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<title>ULGMC RSS Feed</title><link>www.ulgmc.org/index.html</link><description>Meets</description><dc:language>en</dc:language><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><dc:rights>Copyright 2006 ULGMC</dc:rights><dc:date>2006-11-05T21:46:01+01:00</dc:date><admin:generatorAgent rdf:resource="http://www.realmacsoftware.com/" />
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<lastBuildDate>Sat, 12 Apr 2008 15:04:24 +0200</lastBuildDate><item><title>The Bonfire Meet - Fallcliffe 3 - 5 November 2006</title><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><category>Club Meets</category><dc:date>2006-11-05T21:46:01+01:00</dc:date><link>www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/dbc9ea6749ab85ffbf6eaa806f5c4101-26.html#unique-entry-id-26</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/dbc9ea6749ab85ffbf6eaa806f5c4101-26.html#unique-entry-id-26</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Numerous people cut hedges, felled trees, cut grass, collected leaves, cleared paths and generally tidied up.    Keith Mott gave the car park a spraying just before he left so the weeds should not grow too much.


...People can now leave the plates where the mice are unlikely to get to them.  ...  Young Alex was just the right size to stand on the stone shelf to paint the walls, which he did with some enthusiasm.    Stainless steel racking was affixed to the wall, two and three inch screws should stop them being taken down too quickly.  ...  A couple of wall bars will be put in to allow the frying pans to hang from them.


...Dinner was the now expected multi-course affair; melon, four cheeses with salad and some people managed to get a piece of Joy Parsons tandoori chicken.  


...Some were amazing, most agreed that it is better to buy one big firework with huge impact rather than the selection boxes of previous years.    Sparklers must be available for the many children of all ages who like these things.


Return to the tables for a pasta feast from Frances followed by a selection of puddings; bilberry cobbler, apple crumble, apples from Bill Towlsons trees and a couple of bread and butter puddings.  

...The caterers had known that 16 people were booked in, so planned for 24, but actually served over thirty.  

...Remo Rossi turned up with his banjo and another  guest, Cliff Etherdon, provided a song book, live entertainment.   

...A cramped night was had by all, two people were reported as sleeping in their cars and one on the floor, two downstairs.


On Sunday more tidying up and some people actually went walking in the hills.  ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>AGM Meet - North Wales 27 - 29 October 2006</title><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><category>Club Meets</category><dc:date>2006-10-29T21:45:53+01:00</dc:date><link>www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/cb682b854a45df7553e4a47038980163-25.html#unique-entry-id-25</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/cb682b854a45df7553e4a47038980163-25.html#unique-entry-id-25</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[AGM Meet - North Wales 27 - 29 October 2006


Keith Mott reports:


People started arriving in north Wales before the weekend to enjoy the rather mild weather.   The rain, however, did not hold off&nbsp;quite until the&nbsp;evening though.  &nbsp;46 sat down to dinner at the Glan Aber hotel and many of them found it difficult to get up again after another fine spread of food.   The local lamb was especially good.


&nbsp;Sunday found many people departing for home with a sizeable group heading for Trefor and Patsy's before the rush back.   Patsy, in great club tradition, fed nearly 20 without notice.   Thanks to Patsy.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Via Ferrata in the Dolimiti September 2006</title><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>News blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2006-09-20T21:47:50+02:00</dc:date><link>www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/6ae8c717c2da93f251a9fbc5534e7b2d-28.html#unique-entry-id-28</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/6ae8c717c2da93f251a9fbc5534e7b2d-28.html#unique-entry-id-28</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Shaun, Shelagh and Jakob packed-up the car and went off to join the Alpine Club&rsquo;s Dolomites meet in Cortina.    The meet was held in a small campsite to the south of the town, that was nicely shaded by trees.    On the Saturday of the meet a large group of us went for a walk to the Cascate Val di Fames.    Perhaps the best thing with the waterfall walk was that their was a simple via Ferrata that went behind the waterfall and produced some rather fantastic view.    For Shaun it was a good opportunity to use his new gear (just bought from Decathlon).  


We spent the evening having a rather enjoyable pizza at perhaps the only affordable restaurant in town.  

...On Sunday, Shaun and Paul (a non-AC member) got up early took two lifts and (after blaging a lift in the car) to get to the start of the via Ferrata Lorenzi at around 3000m.    A coffee was taken to on-route to help wake them up.    Their route starts with the crossing on the longest wire bridge in the region before ascending the Cristallino.    The remainder of the route followed the WWI front line up and down round and round the mountain.  


Most of the route finding was simple it was only at the end where a steep down chimney is taken did they have any problems.  ...  But then the route went on and on.    Shaun, not having a keen eye for detail had forgotten to note that the route was one of the longest in the region 6-8 hours and had 1600m of down excluding the extra up on the way!    This led to sore feet but a memorial day in the hills. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Summer PyG track - 1994-2006&#x2c; time for change?</title><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><category>Members&#x27; Reports</category><dc:date>2006-09-18T08:40:29+02:00</dc:date><link>www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/1421818b1fcf58a6bc8588fdafcac16b-21.html#unique-entry-id-21</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/1421818b1fcf58a6bc8588fdafcac16b-21.html#unique-entry-id-21</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Phill Williams wrote:


Now to this August, 2006, and another celebration, much less noteworthy.   Nine members of my family, mainly the children and grandchildren in this country, gathered for my eightieth birthday.   Encouraged by the grandchildren, we decided to mark the occasion by climbing Snowdon, up the Miners and down the PyG, something I first did in 1944.   Unfortunately, my birthday fell on the bank holiday, so in spite of an early start our party, ranging in age from nine to eighty, was nearly overwhelmed by the huge crowds shuffling up and down the paved path: how times have changed!]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Summer Munros 2005 - fifty years on</title><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>News blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2006-09-18T08:37:15+02:00</dc:date><link>www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/f2104ecf6cfc54e8cd9c75bc443b6361-22.html#unique-entry-id-22</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/f2104ecf6cfc54e8cd9c75bc443b6361-22.html#unique-entry-id-22</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Old (very old) members may remember Miles Hutchinson, who joined ULMC and then ULGMC for a couple of meets in the late forties and early fifties. ...  Would I like to help make up a party for a celebratory ascent of Ben Hope?


