Bromsgrove & Redditch Mountaineering Club

Doggy Paddle 2012

tenesmus — Fri, 04 May 2012 12:31:37 +0000

The annual Leamington Spa to Stratford canoe paddle is on 13 May 2012.

Entry forms are here

It’s been good fun in previous years, so beg/borrow/steal a seat in your favourite canoe or inflatable as soon as possible!

New Member’s Meet 27-29th April

tenesmus — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 17:21:25 +0000

Another awesome new member’s meet this year welcomed Claire (Zippy), Claire (slime) and Mike into the bosom of the BRMC. Between us we climbed Snowdon, polished off 21 pitches of roped climbing, lost a climbing virginity and discovered that adrenaline is brown and runny.

The weather was beautiful on Saturday, with the sun coming out to warm the climbers and give great views over Snowdonia for the walkers. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t all we could have hoped for on the Sunday, forcing us off the crags and mountains, and into the climbing wall or down to the seaside for a stroll. Despite this we were all in good spirits and full of enthusiasm for the coming season of walking, cycling, climbing and mountaineering.

Hopefully this is just the start of another year’s worth of successful BRMC meets!

Tremfest 2012

tenesmus — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 19:02:54 +0000

The annual BMC Tremfest meet happened this weekend. Around 50 people (including 2 BRMC club members and another 6 from the Essex based Loughton Mountaineering Club who were staying in the hut this weekend) literally mucked in to clear the brambles from the approach and descent paths, repair fences at the top of the crag and peel the ivy off some of the routes. Undaunted by the showery weather, Si abseiled down Yogi and Mr Ranger to clean out the dirty corner, and the rest of us cut back the vegetation to allow access into this area once again. The Loughton crew cut up a tree that had fallen across a path and moved it out of the woods – heavy work!

As a result the crag is now looking much improved! In particular, the path down to the hut car park is now clear and easy to descend. No more scratched and stung legs this year!!

The work parties were rewarded in the evening with a generous raffle, copious free beer, and a slideshow on ‘How not to be a climbing superhero’ by Tom Ripley.

Thanks to all of those that took part, in particular the Loughton Mountaineering Club who provided a lot of manual labour when they could easily have gone off walking, climbing or otherwise enjoying their limited time in Snowdonia. You guys are stars!

New (potential) Club Member

m@ — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 21:23:01 +0000

Rowan Joshua, born on Easter Sunday evening 8lb6oz.

I’ve already identified his first outdoor Route – Rowan Route on Milestone Buttress…

Road trip in the sunshine.

m@ — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 22:40:25 +0000

On Saturday 24th March I decided to drive down to the Wye Valley to check out Shorn Cliff. Parking at Tintern Abbey, it was a pleasant 20 minute stroll across the river bridge and through the woods to the crag. A party of Worcester University Club climbers were already enjoying the clean, dry and sunny limestone outcrops, so I had no difficulty in getting my bearings on what can be a difficult crag to navigate (‘excuse me old chap, but which route are you on?’).

Once it was clear, I quickly soloed up the v.dif ‘Cry Wolf’, then (very carefully) made my way across and down to a nice sturdy tree, from where I abseiled to the base of the crag. I found myself at the start of ‘One less White Nigger’ VS 4c, and so quickly (as the light was fading) self-belayed up the route (grigri backed up with clove-hitch on screwgate below it).

: Justin contemplates the overhangs of ‘Cadillac’.

Sunday brought more sunshine, and a rendevous at Wynd Cliff with fellow B.R.M.C.er Justin. We agreed on checking out the right-hand crag, and found ourselves at the foot of the tri-starred ‘Cadillac’ VS 4c.

I ‘baggsied’ the lead, and after a considerable amount of sun and fear-induced sweating, the steep but exciting road trip was complete. A highly enjoyable belay was had, listening to Justin’s expletives as I gazed out across the beautiful valley, followed by a fun abseil (my first time running sideways across a crag, to retrieve a stubborn hex).

We finished the day with an attempt on ‘Papillon’ HS 4b, but neither of us could make it past the first pitch, ‘Cadillac’ having both mentally and physically drained our tanks. A wise, strategic retreat was made (we gave up cos it was getting dangerous), then back to historic Chepstow for a refreshing pint of ‘Reverend James’ at the Boat Inn by the river Wye.

