THE SOCIALIST
WALKING AND
CLIMBING CLUB
WWW.REDROPE.ORG.UK
December 2014
Monthly Information Sheet
Please send details for inclusion in the MIS by email to [email protected].
Deadline for the January edition is December 15th
Editor: Mark Wallis (Sheffield)
If you are interested in any of these events, email [email protected] for
national trips or the appropriate regional contact ('Local groups’ on home page)
DAY ACTIVITIES – REGULAR MEETINGS
Sheffield
Bristol & SW
London
Leicester
Merseyside
Scotland
East
Manchester
Coventry &
Warwicks
North East
East Anglia
Northampton
Walks meet at City Hall steps ready to leave at 10:00 unless otherwise
stated
Day walks usually take place on the second Sunday of each month. For
more information and shared transport contact Tony Benson
Walks co-ordinators Annie Smuts and
Claire Desenclos
There is a walk most Sundays details circulated usually on Wed via email.
Details of previous walks can be accessed on the walks blog
redropelondon.wordpress.com/about
Social activities coordinator Dot Lewis. Meals out/freeby music/museums...
Walks every second Sunday, Contact Rebecca or see listings. Tuesday
evening walks from April to September. Meet at Stanfell/Queens Road
junction 6pm. Pub socials first Tuesday of each month from 9pm at the
Swan and Rushes (near Leicester Royal Infirmary)
Day trips second Sunday of the month
For information about any day walks organised by Red Rope Scotland East
contact Matthew Crighton
Day walks usually 1st Sun of the month, weekends away and regular
socials such as meals, pub nights, films, etc. Contact Yvonne Hosker
Day walks every month, planning meetings quarterly, ad hoc socials. Bruce
Kerr
Walks on the first Sunday of each month. Contact Olya Bowers. Monthly
meeting the last Sunday of the month at the Cumberland Arms, Byker at
7.30, an hour before the rock 'n roll singalong begins
Walks on the second Sunday of each month. Please contact walk or
regional contact to help with sharing transport. Regional contact Sarah
Bates [email protected]
http://northampton-redrope-walking-group.org.uk
DAY ACTIVITIES – 2014
5 Dec
Manchester Social: Mid winter meal at the Himalaya, Nepalese food, in
Levenshulme. 7.30pm. Contact Yvonne
6 Dec
West Midlands A walk of 7-8 miles led by Jan [with help from Bernie]
6 Dec
OSC (Mountain Eqpt., Ronhill and Sprayway ) Factory sale, Hyde, Manchester
7 Dec
Manchester Pendle Hill from Barley car park. Meet Chorlton 9 am. Walk leaves
at 10.30 Contact Sean
13 Dec
Coventry & Warwicks A Christmas walk, leader, date and location to be
confirmed. Followed by a ‘Christmas Do’. Bruce
13 Dec
OSC (Mountain Eqpt., Ronhill and Sprayway ) Factory sale, Hyde, Manchester
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DAY ACTIVITIES – 2014
14 Dec
Merseyside Walk led by David Symonds. Shining Tor in the Peaks. Leave
Liverpool 8.30am. Please let Dave know if you intend to come by the
Wednesday preceding the walk.
21 Dec
West Midlands Christmas walk with various distance options followed by tea
and stories round the fire at Gill’s. Bring food to share.
1 Jan
Manchester Day Walk led by Dominic
1 Jan
West Midlands New Year’s walk led by Gill – great start to 2015
9 Jan
Manchester Sean’s . To discuss programme of events for ‘15-16, eat, drink and
be merry. Bring food and drink to share. Arrive from 7.30
16 Jan
West Midlands Social and planning meeting at Naomi’s in Handsworth.
18 Jan
West Midlands 8-9 mile walk led by Steve
14 Feb
West Midlands Longer walk led by Sarah
8 Mar
Sheffield Walk led by Mary Pratley
DAY ACTIVITIES – 2015
TRIPS IN 2014
Please refer to the diary when planning trips and try to avoid clashes with other events wherever possible. Organisers please
provide an address for sending booking forms. Please note that with all newly advertised trips the full nightly charge is
payable on booking. If booking early please post date cheque for 3 months before trip date
13 Dec
to
14 Dec
BMC training course Outdoor First Aid course £75 (Brecon Beacons).
