NUNEATON MOUNTAINEERING CLUB

NEWSLETTER 16                February 2006

Website www.nunmc.org

Edited by Colin Green

 

PROGRAMME FEBRUARY - AUGUST 2006  Matt

February 1^st (Wednesday)                  Committee Meeting at Eileen’s house.

February 11^th                                         Brecon Beacons with Nick.

February 16^th to 20^th                             Scottish Highlands.  Glencoe Youth Hostel with Matt.

March11^th                                              Black Mountains with Matt.

March 30^th (Thursday)                        Quiz Night with Derek.

April 7^th – 9^th   VENUE CHANGE       Mid Wales weekend camping in Rhayaeder/Rhaeadr with Colin.

A chance to do those hard to get at mountains of mid Wales.

May 12^th – 14^th                                       North Yorkshire Coast and Moors.  Youth Hostel trip with Eileen.

June 9^th – 11^th                                        Lake District.  Eskdale. Camping with Matt.

July 7^th – 9^th                                           Snowdonia. Climbing and scrambling. Camping in the Ogwen valley area with Les.

August 11^th – 13^th                                 Howgills.  Camping with Keith & Michele.

Other Events - all welcome!

March.                                                   Quiz night in aid of Snowdonia mountain rescue. Thursday March 30^th.

No other fixed dates as yet, but ideas include:

Poland - High Tatra’s.  Austria - Alpine Huts.  Greece - Mt Olympus.

Climbing at Markfield Quarry!       Starting May 2006

(Weather dependant)          Tuesday Evening’s.  Details for the following week at the Thursday night meet.

And there’s much more than this going on.  Visit us on a Thursday at Old Ed’s Rugby Club, Weddington for impromptu activities, or ring Andrew on 01827  717 648 or Matt on  024 76 758322 if you can’t get down. And don’t forget our website at www.nunmc.org

 

QUIZ NIGHT THURSDAY 30^th MARCH   Quizmaster Derek

There has recently been an issue at the Abbey Club concerning people bringing in their own drinks.  Needless to say it’s not allowed, so please don’t do it and also tell your friends and guests.

 

COMING UP – FEBRUARY 11^th BRECON BEACONS WITH NICK

AREA: Coety Mountain 578m (1,896ft almost a ‘Nuttall’), by the far SE corner of the Brecon Beacons National Park. A good area for winter walking with plenty of options to suite all conditions and easy to reach if we have snow.  Approximately 15 miles SW from Abergavenny so motorways and main roads all the way there.

BRING FOOD & DRINK as we may decide not to use the pub.

START: Car park & toilets on north side of Abertillery – aim to arrive 9.30 to 9.45am.

MAP: OL13 – 218064

MOBILE PHONES: Need minimum of one per car if possible.

Walking Route Options:

Route1: 2,500ft ascent, 1 Trig Point, 7 miles to a pub, then 4 or 5 miles with plenty of options for navigation exercise for those who would like to practice (at least 10 features to aim for if required).  We can finalise this in the pub.

Route2: 2,800ft ascent, 2 Trig Points, 12 miles, NO PUB.

We can shorten routes as required, and if plenty of snow do a route suitable for those without ice axe and crampons.

In difficult conditions we can even use two hilltops and the pub – well short as the crow wobbles.

WHICH WOULD YOU PREFER TO DO?

CONTACT: Nick

 

COMING UP - FEBRUARY 16^th – 20^th GLENCOE    David

In case the weather is too poor to go outdoors there are a number of options at Kinlochleven including the indoor ice wall.  All the necessary equipment can be hired on the premises, with or without tuition.  

Their website can be found at:- www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/Kinlockleven/icefactor/index.html

Next door is the Atlas brewery which also has tours.  They brew a couple of fine ales served locally including at the Tail Race Inn a few yards away.

