NUNEATON MOUNTAINEERING CLUB

NEWSLETTER 33               December 2009

Website www.nunmc.org                                         

BUMPER SEASONAL ISSUE!

Contents:                                                                                                      

Forthcoming meets  

- our planned events for January - August, 2010                                     

Helvellyn Hostel Pack - October, 2009

- Colin reports on the trip with Keith, Michele, Anna, Szymon,

    Izabela, Mirek and Olifka.                                                                     

Climbing Instruction - October 2009

- Michele, Steve, Colin and Saul                                                                

Cadair Idris - September 2009

- Keith, Michele, Szymon, Colin, Anna and Bernice                                  

Fort Augustus, Scotland - October 2009.

Colin with friends Trevor and Sue.                                                             

Colin's seasonal tip                                                                                  

Novemberfest weekend                                                                            

Lucky Horseshoe  - September 2009

- Colin, Eileen and Anna finally get good weather in Snowdonia              

News from New Zealand

- a recent e-mail from Ann and Mike                                                             

Homage to Catalonia

- Eileen reports on the trip to the Spanish Pyrenees                                     

Late arrivals at the Mountaineers' Ball                                                       

Merry Christmas

         - one and all!

FORTHCOMING MEETS - JANUARY-AUGUST 2010

Feb 11^th -14^th                                      Scottish Highlands. Onich.

                                                            Corran Bunkhouse. Contact Matt. Now taking deposits.

March 6^th                                            Sowdownia - Carneddau

                                                            All the 3000 ft peaks  in one day! Contact David

April 10^th 11^th                                     Lakes -  Wasdale.

                                                            Camp, climb and walk in Wasdale with Steve.

May 8^th                                               Snowdonia.

                                                            Scrambling with Anna.

May (Whitsun)                                   Highlands - Lochnagar.

                                                            Backpacking trip.  Dates TBA. See Matt.

June 12^th 13^th                                      Corris. North Wales.

                                                            BBQ at the Coventry MC hut with Ann & Mike.

June 19^th 20th                                     Canoeing on the River Wye.

                                                            No prev. exper. needed, but you need to be a competent swimmer.  All kit provided.  See Andrew for details.

June 20th                                            Cadair Idris.

                                                            Summer Solstice. Come and greet the new dawn with David.

July 10^th 11^th                                       Mid-Wales

                                                            Camping with Colin.

August 14^th                                         Peak District

                                                            Climb, walk, bike with Keith & Michelle.

Other Events - all welcome!

TBA ( Autumn)                                   Skye - SYHA guided Cuillins holiday.  (details from David)

                                                            Pyrenees - Odessa Valley                     (details from Eileen)

                                                            Macgillycuddy's Reeks - West Cork, Ireland.    (see Matt)

And there's much more than this going on!  Visit us on a Thursday at Attleborough Liberal Club, Bull St Nuneaton for impromptu activities, or ring Colin on 024 76  372  587 or Matt on  024 76 758  322 if you can't get down. And don't forget our website at www.nunmc.org

___________________________________________________________

STOP PRESS 

News of these social events just in.  Please see Michele for further information.

Jan. 15th          ‘Aladdin'             -  Panto at the Abbey Theatre, Nuneaton

Mar. 20th         Bedworth Symphony Orchestra

Helvellyn Hostel Pack - October, 2009

Colin reports on the trip with Keith, Michele, Anna, Szymon, Izabela, Mirek and Olifka.

     We gathered at the agreed meeting place near to Thirlmere a little later than planned, possibly because our Polish and Czech friends were enjoying their first visit to the Lake District and letting photo opportunities get in the way of forward progress.

     No damage done, we set off for Stick's Pass on a mild and sunny morning with pleasant walking.  After more photos we slowly climbed and eventually turned into the mist for Raise, Whiteside, Lower Man and eventually Helvellyn.  As time was getting on Colin and Anna descended Striding Edge (Anna's number-one target) while the others descended Swirrel Edge before going on to Catsyecam.  Lower down we all re-connected before walking on to Helvellyn Youth Hostel.

