked at the beautiful views.” A YRC member in the making!
Wildlife was much in evidence. Mountain hares and deer were everywhere and the bird watchers saw a great variety of species of which the most notable was a remarkably amenable corncrake which posed most conveniently for nearly all the meet to see. Everyone saw golden eagles and it seemed that each mountain corrie had it’s own resident cuckoo. Despite the variety of species, one member was concerned to note a significant reduction in overall numbers, confirmed by the locals. Surely pollution cannot be reaching even places like this? After the recent long spells of dry weather the bogs were quite dry, but covered with flowers; this made approaches to the hills a much more pleasant experience than might otherwise have been.
Towards the end of the week some members had to leave, but the rest moved on to the Uist islands for the last days of the meet. The short ferry crossing from South Harris to North Uist was sheer delight, weaving amongst rocky islets inhabited by families of seals and watching the gannets diving around the ferry. Sadly there were no whales to be seen although apparently they are regular visitors. Nearly all the remaining members climbed Hecla, an imposing and entertaining hill at the north end of the Uist range. This was the best day’s weather of the whole meet with unbroken sunshine and light winds. One member traversed the whole range crossing Hecla, Ben Corodale and Ben More, a superb walk through wild and impressive scenery. He was treated to true island hospitality when upon knocking at a house to ask for the use of a telephone, was not allowed to leave until he had partaken of beer and been given a lift five miles up to the main road.
All the remaining meet congregated in the Lochboisedale Hotel on the last evening for a very convivial dinner before taking the morning ferry to Oban next day. This really rounded off the meet, with the perfect weather giving fine views of the islands and the West coast throughout the seven hour journey.
Tlie Outer Hebrides, if you get the weather, is without doubt one of the most beautiful areas in Britain. No one who conies here can fail to be affected by it and certainly most of the members who attended the meet have vowed to return.
TJ
Attendance:
Victor Bugg
George Burfitt (G)
Albert Chapman
Derek English
Mike Godden
David Handley
Tim Josephy, President
Elaine Josephy (G)
Cliff Large
Alan Linford
Angie Linford (G)
Dave Martindale
John Martindale
David Smith
Michael Smith
Helen Smith (G)
Richard Smith (G)
Fiona Smith (G)
The Long Walk
Buttermere
20-22 June 1997
To say that the weather forecast was not promising for this weekend was an understatement. Some nice storm warnings on the Radio 4 shipping forecast predicted that two large depressions were heading right for the Lake district. This only seemed to increase the interest in the meet and 50 members were expected. The President summed up the situation on Friday night when he said “I don’t think there is any doubt about it … we are going to get wet”.
The convivial meal at the Kirk Stile Inn, which by the way proved to be excellent food at veiy reasonable prices, was followed by the early departure for bed of most walkers in order to get a good nights sleep before the 3a.m. wake up call. When the morning arrived the sky was overcast but it wasn’t raining and the wind was slight … so this was a promising start. We had a sustaining breakfast and a good lot to drink before shouldering rucksacks and heading for Whiteside. The valley was alive with the sounds of wudlife … the dawn chorus in full swing. A wet bedraggled fox trotted along the road and almost ran into us before turning tail and vardshing quickly into the undergrowth.
For the ascent of Whiteside two different strategies were adopted . . . up the path or straight up the ridge. As it turned out the direct route proved the quicker and the late starters found themselves suddenly at the front. Soon we were in the mist which didn’t prove too wet … although drizzle and rain were interspersed by dry periods. We were getting damp but not really wet. The view was limited but the freshness of the early morning made walking conditions really quite good. It had the makings of a great day in the hills. In fact as we crossed Hopegill Head and went on to Crag Hill the mist cleared periodically to give some spectacular glimpses of the view … half hidden in the swirling clouds. We crossed the col between Crag Hill and Aid Crag at 6a.m. and climbed a long slanting traverse up to Knott Rigg. Then finally down to the first feeding point at Newlands Hause. The two white vans stood out at the top of the pass as we came down into the moist but clear ah. We were ah a bit damp … but enjoying ourselves and ready for some breakfast.
