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.

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.

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. If you would like to come along on one of our meets just contact us at membershiplancsmc.org or phone our new members secretary Dan Baron on 07900907522.

We meet socially on the first Tuesday of the month at the Belmont Bull, Belmont at approximately 8:30pm for 9:00pm.

We look forward to meeting you in the near future!!

LMC News

Friday 4th to Monday 7th May - Glen Shiel/Kintail

Next weekend is programmed to be in Kintail Scotland. There is lots to do of course including walking, climbing & cycling.

If people want to set off after work we could stay at LMC caravan in Tyndrum on Friday evening or preferably set off earlier on Friday to arrive at Shielbridge at tea time. If anyone wishes to come along please phone me & I shall coordinate car sharing as necessary.

I'm hoping to do most of the northern peaks along Glan Shiel this weekend; I hope you will join me.

Camping is available at Shielbridge Caravan Site (see www.shielbridgecaravanpark.co.uk) £5.75 /person/night including car parking & washing facilities. Apparently the campsite is not likely to be full but I've provisionally booked 6 sites.

Richard Ramsden - 0790343490 or 01422 381643

New Members Meet - Stanage - 13th May 2012

My next meet is at Stanage Edge in Derbyshire on Sunday the 13th of May. This being a new members meet I'm planning on catering for all abilities, i will be taking spare harnesses and equipment for setting up top ropes. For anybody who is interested i will also be giving some demonstrations on gear selection and placement.

I will be staying at the North Lees campsite just outside of Hathersage on Sat night and everybody is welcome. The site is a stones throw away from the climbing and a short walk from Hathersage where we shall be hydrating ready for Sunday. Please let me know if you are camping and i will book extra pitches.

Dan Baron - 07900 907522

The Wednesday walk planned for the last week of May this year will be part of a three-day, mid-week meet in Glenmalure in Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

Accommodation will be in the Glenmalure Lodge Inn www.glenmalurelodge.ie which is a late 18th century hostelry that has become very popular with mountaineering groups over the past 20 years. We have negotiated a special package with the proprietors Anne and Paddy Dowling. This will include three nights B&B, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, a set dinner on Wednesday evening and a pack lunch on Wednesday and Thursday. The all-in price is €135 per person sharing. The Inn holds about 29 people in double, twin and three bedded rooms and all rooms are en-suite. There is also an extensive and reasonably priced bar menu available for anyone wishing to eat at the Lodge on Tuesday and Thursday nights.

The Glenmalure valley itself has a wide variety of walking routes for all grades, including some fine approaches to the Lugnaquilla massif, which is Wicklow’s only Munro. There are some rock routes too. Nearby Glendalough (about 20 minutes north by car ) has lots of fine rock climbing, good walking routes as well as leisure-type walks around its two lakes. There is also an extensive early monastic settlement dating from the 7th century at Glendalough. See http://www.heritageireland.ie

The village of Avoca (the original Ballykissangel) is about 40 minutes by car, as are the beaches at Brittas Bay but May is not likely to be the month for dipping in the Irish Sea!

Liam Ó Cléirigh, who is an LMC member, will act as coordinator. He and his friends will act as guides, both on and off the hills, during the three days. They will also advise on important issues like the correct pronunciation of Irish place names, the degree of deference to be shown at monuments commemorating battles with the English and how to get the attention of the barman in a crowded pub without opening your mouth. However, they will expect very fat tips which must be paid in precious metals or stones! So bring along your discarded wedding ring, the chain from your grandfather’s pocket watch, your one remaining diamond ear ring or cuff link, etc. Titanium ice-screws and crampons will also be accepted.

Advanced booking is essential and a deposit will be required. To simplify matters, we have made arrangements for deposits to be paid in sterling. Simply send your name(s), address, phone number and email address, plus a sterling cheque for £50 per person to Derek Miller at 35 Lightfoot Lane, Fullwood, Preston PR23 LQ. Cheques should be made out to Derek personally. He will transfer the deposits to the Glenmalure Lodge and each £50 sterling will count as €60 towards your bill. You will pay the remainder of your bill in euro to the Glenmalure Lodge at the end of your stay. VISA credit cards and MAESTRO charge cards are accepted.

Deposits must be received before 30th March as the Glenmalure Lodge cannot be expected to keep its rooms available for the LMC indefinitely. The Lodge is on the Wicklow Way, which is a multi-day route that is popular with continental trekkers so it can expect to have quite a demand during late May.

