RECENT MEETS
Below are brief glimpses of what has been happening on some recent meets. Click on a meet name and where photographs are available these are displayed as "thumbnails". Just click on a thumbnail to start the show.
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Backpacking in Wales
8 Gentians gathered at Llandrindod Wells for a trip into deepest Wales. The first night was at the New Inn bunkhouse, Newbridge on Wye. On Saturday we set off to cross the "Green Desert" of Wales, bagging the 2 Nuttalls of Gorllwyn and Drygarn Fawr on the way. A long day of 17 miles before reaching the independent hostel of Dolgoch. Next day was wet so we took a short route, through some terrible, wet tussocks, to reach another independent hostel, Ty'n Cornel. Finally, on Monday, we had a lovely walk to Cynghordy halt before catching our trains home. -
Kentmere 18 - 20 September
Strategically placed balloons marked the way to the Maggs Howe bunk barn. "A bit basic" was the verdict! Saturday started and finished with good weather but had cloud and rain in the middle. One group walked the classic Kentmere round and the other explored the Sleddale fells. They met on a misty Harter Fell. Sunday morning was the "Birthday Girls' Breakfast" scrambled egg, smoked salmon and Buck's Fizz. Fortified by this, and because the weather was perfect, a group set off on a repeat of the Kentmere Round. -
Moelwyns 14 - 16 August
A new area for the Club. We stayed in the Clogwyn MC hut, small but but well equipped and cosy. Saturday was wet with low cloud so we had a long tramp over the hills to Beddgelert ( Tea shop!!) and back. Sunday was much better, so we climbed Cnicht and crossed to the Rhosydd quarries. Moel yr Hydd gave us great views, but the clag descended so we opted to traverse behind Moelwyn Mawr and descend via the bwlch. -
Back to Borrowdale 17 - 19 July
A return visit to one of the Club's favourite huts, High House at Seathwaite. A poor weather forecast proved to be wrong and we had good weather all weekend! As usual the surrounding fells were explored and the old friends Scafell Pike and Great Gable visited. -
Assynt 30 May - 6 June
What a place! Assynt is just magic. The fortunate fifteen Gentians were very comfortably housed in the Inchnadamph Lodge, on the shores of Loch Assynt. The weather was most kind to us, with the first two days being sizzly hot. There was just a little rain on the Friday afternoon which made us feel better about leaving such a lovely area. Parties climbed a good selection of Assynt tops and one group ventured to the Old Man of Stoer. -
AGM Meet 16 - 18 May
The rapid re-scheduling of this meet did not prevent the best AGM attendance for some while. We were in Blaen y Nant, the club hut of the Mynydd Climbing Club. Very nice too, with a great view over the Llyn Crafnant! We soon had the open fire blazing away.The weather forecast was poor but Saturday was much better than expected, if rather windy. Sunday was very wet for a while and then changed to give us some lovely sunshine.
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Easter Meet 9 -13 April
11 Gentians stayed at the Wallabarrow camping barn, situated in the lovely Duddon Valley. A grey Good Friday saw the whole group on a walk over the lower fells but climbing Caw. The following days were lovely, with sunshine and very good visibility. The Old Man and Scafell were visited and Harter Fell was close to the hut so everyone went up it at some point. We got sunburned!! -
Black Mountains 13 - 15 March
A mass of Gentians gathered at Smithy's Bunkhouse near Abergavenny. On Saturday 5 parties spread out in various directions and explored the surrounding hills. The Sugar Loaf, Bryn Arw and the Offa's Dyke path were a few of the places tramped on. The weather was good on Saturday and even better on Sunday. Skirrid Fawr was so near the hut it seemed the perfect opportunity to climb it so most Gentians had an easy Sunday walk in lovely weather. The others disappeared into the Welsh hills. -
Scottish Winter Meet 14 - 21 February
Four Gentians spent a week by Loch Tay near the village of Fearnan. Well placed for exploring the Ben Lawers range and also Glen Lyon. Weather was not too bad apart from being windy every day. We climbed Schiehallion and nearly got blown down again! The highlight of the week was an ascent Ben Lawers itself and a "sporting" descent of an icy east ridge. We even had sunshine in the afternoon! -
Burns Night Supper 23 - 25 January
A return visit to Glan Dena, conveniently situated at the end of Llyn Ogwen. Saturday saw the tops covered in snow and improving weather throughout the day gave us some wonderful winter walking. Two parties ventured into the frozen Carneddau and one climbed up behind Tryfan onto the Glyder ridge to continue east to the end. The old road back didn't seem so slutchy as usual.
The Burns Supper went with a swing and the haggis were very tasty. -
Escape From Christmas 12 - 14 December
Selside bunkhouse was our home for the "Escape". Arriving in the dark at a very icy and slippery car park proved interesting! Saturday was dull and the Pen Y Ghent party had snow for a while on the top but no rain. Mulled wine and mince pies warmed the cockles on our return to the hut.
Sunday was frosty and everyone joined in a classic walk to Gordale Scar and Malham Cove. There was far too much water to climb up the Cove so we had to walk round. Generally wintry and cold all day but a nice spell of sunshine at the end. Very enjoyable! -
Annual Dinner Meet 14 - 16 November
Our base for this meet was the Star Bunkhouse at Bwlch, not far from Crickhowell. Very comfortable with a pub opposite. For a change, the weather was much better than expected, with only a bit of mist and the odd drop of rain. Groups explored the surrounding hills during the weekend with some fine routes. An interesting item was the finding of lots of mistletoe. Gentians carrying bunches of mistletoe was a strange sight!
The Dinner was at the Bear in Crickhowell and proved excellent. Some Gentians scrub up well!