I remembered that Miles has always been an inveterate bothy man, whereas I abandoned bothies for much more comfortable accommodation many years ago.   So with the proviso that we avoided bothies, I agreed.


...&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll go upmarket: I&rsquo;ll book the Youth Hostel.&rdquo;


I was quite relieved when he rang a week or so later to regret that the Youth Hostel was full, but uneasy to hear that he&rsquo;d found a self-catering cottage for only &pound;6 a night. 


So in August we drove up to the Crask Inn cottage, taking in a couple of Marilyns on the way over the Struie.   If you&rsquo;re familiar with Northern Scotland, you&rsquo;ll  know that the Crask Inn is on one of the loneliest of roads, halfway between Lairg and Altnaharra, with no other habitation for miles in either direction.   The apprehension I felt about the standard of &pound;6 a night accommodation soon disappeared.   The cottage, directly opposite the Inn, was remarkably well equipped &ndash; towels and bed-linen provided, hot water, central heating, fridge, etc.   The driving rain and wind the next morning meant we were reluctant to leave these comforts for Ben Hope, and so because of the conditions we decided to climb by the ordinary route, rather than the North ridge.


Still in cloud and rain, we photographed Miles standing on the summit trig point, enjoyed a rapid glass of bubbly, wolfed the slices of cake, and headed back down the mountain to a superb celebratory meal in the Crask Inn.


And what were we celebrating?   The fiftieth anniversary of Miles&rsquo;s first completion of the Munros, on Ben Hope, August 10th, 1955.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Norfolk Mountains 15 - 17 September 2006</title><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><category>Club Meets</category><dc:date>2006-09-16T21:45:06+02:00</dc:date><link>www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/f2942f5f303fb5d6401ec2de99f04615-24.html#unique-entry-id-24</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/f2942f5f303fb5d6401ec2de99f04615-24.html#unique-entry-id-24</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[We were once again blessed by fine weather for this exceedingly arduous meet.   Friends started arriving on the Thursday and by Friday evening 15 sat down to the traditional local fare of spaghetti bolognaise.


On the Saturday we continued our trek along the Waveney Valley, this time further to the west than before.   Eventually we will make the watershed where the Waveney ends and Little Ouse begins. ...  The walk was enlivened by the sight of thousands of geese on their way to a party at Christmas! ...  The heathland was an unusual sight since the it is sandwiched between areas of wetland. 

...We were joined at a pub by the non-walkers where lunch was taken.   The walk in the afternoon retraced some of our steps with a diversion at the end around the mere.   It was then back to the house for more food and drink. 

...We parked by the mid Norfolk railway and walked along newly designated footpaths onto an estate. ...  We left the park and made our way to the nearest pub which turned out to be run by the owners of our local micro brewery whose beer we sampled last year. ...  Some of the group managed to get a lift back to the cars and a scene from the Keystone Cops played out with cars going in various directions, although in much slower motion of course.


The group dissolved slowly with some coming back to the house for refreshments before the long journey home.   Frances really enjoyed her postponed birthday party and would like to thank all those made it so memorable.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Did you know&#x2026;&#x2026;.Way-markings (England and Wales)</title><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>News blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2006-08-31T22:51:46+02:00</dc:date><link>www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/bb47380a197dee8ef1ac34dfcbf4b6fc-20.html#unique-entry-id-20</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/bb47380a197dee8ef1ac34dfcbf4b6fc-20.html#unique-entry-id-20</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Local authorities are obliged to sign paths and the system of arrows for marking away from roads is 


yellow - footpaths - open to walkers only


blue - bridleways - open to walkers, horse riders and cyclists


red - byways open to all traffic - open to all classes of user including motor vehicle use


&hellip;.and later this year


purple - restricted byways (what were all remaining roads used as public paths) - open to people on foot, horses, pedal cycle and horse-drawn carriage.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A warning from the Hon Meets Sec (copied from his AGM report)</title><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><category>Club News</category><dc:date>2006-08-31T22:50:49+02:00</dc:date><link>www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/ae1b4afcc057602ba3538fc3882d2062-19.html#unique-entry-id-19</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/ae1b4afcc057602ba3538fc3882d2062-19.html#unique-entry-id-19</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Although we have had some excellent turn-outs for some of the meets this year we are still having problems with others.    Some meet leaders have been left high and dry in some cases having travelled great distances.    We have come up with a plan to&nbsp;avoid this happening again.    If you are interested in being at a meet contact the leader even if you are not certain you will be able to attend.    At least, then, you can be contacted by the leader.    If no calls are received by the leader by the Friday, a week&nbsp;before the meet it will be cancelled and the hut offered to other clubs.    The upshot of all this is, if you do not contact the meet leader do not expect the hut to be open when you arrive.    I am sorry that these steps are necessary but fuel is becoming a significant factor in the cost of weekends away and travelling 300 miles plus is no fun if no-one turns up!]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>BMC</title><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><category>Club News</category><dc:date>2006-08-31T22:50:20+02:00</dc:date><link>www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/381b204fbc381c35cd3339dd178858cb-18.html#unique-entry-id-18</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/381b204fbc381c35cd3339dd178858cb-18.html#unique-entry-id-18</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Working at height (from the BMC website)


On 1st August 2006 the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) launched a consultation document on the Work at Height (Amendment) Regulations intended to apply to those paid to lead or train others in climbing or caving activities. 


So it would seem that the regulations do not apply to club situations where leaders are unpaid


Sue Esten has a copy of this consultation document &ndash; if anyone is interested&hellip;.    A &lsquo;skim read&rsquo; seems to indicate that the adventure industry will be largely exempted from the regulations governing other industri]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Gran Paradiso in 25 hours</title><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><category>Members&#x27; Reports</category><dc:date>2006-08-31T22:49:36+02:00</dc:date><link>www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/2bfa3550c7a404d3d06b6ad2f372ee23-17.html#unique-entry-id-17</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/2bfa3550c7a404d3d06b6ad2f372ee23-17.html#unique-entry-id-17</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The walk up 900m to the Refugio di Chabod (2750m) had a guidebook time of two hours so as I was feeling groggy I was please to get there in the set time.    My climbing partners (a small group of Belgians) were a good chatty bunch and luckily they were happy with my terrible French, which was no worse then their English.    Still feeling 'iffy' I managed to eat my dinner (mostly) and then got off to bed only to be woken at 3am for breakfast, oh joy.