FOR THOSE FLYING DON’T FORGET YOUR PASSPORT OR PHOTO DRIVING LICENCE AS THIS IS THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENT.  (Matt)

 

COMING UP – MARCH 11^th BLACK MOUNTAINS WITH MATT

A return to the Black Mountains last visited by the club in 2003. There are two main circuits in these hills.  On this occasion we’ll be tackling the eastern round from Capel-y-ffin in the Vale of Ewyas.  The distance is 14 miles with 2,400 ft of ascent but after an initial steep pull the going is straightforward and in dry conditions easy.  There is roadside parking at the starting point though no facilities.

From the north access the hills from Hay-on-Wye or more likely Abergavenny from the south.

Drop me a line if you’re interested in the trip.

 

COMING UP - APRIL 7^th – 9^th Camping in RHAYADER/RHAEADR with Colin                    *** CHANGE OF VENUE***

More difficulties with Kington (the original choice) which I tried to book for October.  On that occasion I rang them two months in advance to find they were fully booked. This time I rang them three months in advance to find they were fully booked for the following four months! If popularity equals quality it looks like it will be worth waiting for if we ever eventually get there.

Consequently the new plan is to camp at the Wyeside Caravan and Camping Park, Rhayader, LD6 5LB.  The site is about 400 metres north of the town (the locals don’t like it to be called a village) so is convenient for local hostelries.  Camping costs £1 for each pitch and then £5 per person.  They have a website at www.wyesidecamping.co.uk and they do take groups.  Also try http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/mid/sites/rhayader/ and http://www.rhayader.co.uk/ .

This will be more convenient for our assault on the Elan Valley hills of Drygarn Fawr and Gorllwyn and a walk on Offa’s Dyke near Kington is still possible.  Also of interest in the area is Gigrin Farm just to the south of Rhayader which is an all year round feeding station for Red Kites.  Depending on the time of year and weather conditions their website claims they have between 12 and 400 kites on any one day.  Feeding is from 2pm in the winter and 3pm in the summer.  They also have a campsite but there are no showers and they are not too keen on evening arrivals after 9pm which is clearly difficult for some of our members who have to work for a living.

Rhayader is in mid Wales on the A44 from Worcester or the A470 north to south Wales route.  According to my Auto route from Nuneaton the distance via Worcester and Leominster on the A44 it is about 120 miles with a travelling time of 3 ¼ hours, and via Shrewsbury and Newtown it is 128 miles with the same travelling time.  Some of the roads are slow going so it may well take this long.  So, get your tents aired and I’ll see you there.

 

PROPOSED TRIP TO SCOTLAND END OF MAY 2006        Colin

Last May seven members made it to Glen Shiel collecting up to 7 Munros in a long weekend.  Anyone for Scotland this year?   Location flexible.  See Colin if you’re interested.

 

PROPOSED TRIP TO MALLORCA AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2006  Eileen

Any one interested in going to Mallorca in Late August or early September this Year.  The cheapest flight I can get from Coventry Airport is a mid week flight (Wednesday 30 August to Thursday 7 September) Cost £95 or from Birmingham with bmibaby at £84.38 for the same dates.

If you are interested please let me know preferably before the end of the month.

 

HF HOLIDAYS SEEK LEADERS   NOTES FROM SECRETARY   Andrew

HF Holidays have contacted the club in search of volunteer walk leaders. According to their letter, they offer:

•  travelling expenses

•  free hotel accommodation in UK or abroad

•  training

•  discount holidays for partners

If interested, contact Gillian Minnich at HF Holidays, Redhills, Penrith. CA11 0DT, or visit www.walkleaders.co.uk.

Original letter and brochure available from Andrew, or it might be worth talking to David Foster.

 

I regularly receive e-mails from trekking companies and the BMC.  If you would like me to forward these to you automatically then please let me know.

 

DOVEDALE 10^th December     David

David, Nick, Matt, Keith K, Michelle, Richard, Eileen, Keith H, Andrew, Brian, Debra, Rachel, Tony and his friend from the Coventry club.

We had a highly successful day out.  The weather was good enough for mid to late spring and at one stage the sun came out.  It was a bit muddy for the first part of the day and a frost on the ground would have made the going easier.

