Gorphwysfa Journal

GORPHWYSFA
JOURNAL
2015
Vol. 40, No. 1 November
Gorphwysfa Journal
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Gorphwysfa Journal
Table of Contents
EDITORIAL ........................................................................................................................... 3
POETRY INSPIRED BY THE WELSH 1000M PEAKS RACE ..................................................... 5
Tim Watson ........................................................................................................................................... 5
REVIEW OF THE 2015 WELSH 1000M PEAKS RACE, PLUS COMMENTS RECEIVED ............. 6
THE STEVE OGDEN MEMORIAL MEET IN THE LAKE DISTRICT 2015 ................................. 10
Len Foreman ....................................................................................................................................... 10
PAIN AND PLEASURE IN THE PYRENEES ........................................................................... 13
Kate Williams .................................................................................................................................... 13
ZERMATT AND THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST ASCENT OF THE MATTERHORN.18
Leah Maltby ....................................................................................................................................... 18
A VISIT TO THE MOURNE MOUNTAINS - JUNE 2015 ....................................................... 21
Rodney Archard ................................................................................................................................ 21
TOUR OF THE VANOISE .................................................................................................... 25
Gerry Wigglesworth ........................................................................................................................ 25
THE MILESTONE BUTTRESS REVISITED............................................................................... 30
Brian Smith ......................................................................................................................................... 30
PETER HUTTON .................................................................................................................. 32
Harvey Lloyd ..................................................................................................................................... 32
SUZANNE THOMAS IN SIERRA LEONE ............................................................................. 35
Sent by Ros Noy ................................................................................................................................ 35
TOUR DE LLYN LLYDAW RESULTS - 1 JANUARY 2015...................................................... 37
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Gorphwysfa Journal
EDITORIAL
First and foremost, very
many congratulations to
Harvey who has received
a well earned History
degree from Ruskin
College, Oxford.
Another excellent year for all our activities! Thanks to all involved in organising meets and walks
New Year saw a good party at Pen y Pass. See the results of the Llydaw race on page 37.
The Steve Ogden Memorial Meet took place at the end of January in the YHA inCockermouth. Read Len’s
report on page 10.
Alan Simpson hosted a very enjoyable Spring Meet on Dartmoor in
March.
Scotland in the Spring in May was conducted by Christine and took
place in a hunting lodge. The jolly crew…
The 41st Welsh 1000 Metres Peaks Race on June 6th went off
splendidly, despite rather cold winds. We not only received wonderful
accolades from competitors, but we even have some poetry inspired by
the race. See pages 5 and 6.
The Rock Climbing Meet in mid June had an excellent number of young beginners, plus some not so young!
The Summer Alpine Meet 2015 in July was in Zermatt – read Leah’s entertaining account on page 18.…
In September, a meet was held in Crickhowell in the Black Mountains – fantastic weather and great walking.
Throughout the year, those who live in the Oxfordshire area have enjoyed a range of day and evening walks,
the organisation being shared between the group.
Others have made excursions to further-flung areas – see reports from Kate, Rodney and Gerry.
Sadly, this year we lost a dear friend, Peter Hutton. Harvey has written a very touching eulogy to him on
page 32.
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More generally, we pay tribute to the late Michael Meacher, who steered the Countryside and Rights of Way
Act through Parliament in 2000 - such a great thing for walkers.
We are proud to report on the television career of one of our earliest members, Andy, who with his Yesteryear
choral group, made it to the second round of Gareth Malone’s Naked Choir competition.
The Gorphwysfa support several charities: the National Trust, the Ogwen Mountain Rescue Team, the Nepal
Disaster Appeal, WFRA, and of course the Friends of St Julittas Church.
Finally, for those who might be thinking about going to Kilimanjaro, here is the poster we created for the
wonderful Charles, who led some of us to the summit a couple of years ago.
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POETRY INSPIRED BY THE WELSH 1000M PEAKS RACE
Tim Watson
GARNEDD UGAIN FROM YR WYDDFA
TIM WATSON
This day dawns full of promise
The sun tempered by the deceiver
Forecast dry, wind on five
Yr Aryg clear, marshals double wrapped
A taster of things to come
herded and harried up to Llewelyn
and on to the headwall
Fighting against a freight train of hard, cold power
Ysgolion Duon’s arc numbs hands
We beat out and back
Then relinquished to Ogwen
Roll up and bow your head
Y Gribin dishes the punishment
The icy blast of the freezer’s door
Opens onto Glyder Fawr
Stumble the red spots
To a Welsh kilted welcome
And the threshold of the Pyg
Uncounted swarms heading into the gloom
We turn for Ugain
As the masses go for the goal
Thrice frozen the finish is attained
But no thaw until the halfway sanctuary
Completes a day of extremes
Dawn releases life's spark
The earth accepts with rolling thunder
We line up heads bowed
Under lightening skies
The push up past Bera Mawr
Lands us dripping in the red
Yr Aryg a first sentinel
Carneddau brothers pass in mists of grey
And the heavens open
Down to Ogwen
Where, refuelled with a sws
Our hands on for Gribin's teeth
To stumble dripping in the blue
Across plates of stone
And cockscomb cairns
Glyder Fawr's gateway leads down
For the final ascent amid the masses
Brief solace on lonely Ugain
The summit arrives
Under darkening skies
Let slip the wolves among the sheep
7:6:2014
6:6:2015
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REVIEW OF THE 2015 WELSH 1000M PEAKS RACE, PLUS COMMENTS
RECEIVED
The weather forecast was for clear, cold and windy conditions, and so it turned out! One meteorologically
inclined marshal said: “I reckon the air temp was around 6°C and the wind speed around 30 knots, so wind
chill was minus 9°C!”
PETE AND BECKY HUDDLED AGAINST THE WEATHER ON GLYDER FACH
There was an excellent turnout, despite the forecast, and all classes set off on time. Luckily, the visibility was
very good, apart from at the finish on Snowdon, so many competitors set personal best times. It was a great
day for record breaking.
The Winner of Class A Fell Runners was Gareth Hughes, Runsnowdonia, in 04:08:37. The first female fell
runner was Andrea Rowlands, Eryri Harriers, in 04:53.14, a female course record.
In Class C, Mountaineers, Paul Hodges, Eryri Harriers also won in a course record of 05:40:31
The Short Fell Runners Class E, was won by Jackie Lee, Eryri Harriers, in a female course record of 02:01:16.
The Short Mountaineers Class F was won by Andy Creber, Chepstow Harriers, in a course record of 02:17:59.
The Team Class D was won by 14 Signal Regt (Army), aggregate time: 19:12:20.
