Milton Keynes Mountaineering Club

A glorious weekend of sunny weather was in store. First to arrive at around 10:00 on the Friday morning was Alan’s car with passengers Stuart and Jonathan. The campsite, Rushmere Farm, hasn’t been used by the club before, but it proved to be very acceptable with flat pitches and an excellent toilet block, all for £6 per night. They pitched, paid their dues, and then set off to Symonds Yat. A number of classic routes were climbed with lots of stars bagged. While Stuart had started the last route of the day, and Alan was belaying, a call was had to assist with an accident. A climber had fallen near the top of Golden Fleece and hit a ledge on the way down: a suspected shattered hip and possible broken back. Jonathan leapt into action and was helping the fire service and helicopter rescue teams. The injured climber was eventually air lifted to hospital.

Back at the campsite the rest of the group had turned up, and while some went to the local hostelry others sat around and chatted.

On Saturday morning the climbers headed to Staple Edge Quarry and enjoyed a fruitful day. The rock there is compact sandstone with a fair few pegs dotted around and lower off staples at the top of most routes, so although it is trad climbing, there is an element of sport climbing to be had. A bonus was that the quarry was shaded which helped save the climbers from being frazzled alive. Meanwhile, Steve and his party cycled to Symonds Yat for a spot of canoeing on the River Wye.

In the evening everyone dined at the Gamekeepers, although there was a very long wait before some of the party received their grub!

The final day saw everyone back at Symonds Yat, and Steve and his party came to watch before heading off on a cycle ride. The pinnacle was conquered and Sarah was so impressed that she has booked herself on a climbing course at Big Rock. Jonathan took “flight” while leading Flight (VS) and at the end of the afternoon some of the party attempted to top rope The Wasteland (E3 6a). As Alan’s car group were leaving they bumped into some of the rescuers from Friday evenings drama who were pleased to report that the patient hadn’t broken any bones, and apart from some severe bruising, he had been discharged from hospital the following day.

Another successful MKMC trip and once again, an excellent choice of venue by Emma.

People attending: Emma Choudhury (organiser), Alan Mountford, Stuart Phillips, Jonathan Gabris, Michael Bartlett, Tomasz George, Steve Scott, Bridgitte Scott, Geoff, Sarah, Roger.

15^th to 18^th May 2014 – NT Campsite, Wasdale, Lake District

This May club’s meet was at the beautiful National Trust Campsite which nestles under the Scafell mountain range at the head of Waswater, the deepest lake in England, with its distinctive Nordic character and the pyramidal peak of Great Gable reflected in its waters. A few of us decided that we wanted a little more comfort and don’t want to lug all our camping gear up to the Lakes, so took up the Glamping option of Camping pods instead of tents. These are wooden cabins with a porch and windows to make the most of the Lakeland views, plus come with electricity, heating and lighting. Well worth it.

Thursday – First to arrive was Chris & Martin who drove up early, arrived at the campsite first, put their gear in their Pod and then went for a walk up Scafell Pike. Later in the afternoon Kent, Ang, Diane & Andy, unpacked their gear into their Pods before meeting up with Chris and Martin for a trip down to the local pub at Wasdale Head to celebrate Kent’s Birthday with a few beers and dinner. Much later in the evening Alan, Dan and Molly the dog arrived, unloaded and set up their tents in the dark.

Friday – After breakfast Alan, Andy, Kent & Dan plus Molly headed out from the campsite and climbed up to Mickledore on the Scarfell Massif to do a circular walk via Foxes Tarn and the top of Scafell coming back via Burnmoor Tarn. At the same time Chris & Martin headed off for a big day walking around the Mosedale Horseshoe via Kirk Fell & Pillar. Meanwhile Ang & Diane opted for a bit of glamping at the campsite and enjoyed the sunshine and peace and quiet. Shortly after people started to return to the campsite Melissa & Mark arrived to join the group closely followed by Mac.

Saturday – Another sunny day saw Andy, Kent & Ang heading up the valley towards Styhead Tarn and onto the Great Gable climbers traverse path to The Napes climbing area. Here they climbed the Needle Ridge a 330ft multi-pitch mountaineering route – Ang’s first outdoor climb. After difficulties with getting off the route and the descent across a lot of scree they were late back after a very long day (12 hours). Dan & Molly walked with Andy, Kent & Ang to Styhead Tarn before heading up the corridor route to the top of Lingmell and then returning to the campsite. Alan & Mark also went climbing completing two routes on Kearns Knott and climbing the famous Napes Needle in The Napes climbing area on Great Gable. Chris & Martin walked up Great Gable via Styhead Tarn and Melissa and Mac completed a walk up Scafell Pike. Diane carried on glamping at the campsite and got a bit sunburnt.

Once everybody had returned safely from the days adventures in the hills around the Wasdale valley they spent the evening at Mac’s tent for a BBQ and a few drinks plus a few tales of the days events.

Sunday – Another fine start to the day but with bad weather forecast for later in the day, Chris & Martin headed off home early followed by Kent, Ang, Diane & Andy who returned home after breakfast at the pub. Mark & Melissa headed off to explore the Ravenglass area before returning home, Mac went for a local walk and Alan, Dan & Molly headed over to Seathwaite to do a walk around Wallbarrow Crag and Gorge before returning home.

