meets reports
[2007]
Dunkeld
6 October 2007
Present: Charles, Susan.
Perfect autumnal conditions for this meet helped make this venue a lovely way to round off the season.
Helyg, Ogwen Valley, North Wales
14 September 2007
Present: Dave, Terry, Patrick, Francis, Brian, Susan.
Helyg is a cosy hut with a superb view of the east face of Tryfan. The hut has an interesting history connected to the 1953 Everest expedition and comes with its own supply of friendly (peanut-butter-sandwich eating) ponies. Saturday was a bright dry day and lots of fantastic classic routes were enjoyed. Dave & Terry, Cenotaph Corner (E1), Cobweb Crack (VS) on Dinas Cromlech, The Direct Route (VS) on Dinas Mot; Patrick & Francis, Wen (HVS) Scavenger (HVS) at Gogarth; Brian & Sue, North Buttress, Belle Vue Bastion (VS) Tryfan. We all had plans for more great climbs on Sunday but sadly the day was rainy with forecasts of more rain. Patrick & Francis enjoyed the elements with an ascent of Tryfan. Others headed back up North. Terry & Dave stopped off at Anglesey to look at A Dream of White Horses. Unfortunately though, the route remains a dream for the time being due to strong winds hampering any climbing on the day.
Glen Clova
19 August 2007
Present: Ruth L, Ruth Mc, Bryan, Charles, Susan, Simon (guest), Roy (guest), Mike (guest).
Weather for this meet was dry (ish) but a bit chilly. Most headed up the Glen for some low level walking, geological research, and game of pooh sticks. There are some fair sized boulders beneath the crags and the others spent some time trying out a few bouldering problems.
Camping, Cairngorms
20 July 2007
There was much interest in this meet until unfortunately the weather had other plans for the weekend. The meet was finally abandoned due to lack of any dry weather anywhere near the proposed venue.
CIC Hut, Ben Nevis
22 June 2007
Present: Eddie, Liz.
This meet was initially over subscribed but as time wore on the forecast deterred all but the hardiest of members. Meet report by Eddie: 'Liz and myself made it to the meet. Friday: we tried out the grand new path to the dam on the way up to the hut. Saturday: we climbed Tower Ridge. On the way down we helped three separate parties of people wandering about in the mist to relocate themselves (hopefully). Sunday: We climbed Castle Ridge and then down Ledge Route. Also, we spotted a Ring Ouzel and a pair of Wheatears around the hut. The rain was reasonably warm, for the Ben, and all in all it was a very enjoyable and worthwhile meet.
Blackrock Cottage, Glen Coe
1 June 2007
Present: Ruth L, Ruth Mc, Bryan, Susan.
After great plans for the Etive Slabs and the Buachille, weather on Saturday was very very wet! The day was spent at the Ice Factor – firstly a couple of hours or so on the ice – really good fun and great to get the axes out again. Then lunch and gear shopping (see Bryan’s new trews and Ruth and Sue’s matching tops!) then a couple more hours on the climbing wall, and a quick shower (well it had been a very hard day!) before heading back to the hut. Back for wine, ale, and tea by a roaring fire at cosy Blackrock. Sunday was even wetter – so all headed off to Fort William for (you’ve guessed….) some more shopping before heading back home.
Gullane Beach BBQ
26 May 2007
Some 20 members and guests of various shapes and sizes attended this meet, putting the ‘J’ back into JMCS! The day was warm and sunny. Activities included tai chi, windsurfing, swimming (and that was just the Loves!), bouldering and climbing above the beach, sand dune racing and a barbecue. This meet was billed as a picnic – but there was some pretty strenuous bouldering to be had. After we had all eaten too many marshmallows to get off the ground any more we headed for home. Really fun meet and a great chance to chill out with a burnt sausage and roast marshmallow or three. Many thanks to Terry for organising this meet and for arranging great weather for us too.
Benny Beg
28 April 2007
Present: Bryan, Ruth, Susan, Stuart, Jane, Roy (guest).
Weather was very very hot – this really was Costa Blanca comes to Scotland! Climbing started on the bolted crag at Benny Beg followed by lunch in a shady spot above the crag with views out to the Ochills. Some of us then visited a nearby newly developed crag for some trad climbing in a wonderful woodland setting.
Borrowdale
20 April 2007
Present: Eddie, Thomas, Patrick, Brian, Susan.
Saturday brought dry and bright skies. The hut is situated minutes from lots of great climbing so everyone headed to nearby Black Crag in Borrowdale. Routes climbed were: Eddie & Thomas, Troutdale Pinnacle Direct (VS), The Shroud (VS); Patrick & Bryan, Mortician (HVS), The Shroud (VS), first pitch of Raindrop (E1); Brian & Sue, Holly Tree Corner/ Troutdale Ridge (VS), Aberration (MVS) at Quayfoot Buttress. Susan Jensen and friends from the FRCC also came along and climbed routes at Black Crag. Sunday brought rain and more rain so members headed off to various other venues including Northumberland, North Berwick Law and Ratho.