A new format, pairs, was introduced this year in the Mountaineering Classes. Jonathan Fry and Paul Holland,
Unattached, were the first pair home in Class C, aggregate time: 16.51.55. David Hall and Matthew Hall,
Gorphwysfa, an adult/junior family pair, were first pair home in Class F, aggregate time: 06.57.44.
A splendid achievement by all finishers and very many thanks to the team of marshals who cope fantastically
in the wild and windy weather.
The Nepal collection made £350 a goodly amount which will help someone in rather more difficult
circumstances than ourselves. We have also donated £250 to the National Trust for footpath maintenance in
Snowdonia.
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We received a number of great comments and thanks after this year’s race. Here are some of them. Thanks
and congratulations to all involved.
Just a quick note to say thank you for being involved in yet another well organised event.
The only criticism i really have regarding the race, was the inability to read the majority of the entrants
race numbers, at least half the field had obscured their numbers, and this is an annual occurrence.
I’ve encountered this problem during previous years marshalling, and at times it was difficult to make out
who was in the race and who was simply enjoying a walk in the Carneddau, this was especially so when
the bulk of entrants arrived, and looked ever so like ordinary walkers not involved in the race.
Three competitors never actually arrived at Daffyds summit, choosing to retire early and go straight down
to the A5, working out where they had actually gone took some time.
It’s only a suggestion, but considering every competitor now has to wear an electronic orange dibber
wristband, with their individual number printed on it, and physically check themselves in, why cannot they
actually shout out their number as they arrive, so the number can be checked and ticked off the entrance
sheet.
Thankfully the weather was kind enough to allow us to ask many competitors what number was hiding
under their gear, but if the paper number worn on the competitors front was done away with, and sole
reliance was placed on the electronic wrist band , it could save a lot of time and effort on organisers and
marshals.
If the paper numbers are still required for quick reference of an entrant in distress or need of assistance,
then it must be a strict requirement for entrants to display their number at all times, what ever the weather
or circumstances.
Thank You Once again, and tick me down for next years race.
Peter
Massive respect and thanks to all the marshal's that were out on all the checkpoints especially the ones on
Y Wyddfa in that chilling wind. Not only were they checking times and dibbers of all, they went out of
their way to help a few (including me) to keep warm after crossing the line.
Anon
Brilliantly organised and a fantastic route. Should be more popular and well supported than it is
Anon
Just wanted to thank the brilliant marshals and officials for this race. I think you all did a great job and I
for one am really grateful for you efforts.
Anon
Great work from all the volunteers in challenging conditions thanks for all your efforts !!!
Anon
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Superb day out (well, it felt like a full day anyway!). Wind was vicious at times so chapeau to all the
marshals, good job it was a bright clear day because any moisture with those winds could have caused
carnage. The drop-out rate was something like 15% as it was!
Having sworn numerous times during the race that I’d never be back, I’m now thinking I could be tempted
to go back fighting fit for a crack at a PB.
I'd say 80% of the general public on Snowdon shouldn't be up there, purely for their own safety, but it's
always fun fighting your way through them as they struggle up in their flip flops. The idiots with dogs on
a cani-cross setup should be shot on sight for everyone else's safety!
Anon
Second time around for me. First bash was last year in torrential rain but actually found the weather
better that time than the wind speeds we encountered this year. Anyway, PB for me getting that sub 5 but
some more to come off for sure in good conditions and a few better line choices but what a great race.
Feels like a proper fell race / adventure and definitely sorts the men from the boys (I’m 100% still a
boy) :-)
Many Thanks for the organisation and hopefully we see those type of fields (100+) more often on what
is an absolute classic.
Anon
This was a fantastic day out. Great weather but howling wind. This year I was going to enter as an
individual for Class A again, but I work with a great bunch of fit lads so decided to enter a team into
Class D with the aim of winning the class.
We took the lead after about 400m and our navigation was spot on all the way round. One of the lads
took a tumble on the way down to Ogwyn MR post so we dropped him there as he needed stitches before
cracking on. The remaining 3 finished and won the Class D so mission accomplished. The other 2 lads who
finished had never done anything like this before and were blown away by the fun of it all.
Overall not only did we win Class D, but importantly I am confident that I have sold this event to the
other members of my team for future iterations of this race.
Thank you to all the organisers and check point staff and well done to all the entrants.
Paul C.
Nick and I did continue and finish the course despite awful tendon problems which unexpectedly afflicted
both of us. Anyway sadly we didn't make the time but it felt good to finish it even if I did do the last hour
down the track in socks! The lovely man at the cafe at the base of the track even gave me a foot spa!
Heaven!
Please pass out thanks o to the flapjack makers, really delicious and all the marshals as it was freezing up
there! Thanks again.
Caroline
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Just to say a huge thank-you for the race on Saturday. As a race organiser I appreciate the scale of your
races, and sticking to the route in challenging weather was absolutely right but must have got the worry
beads going! The wind over the Carneddau was amazing - surely more than the 50mph forecast? I was a
bit underdressed in a t shirt and shorts and my initial thoughts of being a wuss for starting with my
waterproof on, changed as hat, gloves and hood up followed. Was I going to get hypothermia and
sunburnt legs at the same time?! The Gribin was much more sheltered and whilst hats off to the marshals in
the mirk on Snowdon the guys on the Carneddau deserve the medals. Anyway thanks to you all I had an
amazing day, one of the most satisfying in 20 yrs of fell running capped by at least 20mins of my PB!
Please pass on my thanks to Harvey and all the team. Best Wishes
Nick Bradley
PS regarding the runners without gear, in the past we have just given warnings but the new WFRA rules
are very clear and reasonable. People who break the rules risk the good name of the sport and we have
decided to implement the letter of the WFRA rules (which incidentally don’t give us any discretion in the
matter). It’s embarrassing for the organiser and runners should not put us in that position. We don’t have
many rules its so sad people just don’t abide by them and then sanctions wouldn’t come into it. I hope it
didn’t spoil Harvey’s day.
N
Many thanks for laying on such a great (and excellent value) event yet again.
Andy Cleave
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THE STEVE OGDEN MEMORIAL MEET IN THE LAKE DISTRICT 2015
Len Foreman
Dates 30th January to 1st February 2015 Organiser Lucy Norton
Location There were a total of 24 staying at the Youth Hostel in Cockermouth This was originally a mill by
the river and the downstairs plaque showed how high the recent flood water had been inside the building. It is
a quirky hostel with a friendly helpful warden and suited our needs. It is situated in a part of the Lakes that a
number in the group had not explored before. As there were a number of other Gorphwysfans in the area for
the weekend and it was situated close to the centre of town it had been decided that the dining area was not
large enough and the best option would be to eat out. As the hostel is under review for closure by the YHA it
was felt that a favourable report on Trip Advisor might help.