Orange juice and sausage sandwiches followed by a wonderful honey and banana buttie … just the thing to replace the energy we had used up. Then after a cup of tea we were faced with the ascent to Robinson. This went well and the weather was by now dealing a bit. The odd shower and swhling mist was interspersed by clearer periods. At last we could see along the valley. But the view came and went as we traversed along to Dale Head. The mountains were still deserted and the combination of the early hour and the weather forecast conspired to give us the freedom of the hills … we were quite alone.
We seemed to speed up as the next feeding point approached and by the time we were descending to the Honister youth hostel some were almost trotting … the lure of food being strong. Well, we came down out of the mist to the car park to find no white vans … surely they are just around the comer … but no … the walkers had beaten the support team to the meeting point. Fortunately we didn’t have to wait long and dead on 10a.m. David Smith rolled into the car park with the refreshments. This rest was veiy welcome after the arduous start at such a strong pace. And after a short while we were recharged and ready for Grey Knotts and Brandreth. From here on a change had taken place hi the world and people had started to emerge onto the hillsides in large numbers. The magical quiet of the morning was dispelled and we had to share our paths with large smiling ladies in unsuitable footwear sporting accents from all comers of the country. All were out of breath and happy to let us pass.
Our next feeding point was at Red Pike where Ian and Albert had a tent, but first we had to cross the delightful tam covered Haystacks, then up the big hill to High Crag … our last really long bit of chmbing. From here the traverse to Red Pike was along the ridge . . . the rest of the route lay across the hills and hummocks … (some quite large hummocks) to the north of Ennerdale, finally coming down into Loweswater off Calling Knott. The route was completed by eight members and many people were back at the old village school by early evening. Some people returning via the lakeside, others down Scale beck or Mosedale. The President and one other added Great Gable and also Grassmoor to the route … interesting additions which ensured they had a good tliirst when they got home. On returning to the school house there was an early retreat to the pub which allowed thorough re-hydration. So in spite of the early weather … once things unproved lots of members enjoyed some delightful walking in the simshine … not all of it on the route of the long walk … but enjoyable just the same.
Two comments overheard in the school house afterwards:
“You go home and I will send you a bill for whatever the loss is”
“Now I know why cockneys talk about plates of meat … that’s what I’ve got.”
D. J. Mackay
Attendance 38:
| The President, Tim Josephy Ken Aldred Bruce Bensley Alan Brown Derek Bush Ged Campion Albert Chapman (Support) Cliff Cobb (Support) Derek Collins Arthur Craven (Support) Ian Crowther (Support) |
Derek English Mile Ellercott Iain Gilmour Mike Godden Richard Gowing Ralph Hague Mike Hartland David Hick John Hemmingway (Support) Jeff Hooper Richard Josephy |
Alan Linford Bill Lofthouse (Support) Duncan Mackay & Guest David Martindale Frank, Mike & Adam Milner Frank Piatt Mark Prior Alister Renton Harry Robinson (Support) Arthur Salmon |
John Schofield David Smith (Support) Derek Smithson John Sterland Trevor Temple Nick Walsh Frank & Phillip Wilkinson Mike & Alan Wood |
Slaughter Stream Cave
The Royal Forest of Dean
July 4th/6th 1997
The unpromising June that did not flame had gone and out of the cloud and cold came the first weekend of July. Members and guests anived on a beautiful Friday evening at Bracelands campsite near the small village of Chiistchurch in the Royal Forest of Dean. The main objective of the meet was to descend a relatively new system of some llkrn, called Slaughter Stream Cave. The Cave was discovered about 1990 by the Royal Forest of Dean Caving Club.
Saturday
The morning broke to a perfect summers’ day. The walking party set off to explore various routes through the forest, down to the steep sided gorge that holds the erratic course of the River Wye on its long tour round Symon’s Yat. They crossed the river by a narrow suspension bridge, and returning by a ferry to the original side. By numerous paths back to the campsite with the party was a dog whose owner was underground.
The underground team assembled at the entrance, around 10.30, in a small wooded valley set in the pleasant rolling countryside of Gloucestershhe. The actual entrance point was at the base of an outcrop behind a steel wire grill. A succession of fixed ladder pitches, plus a pitch which had to be rigged, led to the stream passage with a hands and knees crawl en-route. A reasonable sized passage was beyond; 12ft high with no formations.