The morning was wonderful with a cloud inversion over the valley below.    The walk from the hut to the glacier went very quickly but we were the last party, which was good as it meant that we could pick our own speed (slow as I was still feeling 'iffy').  ...  The route is easy and nowhere is it too steep.    In due course we joined up with the normal route from the Refugio Victor Emanuel and turned a little to the east and joined the queue of people en route for the summit.    The queue was amazing so many people trying to summit and such a small way to the top.    The view from top was stunning from the Ercins, across the Vanoise, to Monte Bianco, Grande Combin, Mont Cervin, Dent Blanche and Monta Rosa.


The way down to the Victor Emanuel Refugio was good, a mixture of glissading and walking, slipping and sliding.    At the refugio we shared a beer before going our separate ways.    I &lsquo;only&rsquo; had another 1000m of descent down a desperate zig-zag route to do to get back to the car park.    The way down was full of wildlife and would have been very quick without the previous 1000m from the summit!


It is a great route with wonderful views and well worth the effort of a weekend's trip.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>An Italian Summer&#xa;</title><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><category>Members&#x27; Reports</category><dc:date>2006-08-31T22:49:07+02:00</dc:date><link>www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/174de19cb67ae8b166f1f8c6500ff917-16.html#unique-entry-id-16</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/174de19cb67ae8b166f1f8c6500ff917-16.html#unique-entry-id-16</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Shaun and Shelagh West write: 


We&rsquo;ve been doing our best to visit the entire arc of the Italian Alps this summer, stretching from the Val d&rsquo;Aoste to the Dolomiti (still to come).    The arrival of Jakob in May has kept walks shorter than usual &ndash; Shaun has discovered that carrying 5kg or so of baby on his front is quite tiring but at least it slows him down enough for Shelagh&rsquo;s unfit legs to keep up.    The Italian Alps are beautiful and the food, well you&rsquo;ll get jealous if we say too much.    The other reason for the frequent escapes to the mountains (only 2 hours from Milan and visible from the office) is that it is rather cooler and fresher up there than at home with dodgy air-conditioning.    The mountaineering highlight of the summer was probably Valsavarenche in the Gran Paradiso National Park.  ...  Mountaineering &ndash; an ascent of the Gran Paradiso is &ldquo;do-able&rdquo; in a weekend (if your family doesn&rsquo;t mind being abandoned at their hotel for 25 hours) although your knees might ache afterwards.


Shaun's birthday present for this year was a night of peace and quiet away from Jakob - which he chose to spend in a refuge at 2700m in a dormitory with another four people ALL of whom got up at 3am.    Foolish really since this is when Jakob tends to wake up anyway.  


The reason for all this was that he wanted to climb the Gran Paradiso.    Since Shaun wasn't due at the refuge until late afternoon we spent the morning trying the off-road potential of Jakob's pram - and then deciding a walk down the road might be an easier option.    Shelagh and Jakob then spent the rest of the weekend enjoying the scenery from a largely recumbent position until it was time to collect Shaun.


Meanwhile Shaun having galloped up 900m to the refuge was almost felled by a dodgy tum.    Luckily having to spend the evening talking to three Belgians and an Italian in FRENCH provided enough of a cure to get him out of bed and up the mountain the next day.  2000m of descent were tough despite meeting the almost tame chamois on the way back to the car park, which in early July was bristling with ice-axes, crampons, large rucksacks, heavy boots and smelly mountaineers (it was hot) representing all European nations.  
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Appointment with Cemetery Gates July 2006</title><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><category>Members&#x27; Reports</category><dc:date>2006-08-31T22:48:23+02:00</dc:date><link>www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/3ad5220d11cd90477cbb4a09b7b58cb9-15.html#unique-entry-id-15</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/3ad5220d11cd90477cbb4a09b7b58cb9-15.html#unique-entry-id-15</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The weather forecast was good for both Saturday and Sunday in North Wales, but arriving so late, doing anything hard on Saturday did not appeal.  

...That&rsquo;s it&hellip;.doing anything hard is out of the question and anyway, Stuart won&rsquo;t be up for it.  

...Stuart announced that he felt that a cold was coming on and that he was not up to going for Cenotaph Corner but would be happy to second Cemetery Gates if I was thinking of doing it.


...and today, on this perfect day for the climb, I felt groggy, my body felt sluggish, and the feeling of frustration was slowly building up inside!


...Wasn&rsquo;t sure if it was a man or a woman but as we got closer, I saw that it was a young woman leading.  ...  Okay, I&rsquo;ve only just recovered from a lower back ligament injury and my physiotherapist did say that he preferred that I didn&rsquo;t climb this weekend&hellip;.but if I can&rsquo;t do it, I could always retreat&hellip;.....  By the time we got to the bottom of the Cenotaph Corner Area, I had convinced myself that I was up for it&hellip;.that it was going to be today&hellip;.my appointment with Cemetery Gates.


...He had allowed himself to feel relaxed about the day as he thought that we were going to take it easy&hellip;.he no longer liked the idea of seconding Cemetery Gatesl&hellip;it was not his idea of taking it easy! 

...The young woman before me had done the route in one pitch choosing to go directly up joining the last few moves of The Grim Jim and Right Wall.    When I got to The Girdle ledge, it made sense to go straight up, so I carried on as well after letting Stuart know of my intentions.    A guy was struggling on the last 10 metres of Cenotaph Corner, grunting and talking frantically to his belayer&hellip;he eventually made it by pulling up on a cam and I think the relief of getting to the top made him go into a ranting overdrive &hellip; he just carried on babbling loudly.    By this time, I was wondering why on earth I had opted for the direct route&hellip;for I had reached a tricky point &hellip;.a man was babbling loudly&hellip;..

...Libby Peters, she taught us gear placement five years ago on one of our ULMC meets&hellip;.what a coincidence to bump into her again at the top of Cemetery Gates!! 

