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.
Friday, 29 November 2013
Ratho Trip
For anyone going on the Ratho trip tomorrow, 30th of November. We will meet outside the gear store at 8.30am and should be back by 6pm in the evening latest.
Wednesday, 27 November 2013
Minutes 27th of November
- Ratho climbing trip on
Saturday, 30th of November. Let us know by 4pm tonight if you are
coming
- Climbing trip next week
Wednesday after meeting at 1pm im M142
- Bouldering trip next week
Sunday, 8th of December, at 10am
- Sub Crawl on 19th
of December. Start at WalkAbout at 6pm. Boots and bonnets theme
Tuesday, 26 November 2013
Ratho Update
The club is still planning to head out on Saturday, the 30th of November to Ratho Edinburgh.
Ratho is one of the biggest climbing halls in the UK and is definitely worth going for.
The preliminary plan is to leave at 9 and be back by latest 6pm. Costs are around 7 pounds for entry and up to 7 pounds for equipment, plus 5 pounds for fuel. In total roughly 20 pounds.
Let us know by Wednesday 3pm if you are coming.
Ratho is one of the biggest climbing halls in the UK and is definitely worth going for.
The preliminary plan is to leave at 9 and be back by latest 6pm. Costs are around 7 pounds for entry and up to 7 pounds for equipment, plus 5 pounds for fuel. In total roughly 20 pounds.
Let us know by Wednesday 3pm if you are coming.
Wednesday, 20 November 2013
Minutes for 20th of November
- Bouldering
this Sunday (24th of November). Meet Rico outside TCA at 10am
- Bouldering next week Wednesday after club meeting in M142 at 1pm
- Ratho Trip (big climbing hall in Edinburgh) next week Saturday (30th of November). Let us know by Wednesday, 27th of November if you want to attend. Costs 5 for fuel
Wednesday, 13 November 2013
Short Minutes 13th of November
-Bouldering
this Saturday (16th of November). Meet Rico outside TCA at 10am
- Bouldering next week Wednesday after club meeting in M142 at 1pm
-Bouldering trip next weekend Sunday (24th of November)
-From next week onwards all weekend trips until Winter Skills Trip (17-19th of January) will be climbing/bouldering trips
-If you would like to become a committee member next year get in touch.
Sunday, 10 November 2013
Future Trip Update
Due to the snow conditions in the mountains this weekend all future mountaineering trips are winter skills only. This means that everyone going on the trip will need to have done a winter skills course.
As a result of the numbers of people we have that have done a winter skills course previously these trips will be turned into climbing trips to either the GCC or TCA.
As a result of the numbers of people we have that have done a winter skills course previously these trips will be turned into climbing trips to either the GCC or TCA.
An Caisteal Trip Review
The trip started off fine with us leaving the van at about 8:30AM, met with good views up to the top.
At the end of the track we encountered some boggy terrain met with some snow.
Ascending up the valley as planned the wind picked up and snow fell heavily.
This then became too much to manage so we stopped to discuss the plan and decided if the weather remained the same after having lunch we would retreat from the hill.
After finishing lunch we were greeted by clearing skys and little wind, so we continued on the way.
Climbing to the top of Beinn a'Chroin we were met by astonishing views.
Following which we attempted to descend to An Caisteal for which we could find no route safe in the given conditions.
Getting back to Beinn a'Chroin we descended to what yours truly thought was North but the polarity on the compass had reversed meaning descending down into another valley.
This was realized after a lochain came into sight, upon checking with the map we continued onto the lochain and continued around to the valley we had came from.
Reaching the valley as it was getting dark we continued descending with head torches.
We reached the van at 7:30pm after an 11 hour day on the hill, all thoroughly enjoyed the taste of winter but the navigation error meant a 4 hour journey that would have not had to be made. Lessons learnt remember to check compass before heading out!
At the end of the track we encountered some boggy terrain met with some snow.
Ascending up the valley as planned the wind picked up and snow fell heavily.
This then became too much to manage so we stopped to discuss the plan and decided if the weather remained the same after having lunch we would retreat from the hill.
After finishing lunch we were greeted by clearing skys and little wind, so we continued on the way.
