Welcome to the Lancashire Mountaineering Club Website

The LMC was founded originally as the Lancashire Teachers Mountaineering Club in 1966, since when the ranks have been swelled with new members from all walks of life, so it changed its name in 1986. Current membership stands at almost 200, predominantly from the Lancashire area, but with a number from further afield.

The LMC is a great way to get out into the mountains with fellow walkers and climbers! Rock climbing, walking, mountaineering, skiing, mountain-biking and ice-climbing are activities enjoyed by members throughout Britain, Europe and the World.

There is a meets programme throughout the year, comprising week-day evening, Sunday and weekend camping or hut or bivvy meets. There are often more adventurous meets during the summer months, in the Alps or greater ranges.

The club also have two huts, a caravan in Scotland at Tyndrum and one in The Lake District at Blea Tarn - also known as The Loft. We have some land in North Wales near Bedgellert and plan to build a hut here too. All members get BMC membership, low price to use the clubs huts and discount at selected outdoor shops.

New and prospective members are always welcome. We are a friendly club with a large number of meets, social events and active members. The Club caters for young and old, expert and novice and we boast a broad range of interests and experience. If you would like to come along on one of our meets just contact our New Member Contacts, Will Wheale on 07765 400985, or e-mail us at membershiplancsmc.org. We look forward to meeting you in the near future!!

LMC News

Summer Alpine Trip

For those of you interested, the LMC summer trip for 2010 will be a Swiss/Italian tour in August.

We plan to spend a week in Meiringen, a week in Bregalia and a week in the Dolimites. Already we have one car full of interested members, so hopefully more of you will join us. We will to drive down to Dover on Thursday 5th August, sail early on the 6th August and then drive down to the Swiss alps over the weekend. Hope fully we catch the return ferry on Monday 30th August and drive home that evening.

Some people will only be going for the first two weeks so we plan to drop them off in Milan to fly home. You are more than welcome to join us at anytime on the tour depending on your circumstances.

For perspective new members who may be interested in joining the club on our trip. Firstly, there will be plenty going on for everyone, rock climbing, walking, via ferrata, mountaineering and even the possibility of mountain biking. Usually the summer Alps trip is well attended, so there is a good mix of age and fitness amongst members. Therefore you will find some with similar abilities and ambitions to yourself.

All we ask is you attend a few meets before the summer trip so we can get to know you and you can find out all about the club. The meets for June are listed below with all the contact details so you can get involved.

Anyone interested in the alps trip can contact Will Wheale on 07765 400985 or Richard Toon on 07771 946641

Cwm Eigiau Meet - September 10-12th 2010

An LMC meet covering the weekend of 10th - 12th September is booked and planned at the Cwm Eigiau hut. The hut is situated at the head of the valley beyond Llyn Eigiau, OS map ref. 714638, to the East of the Carneddau mountains of Snowdonia. The hut is in an idyllic setting, with excellent access to the Carneddau, the climbing on Craig yr Ysfa (i.e. Amphitheatre Buttress), etc. Access is from the A470, turning onto minor roads West at Tal-y-Cafn or Llanwrst; follow B5106 to Tal-y-Bont, then another little road West up a very steephill into the Carnedd lowlands. Continue generally SW to the locked barrier and car park at 732664. From here it is best to travel light, unless you have hired porters! The walk-in amounts to 3.5km to 714638.

The hut is owned and run by Rugby Mountaineering Club. Our booking has been confirmed by their hut booking Secretary. I have stayed at this lovely hut myself on perhaps 2 or 3 occasions, though not in recent years. The hut provides space for approx. 15 people, kitchen work-tops with stoves, tables and chairs. Fresh water is taken from the brook outside. Since my last visit Rugby MC have done some refurbishment to the inside.

Come fair weather or foul a good time can be had at this hut - an adventurous weekend in an out of the way place. It has already been suggested that we have a communal meal on the Saturday evening. On account of the hut size we must work on a first-come-first-served basis. Nearby camping is not permitted.

If you wish to reserve your place please give Edgar Davies a call on 01942 269562

8th - 17th October - Spain Winter Rock Climbing

There is a winter sun rock climbing trip planned for the beginning of October. The dates are for the week of 8th October - 17th October.