Glenmalure is about one and a half hour’s drive south from Dublin Port and somewhat less from Dún Laoghaire Port. Ferries operate between both of these locations and Holyhead but Dún Laoghaire is just slightly more convenient. Ferry journeys take, roughly, between one-and-a-half and three hours, depending on the type of vessel. Both Irish Ferries and Stena Line operate from Holyhead. For more information go to the following websites:

• http://www.irishferries.com/ie/index-uk-ie.asp
• http://www.stenaline.ie/ferry/

To get the best deals you should book the ferry as early as possible and coordinate your travel arrangements with other members. Remember: filling a car with 5 passengers will bring down the ferry cost.

Liam Ó Cléirigh

Following successful meets over the last couple of years to Pabbay and Mingulay, this year the plan is to head to the slightly bigger hebridean island of Lewis and Harris, the largest of all the scottish islands. Climbers will be pleased to know that the rock is the eponymous Lewisian gneiss which gives steep, juggy climbing on solid rock.

This an idyllic island which will also appeal to walkers, birdwatchers or those just wanting to chill for a few days. Our experience in the last few years (excepting 2011!) is that the weather at this time tends to be fairly reliable

More details below:
Guidebook: the best guidebook is probably Garry Latter's Scottish rock, volume 2 North which gives a very good selection of both sea cliff and inland rock climbs
Travel: by Calmac ferry (www.calmac.co.uk) either from Skye or Ullapool. The Ullapool route is probably the most direct for those travelling from the south and the ticket price for this route is £85 per vehicle (return) and £16.80 for the driver and each passenger (return).

The most likely outward sailings departing from Ullapool on Saturday 2nd are at 10:25 hrs and 18:15 hrs and Sunday 3rd at 18:15hrs. The journey time is about 2hrs 45mins.

Return ferry times are Saturday 9th June at 07:00 hrs and 14:30 hrs and Sunday 10th at 14:30 hrs

There is an alternative (and cheaper) ferry route from Uig on Skye to Tarbert, details of sailing times are on the Calmac website

I have not checked ticket availability with Calmac, but it would probably be sensible to make bookings over the next week or two.

I expect Christine and I will arrive on the 2nd and head back on the 9th

Accommodation - camping - my limited research suggests there is an idyllic camp site at Uig Sands tel 01851 672248 which is highly recommended and close to most of the sea cliffs. This is modestly equipped (toilets, but no showers) but also modestly priced. There is no need to book in advance altho I will probably phone and let the owner know there will be a small group of us coming.

I will leave it to individuals to make their own ferry bookings with Calmac but it would obviously be sensible to car share to minimise petrol costs and to share the ferry costs. So if you're interested in coming please let me know. Also tell me if you're planning (or would be prepared) to take your car across and if you have space for passengers.

Andy Bond - 07940 756441

Wasdale Annual Gathering 15th - 17th June 2012

The biggest meet of the year is nearly upon us. The Wasdale meet this year is from 15th to 17th June. As usual we will be using the Church Stile campsite in Nether Wasdale.

For those members that are new to the club, or people thinking of joining us, this is a fantastic meet to go on. The choice of climbs and/or walks to do is endless and the meet is as much about socializing as it is about doing things.

In order to secure your pitch you are best advised to book as soon as possible by going to this link, and either filling in the on-line form or by telephoning 01946 726252. Please do mention that you are from the LMC in the notes section of the on-line form, or over the phone, and Mrs. Knight will put you in the correct area of the site on arrival.

www.churchstile.com

The campsite books up very quickly so please do this soon or you may miss out!

Jason Whiteley - 07765 004222

Those of us old enough will remember this tune as the opening bars to Workers Playtime. The BBC Light programme – oh happy days!! Enough of this rambling senility!

As you know the LMC is back on track with its project to build a hut in North Wales near Beddgelert. This is known as Cae Ysgubor . We already have the foundations completed and the building sub-committee has initially pencilled in three sets of working days for 2012.

They are all Thursday late morning until Sunday:

• March 22nd – 25th
• April 26th – 29th
• May 24th – 27th

It is all too easy to leave it to others but for this project to be completed the core team are going to need the support of every member – not all the time, but if each member pledged just 20 hours of time over the next couple of years that would be some 4000 hours!

I hear you say "but what skills have I got that would be useful?" For every bricklayer to keep laying requires a backup crew to supply mortar, move bricks, keep them supplied with tea – just to name a few.