Contact Jane Thompson at the BMC with any queries about the workshops
[email protected]
29 Dec
to
3 Jan
London London 5 nights at Low Row Barn, Nr Reeth, Swaledale. 24 places.
Bookings and expressions of interest to Pam Case
TRIPS IN 2015
Please refer to the diary when planning trips and try to avoid clashes with other events wherever possible. Organisers please
provide an address for sending booking forms. Please note that with all newly advertised trips the full nightly charge is
payable on booking. If booking early please post date cheque for 3 months before trip date
5 Feb
to
8 Feb
6 Feb
to
8 Feb
Manchester Weekend 3 nights: Ochils club hut at Crianlarich. Organiser: Aileen
Somerset
14 Feb
to
20 Feb
7 Mar
to
8 Mar
National Trip Mill Cottage, Feshiebridge, Cairngorms. An old favourite in the
beautiful Caledonian forest. Contact Becky Bates for details. This trip is now full
13 Mar
to
14 Mar
Leicester weekend trip. A T Reeve Memorial hut, Corris. GR: SH 757078.
8 places. Contact John Dickie
Scotland East Weekend trip to Inbhirfhaolain, 7 miles from junction of Glen
Etive road with Tyndrum/Glencoe road A82 (NN158507). Organiser: Bethan
Elsdale
BMC training course MT Mountain Skills Award: 7-8 March, £85 (Brecon
Beacons) Contact Jane Thompson at the BMC with any queries about the
workshops [email protected]
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13 Mar
to
15 Mar
The Next Step: Mountain Skills Training Weekend 2 nights at the Ceunant
Club hut in Nant Peris, Snowdonia.
•
Want to take your existing mountain skills to the next level?
•
Working towards one of the mountain qualifications such as the
Mountain Leadership or Walking Group Leader ?
•
Already possess a mountain qualification or equivalent experience and
want to consolidate your skills or share them with other members?
This training weekend will be led by a qualified professional mountain trainer
(female) ,Cat Forster from Lupine Outdoor Adventure, a workers co-operative.
The course will cover some of the key mountain skills essential for walk leaders
including a night navigation exercise on Saturday night.
Participants will be required to complete questions 1-7, 11 and 12 on the Red
Rope training subsidy application form on the club website and return it with the
usual booking form to the trip organiser. There will be an extra banded
contribution of £15 for bands A & B, £20 for bands C & B, £30 for bands G & H
to reflect the cost of the training. This charge will be in addition to the normal
accommodation charges.
Strictly limited to 8 places and Red Rope members only - so if you want to know
more - fire off an email to the trip organiser asking for an detailed outline of the
training weekend. Organiser: Mike Hargaden
14 Mar
to
15 Mar
BMC training course Winter Mountain Skills: 14-15 March, £125 (Glencoe,
Scotland) Contact Jane Thompson at the BMC with any queries about the
workshops [email protected]
14 Mar
to
15 Mar
BMC training course Winter Hill Walking Skills: 14-15 March, £99 (Glencoe,
Scotland) Contact Jane Thompson at the BMC with any queries about the
workshops [email protected]
16 Mar
to
18 Mar
BMC training course Winter Hill Walking Extension: 16-18 March, £160
(Glencoe, Scotland). Contact Jane Thompson at the BMC with any queries
about the workshops [email protected]
26 Mar
to
29 Mar
27 Mar
to
29 Mar
4 Apr
to
12 Apr
London 3 nights at Tyn Lon hut, Nant Peris, Snowdonia. 12 places. Accessible,
comfortable, and spacious hut with pub nearby. Organiser needed. Bookings
and expressions of interest to Bob Steel
Manchester Weekend trip to Tan Y Garth Capel Curig. Organiser Sean Ashton
18 Apr
to
19 Apr
BMC training course Self-Rescue for Climbers: 18-19 April, £99 (Coniston,
Lake District). Contact Jane Thompson at the BMC with any queries about the
workshops [email protected]
24 Apr
to
25 Apr
25 Apr
to
26 Apr
BMC AGM at Plas y Brenin Snowdonia. Further details from
[email protected]
25 Apr
to
26 Apr
BMC training course Navigation Skills (NNAS Silver): 25-26 April, £85 (nr
Ingleton, Yorkshire). Contact Jane Thompson at the BMC with any queries about
the workshops [email protected]
25 Apr
to
26 Apr
BMC training course Self-Rescue for Climbers (Sea Cliffs): 25-26 April, £99
(Pembrokeshire, South Wales). Contact Jane Thompson at the BMC with any
queries about the workshops [email protected]
1 May
to
4 May
Scotland East 3 nights in the Alex MacIntyre Memorial Hut, North Ballachulish.