     The hostel was fine and it was a bit of an innovation for me to have my hostel meal served to the table by the staff rather than have large amounts of mashed potato scooped onto the plate at a serving hatch. 

     Later, whilst watching TV in the common room, we learned with interest that in Poland ‘Fawlty Towers' is known as ‘Nice Hotel' and one of their most popular TV programmes is ‘Poland Has Talent'.

     In the morning we organised our own breakfast, there being more than just a passing interest in the impressive stuff that Szymon and his friends were consuming. 

     Leaving the hostel we again made for Stick's Pass on a much breezier morning.  Higher up, Keith, Michele and Anna took in Sheffield Pike before catching us up at the pass where it was quite cold and blustery.  Lower down the walking was quite pleasant as we stopped for a break in the sunshine.  Again interesting Polish food came out of rucksacks with the sausage being passed around and going down very well.

     Back at the cars all was in order.  Thanks to the drivers. 

     A splendid weekend.

Climbing Instruction - October 2009

Michele, Steve, Colin and Saul

     There were due to be more of us but circumstances conspired to keep others away.  On the plus side, those of us who could attend got more attention as a consequence.  On our day it was windy and cold so we were directed to Yarncliffe Quarry rather than the original destination of Stanage Edge. 

     Deborah was very organised and reassuring and I would certainly consider engaging her for any future activity.

     We did Centipede (VD), Corner Crack (D), Ant's Crack (S), Ant's Wall (HS 4a) and Ant's Arete (HS 4a). 

     Steve also did Wake Me If I Die (E1 5b).  We spent some time practising setting up belays before moving on to Grindleford Station café for a drink.

      Excellent day!

Visit Deborah Laugharne's website at http://www.deborahlaugharne.co.uk/

Cadair Idris - September 2009

Keith, Michele, Szymon, Colin, Anna and Bernice meet up with Ann Hobson, Mike, Steve and John from Coventry MC.

     From Minffordd we climbed up the main path, with Bernice and Michele soon deciding to do their own thing.  The mist gradually began to break up, but not until we came out of the summit shelter. 

     Steve and John from Coventry moved off

more quickly, while the remaining six continued to Gau Craig at the eastern end of the ridge.  From there it was a steep descent to the road and the track back to Minffordd, with the afternoon and evening being the best part of the day.

Colin with friends Trevor and Sue.

Two small hills either side of the Rannoch Moor road on the way up.  You have to start early for this.  Wet underfoot.

24^th - Meall Dubh 788m. 

Wet underfoot and some rain from above but another one for the list.

25^th

Rain, but cleared up enough for a ramble to a nearby hill for a trig point.

26^th - Carn a' Chuillin 816m. 

No rain today but dull throughout.  Some pretty empty country for as far as the eye could see.  Two ptarmigii (sic).

27^th - Carn Mhic an Toisich 680m. 

Rained steadily until about 2.30 pm.  A long way across a very wet moor.  Highpoint - successfully getting the car off a wet grass verge.

28^th - Meall a' Chrathaich 679m. 

More rain than expected according to the forecast.  A couple of sunny spells were quite nice but the moor was saturated.

29^th  - Drying out.

30^th - Creag Dubh 658m. 

Drove to Glen Roy to try and miss the rain.  Failed.  Short walk but gear wet through again.

31^st - Carn a' Chaochain 706m. 

Given permission to park near to farm.  Covered in mud with coos (sic) all over the place.  Drizzle with mist higher.  10 km of moor saturated.  Rain. Eventually reached summit but driven on by Sue to trig point beyond, which was one of the very few not yet visited by our trig group.  (Playing silly baggers again! - Ed.) On return streams much higher with one in particular not far short of requiring wading!  Would have made little difference.

1^st Nov. 

Drove south to Trevor and Sue's.  Rain in central and southern Scotland awesome.  Several river valleys in Northumberland flooded.  Had to wait for 2 hours while Trevor's car was sorted by the RAC.

Psssssst! 

