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THE GENTIAN MOUNTAINEERING CLUB
RECENT MEETS
Below
are brief accounts of recent meets. Clicking on a meet name will bring
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Burns Night
For the traditional Burns Night we stayed in the bunkhouse at Craflwyn Hall, near Beddgelert. With a full meet of 12 Gentians, the accommodation was split into 2 so there was plenty of room. Six folk were on a Winter skills course at Plas Y Brenin, so that left six for Saturday's route. Very high winds were forecast so no attempt on the tops was made. We had a walk from the hut by Llyn Dinas, passing Hafod Owen and the flank of Cnicht before dropping to Nantmor and Pont Aberglaslyn. A return was made along the Fishermen's Path.
The supper was the usual fun affair! On Sunday we all walked from the hut again and split into 2 groups, doing the same route (Bwlch Sygun, Cwm Bychan) but in opposite directions.
New Year Meet
This was the first New Year meet for some years. We were based at High Wray, the NT Basecamp, in the Acland block. Roomy and warm accommodation. This was just as well because the weather was pants!!
Friday dawned gloomy and drizzly so we all went on a local walk. Drizzle turned to rain and it was puddles and mud everywhere. A pint or two in a pub at Hawkshead cheered some of us up before returning to Base Camp. Saturday was a bit brighter but still drizzly. Two groups set off, one to Wansfell Pike and the other to Lingmoor. Drizzle turned to rain again and it was windy too!
New Year was celebrated with a good dinner and plenty of Highland Tea, so Sunday breakfast was a bit later than normal. The weather was now dire! One party went gear shopping in Ambleside and another started from Elterwater and had a low level walk taking in Skelwith Force and Colwith Force. Amazingly it stayed dry! In spite of the weather we had a good time.
For the traditional Burns Night we stayed in the bunkhouse at Craflwyn Hall, near Beddgelert. With a full meet of 12 Gentians, the accommodation was split into 2 so there was plenty of room. Six folk were on a Winter skills course at Plas Y Brenin, so that left six for Saturday's route. Very high winds were forecast so no attempt on the tops was made. We had a walk from the hut by Llyn Dinas, passing Hafod Owen and the flank of Cnicht before dropping to Nantmor and Pont Aberglaslyn. A return was made along the Fishermen's Path.
The supper was the usual fun affair! On Sunday we all walked from the hut again and split into 2 groups, doing the same route (Bwlch Sygun, Cwm Bychan) but in opposite directions.
New Year Meet
This was the first New Year meet for some years. We were based at High Wray, the NT Basecamp, in the Acland block. Roomy and warm accommodation. This was just as well because the weather was pants!!
Friday dawned gloomy and drizzly so we all went on a local walk. Drizzle turned to rain and it was puddles and mud everywhere. A pint or two in a pub at Hawkshead cheered some of us up before returning to Base Camp. Saturday was a bit brighter but still drizzly. Two groups set off, one to Wansfell Pike and the other to Lingmoor. Drizzle turned to rain again and it was windy too!
New Year was celebrated with a good dinner and plenty of Highland Tea, so Sunday breakfast was a bit later than normal. The weather was now dire! One party went gear shopping in Ambleside and another started from Elterwater and had a low level walk taking in Skelwith Force and Colwith Force. Amazingly it stayed dry! In spite of the weather we had a good time.
Escape from Christmas
The very comfortable Beech Lodge, just outside Ingleton, was our home for the weekend. Three groups set off on Saturday morning. The weather wasn't too bad for December. A bit windy and cold with the odd shower but some sunshine too. Dinner in the evening was a sausage fest! Sunday was slightly better weather and we split into two groups. One heading off to the Trough of Bowland and the other walking out to have a look at the Yordas cave.
The very comfortable Beech Lodge, just outside Ingleton, was our home for the weekend. Three groups set off on Saturday morning. The weather wasn't too bad for December. A bit windy and cold with the odd shower but some sunshine too. Dinner in the evening was a sausage fest! Sunday was slightly better weather and we split into two groups. One heading off to the Trough of Bowland and the other walking out to have a look at the Yordas cave.