We met at 9.30am at the car park at the southern end of Dovedale (winter parking fee £2).  Initially the walk went past the Izaak Walton Hotel to Ilam and across the fields eventually reaching Alstonefield.  Here we stayed for a quick drink and moved on.  Richard stayed for a bit longer, visiting another pub before meeting us later in the afternoon.  We continued to the northern end of Beresford Dale across the fields having taken in another hill (just because it was there).  That’s what I like to hear. Ed.  The return was along Wolfscote Dale, Milldale and Dovedale.  We finished in the dark, crossing the stepping stones (some under water). Approx. 12 miles & 6 ½ hours.

 

DULYN BOTHY  14^th-15^th January 2006      David

David, Ian A, Mo, Les, Alastair and Kim. 

Nick & Colin joined for an evening meal before going out on a night navigation exercise.

 We arrived at the car park at Aber Falls for 10am and set out once Alastair and Kim arrived.  Then we drove the short distance to the parking space below Foel Dduarth.  We walked along a good path up the valley to the head past the reservoir to ascend steeply to the col between Drum (which we learned is pronounced "Drim") and Foel Fras.  By now the wind was cold but with plenty of sunshine.  We ascended  Foel Fras, Garnedd Uchaf and Foel Grach turning roughly east down a steep shoulder to the bothy below Dulyn Reservoir.  Walking time 5 ½ hours 985m approx. 12k. We were the first to arrive followed by four lads, who when seeing another group coming down then left to go to a B&B! The fire was lit; Colin and Nick arrived (carrying more fuel).  Matters were going quite well until just before 10 pm a large party arrived for a boozy night, at which point I set my tent up.  Alastair and Kim having already elected to do likewise.  

 On the return we ascended Drum (the wind was gusting to 65mph but was behind) and took the track along the ridge back to the car park to finish for 1pm, followed by a quick trip to a Little Chef.  Walking time 3 ½ hours, 545m.

 

AVALANCHE AWARENESS           Eileen

With the winter trip to Scotland only weeks away Colin asked if I had any tips on avoiding avalanches that may be of interest to members.

Avalanches are serious hazards and can happen almost anywhere, even in East Sussex, no kidding.  On 27^th December 1836 Britain experienced its worst-ever avalanche disaster when eight people were killed in Lewes.

The only information I have is from books and articles and from the notes made during my winter skills course in Scotland, but for what they are worth the top tips I have are as follows:-

1  Planning and local information.

Before setting out get the local weather report, forecasts and avalanche bulletins. www.sais.gov.uk is the Scottish Avalanche Information service, or www.metcheck.com for mountaineering-specific forecasts.

2  Keep, where possible, to ridges and windward slopes.

In deep snow it is easier going and by keeping to ridges and windward slopes the danger of avalanches will be greatly reduced.  A safe route will depend on recognising avalanche conditions. As far as Britain is concerned, our most usual avalanche is the windslab which forms on lee slopes. Identifying windslab can be very difficult as local features cause wind eddies and these eddies can put windslab on the most unexpected places – even on windward slopes. Some windslab conditions can be diagnosed from pulverised crystals, giving a matt, chalky appearance and squeaky sound underfoot.

3 Avoid corniced sharp ridges

When wind and snow is likely, plan your route to avoid corniced sharp ridges. Prevailing westerly winds, for example, will form cornices on the east side of ridges. Cornices present a serious threat as they can collapse under stress. Collapsing cornices often remove the underlying slope and thus present a considerable avalanche hazard.

4 Constantly monitor your surroundings

Look for visible signs of erosion and deposition, raised footprints, (these formations are the result of someone walking in deep snow and setting it under their boots, the wind has since picked up, removing the surrounding snow and re-depositing it elsewhere), riming and snow deposits on boulders, also any evidence of recent avalanche activity or the feel/colour/texture or sound of the snow that does not feel right.

Statistic tells us that most avalanches occur on slopes between 30 – 45 degrees, during or up to 24 hours after a significant snow fall. Temperature change which causes melting and refreezing within the snowpack are also significant indicators as they can create icy layers for new or wind blown snow to slide on.