To begin with facilities will be limited – though we do have a large steel container on site that serves to store equipment and has brewing facilities. During the camping season tents and caravans could use Mr Porters site which would give you access to his excellent facilities.

The aim for this season is to get the external block walls and roof completed. With enough help we also would like to clear and level the area above the hut which will make an excellent camping spot. We also need to trench and lay a water pipe from our abstraction point upstream.

Once we get a feel for the speed of building more dates for 2012 will be decided on.

What do I want you to do now? If you have block/brick laying skills your contribution during these first three sets of dates would be extremely valuable. Jim Cunningham or myself would urgently like to hear from you. If you could give some time (we don't demand all 4 days!!) as a "go-fer" please send me an e-mail or give either Jim C or myself a ring. We need more go-fers than bricklayers!! It might be sensible if you were able to say in advance when you would be helping so that tasks and equipment could be organised.

Please make 2012 the year when the only new mountaineering hut being built in North Wales starts to take shape.

Chris Walker -On behalf of the Cae Ysgubor building sub-com.

Final Corbett - 20th October

On the 20th October i hope to complete my first (and only) round of the Corbetts, and would be delighted if anyone would like to join me.

Beinn Mhic Chasgaig in GlenEtive is the chosen peak, and the weekend will be based at the Bridge of Orchy Hotel, which has a good reputation for food and accomodation with an excellent large Bunkhouse. Tinbhan is just 5 miles down the road.

I am unable to guarantee the weather, but will stand a half of shandy (bring your own straw), plus a very generous amount of fine single malt as befits the occasion.

A Saturday evening meal will be arranged, and I hope you can join me.

Ian Aitchison

America - September 2012

I have a little more information now about the proposed LMC trip to California next September, 2012. Several members have already decided to go! If you are interested, please let one of us know soon!

Of course, you would be able to come for just part of time if you wished.

Stage 1 - early Sept

We would start with back-packing. The dates are early September, most likely 2-6th. There are already three folks from the USA on this.

Start at Lake Tahoe and do the first part of the Tahoe-Yosemite Trail. Start at Tahoe and walk to Carson Pass, which is about 40 miles.

• Day 1: Drive up, do car shuttle and hike the first 5 miles or so of the trail.
• Day 2: Hike 10 miles
• Day 3: Hike 10 miles. Echo Lake Chalet - if it's open in mid-September - stocks lots of cold beer and other goodies.
• Day 4: Hike 10 miles.
• Day 5: Hike the last 5 miles.

Stage 2 - mid Sept

Based in Tuolumne Meadows or an alternative base. We would climb some of the easier High Sierra rock peaks, weather permitting. Details to be fixed later.

Stage 3 - end Sept/early Oct

Provisional dates 22nd Sept - 7th Oct

Based in Yosemite Valley for rock climbing - Camp 4 - or somewhere more salubrious!

• Wikipedia Sierra Nevada
• www.highsierrami.com
• www.supertopo.com/climbingareas/yosemite.html
• www.mountainproject.com/v/high-sierra/105791817

Richard Toon - 01257791011 - David Toon - 07764857221

Direct debit for membership subs

As mentioned at the club AGM it is the Club’s intention to change the way we collect membership fees. At present membership fees are collected by standing order which are paid into either our “old” Lloyds bank account or the “newer” CAF bank account. Due to the way standing orders are processed this causes Kate, as membership secretary, and myself, as treasurer, some large logistical issues every January/February.

This isn’t simply about ensuring that members have paid their subs, but to whom we should be sending out membership packs and also on who’s behalf we should be paying fees to the BMC for. Thus, ensuring that all members reap the full benefits of LMC membership, our BMC affiliated status and receive the necessary club card, meets list and other information on a more timely basis.

By switching to direct debit rather than standing order for collecting our subs it means that I can control the process of subs collection. You will be covered by the direct debit guarantee and it will prevent some of the issues we have had with certain member’s banks processing standing orders in duplicate or at the wrong time.

In order to enable the change to occur, attached is a direct debit mandate which I would kindly ask that you complete and send back to me. I must receive the completed direct debit form by 11 December at the latest (apologies for the tight deadline). You will also need to cancel your standing order to the club with your bank as well!

I should reiterate that there will be no increase in subs because of this change and if you do not manage to get the direct debit mandate to me before the deadline your subs will be collected by standing order as usual.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Download Direct Debit form here.

John Toon

Outdoor Tuesday evening meet list

Download the latest LMC evening meets.

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

ENews

ENews - May 2012

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

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.