Trip Summary

The trip was a success, with lots of smiling freshers and everyone being back at the pub in Hayfield before 16:30 to enjoy a drink. The weather was a bit pants, but as far as I could tell, everyone seemed to enjoy it all the same.

There were 64 people signed up for the trip, which was in high demand. A variety of walks took the groups from Edale across to Hayfield, each with varying quantities of bog included.

One leader pulled out due to illness, and there was some epic car faff in the morning, but everyone got a good day's walk done in the end.

Trip Participants

Camilla C (Trip Leader), Josh A (Safety Officer), Sarah C, Natthawut A, Tom C, Christiane K, Austin de M, Alastair H, Heidi F, Anjali P, Peter B, Alex S, Alex B, Meilin Y, Ben W, Jiaxi L, Anna W, Ceridwen S, Patrick R, Shi-Fan C, Nina G, Olivia T, Rory L, Daniel F, Jonathan R, William D, Olivia M, Hellen W, Jeson N, Pranav S, Winnie S, Jens A, Leo L, Chris I, Taavi T, Samuel S, Romaric M, Anna S, Johanna F, Ang Kun Joo Michael, Christina R, Thibaud M, Ler Song L, Arion P, Sophie M, Matteo S, Anabel ML, Rosa H, Njoki W, Georgina McC, Charles L, Sumita C, Laurent M, Sophie D, Paul C, Zekang C, Andy H, Paul F, Andrew W, Adrien L, John O, Becky H, Tom H

Photos

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Trip Summary

Ensconced in the fog, Caseg Fraith was the location of the club’s first trip of Michaelmas 2015. Lots of keen and new club members came and, despite the persistently cloudy weather on Saturday, did a variety of walks in the Carneddau and Glyders, with multiple groups heaving up Tryfan, and one MPV group going off to enjoy Snowdon in the cloud.

There were only four cooking groups for dinner on Saturday night, but a lot of whisky and cake going around! The traditional pumpkin carving took place, with Adrien’s pumpkins craftily chosen to raise eyebrows even before being carved.

Sunday had much nicer weather, without a cloud in the sky (because most of them were on the valley floor, and stayed that way throughout the day and evening). A number of groups went scrambling on Bristly Ridge and enjoyed the views from there.

Trip Participants

Philip W (Trip Leader), Paul C (Trip Safety Officer), Nebibe V, Sumita C, Grasilda Z, Yanting J, Amelia H, Sarah K, Tom A, Romaric M, Simon W, Greg C, William G, April C, Alex B, Camilla P, Thomas H, John O, Christie N, Alex K, Peter B, Anjali P, Heidi F, Nina G, Olivia M, Rebecca H, Theo AF, Ranulph D, Valerie A, Patrick R, Michael A, Adrien L, Christine M, David S, Arion P, Jorge G, Taavi T, Harriet G, Ben R, Natthawut A

Photos

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Trip Summary

For the second trip of Michaelmas 2015, the club returned to the Lake District's Elterwater, in Langdale. We were staying in the former YHA hostel - comparative luxury compared to some bunkhouses! After arriving just before midnight on Friday, Matt A and David H got the first (and only dry!) walk of the weekend in, heading up Loughrigg Fell by torchlight.

The weather forecast was pretty horrific for the weekend, but it wasn't raining while routes were being planned on Saturday morning. Josh A was running a navigation course, other groups went onto the Langdale Pikes, the Weatherlam range, or just enjoyed the local area on scenic walks. Predictably, the rain began by the time anyone left the bunkhouse, the rain had set in for the weekend. Everyone had a decent walk though, and the atmosphere in the bunkhouse that night was top notch: we joined Andrew W in celebrating his 50th CUHWC trip, enjoyed mulled wine and/or scotch, and indulged excessively in the usual great food.

Next morning, the river had risen dramatically and started to flood the fields in the bottom of the valley. While we were umming and ahhing about whether to walk or whether to head back to Cambridge, the bunkhouse owner (a MR member) came round to tell us about the awful conditions on the region's roads, with many closed. With the rain continuing to fall, we made the decision to pack up and leave as soon as possible. Three cars left before 10, but returned almost immediately becuase of flooding. A couple more routes were equally impassable, but eventually they made it over Red Bank to Grasmere, and from there the roads were just passable back to Cambridge. The rest of the cars followed once this safe route had been established.

All in all then, a shorter than normal trip, but by no means short of adventure!

