We went to EICA Ratho for a day of climbing. Upon arriving at the EICA the group discovered the enormity of the walls in comparison to the Ibrox. However the size of the walls comes at a cost as a room this size can't be heated without excessive cost, there was also some weather damage to one of the sides of the building (this is just made of tarp so there was no danger to us), as a result it was very cold especially at the beginning.
As the day progressed so did our ambitions with a few of the longest routes available getting checked off. Then we headed inside to the bouldering area to warm up and continue climbing.
Next we went for a lunch which was a little on the pricey side but was delicious none the less.
Following which we went and had another blast in the cold, we managed to get some great routes done before calling it a day.
All in all everyone had a great time and enjoyed the experience of the larger walls.
This blog contains the adventures of the Glasgow Caledonian University Mountaineering Club (GCUMC) and what we plan to do over the next few weeks. We go Climbing every week during university term time and every 2 weeks for Mountaineering Trips. At the end of each trip there will be a trip review alongside the photos taken on the trip.
Sunday, 24 March 2013
Wednesday, 20 March 2013
Instructional Videos
Glenmore Lodge have started uploading lots of top tips videos to their YouTube channel and they are most certainly worth a look. Here is the link to the channel:
WS0 Packing your bag:
These in no way replace training with a qualified instructor but if you need reminding of some techniques then it is worth a look. Below is an example from their channel:
Tuesday, 19 March 2013
Meeting Notes 20th of March
End of Year Meeting
We
would like to invite all of you to the Student Association Social Space (NH008) at 6pm on 3rd of
April for an end of year meeting. We will hold a short presentation (about
15-25 minutes) in which we will talk a little about the different things we did
this year, what has gone well and what we plan for next year. We would like to see as many as possible of you there to share your experiences with us and to wrap up the year.
Afterwards we will head out to WalkAbout for a last social night of this academic year.
Afterwards we will head out to WalkAbout for a last social night of this academic year.
Feedback Form
If
you haven’t already done so please fill out the feedback form that is put in
the link below. We would very much appreciate it as it will give us an
indication of what you thought about the year. That way we can improve and
become even more awesome after the break.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Kox3SqQPLFYjhy9ArhO-aKmMTcpAHsu5J7eOJ6N8e_s/viewform
Edinburgh Climbing Trip
We
will head out to Edinburgh Ratho this week Sunday
(24th of March) which is one of the biggest climbing halls. We
will take a car there so it will be 5 pounds for fuel. Further, 7 pounds max
for equipment hire and 9.30 pounds for entry (6.70 concession). There are still
a few spaces left so give us a shout if you want to come. It will be worth coming
because if Kris and I am attending we will sing “In the jungle”.
We
will meet at 8am on Sunday in front
of the gear store.
RBS Video Competition
If
you haven’t done so yet remember to keep watching our awesome video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGpC_MQFsO8&feature=youtu.be
Next Climbing Trip
As
usual there will be a climbing trip next Wednesday
(26th of February) right after our meeting to Ibrox.
General Information
If
you have any suggestions, questions or concerns feel free to get in contact
with us via Facebook, email or during our weekly meetings on Wednesday
afternoon 1pm in M142.
Wednesday, 13 March 2013
Climbing Trip
After the meeting we went climbing and a great time was had by all with some grades completed that weren't even thought of at the start of the day.
Once again we are still looking for a driver for the last trip of the year this weekend.
Once again we are still looking for a driver for the last trip of the year this weekend.
Minutes 13th of March
Hi
everyone, here are the minutes from this Wednesday’s meeting:
Social Night
The
next social night will be Tuesday 19th of March at WalkAbout from
6pm. Come along for a wee drink and talk. We are looking forward to seeing you!
J
RBS Video Competition
If you
haven’t done so yet remember to keep watching our awesome video!
Next Walking Trip
The
next walking trip will be a day trip on the
16th of March. There are still places left. This will be the
last trip for this academic year so don’t let this possibility slip through
your hands!