...That&rsquo;s probably because The Sloth project involved several months of continuous roof traversing training in the Monkey Room at Mile End and there was a build up of emotion of anticipation before the day of the climb (23 July 2005) unlike today when events simply crystallised per chance&hellip;..but I was happy&hellip;.what&rsquo;s my next target on Dinas Cromlech&hellip;.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The Mercantour June 06 </title><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><category>Members&#x27; Reports</category><dc:date>2006-08-31T22:47:40+02:00</dc:date><link>www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/60291d65c6160bba3d8c92c14d87d57a-14.html#unique-entry-id-14</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/60291d65c6160bba3d8c92c14d87d57a-14.html#unique-entry-id-14</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Gentians, more gentians and yet more &ndash; combined with hillsides of alpenrose and masses of pansies to name but a few of the wild flowers we saw &ndash; these were the memories of an energetic wander through the Alpes Maritimes.    Mike and I started our walk in Tende, on the French side of the frontier and home to a magnificent museum dedicated to the Merveilles, the Bronze Age graffiti.  ...  Our route took us to Casterino and then on to the Valmasque hut from which we climbed the Baisse de Valmasque to descend into the Vall&eacute;e des Merveilles.    The Merveilles hut, which has 4x4 access, was heaving with noisy French and we decided to plough on over the Pas du Trem to the Relais des Merveilles in St Grat.    The western side of the Trem was chaotic &ndash; massive boulders, through which we threaded our way on a faintly marked path.  ...  We then crossed to the Refuge de la Madonne de Fenestre, another hut at a road head, but quite uncrowded and with a superb chef!   From Madonne de Fenestre we went to Lac Bor&eacute;on &ndash; a day punctuated by some navigational errors simply due to not paying attention!   We spent a couple of nights in the g&icirc;te de Bor&eacute;on and climbed the Cime de Mercantour (2772m) at whose top we were greeted by some cold squally weather.  ...  The day was the longest of the year &ndash; which the French celebrate as the F&ecirc;te de la Musique and the patron of the g&icirc;te marked the occasion by offering his clients an aperitif accompanied by &lsquo;la musique&rsquo;, a large cow bell!   Next day saw us crossing back into Italy &ndash; we had flown to Turin and &lsquo;trained&rsquo; to Tende - in order to start making our way back towards the Italian transport system.  ...  Next day was a hard one and involved crossing the Colle di Valmania (2922m), the southern side of which had fantastically engineered mule tracks, but only a faint path on its northern side.    We should have crossed the Colle della Paur, which has permanent snow; its southern side had a lot of snow too &ndash; hence the opt-out to the Valmania &ndash; a very long way round to our destination, the Rif Livio Bianco.    We had a great welcome from the hut guardian and from a party of &lsquo;Bolognese&rsquo; who were going to reverse our route of that day.  ...  Anna Valdieri from which we caught a bus to Cuneo and so on by train to Turin and the flight home.  ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>&#x2018;Have you brought your sun cream?&#x2019; June 2006&#xa;</title><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><category>Members&#x27; Reports</category><dc:date>2006-08-31T22:46:44+02:00</dc:date><link>www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/3c83a4566bfbda325dd32cab8d43cc0f-13.html#unique-entry-id-13</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/3c83a4566bfbda325dd32cab8d43cc0f-13.html#unique-entry-id-13</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[she said as the warm sun appeared momentarily from behind a concrete grey wall of cloud that loomed angrily next to our bright blue sky.  

...As we parked near Cornakey by the tearoom &lsquo;The Rectory&rsquo; I fondly remembered the copious rather lovely cream tea that we had consumed the day before after our energetic recognisance of the right cliff.  ...  The footpath wound and descended through a densely wooded copse and as we entered we felt the warm moist air and smelt the pungent wild garlic, wet moss, rotting wood and sickly sweet hedgerow flowers.


...Where the rock ran out we jumped into and waded through the brambles, which tore at our clothes and tried to steal our shoes and murder us.  ...  We found a ragged in situ nylon rope and inched our way down the pile of dirt as it disintegrated around us.


...The beach was covered in wreckage, bright coloured buoys, twisted and mangled wood, metal and plastic tossed like used toys up against the cliff, waiting for the sea to come back and play again.  

...The next pitch started well and at about 30 feet I found 3 good bolts, which I realised were the normal anchors for the first belay.  

...I looked back down at the beach and was dismayed to see that the grey white pebbles had now turned glossy black! ...  I felt a double-edged relief as Reiko&rsquo;s one and only major leader-fall had been in the wet and I was worried that the memory of the trauma may affect her or me.    However, Reiko made steady progress stopping only to wait for a gap between gusts of wind to place her gear and once to discard a hold that came off in her hand.


I felt very cold as the rain had found a way into my jacket along with the wind and my body was shaking and my teeth were chattering.  ...  When Reiko was finally safe, I made my escape and was surprised at how good the wet holds were until my foot slid along an edge like an iron on a wet shirt! 

...We felt exhilaration at the top to have taken on the &lsquo;wreckers&rsquo; storm in what felt like one of the wildest and loneliest places on earth.  

...We got back to the car (by now the only one in the car park), changed into dry clothes and very soon found a pub that had a wonderful fireplace, wonderful food and beer.  ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The Battens in the Vanoise June 2006&#xa;</title><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><category>Members&#x27; Reports</category><dc:date>2006-08-31T22:46:07+02:00</dc:date><link>www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/561d142bc36e1606d00769a4383faf70-12.html#unique-entry-id-12</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/561d142bc36e1606d00769a4383faf70-12.html#unique-entry-id-12</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Geof and Margaret Batten report:


Having read John Parson&rsquo;s account of his and Joy&rsquo;s hut-to-hut walking in the Vanoise last year (see Newsletter No 207, September 2005), we were encouraged to spend a week there at the end of June on our way back from a stay at our caravan in the south.    We decided to base ourselves at the Refuge de l&rsquo;Org&egrave;re which stands above Modane at 1935m close to the GR5 and which is accessible by road.    It offers beautiful views of Aiguille Doran behind and across the valley to the Point du Fr&eacute;jus on the French-Italian border.    All this plus comfortable bunk rooms and superb food, especially for those of us staying for more than one night.  