The plan is to fly out to Reus near Barcelona and stay at Rodella for a couple of days. It is likely that we will also have a day or two at Riglos as it is not far from Rodella.

The following is an article about the climbing @ Rodella.

If you are interested in coming along then please get in contact.

We have still to firm up the accomodation details and car rental details but will do this nearer the time. If you let me know you are coming we can then sort out cars and accomodation more appropriately.

If you have any questions then please do not hesitate to contact me.

David Toon - 07764857221

New Members Meet - Fri 22nd to Sunday 24th Oct

I was planning a New Members meet in Yorkshire on Sunday 24th Oct 2010 just for the day.

Having visited Clapham at the weekend I noticed a new bunk house has opened. I was wondering if any of you potential new members would be interested in making the meet a full weekend trip Fri 22nd to Sunday 24th Oct and stopping in the bunk house.

Clapham would be a great base for the weekend as there is lots of walking, mountain biking and sports climbing in the area.

If you would like to come along for a full weekend staying in the bunk house please can you let me know so I can arrange hiring the bunk house.

Will Wheale - 07765 400985

Dedication to Arthur Hassall - Founder Member and President Lancashire Mountaineering Club

A Lakeland Story - Dedicated To Arthur Hassall (1928 – 2009) by John Hassall

Arthur - Dedication to Arthur Hassall by Chris Walker

Progress at Cae Ysgubor - May 2010

Nigel, Cathy and I have had a very successful couple of days working on the Cae Ysgubor site. We hired a digger/breaker [with driver] and a dumper from John Roberts & Co of Ffestiniog, and Nigel borrowed a laser level from his neighbour.

Work done:

• ALL the old foundations have been removed and trenches have been dug for the new foundations on three sides. The fourth side is left in place to allow access by the pile equipment, but will be [relatively] easy to dig out as it’s on the peaty end of the site.
• The locations for the piles have been marked and the depth of the trenches has been levelled for the positioning of the beams between piles.
• The site area has been levelled ready for the floor to be laid on the beams.
• The old foundation rubble [masses of it!] has been used to bring the car park area [across the road] up to road level, and smoothed enough to allow cars to be parked now, though a surface will be required to finish the work. There is probably space for five cars now, and there will be more when we move the pile of 'facing stones' from the old walls of the barn/cottage. Plus the spaces on the 'hut side' of the road, of course.
• Thanks to Cathy, the vegetation from the area on the other side of the 'car park' stream has been cleared. When we dig the hole for the bio-digestor, the material can be used for levelling this area which could make a small camp site.
• The site has been 'secured' to stop passers from falling into the foundation trench alongside the road.

Overall we were very impressed with the skill and hard work of the John Roberts’ driver [Gwynne] and would recommend using the firm [and asking for Gwynne] for any future digging/clearing work. The final result certainly exceeded my expectations and, thanks to Nigel’s professional surveying and direction, the site is now ready for the pile and beam installation. It now looks like a 'proper site' on which progress is being made.

David [Qualified and experienced Dumper Driver] Medcalf

LMC 200 Club

The 200 Club has proved very popular in other clubs and groups and is now being offered to LMC members and their families and friends. It offers the chance to enter a monthly draw, with a guaranteed winner every month.

The member (or family/friend member) chooses to pay £5 per month by regular standing order payment and is allocated a number. They keep this number and their number is entered into each monthly draw, as long as the standing order remains valid.

Of course, more than one monthly 'chance' can be purchased, with a different number allocated for each £5 payment. So it's a great opportunity to buy 'chances' for each member of your family or buy several 'chances' for yourself... SOMEONE WINS EACH MONTH AND IT COULD BE YOU!

The draw also helps the Club with fundraising, with proceeds each month split between LMC Club fundraising, currently focused on the Beddgelert hut, and the winner. The winner receives a cheque for 30% of the month's proceeds and 70% is retained in Club funds.

Each monthly draw will take place with at least 1 LMC Committee member and 2 other LMC members present, at the monthly social meet or regular climbing meet, and the winner’s name and winning number will be displayed on the LMC website each month.

Download the application form here

Important Information about The Loft

The LMC has received a number of complaints from the residents of Blea Tarn House (next to the Loft) about the behaviour of people using the Loft and the Solitary. This is very unfortunate as they have been perfect neighbours and we wish to maintain a good relationship with them both now and in the future.