Excellent hut with good facilities close to Mamores and Glen Coe Hills. 10 places
have been booked for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Booking forms to
Mickey McDiarmid
1 May
to
4 May
Leicester 3 nights. Swarthbeck House on the shore of Ulleswater, CA10 2ND.
This is a very comfortable house with it's own games room and bikes available
for hire. 14 places. Booking forms to Gwenneth Carter
National Trip Easter Trip to The Cabin, Balgowan, near Laggan. 8 nights. GR:
NN638944. 10 places in a recently refurbished hut. Organiser Humphrey
Southall
BMC training course Navigation Skills (NNAS Bronze): 25-26 April, £85 (nr
Ingleton, Yorkshire). Contact Jane Thompson at the BMC with any queries about
the workshops [email protected]
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1 May
to
3 May
East Anglia Trip to Lowstern Hut, Clapham, Yorkshire Dales, May Day holiday
weekend. 3 Nights. 16 places.
Are you interested in a 3-Peaks challenge? Or something a bit easier? And, if
you fancy alternative activities after time on the hills, also happening in Clapham
this weekend is a festival of Scandinavian music and dance
www. scandimoot.wikispaces.com - (detailed info will appear there in due
course, or email Becky Bates if you want to know a bit more in the meantime).
Trip organiser Heather Wallis
7 May
to
11 May
(Thur
eve to
Mon)
West Midlands 4 day hostelling trip in the NW Lake District, starting and
finishing in Keswick. Overnights at Borrowdale and Buttermere hostels, as well
as Keswick. 3-day mountain tour to include Cat Bells – High Spy ridge, Dale
Head, Robinson, Grassmoor, Eel Crag, Grisedale Pike. Alternative routes
possible each day. Then choice on Monday of Skiddaw, Blencathra, shopping,
lake trip.... 7- 10 (horizontal) miles per day, 600-1000 metres ascent. Luggage
transport to be available (at extra charge).
Double normal Red Rope trip rates will apply, as this is a hostel-based trip. Early
booking discount available until Feb 7. Information, trip form and full payment to
Steve Wright at Red Rope West Midlands.
8 May
to
10 May
National Training trip to Nant Peris in Snowdonia for 3 nights 8-10 May 2015.
This trip is aimed at those members who wish to make a start of developing their
mountain skills by gaining the new Mountain Skills outdoor qualification. Training
will be provided by Lupine Outdoor Adventure who have been requested to
provide a female trainer. See http://www.lupineadventure.co.uk/hill-andmountain-skills.html for more details. The training will be subsidized by the club.
Anybody booking on this trip will have to sign an undertaking to cascade their
skills learnt on the course within the club as part of the club's new training policy
as explained on the club website. See training section on club website in the
resources section above food and recipes. 8 places only . Email Dermot
McKibbin for further details about this course before you book
8 May
to
10 May
9 May
to
10 May
Manchester Weekend trip to Dales, Lowstern Hut. Initial contact Barbara.
Organiser needed
15 May
to
18 May
Scotland East Trip to Kate's Cottage on the Isle of Canna, Friday 15th to
Monday 18th May 2015.
Canna has nothing for Munroists but it is a nice place to chill out and it has
almost 200 recorded rock climbs in the Diff - HVS range. Allegedly, these often
follow well protected cracks, face south and are easily accessible. To further
entice Red Ropers there is a crag known as "Left Wing". See the new SMC
guidebook "Inner Hebrides and Arran" and www.IsleOfCanna.com for more
information.