Colin's top tip for maps 'n stuff.  Check it out!

http://www.dash4it.co.uk/store/

(eg Landranger £4.89 not £6.99, Explorer maps £5.55 not £7.99)

NOVEMBERFEST WEEKEND, 2009

Colin reports on his trip to the Brecon Beacons with Debra, Keith, Michele, Richard, David, Matt, Eileen, Sheila, Andy, Saul, John, Szymon and Izabela.

Bwlch gets our vote

     The Star Bunkhouse is situated in Bwlch between Crickhowell and Brecon and convenient for the Brecon Beacons and the Black Mountains.  It cannot be said that the weekend was anything but wet, but if you missed it you missed out and I would certainly use this location again.  There was a definite lack of house rules (unlike some recent places we've stayed in).  We were just left to be sensible and to get on with things.  Also the pub across the road was very welcoming, as was the one used by many of the group on Saturday lunchtime.

Friday - the clans gather

     On Friday Debra and I got out on nearby Tor y Foel.  At 551m. this wasn't really mountainous, but very pleasant other than for the fact that the ground was saturated and it was slow going across wet fields.  Keith, Michele and Richard also got out onto Sugar Loaf near to Abergavenny, where they presumably had a similar experience.  Early arrivals settled in while messages were passed to the others warning of a massive traffic build-up at Monmouth.  Those who missed the message were there for a long time.

Saturday

David gets extreme

     Saturday was wet.  While Izabela stayed in doing all of our washing-up chores David headed off for the Brecons.  It was appalling.  At one point David was on all fours in the mist, wind and rain when he passed a soldier crawling along in the opposite direction.  Pen y Fan was missed out as being too dangerous before he headed back. 

Colin gets furtive

     I also did my own thing, heading for Myarth from the bunkhouse.  ‘Where?' I hear you say.  Well, it's a hill bagging thing.  All you really need to know is that folks aren't really welcome on Myarth so doing it in the rain on a November morning is about the best way to go undetected.  Even farmers and gamekeepers have a morning in bed from time to time.  Sorry to turn down your offer to come with me, Eileen. Your company would have been welcome but that bright red cagoule might have attracted the wrong kind of attention.

The rest get round

     The others headed for Cefn Moel and the round of Llangorse Lake from the bunkhouse.  With the rain and wind the group split up but most ended up in the pub at Llangors.  Three cheers for the bloke in the pub who offered Sheila a lift back to the bunkhouse, as she was really suffering with a migraine. 

     Keith and Michele tried a second hill but got blown and buffeted about, while Eileen's group rounded the lake (much bigger than usual) and ended up walking along flooded roads.  If you haven't seen Saul's photos via e-mail or on our Facebook site then have a look, particularly at the one of Szymon, who looks as wet as we all felt.         Back at the bunkhouse we took it in turns putting our stuff in and out of the drying room.

Everybody loves Saturday night

     The evening went well.  There was plenty to eat (and more for breakfast and lunch) and we all sat around a large table together.  The buffet system seems to be here to stay - and a very good system it is too.  There was lots of variety and we have some pretty good cooks nowadays.  Alcohol consumption was down on last year, but that would have been a difficult one to beat.

Sunday

     Sunday morning started bright with promising sunshine.  However, by the time we were all ready to leave it was pouring again and everyone had a very good reason why it was not convenient to go out.  Many thanks to all the organisers, chefs and drivers.

So, where is it to be next year?

Lucky Horseshoe  - September 2009

Colin, Eileen and Anna finally strike it lucky in Snowdonia.

     Higher up it was misty, but as we climbed it began to break and although cool it remained mostly clear. 

     We crossed Crib Goch but it was 2.15 before we reached the summit, where it was quite busy for a Thursday.  Testing out the new café was expensive (You have been warned!) but the building and interior weren't too bad. (Praise indeed, Colin! - Ed.)

     We descended the Watkin Path, where it is a bit steep and loose, before climbing

Y Lliwedd and descending back to Pen y Pass for 6.05pm. 

     Good day!

Breaking news from New Zealand

Colin forwards a recent e-mail from Ann and Mike:

We are still  having a lovely time in NZ.