However we still need a driver so if you are registered with the university give us a shout please.
However we still need a driver so if you are registered with the university give us a shout please.
We
will meet at 7am outside the equipment store and head out by 7.30am latest.
Remember to bring packed lunch, your winter equipment and good mood.
Cost
for fuel will be 5 pounds.
Weather does not look too bad so far. It will be cloudy but hopefully only little wind and the avalanche risk should also be low.
Weather does not look too bad so far. It will be cloudy but hopefully only little wind and the avalanche risk should also be low.
Next Climbing Trip
As
usual there will be a climbing trip next Wednesday
(20th of February) right after our meeting to Ibrox.
Further, we will go bouldering to the Glasgow Climbing Academy on Sunday 17th of February. Cost will be around 5-6pounds (excluding transport).
I will meet people around 12pm at the lower end of the Saltire Centre ramp. Please indicate whether you would like to join. Otherwise you can just meet us there around 12.30pm.
Further, we will go bouldering to the Glasgow Climbing Academy on Sunday 17th of February. Cost will be around 5-6pounds (excluding transport).
I will meet people around 12pm at the lower end of the Saltire Centre ramp. Please indicate whether you would like to join. Otherwise you can just meet us there around 12.30pm.
Edinburgh Climbing Trip
We
will head out to Edinburgh Ratho next week Sunday (24th of March)
which is one of the biggest climbing halls. We will take a car there so it will
be 5 pounds for fuel. Further, 7 pounds max for equipment hire and 9.30 pounds
for entry (6.70 concession).
General Information
If you
have any suggestions, questions or concerns feel free to get in contact with us
via Facebook, email or during our weekly meetings on Wednesday afternoon 1pm in
M142.
Saturday, 9 March 2013
An Caisteal and Beinn A'Chroin Trip Review
The trip started off badly with yours truely sleeping in, it wouldn't have been so bad but I had the store keys...
We set off 30 minuets late meaning a 9:30 start for the walk.
Following the relatively easy track to its finish we could see the clouds were moving over very quickly but as we all know the weather can be changeable so we continued and hoped for the best.
Reaching the end of the track we started the ascent to Sron Gharbh following a stream, this was tough going as the terrain was very marshy, a few meters in one of our members twisted their knee, they then decided that as this had happened before they would rather go back then suffer through it.
Following this we stopped for lunch just before reaching the ridge where we could hear the wind howling ahead.
After a short lunch break we continued up assessing the conditions and at 702m high we decided that the crampons were needed so we stopped and fitted these.
Following fitting the crampons the wind picked up, as forecast to about 55mph gusts.
We continued on with the wind increasing in ferocity.
At 850m we decided to call the walk summit off as we could barely stand up let alone walk along a steadily narrowing ridge.
En-route down the wind died down and the clouds lifted allowing us to continue with the navigation training where the basics were laid down a few months ago.
The last few meters were some of the most interesting on the walk with a bog to walk through.
Following sorting everything at the van we went to the drovers for some food and to reflect on today.
The highlight reflections were:
We set off 30 minuets late meaning a 9:30 start for the walk.
Following the relatively easy track to its finish we could see the clouds were moving over very quickly but as we all know the weather can be changeable so we continued and hoped for the best.
Reaching the end of the track we started the ascent to Sron Gharbh following a stream, this was tough going as the terrain was very marshy, a few meters in one of our members twisted their knee, they then decided that as this had happened before they would rather go back then suffer through it.
Following this we stopped for lunch just before reaching the ridge where we could hear the wind howling ahead.
After a short lunch break we continued up assessing the conditions and at 702m high we decided that the crampons were needed so we stopped and fitted these.
Following fitting the crampons the wind picked up, as forecast to about 55mph gusts.
We continued on with the wind increasing in ferocity.
