Category: Member Posts

Mr Gregory and myself would like to wish everyone all the best over the festive season. To those who have stayed at Beudy over the last twelve months, thank you – we hope you have enjoyed your stay. To those who haven’t stayed (either this year, or at all), you’re missing out on the best hut in North Wales, situated in the heart of Eryri. Just a reminder of what the hut has to offer – 17 bunks in two upstairs heated dorms, with an extra 3 sleeping spaces in the lounge, two woodburning stoves, comfy lounge, fully equipped kitchen, washroom, drying room, showers and toilets. Camping available on the lawn and ample space for campervans. Families are welcome. Within walking distance of the best climbing and hillwalking in the area (and not too far from Tremadog, Gogarth and the North Wales limestone crags), what more do you want? Ah – maybe the internet. We have made enquiries of the company that supplies wifi to the three Climbers Club huts (two in the Pass, the other in Ogwen). It is possible, and we will be starting the process in the New Year to obtain Committee approval. Just to remind you,[…]

In case it slipped under the radar, just a reminder for anyone who finds themself at a loose end next week that there is a hike on Christmas Day from High Moss. I’m going up on 24th on my way up to Scotland later in the week. Taking my gravel bike and winter mountain gear. Cheers, Dan [Posted 17.12.24]

Forget 9 Lessons and Carols, what better way to prepare for Christmas, New-Year and the Marsden-Edale than 5 Trigs and Trods. You are welcome to join me for a blast round 5 local trig points (well, local to me).  Three of the trigs are on the Pennine Way – Blackstone Edge, White Hill and Standedge – and by adding two lesser-known West Yorkshire delicacies of Cupworth Hill and Dog Hill, you get a circular walk of some 17.5 miles and 2850ft of ascent. Meet at the layby at the summit of the A672 just a few hundred yards from Junction 22 of the M62 (grid ref SD983142) – it’s a Godless place but convenient for travel. Starting at 8:30, if we keep up a good pace we should be back before 4 on what is the shortest day of the year. The basic route is south following the Pennine Way over White Hill and along to Standedge, down Thieves Clough, up over Pule Hill and down via Hey Green before ascending to Cupworth Hill. Down to cross Deanhead Reservoir via the dam and up over the Saddleworth Road then down under the M62 to cross the valley just below Booth[…]

No, not Christmas or even New Year, but it’s what we all been waiting for – the annual Marsden-Edale! Last year, 10 of us (plus three dogs) completed the classic test piece in perfect weather and a great day was had by all.  I’m hoping even more of you will join us on 4th January for what has been a Rucksack Club tradition for more than a hundred years. Here are the details: Start – 7:45 at the end of Wessenden Rd (GR SE048107 OS South Pennines OL 21 map) – finish at The Ramblers in Edale. Carole Smithies will be doing her usual “counting them out and counting them all back in again” (many thanks Carole!). She will be at the Marsden end from about 7:30 so please make sure she gets your name on the day – and even more importantly crosses you off at the end of the day in Edale (she will be at The Ramblers). If, for any reason you do not make it to Edale, please make sure Carole knows about it so that we know you are safe – note there is no mobile reception at the Ramblers but, if necessary, you can[…]

For the first time in many years, there has been absolutely no interest in going to Beudy anytime in December. After a busy last few months at the hut, it’s as if people have decided to hibernate (or maybe, they’ve started getting ready for Christmas!). It’s made me wonder how long it is since some Members last visited Beudy and how many of our newer Members have ever been. It is a wonderful place to spend some time, whatever time of year. Woodburning fires (wood supplied), drying room (should you need it!), fully equipped kitchen (ok, there isn’t an air fryer yet!), cosy lounge and heaters in the bedrooms to take the chill off! Is it because there’s no reliable Wifi, which might make having to talk to other people, or getting stuck into one of the many inspirational books in the hut library, unavoidable options? Why not give it a try – in the past, there have been some very enjoyable get togethers at Christmas and New Year. Families are always welcome at Beudy. Oops – nearly forgot to mention it – there are no bookings in January either, until Gareth Llewellyn’s Meet on the weekend of the 18th/19th.[…]

John Beatty writes:                              URGENT Venue Change for Hotpot Walk Dec 7th.   We are changing the location and venue of the Annual Hotpot Walk on Dec 7th. The Anglers Rest has notified that it is ceasing to cater for food after end of Nov. We are relocating to The Old Hall Hotel in Hope, Hope Valley.S33 6RH. Meet 09.30 for 10.00am departure. Good car parking, great walk into Edale via Lose Hill, excellent food and drinks. I will inform all who have already booked by text or email.   If you have not booked, please do join us via John Beatty john@wild-vision.com or text 07971590210   Looking forward to see you on the day.   John Beatty.   Meet Coordinator  

Just an update on how calendar sales, aka donations to CAC, are going – we shifted 30 odd at the Dinner (thank you, everyone). There again, we’ve got 500 odd Members. I’m sure many Members will have picked one up from their local climbing wall and I’ve had a postal request for half a dozen more. Hmmm – that leaves HUNDREDS of you who haven’t got one. Come one, even if YOU don’t want one, buy one for someone as a Christmas present. Or just buy one to support a worthy cause. For the price of a couple of pints (OK, three pints if you drink at Wetherspoons), you get some stunning pictures and a reminder of all the Club meets next year! Details on how to get a calendar from me can be found here Full details of the calendar are available in this post.

Yes! Its now available! The Club Calendar for 2025 is here! All proceeds to Climbers Against Cancer. If you are unable to get to any of the various venues where the the calendar is on sale, I will be happy to post one (or more) to you. The calendar is £10 – with postage it becomes £12. Just transfer the money into the Beudy Mawr account and I’ll deal with getting the money over to CAC (account number 40599913, sort code 20 55 41, account name Rucksack Club). As well as stunning pictures, the calendar features all next year’s weekend meets (so there is no excuse!). Get out there!

Here are a few photos from a perfect day in the mountains – a great walk, great weather and great company. This more strenuous alternative to the official Dinner walk was based on Cwm Eigiau (the location of the first Rucksack Club Hut).  The route followed the full left side of Cwm Eigiau going over Pen Llitherig y Wrach, Pen yr Helgi Du and then acended Carnedd Llewellyn via the lovely Bwlch Eryl Farchog ridge. After topping Foel Grach the return route went down into Cwm Eigiau and passed the old RC Hut (now owned by Rugby Mountaineering Club) which indeed is a special place. The main group doing the walk was Ian Helliwell, Gerry Oliver, Amanda West, Audrey Russell, Mike Russell, Andrew Beckett and Tim Taylor.  Andy and Jean Llewellyn started almost two hours later and caught us up as we arrived back at the cars in the fading light (an impressive feat!!). Photos by Ian Helliwell (IH), Gerry Oliver (GO), Andrew Beckett (AB) and Tim Taylor (TT)