Trip Participants

David H (Trip Leader), Josh A (Safety Officer), Thibaud M, Nebibe V, Courtney D, Michelle C, Jiaxi L, Grasilda Z, Juliette M, Valerie A, Paul C, Romaric M, Andrew W, Matt A, Josh H, Mariliis TÖ, Rory L, Mark B, Olivia T, Angelika B, Adrien L, Zhengwei H, Christiane K, Patrick R, Sumita C, Zekang C, Christine K, Matthew G, William G, April C, Natthawut A, Charlotte N, Heidi F, Kirsten VF, Charles L, Andrew TY, Ptolemy J, Ben KM, Jorge G

Photos

• Natthawut’s photos

Trip Summary

For the final trip of 2015, we went to Holwick in the north Pennines, which is quite an unusual destination for the club. The Pennines are known more for their rolling upland moors than their mountains.

Despite the adverts for the trip promising spectacular views and magnificent weather, the Pennines put on a grand performance, completely true to form in their role as upland moors: the entire weekend was a complete washout, with high winds, sustained heavy rain, and hence moderately unpleasant walking conditions.

For some reason, some souls decided it would be a good idea to camp on Friday night. They turned up in the bunkhouse on Saturday morning looking quite bedraggled and swearing they would never do it again.

Despite the conditions, almost everyone went out for a walk on Saturday, being lured out by clear skies in the morning. Most people either headed west onto the moors towards the Warcop range (which was firing on Saturday, so provided a definite end point for the walk); or south along the Pennine Way. One group decided to drive to Dufton and walk around the Pennine Way there. Unfortunately, somehow, they got their MPV stuck in a field part-way there, which curtailed their walk for the day a little.

Every other group on Saturday decided to cut their walks short by an hour or two, and most were back at the bunkhouse by early afternoon. The gas fires in the bunkhouse were beautifully effective, and the place was toasty warm all afternoon.

Saturday night was (for our purposes) Christmas day. We prepared Christmas dinner for all 22 people on the trip, and enjoyed a long evening of eating, talking, singing, and then sharing national anthems (nobody is quite sure why this happened, but it was fun). Some people said before the trip that Christmas dinner was a silly idea, and that it wasn’t possible: the bunkhouse had 9 gas hobs, no ovens, no pots or pans, no crockery and no cutlery. Despite this, we managed a chicken stew, roast vegetables (including the mandatory sprouts), pigs in blankets, and a huge selection of Christmas desserts. A great success.

On Sunday, the weather was just as bad, and yet people still went out for walks. One group headed south along the Pennine way “until it gets too miserable, then turn around”. They turned around just before getting anywhere significant on Crossthwaite Common. Another large group headed to see the castle at Barnard Castle. Another, smaller, group were old men and sat in the pub for most of the day.

Trip Participants

Philip W (Trip Leader), Josh A (Safety Officer), Tom L (Public House Officer), Evie H, Paul C, Becky H, Romaric M, Patrick R, David H (Assistant Public House Officer), Taavi T, Angelika B, Helen P, Angela G, William G, April C, Carolina C, Michael A, Paul F, Sumita C, Arion P, Alex H, Tom H

Photos

• Philip’s photos

Trip Summary

In contrast to all expectations, the New Year Seathwaite trip was not wet. All three full walking days were dry (though with overnight rain), and it is even reported that Scafell Pike was cloudless for a period. In the absence of any bagging tendencies the walks were generally relaxed, centring mostly around Great Gable, the Corridor route and Glaramara. However several longer treks north and south were attempted by one or two members. Snow fell to below 750m on the evening before the third full day, and we were rewarded with stunning views to Helvellyn and The Langdales. However, ice-axes were not required, except to dig mud from under the car when a tyre blew out driving back.

Statistically, the trip was notable in containing a high proportion of new or recent members to the club – only one participant (the everlasting Paul C) had been to the High House before. Despite one call to mountain rescue it was a very merry gathering, with Ranulph D putting on a continuous vocal solo performance, rendering the club’s song book obsolete.

Trip Participants

Paul C (Leader), Arion P (Safety Officer), William G, April C, Ranulph D, Johanna F, Seb P, Harriet C, Sophie M, Simon T, Anna W

Photos

• Johanna’s photos
• Arion’s photos

Trip Summary

The club's trip to Dolgellau (I leave it to the reader to pick their preferred pronunciation) began with nothing short of disaster. For one MPV this disaster struck before the beginning had even begun, in the form of flat tyres, whilst Matt A’s car opted for an imaginative route via the lovely sights of Peterborough, colliding with every obstruction that threatened to stand in their way. A splendid time was being had by Tom's MPV, until the windscreen of which an owl was most unfortunate to-hit,-to-who* the club issues their most sincere and hootfelt apologies.

