http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat Crag Chat! en http://backend.userland.com/rss http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat/viewtopic.php?pid=1959#p1959 1959@http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat Topic: North Wales report Message: The first mountaineering trip to North Wales was a great sucess despite less than average conditions. For the first day, the group split into two teams, Dave and Gimbo taking some scrambling up Tryfan, whilst myself and Joe headed to Idwal slabs for some multipitch. A MET office severe wind weather warning would scare mere mortals, but not us! Whilst the scramblers began scaling Tryfan, we trotted to the foot of the slabs and finally gained a bit of shelter from the wind before racking up and heading up in dry. Joe led ordindary route (Diff) while I led Hope (VDiff) behind some climbers from bristol uni, intent on having an epic at every pitch despite telling us they would be 'moving together'. At pitch two, the rain cometh and didn't stop for the rest of the day, turning the slabs into a shallow river running down climbers sleeves inside their jackets. Later on, horror struck as climbers started shouting 'BELOW!' above us. We conveyed the message and looked up to see what had been dislodged, when Joe's lunchbox slid over the top and bounced down the slab... After a short traverse under a mini waterfall and up the last river pitch, my group met up with Joe's and we started the scramble upwards to get down. A sketchy abseil later (probably a Severe) and we were finally safe ish. We decided to head back out of the wind and rain to go to Betws for a cup of tea. Whilst driving we saw the scramblers looking just as wet as us, but still pretty happy. Kudos to them all for actually getting to the summit of Tryfan and in a short amount of time too! They agreed with our plan and we headed to Betws for refreshment and shopping.The second day was a complete reversal with glorious sunshine all day. A trip to Tremadog was on the cards for some more multi-pitch climbing with the whole team spread out across the crag. After a brief diversion Dave was bored and started driving through puddles in the road, the last one seeing a poor cow in the field overcome by the tidal wave that interrupted it's breakfast. We pulled into the car park, geared up and headed off.I took my guys up Oberon (Vdiff) with some fun slabs and awkward chimneys (and cam consuming rocks...) and then Rio (HS) with a cosy belay ledge. Dave and Alex headed up Hail Bebe (Vdiff) and Joe went up the Tremadog classic Christmas Curry/Micah Eliminate (HS). A well timed abseil from mine and Joe's last routes and we headed back to the cars and home.All in all a great success and a great weekend. Thanks to everyone who came, although next time its raining you have no excuse to go out and climb :)Matt Ev Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:15:50 +0000 http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat/viewtopic.php?pid=1957#p1957 1957@http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat Topic: Peaks trip report Message: By Joewe all met up on Friday night after lectures and piled into cars and headed off north, to land of 'ard climbers and 'arder drinkers.After a quick stop at KFC and tesco's we arrived at the bunkhouse and got settled in, it soon became apparent that the bunks were more suited to those of us of a shorter stature! unlucky Dave. On Saturday we headed for Stanage for some classic gritstone climbing and bouldering, but the weather gods had other ideas and it started to rain just as the leaders were topping out of there first climb of the day, so while some hardy souls stuck it out up at high neb (Dave, Webber, Nick, Jack and Vincent) the rest of us decided and orderly retreat into Hathersage for some tea and gear shopping was in order. By the time we were bored of gear shopping the rain had eased off a bit so we headed to the roaches and managed to squeeze in a couple of routes and some bouldering it was during this session that Neil managed to fall off the biggest holds in the world and hurt his knee putting him out of action for the trip.the evening saw beer drinking and being bonfire night fireworks (cheers Fernley).the morning brought clear skies and good friction so off we headed back to the roaches, it wasn't until the end of the day when someone, who shall remain nameless had a go at the classic HVS vallkarine direct that things got interesting due to a quickdraw shortage but after some fun and games retrieving them we were Swansea bound once more. Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:53:52 +0000 http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat/viewtopic.php?pid=1951#p1951 1951@http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat Topic: trip to gower 15/10/11 Message: time check please Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:29:40 +0000 http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat/viewtopic.php?pid=1943#p1943 1943@http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat Topic: AGM 2011 Minutes Message: Phatt... why? You mean bastards... Sat, 02 Jul 2011 17:51:19 +0000 http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat/viewtopic.php?pid=1942#p1942 1942@http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat Topic: AGM 2011 Minutes Message: Chair: David SperringNumber of members in attendance - 38Apologies: Hannah Buckland unable to attend as she was sailing the seven seas (well...Pembroke...)Meeting opened with an introduction and description of the format of the meeting etc...Membership numbers of the club were up for 2010/11, with a large portion of the profits of this being invested in new equipment (new helmets, harnesses and ropesItem 1Members in attendance were invited to express their views on how the club had been run this year.Rosie said it was an amazing yearGareth said that he’d plateaued at HS/VS trad., and suggested that the experienced members should be helping people in his situation push their grade into VHS/E1David (president) replied by saying that he should go out climbing more.  Most experienced members have also plateaued at HS/VS, mainly due to being busy teaching beginners trad...Amy (training officer) described how her position involved too many other responsibilities (teaching beginners, organising BUCS team + training) to effectively be ‘coaching’ trad.  She went on to say that as the club has lots of different people at different levels, there was a lot of effort required to cater for everyone.David (president) raised the point that the club hasn’t catered for experienced members, and that people who took up climbing in previous years haven’t returned this year.The issue of more trips was raised (as it does every year)  Then followed discussion of the beach barbeque trip to Three Cliffs Bay in June.Someone said that they wanted more ‘bouldering’ trips.  Point then rose that most weekends away involved some bouldering.  Nick suggested that the club should organise more ‘unofficial’ trips next year, and make better use of the club’s forum.  I raised the point that the committee are normally quite busy enough organising the regular club trips to do unofficial ones as well.  Charlotte described how the beginner’s day trip to Fall Bay in September was a really good trip (woop woop!)Dave (president) raised the issue of poor turn out on club trips – the beginner’s day trip saw roughly half the people signed up appear on the day of the trip.  As there is a lot of organising involved with trips (gear, transport etc...) it is a behaviour that should be discouraged next year.Someone said how the first social which involved everyone being in small groups was a ‘great success’ and was a good way for freshers to meet each other.  The call for more competitions was made by Gareth, with a suggestion of a club leading ladder, so that everyone can be ranked as to how good they are...  People agreed that there should be more competitions next year (making the club even less of a mountaineering club...)Idea of reviving the Welsh Universities competitions was brought up, and Amy described how it is hard for the club to organise a competition at Dynamic Rock which would require hiring the whole centre.  This costs in the region of £500, which s a big financial risk for the club.  Item 2Amy (training officer) raised the point that it was unclear who was responsible for organising competitions, with it being her job this year, but that the trip secretary position was still technically ‘Trips and Competitions Secretary’.  This needs clarification.Agreed to keep membership costs at £15 a yearThere was a general agreement that more trips could be run as ‘meets’, where the club doesn’t organise transport, equipment, climbing partners etc...  These would be more aimed at experienced climbers, and could possibly be run on Wednesday afternoons.Point raised that the club needs to teach trad. leading earlier in the year, although this is very much down to how well beginners progress from indoor top roping to seconding trad.  Realistically there would need to be more outdoor trips for people to reach this level before Christmas.It would be a good idea to run an SPA course for next year’s committee, as most of the people who currently teach trad. are graduating or are unlikely to be involved with the club next year.  Could also run a CWA award, but this wouldn’t help in the teaching of trad.Idea of running more teaching/workshops at the uni wall was suggested.  It was generally agreed that the club could make better use of the uni wall – as it’s a really good wall.It was proposed that the position of ‘Trips and Competitions Secretary’ should be removed, and that the responsibility of organising accommodation for trips should go to the Secretary, whilst the job of organising competitions would officially be the responsibility of the Training Officer.  This was put the vote, with the following results:YES – 30NO – 4ABSTAINING – 4Therefore, this was passed, and next year there won’t be a Trip Secretary.Item 3Next followed the election of next year’s committee.The candidates for Club President were: Phatt Everett.  As he was the only candidate, he got elected.The candidates for Secretary were: Jack Pitts, Charlotte Graves and Joe McCarty.  The results were as follows:Jack Pitts – 2Charlotte Graves – 33Joe McCarty – 2The candidates for Treasurer were: Matthew Riordan, Sam Whiting, Fernley and James Gath.   Results were:Matt – 31Sam – 1Fernley – 3James Gath – 2The candidates for Gear Rep. were:  Sam Threlfall and Joe McCarty.  