Flew to Bangkok, saw Buddhist temples. Flew to Auckland in the North Island, cycled East Cape Ride - 300 miles. Day trek on the Tongariro, crossing emerald-green volcanic lakes. Rotarua thermal springs.  Wellington City - lovely rose gardens, ferry over Cook Strait to Picton.  Went to Marlborough Sound - a day walk on the Queen Charlotte Trail.  Kaikora, whale watching (no whales, but saw albatross, great!) Have seen lots of varieties of native birds, great with my binoculars! 

Next trip is 6-day trek: The Grand Traverse, Greenstone and Routeburn.  We stay in huts.  Weather has been very good. All the flowers are in bloom:  honeysuckle, roses, lupins - all growing wild.

Now in the South Island, staying with a friend of Mike's.  Yesterday we got back from a super trip on Doubtful Sound.  This was an overnight trip on a ship in a fjord.  We saw penguins, dolphins and seals.  The weather wasn't brilliant but the food made up for it.

Today we did a delightful walk on Ben Lomond, with wonderful views across the lake.   Queenstown is near too.  

Love from Ann and Mike

Homage to Catalonia

Eileen reports on this year's trip to the Spanish Pyrenees in August / September with Keith, Les and Ann.

Acclimatisation and culture

     Easy Jet flight from East Midlands Airport to Barcelona, arriving in the city at about

6 pm on the Wednesday evening.  We booked into our hotel, which was conveniently situated near the city centre and spent some time exploring, booking bus tickets and finding somewhere to eat.

     We spent the following day exploring the city initially on the city tour bus then on foot. I found Barcelona to be an amazing place and very easy to get around, having a very efficient metro system. Ann and I went to a concert in the evening - two excellent classical guitarists playing amongst other things pieces from Carmen.  The concert was performed in a church, so excellent acoustics. The men went off to find a bar.

Wind Horses

     Friday we caught the bus to Baga and to the mountains. The route we had chosen was called Cavalls Del Vent (Wind Horses). As well as a hiking route this is also a competition route for hill runners. I think the record holder completed the route in just over 9 hours. Our plan was to do it in 5 days.

Day one

Bus to Baga (altitude 788m) 8.5 km walk (3hrs 15 mins excl. breaks) to the Refuge de Rebost (1,640m). Although the paths were well marked, the trail was marked with orange spots or circles; they were not always that easy to follow. 

Day two

Rebost to Cortals de l'Ingla Shelter (1,610m).  We started the day walking through a black pine forest.  Then into alpine meadows, followed by quite a strenuous climb to the summit of LaTosa (2,537m). A short break at the Niu d'Aliga shelter then along the ridge and a big descend into the Moixero Meadow, calling in for a cup of tea at the Serrat de les Esposes shelter before making our way on to the Refuge at Cortals de l'Ingla. We were treated to the most spectacular mountain scenery throughout the day, and on the wild life side managed to see lots of alpine flowers, a few eagles and wild horses. 

Day's total: 22.6 km with 1,600m ascent and 1,590 m descent.  Total walking time: 8 hrs 25 mins (excluding breaks).

Day three

Cortals de l'Ingla Shelter to Gresolet Shelter (1,280m), again walking through spectacular mountain scenery, alpine meadows, pine forests and mountain scree. The route is very rocky in places as we pass through the Grosolans mountain pass (2,430m), crossing from the Moixero Massif into the Cadi Massif. Great views of eagles, and Les managed to spot a couple of chamois. The last 3.3 km of the route involve 570m of descent which was very severe in places.  I found this rather challenging to say the least, but we all made it without incident. 

Stats for the day: Distance 24.6 km with 1,560 m ascent and 1,842m descent.  Total walking time: 10 hrs 45 mins (excluding breaks).

When we got there...

           ... the shelter was bare.

     To this point all had gone to plan, but when we arrived at the Gresolet shelter we found it deserted.