Saturday Walks Saturday turned out to be a fine day, cold and clear and the hills covered in snow. A number
of walks were discussed and various groups set off in different directions
Richard and Gillian led a group up and over Grassmoor, where interesting amounts of incline, snow, ice and
wind were encountered. Following the steep decent, this walk was complimented by a visit to the Kirkstile Inn
which claims to serve the best beer in England.
Harvey and Frances summited High Spy North Top In their quest to complete the 2000ft hills
Dave and Jean Hall went up Melbreak from Loweswater with Judith, Jenny, Kate, Kate H and Luke. It was an
interesting climb/scramble up the nose then a very pleasant walk along the ridge in snow with excellent
panoramic views, they could see right across to the Galloway hills. A sheltered spot for lunch with some sun
then down the grassy slope to the valley and back along Mosedale where there is a single quite famous holly
tree – the only tree in the valley!
Ruth and family together with Maggie started a walk up Cat Bells, but were beaten back by strong winds
and retreated to the relative comforts of the local swimming pool.
Andrew Shorter and family plus Terry followed a forest trail from Whinlatter Visitor Centre up through
Thornthwaite Forest to Ullister Hill and then across to Lord's Seat (552m). Then they traversed the broad ridge
east to Barf (468m) through deepish snow covering heather, which proved to be quite hard work in places.
There were excellent views north to Solway Firth and east to Skiddaw. The route was reversed to return to
Whinlatter. Good marked trails were encountered through forest which also provided shelter from the north
wind.
Whinlatter Visitor Centre proved to be an ideal starting point for exploring this group of fells except for the
£7+ day rate for parking.
On the Saturday evening the group went for a meal at .the Tarantella restaurant, Where the residents from
the youth hostel were joined by others who had made their own accommodation arrangements, thus making a
total of 32. We were impressed by the quality of the food and the efficient service, a superb evening was
had by all
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Sunday Walks
Andrew Shorter led a group to the Pheasant hotel and following morning coffee up to the summit of Sale Fell.
As the footpath on the other side of the hill was closed due to tree felling operations, the route up was
reversed for the decent.
On Sunday Gilliane and Richard returned to Lanthwaite Green for a further excursion up the high hills of
northwestern Lakeland. Under blue skies, and with a more moderate wind than on Saturday, they walked
over Whin Ben and ascended to the snow-covered summit ridge of Whiteside. During a high level tramp
along the ridge to the top of Hopegill Head, magnificent views were enjoyed in all directions - to Skiddaw,
the Helvellyn range, Scafell Pike, the Galloway Hills and the Isle of Man. A descent over Sand Hill to
Coledale Hause was followed by a delicate tiptoe down the path above Gasgale Gill - now much icier than
on Saturday. The occasional tumble caused the odd bruise, but didn't detract from a glorious day.
Photos
https://picasaweb.google.com/gcs1001/Lakes2015?authkey=Gv1sRgCMbQ8oGIwIKg8AE
TRISH
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SALE FELL
SALE FELL ON SUNDAY
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PAIN AND PLEASURE IN THE PYRENEES
Kate Williams
I and three women friends (The Senior Ladies Outdoor Group, or SLOGS) decided to tackle a section, with
variants, of the GR10 this July. We were in great shape. Tessa had broken a bone in her knee while
teaching a disabled skier on a dry slope. Truda had displaced a vertebra in her neck (also by skiing). Anne
and I were exhausted having just taken part in a triathlon. Sport is good for the health but bad for the
body…
And it was raining. Well, thunderstorms, when we reached the old spa town of Cauterets. Should we set off
into the mountains with more thunder and lightning forecast? We decided to discuss it over a nice meal, in a
restaurant of faded grandeur, overlooking the Esplanade des Oeufs, so called because of the sulphurous
emanations from the local water (now eliminated in the town at least).
Cauterets to Oulettes de Gaube
We decided to set off despite the forecast and made our way up a beautiful wooded river valley, with
waterfalls galore, in the pouring rain. At the Pont d’Espagne, we had a coffee and decided to press on into the
hills. The going became harder, more open but still with amazing waterfalls. Finally we reached the Refuge des
Oulettes de Gaube – superbly positioned with a magnificent view.
PONT D'ESPAGNE
VIEW FROM REFUGE OULETTES DE GAUBE
Oulettes de Gaube to Grange de Holle
We set off early in the now clear weather, which was to remain with us until the last day. We had a long
day ahead! First along the extensive Gaube valley, with the dark north face of the Vignemale at the end,
passing the wonderfully named Cascade Esplumouse. Then over the pass at the Hourquette d’Ossoue
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(2,734m), ignoring the lure of peak-bagging the Petit Vignemale (3032m). Then a long trek down, via a
short (cold) swim in the Lac d’Ossoue.
Then on to the refuge just short of Gavarnie. Not before time! We were seizing up! By this time, Tessa’s
boots had fallen apart and my (newish) ones were giving my bunions such gip that ! did not know how I could
continue.
LAC D’OSSOUE
GRANGE DE HOLLE
Grange de Holle to Gavarnie
Fortunately, we had scheduled a short day, and Gavarnie produced a splendid boot shop with an even more
splendid boot fitter, who gave me and Tessa careful guidance and sold us two new pairs of boots. We tried
them out on a short walk up to view the amazing Cirque de Gavarnie. Wow!
CIRQUE DE GAVARNIE
Gavarnie to Luz St Sauveur
A much easier day, via meadows as far as Pragneres, the centre of a huge spider of hydroelectric plants.
Tessa’s knee was bad at this stage, so we organised a taxi to Luz St Sauveur.
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Luz St Sauveur to Bareges
Another short day, marred only by a long plug up the main road used in the previous week by the Tour de
France. We had problems finding accommodation here (probably due to the TdeF) and we ended up in a
strange hostel where the basic but clean rooms had a shed-like “foyer”; we named this the Baden Powell
Suite.
BADEN POWELL SUITE
Bareges to Chalet Hotel l’Oule
This was a more convincing (knackering??) mountain day, going high and passing through an area of sparkling
blue lakes, scrambling through the boulders on their shores. This is the Néouvielle National Park, where we
crossed the Col de Madamete (2,509m). We ended the day by the exquisite Lac d’Oule, where another
swim was had, this time in relatively “warm” water. Our room in the “Chalet-Hotel” was an attic, accessed by
vertical ladders – named (in somewhat bad taste…) the “Anne Frank” suite!