We split up into two teams the upstream gang and the downstream gang. We were to meet up together some two hours later in a small rocky chamber further into the cave. At the actual meeting of the parties, the downstream gang, heard the approach of the other party and turned their lights off, to listen to the upstream gang’s ‘Is this it down here?’, ‘It might be the other way’, or ‘Oh no it’s not!’, ‘Oh yes it is!’. Your correspondent can not recall which voice was correct. Eventually they heard our laughter and woo-woo’s.
The cave has few formations. The river gallery is quite a splendid trip, having interesting rock formations fashioned by the more than adequate amounts of water rambling its way through the cave. The water was of a milky green appearance, and did not lend it’s self to be splashed about in. From a cross stream junction, the place where the two parties separated, the river was followed through pools and cascades for about 300m to a point where the water disappeared down a crack. Dry Slade passage was the name of the bypass round to the continuation of the stream, on the way we noted a passage that was the route up to the main dry part of the cave.
We followed the main stream for quite a long time traversing some veiy interesting river passage, however we felt that a start on other regions was in order, so a return upstream was made.
From Dry Slade passage, a left turn brought you into Coal Seam Passage. This was the route up into the chunnel, and the point where, as previously described, the two parties met.
The upper cave was devoid of life in the caving sense of the word. No formations, no sounds, and little through the three deserts, three easy hands and knees crawls on sand for about half an hour, stooping and crawling, one eventually arrived at the dogs grave, where some two and a half centuries ago a poor unfoitunate dog had found it’s way into these caverns. It’s skeletal remains are still there to be seen.
The long return to the chunnel was through the well named three deserts which are presumably named because the cave was being discovered about the time of the Kuwait war. After the bouldery-floored chunnel, a series of cascades led back down back the junction where the two parties had separated some four hours earlier. At the actual pitch the two parties rejoined on the journey back up the fixed ladders, clhnbing over two hundred feet to the surface and the veiy hot day which awaited us.
At camp that evening most went to the pub for food whilst others, more kindred to the woodland sphit and love of cooking on camp stoves, cooked their food on the campsite, like true sons of the outdoors! The evening was pleasant and enjoyable in the pub.
Sunday
A little more cloud than the previous day. One party went climbing further down the Wye valley and reported how interesting they found it to be. Others went then- various ways; some to explore further the forest and what else to be discovered there. A party went down into the Wye gorge and through the forest pathways and then inevitably making tracks homewards.
A pleasant weekend with a fine caving trip and enjoyable walking for which we give our thanks to Richard Josephy for organising the weekend. It was a memorable time in Gloucestershire and the Royal Forest of Dean; a part of England unfrequented by the YRC!
Attendance:
Tim Josephy, President
Barry Andrew (G)
Denis Barker
Alan Bolton (G)
Ian Crowther
Ian Goodchild
Richard Josephy
David Laughton
Harvey Lomas
Jim Rusher
Nick Walsh
Cadair Idris Meet
Ty-Nant Camping Barn
5-7 September 1997
On arriving at the barn on Friday evening Alan Wood and I thought it might be a good idea to get sorted out then go down to the Gwenan Lake Hotel for a little beverage. From the comer of the barn Mike Godden’s half-clad body loomed up. Mike had arrived earlier in the day, had a beautiful day’s walking and then decided to have a shower.
We all laid our sleeping bags on the palleted floor and then walked the five minutes down to the pub on the Dolgellau road. There we found several members deep in conversation, and beer, at the bar.
Ian Crowther left early with rations, and the like, to find his tent which was pitched somewhere on the hill. I never saw him again all weekend.
In the barn we enjoyed a fairly good night’s sleep except for the arrival of Derek Bush and the Wood family and friend at 1.30am.
Saturday morning was dull and damp and it had been raining overnight. Alan Wood and I decided to take the pony path some distance behind four other members but they turned west half-way up the hill and disappeared into low cloud.
We arrived at the summit about 10.30 in cold and mist conditions and a quite strong wind blowing so we made up our minds to go down to Dolgellau and have a look around; meeting three local walkers on the way.
At eleven we stood observing a minute of silence for Diana, Princess of Wales, after the fatal car accident.
As we left the ridge and dropped down into Dolgellau the mist cleared and opened up the landscape. The countryside was now at its best.
We arrived back at the barn about 4.30 after stopping for a pint on the way. It started raining was members came back. The later they arrived; the wetter they were.
