Hastings Rock and Fell Club go to Cornwall
After a gap of four years it was decided to organise another trip to the far west of England. We would use the same campsite as on previous occasions at Tower Park in the village of St Buryan, being well placed for most of the climbing and walking areas on the Penwith peninsula.
Climbing Kilimanjaro for Charity
Club members Daryl and Naomi are in the process of climbing Kilimanjaro in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, if you would like to sponsor them visit their fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/Daryl-Naomi.
BMC 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://www.thebmc.co.uk/ready-to-rock-outdoors.
Hastings Rock & Fell Club Summer Peaks Trip
Following many years of using North Lees Campsite as a base for this expedition, the increasing prevalence of midges in their millions has driven us to look for alternatives. We decided, after some research, to try Hardhurst Farm, on the road to Hope, an appropriate turn of phrase perhaps. I think that the experiment proved to be a success. There was one minor downside which I will come to in a moment. Firstly there were no midges, a major plus. Secondly, the site is flat, unlike most of North Lees and the facilities are on a much more lavish scale. There is also a pub within a five minute walk serving good food. A small cafe on site provides a cooked breakfast. Prices are reasonable and the site did not seem to mind when you paid. What more could you want? Possibly earplugs. We did not realise when we pitched…
A day at Guillemot Ledge
During the preceding week, it looked like the day was in jeopardy with 50mph winds predicted by some weather reports! However by the evening before we were due to go the smart phone apps and the shipping forecast were in perfect alignment and it was settled, the second Swanage trip of the year was on! The last trip was Subliminal Wall, this time Guillemot Ledge the chosen destination, a more serious location consisting of mostly multi-pitch routes of HS and above with plenty of classics for some of us new to leading in this area.
Hastings Rock and Fell go to the Ecrin National Park
A great week in the western Alps. The village (small town) of La Grave in the Romanche valley provided a base for the club’s major overseas trip of the year, (so far). The camp site, “Camping La Meije” ,had excellent facilities and also offered a free swimming pool, which many made use of, and a crazy golf course, which we didn’t.
Read on for two reports first from Dick followed by Tim and go here for the trip photo gallery.
Grove Wall – The End!
After many threats, rumours, April Fools jokes, the end is now well and truly nye. The Grove (the new, improved, St Leonards Academy, Darwell Campus as it is now known) is closing. Our last night will be on Mon 22nd July. This will end nearly 28 years of continuous weekly use of the wall, all faithfully recorded in the Blue Book. Now I know many feel that this is not the best wall in the world but just consider whether you would be climbing now if you had not started at this humble facility. It is proposed to hold a Wake for the Wall in a pub at the end of the final evening, everyone welcome. However, all is not lost, as the redevelopment of Filsham Valley (the new improved St Leonards Academy Edinburgh Rd. Campus) will incorporate a modern wall in the new Sports Centre. We are in negotiations…
HRFC Christmas/New Year Walk and Climb
This traditional event which, over the past few years, has seen varying numbers of participants was scheduled for Sunday 30th Dec. However, I think the wind and rain over the preceding days put some off. Still, a small but select band gathered at Bowles, on what turned out to be a pleasant morning. Inspection of the rock reflected the fact that trying to climb on lichen covered sandstone with streams of running water would not be much fun, so it was decided that the entire party would walk instead.
Lundy, September 2012
Lundy never disappoints and this September’s trip was no exception.
The Old Man of Stoer, August 2012
Back in the summer, which does now seem quite a long time ago, a group of members set off on a mini expedition to attempt to climb a sea stack off the far north west coast of Scotland.