A HIGH BLUE LAKE
LAC D’OULE
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Chalet Hotel l’Oule to Vieille Aure/Saint Lary
A day of traversing – hard on the legs, finished by a long steep down-hill through woods. We ended up in a
wonderful spa hotel in Saint Lary, in marked contrast to the night before! The hotel boasted a traditional
French Spa – more austere than the UK variety with sulphurous hot pools.
A WARM POOL WITH WATER JETS – JUST THE
THING FOR OUR LEGS…
Vieille Aure/Saint Lary to Germ
OK, I’ll admit it – we took a taxi!
Germ to Lac d’Oo
Germ is a delightful and very French village, quiet and charming. We climbed up and over, contouring
above the ski area of Peyragudes, then down to the Neste d’Oo, and back up a good trail to the refuge at
Lac d’Oo. I was hot and dying for a swim, but there were notices which said “No swimming”. Much peeved, I
was well through a second beer when I saw several people splashing the in lake – too late! However, this
was a truly astonishing spot and a very friendly refuge!
REFUGE AT LAC D’OO
PANORAMA OF LAC D’OO
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Lac d’Oo to Bagnere du Luchon
Our luck with the weather ran out today. The mist closed in and our views were limited to say the least.
However, we had already decided to take the cable car down, so we arrived at our journey’s end quite
refreshed.
In summary
This was a truly beautiful walk, green, watery and with magnificent backdrops. Very much recommended.
However, a lot of the walk seemed hard work. Perhaps we are getting old (age range 58 – 66). We had
some long days and there was a lot of rough up and down. We analysed the days’ efforts using distance
plus the Naismith correction for gross height gained. Many days we did about 26 – 28 “Naismith kilometres”
and one day we did 32. In nine hours elapsed time. Not bad for “Senior Ladies”!
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ZERMATT AND THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST ASCENT OF THE
MATTERHORN.
Leah Maltby
For two weeks in July, six members of the club gathered in Zermatt to be present for the celebrations
surrounding the first ascent of the Matterhorn. Brian and Regina Smith, and John Rowlinson were revisiting the
scene of previous alpine adventures in the area. John Middleton and I, together with Terry Maher, were
making our eagerly anticipated first visit.
The hype surrounding the event had started even before we left home, with newspaper items and television
coverage all over Europe. The story of the first ascent by the British Edward Whymper on July 14th 1865 is
of course known to many, not just to mountaineers, as it has gone down in history with famous adventure
stories of such as Scott, Shackleton, Mallory and Irvine. After several failed attempts to climb the mountain
from the Italian side, Whymper heard of an attempt to climb from the Swiss side and, together with Lord
Francis Douglas and two Swiss guides Peter Taugwalder and his son Peter, joined the team of mountain guide
Michel Croz, the Reverend Charles Hudson and D. Robert Haddow. On the 14th July at 1.40pm, the team
stood on the Matterhorn summit. They began to descend in a single roped party of seven; somehow the rope
severed and four men plunged to their deaths. Whymper and the two Taugwalders survived. Rumours
abounded that Whymper or Taugwalder senior had cut the rope to save themselves but an official inquiry
gave an open verdict. What is certain is that the ascent triggered an age of alpinism, with the small
agricultural village of Zermatt growing first into a major climbing centre and now into one of the most famous
skiing and outdoor pursuits centres in the world.
You can read many accounts of this fascinating story
but the exhibition at the Matterhorn Museum this
summer surely presented one of the best and most
thorough. From the chilling exhibits of the original
frayed rope carried by the 1865 party, the remnants
of their clothing (and, oh dear, a beautiful handmade
leather shoe thought to be that of Lord Francis) to
recordings by modern historians, also by Reinhold
Messner and Matthias Taugwalder ( direct
descendent of the guides) in which they all speak of
their beliefs about what really happened on the
fateful descent. And no, I will not tell you, the results
are thought provoking……go yourselves as this is
one of the best museums ever.
JOHN JOINS THE LEGENDARY CLIMBERS
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The atmosphere in the town was buzzing even as we arrived, 4 days before the main event. What a treat to
be in a car-free place, no vehicles allowed to pollute the glorious air at 1600 feet above sea level and only
little electric taxis to help you move your luggage. Zermatt is completely surrounded by Switzerland’s highest
peaks, which are extremely beautiful, but the first sight of the iconic Matterhorn is thrilling. Did you know that
it is supposed to have inspired the shape of the Toblerone chocolate bar?? We had read that the mountain
ascent route was to be illuminated during the anniversary week and our first night revealed that the lights
were sequential, with parts of the route switched on each night until the full route with a red light marking the
disaster area was complete on the night of the 14th. A team of 20 athletes, guides and Mammut (the sponsor)
employees had been installing the 60 lights for months previously. Goodness me, it was so moving. The
mountain was closed for climbing on the 14th to honour the 600 who have died on the mountain. We watched
the lights from our favourite restaurant every night. Visitors from every part of the world were there in force,
but nowhere was crowded and there was a bonhomie that is rarely encountered in such masses of people.
Our chalet landlord, when we were arranging the keys we would need for our group, said “ we never lock
our doors here; there is no crime in Zermatt”…within a day, we never bothered to lock either.
In the town, a short stroll across the high meadows from our chalet, there were events every day linked with
the historical ascent. There were actors in period costumes, talks, concerts, films at an extraordinary avantgarde cinema and a huge live concert in the central sports arena to finish off the week. All this sophistication,
with no expense it seemed spared, but still the goats came through the town twice a day to change pastures
and life in the town has a subtle relaxed pace no doubt due to the marvellous lack of traffic.
WHYMPER LIVES ON OUTSIDE THE MONTE ROSA HOTEL
Of course, our days were not completely taken up with festivity. We went to the top of all the cable cars and
walked down, or along, whenever possible. At Trockener Steg, we boarded the highest cable car in Europe
and glided over the glacier fields to the rarified atmosphere at 3883 metres. We climbed to the Edelweiss
hut some 1000 feet directly above our chalet and some of us climbed from Schwarzsee to the newly
refurbished and just-opened Hornlihut where John found that a Coca Cola cost 7 Swiss francs and from where
Regina got a round of applause from bystanders such as that given to successful ascenders of the Matterhorn
on her return to Schwarzsee as it had been A LONG DAY.
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BRIAN DESCENDS FROM THE HORNLI HUT
John M. and Brian climbed a via ferrata close to our chalet in the most enormous heat. We went to the Fluhalp
from Sunegga and John and I did the Five Lakes walk. We walked down from Rothorn to Zermatt over the
most perfect Alpine meadows. We saw chamois, marmots galore, alpine choughs, the incredibly cute Valais
blacknosed sheep and divine flowers. I will not go on…suffice to say that there were a still walks to do from
the doorstep after a fortnight. Zermatt must be the greatest centre for mountain walking as well as climbing
in Europe. And although not the highest mountain, the Matterhorn dominates the view from every situation.