We did three walks from the hut: along the GR5 to Col Barbier; up to Lac de la Partie with a good view of the snow-covered Col de Chavi&egrave;re and a half-day &lsquo;nature walk&rsquo; around the head of the valley above the hut.    Our other walks involved moving the car: to above Aussois to visit the Refuge de la Fournache with good views back across to the Col Barbier and down to the two hydro-electric reservoirs Plan d&rsquo;Amont and Plan d&rsquo;Arval; to Vancendi&egrave;res above Bessans and then by foot to the Av&eacute;role refuge at the head of the valley and, finally, up to the Bellecombe parking above Termignon to walk to the Refuge du Plan du Lac and on to the Refuge d&rsquo;Entre-Deux-Eaux with the massif of La Grande Casse (3855m) behind it.    On every walk we encountered the most amazing range and quantity of wild flowers- we think the most spectacular we have ever seen in the Alps- and all in virtually unbroken sunshine.


Like John Parson, we would heartily recommend the Vanoise: easy to get to, great scenery and a network of attractive huts.    As always, please contact us if you would like more information.  
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Letter from New Zealand May 06&#xa;</title><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><category>Members&#x27; Reports</category><dc:date>2006-08-31T22:44:53+02:00</dc:date><link>www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/3a91ef8771676dbd5b52b55ad31a4dd9-11.html#unique-entry-id-11</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/3a91ef8771676dbd5b52b55ad31a4dd9-11.html#unique-entry-id-11</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Nigel Bowen writes: 


Tim, can't resist catching up with you!  &nbsp; Do you remember our youngest son,Jamie?   - the one that beat you at pelmanism in Caseg Fraith many, many years ago; well he is now a pilot.  &nbsp; He spent a year in China trying to teach Chinese airline pilots how to fly; most frustrating, smog & bureaucracy making the task almost impossible.  &nbsp; Since returning with a lass that he met out there (Liz is Canadian) he has had a fabulous contract flying wealthy o'seas clients around the Southern Alps, landing on the beach in the Milford Sound, down to Stewart Island & up around the Marlborough Sounds: visit their website www.flyinn.co.nz&nbsp; We stayed with them in their ramshackle farm cottage in Tarras, which is situated in the heart of Pinot Noir vineyard territory, between Wanaka & Cromwell.    Jamie used to keep the plane tied down in his back garden & one day flew us around Mt Cook.  &nbsp; I never realised the turbulence is so extreme in the mountains - sometimes trying to descend, with the propeller feathered, the plane is still ascending at 500 ft per minute!  &nbsp; But the air flow is much smoother close to the mountain ridges, so we were flying within 30 ft or so of the mountain face; whilst Penny was sitting in the back having kittens!  &nbsp; A memorable flight, and, at my age, the nearest that I am likely to get to standing on top of Mt Cook! 


I was out at Cape Brett a couple of weekends ago (still recovering from the arduous tramp!)   and have it in mind to return by sea, as there is a fabulous rock face just offshore, perhaps 300 or more feet high, that is crying out to be climbed; probable standard, a flakey VS, protection uncertain &ndash; any takers?!.


That youngest son, Jamie, has returned from Canada & has a job in Queenstown as a "meat bomber" - the jargon for the pilot of a plane carrying parachutists!  &nbsp; So, if you know of any members who want to try parachute jumping during your coming winter, just let me know!
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Ski-Mountaineering in Gran Paradiso National Park 16th to 22nd April 2006&#xa;</title><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><category>Members&#x27; Reports</category><dc:date>2006-08-31T22:44:03+02:00</dc:date><link>www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/4bacc5008c931bfc2da7adea6c1d37dc-10.html#unique-entry-id-10</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/4bacc5008c931bfc2da7adea6c1d37dc-10.html#unique-entry-id-10</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[It used to be a huge hunting reserve for the King of Italy and it has more alpine wildlife than anywhere else I have been in the Alps.  

...Graham Ball and I joined a Ski Club of Great Britain party led by Bruce Goodlad IFMGA accompanied by Guy, an aspirant guide who had decided after finishing medical school that the NHS didn&rsquo;t offer enough exciting outdoors work for him.  ...  There were three other members of the party including Roger Hobbs, who was on his ninth consecutive week of ski-touring trips&hellip; what a marvellous way to spend retirement! 


We drove from Chamonix through the tunnel towards Courmayeur and, because the weather forecast was poor, we spent our first day off-piste skiing at la Thuile.    I had stayed in this nice little resort on a family skiing holiday years ago, but I was quickly lost when Bruce took us up from the top of the highest lift into clouds and deep snow like well-cooked porridge.  

...We stayed overnight in a splendid old style hotel just off the main road to Aosta and had the biggest meal I have eaten since I was a student.  

...The snow was much better than at La Thuile and we had some beautiful skiing down 1,000 plus metre routes chosen by Bruce and Guy.  


After staying overnight at Rhemes Notre Dames, we drove round to Pont in the neighbouring valley and set off up a long track up to the Vittorio Emanuelle hut in burning sunshine.    Whilst enjoying lunch on the terrace of this amazing 3 storey curved aluminium hut, I left the skins on my skis in the sun, so that some of the glue on the skins transferred it itself on to the skis.    Everyone on the terrace enjoyed the sight of me rubbing the skis with my fleece gloves for the next hour or so to get the amazingly sticky skin glue off.  

...We were away early next morning and skinned up the huge shoulder of the Gran Paradiso, before using crampons and ice axe for the last steep snow field.  ...  The 4,000 metre summit is the highest (wholly) in Italy and gave a wonderful sunny panorama of the whole Mont Blanc massif and the descent chosen by Guy was the best continuous skiing of the week.    The next morning was cloudy, so Bruce and Guy used their excellent mountaincraft to find an excitingly steep ski descent to the main valley.  