At 850m we decided to call the walk summit off as we could barely stand up let alone walk along a steadily narrowing ridge.
En-route down the wind died down and the clouds lifted allowing us to continue with the navigation training where the basics were laid down a few months ago.
The last few meters were some of the most interesting on the walk with a bog to walk through.
Following sorting everything at the van we went to the drovers for some food and to reflect on today.
The highlight reflections were:
- It was a good decision to turn back the conditions were just not favorable for ridge walking
- The mountains will always be there, the trick is to make sure you are too - I'm sure this is a quote from someone
Hope that everyone enjoyed it and is looking forwards to the next trip :)
Friday, 8 March 2013
Final Trip Update for Tomorrows Trip
The weather conditions...
The same forecast as yesterday...
Winds
Easterly; 35 to near many higher tops and ridges 40mph, gusts 55mph.
Precipitation
Snow flurries east and south
Substantially dry, especially western hills, but snow flurries likely mainly
Central Highlands, and there may well be frequent mostly light snow east and
south Loch Lomond NP.
Clouds
Breaking across western summits.
Cloud coming in from the east, base 750m, occasionally 600m, but nearer
450m south and east Loch Lomond NP. Will lift toward 900m western
mountains, and may well substantially clear completely coastal hills.
Cloud Free Munro?
20% east to 70% west coastal summits
How Much Sun?
Glimpses of sunshine, although intermittent sun near and west of Loch Linnhe
to Oban.
Slight haze, but the air very much clearer.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around -4C, tending to drop slowly during the day.
Freezing level
500m, dropping slowly through the day.
The same forecast as yesterday...
Winds
Easterly; 35 to near many higher tops and ridges 40mph, gusts 55mph.
Precipitation
Snow flurries east and south
Substantially dry, especially western hills, but snow flurries likely mainly
Central Highlands, and there may well be frequent mostly light snow east and
south Loch Lomond NP.
Clouds
Breaking across western summits.
Cloud coming in from the east, base 750m, occasionally 600m, but nearer
450m south and east Loch Lomond NP. Will lift toward 900m western
mountains, and may well substantially clear completely coastal hills.
Cloud Free Munro?
20% east to 70% west coastal summits
How Much Sun?
Glimpses of sunshine, although intermittent sun near and west of Loch Linnhe
to Oban.
Slight haze, but the air very much clearer.
How Cold? (at 900m)
Around -4C, tending to drop slowly during the day.
Freezing level
500m, dropping slowly through the day.
Summary
We may be lucky as we are to the west of this area, however remember to wrap up warm and to bring spare layers.
Avalanche Forecast
As the forecast is the same the avalanche forecast remains the same (as it is a forecast based on a forecast).
Below is the compass rose:
Route
Here is the final route although subject to change it is close to what we will travel on.
We may be lucky as we are to the west of this area, however remember to wrap up warm and to bring spare layers.
Avalanche Forecast
As the forecast is the same the avalanche forecast remains the same (as it is a forecast based on a forecast).
Below is the compass rose:
Route
Here is the final route although subject to change it is close to what we will travel on.
Thursday, 7 March 2013
Weather Update
Well, it isn't going to be half as good as the weather on the Ben Vane trip. However it isn't half as bad as the winter skills either.
With 40 mph winds gusting up to 55 mph it will make for challenging conditions at some points with the snow flurries forecast (we will manage the risk as we go).
The freezing level is around 500m with temperatures at 900m being -4C dropping through out the day.
These conditions aren't too bad and we may be lucky with the clouds (most likely not) with a 30% chance of a cloud free Munro.
The SAIS forecast shows low risk with isolated moderate risk areas on W to NE slopes.
This is again going to be assessed as we go.
All in all it looks to be a good day out in the hills, we do have 4 experienced members down to go and 3 new from winter skills members so we have the numbers to do some more building on the winter skills learnt.