 

“Avalanches” are a big subject and I have only covered them briefly in this article, but I do have lots more information if you are interested.

Information taken from Summit and Trail magazines, Peter Cliff - Mountain Navigation, Eric Langmuir – Mountaincraft and Leadership.

 

ROUND-UP FOR NOVEMBER 2005 – JANUARY 2006

December 17^th Malverns

Andrew, Nick, Colin, Keith and Michele set off from Malvern Link Common on a cold frosty morning for the bus to take us to British Camp about four miles away.  The driver gave us a group discount, recommended a café and managed to chat and steer the vehicle in a straight line.  On Herefordshire Beacon there was a cold breeze but it was a very fine day indeed.  Beyond we headed for the monument above Eastnor before doing our best to get separated on Midsummer Hill.  We then returned to British Camp before following the hills northwards testing out the See View Café on the way.  There was no view of the sea but you could see a view and the tea was very good value.  On Worcestershire Beacon, the highest point, it was quite cool so we pressed on to North Hill and down to our starting point as it was getting dark.  15.9 miles including 3.8 miles by bus.

December 29^th Nantle Ridge

From Rhyd-Du Ian Arnold made the direct steep ascent of Y Garn onto the Nantle ridge.  It was clear but cold on top with water in the platypus tube freezing.  This did not however prevent our lone hero collecting another set of Nuttall’s before descending into an area of forest and mines before returning to the starting point.  A good day out with only four other walkers seen all day.  Even better than the walk listed below with everyone else abandoning Ian to the lonely trek to Snowdonia.

December 29^th Wetton, Peak District    Tony writes

On the coldest day of the year (-6C) six hardy souls (Tony, Debra, Keith, Michele, David and Colin) took to the hills in Derbyshire.  Starting from Wetton car park we went first to visit Thor’s Cave then downwards to the River Manifold.  Crossing the river we ascended almost directly upwards to the village of Grindon.  We then turned northwards and reached the river again but this time at Wetton Mill where the café was firmly closed.  Starting in a NE direction we did a circular tour of Wetton Hill eventually arriving back in Wetton where to everyone’s surprise and pleasure we found the pub open. After a brief stop (I thought it was 50 minutes Ed.) to warm up and rehydrate it was back past the car park but this time turning southwards contouring as best we could the River Manifold turning just before Castern House.  Route finding was not easy since by now a fog was obscuring various landmarks.  At the Castern House turning point we followed part of the route taken by the pre-Christmas walk to return to Alstonefield.  From there it was fairly straightforward crossing the fields back to Wetton. Altogether the route was approximately 10.75 miles which including the pub stop took us 6 hours.  (Now not that I’m one to gossip - but I’m sure you forgot to mention that David, helpfully emptying the contents of his water bottle on Debra’s windscreen to get it clean, caused some amusement when he, and the rest of us watched the said water freeze instantaneously.  Ed.)

January 2^nd Burton Dassett Hills – A hike in the little known mountainous region of south Warwickshire

Derek, Eileen, Keith, Michele, Nick and Colin met up at Fenny Compton in with blue skies and sunshine above.  Warmer conditions made the going over ploughed fields very heavy though it was quite nice on the grass.  The highest point was certainly below 250 metres but it was nice just the same. After Farnborough village Nick took a short cut back to base while the rest of us made our way along the Oxford canal and eventually back to Fenny Compton.         11.3 miles and back home in time for tea.

January 7^th  Berwyns

Colin and Andrew headed for Pistyll Rhaeadr looking for snow to test out Andrew’s new crampons.  Today Colin forgot to take sheet 255 (Good job Andrew was a man with a map) which makes a change from forgetting his wallet! Though the layer of snow was very thin it was frosty and a much better day than forecast.  At Llyn Lluncaws (620m) we got the spiky metal things out and kept them on for the rest of the day.  On Moel Sych (827m) the distant snowy mountains of the Arans and Arenigs were peaking above hazy and misty valleys, whilst underfoot everything was solid and crunchy and layers of frost clung to every fence wire and post.  At Cadair Bronwen we met the only other people we saw all day before we started the undulating return journey up and over valleys along the base of the ridge.  By 2pm it was misting over and soon it began to snow quite purposefully. Back at the car snow was lying on the road and though we would otherwise have stayed for a pot of tea in the café we were keen to get away.  However, by the time we got down the valley it was turning to rain and all was well for the return journey.  Never mind though as the tea at the Holder household in Witherley is a very fine brew indeed.  7.7 miles and 850 metres of ascent.

