Milton Keynes Mountaineering Club

Another great weekend with good attendance and a range of activities.

Friday 16^th March

Alan, Malcolm and Flick went up early on Friday and walked from the hut along the bridleway to Llyn Crafnant, round the reservoir and back.  The rest of us all arrived late on Friday evening. 

Saturday 17^th March

Malcolm and Juan were attempting to walk from Capel Curig to Glyder Fach but I think conditions got the better of them and they were back at the hut early, only to go out again and do another big walk, or was it a walk to the pub?  We never did get an answer!

The rest of us all walked to Betws-Y-Coed along the river, a nice 11 mile round trip hike, and while Adam and Gill decided to return, Alan, Graham, Flick, Shane and Lexi extended the hike to Llyn-y-Parc.

When we had all safely returned Malcolm (and Alan and Graham) cooked dinner for us all again.

Sunday 18^th March

Overnight a considerable amount of snow arrived and we split into two parties.  Alan, Flick, Malcolm, Graham and Juan all went for a walk along the canal in Llangollen, while Shane, Lexi, Adam and Gill hiked up through the snow on the steep path behind the hut to a lake, across a very boggy snowfield and back down the Siabod main trail to the hut.  Considering the amount of snow, the journey home was pretty easy.

Friday 16^th February

We had a fabulous weekend and a lot of walking was done.  As it was half term Adam and Gill went up a day early, as did Alan and David.  Adam and Gill arrived at the hut on Thursday night then on Friday went off to do the Ingleton Falls waterfall walk, a favourite, while Alan and David did a 20+ mile hike.  Later in the evening David was brave enough to have a go on Adam’s hoverboard, it’s quite the core workout staying upright on it.

Saturday 17^th February

Michelle, Rachel, Floyd, Alex, Shane, Adam and Gill did an 8½ mile hike starting in Malham Village, taking in Janet’s Foss, Gordale Scar, a huge section of limestone pavement across the top of the moor almost to Malham Tarn, back down the Pennine Way, onto the top of Malham Cove and back to the village.  Alan, David, Lizzy, Amber, Malcolm and Raj all walked from Settle to Malham Cove, to Langcliffe, to Settle.

Saturday evening (for a small donation) we were treated to pasta with spicy peanut sauce, thanks Malcolm, followed by Alan and David playing music for us.

Sunday 18^th February

On Sunday most of the group did the Ingleton Falls walk while Shane ran up and down Pen-Y-Ghent before heading home.  

Friday 26^th January

Dan and Andy R were the first to leave MK after arriving at the hit they set off up the Llanberis path for the top of Snowdon. They spent some time on the summit being annoyed by somebody flying a drone around and around. Alan M, Jason S and David happened to meet with Alan W at the Montford Bridge café for breakfast. Alan M, Jason S and David left for the hut and also headed off up Snowdon via the Llanberis path. Alan W picked Daniel up at Bangor Station before heading to the hut and Snowdon via the popular Llanberis path (Bumping into Dan and Andy R on their descent). They made the half way station and turned around as the light was starting to fade.

During the rest of the evening the rest of the weekends adventurers started to arrive. Alan M, Jason S and David returned to the hut after summiting Snowdon just as the light was fading. Friday evening saw initial plans made, weather forecasts checked, plans modified, and then thrown in the bin as the weather conditions for Saturday sunk in.

Saturday 27^th January

The wind and the rain drove most people to low level walks. Alan M, David, both Jasons, Andy R, Dan, Graham, Romi and Juan went for a walk to Aber Falls. Which proved to be a very muddy footpath indeed. Shane and Daniel both went for runs up Snowdon. Andy B and Matt headed off to Holyhead Mountain and the Anglesey coastal path. Alan W, Floyd and Alex headed to the Ogwen Valley for a wet lap around Llyn Idwal. They saw some brave climbers starting off up the rather damp Idwal Slabs. Shane went out for another run with Matt to the Lyn Crafnanrt Reservoir and Lly Gerironydd.

Saturday evening was our annual Burns dinner. Alan M had done all the shopping and was inundated with volunteers to peel and cut up tons of potatoes, carrots and neeps. All of them willing – not a single pressed mountaineer! Alan M and David were the main team for preparing the desert, Cranachan.

Dinner was ready, we all sat down and the Haggis was piped into the room with Scotland the Brave by the Pipes and Drums of the Royal Tank Regiment. Alan W recited Robbie Burn’s, ‘Address to a Haggis’, before the meal was served and enjoyed by all.

Sunday 28^th January

The weather was dryer than Saturday it convinced another group to set off for the summit of Snowdon: Shane, Juan, Floyd and Matthew all successfully made it to the top. Andy R and Dan headed back home early; something about brownie points to be earned for an early return. David, Romi, both Alans and both Jasons went for a walk around Llanberis lake. With an exciting detour towards the end of the walk to view the Lonely Tree. Thanks Jason S we’ll treasure that moment and the Lonely Tree! Passing back through Llanberis village we just had to stop at Pete’s Eats – well it would be rude not too! Matt and Andy B headed off for Aberfalls and a walk to Bera Bach before meeting with Shane for the trip home.

Thanks to everyone who made this an excellent weekend. Not forgetting all the assistant cooks and the cleaners at the end. The biggest thank you goes to Alan M for all his hard work organising and doing all the shopping for the Burns Dinner.