Thanks to all that attended the meet: – Kent (Organiser), Ang, Alan, Andy, Diane, Chris, Martin, Mark, Melissa, Mac & Dan plus Molly the dog.

Pembrokeshire – April 18th to 21st 2014.

First to arrive and got a good day of climbing in at Porth-Clais and Carreg-y-Barcud before Melissa, Mark, Jason and graham arrived Friday evening.  The campsite was very welcoming and with stunning views across the sea.

Melissa and Mark were happy in their warm campervan while everyone else enjoyed the first camping of the year.  Saturday was a glorious sunny day and off set everyone for a great days climbing at caerfie bay while injured Melissa went for a brisk 8 mile walk along the stunning Pembrokeshire coastal path followed swiftly by David ( David was actually already way ahead but Melissa is writing this!)

Whilst Melissa and David were racing each other around the coastal path the rest of us made our way to Craig Caerfai where we found some beautiful rock on atmospheric sea cliffs some high lights being me (Mark) having a meltdown on the beautiful Top 50 route of Armorican before finishing it with rested toes and Alan dragging poor Jason up the 2 star Orogeny by neglecting to mention to him it was an E2!

We were waiting for Cheryl to join us and left word at the campsite. Melissa and David after enjoying the somewhat pricy delights of St Davids joined the climbing group at Caerfai and then we all went back to the campsite to find a Norma no mates Cheryl who had luckily been kept company by the lovely owner of the site Ian.  We have decided that maybe we should have a MKMC flag so late arrivals can find our tents.

Sunday was a little windy and cloudy but did not dampen the spirits and everyone went for the walk along the coastal path down to St Davids other than Melissa who got a lift in later by Ian to meet everyone.  After commandeering the last large table in ‘The Bishops’ we all had a great time swapping stories, eating and drinking and being merry until David fell asleep and we all got a taxi back to the campsite.

We then went for the record of how many people can you fit into a 2 berth campervan and it turns out it is 8 including monkey.  It was raining outside but inside the conversation flowed and the bodies were warmed.

We set out on Monday to squeeze in a little more climbing before setting off home, we made our way to the Main Slab of Porth-y-Ffynnon. It was Cheryl’s first outdoor climb complete with an abseil in but with a little advice and encouragement she was soon at the bottom climbing her way out again behind her lead climber Jason. Judging by her enthusiasm to get back down and do another one it must have gone well after a few more great routes were ticked off it was unfortunately time to leave and head back home.

Thank you to the ladies for bringing the Easter eggs and a newest member monkey to our little group.  The weekend was a great success of a mix of climbing and walking and perfect socialising.

Alan, David, Jason, Graham, Cheryl, Mark and Melissa oh and urm monkey…

Thanks to Mark for all the organising.

21^st to 23^rd March 2014

The Parish Hall at Kirkby Malham is “Basic” group digs, comprising a large main hall, which serves as the shared sleeping area, a bit like camping indoors plus a large kitchen, toilets, showers, storage space for bikes, gear, etc.

Friday – Alan, Andy & Dan arrived at the village hall first, had some lunch and then went for a walk up to Malham Cove, watched the climbers there and then had a look at the limestone pavements above before returning via the Pennine Way to the hall. This was followed by a couple of pints with fish & chip dinner at the local pub in Kirkby Malham while waiting for the rest of the party to turn up during the rest of the evening.

Saturday – Emma, Andy, Steve Simpkins, Cheryl, Dan, Shane & Jenny went on a circular 12 mile walk along the valley to Gordale Scar, scrambled up the waterfall at the back up onto plateau, across to Malham Tarn and then up onto Kirkby Fell before returning to Malham. After that a visit to the Cafe for tea & cakes and the pub for a pint or two both they return to Kirkby Malham.

Alan, Tomasz, Stuart, Gilly, Gavin, Jason, Michael went climbing at Eastby but after a morning of cold fingers and biting wind drove to Malham and walk to Gordale Scar & Malham Tarn where they meet Steve & Birgit Scott who had taken a rail journey to Horton then took a linear walk along the Pennine way from Horton in Ribblesdale over Pen-y ghent. They all then returned to the tea shop in Malham for cream teas.

James joined the team on Saturday Evening.

Saturday night saw nearly everyone headed down across the road for drinks & food at TheVictoria Inn in Kirkby Malham.

Sunday – Emma went for a walk around Kirkby Malham to explore the village, while Alan, Andy, Dan, Cheryl, Jenny and Steve Simpkins went for a walk up the The Weets, down to the village of Airton and back to Kirkby Malham via another part of the Pennine Way.

Steve & Birgit Scott walked from Ribblehead viaduct along a little dale (Whernside) to Blea Moor. Before retreating to the village of Hawes and having more cream teas.

James, Shane, Tomasz, Stuart, Gilly, Gavin, Jason, Michael went off climbing at Almscliffe, after they drove through rain all the way there but it actually stayed dry, and even sunny at points!

Thanks to all that attended : – Emma (Organiser), Alan, Andy, Tomasz, Steve Simpkins, James, Cheryl, Dan, Stuart, Gilly, Gavin, Jason, Michael, Jenny, Shane, Steve & Birgit Scott.