January 14^th Dulyn

Nick and Colin went up to north Wales in support of the bothy group and to purchase a rucksack for Nick.  The morning was spent doing the rounds of the gear shops in Betwys.  All aspects of the candidate rucksacks were inspected.  Compartments were assessed, zips unzipped, buckles buckled and draw cords pulled.  Velcro was undone, weights placed in sack for realistic trial run in shop and the adjustable back system was adjusted at least three times. Personally I would have had it sprayed to test its waterproof ness and rolled under the car to judge durability, but there you are some people are easily pleased.

By 2pm we were ready to leave the end of the hill road leading to Cwm Eigiau loaded with fuel for the overnighters.  Instead of going straight to the bothy we headed up the hill to Craig Eigiau and then to 850 metres on the slopes of Foel Grach before we descended to Dulyn just before dark.  On this occasion Colin forgot teabags (cadged from David) and a pot to boil water (cadged from Mo).

By 7pm we were ready to leave the bothy for our night navigation.  In fact the moon was sufficiently full and bright to make it an easy night walk rather than a navigation exercise.  Up at 750 metres on the grass we didn’t even need our torches and the high points and pools we were heading for were clearly visible.  In fact the moon was sufficiently bright we had clear and sharp shadows!  Descending we saw another group bound for the bothy who called to check we were OK.  We arrived at the car at 9.30pm and I was home just after 1pm.

January 21^st  Corndon Hill and Marrington Dingle

Andrew, Eileen, Tony and Colin ascended Corndon Hill, interestingly the first of the Shropshire six despite being in Wales, before heading off to Marrington Dingle.  I’ve had my eye on this long narrow valley for some time now and it was certainly worth the wait.  Afterwards we made our way across rolling countryside before picking up the ridge of open land leading back to Corndon Hill near to an ancient stone circle. Excellent way marked paths and even a Goldcrest or two for Eileen’s 2006 bird list.  (Derek must be as sick as a parrot) 11 ½ miles.

January 28^th  Berwyns

David, Tony, Colin and Nick parked in Cwm Maen Gwynedd on a bright but cool morning with the higher hills well frosted.  After a steep pull the minor top of Rhos provided a good viewpoint though the going was heavy through the heather.  Frosted trees and fence posts were very attractive in the sunshine as we passed various tops on the way to Cadair Bronwen 784m.  Here there were motorcyclists on the summit so we moved off to Cadair Berwyn 827m where we took a short break in the summit shelter. Descending steeply to the ridge below we then headed towards Godor 678m before walking through farmland back to the starting point.  11 ½ miles.

 

SCOTLAND 23^rd -30^th December 2005 and 3^rd-7^th January 2006 Ian Carter

I had a couple of trips to Scotland at the end of 2005 and beginning of 2006 with a brief interlude back home for a rest at New Year.  The first trip, at the end of December, was with my friend Yvonne, a very experienced mountaineer who became a Munro Compleatist in 1997.  She is now well on her way to completing for a second time and has also become something of a Corbett bagger.

Our plan was to travel to Glen Torridon on Friday 23^rd if the weather was good enough there or anywhere with good weather if it wasn’t.  The general weather forecast on Thursday evening sounded pretty good so at 5am on Friday we set off.  We called in at Aviemore to check the mountain weather forecast which was also good so we continued, as planned, to Glen Torridon.  There was a noticeable lack of snow on the tops which was disappointing but with such a good forecast we weren’t complaining.