The cottage is owned by the National Trust for Scotland. It is described it as
basic bothy style accommodation so it probably lacks the cream carpets, china
tea cups and champagne flutes that one would expect to find in NTS holiday
accommodation. It does however have bunks with mattresses, a kitchen, a stove
and showers.
We will take the ferry from Mallaig (this year operating daily except Tuesday and
Thursday) and it is possible, if booked soon, to stay for extra days. Camping
may also be possible. The transport charge from Edinburgh will be based on
approx. 770 miles to include the cost of the ferry. Normal overnight rates will
apply.
Bookings to Richard Bennett, for more information.
16 May
to
17 May
BMC training course Outdoor First Aid: 16-17 May, £85 (Brecon Beacons).
Contact Jane Thompson at the BMC with any queries about the workshops
[email protected]
16 May
to
17 May
BMC training course Training Novice Club Members: 16-17 May, (Plas y
Brenin, Snowdonia) More details to follow. Contact Jane Thompson at the BMC
with any queries about the workshops [email protected]
23 May
to
29 May
National Trip Corrie Bunkhouse, Arran. A return to the holiday island, Scotland
in miniature. Organiser Malcolm Donne
BMC training course Trad Climbing on Sea Cliffs: 9-10 May, £99
(Pembrokeshire, South Wales). Contact Jane Thompson at the BMC with any
queries about the workshops [email protected]
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30 May
to
5 Jun
National Trip Alex MacIntyre Memorial Hut, Glencoe (7 nights). For more details
see http://www.mcofs.org.uk/huts-macintyre.asp Time to tick off the Aonach
Eagach in summer conditions. There are plenty of vacancies. It would be helpful
if more car owners and drivers could book on this trip as we will need cars for
local transport. Send your booking forms to Dermot Mckibbin (note change of
address since August 2014)
13 Jun
to
14 Jun
BMC training course Introduction to Scrambling: 13-14 June, £85 (Borrowdale,
Lake District). Contact Jane Thompson at the BMC with any queries about the
workshops [email protected]
13 Jun
to
14 Jun
BMC training course Improve your Trad Leading: 13-14 June, £99
(Borrowdale, Lake District). Contact Jane Thompson at the BMC with any
queries about the workshops [email protected]
28 Aug
to
31 Aug
12 Sep
to
13 Sep
National Trip The Yorkshire Bunkhouse, Rosedale Abbey. 19 places, pubs,
walks and heather in flower. Contact [email protected]
26 Sep
to
27 Sep
BMC training course Outdoor First Aid: 26-27 September, £85 (Ogwen Valley,
Wales). Contact Jane Thompson at the BMC with any queries about the
workshops [email protected]
30 Oct
to
1 Nov
Manchester Weekend trip to Lakes, Robertson Lamb Hut in Langdale. Initial
contact Barbara as above. Organiser needed
BMC training course Self-Rescue for Climbers (Sea Cliffs): 12-13 September,
£99 (Pembrokeshire, South Wales). Contact Jane Thompson at the BMC with
any queries about the workshops [email protected]
CLIMBING
All regions welcome beginners. Contact your nearest regional group for more details
Bristol & South
West
Tuesdays at Undercover Rock, St Werburghs followed by drinks at the
Miners Arms, or on alternate weeks climbing at Red Point, Winterstoke
Road; Thursdays at The Bouldering Centre, Charlton Street. Contact
Mike Demenis
Leicester
Meet at The Tower on Mondays from 5-8pm and Moat Community
Centre on Wednesday from 6-8pm Moat Centre on Wednesdays.
Contact Pravin or John
Manchester
Contact Sean or Sue. Occasional meets at either at Manchester
Climbing Centre or Awesome Walls in Stockport or outdoors in summer
Merseyside
Usually climb at Awesome Walls, Great Howard Street in poor weather
or local crags in good weather. Contact Tony Birtill
Scotland East
Climbing: Wednesday evenings at Alien Rock (7.15pm) and outdoors
when fine, including bouldering on Salisbury Crags, with the option of
John Leslie's bar after. All welcome. Contact: Sunil
Scotland West
Climbing once a week, in winter and when wet at Glasgow Climbing
Centre, usually Wednesdays 7pm. Contact Nick Kempe
Sheffield
Climbing contact Steve Smyth
NOTICES
Climbing Courses
The BMC is putting on some highly subsidised climbing courses at Plas y Brenin, Capel Curig North Wales specifically for
people who want to try climbing outdoors.