Here is the key information from SAIS (please note this is for Glencoe, ours will be roughly the same but will differ in some aspects):
Observed Weather Influences
Light isolated snow showers above 550 metres with strong South-Easterly winds. The freezing level slowly rose to around 950 metres.
Observed Snow Stability and Avalanche Hazard
The new snow accumulations are not significant at present, the snowpack is generally well bonded and stable on all aspects and elevations. The avalanche hazard is Low.
Observed Mountain Travel Conditions
A light new covering of snow above 600 metres the snowpack is frozen above 700 metres and is firm and icy in places. Persistent dense cloud gave poor visibility above 600 metres. South- Easterly winds which were strong at times, 20 mph.
Comments
Strong gusting winds are forecast, these may reach 100 mph over the summits, this will have a considerable scouring effect forming windslab in sheltered locations. Summit temperatures around minus three degrees Celsius.
With 40 mph winds gusting up to 55 mph it will make for challenging conditions at some points with the snow flurries forecast (we will manage the risk as we go).
The freezing level is around 500m with temperatures at 900m being -4C dropping through out the day.
These conditions aren't too bad and we may be lucky with the clouds (most likely not) with a 30% chance of a cloud free Munro.
The SAIS forecast shows low risk with isolated moderate risk areas on W to NE slopes.
This is again going to be assessed as we go.
All in all it looks to be a good day out in the hills, we do have 4 experienced members down to go and 3 new from winter skills members so we have the numbers to do some more building on the winter skills learnt.
Here is the key information from SAIS (please note this is for Glencoe, ours will be roughly the same but will differ in some aspects):
Observed Weather Influences
Light isolated snow showers above 550 metres with strong South-Easterly winds. The freezing level slowly rose to around 950 metres.
Observed Snow Stability and Avalanche Hazard
The new snow accumulations are not significant at present, the snowpack is generally well bonded and stable on all aspects and elevations. The avalanche hazard is Low.
Observed Mountain Travel Conditions
A light new covering of snow above 600 metres the snowpack is frozen above 700 metres and is firm and icy in places. Persistent dense cloud gave poor visibility above 600 metres. South- Easterly winds which were strong at times, 20 mph.
Comments
Strong gusting winds are forecast, these may reach 100 mph over the summits, this will have a considerable scouring effect forming windslab in sheltered locations. Summit temperatures around minus three degrees Celsius.
Wednesday, 6 March 2013
Climbing Review
This week we had a few people turn up to the meeting and then go home as they felt unwell (they did before they turned up to the meeting), well done for turning up and get well soon.
After the meeting we went climbing at the Ibrox where a good time was had by all with some hard routes being completed.
Also there is an alteration to the trip schedule. The trip next weekend has now became a day trip and we will have a trip on the 30th March to Ratho in Edinburgh, they have a 5 story climbing wall and an arial assault course so why not go and have a play :)
After the meeting we went climbing at the Ibrox where a good time was had by all with some hard routes being completed.
Also there is an alteration to the trip schedule. The trip next weekend has now became a day trip and we will have a trip on the 30th March to Ratho in Edinburgh, they have a 5 story climbing wall and an arial assault course so why not go and have a play :)
Tuesday, 5 March 2013
Weekend Trip Update
Due to bad reviews of the ground through the forest en-route to Ben Lui and the second route with 5 mile walk in. We decided to go instead for An Caisteal and Beinn a'Chroin, here is the planned route:
We will be going up to first to An Caisteal. With an estimated time of completion of 7 hours and a 7:00am start at the store (leaving at 7:30am) with a drive of about 1 hour 30 mins. This means setting off at about 9:00am so if all goes well we will be back down by at least 4:00pm, from there we will be heading to the Drovers Inn for a meal (this is 15 mins away from the car park). An estimated time to get back by will be approximately 7:00pm.
Remember for those who need to borrow gear let us know first then we can get everything sorted.
Remember for those who need to borrow gear let us know first then we can get everything sorted.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)