MKMC Xmas meet – Hathersage, Peak District

December 2nd-4th 2016

Friday

Kent and I were the first to arrive at the hut on the friday afternoon, where we set about getting settled in and making the fire for the lounge/dining area of the hut.  All the other members arrived later and we all had a chance to catch up with members we know well and to welcome newer members and discuss plans for the following day before bed. IMG_0535

Saturday

Most people were up fairly early getting themselves ready for the day ahead in the beautiful, if quite wet peak district.Kent and I drove out to Snake Pass and walked up to Kinder Scout and then stopped on route back at the Snake Pass Inn for much needed refreshment.

Stuart, Jason and Alan headed for the hills to the East of Ladybower reservoir and did a circular route over the top, past Dovestone Rocks, down to Ladybower Reservoir and Upper Derwent Reservoir, and then back over the Moor. Gillian and Adam climbed Mam Tor then went for a walk around Castleton and visited Treak Cliff Cavern. Bob and Sophie went bouldering on the Pinnacle Boulders until after dark. Other members were either walking or climbing in various locations. IMG_0588

When we got back to the hut and got cleaned up myself, Alan, Jason and Stuart under supervision of our head chef Kent started cooking an epic xmas dinner (3 courses), which as ever was delicious and everyone was truly stuffed. 

The rest of the evening was spent having a few xmas drinks to xmas songs and talking about what we had done that day and our plans for the next day and catching up with everyone.

Sunday

After quite a lot of cleaning up from the night before, everyone packed up and either made tracks home or decided to stay local. IMG_0594

Stuart, Jason, Nick, Zoe and Alan decided the rock was calling even though it was a very chilly day, so they headed off to Burbage North. But there was sunshine and between them they climbed more than half a dozen easy routes. Bob and Sophie went bouldering in the Dowhill Racer and Pinnacle areas. Gillian and Adam drove across Snake Pass and went for a short walk. 

This xmas trip is always a very popular one as it is always a lot of fun, thanks to everyone for your help in the kitchen and for the great company and a special thanks to my husband Kent for being a genious in the kitchen.

Andrea Perrin

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A trip to Yorkshire – Stuart R

imag0575This became a pure mountain biking trip because of a shortage of, well climbers. After a comfortable nights sleep at the Bungdale Head campsite I peddled off down (and up, and down again) into Helmsley to meet with local snowboard and now mountain bike legend Phil Lee. We had agreed to start with a loop from Helmsley described in the Vertebrate publishing guide, which fortunately the towns only bookshop had in stock and we set off suitably well equipped. The ride was quite long, challenging and took us through some beautiful countryside, but somehow, perhaps on account of the at times awkward route finding and less than difficult descents we returned to Helmsley not quite satisfied. After a refuelling pint we agreed to finish off the day with a spin around Dalby Forrest where I tried to keep up with Phil on the mix of man made trail and sneaky off piste. When my legs (not Phil’s I should add) were spent we made it back to the campsite a whole lot more satisfied than we earlier had been.

andromedaThis part of the world is favoured for its “Dark Skies”  http://www.darkskydiscovery.org.uk/ and handily I not only had a 150mm refractor in the back of my car but we also had just about enough daylight left to it set up, whilst leisurely enjoying a little more refreshment. September is a good time to look for Andromeda, one of the more easily observable galaxies and sure enough after a bit of poking around I’d managed to locate it roughly above Mirach a star in the Pegasus constellation.

imag0578On Sunday Phil was unable to ride but he had pointed me at another route in the guide, this time a little further east. Known locally as the “Gillamore loop” it actually starts in the tourist honey pot Hutton-le-hole. For anyone who can afford the car park it is well worth a visit. This route ticked all the boxes, after chocolate box sightseeing it is up onto the moor with a pleasurable fire road to high point Rutland Rigg. Great views. And then down to the valley again by a long, flowing and sometimes testing single track as good as any I’ve previously enjoyed on Wales or the Peak.

So a somewhat unusual climbing trip, but a fine weekend all the same and ultimately you can’t really g’wrong wi Yorkshire.

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MKMC Meet – July 2016 – Wye Valley

wye2Friday 15th to Sunday 17th July 2016

The advanced party, namely Kent, Ang, myself, plus Spud and Tiny (the dogs), arrived at Beeches Farm campsite on Friday afternoon. Once pitched we relaxed and took in the wonderful views of Brockweir and the Wye Valley below us.

On Saturday morning Keith J. arrived and the two of us set off to climb at the Great Central Cave Area at Shorn Cliff, a twenty minute walk away. Kent and Ang went walking with the dogs in the morning and turned up at the crag early afternoon. Iain, Julie and Marc D also arrived early in the afternoon. It was a hot day, but the crag was in the shade for most of the time which made it very comfortable for climbing. (There are some lovely, well protected climbs in the Musketeers area, all at a reasonably amenable grade). Gillian, Adam, Savannah and Gillian’s two dogs (Bob and Sky) did a sightseeing tour of the Forest of Dean and also had a great day.

wye1In the evening BBQ’s were lit and we whiled away the hours counting stars (some of us were counting stars in the guide book!).

Sunday morning was another hot day, and most of the group had walks planned. Marc and I decided to climb and went to Wintours Leap where we did Cheetah and King Kong, two excellent routes, and for my part, very satisfying.

Participants: Alan, Kent, Ang, (+ Spud & Tiny), Gillian, Adam, Savannah (+ Bob & Sky) Iain, Julie, Keith J, Marc

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MKMC Meet – June 2016 – Marazion, Cornwall

Saturday 11th to Saturday 18th June 2016

IMG_0853This trip nine members of the club stayed done in the town of Marazion opposite St.Michael’s Mount. During the week the main activity was completing sections of the coast path near the Lizard, Lands Ends and Gurnards Head. In between walks some members managed to climb the fast Commando Ridge and others did horse riding on the beach.

IMG_0885The weather was reasonable for most of the week and pubs beer & food was excellent. A great week was had by all in this beautiful part of the country.

People attending: Andy (trip organiser), Diane, Kent, Ang, Lyn, Alan, Cathy, Dan & Chrissie plus Leo, Molly, Spud & Tiny the crazy hounds.

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