Phil Layton.

The ‘groveller’?…surely not.

phil — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 21:50:24 +0000

Just a small visual addition to the previous blog, M@ steaming up ‘Keep Arete VS 4b’. His dynamism was clearly attracting a crowd as he neared the finish.

Luvverly limestone

tenesmus — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 21:32:22 +0000

A quick trip down to Symonds Yat to make the most of the unseasonably good weather by Ed, Emma B, Mad Simon and Gayle saw a few classics ticked. Peacock, Argonaut, Golden Fleece, the Staff and Trundlebum Rex were quickly dispatched, even leaving enough time for a cup of tea and an ice cream in the late afternoon sunshine. The main challenge of the day was Emma endeavouring to pronounce ‘Trundlebum’!

Welsh Walking Weekend

graym — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 22:08:48 +0000

The weekend of the 23rd/25th March saw 6 of us set off for weekend’s walking in Wales. We put in our order for fabulous weather before setting off and it duly arrived. We thought we’d try a different area and booked a bunkhouse in Penybontfawr, surprisingly close when one compares it to going to the hut. Graham and Pete went up early Friday evening and had a mooch around the rather strange gardens adjacent to the bunkhouse, even more strange was the Kiwi found ensconced amongst the half finished buildings in a rather fetching rabbit skin hat. Keen to sample the local beer and getting hungry we went down to the local pub, The Railway Tavern. Slightly surprised to find that they were fully booked for food, probably due in part to only serving between 6pm and 8pm and having no concept of customer service. We retired back to the bunkhouse to snack and dine on Pete’s famous Friday curry, where we were joined by Phil and Clare, Emma and Vicki for refreshments. Saturday dawned and Pete cooked breakfast before deciding that biking was going to be more fun than walking, but we arranged to meet him at Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfalls, claimed to be higher than Niagra. Discretion being the better part of valour, we decided on not attempting the 20km plus route (which proved to be wise), but enjoyed some great scenery and walking across the hills to the falls. The falls have a spectacular drop and even better, ice cream at the bottom. After about 6 hours walking we arrived tired back at the pub by the car park for more refreshments. After a meal in the The Railway Tavern we retired back to the bunkhouse where everyone was pretty knackered and turned in early. Sunday morning we were treated to a tour of the farmhouse adjacent to the bunkhouse and coffee by the owners, the farmhouse also being for rent and sleeping 17. It is a very unique building, full of character and would make a great base to be holed up in the Welsh countryside. After coffee, Emma and Vicki had to return home with the remainder enjoying a more sedate walk over to Lake Vyrnwy with plenty of practice at navigation on the way. Overall, great company, weather, scenery and fun. Graham

New Members Meet Approaching!

m@ — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 16:58:39 +0000

Our Annual New Members Meet is nearly here! It takes place on the weekend of the 27th – 29th April. For further details please see the thread on the forum!

“Grovelling on grit”

m@ — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 22:37:26 +0000

A little unfair on the chaps, but certainly how I felt on the first taste of grit this year. Spotting a promising forecast, M@, Justin and Phil Layton headed to Castle Naze near Buxton.

Taking it in turn for a lead we climbed as a three in glorious sunshine, under blue sky, and the occasional hailstorm… at least the rock stayed dry!

Matt got his last few climbs in before his paternity leave kicks in, Justin got back onto the VS’s after short break, and Phil pushed the grade with some superb horsemanship

Justin topping out on Keep Arete

The Nithin (Phil S 4a), Pilgrim’s Progress (Justin HS 4b), The Niche (M@ S 4a), The Fifth Horseman (Phil HVS 5a), Keep Arete (Justin VS 4b), Sheltered Crack (Matt S 4a) and a valiant attempt by Phil at Nozag (Vs 4c) resulted an three very happy climbers

Sunset at Castle Naze

A fine venue for the lower grades, with a few at the higher end. Solid rock, ultra short walk in, quick drying and nicely sheltered. Parking limited so get there early! Looking back as we drove away, Castle Naze glowed in the sunset.

Castle Naze in the sunset

And if this doesn’t sound perfect already…. washed down with a pint of Behive, at the nearby Behive in Combs. Happy Mothers Day Mum.

Beehive in Combs