Eventually all groups arrived within a 2km radius of the bunkbarn, and in a process akin to Brownian motion drove down every narrow road within the vicinity, despite strong discouragement from passive-aggressive signs and unimpressed neighbours. Finally, after some skilful MPV manoeuvres, we beheld before us a block of stables. Visions of curling up in rotten straw were conjured into our weary eyes, and the sight of a nearby hose gave little reassurance as to the hygiene facilities of the establishment. Expectations having been suddenly lowered, it was a pleasure to find the bunkbarn, if small and disjointed, furnished and warm. Tea and custard creams were eagerly consumed before hill-walkers “hit the hay” in a strictly non-literal sense.

The next morning’s analysis of the surrounding area for potential walks lead all but one prospective walk leader to the same conclusion: Cadair Idris. A fantastic decision as it turned out; the views over Snowdonia were spectacular, and the sight of those green rolling hills stretched out before you certainly have an extra something over the mound on Castle Hill. And you could even see the sea! It was really a beautiful day, and the mid-morning sun and clear skies left Cadair clouded only by tales of mystery- legend has it that all who spend the night on its summit leave either mad or a poet. Since we descended before sundown, most hill-walkers escaped these afflictions- except Harriet and Ranulph who were possessed enough to go for a swim in a rather cold lake.

Later in the day the sights of Cadair were exchanged for those of Barmouth, which offered amusements in the form of the “Las Vegas Arcade” and some swimming in the sea. In pursuit of the latter, with admirably undampable enthusiasm, Harriet was unfortunate enough to twist her foot upon a dropping from the legendary Barmouth monster- or such is the most probable explanation. We promptly left these dangerous waters and headed to the pub- the Cross Foxes was rejected on the basis of unreasonable fanciness and naff exterior lighting, and so hill-walkers descended upon a small place in Dolgellau, where a beer and Welsh folk music were much enjoyed by all.

Having previously outlined the successes of the bunkhouse in being more well equipped than your average stable, it is with regret that I report the less forgiving opinions of the Fellows of the Bunkhouse Review Board (FBRBCUHWC) who recommend the establishment for demolition. This is primarily based on kitchen facilities- although it must be pointed out that the number of microwaves was most definitely sufficient. Despite these encumbrances, Saturday evening saw food being created and enjoyed aplenty; particularly noteworthy was Camilla’s apple crumble, accompanied by custard made by Laurent (to whom we extend special congratulations for its impressively low lumpiness), and an enormous bowl of ratatouille. The sugariness of the former, combined with Cadair-induced madness, inspired a vent of philosophical discussion before bedtime.

The outlook for Sunday was drizzlier, windier, and wetter: in a word, more Walesy. Over breakfast the bunkhouse’s oddly shaped bowls inadvertently caused some distress as their contents was spilled over the unsuspecting Valerie in her favourite pink-kitten dressing gown. Some say that her shrieks were heard far out at sea, where the Barmouth monster took fright and fled to more distant lands. Others argue that the beast was driven away by fear of incurring the wrath of the still injured Harriet, but in either case the monster was not to be seen that day. Thus the flocks of hill-walkers who took their walk in the direction of the coast had clear views over the rolling ocean, unobscured by green fire-breathing beasts. Another group opted for a low-level walk in the surrounding area, taking boggy and heathery hills in their stride, refreshed by hailing winds and pelting rain. All returned to the bunkhouse to valiantly tackle the remaining ratatouille and custard creams, except Arion, trip Safety Officer, who finished off his walk with a swim in the raging torrent.

Every possible journey-related problem having been encountered on the way up, by comparison the trip home passed smoothly and without incident. The group parted damper and slightly more dishevelled than when they had arrived on Friday evening, but cheered, and so besides one fatality (the owl), we can declare that the trip to Dolgellau was a complete success.

*No, I’m not compromising this pun by correct use of subjective and objective pronouns.

Trip Participants

Camilla P (Trip Leader), Arion P (Safety Officer), Sam S, Adrien L, Tom A, Laurent M, Matt A, Shirley Z, Alex H, Paul F, Marie S, Taavi T, Charlie F, Ranulph D, Harriet G, Valerie A, Grasilda Z, Nicolas S, Patrick R, Peter T, Tanja S, Jantine B, Susie R

Photos

• Tanja’s photos
• Adrien’s photos
• Shirley’s photos

Trip Summary

With the weather forecast looking dubious in the week before the trip, people were nervous. It was a joint trip to the Roaches with CUMC, with some members of CUHWC climbing with them (described by some as ‘a mini freshers meet’). 4 CUMC members came along to climb and walk; 21 CUHWC members came along to walk and climb (minus one who inexplicably dropped out on the morning and hasn’t been heard from since).