Annual Dinner Meet
A good clump of Gentians gathered at the Star bunkhouse, Bwlch, not far from Crickhowell. With a pub opposite it's well situated! Saturday started misty but turned into a sunny day. Parties went in various directions but walking from the hut was popular. Dinner at the Bear in Crickhowell was enjoyed by all, with only one sleeper during the talk by Brecon MRT. Sunday dawned frosty but the sun shone and the visibility was excellent. Once again there was a division of forces with the majority opting for a easy walk on the Sugarloaf.
A good clump of Gentians gathered at the Star bunkhouse, Bwlch, not far from Crickhowell. With a pub opposite it's well situated! Saturday started misty but turned into a sunny day. Parties went in various directions but walking from the hut was popular. Dinner at the Bear in Crickhowell was enjoyed by all, with only one sleeper during the talk by Brecon MRT. Sunday dawned frosty but the sun shone and the visibility was excellent. Once again there was a division of forces with the majority opting for a easy walk on the Sugarloaf.
Indian Summer in the Lakes
A Gentian favourite, High House in Borrowdale, was the venue for this meet. High hopes were dashed by really wet weather on the Saturday. A low level walk option was taken and the rain was unceasing! Returning to the hut, the famous "pot bellied stove" soon warmed everyone up and the food and wine erased memories of a wet day. Fortunately Sunday was a lovely day and made up for a wet Saturday. Glaramara and Allan Crags were climbed and a return made down Ruddy Gill.
High Summer in Mid Wales
A select group of Gentians spent a weekend at Bryn Hafod, splendidly situated at the foot of the Arans. It's a short "carry in" to this hut, as vehicles are banned. The weather was fairly kind to us and the only rain fell over Saturday night. The "famous five" traversed the Aran ridge on Saturday. A real classic. Sunday saw a division of forces but a stalwart two ventured on the "Precipice Walk" near Dollgellau. A Victorian adventure and still a good walk.
Summer in the Lakes 1st - 3rd July
The George Starkey hut in Patterdale was an excellent location for this meet. Very well situated for the fells and pubs. The weather was lovely all w/e so the surrounding hills were visited by various combinations of members.
A Gentian favourite, High House in Borrowdale, was the venue for this meet. High hopes were dashed by really wet weather on the Saturday. A low level walk option was taken and the rain was unceasing! Returning to the hut, the famous "pot bellied stove" soon warmed everyone up and the food and wine erased memories of a wet day. Fortunately Sunday was a lovely day and made up for a wet Saturday. Glaramara and Allan Crags were climbed and a return made down Ruddy Gill.
High Summer in Mid Wales
A select group of Gentians spent a weekend at Bryn Hafod, splendidly situated at the foot of the Arans. It's a short "carry in" to this hut, as vehicles are banned. The weather was fairly kind to us and the only rain fell over Saturday night. The "famous five" traversed the Aran ridge on Saturday. A real classic. Sunday saw a division of forces but a stalwart two ventured on the "Precipice Walk" near Dollgellau. A Victorian adventure and still a good walk.
Summer in the Lakes 1st - 3rd July
The George Starkey hut in Patterdale was an excellent location for this meet. Very well situated for the fells and pubs. The weather was lovely all w/e so the surrounding hills were visited by various combinations of members.
Spring Bank in Knoydart 28 May - 3rd June
A very welcome return for the Club to the Rough Bounds. The weather forecast was not good so we were prepared for the worst, however the weather was actually pretty good. The worst day was a welcome rest for us all. Two waves of Gentians (and loads of supplies) were transported by ferry from Mallaig to Inverie and the very comfortable Old Byre, our home for the week. Sunday was a bit driechy so we walked locally. After that things inproved, apart from one bad day, so we climbed lots of things in various combinations of groups. The last day was a "grand finale" with a 2 hour boat trip round to Barrisdale. Lovely weather and a flat calm, so nobody put down any groundbait. Five of us climbed Ladhar Bheinn (a magnificent day!), some walked back to Inverie via the pass, and some climbed Luinne Bheinn.