Thanks to all in the group. What an experience we had!
THE GROUP NEAR FLUHALP
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A VISIT TO THE MOURNE MOUNTAINS - JUNE 2015
Rodney Archard
We felt like another visit to Ireland. Last time it was Eire and, mostly, the Burren; internationally important for
its flora (and visited by Nancy Rowlinson the week previously) but also home to many antiquities and some
hard limestone walking. This time the choice settled on Northern Ireland and the Mournes, with an easier
second week for sight-seeing on the Antrim Coast. As we set off from home on Friday 5th June the forecast was
none too good but we hoped for an easy crossing. We used the slow ferry from Holyhead to Dublin and it
was only by looking out of the window that we could
tell that we ever left the harbour! The good roads in
Ireland are very easy travelling and early evening (12
hours from home) saw us installed in a very pleasant
modern house on the northern side of the mountains.
Heavy showers were forecast for Saturday so we
planned a delayed start, completing sorting ouselves
out before setting off for a small hill on the far side of
the mountains for an easy warm-up. After some time
sitting in the car with rain pouring down the windscreen
we embarked into a more promising afternoon of
patchy sunshine. This lasted until about five minutes after
we reached the top of Knockchree – 306m when the
heavens opened.
A digression at this point. Having completed most of the Bridges list (old but similar to Nuttalls) we found an
alternative selection process. For several years we have been collecting the Marilyns. (See Wikipedia) We
refine the situation by only counting them if we make contact with at least one and preferably more than four
other radio amateurs while near the summit.
So there we are on the top of Knockchree attempting to deploy an
aerial (fairly waterproof) and a radio (Vicki's waterproof; mine not
at all waterproof). Vicki retreated into her bothy bag while I
bundled the kit back into my rucksac and just lay on the ground in
my waterproofs in a spot sheltered from the worst of the wind. The
shower passed and I got out and set up the kit, hoping that further
showers would hold off. They did, so after a bit we went back to
the car and drove around the hills to the parking area for
Slievemartin – 485m for a bit more of a warm-up and a different
view. Another nice easy walk up through the forest and then out
onto some pleasant moorland. The rain had cleared the air and
there were extensive views southwards over Carlingford Lough and
down the Irish coast as well as back towards the larger Mournes.
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Making a fairly early (for us) start on Sunday 7th June we arrived just in time to grab the last but one space in
the rather small carpark and set off along the moorland path towards the summit of Slieve Muck – 673m. It is
said to be well named but we found the going quite good. This was more of a proper mountain walk,
avoiding the obvious route which is very steep and characteristic of the whole area and taking a much more
circuitous route. Here we met The Mourne Wall for the
first time. (See Wikipedia) Too difficult to find an
alternative route back to the car, so another out-and-back
walk before moving to another parking place to try our
luck on Slievenaglough – 445m. This is one approached
by a gradually rising gravel road before a short, steep
and rough final approach. Good views of the main
Mournes again but some of them are looking a bit
daunting!
Now nicely warmed up we decided on a bit of variety for
Monday 8th June We drove to the country park at the foot
of Slieve Gullion – 576m and discovered that the track
scheduled for reopening some weeks earlier was still
closed. An alternative road goes up the mountain
further West but the gate is a fair bit lower and Vicki
had rather tougher walk than planned. I just had the
challenge of finding my way to the summit carpark on
Black Mountain – 510m which is in Eire and therefore
off limits to Vicki's beginners licence. In due course I
collected Vicki from the original drop off point.
We were some way from our house and had a choice
of routes home so we added an extra, easy hill on our
way. The ascent of Grugandoo – 382m was no more
than a stroll through farmland – or would have been if
we had started on the right side of the barbed wire
fence. We descended by a slightly different route.
Tuesday 9th June was the big day scheduled for our
attempt on the summit of Northern Ireland. Slieve Donard
– 850m and Slieve Commedagh – 767m form a pair with
a deep col between them. The walk is not difficult; the
snag is that the carpark in Newcastle, a seaside resort, is
at a height of 10m asl. As we had a superb summer day
with only wisps of cloud around the 750m level Vicki
suggested we visit the summits separately, parting
company at the col, meeting and passing between summits
and meeting up near the col again later. The path up
Donard is exceptionally steep, consisting mainly of steps
ascending directly up the slope beside The Wall. This is
slow going on the way up and painful to the knees (other
joints may also complain) on the way down.
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At this point we needed a rest! However another fine day was
forecast for Wednesday 10th June so we knew we had to make the
effort. This one would be a proper mountain walk and the one I would
recommend to anyone able to take a day out from a business trip to
Newry. Slieve
Binnean – 747m and
Slievelamagan –
704m are separated
by a long ridge, a
steep rough descent
to a low col and the
roughest and
meanest ascent I can
remember since
going up Gyrn Ddu
(on the Lleyn) the
wrong way. We did not return the way we had ascended
but continued further north into the unknown in order to
avoid this descent. An interesting path led vagely
eastwards from the col on the north side of Lamagan
down to a network of old vehicle tracks which we were
then able to follow before rejoining our original access
path.
After that there was nothing for it; Thursday 11th June just
had to be a rest day. A castle and then a nature reserve
with sand dunes, said to be good for flowers but
disappointing, kept us occupied until mid-afternoon. This
was followed by an amble up the concrete radio mast
access road to the summit of Slieve Croob – 534m an
outlier of the main Mournes group.
On Friday 12th June, fortified by this “rest” we embarked on a three
summit walk, adding a little extra climb and distance to include the last
of the three Belfast Water watchtowers which add a touch of variety to
The Wall. Slieve Bearnagh –
739m, Slieve Mealmore and
Slieve Mealbeg – 708m
presented the usual steep, rough
ascents and descents and some
more interesting and rather
unscaleable summit rocks. These,
like the summit of Slieve Binnean
reminded me of The Cobbler the
final ascent of which I also
ducked.
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An astonishingly good week with mostly dry weather, clear skies and marred only by a rather strong cold
wind for much of the time – a week in Ireland with only one real
soaking.
There is a lot more good walking on the Mournes, much of it best
done with two cars or by making use of the local transport
network and avoiding the need to walk back to the starting
point.
The Antrim Hills are unexciting. The cliffs are much better value,
especially the ones to the east of Ballycastle. There are also
some interesting hill
features just inland on the
east coast. Further south
and inland Slemish also is
of some interest. Rising abruptly out of the extensive flatland near
Ballymena it is visible for
miles and provides many
and varied short but
interesting routes for
ascent and descent.
The sightseeing was
good. Rathlin Island,
Carrick-a-Rede bridge
and the Giant's
Causeway are all worth
a long detour.