The Committee asks all groups and individuals using the Loft to ensure these simple basics are adhered to:

• Switch off music systems prior to your arrival.
• Close the gates immediately after using them.
• Do not park anywhere in the yard other than in our parking area, next to the Loft.
• Do not venture into any of the garden areas.
• Do not disturb the people at Blea Tarn house and be aware that they have young children who go to bed early.
• Be quiet by the house and within our car park, especially after 9.00 pm.
• Do not take vehicles into the yard after 11.00 pm. Late arrivals must be unloaded from the road and then parked overnight on the National Trust car park at Blea Tarn, which is about ten minutes' walk away.
• Only 6 cars can be parked on our car park, additional vehicles should use the National Trust car park at Blea Tarn.

Dave Sudell - LMC Hut Bookings Secretary

Summer Tuesday evening meet list

Download the latest LMC evening meets.

New Meet Reports

Ski Touring English Style - Richard Toon

LMC Arctic Norway - Lyngen

Club Related News

Extensions to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks

Natural England have published proposals to extend the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District National Parks, to take in several areas, especially the Howgills.

The LMC Committee discussed this briefly and asked to make a response to the consultation, giving broad support to the proposals. The deadline is mid-March.

There are several areas, too complicated for me to try to describe briefly!! But we do know them, as they include, for example, the area around the Shap Wells Hotel; Scout Scar near Kendal where there is an excellent small crag; the Howgills where we have had recent mountain-bike and walking meets; and Leck Fell where we have pot-holed in recent years.

Full details are available on this link. You could make a response as an individual or you may pass this on to other organisations or individuals who might be interested. The company contracted to provide the information about the proposals and to conduct surveys of opinion are focussing on people living in the immediate areas - not those of us living in or close by the large conurbations.

If you have any views you would like me to reflect in the LMC response, please contact me. I wasn't going to look at the exact boundaries of the proposals, but if anyone has any detailed knowledge, do let me know.

Richard Toon - 07771 946641

Up and Coming Meets

JULY

Sun 4th - Dove Crag

Richard Toon - 07771 946641

9th - 11th - Lliwedd – Snowdon

David Toon – 07764 857221

Sun 18th - Esk Buttress

Stuart Knott – 07757 695780

July - August - LMC Alpine Meet – Venue TBA

See www.lancsmc.org for details

AUGUST

July - August - LMC Alpine Meet – Venue TBA

See www.lancsmc.org for details

Sun 15th - Llanberis Pass

David Toon – 07764 857221

Sun 22nd - Dow Crag

Jason Whiteley - 07765004222

27th – 30th - Pembrokeshire – Bank Hol Weekend

Kate Hawkins – 07800 561338

SEPTEMBER

Sun 5th - Froggatt Edge

Ollie Carroll - 07812698123

10th - 12th - Cwn Eigiau – Carneddau

Edgar Davies – 01942 269562

Sun 19th - Hen Cloud

Richard Toon - 07771 946641

24th - 26th - Scottish Meet – The Caravan - Tyndrum

Roger Gott – 07768 138330

Tues 28th - Rock Jocks Dinner

Barbara Lyon – 01942 676830

OCTOBER

Gogarth – Anglesey - Rock Jocks Dinner

Steve Lyon – 01942 676830

Tues 5th - Annual General Meeting

The Black Dog, Belmont

8th – 10th - Mountain Bike Weekend – Corris – N. Wales

Kevin Massey – 01254 773376

Sun 24th - New Members Meet – Yorkshire

Will Wheale - 07765 400985

NOVEMBER

Tues 2nd - Members Photo Competition Slide Show

Dave Rundall – 01257 272053

Sun 7th - Foredale/Wall (Weather dependent)

Heike Funke – 07717 764584

Sun 21st - Caving Meet

Richard Toon – 07771 946641

Sun 28th - Mountain Bike Meet

Jason Whiteley - 07765004222

DECEMBER

3rd - 5th - Annual Dinner – Venue TBC

Michelle Beech – 07920 518582

Sun 12th - Lake District Walk

Jason Whiteley – 07765004222

Sun 19th - Giggleswick/Wall (Weather dependent)

Heike Funke – 07717 764584

Participation Statement

The LMC and BMC recognises that climbing and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death.

Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.