On arriving in Glen Torridon we pitched our tent in some woods by the river about 1km before Torridon Youth Hostel. Our intention was to stay there so long as the weather was good and move to somewhere with better weather if it deteriorated - it didn’t and we remained camped there for 7 days with glorious sunny weather, cold nights and hard frosts every day.  There was no snow or ice on the tops but the hard frost every day made for tricky walking conditions but beautiful views.  The frost made the rock very slippery but there wasn’t enough ice to use crampons.

Each day we were up at 6am, had breakfast, filled flasks, packed lunch and were ready for walking by first light or earlier in some cases.  Briefly our walks were as follows:-

Saturday 24^th December Ben Damh  Starting from the viewpoint about 2km west of the Loch Torridon Hotel we climbed straight up and walked the ridge to Spidean Coir an Loigh, a Corbett on Ben Damh.  This was the only misty day and views were rather limited so we didn’t get to see the Stirrup Mark (whatever it is!).

Sunday 25^th December Beinn Dearg   From the car park 3km west of Torridon village on the Inveralligin road, we climbed Beinn Dearg, very nearly a Munro but not quite.  This was a beautiful day and gave us some fine views of Beinn Alligin.

Monday 26^th December Applecross Corbetts  Today we tackled the two Applecross Corbett’s starting from about ½ km west of Tornapress.  We went for Beinn Bhan first, via the A Chioch ridge.  This was a very interesting, quite exposed scramble. There is a lot of greenery on the ridge but the frosty conditions may have made things slightly easier as being frozen seemed to hold it all together quite well.  From Beinn Bhan we went onto Coire a Chaorachain and descended to the road for the long plod down back to the car.

Tuesday 27^th December Liathach   Another glorious day with a very hard frost.  I managed to talk Yvonne into leaving the Corbetts alone and doing some Munro’s for her umpteenth time but for my first time.  We set out to walk Liathach from east to west climbing up to the ridge and on to Spidean a Choire Leith.  As we set out along the ridge with the sun on our left a mist came in on the north side of the ridge and we were treated to some wonderful brocken spectres.  The walking conditions on the ridge were quite difficult with hard frost but again not enough ice for crampons and the going was quite slow.  As we approached the pinnacles we realised we would not have time to complete the ridge and so reluctantly descended.

Wednesday 28^th December Meall Giubhais  We decided to have an easy day and headed for the Ben Eighe visitor centre car park, about 1km North West of Kinlochewe, to walk up Meall Giubhaiss.  This is a very easy Corbett but gives superb views of Ben Eighe, Liathach and Beinn Alligin.  I can recommend the visitor centre facilities for a good scrub up – very clean and very, very warm!!

Thursday 29^th December Slioch   Still the weather was glorious, we couldn’t believe our luck.  I managed to persuade Yvonne to leave those pesky little Corbett’s alone again and repeat another Munro so we headed for the car park at Incheril and walked up Slioch.

On Thursday night it began to snow and was still doing so quite heavily the next morning.  Friday would have been our last day walking but after six consecutive glorious days in Scotland in the winter we decided to head home.

 

I returned to Scotland on 3^rd January with a group of five friends from Hartington.  We stayed at Glen Nevis Youth Hostel and had another three days of very good weather but this time with some snow and ice to play on.  We didn’t have such early starts as my December trip but there was more beer involved this time!  The walks are described briefly here:-

Wednesday 4^th January Ben Nevis   It had to be done.  The six of us went up Ben Nevis.  Two of our group were not really walkers but wanted to go up the Ben so the rest of us dragged them up the tourist trail.  The weather was superb again.  The two non walkers were finished off by the end of the day and spent the next 2 days shopping!

Thursday 5^th January Stob Ban and Mullach nan Coirean   The remaining four of us took on Stob Ban and Mullach nan Coirean.  It was again a very clear day but the wind was quite strong which made things a lot more interesting in parts.