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TOUR OF THE VANOISE
Gerry Wigglesworth
Steve and I drove out to Modane SW of Termignon at the end of July
and the following is a diary account of our trip. I hope you enjoy reading
it.
Sunday August 2nd 2015
Our hike begins with a trip to the supermarket to pick up lunches for a
few days. It was a bit of a weave to get around the houses, then onward
and upward leaving the industrial town behind us. The start, on a forest
track, climbed out of the valley floor, unrelenting and steep to the Refuge
Aguille Doran. (1900mts) Once in the rhythm it was a steady plod. We
were thankful of the forest shade interspersed with glimpses of open
meadow bright with flowers. Views at this point included the Modane
valley below and the Charmix combe cutting into the Mont Thabor massif
opposite. We opted to aim for the privately owned Refuge Aguille
Doran and not Refuge de L’Orgere as we planned to finish the route
there. We had our own private double bed, double bunk room and use
of a shower- luxury and food was fabulous. It was a short day with a
height gain of over 850 mts and a distance of 6.6 km.
Monday 3rd August 2015
During breakfast we squirreled away some bread and cheese to keep us going during the day and stocked
up with water for another hot day beckoned. By 8.30 we were on our way. A cool, clear morning which
quickly became sunnier and hotter. Today’s route traced the national park’s boundary on the GR5, the
balcony route, high above the Maurienne. We walked through forests over steeply sloping pastures and then
looped around a large combe to a river crossing and a climb out of the combe to a pair of dammed lakes.
The Refuge Plan du Sec (2350mts), nestled next to the lakes, was our second hut. Here we spent a couple of
hours catching the sun before another fantastic meal and by 8.30 the sun was down and the chill up and bed
beckoned. Today was a day to spy beautiful butterflies, loads of alpine meadow flowers, marmots with a
height gain of 900mts and a distance of 11.26kms.
Tuesday 4th August 2015
Today we had an early breakfast and ordered a packed lunch to feed us en-route. At 7.30 we set off
because the weather forecast was thunderstorms late afternoon. We headed towards more wild and robust
countryside with contrasting views of high crags with snow and ice, and low lying pastures with forests. We
crossed a number of spurs to reach the Dorgon gorge with views of the hanging glaciers of Belle Place,
Mahure and Arpont. We finished by approaching Refuge de Arpont (2309mts) by crossing one stream after
another where mini gorges have been carved into the plateau. It was very busy in our 10 bedded bunk room
and care had to be taken at night if you needed a trip to the loo.
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It was a day to view 12 hooded vultures at flying school- landing, taking off and circling overhead with
marmots racing in all directions. We finished by watching a herd of 400 sheep being herded into pens on the
side of the last spur. The heighest point today was 2470 mts up the slopes of Roc de Corneilles. We walked
16.28 kms with a total height gain of 740 mts and included seeing waterfall cascades from cliffs, streams
digging channels through rocks, ruined hutments, pastures starred with flowers and hanging glaciers high
above. Views west of the hut included the Glacier de L’Arpont, frozen cascade of seracs and crevasses.
Wednesday 5th August 2015
We are now really in the swing and were up and away by 7.30am. The sun was up and the heat building up
with temperatures in the high 20’s. Due to the heat we were well and truly plodding through the varied
terrain. We walked north under the Glacier de la Vanoise towards Mont Pelve and beyond, crossing a
number of streams, skirting round high moraine banks and various post-glacial lakes to descend steeply to the
confluence of the Leisse and Rocheure torrents where we crossed with care here. We then went on southward
across the mouth of the Vallon de la Rocheure and onto the Refuge du Plan du Lac(2364mts) , set on a flat
meadow with extensive views west of Doron gorge to the Glaciers de Vanoise and north to the La Grande
Casse and La Grande Motte.
By the time we reached the hut the temperatures were in the 30’s+. We had walked a distance of 13.19km
with a total height gain of 740mts. So we had definitely earned a sit in the sun and mirtleberry cheese
yoghurt. Dinner was fabulous again and bed beckoned shortly afterwards.
Thursday 6th August 2015
I awoke early with ‘water’ on my mind. The need to find fresh water for today’s route took me out of the hut
and 200mts away to a trough. All was still, sun creeping up and so peaceful and beautiful. Another long day
planned so our second packed lunch arrived. The other days we continued to squirrel away our breakfast to
supplement our rations.
We began with a wearisome 300mts descent from a ridge spir of Crete de la Turra into forests and yes
shade! It was then back into the sunshine across open meadows, winding gently on and contouring round with
views along the Maurienne valley. The plod continued as did the rising temperatures. It was very, very hot
and after 5 hours we were desperate for shade before another steep ascent to the Refuge du Cuchet
(2160mts).
We rested in the shade here before continuing on rising across steeply plunging mountains, crossing a number
of combes and narrow ravines and another hill spur to descend on a gently sloping path to the pastureland of
Vallonbrun. Refuge Du Vallonbrun sitting at 2272mts was next to an alpine milking parlor.
Today’s significant memories are the overlapping slab roofs, the herds of cows from which the local Beaufort
cheese comes from, dinning with a German father and his daughter who were walking from Genève to the
Mediterranean coast. A very hot day, covering 18.50km distance with a height gain of 747mts.
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Friday 7th August 2015
Today we descended steeply to the valley floor in soaring temperatures of 33+. We arrived at Besson, which
was destroyed in 1944 and rebuilt in the traditional style and we opted for coffee in the village centre. We
spent time visiting the chapel St-Antoine with the 15 century frescos illustrating the life of Christ and we
sampled salads and vegetables that were not available in the huts.
Due to the excessive temperatures we decided to take a bus along the valley floor to Bonneval-Sur-Arc
where we were booked in to stay the night. Bonneval-Sur-Arc is a medieval stone village with varnished
balconies hung with geraniums and petunias bringing colour to the narrow streets. It is a jigsaw puzzle of
stone slab roofs stained with lichen where cars are banned from the village centre. So today only 8km
walking and a real bed to sleep in and a candle lit dinner to finish.
Saturday 8th August 2015
Today we should have been ascending up 1110mts to go over the tops to Val d’ Isere but temperatures were
up at the mid 30’s and thunderstorms due in later. So a bit of a problem if we were caught up high as there
was no escape route easily should thunder and lightning occur while we were on the col. So we spoke our best
French and got a lift round to Val d’ Isere and spent the day ‘grockerling’, shopping and lunching on French
cuisine. Soon the rain started and it rained and rained and rained until evening. To round off the day we had
dinner in a beautiful restaurant.