     The dormitory was open but no signs of the warden. We sat and waited for a while and then discussed our options. No one fancied the difficult 3.3 km climb back up to the last shelter we had passed.  We did have a few bits of food between us, crisps and the like, and we did have access to the dormitory so, at a push, we could stay but would have no food for the following day. Unlike all the other shelters there was another building a little way up the hill and Keith and Les went to investigate. Our luck was in as it turned out to be another refuge. This one was built in the 1800s and was an extraordinary building,

(continued)

attached to a church and little changed since the time of construction. Although it was not officially open, the owner - a lovely lady called "Esperanto" - very kindly took us in, cooked us a meal and provided us with a bed and breakfast. Unfortunately, she only spoke Catalonian, which made conversation a bit difficult.  However with Keith's Spanish and a bit of sign language we got by.  Keith was all for torching the other shelter (Way to go, Keith! - Ed.) and we barely restrained him from heaping all kinds of ills on the warden, who had returned by the time we left in the morning. After saying our farewells we set out on our next leg of the circuit.

Day four

Gresolet Shelter   -    Sant Jordi Shelter

The Gresolet shelter is at the lowest altitude (1,280m) of all the shelters and the morning started with a climb up to the Coll de la Bauma (1,577m), mainly walking through forest with lots of thyme and lavender bushes. Here again we encountered a problem: the route was being re-marked, and we dutifully followed the markings but ended up in a village quite a distance from where we should have been. We located where we were on the map but still had a lot of difficulty finding our way through the forest to where we should have been. This cost us about three hours. We eventually found the right route and continued to descend into Cal Cerdanyola (910m), the lowest point on the circuit. The route from here starts to climb, with lots of stream crossings, scrambling over large boulders and fairly steep and rough terrain. This was probably the most strenuous but exciting part of the circuit and when we eventually arrived at the Sant Jordi shelter we were all exhausted. We had planned to carry on to the Rebost shelter a further 11 km away but at 17.30  it was too late to start out and still make it in time for dinner at 20.00 hrs.

Day's stats: Difficult to work out exactly but in the region of 20-24 km. 1,040m ascent, 780m descent. Walking time: 9 hrs 15 mins.

Day five

Sant Jordi shelter  -  Baga (788m)

From the shelter we headed in a southerly direction towards the Ca L'Escriu (1,310m) and over the Col (1509m), then downhill through beech and pine forests to the road. We followed this road for 4 km back to the small town of Baga, where we had time for a leisurely lunch before catching the bus back to Barcelona.

Day's stats: Distance 11 km. 199m ascent, 788 m descent. Total walking time: 3 hrs 30 mins. 

Warming down...

   ...and more culture for some

On our return to Barcelona we had another rest day sightseeing. Ann and I went to the Gaudi Museum, the guys to the Sea Life Centre.  Then we headed for the beach to catch some rays and top up the tan. We had a further morning in the city before catching the bus back to the airport and our flight home.

About the route

The Cavalls Del Vent is a circular tour of

97 km from Baga back to Baga, although we did more, having deviated from the route on a couple of occasions) There are 8 refuges or shelters on route and we were given a card so that we could collect the stamps from each shelter to prove that we had completed the route. The refuges provide a very good evening meal, bed in a large dormitory, breakfast and basic washing and showering facilities. Like all places, some are better than others. Most sell drinks and snacks. It was late in the season so we had most of the refuges to ourselves. The weather was hot and sunny throughout with temperatures in the high twenties and early thirties.

Marks out of 10...

I think that this has been one of the best club trips so far. The walking was challenging at times, with long days, but very rewarding with spectacular views and varied terrain. I loved Barcelona, where we found lots of interesting things to do and see on our rest days. A great combination and a great contrast - from the noisy, bustling city to the quiet solitude of the mountains.  

And finally...

For any fans of I'M SORRY - I HAVEN'T A CLUE, here are this issue's late arrivals at the Mountaineers' Ball.   

Just in time for the Ladies' Excuse-Me, would you welcome please:

Mr and Mrs Beenah and their snappy, screwy daughter Cara,

From South Wales...   Mr and Mrs Vann and their daughter Penny,

And all the way from South Asia...

    Mr and Mrs Oo and their achingly cool daughter Kate.

  A massive

THANK YOU!

to all our contributors.  Great stuff!  Keep it coming!

P.S.

If you've got a great story but no time to write it up, give me a ring and I'll interview you for the mag.

- Andrew