Category: Featured Meets

It was decided that the farmer, who was not too mobile, should stay on Easy Terrace with his long stick, and one of the spare ropes. Then my companion and I made a detour and climbed above the ledge to a suitable belay. I now climbed down very steep rocks, being meanwhile held by my companion, until I could reach the tiny ledge on which the two were huddled. They seemed quite helpless and looked liable to fall off any minute. I now confirmed my previous impression that they were both feminine, one quite a youngster, but the other was older and carrying quite a lot of weight. They looked scared, but uninjured, and they didn’t make a sound. Just then the farmer pushed up his long stick, which was forked at the end, passing me thereby a rope containing two nooses a couple of yards apart. Acting on instructions from below, I slipped one noose over the head of each and a tug on the rope tightened the loop round their necks. I was rather horrified at this, but the farmer gave a strong pull and as my hands were occupied holding on, I just eased the bodies off[…]

John Patrick, warden of Craigallan, writes: Corran Ferry Following a recent stay at Craigallan Chris Dodd has sent helpful information about the long term problem affecting the Corran Ferry.  Anyone visiting Western Scotland might like to be aware that there is currently no vehicle ferry to Ardgour. Changes and updates can be found on The Highland Council website. It now sounds as though the relief vessel is no longer operating, there is a shuttle bus service – https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/20024/corran_ferry/812/corran_ferry_timetable_and_fares

In the recent survey we asked a series of leading questions Have you ever organised a Rucksack Club meet? If not, would you like to? And if you answered yes to the last question what is stopping you? The responses to this last question where wide ranging, but a number of people responded along the lines of ‘I don’t know what’s involved’ , ‘Nobody knows me’ or ‘I feel out of my depth’. So the purpose of this post is to highlight that there are no right or wrong ways to run a meet.  The outdoor programme includes all ends of the spectrum, from legendary Rucksack Club expeditions like Aber – Barmouth or Colne – Rowsley to local day walks.  From hugely popular staple meets like Gogarth and Marsden – Edale with over 50 attendees to my recent Laddow Bivvy meet with just 3 of us braving the famous cave.    It is this variety that makes our outdoor programme so good and one of the stand out benefits of the Rucksack Club. Helen, the outdoor organising will soon be pulling together the 2024 programme, so don’t be shy.   If you have never organised a meet before or you haven’t done[…]

Between 1945 and 1950 Peter Harding was one of the leading climbers in the UK, who was also credited with inventing the modern ‘hand-jam’, although it is more likely that he rediscovered it! First ascents include such iconic routes as Promontory Traverse [Black Rocks, 1945], Valkyrie [Roaches, 1946], Suicide Wall [Cratcliffe, 1946], Goliath’s Groove [Stanage, 1947] and Ivy Sepulchre [Dinas Cromlech, 1947]. He joined the Rucksack Club in 1947 remaining a member until his death in 2007. He continued to climb throughout his life although less cutting edge and sometimes further afield. He climbed the Matterhorn on four occasions with his last [a solo of the Hornli Ridge in 1993 aged 69] recounted in the excellent article “Just a Bit Difficult” in the 1993 Journal. Here’s the link to the article. Peter Harding, first ascent of Promontory Traverse [E1/5b], Black Rocks 1945. Photo: © Rucksack Club Peter Harding, first ascent Goliath’s Groove [HVS/5a], Stanage 1947. Photo: © Rucksack Club Peter Harding circa 1945. Photo © Rucksack Club Peter Harding, 1995. Photo: © Gordon Stainforth Peter Harding leading Valkyrie [VS, Roaches] in 1995. Photo: © Gordon Stainforth The Hornli Ridge.  Photo: ET Roberts © Rucksack Club

It was brilliant to get back to ‘Business as Usual’ for the 2022 Gogarth Meet, with more than 70 Rucksackers and Guests enjoying a sunny, if a tad breezy, BBQ on Porth Dafarch beach (and the odd bit of climbing of course!) We will be crossing fingers for even better weather this year, but otherwise it’s the same old formula that has served us well for the last 20 years. Come equipped with a rack & rope; a bike; kayak or pair of binoculars; or just a tube of factor 50 and a bucket and spade – whatever you need to ‘Get Out There!’ and work up a thirst / appetite. Bring your friends and family – the more the merrier! In terms of logistics, plans will be familiar to anyone who’s been along for any of the last 20 years: Camping is pre-booked at Valley of The Rocks https://goo.gl/maps/WHtttGVJG5DkdWxf7 – you don’t need to book separately, but on arrival please let them know you are there. They’re offering a special rate for The Rucksack Club and are always very welcoming, so be sure to say Hi and thank you! ???? The Saturday morning rendezvous is the South Stack Café[…]

Carole Smithies writes: Peter Greenaway, who joined the Club in 1963, passed away on Sunday 19th February. His funeral will now take place on Thursday 8th June with a Service at: All Saints Church Fulham, London SW6 3LA at 4pm, followed by: afternoon tea/drinks at the Hurlingham Club, Ranelagh Gardens, London SW6 3PR. Please, let me know if you intend to go, so I can let the family know. Contact details in Handbook.

Carole Smithies writes: We have just been informed that John Maguire who joined the Club in 1963,died on the 6th of September last year.  In 2021, John published First Poems at last, a book of poems which reflected a lifetime’s passion for mountains and remote places, [see Meetstaff April 2022 p32].

A huge thank you to Will and Neil for an enthralling and entertaining show on Tuesday evening – two thrilling tales of cutting-edge exploits in remote and extreme environments, made all the more enjoyable by the self-effacing style of both these highly-accomplished climbers. Here’s the link to the whole show: And a separate link for Neil’s presentation as there were a few glitches on the video quality on the zoom recording: If you are wondering why Neil was appearing via a pre-recorded video rather than “live” from the West Coast, it’s because he was on a mission for a solo-Big Wall-winter ascent in Yosemite. That’s hardcore! That’s it for the 2022-23 Winter Indoor Programme. They’re all available for catch-up on the Virtual Meets Gallery Virtual Meet Gallery If you’ve got suggestions or even better fancy volunteering for the 23-24 season then please get in touch! Meanwhile, thanks for your engagement over the last 6 months and looking forward to seeing you “on the hill” in the near future. Cheers, Dom

The second in our monthly visits to the archives.  This time twenty years ago, so from the 2003/4 journal here’s Jim Hall’s account of a club trip to East Greenland.  The other members were apparently relatively inexperienced on expeditions.  They have certainly put that right in the intervening twenty years. Here’s the link to the article – and there’s more in the Members Archive, you have to be logged in to access this at the moment. There was a problem with the photos not displaying on certain devices but this has now been fixed.

Carole Smithies writes: More sad news I’m afraid.  Arthur Howcroft, who was 96, passed away on Saturday 25th February.  Arthur only joined the Club in 2000, but he quickly became a stalwart of the Wednesday Walkers. The funeral will be on Thursday 30th March at 1pm in the Rowan Chapel at Stockport Crematorium.  I understand Arthur planned every detail of his funeral well in advance and it will very much reflect his passion for walking and the mountains.  He even left instructions as to what walking gear he wished to be cremated in -including his red bobble hat! Arthur wanted his funeral to be a celebration of his life.  So, after the service, do join his friends and family at the Heaton Sports Club, Green Lane, Stockport SK4 2NF for refreshments and to share your memories. Please, let me know if you will be at the funeral and/or the get-together, so I can let the family know. Contact details in Handbook.