The weather held, apart from a couple of showers in the afternoon. The wind was high, but nobody cared. Due to the restricted topography of the Roaches, there were two walk groups with roughly similar routes: along the ridge, potter around at Danebridge at the end, then back through the forest (or vice-versa). People had fun poking around in Lud’s Church, but nobody could work out why it was called a church.

The climbers found a sheltered corner behind the Don Whillans hut, where the wind and (occasional) rain weren’t a problem, and got a lot of pitches done throughout the day. The walkers who tried climbing enjoyed it a lot.

We all went to the Roaches tearoom at the end of the day to chat and sample their fancy coffee. Very civilised.

Trip Participants

Philip W (Trip Leader, Safety Officer), Paul C, Anabel ML, Tom A, Ed W (CUMC Leader), Yanni D (CUMC), Athene L (CUMC), Daniel B (CUMC), Becky H, Rachel M, Alice M, Chris I, Charles L, Fiona D, Jens A, Georgina M, Jason T, Nina C, Michael A, Nebibe V, Simon C, Carolina C, Ben W, Jeson N

Photos

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• Philip W

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Trip Summary

Our February trip to Glenridding was, surprisingly, not beset by bad weather. In fact, it was pretty good. The Lakes had snow cover from around 600m upwards, making for beautiful surroundings, but also meaning that anyone who wanted to go up high needed crampons. This meant that, unfortunately, despite the Glenridding bunkhouse being 3km from Helvellyn as the crow flies, only two people on the trip summited it.

On Saturday, most groups decided to head east to Place Fell and the shores of Ullswater, for a low-down walk. A variety of routes were done involving seemingly every combination of walking around the shore of Ullswater, going over the top of Place Fell, and going up over Beda Fell.

One group opted to try the ridge north of Helvellyn, feeling that the 20mph wind forecast would make for a nice ridge walk. They ended up bailing out after battling their way over the rimed-up top of Raise, against 50mph winds in low visibility. Sticks Pass was a welcome retreat. The group cheated and lunched at the bunkhouse, before sheepishly heading out on another walk around Grisedale before anyone noticed.

Another group took some of the highly desirable club crampons up onto the Dodds and practiced with them, somehow coping better with the torrential wind and near-zero visibility. They even claimed to have had fun.

Saturday evening was one for meals of many colours. Valerie produced a lurid pink soup which people claimed was delicious, if ‘a bit spicy’. Camilla went for a more sensitive orange colour stew, described as ‘face burningly hot’. Paul made chips. In order to average out the temperature of her meal, Camilla produced a key lime pie from the fridge for dessert. A discussion about what on earth keys have to do with the pie ensued. (Turns out it’s from Florida Keys.) Valerie decided that her cooking group looked too thin and sober, and force-fed them sticky toffee pudding with caramel sauce laced with calvados.

Late night discussions included a group attempt to tackle the Times’ cryptic crossword, and another group putting together a CUHWC version of Monopoly (look for it in the paper trip book). There was no singing.

Sunday came, and people were slow to get up. Josh’s navigation group (who have so far avoided being mentioned, but were present on Saturday too) headed off to Place Fell to find themselves amongst the knobbles up there. Two people headed off to tackle Helvellyn via Striding Edge and Swirral Edge, armed with axes and balaclavas. Other groups continued their evaluation of the relative merits of all combinations of walks around Ullswater, Place Fell and Beda Fell.

The weather on Sunday turned out to be even better than on Saturday, with little cloud and low wind. This may be the reason why a number of groups were late back. But it didn’t really matter, because regardless of what time they left the bunkhouse, 3 of the vehicles were destined to get stuck on the A1(M) on the way home due to unforeseen roadworks. Oops.

Trip Participants

Philip W (Trip Leader), Josh A (Safety Officer), Yanting J, Ben P, Jantine B, Angelika B, Paul C, Tom A, Anthony C, Taavi T, Arion P, Patrick R, Valerie A, Camilla P, Teng Z, Ke-di L, Simon T, Susie R, Paul F, Sophie M, Peter T, Johanna F, Jens A, Nebibe V

Photos

• Philip’s photos
• Johanna’s photos

Trip Summary

David H’s first trip as a president was to the South Wales caving Club HQ bunkhouse in Penwyllt, South Wales. The club is not a frequent visitor to the Brecon Beacons, but after this weekend, that seems like a shame. We were spoiled by beautiful sun on both days, although it was still bitterly cold at times. This was run as a joint trip with Cambridge University Caving Club: 21 members of CUHWC came along, with a handful of CUCC members too.

