Post date: Jan 28, 2013 9:35:12 PM
Dear Members,
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a exceptionally belated Happy New Year Year. l thought l would like to give you a re-cap of 2012, and whats lined up for you in 2013.
2012 proved to have variable weather, however this did not stop members following their mountaineering aspirations.
The year started with with Martin taking 12 members to Nant Peris (Snowdon) to frequent the excellent Vaynol Arms, followed by Dave taking a gathering to the Black Mountains for a day walk in February. February saw a sequence of socials coinciding with the Six nations rugby, no better way to spend and evening when its dark and wet outside! In February Dave lead the masses heading up to the Ben and Glen Coe staying at the SYHA in Fort William.
James took members up for a rainy weekend to Borrowdale (Lake District) over the Easter weekend. Later in April Martin ran a special edition Ruby Annivarsary pub quiz at the Steam Railway. The winning team were The Wroughton Wrotters (Bev, Andy and Gill).
Dan took us away on the rainy Jubiliee weekend in June to Snowdonia on the for Mountains, Midges & Hobgoblins (see his trip report on the blog to find out more and see the photos). From what l understand this was more about drinking the bar dry of Hobgoblin due to the permitting weather! Later in June we had our annual BBQ weekend in Pembroke, courtesy of Robin. Robin has written us a detailed account in his trip report, so do read it if you haven't already. In brief, despite the high winds meaning we had to call off the BBQ, 'dry' climbing was enjoyed at Saddle Head, Bosherton Head, & Bulliber on Range West (MOD).
Prior to deportation to the mountain-less Cambridge, Tom organised a well attended meet at Swanage. This involved visiting a interesting evening meal at the Fox House, Corfe Castle where beer was served direct from the barrel. Sunday evening was spent with Fish and Chips in Swanage harbour. Both Lee and myself managed to write off three bike wheels between us by hitting one water channel, amazingly neither of us came off our bikes, though they weren't a lot of use afterwards!
August is the time of our Annual Alps Trip organised by Andy he took a group to Switzerland, were they managed to 'bag' several 4000ers. This was followed in September, when Petrina took a small group to Baggy Point in North Devon for some climbing in the late summer sun.
This years Annual Meal weekend was based in Cheddar, staying at Shepton Mallet Caving Hut mid-renovation courtesy of Steve. Despite a very wet Saturday this certainly did not dampen our spirits as we enjoyed a fancy dress evening to celebrate SMC's 40th anniversary. Best dressed was Sam and Tamarin as Ziggy stardust, though not sure which was the mens and womens!
There was a good turn out Christmas Social, courtesy of Dan with Cocktails at 'Baker Street', prior to heading to Biplob in Old Town. The year was finished in SMC style celebrating the New Year in Clachaig Inn in Glencoe on our Scotland Winter Trip.
In addition to these club trips, many members organised climbing and mountain biking trips off their own back. Most notably l was only told the other day by Martin that he managed 60+ outdoor routes in 2012.
2013 promises to be fantastic year. Our first Meet February Winter Trip to the Cairngorms we we're all hoping will bring the same level of plentiful snow experienced in 2011 when we were last there.
In addtion to this we have the following trips lined up Lakes (Easter Weekend), Gower (April), North Wales & Cornwall (May), Pembroke (June), Swanage & Alps (July), Peak District (August), Symonds Yat (September), and also the Annual Meal Weekend (Nov). Please see the NEWS article titled "SMC Social Update" {Posted 27th Jan 07:32} from Dan Collins for further details.
From
Your Chair