We all ate in the Old Forge that night, the only pub, and a Gentian passing by in his boat joined us, so it was a very convivial occasion. We were sad to leave on Saturday for the long journey home.
AGM Meet 13 - 15 May
Hendre Isaf NT "Basecamp", near Pentrefoelas was a very roomy and comfortable base for the meet. Saturday was good weather after an early cold wind died down. One group explored the local area and another crossed the Welsh wilderness on a circuitous route to Arenig Fach. Sunday was drizzly and misty which accounts for the paucity of photos. However Arenig Fawr was climbed in the clag. A second group had their plans disrupted by a duckling rescue mission.
We had an AGM too!
A very welcome return for the Club to the Rough Bounds. The weather forecast was not good so we were prepared for the worst, however the weather was actually pretty good. The worst day was a welcome rest for us all. Two waves of Gentians (and loads of supplies) were transported by ferry from Mallaig to Inverie and the very comfortable Old Byre, our home for the week. Sunday was a bit driechy so we walked locally. After that things inproved, apart from one bad day, so we climbed lots of things in various combinations of groups. The last day was a "grand finale" with a 2 hour boat trip round to Barrisdale. Lovely weather and a flat calm, so nobody put down any groundbait. Five of us climbed Ladhar Bheinn (a magnificent day!), some walked back to Inverie via the pass, and some climbed Luinne Bheinn.
We all ate in the Old Forge that night, the only pub, and a Gentian passing by in his boat joined us, so it was a very convivial occasion. We were sad to leave on Saturday for the long journey home.
AGM Meet 13 - 15 May
Hendre Isaf NT "Basecamp", near Pentrefoelas was a very roomy and comfortable base for the meet. Saturday was good weather after an early cold wind died down. One group explored the local area and another crossed the Welsh wilderness on a circuitous route to Arenig Fach. Sunday was drizzly and misty which accounts for the paucity of photos. However Arenig Fawr was climbed in the clag. A second group had their plans disrupted by a duckling rescue mission.
We had an AGM too!
Easter in the Lakes 21 - 25 April
The CMC hut, well situated up the Newlands Valley was the venue for this 4 night meet. A mile up a private track, it's a good place to be away from the hordes. A simple but nice hut. No shower, so the washing arrangements depend on the weather! In this case it was good all weekend (a bit misty on Saturday) and 2 varying groups of Gentians explored the surrounding fells with no need to drive anywhere. We had a great time!
The CMC hut, well situated up the Newlands Valley was the venue for this 4 night meet. A mile up a private track, it's a good place to be away from the hordes. A simple but nice hut. No shower, so the washing arrangements depend on the weather! In this case it was good all weekend (a bit misty on Saturday) and 2 varying groups of Gentians explored the surrounding fells with no need to drive anywhere. We had a great time!
Spring in North Wales 4 - 6 March
We stayed in a converted cow shed for this meet. A lot better than it sounds! The hut of the Bromsgrove and Redditch MC, at the foot of the Tremadog cliffs. Saturday was dry but a little misty until late afternoon. One group climbed Rhinog Fach, continuing along the ridge to Diffwys before descending into the valley. The other group climbed the Nantlle Ridge.
Sunday was lovely, a bit chilly but sunny. A trio of Gentians traversed Moel Hebog and the rest of the hills to Rhyd Ddu, whilst the others all opted for an ascent of Cnicht.
We stayed in a converted cow shed for this meet. A lot better than it sounds! The hut of the Bromsgrove and Redditch MC, at the foot of the Tremadog cliffs. Saturday was dry but a little misty until late afternoon. One group climbed Rhinog Fach, continuing along the ridge to Diffwys before descending into the valley. The other group climbed the Nantlle Ridge.
Sunday was lovely, a bit chilly but sunny. A trio of Gentians traversed Moel Hebog and the rest of the hills to Rhyd Ddu, whilst the others all opted for an ascent of Cnicht.