...Three weeks later, on a 1,200 km cycle trip from Geneva to Venice, and I was able to look across a valley at the Gran Paradiso and have the quiet satisfaction of having shared its summit for a few minutes with the Madonna
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Ski-Mountaineering - The Uri High Level Route April 2006&#xa;</title><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><category>Members&#x27; Reports</category><dc:date>2006-08-31T22:43:24+02:00</dc:date><link>www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/1b1ac68b189f130ccd8bd6e768e0b932-9.html#unique-entry-id-9</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/1b1ac68b189f130ccd8bd6e768e0b932-9.html#unique-entry-id-9</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[This route, running through Central Switzerland from Realp in the South to Engelberg in the North looked so tempting that this year saw the usual team of decaying oldies hyping themselves up for it.    The plan was for four of us to start from Realp, to be joined a few days later by Richard Morgan as we passed through the summer rock-climbers&rsquo; Mecca of Goscheneralp.  ...  Two of the team due to start from Realp dropped out leaving Dave Lindsey and I to do the most difficult first section as a twosome.    The other change was however a bonus in that that Richard, entering at Goscheneralp, would now be accompanied by his son Jon ....  who just happened to be a guide coming along for the fun of it, and just happened to be fresh back from a winter ascent of the Eiger North Face.  

...Dave and I had a pleasant ski up from Realp to the Albert Heim hut although the following 5am breakfast didn&rsquo;t appeal.  ...  The weather was crystal clear with exciting views all around &hellip;.  until we looked westwards toward the Lochberg where we could see our route leading up from an bottomless couloir where it would be crampons and skis on the rucksac.  ...  Had there been a third member in the team we would probably have gone on (a twosome is a bit lonely for ski mountaineering) &hellip;..  and had it been a misty day obscuring the view we would certainly have gone on !   Having neither of these advantages we skied back down the 1500m of descent to Realp, caught the train round to Goschenen, and walked up to Goscheneralp where we met up with the Morgans.  


The following day&rsquo;s pull up to the unguarded Chelenalp hut carrying our food etc went well enough until the last few hundred metres where it was skis on sac and miserable steep scrambling over rotten snow and rotten rock.  ...  Next morning saw a continuation of the same terrain until we could get our skis on to climb through a beautiful glacier basin to the Sustenlimi col from where a glacier designed perfectly for ski-tourers led comfortably down between seracs towering dramatically on either side to the comfortable Steingletscher bunk-house and therapeutic beers.


A steep climb the following morning led up through the elegant rock architecture of the Funfingerstock where in worsening weather an unusually steep descent (i.e.  an enforced lengthy sideslip for normal people) led to a complicated traverse line to the Sustli Hut which fortunately was guarded.  


The following day led past the summit of the Grassen from where, in bad visibility, Jon unerringly picked out our route to the next col, the Wendenjoch where a cornice with a drop of some 10 ft on the other side awaited us.  ...  A wet ski in the mist and sleet down the glacier on the other side under the massive walls of Titlis led to Engelberg and a chance to clean up.


...Well, that was graded D+ and at my age I don&rsquo;t feel too embarrassed about being chicken at that level &hellip;..  but given a bit of mist and we would probably have done it !!!
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Welsh Borders  4 &#x2013; 6 August 2006</title><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><category>Club Meets</category><dc:date>2006-08-31T22:41:07+02:00</dc:date><link>www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/e552d268fc5f0d368d562cd9e5c5def5-8.html#unique-entry-id-8</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/e552d268fc5f0d368d562cd9e5c5def5-8.html#unique-entry-id-8</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Sue Darling reports:


Another great camping weekend chez Towlson was enjoyed by 20 adults, 2 children and 2 dogs.  &nbsp; The weather was generally kind, the hospitality superb and discussion as usual ranged from the cosmic to the mundane.  On Saturday most of the group took to the Long Mynd, with a few interesting diversions en route to investigate heather conditions.    Health and Safety would not have approved the steep post lunch haul from the NT tea shop in the valley back on to the hill (where were you, Clive?)   but we enjoyed an unexpected bonus in the valleys, woods and fields of the Shropshire way on the way back.    The flies were less welcome.


Saturday night&rsquo;s feasting was &ndash; enhanced &ndash; shall we say?   by champagne and cake celebrating a certain birthday of a certain member.


Sunday saw most of the group walking over Corndon Hill and Stapely Common, with some good views and ancient and post industrial history evident in the landscape.    We diverted for &lsquo;refreshment&rsquo; and lunch to the Old Miners pub, much to the chagrin of the landlord, who had planned to watch Formula 1 racing rather than make a quantity of&nbsp; filled rolls (which were as good as ever).  &nbsp; After lunch an unsuspecting group followed Bill &lsquo;just a short walk&rsquo; to view stone circles on far flung hills while others retreated to Shirley Lodge or set off for home.    Pimms on the lawn made for a relaxing close to the day&rsquo;s activities.  


Many thanks to Pam and Bill for their hospitality and all the work it entailed.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Fallcliffe 21 - 28 July 2006</title><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><category>Club Meets</category><dc:date>2006-08-31T22:40:10+02:00</dc:date><link>www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/9bf7c2e5bd111cc0d6660e833a48a769-7.html#unique-entry-id-7</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/9bf7c2e5bd111cc0d6660e833a48a769-7.html#unique-entry-id-7</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[A rapid exit from the playground and a quick visit to the next village to pick up two friends, saw us on our way to Fallcliffe for the end of summer term meet.    Keith joined Elanor, Rachael and me later on the Friday evening.    Climbing was to be the order of the day on Saturday, but the start was delayed when, on reaching Burbage, we had to shelter in the rocks whilst a magnificent thunder storm raced up the valley.    The rocks soon dried and all 4 girls did several climbs and some abseiling.    In the evening we were joined by Neil Brindley, a friend and her daughter.    Gaby, 14 - same age as Elanor, was in for some shocks over the next few days.    She had never done most of the activities before but coped fantastically (particularly with the lack of a phone signal in the hut).  


Over the next few days the very hot weather continued and saw a range of activities undertaken 


..., running (Neil only and there was a pub at the end!)

...And for the first time in memory &ndash; swimming in the river below the hut!!!


A sunset visit to Burbage on Tuesday was livened up by some bouldering.    Gaby had never done any before and was really enthusiastic, saying she would try out the local climbing wall when she went home.