The courses are particularly suitable for people, over 18, who have climbed indoors at a climbing wall but may have little or
no experience of climbing outdoors.
Further information on the courses is available here http://webforms.thebmc.co.uk/events/bmc-club-training-workshops/bmcclub-training-workshops-2014 . You need to to quote your bmc membership number which can be obtained from
[email protected]
There are also BMC subsidized courses at Plas-y-brenin, the national mountain centre.
The link is http://www.pyb.co.uk/courses-bmc.
Booking Flexible Bednights through the LMC Shared Hut Arrangement
Members are reminded that our arrangement with the Lancashire Mountaineering Club (LMC) afford us access to currently
existing accommodation located within the Lake District and the Scottish Highlands. This arrangement, limited to our club
Page 5
members only, allow individual members or small groups of members to book the facilities, independent of organised Red
Rope trip arrangements, at the following nightly rates:
Members in Bands A-C
Members in Bands D-F
Members in Bands G-H
£2.50/night
£4.00/night
£5.50/night
The Lake District amenity is at Blae Tarn, Little Langdale (Map ref. 295048), and is able to accommodate groups of up to 15
persons. This is both central to and in reasonable distance of Scafell Pike, Lake Windermere and Coniston Lake, and
Ambleside. The amenity at Tyndrum, in Scotland (Map ref. 329301), features caravan accommodation for up to 10 persons,
and lies almost midway between Crianlarich and Bridge of Orchy, thus allowing ready access to the Grampian Mountains,
and is within reasonable distance of Glen Coe. Full descriptions of the amenities can be obtained through the LMC website at
http://lancsmc.org/index.php. Clearly, both facilities provide opportunities for climbing and/or walking based events within
beautiful natural surroundings. There is an allowance of 200 flexible bed nights per annum which should allow scope for
numerous active weekdays and/or weekends away. Obviously, the scheme will work to ensure a fair share of booking
opportunities for all members. Bookings may be made via email to Barbara Segal at [email protected] The booking
process requires that the total of all fees are paid in advance together with a £50 deposit as indemnity charge for hut key(s).
These are to be posted to Barbara during a period no more than three months before, and no less than four weeks before the
intended stay. A list of all members intending to stay must be provided. Details of individuals’ current membership status may
be checked before completion of the process, and bookings may be refused in the absence of up to date membership.
Barabara will post out the hut key and take receipt of returned hut keys which must be returned by first post immediately after
the stay. On safe receipt of key(s) Barbara will post out the key deposit. Loss of the key will result in loss of deposit.
New Red Rope Policy on Subsidising Training for Club Members
Red Rope has recently introduced a policy to help all club members develop their walking and climbing ability.
The details of the policy are located on the club website. Look at the resources section on the left-hand side of the website. It
is above food and recipes.
The main points of the policy are:
•All club members will be receive some subsidy to attend either training courses run by either the BMC
or the MCOS.
•The club will pay the registration fee for club members who wish to undertake outdoor qualifications.
•The club is running a course (3 nights) for club members who wish to do the new Mountain Skills
course on the week-end of 8-10 May in Snowdonia. Email [email protected] for more
details of this course.
•Another course is aimed at experienced walkers or those doing the Summer Mountain Leadership or
Walking Group Leadership courses over the week-end of 13-15 March 2015.
•All members who attend club training courses will be required to give a written undertaking to share
their new skills within the club.
Check out the full training policy on the website and email me with any comments you have.
Dermot Mckibbin Red Rope Training Officer October 2014
Membership Charges
All Red Rope charges are variable according to income. This means that it is very cheap for the low paid and unwaged while less so (but still great value) for the more wealthy.
For details of membership charges, see the 'New to Red Rope?' section on our Home
Page) For trip charges see Trip charges (under 'Resources' on the Home Page)
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