Sunday 9th August 2015
Today was our planned rest day. We squeezed in a round of crazy golf and a trip up a telecabin to a ski
range / viewing point. At the top of the telecabin the temperatures were 12 degrees and very, very windy. A
complete contrast to what we had been experiencing while walking. Once again as we climbed out of the
telecabin the rains started and continued into the evening. A well planned day of rest finishing with a meat
fondue in the beautiful restaurant with juniper liquor to finish.
Monday 10th August 2015
A day to get moving and get over a col before more bad weather comes in. So a quick ride round to pick up
the GR55 just after Tinges. We started walking at 7.30 and left the valley floor behind to trek to the
mountain wilderness over the Col de La Leisse (2758mts). We left the ski resorts and their mechanical
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accoutrements behind and walked into the national park once more with a landscape with a more remote
appeal – high mountains (Grand Motte), snowfields and glaciers, tarns and screes and boulderscapes in a
series of natural steps. We walked over moraine bank after moraine bank, down into a flat bottomed valley
with an enormous dried up lake and on to the Refuge de La Leisse.
This was the most basic hut we visited on this trip. It had one communal area in a small hut, loos in a shack at
the side and a shower in a shed which we didn’t bother with. Food was cooked in another small shack with the
skull of an ibex with a full set of horns resting on one of the tables. Sleeping arrangements were 32 bed dorm
in four by four bunks with no room for error at night should you need to escape.
The highlight of the day was the ascent to the col and passing through what can only be described as a
Nepalese graveyard with lots and lots of mini structures; the long moraine banks and twisting rivers running
through them; the sighting of one lone ibex on the crest of a ridge just before the col and a distance of 15km
with a height gain of 433mts.
Tuesday 11th August 2015
Breakfast of chocolate brownies, bread and jam and then the start of a very long descent down to the historic
humpbacked Pont de Croe-Vie. Then it was up, up, up to the Col D’Vanoise (2517mts) From the col we opted
to go down as far as the Refuge Barmettes today to avoid walking onto the the largest and busiest of all huts
on the tour- the Refuge du Col de la Vanoise.
We walked 12.3km and ascended 525mts today. Favourite memory of the day was the huge lake with
stepping stones across its entire length and cotton grass growing around it; the marmots out playing and
chasing each other and our own room with a door looking out on a splendid view.
Wednesday 12th august 2015
Time to go down, down, down (500mts) into the valley to Pralognan-la-Vanoise, passing towering walls of
moraines and splendid lakes and on down through forests. We watched a group play in the river at
Pralognan, as once again the temperatures were in the mid 30’s.
In the heat we started the steady ascent to the Refuge du Roc de la Pech (1764mts) through forests with the
river thundering down in its bed and along a track winding up hill above a small gorge.
Today a distance of 14km and an ascent of 525mts in very hot temperatures with more marmots playing. We
finished the day relaxing in the sun, reading and enjoying a good meal of rice, pork and apple strudel.
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Thursday 13th August 2015
We set out a little later today ascending into a grassy combe and on to a more austere region over looked
by the Pointe de L’Echell and Aiguille de Polset and up to the Col de Chaviere at 3000mts. This is the highest
pass crossed by any Grand Randonnee route and it is from here you can see Mont Blanc. Snow lay in patches
on this part of the route and it finished with a final steep climb on screes to the top walking over ribs of schist
and round limestone slabs. We then headed steeply down the screes, along a path that winds down at
various levels onto a rock littered plateau, and onto the Refuge L’Orgere. A day full of contrast having
walked a distance of 15.5 kms with a height gain of 1026mts and in quite pleasant temperatures.
Friday 14th August 2015
Our last day and one where we were up early and walking by 8.00. We went straight down to Modane. A
descent of 864mts through the forest we had originally walked through and onto Modane. A real knee
grinder to finish our tour of the Vanoise.
We covered 130km with a total ascent of 6700 mts in 13 days which included 2 ½ day rest.
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THE MILESTONE BUTTRESS REVISITED
Brian Smith
I well remember my first visit to the Milestone Buttress.
It was with a fellow schoolboy and it was, to say the
least, a daunting experience. The wind raced up the
Ogwen Valley, whipping the waters of Lake Ogwen
into lines of white breakers and driving the rain
horizontally onto Tryfan's sombre grey crags. We
stood in a patch of fast melting snow and roped up
saying little - silent with apprehension. Roger led up
a smooth slab, his nailed boots squeaking on the
rounded polished holds. I paid out a full 80 feet of
rope before he stopped on a ledge high up on the
face of the buttress. We wrestled with steep cracks
and made heavy use of our numb hands - our only
points of attachment on the notorious hand traverse.
The final chimney was steep and narrow; we
wriggled up strenuously with our clumsy frame
rucksacks hanging precariously off our shoulders. It
was with some relief that we sat at the top of the
final wall eating our crushed and soggy sandwiches.
It had taken us about an hour. It may have been
longer than the time taken on the first ascent by
Owen Glyn Jones and the Abraham brothers some
50 years earlier, but we were well pleased. In a few
minutes we were off, scrambling up to the East Face
to further adventures and climbing the buttresses that
led to the summit of the mountain.
That day gave us a healthy respect for the Milestone Buttress which I might have taken with me to my grave
had not Adrian, one of the younger members of the club, recently taken me up it again. "We hardly consider
it as a climb now," he laughed. "Not a challenging pitch on it, but I'd be happy to take you up." Unfortunately,
the next couple of days were damp and Adrian suggested it might be better to spend our time in the hut in
which we were staying. But on the third day it dawned sunny and bright and we set off after an early
breakfast. We had a good sit down halfway up to the crag as Adrian said it was now considered important
to approach the crag slowly - to collect oneself, as he put it. At the slabby foot of the buttress he delved into
his commodious rucksack and produced a heap of little metal wedges - each fixed to a short sling and
carabiner. "A dozen or so should be sufficient for today and perhaps just five or six slings." Then he took off
his boots and put on a pair of scanty slippers he called his special rock shoes. "Might as well make it
pleasant," he said. He gave particular care to the lacing. Many climbers, it appears, are casual about lacing
their rock shoes. They do it in a way which produces uneven tensions over the foot and makes the shoes less
stable on small holds. Adrian's method, which he explained he had invented himself, prevented this. Before
starting up the climb he instructed me in the use of the newly patented belaying plate that I was to use. It was,
he said, a matter of dissipating the ergs, newtons and perhaps some of the dynes, which were produced by a
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climber when he fell. These ergs caused the plate to stop the climber in a way I didn't wholly understand,
though I was very well aware of the advance it represented.