Climbing to the top of Beinn a'Chroin we were met by astonishing views.
Following which we attempted to descend to An Caisteal for which we could find no route safe in the given conditions.
Getting back to Beinn a'Chroin we descended to what yours truly thought was North but the polarity on the compass had reversed meaning descending down into another valley.
This was realized after a lochain came into sight, upon checking with the map we continued onto the lochain and continued around to the valley we had came from.
Reaching the valley as it was getting dark we continued descending with head torches.
We reached the van at 7:30pm after an 11 hour day on the hill, all thoroughly enjoyed the taste of winter but the navigation error meant a 4 hour journey that would have not had to be made. Lessons learnt remember to check compass before heading out!
Friday, 8 November 2013
Weather Update
The weather forecast has improved for tomorrow, considering we are well inland and to the middle of this area, we have a great forecast. It will be well worth the early morning, we will still assess the snow conditions underfoot but things are looking very promising!
Route Tomorrow
The route that we will be going on tomorrow is shown below, we are planning to be going clockwise around this route to allow for an easy descent if we get around. The forecast will be updated at about 6pm today so an update will be coming out shortly after that.
The map can be found on this link:
http://www.getamap.ordnancesurveyleisure.co.uk/?key=Z5pCSW9kOEFamOsCvFwL6A2
The map can be found on this link:
http://www.getamap.ordnancesurveyleisure.co.uk/?key=Z5pCSW9kOEFamOsCvFwL6A2
Thursday, 7 November 2013
Weather Update
The weather forecast has became a little bit better than expected, for Saturday we are supposed to have very little wind with up to 20mph forecast, the clouds haven't really shifted but we get a 30% boost on what we were expecting so that gets us up to 40% chance of a cloud free Munro.
It is due to snow in the morning so we will see how it goes as to how far we actually go, ti depends entirely on the type of terrain and the snow conditions. The snow is due to start at 450m so we may not get very far.
The cloud base is around 800m but can drop to 600m.
It can be noted that we will be on the east of this forecast areas and may be lucky with the clouds.
However if the weather system speeds up then we will have one hell of a day on the hill with 70% chance of a cloud free Munro and small amounts of wind in the morning, we can only hope that the low pressure dissipates quicker than expected.
All in all, make sure that you bring spare hats and gloves. Also be prepared for a boggy start to the day and a possible retreat early on in the day if snow conditions are not good.
It is due to snow in the morning so we will see how it goes as to how far we actually go, ti depends entirely on the type of terrain and the snow conditions. The snow is due to start at 450m so we may not get very far.
The cloud base is around 800m but can drop to 600m.
It can be noted that we will be on the east of this forecast areas and may be lucky with the clouds.
However if the weather system speeds up then we will have one hell of a day on the hill with 70% chance of a cloud free Munro and small amounts of wind in the morning, we can only hope that the low pressure dissipates quicker than expected.
All in all, make sure that you bring spare hats and gloves. Also be prepared for a boggy start to the day and a possible retreat early on in the day if snow conditions are not good.
Summer Kit List
- Individual Kit
- Wearing (Well Probably):
- Non-Cotton Top
- Non-Cotton Pants
- Sunglasses
- Suitable Walking Footwear - Boots, above the ankle and waterproof
- Fleece or other warm jacket
- Waterproof Bottoms
- Waterproof Top
- Hat
- Gloves
- Buff/ Neck Gaiter/ Balaclava
- In Day Bag (25 – 40 Litres):
- Personal Medication (If Applicable) - eg Insulin etc.
- Spare Golves x 2
- Spare Hat
- Spare Warm Layers x 1
- Blister Plasters
- Packed Lunch
- Sun Cream (You Just Never Know)
- Camera (Optional)
- Phone (In a Plastic Bag)
- Flask With a Warm Beverage Inside
- Compass
- Map + Map Case
- Emergency Supply of Sugary Foods
- Water Bottle or Container
- Extra sugary foods .
- Walking Pole(s)
- Group Kit
- Group Shelter
- Rope (if selected route needs it)
- At least 4 Walking Poles (between group members)
- At least 2 First Aid Kits
- At least 2 Mobile Phones
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