The trip was marked by a tragic outbreak of insanity amongst a number of hillwalking club members, who decided to get up late, walk onto the warm, sunny hill and crawl into a dark, damp hole. By the evening, the insanity appeared to be on the wane, with most deciding that muddy holes were indeed less enjoyable that open moorland: however, a number of club members had not yet fully recovered by next morning and enjoyed a second day of caving.

On the hill, groups on both days headed around the prominent escarpment to the North West. This was quintessentially Brecon, and a straightforwards and dramatic walk. Or run, depending on your preference. Several groups also explored the more rolling ground to the east of the bunkhouse, where there was a good selection of grassy hills/mountains to aim for. David H continued the presidential transport batten forwards by leading a group for miles after mile along a disused tramway, until there was no option but to go up a hill.

All in all, a successful and enjoyable trip – as ever, it was brilliant to meet new CUHWC members, and to catch up with our old faithful. See you all in Cym Dyli!

Trip Particpants

David H (Trip Leader), Arion P (Safety Officer), Tom A, Alistair H, Phil W, Rose P, Aicha W, Paul F, Sumita C, Carolina C, Valerie A, Tanja S, Shoham L, Peter T, Molly V, Harriet C, Jiaxi L, Kuba S, Anabel M, Emily B, Angelika B

Photos

Trip Summary

Neither April nor Snowdonia can be expected to have good weather, so much of the trip was something of a shock. Few things can be more glorious than swimming in sunshine beneath snow-capped peaks, but doing so while avoiding hypothermia is one. Wonderful views were also reported that day from a Moel-hunting expedition, while another group had such a good day they stayed out past sunset.

Of course, mist and rain weren't entirely avoidable, with the Monday more than a little damp, but when you can navigate by following the sound of the Cow Song then hillwalking's not too bad. Snow, too, was an obstacle, putting paid to a first-day Welsh 3000s attempt while making photos from a Crib Goch crossing all the more impressive. New members threw themselves into the trip, scrambling, kicking snow steps, and making beautiful glissades. They even reported enjoying it!

Trip Participants

Rose P., Philip W., Sumita C., Matt A (trip leader), Erin B., Susie R., Johanna F., Anthony K., Ben H., Ben B., Alex H., Simon W., Matt H., Isy G., Adrien L., Juliette M., Kathryn D., Ranulph D., Andy H.

This year's mystery trip created the usual intrigue and suspense: a fair few people had worked out that we were off to Tan Y Garth, Capel Curig, but by no means all!

Given that recent weather in Cambridge has been hot and sunny, it was perhaps a bit disappointing that both days dawned misty and damp: fortunately, both days came good. Of course, there was an outburst freezing wind-blown drizzle on the Glyder before the sun appeared!

Many groups experienced the Glyders in their majesty, while Paul and Camilla went on a monstrous trip into the Carneddau. On Sunday, around half of us went up Moel Siabod, an unexpectedly scrambly ascent which was great fun!

As ever, the walking was only half the story; we had fantastic cooking on Saturday night, the most enthusiastic singing I can remember, and plenty of good fun.

Thanks to everyone who came - see you all again!

Trip List:

1 David H
2 Ben B
3 Thomas A
4 Romaric M
5 Marie S
6 Hanna S
7 Mark B
8 Olivia T
9 Rory L
10 Jake S
11 Paul F
12 Valerie A
13 Camilla P
14 Jens A
15 Rebekah L
16 Grasilda Z
17 William G
18 April C

Eager for an effort free and environmentally friendly approach to day trips, the President decided that the Easter Term day trip was to be do the Chiltern Hills, and that we would be travelling by train. This meant that there was no obligation to come until you bought your train tickets on the morning - beautiful weather meant that many decided to come at the last minute!

We travelled to either Berkhamsted or Tring, depending on the chosen walk. My group headed through open fields, deer parks and woodland to reach Ivinghoe Beacon, a respectable viewpoint across the Chilterns. We returned by a mediocre pub, but at least there was beer.

Matt A led a walk over towards Wendover Woods, and got a little carried away: they returned after 31.5km! I think we can safely say they earned their Chinese Takeway dinner.

Overall, I think everyone had a pleasent trip, and that the train format is one to be repeated: it minimises work for the committee, is fairly affordable, and means that people can drop in/out of the trip according to their workload and other commitments. The Chilterns may not have the wildness of the Peak District, but they are certainly closer, and the quality of the walking is not to be dismissed!

This was the traditional post-exams trip to Patterdale in the Lake District.

There were probably no other trip details.