CHAPEL LE DALE RAFMA MEET (New Members) 18-20 Apr 08

Friday Evening. Members arrived from far and near to a busy School House with eventually 26 people turning up. Of these we had 8 new members – welcome to RAFMA.

Simon Carter (Wg Cdr) Abbey Wood

Andy Scrase (Fg Offr) Odiham

Jenny Growcott (Flt Lt) Marham

Jason Ramage (Cpl) Cottesmore

Andy Sudlow (A/C) High Wycombe

Hannah Shorthouse(OCdt) DTUS Loughborough University

Rhys Jenkins (OCdt) DTUS Loughborough University

Helen Godfrey

Saturday dawned overcast yet dry and there was a buzz around the breakfast table discussing routes. All eventually scattered to the hills and the rock.

The Hills: Colin Harding, Jenny, Rick, Jason and Maria planned on climbing Whernside, Ingleborough and they achieved it; “two out of three ain’t bad” and a lesson in how to walk at 45 degrees in the wind, was challenging. “Wambling free whilst litter picking on Whernside, included finding a sitmat, a Frisbee and an inner tube! What pleasure in rambling the Yorkshire hills. Bob Appleyard and early riser Mike Palmer planned the 3 Peaks and going lightweight, had a 9 hr day arriving back well weather-beaten then headed off to the pub at 6pm for some well-earned refreshment. A great trek for them, possibly early season training for their ski-mountaineering trip to Mustag –Ata in the summer. Good luck boys.

On Rock: Andy Lockwood, Nick Kurth and Andy Sudlaw climbed at the local Twistleton crags till lunch, climbing Apprentice Rib, S*, Cotton Tail, VD* and Strikes Corner, Diff before taking to the hills to warm Nick up. They headed up Ingleborough in cold windy conditions. Others stayed at Twistleton - Simon Moore, Rhys Jenkins, Hannah Shorthouse, Scracy, Alex and myself. This was Rhys and Hannah’s first outdoor climbs; they climbed a couple of routes as seconds then they progressed to leading VDiffs such as Broken White and Nightclub. Simon attempted Handjam Crack, S and managed to ‘get just off the floor’ this time( after a previous visit last year didn’t see him leave terra firma!) Alex spent most of the day faffing on routes that even the novices climbed and Scracy solo’d half of Beezley Crack, VS because he didn’t want to let go to put gear in! Some training required here Scracy. I managed a few climbs with Rhys and enjoyed Hannah’s hot chocolate drink (I don’t think I drank all of it, or was it actually Andy Lockwoods!?

Then there was the gritstone gangs, chancing their skills in the cold Yorkshire winds, yet hoping to find crags that would provide shelter from the wind. Catty and Simon Carter headed for Esatby crag and climbed Eastby Groove,S ish, Eastby Buttress, VDiff, Knuckle Slab Arete, MVS 5a(tr) and Indey Variation, VS5a(tr). Then they headed for Ilkey and climbed Josephine/Napolean, VS4c – good climbing skills and for Simon, a rude re-awakening to the challenges of climbing on grit. Well done boys. In between crags, however, there was an M&S shopping visit – how we RAFMA members have gone up market from Tesco and Morrison outlets!

Jules Hargreaves-Ramage, Mark, Ben Lees, Paul Henderson, Alex Thorpe, Helen Godfrey, Mandy and Jamie Singleton headed for Robin Proctor’s Scar. Jules’ navigation skills on the rock were about as good as they are on the road – not very!, yet it was a good day out for everyone. Emily Flynn went bouldering at Bridestones and did 15 problems before it got too cold. It was a long way to go but the problems were worth the challenge and effort.

Rimon arrived in the late afternoon after his spell on the Ben having climbed Zero, Point Five and Orian’s Face amongst others! What’s next Rimon?

Overall, a good day out. Back at the School House, there followed the usual banter of routes climbed, the near misses and what walking at 45 degrees was like over Ingleborough and Whernside. Some groups cooked in the School House, others went to the pub for their meal ….. when it finally came!! It was good to see our President had warmed by then, although he was suffering from hunger pains by 9pm!

Norway Expedition – Ex MAGIC ISLANDS. There has been a poor response for this expedition. Catty and I discussed the expedition, added some detail and confirmed numbers – 11 places with only 5 confirmed! The climbing itinerary would be 6 days rock climbing on the Lofoten Islands of Northern Norway before returning to the mainland south of Narvik to climb Stetinden, known as Norway’s National Mountain – 13 pitches at HS; this was to be the main aim and focus of the trip. Look out for more information in the next Newsletter or contact Catty or myself. There are probably places still going.

Sunday. We awoke again to a cloudy day but still dry. The Sunday is usually a shorter day for many, with some members returning home after breakfast due to other commitments.

The Hills. Colin headed for Pen-y-Ghent and Bob Appleyard took a 6 mile walk with Jan in the Trough of Bowland (no idea where that is Bob, sorry). Rick Yates took two wheels over Whernside and Ingleborough and through Ingleton and met some challenging single track terrain.

On or Off the Rock! Nick and the two Andy’s went cragging at Hutton Roof – again the cold was their partner all day, especially when topping out. They climbed some good routes as well as Nick practicing techniques for SPA and Andy Sudlow leading some routes. Simon Carter climbed at Almscliffe and weathered the elements and the harsh steepness of this infamous crag. The Twistleton climbing groups split up; Simon, Rhys, Hannah and myself climbed at yesterday’s area whilst Rimon climbed with Alex and Scracy alongside Mark and Jules, Mandy and Jamie, Paul, Alex and Helen who set up top ropes. This was refresher training for Paul, Mark and Jules practicing for TR&A procedures (and the SPA award..?) using a hitching rail/vectors etc (note to Hendy… “your blood has of course stained my ab rope … oh the stories I could tell”). We all lasted until lunch when the rain came, by which time we all called it a day.

It was a well attended Meet with 8 new members. If we can introduce another 8 to the Meets like this then we’ll help to spread RAFMA’s activities. Bring another person from your station to your next Meet. Thanks to all for an enjoyable Meet.

Dave Howie