Results were:Sam – 9Joe – 27The candidates for Social Sec were:  Cathy Stillman, Fernley and Jack Pitts.  Results were:Cathy – 12Fernley – 9Jack – 10Nick Foulds was the only candidate for Training Officer, so he got elected with the following results:Nick – 36Abstain – 2Finally, the candidate for Management Rep. was David Sperring, he narrowly got voted in with the following results:David Sperring – 20Abstain – 18 To summarise, next year’s committee will be:PRESIDENT – Phatt EverettSECRETARY – Charlotte GravesTREASURER – Matthew RiordanGEAR REP. – Joe McCartySOCIAL SEC. – Cathy StillmanTRAINING OFFICER – Nick FouldsMANAGEMENT REP. – Away withEssex Tue, 24 May 2011 05:38:10 +0000 http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat/viewtopic.php?pid=1937#p1937 1937@http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat Topic: Successful Trip to North Wales Message: hahaha! excellentLockwoods chimney not go this year? what a beast of a route :P Thu, 25 Nov 2010 20:30:17 +0000 http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat/viewtopic.php?pid=1936#p1936 1936@http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat Topic: Successful Trip to North Wales Message: Yeah, thats Dudley for you!  Was even slippier this time...He didn't seem too happy with the Pearsoning - ripped it up and threw it away! Tue, 23 Nov 2010 23:15:09 +0000 http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat/viewtopic.php?pid=1935#p1935 1935@http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat Topic: Successful Trip to North Wales Message: you abseiled down the waterfall?! Dudley made me and Alex down climb that last year.... The james pearsons leaflet thin made me laugh.. Ive still got half of one on my car from peaks Tue, 23 Nov 2010 19:35:10 +0000 http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat/viewtopic.php?pid=1932#p1932 1932@http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat Topic: Successful Trip to North Wales Message: If you can feel your hands, you’re not climbing hard enough!  Despite the cold and wet, the club’s second trip of the year was a great success, with members enjoying two full days out climbing on the hills.     Friday started with the usual challenge of fitting 18 people plus kit into cars, once accomplished, we set off for t’North.  After a four hour journey, and a stop for a traditional (for the club) tea at KFC, we arrived at the Snowdon Inn, which compared to previous visits was pretty quiet.  With the prospect of an early start, everybody settled down to an early(ish!) night.     Saturday morning proved to be as forecast; misty and cold, but dry!  The majority of the club headed off to Ogwen to climb at Milestone Buttress, while a few went sport climbing on the coast.  Upon arriving at the crag, the weather had began to clear, and after a pitch or so of climbing, there were wonderful views across the valley.  Myself and a few others climbed <i>Rowan Route (Diff)</i>, which for some was their first multipitch climb, whilst others climbed <i>Direct Route (V.Diff)</i> and <i>Pulpit Route (V.Diff)</i>.  Depsite the cold conditions, everyone enjoyed their routes and the abseil down a gully (which was more like a waterfall!).  After a full day climbing, we were glad to get to Pete’s Eats in Llanberis for a well earned meal.  The evening promised to be an interesting experience, with the Snowdon Inn putting on a ‘Techno’ night.  This wasn’t as bad as expected, with the highlight being having a chat with one Johnny Dawes, whose line of “having a better sounding washing machine” perfectly described the music.  Stephen must’ve thought otherwise, as he stayed up long after everyone else dancing the night away…     With a damp night, we treated ourselves to a lie in on Sunday morning, and got up at 0630.  Once we’d helped Johnny Dawes push start his car (and left him a James Pearson leaflet by his caravan), we headed for Ogwen again, where most people went climbing on Idwal Slabs.  Myself and a few others went walking up Snowdon, which proved to be more of a mountaineering trip than expected, with light snow near the summit making the walk more interesting.  It was  many people’s first time up Snowdon, so the amazing views of the mountain’s crags under a light snow made it extra special, and I’m sure more memorable.     Everyone who went trad climbing at Idwal Slabs seemed to have enjoyed themselves, with groups climbing the classic routes there including <i>Tennis Shoe (Severe), Ordinary Route (Diff)</i> and <i>Charity (V.Diff)</i>.  It was again some people’s first experience of multipitch climbing, so an exciting day for them.  We eventually all met up again at Pen y Pass, and set off ‘Due South’ for Swansea.  After yet more KFC on the way, we arrived home late in the evening.     The weekend was a great success, and everyone had a good weekend away.  Thanks to everyone who drove on the trip, without whom it wouldn’t have been possible, and also to everyone who helped teach the beginners. Mon, 22 Nov 2010 14:52:03 +0000 http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat/viewtopic.php?pid=1931#p1931 1931@http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat Topic: North Wales Trip Report Message: If you can feel your hands, you’re not climbing hard enough!  