Bill Towlson and John Parsons joined us overnight later in the week for two days of climbing.


A massive and very necessary clean of the hut took place and thanks are due to Elanor (14), Alice (12) Rachael and Lydia (11) for their help.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>North Pembroke 30 June &#x2013; 2 July 2006&#xa;</title><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><category>Club Meets</category><dc:date>2006-08-31T22:38:38+02:00</dc:date><link>www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/d7583150c6f24899a2d7bea61d7b272f-6.html#unique-entry-id-6</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/d7583150c6f24899a2d7bea61d7b272f-6.html#unique-entry-id-6</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Sue Esten reports:


Just seven members assembled at a new venue in N Pembs &ndash; a camp site with a wonderful view over Newport Bay, run by a colourful Welsh octogenarian on the outskirts of Newport between Fishguard and Cardigan.    No climbing was done (surprise, surprise!)   &ndash; the most difficult enterprise undertaken was the erection of the Patsy and Tref awning!    However 2 good walks were had &ndash; the first round Dinas Head and on to Fishguard on the Saturday and the second on Sunday up Mynydd Carningli on the south side of Newport.    Once again we used the excellent bus service of the area to get back to the camp site from Fishguard.    The challenge for next year, if we use the same camp site, will be a traverse of Mynydd Preseli &ndash; any takers?
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Lands End Camping 26 &#x2013; 30 May 2006&#xa;Lands End Camping 26 &#x2013; 30 May 2006 </title><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><category>Club Meets</category><dc:date>2006-08-31T22:37:58+02:00</dc:date><link>www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/e407bcea41f4c3f551e1bf5108e3177b-5.html#unique-entry-id-5</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/e407bcea41f4c3f551e1bf5108e3177b-5.html#unique-entry-id-5</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Geof and Margaret Batten report:


This year 22 adults and eight children assembled at Trevedra Farm for the club&rsquo;s annual visit, Tuscany and Australia proving greater attractions on this occasion for Pat Owens/Pauline Oppenheim and Sue Darling respectively.    There was heavy mist for the first couple of days but then it rolled away and it was warm and sunny for the rest of the weekend.    All the usual walking, beaching and eating was undertaken, the children particularly enjoying an expedition to the Logan Rock under Keith Mott&rsquo;s careful supervision.    Three other members joined the camping party for our communal dinner with splendid spaghetti bolognese and moussaka followed by strawberries and cream- thanks again to Jo the cook for this.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Crianlarich 6 - 13 May 2006</title><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><category>Club Meets</category><dc:date>2006-08-31T22:37:26+02:00</dc:date><link>www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/c80ad8406c0312497acf156d93a0e903-4.html#unique-entry-id-4</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/c80ad8406c0312497acf156d93a0e903-4.html#unique-entry-id-4</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Sue Esten reports (after arm twisting by one WHB):


Still one of the club&rsquo;s most popular meets!   Keep it up Willie!   Some 20 members participated in a week of unbelievably wonderful sunshine &ndash; were we really in Scotland?   Sadly one of the main objectives of the meet wasn&rsquo;t accomplished &ndash; Willie did stagger up one of his three remaining Munros, Sgurr nan Coireachan on Knoydart with the aid of a considerable dose of painkillers, but was too incapacitated by his wonky hip to attempt the remaining two.    Nevertheless we partied &ndash; any excuse &ndash; in this case celebrating 60 years since Willie&rsquo;s first Munro! 


Early mornings found the members with distant Munros to do getting into their cars and off, with or without bicycles to aid access.    Then a second quantum of folk left with more local summits as their objective, whilst a third made full use of the proximity of the railway to do sections of the West Highland Way.    Groups two and three combined on one day for an outing by train to Mallaig to indulge in a wonderful fish meal (see illustration!).    Rannoch Moor, the Ben and viaducts provided the backdrop to one of the most spectacular rail journeys in the UK.    And on the Friday of the meet, ULGMC helped Sue E&rsquo;s brother celebrate a significant birthday in a local hostelry &ndash; a very pleasant end to very pleasant meet.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Fallcliffe 29 April &#x2013; 1st May 2006</title><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><category>Club Meets</category><dc:date>2006-08-31T22:36:31+02:00</dc:date><link>www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/d10fd2b07350a58ffd42629ff9066e4a-3.html#unique-entry-id-3</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/d10fd2b07350a58ffd42629ff9066e4a-3.html#unique-entry-id-3</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Neil Brindley reports:


That he was the only person to turn up for this meet &ndash; which has prompted a change in policy concerning Club meets &ndash; see Keith Mott&rsquo;s rep]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Caseg Fraith 14 - 17 April 2006&#x2028;14 - 17 April 2006</title><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><category>Club Meets</category><dc:date>2006-08-31T22:35:47+02:00</dc:date><link>www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/e7f65808145ec908ee78530820648257-2.html#unique-entry-id-2</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/e7f65808145ec908ee78530820648257-2.html#unique-entry-id-2</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The best thing that I can remember about this meet was the climbing, a whole day&rsquo;s worth of it outside.    It was my first time, so you can imagine the excitement the night before!   Anyway, we were a group of five, Elanor, Rachel, Lizzie, Ruth, and me, Sarah.    Our instructor was Mark, a lively Scottish man who was very persuasive! ...  over to Plas y Brenin to be fitted up with our climbing gear.    Then, we drove back to the hut as we had decided to do the climbing on the London Rocks.    First we did some scrambling to get our balance.    After that, Mark put up some ropes so we could have a go at the real thing.    I bravely volunteered to go first and have to admit, the buzz that you get off it is phenomenal!!! 