Friday 6^th January The Ring of Steall (nearly)   Three of us set out to walk the Ring of Steall in the clockwise direction.  After climbing An Gearanach, Rob decided to head back home which left myself and Colin (a different one) to continue.  The Gearanach/Garbanach ridge was slow going in the conditions and by the time we got to An Garbhanach we realised we wouldn’t have the time to complete all of the peaks of the ring.  We decided that once we had climbed Stob Coire a Chainn we would bypass Am Bodach and continue on to the top of Sgor an Iubhair, across Devil’s Ridge and onto Sgurr a Mhaim.  This was a wonderful day’s walking again even though we didn’t get to Am Bodach.

We headed home on Saturday after another 3 days of excellent weather.  I just hope we are as lucky in Glen Coe in February.

 

NUNEATON MUSEUM – IMAGING EVEREST: THE SHERPA’S TALE

From 14^th January to 26^th March Nuneaton Museum is hosting an exhibition by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG - whoever they may be. Ed.) that documents over thirty years of Himalayan exploration from 1921 – 1953.  Apparently, ‘ Breathtaking images show precarious crossings of crevasses and ridges, and iconic images of Tensing Norgay and Edmund Hilary atop Everest’.  Maybe worth checking it out?

 

MASSACRE IN GLENCOE 1692

In view of the forthcoming trip to Glencoe in February I thought it might be worthwhile bringing you all up to speed on the background to the infamous massacre of 13th February1692.

Firstly, highland clans were not all concentrated in the same location. The MacDonald’s of Glencoe were a small group of Clan Donald whose power base was on Skye and the Western Isles. In the Middle Ages Clan Donald was pre-eminent their leader being given the title ‘Lord of the Isles’, but by the 16^th century the power of the Campbell’s was in the ascendancy led by the Earls of Argyll based in Inveraray.  There was no love lost between the Campbell’s and the MacDonald’s with the MacDonald’s raiding far and wide, retreating to their secure mountain refuge in Glencoe.

In 1644 the MacDonald’s fought as part of a Civil War Campaign which took them plundering right through Campbell country.  Then in 1688 they fought in favour of the deposed James 11 returning through the lands of Campbell of Glenlyon which they plundered ruthlessly leaving Glenlyon a ruined man.  The new king, William 111 decreed that all rebellious Highland Chiefs were to take an Oath of Allegiance before 1^st January 1692.  Unfortunately MacIan chief of the MacDonalds of Glencoe put off this duty and when he finally arrived in Fort William on 31^st December he was told he needed to go to Inveraray which he reached on 2^nd January taking the oath on the 6^th.

However, an order was issued by the Master of Stair, Secretary of State to King William to make an example of the MacDonald’s, ‘to extirpate that sept of thieves’ and to make sure, ‘it be secret and sudden’.

On 1^st February 1692, 120 men of Argyll’s regiment under the command of Captain Robert Campbell of Glenlyon, recent victim of MacDonald raids, reached Glencoe and as was usual at the time billeted themselves in the glen 3-5 to a cottage.  There the soldiers remained for two weeks on good terms with their hosts.  On 12^th February 800 soldiers under Major Duncanson left Fort William to co-ordinate with Glenlyon and cover the escape routes via Kinlochleven and the upper parts of Glencoe.  A message was then sent to Glenlyon ordering him to, ‘putt all to the sword under 70’.

The massacre began before first light on the morning of the 13^th.  About 38 men, women and children were killed by the soldiers but many others must have died in snow storms trying to reach Glen Etive across the mountains.  The fact that action was taken against the MacDonald’s of Glencoe was not a surprise even at the time, but that it was done by stealth and by soldiers living amongst them outraged the tradition of hospitality accepted throughout the Highlands.  Despite a commission of enquiry (even then they kicked things into the long grass) no real action was taken against the ringleaders. 

Some believe that the massacre was a disaster waiting to happen. If you think so please don’t express this view in the Clachaig Hotel when standing near to me.  In 1972 I did a Teaching Practice in Castle Douglas in Galloway.  My landlady Mrs Black, a member of staff at the school, described the head teacher as, ‘no too bad for a Campbell.’  Certainly in the early 80’s there was a sign in the Clachaig which announced, ‘No Campbell’s served here’. It didn’t refer to soup either.