Despite the cold and wet, the club’s second trip of the year was a great success, with members enjoying two full days out climbing on the hills.     Friday started with the usual challenge of fitting 18 people plus kit into cars, once accomplished, we set off for t’North.  After a four hour journey, and a stop for a traditional (for the club) tea at KFC, we arrived at the Snowdon Inn, which compared to previous visits was pretty quiet.  With the prospect of an early start, everybody settled down to an early(ish!) night.     Saturday morning proved to be as forecast; misty and cold, but dry!  The majority of the club headed off to Ogwen to climb at Milestone Buttress, while a few went sport climbing on the coast.  Upon arriving at the crag, the weather had began to clear, and after a pitch or so of climbing, there were wonderful views across the valley.  Myself and a few others climbed Rowan Route (Diff), which for some was their first multipitch climb, whilst others climbed Direct Route (V.Diff) and Pulpit Route (V.Diff).  Depsite the cold conditions, everyone enjoyed their routes and the abseil down a gully (which was more like a waterfall!).  After a full day climbing, we were glad to get to Pete’s Eats in Llanberis for a well earned meal.  The evening promised to be an interesting experience, with the Snowdon Inn putting on a ‘Techno’ night.  This wasn’t as bad as expected, with the highlight being having a chat with one Johnny Dawes, whose line of “having a better sounding washing machine” perfectly described the music.  Stephen must’ve thought otherwise, as he stayed up long after everyone else dancing the night away…     With a damp night, we treated ourselves to a lie in on Sunday morning, and got up at 0630.  Once we’d helped Johnny Dawes push start his car (and left him a James Pearson leaflet by his caravan), we headed for Ogwen again, where most people went climbing on Idwal Slabs.  Myself and a few others went walking up Snowdon, which proved to be more of a mountaineering trip than expected, with light snow near the summit making the walk more interesting.  It was  many people’s first time up Snowdon, so the amazing views of the mountain’s crags under a light snow made it extra special, and I’m sure more memorable.     Everyone who went trad climbing at Idwal Slabs seemed to have enjoyed themselves, with groups climbing the classic routes there including Tennis Shoe (Severe), Ordinary Route (Diff) and Charity (V.Diff).  It was again some people’s first experience of multipitch climbing, so an exciting day for them.  We eventually all met up again at Pen y Pass, and set off ‘Due South’ for Swansea.  After yet more KFC on the way, we arrived home late in the evening.     The weekend was a great success, and everyone had a good weekend away.  Thanks to everyone who drove on the trip, without whom it wouldn’t have been possible, and also to everyone who helped teach the beginners. Mon, 22 Nov 2010 14:50:26 +0000 http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat/viewtopic.php?pid=1930#p1930 1930@http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat Topic: First awesome sport trip, up the dirty crack! Message: The day started off with highs and lows, the weather was outstanding, however, worryingly so our mini bus failed to arrive, we thought this may have been at the hands of sabotaging trad lovers, but no, Dave our knight in shining armour was straight on the phone to the AU. Eventually a coach arrived, so 13 of us set off on the first sport trip of the year, spread out nicely on our mansion of a 49 seater coach (complete with loo).After a 40 minute drive to the gates of Merthyr, we walked the 20 minute path (avoiding the cyclops and the brambles) to the awe inspiring two tier crag which was met with gasps of amazement. The impressive looking crag excited all of us and Homer and I tried to quickly set up a few top-ropes. People got stuck straight into the climbing, in particular Cathy and Charlotte enjoyed getting stuck into the dirty crack. After everyone was warmed up we set about teaching people to lead, which everyone was super keen to do. Everyone managed to lead! Well done guys! The routes were quite technical. Some cracking sharma-esque "TSSSSSSSAAAAAAH!!!" power screams from John which obviously worked as he did really well. Time flew by! seemed like we were just getting started when it was time to pack up :( Homer decided to abseil off a tree (apparently it was necessary...)  to strip the lower tier routes, we packed up sharpish and headed into the village of Mount Pleasant to meet our mansion of a coach (complete with loo) once again. At Fulton House we were sad to leave, and a group hug was felt necessary to bring the fantastic day to a close.Thanks to all that came, you made it a wonderful trip. Don't worry if you missed out, we've got many more trips coming up so keep an eye on the website. Sat, 13 Nov 2010 18:52:57 +0000 http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat/viewtopic.php?pid=1929#p1929 1929@http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat Topic: wed 10/11/10 Message: me and ollie hooper are going to have a slips bridge session on wed afternoon if anyone fanceys it? Tue, 09 Nov 2010 02:43:33 +0000 http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat/viewtopic.php?pid=1928#p1928 1928@http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat Topic: Peak District Weekend Away Message: Trip report by Rosie Dyer"We had our first weekend away to the Peak District last weekend, we set off in convoy Friday night and after a long drive arrived at Chinley scout hut, a super cute little place with lots of flags and boy scout type decor, and after a not so brief trip to a 24 hour Tesco which was closed (?!) settled down to get a couple of hours sleep. We woke before dawn on the Saturday to get to the crag early and get lots of climbing done, we split into two groups, some discovering bouldering on gritstone for the first time and some spending the day experiencing trad. climbing for the fiirst time, we had a very relaxed day climbing and managed to get a lot done, some of us went to a nearby village and had a deserved cup of tea in the sunshine and a gander around the climbing shops, seeing the sunrise and sunset on one day was also very beautiful.  We finished off the day with a takeaway and some hilarious games such as ordinary twister, human twister and the 'cork game' (I cant really explain it), they all ended with lots of laughs!Sunday started with a lie in, we set off to a crag called Windgather, the day started off misty but cleared up as the day went on, the majority of people stayed at Windgather to do some more trad. climbing, a small group of us travelled about half an hour to a limestone quarry called the Horseshoe to try out the sport climbing.  Again a very enjoyable day, we sadly said goodbye to Chinley and set off home.  Thanks to all the people that drove on the trip.  Hope you all had as much fun on the weekend as I did!" Sat, 06 Nov 2010 18:20:37 +0000 http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat/viewtopic.php?pid=1927#p1927 1927@http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat Topic: Peak District Weekend Message: We had our first weekend away to the Peak District last weekend, we set off in convoy Friday night and after a long drive arrived at Chinley scout hut, a super cute little place with lots of flags and boy scout type decor, and after a not so brief trip to a 24 hour Tesco which was closed (?!) settled down to get a couple of hours sleep. We woke before dawn on the Saturday to get to the crag early and get lots of climbing done, we split into two groups, some discovering bouldering on gritstone for the first time and some spending the day experiencing trad. climbing for the first time, we had a very relaxed day climbing and managed to get a lot done, some of us went to a nearby village and had a deserved cup of tea in the sunshine and a gander around the climbing shops, seeing the sunrise and sunset on one day was also very beautiful. We finished off the day with a takeaway and some hilarious games such as ordinary twister, human twister and the 'cork game' (I cant really explain it), they all ended with lots of laughs! Sunday started with a lie in, we set off to a crag called Windgather, the day started off misty but cleared up as the day went on, the majority of people stayed at Windgather to do some more trad climbing. Amy and I spent a while searching for unicorns in the mist, eventually we found one on the fringes of the dead forest of despair and doom (pictures on the facebook page), after the discovery of Corny the unicorn, a small group of us travelled about half an hour to a limestone quary called the Horseshoe to try out the sport climbing. Again a very enjoyable day, we sadly said goodbye to Chinley and set off home. Thanks to all the people that drove on the trip.  Hope you all had as much fun on the weekend as I did! Wed, 03 Nov 2010 12:54:02 +0000 http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat/viewtopic.php?pid=1924#p1924 1924@http://www.sumc.org.uk/cragchat Topic: First climbing of the year, first social and first outdoor trip! Message: This academic year has got off to a very busy start, it's all very exciting and i am sure we are going to have an awesome year! we're so pleased that we've got lots of new members, as the teaching weeks are coming to an end we hope everyone is beginning to get to grips with climbing and falling in love with it too! thanks to all the older (in experience!) members who have helped to teach our lovely newbies, similarly thanks to those who have driven on trips and put in extra hours to make sure everyone is safe and happy and that everything runs smoothly.our first social was a massive success, for those who couldn't make it we had a pub crawl and photo challenge scavenger hunt, all dressed as superheroes and villains! it was definitely as mental as it sounds. everyone made such an effort with their costumes and with the challenges too which made it an awesome night, hope everyone had as much fun as i did. well done to Eira, Charlie, Homer, Natalie and Chris as they were the winning team, i'm sure you'll treasure the trophy for many years!The first outdoor trip was last weekend, we went to King wall and Giants Cave which is near the village of Rhossili on Gower. we all had such a great day, the weather was beautiful, and everyone seemed to get such a thrill from the climbing and the abseiling. We finished off the day with some well deserved pub food. if you couldn't make it don't worry as we've got many more climbing trips to get involved with. Wed, 27 Oct 2010 14:11:52 +0000