Soon it was lunchtime and we enjoyed eating our sandwiches outside in the sunshine.    In the afternoon, it became very cold but we did some abseiling.    Rachel was hopping down the slope at a very great speed!   My overall view of the day was very positive and I had a really good time.    I would encourage all other children to have a go! 
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Membership cards and Subscriptions 2006</title><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><category>Club News</category><dc:date>2006-08-31T22:34:03+02:00</dc:date><link>www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/9809ead725426e917e376aa2d2a7dfcd-1.html#unique-entry-id-1</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/9809ead725426e917e376aa2d2a7dfcd-1.html#unique-entry-id-1</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Please bear with us if you haven&rsquo;t received your membership card or, apparently, not had a cheque presented &ndash; we have had some difficulties with the functions of the Hon.    Treasurer and Membership Secretary during the year.    Neil Brindley has agreed to take the posts over, but it will take a bit of time to sort things out.    We shall endeavour to get the missing cards to you as soon as possible]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>AGM and Dinner</title><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><category>Club News</category><dc:date>2006-08-31T22:29:01+02:00</dc:date><link>www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/18ff9719f6b2f08a233fa983bd692615-0.html#unique-entry-id-0</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/18ff9719f6b2f08a233fa983bd692615-0.html#unique-entry-id-0</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The AGM and dinner this year (the 56th) will be held at the Glan Aber Hotel, Betws-y-Coed on Saturday 21st October 2006.    The AGM will begin promptly at 6pm with the meal at 7.30pm.    The agenda is included with this newsletter.    The minutes of the 2005 AGM were circulated with the November 2005 newsletter.


The hotel have exceeded themselves once again and have provided us with a wonderful choice of locally produced food, except for the puddings, sadly, which this year come all the way from Yorkshire.    The cost will be &pound;15 per person.


For those deciding to &ldquo;rough it&rdquo; in the hut there will be a minibus service provided, organised to arrive at the hotel just in time for the AGM.    For those not wishing to walk, a return journey may be negotiated.    Cost, a ridiculous &pound;5 round trip to be paid on the night.


If you would like to stay at the hotel please contact the proprietors on 01690 710325 as soon as possible to make a booking.    Otherwise, please book with Keith for places in the hut asap.    There is a spot for this on the dinner booking form which is included with this newsletter.  ...  (Please book by Saturday 7th October)


Gwesty Glan Aber Hotel, Holyhead Road,  ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Caseg August Bank Holiday 2006</title><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><category>Club Meets</category><dc:date>2006-08-24T21:44:43+02:00</dc:date><link>www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/25987d21f533ba5e79d464357d726042-23.html#unique-entry-id-23</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/25987d21f533ba5e79d464357d726042-23.html#unique-entry-id-23</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Caseg August Bank Holiday 2006


Keith Mott reports:


It was once again a select meet which was a shame since the weather, although blustery, was good enough for swimming off Newborough Warren.   Then again, my children do have anti-freeze in their veins.


The Motts (2 children) and Baileys (3 grandchildren) enjoyed another challenging climbing day starting out on PYB&rsquo;s indoor wall whilst it drizzled outside and then transferring to The Pinnacles just as it cleared.


The Estens joined us for a couple of days towards the end of the meet.   Once again we managed at least 20 person peaks over 3000 feet with Rachael doing most of them and also blazing a trail in the mist up on the Carnedds from Aber Falls back to the hut.   This also happened to be her Dad&rsquo;s first time on the Carnedds!]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Green Tour of the Glaciers of the Vanoise Summer 2006</title><dc:creator>email@shaunandshelagh.com</dc:creator><category>Members&#x27; Reports</category><dc:date>2006-07-24T21:47:17+02:00</dc:date><link>www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/3d03074cdd1dc45d41aadc0a42b4e683-27.html#unique-entry-id-27</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.ulgmc.org/page10/files/3d03074cdd1dc45d41aadc0a42b4e683-27.html#unique-entry-id-27</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[It is the story of a summer spent climbing and walking in the Vanoise in 1936, it&rsquo;s a bit turgid, but the black and white photographs are stunning.   A photograph of the glacier of La Grande Casse taken from Lac des Vaches shows a river of ice running from the peak to the valley, I wondered if we could view it from the same spot to see how much it had shrunk; and anyway a walking tour of the Vanoise would be a good idea before the ice fields disappear completely.


The glaciers of the Vanoise run in an 80km arc south west from Tignes to Aussois, at their heart is Pralognan la Vanoise a perfect alpine village.   None of the buildings is taller than the Church, dark peaks and hanging glaciers dominate the skyline, brown cows graze up to the forest edge and since the &ldquo;Bureau des Guides&rdquo; was founded in 1895 it has been a centre for skiing, walking and mountaineering.


Eurostar from Waterloo, a nice lunch in Paris, the TGV to Lyon, and a regional train to Moutiers then post bus to Pralognan wasn&rsquo;t expensive (you can buy on line at www.voyages-sncf.com for 30Eur in advance); our journey was comfortable, relaxing and surprisingly fast when compared with flying.   The drive to the airport, parking, check in, security, hanging about in departures, then being trapped in a tiny seat for hours, nasty food, the baggage reclaim, rental car pick up or transfer to the station for Moutiers leave you completely frazzled. 

...The bedrooms in the Hotel Grand Bec are a bit cramped but there&rsquo;s a view of the mountains and the food is superb, it&rsquo;s an ideal base for local walks and a few days of acclimatisation before the tour. 

...For hut to hut tours carry the absolute minimum, no more than 7kg; waterproofs, fleece jacket and trousers, the evenings are cold at 2,500m even in summer, a change of socks, water bottle, ear plugs  and toilet stuff. 

...Your first hut, the Refuge de la Vallette is an alpine classic, perched on a rocky ridge at 2,700m below Mont Pelve. ...  It is a truly spectacular setting especially at 3 am when I went to the loo, as Pensioners do, the sun was rising on one side of the ridge and a full white moon was setting on the other behind the glacier.


Day two involves a number of descents and tough reascents on the way to the Col D&rsquo;Aussois at 2,916m then the final descent to the Refuge du Fond D&rsquo;Aussois at 2340m. ...  It is relatively easy to get to this hut from the valley so its best avoided on Saturday night when you find that it&rsquo;s not just Brits who do binge drinking.


On the last day the trail winds round to the Col de la Vanoise and the Felix Faure hut, the oldest in the region, you can stay overnight or just have a drink and descend into Pralognan by Lac des Vaches to inspect the Grande Motte glacier from Merrick&rsquo;s viewpoint. ...  But you will have walked through one of Europe&rsquo;s wildest and most beautiful regions while minimising your impact on the environment, maximising your contribution to the local economy and ticking all the boxes for ecotourism.
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