Main source:- The Central Highlands: SMC District Guide 1972 Edition.

 

 

 

FREE VIXEN TOR Dave Turnbull, Chief Executive, British Mountaineering Council

I am writing to ask your clubs help with the BMC's campaign to re-gain access to Vixen Tor, Dartmoor. 

The following news item link <http://www.thebmc.co.uk/news_det.asp?item_id=936> and http://www.thebmc.co.uk/news_det.asp?item_id=936 explains that we are currently asking members to write to Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA), to express their concerns about the situation.  This same news item has also been posted on the UK Climbing and PlanetFear websites.

I would be very grateful if you would consider writing to DNPA.  The more pressure we can put on the Authority - the more likely they are to take firm action if a voluntary agreement is not forthcoming.

Many thanks for your support.

 

WATER SOLUTION    Opinion - Summary of an article by Dr David Ashton

There is a general view that we need to drink up to eight glasses of water throughout the day as many of us are dehydrated without even realising it. This is supposedly caused because we drink too much coffee, tea and soft drinks containing caffeine which, because of its diuretic effect, causes us to loose water.

Dr Ashton points out that though caffeine causes a small loss of water this is minor when compared to the amount of water gained.  One cup of coffee is still roughly equivalent to two-thirds of a cup of water.  Dr Ashton goes on to say that studies of normal people show that caffeine does not contribute to dehydration and that guidelines from the US National Academy of Sciences state that all drinks, including those containing caffeine, count towards proper hydration.

So, if caffeine isn’t the problem what is?  Apparently nothing, because we don’t need eight glasses of water a day, the origin of this assertion is unclear and there is no evidence to support it.  Dr Ashton maintains that an average-sized healthy adult needs about a litre of fluid a day – equivalent to four glasses of water, which is about the same as we get from solid food, though he wouldn’t recommend relying upon this and having no additional fluid intake at all.

Fluid intake of course depends on a number of factors including age gender and temperature. Fortunately the body has a mechanism for regulating fluid intake called thirst.  This usually kicks in when we have lost 1-2% of total body water.  This loss is not harmful and Dr Ashton maintains that there is no argument for continually ‘topping up’ with water throughout the day.  During physical exercise water loss will be greater and it’s said that we need to keep drinking at regular intervals to prevent dehydration.  It’s often said that if we wait until we are thirsty to take a drink then it’s already too late.

Dr Ashton concludes that the best advice for hydration is that set out by the US Track and Field (USATF) organisation, which is to be sensitive to the onset of thirst as a signal to drink, rather that trying to stay ahead of thirst.  This prevents dehydration and avoids hyponatraemia (low sodium levels), a potentially dangerous condition which is much more common as some athletes over-hydrate.  As the thirst mechanism has evolved over millions of years we should trust it.  During long walks always carry a drink in both warm and cold weather and drink when you are thirsty.  For normal daily conditions the water bottle is probably superfluous, but while sipping water throughout the day won’t do you any harm, there is no evidence it will do you any good either.

 

LETTER FROM AMERICA    Tony Charles
The following is the transcript of an actual conversation that occurred on 4/10/95 between a US Navy ship off the coast of England and a British Coast guard authority. 
The transcript was released by the MoD on 10/10/95.

BRITS:  Please divert your course 15 degrees to the south, to avoid a collision.
AMERICANS:  We recommend you divert your course 15 degrees to the north, to avoid a collision.
BRITS:  Negative.  You will have to divert your course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a collision.
AMERICANS:  This is the captain of US Navy ship; I say again, divert YOUR course.
BRITS:  Negative, I say again, you will have to divert your course.
AMERICANS:  This is the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln; the second largest ship in the United States' Atlantic fleet; we are accompanied by three destroyers, three cruisers and numerous support vessels.  I demand that you change your course to 15 degrees north; that is 15 degrees north, or counter measures will be undertaken to ensure the safety of this ship.
BRITS:  We are a lighthouse; now f*** off!!!

 

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