The climbers had had a good day and reported:
Tim Josephy & Adrian Bridge – Cyfrwy, Pusher Man HVS, Cyfrwy Pinnacle VS;
Daniel Wood & friend – Cwydrin El, Table Direct VD, Cyfrwy Arete VD.
The barn was basic but with toilets and showers on one side and a camping field behind. After showering most members went down to the Hotel for the night while Alan and I went to Barmouth for a meal and a walk around. The weather was terrible with high winds and rain.
Sunday arrived and most were returning home but Tim, Adrian, Derek, Barrie, Daniel and friend went to Tremadoc and reported a wonderful day in T-shirt order.
Alan and I stopped at Bala and using Tim’s map, marked with power line obstructions, decided on the ridge walk which was quite long but very enjoyable in good weather, returning to Pandy car-park about 4pm.
An enjoyable weekend, thanks to Adrian, in a beautiful part of Wales.
FP
Attendance:
The President, Tim Josephy
Denis Barker
Adrian Bridge
Derek Bush
Ian Crowther
Eddy Edwards
Mke Godden
David Hick
David Jones (G)
Alan Linford
David Martindale
Frank Piatt
Daniel Wood
Barrie Wood
Alan Wood
South Pennines Meet
Saddleworth
17-19 October 1997
Greater Manchester doesn’t sound the ideal location for a Club Meet. However that is only the official location of the Saddleworth Outdoor Pursuits Centre which proved to be our ideal home for the weekend. The Centre is located on a steep hillside above Greenfield, just east of Oldham. It is surrounded by beautiful stone-built houses/mansions and has extensive moorland views. The attendance of sixteen (plus one day visitor) was good considering the number of the Clubs regular attendees away in Nepal.
On the Friday evening we were all introduced to our host’s base, the Cross Keys Inn, some 1½ miles away but well worth the journey for the friendly welcome and the excellent beer and bar snacks.
Saturday morning brought a clear blue sky and all day sunshine with a cool breeze. We split into four main groups tackling different walks, broadly based on the local big one – the Ten Reservoirs Walk. Two groups including the Presidential party, headed north climbing steeply to a prominent Obelisk, over Broadstone Hill (454m) and on above Diggle Reservoir. The larger, and faster party continued past Black Moss Reservoir to the Wessenden valley the Pennine Way then taking them over Black Hill to Laddow Rocks returning via Chew and Dovestone Reservoirs. The slightly less fit did a similar but rather shorter route still covering both sides of the A635 including an atrocious stretch of the old, unimproved Pennine Way south of Black Moss Reservoir, This was little more than a morass of bogs and peat hags – I am sure they are deeper, steeper and wetter than they used to be! Two of the three members of this latter group then made a long diversion east to include two pubs before heading back – guess who!
The other two groups, one including our local member, Pat Stonehouse, kept south of the A635. The younger ones included Black Hill, Laddow and all the southern reservoirs whilst the slightly older pair contented themselves with Laddow via the Chew Valley.
Every one was back at the Centre in time for hot showers before Roy Denney’s excellent dinner, with a particularly good choice of beer and wine. This was followed by Roy showing slides of his recent Nepalese trek from Lukla to Kalar Pattar above the Everest Base Camp. Virtually everyone then repaired to the Cross Keys, encouraged by a very generous offer of a free first pint from Pat to celebrate his recent birthday.
Sunday again produced a perfect morning. A meeting had been arranged to discuss next years Club expedition to Iceland which eight members attended. This broke up mid-morning freeing us to again enjoy the sunshine. As we left we got a reminder that this was autumn as a large skein of geese flew overhead. As usual Sunday’s activities are not easy to record but the President and one member climbed on Dovestones a local crag. Those heading back to Yorkshire were met by valleys full of fog as they crossed the Pennines. This encouraged at least one member to park and enjoy a sunny walk over West Nab before descending into the murk.
Thanks to Roy and his helpers and the Centre’s owners for an excellent weekend.
DL
Attendance:
The President – Tim Josephy
Chris Bird (P.M.)
Alan Clare(G)
Derek Clayton
Roy Denney
Jeff Halford (G)
John Hemingway
David Hick
David Laughton
Dave Martindale
Keith Raby (P.M.)
John Schofield
Michael Smith
Derek Smithson
Pat Stonehouse
Martyn Trasler (P.M.)
Martyn Wakeman