Adrian set off slowly. About 10 feet above the ground he carefully selected one of his wedges and placed it
in a crack. It would not quite fit so he tried others. None seem to fit. He moved off to the right balancing on
tiny holds as he tried to get his wedges in another small crack. This was impressive. None of the climbers in my
day would have survived more than a few seconds in such a precarious place, but Adrian was determined.
Some ten minutes later as he finally got his metal wedge in place, he stepped up to a wider part of his crack.
As he did so the wedge slid down the rope and rapped my knuckles. Slowly and carefully Adrian advanced
up a step at a time, trying out numerous wedges, and if one appeared to stick, he took a further step. So
different from the casual, almost careless way, we used to climb in the past. Pitch by pitch he slowly worked
his way up the cliff. The final chimney we would have to miss out because it was, he said, "regarded now as
old-fashioned and unpleasant." But before we reached the chimney the sun was low in the western sky. The
sky darkened and it looked as if it might rain. It was time to go back. "The rocks are becoming dangerous,"
Adrian explained. After one quick glance down the normal gully descent, he pronounced it impossible. His
practiced eye had detected patches of moisture, which a less experienced man like myself could not quite
see. These would make the descent hazardous. He looked left to another descent route. "Muddy, I am afraid.
We will have to abseil." It took him some time to explain to me patiently and in considerable detail how to
use his modern, recently devised, abseil device. I said I was quite happy to use the classical method or just a
carabiner or indeed, as time was pressing, just to scramble down. He was shocked that anyone climbing with
him would think of behaving in such a negligent way.
The abseil took us into the midst of a party climbing up Rowan Route. The leader of that party, who seemed
to be an ill-tempered fellow, started to indulge in unpleasant rhetoric. This was intensified when we tried to
share his partner's belay. Language deteriorated. Adrian said he believed that the BMC Committee had
recently ruled that parties in descent had right of way and had the first choice of belays and stances. The
leader of the ascending party now made an attempt to counter these arguments in somewhat intemperate
terms. He grabbed Adrian by his jacket and shook him, using words that should never be allowed to sully the
pure mountain air. Fortunately, a traverse line appeared possible and further abseiling was abandoned. We
hurried down and by the time we reached the bottom it was almost dark. A great day we agreed - an
excellent mountain day - though, as Adrian said, the climbing was disappointingly trivial.
I realise now that I was wrong about the Milestone Buttress. It is not hard at all. Given a dry day and no more
than a few hours, any experienced party should be able to climb it without trouble. Of course, nowadays it
does take quite a lot of equipment and I think that it should be noted that the descent can be very serious
indeed. Though I have now learned that the climbing is not difficult, I do wonder if it would be wiser to leave
such climbs to truly expert climbers like Adrian.
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PETER HUTTON
Harvey Lloyd
‘The friends we make and the experiences we share …’
Peter was a longstanding friend of mine; but
not just mine his friendship spread to many,
many people. He was always welcoming, kind
and happy when we met and we had
interesting talks about many things, from
mountaineering to life in general, he could be
serious when he wished.
PETER AND PENNY
I would have first met Pete probably in 1946 or
1947 when I moved home and at the same time
moved schools to Custom House Lane Primary
School in Mold Road. We were aged seven,
eight or 9 years at the time; the headmaster
was Mr E .L. Coppack, (1942 – 1970) most
other details are lost in the passage of 65
years; forty or so children in a class did not
mean high educational standards.
However, there is no doubt that we became childhood
friends, and with other children, we got into mischief as
was quite normal. Over the years, we walked, ran,
canoed and cycled together. I was envious of Peter
being in the Wolf Cubs, but I am sure that was not an
issue. I did grow envious when he had inherited a love
for the scouts from his older brother Bob,1 so he
naturally joined the scouts; they went camping and
doing allsorts of exciting things, something I longed for.
Our educational paths divided briefly at aged eleven
when we moved to different schools but came together
again aged thirteen, by now I was in the scouts and I
am very sure doing all the things that scouts did at that
stage of development.
About this time, I remember Peter had a job working at the Red Hall Farm, a hundred yards from his home. I
wonder if this came about through support for his mother and family as his father having died when he was
aged three. His mother had to support three children in the war years. He was involved in bottling the milk in
the dairy and I used to go along to help; a farmyard was a wonderland for the both of us. One of the early
jobs was fitting the cardboard tops onto the milk bottles. I can remember we were a little excited when
1
There is an excellent picture of Bob and Peter in Sue Copp's book, 100 years of Scouting in Connah's Quay, Bridge Books,
2007.
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aluminium foil tops were introduced, new bottles were needed, and an introduction to what was new
technology at that time.
School and a little bit of education past by but always there was the outdoors. Wepre Woods, Princes
Brickyard and sometimes the river and the docks (do not tell the adults!), adventure playgrounds were readily
available. Here we found serious education! A clear memory sticks about us deciding to make long bows and
arrows. We sorted out a yew tree in the woods, and chose a couple of branches. The eight-inch sheath knives,
(I still have mine – I am sure Peters too is carefully preserved), that were the standard equipment for any real
Boy Scout, were put into use shaving the branches into the tapering shape needed. Of course, we did not end
up as Robin Hood’s mark 11 and mark 111 but it certainly was a lot of fun and we had a certain amount of
satisfaction with the finished product. The practical involvement in many things perhaps shows a light on
modern youth who are become engrossed in Facebook, ipads and I T technology.
The Scouts and scouting had a major influence on our growing up. The leaders at that period, ‘Skip’ Harry
Butler, Gilbert his son and Wilson (Willy) his son-in-law were inspirational in their dealings with youngsters.
Wyn Jones in an account of the period takes up the story, ‘At a summer camp in Mid Wales, Willy Prydderch
showed us how to tickle trout. Not only showing, but also to our amazement actually catching two, while Peter
Hutton, nearly drowning himself, caught one. They were quickly cleaned and into the pan. A never to be
forgotten taste and I have enjoyed trout ever since’. 2
Yes, Peter’s early interests and skills came from his practical ability to have a go at anything. As young
teenagers, who was the project manager, when in the scouts we set out to build canvas canoes? I may have
sent for the plans to build PBK 10 canoes, but it was Peter who had the skills that were needed and also the
tools required to build them. They were largely built, in the old headquarters after we had been out
socialising on a Saturday evening. We would then call in at the off-licence of the Hare and Hounds Hotel and
each buy a pint bottle of Forest Brown Ale – which would carry us through until the early hours of the morning.
The others involved were Alan Roberts (whose treadle fret saw was put to good use), Wyn Jones and
Malcolm Turner.
In later years when it was found that the founder of 1st Connah’s Quay Scout Group, Lieutenant –Commander
(known as Captain) E.Ll. Marriot was buried in an unmarked grave in Connah’s Quay cemetery it was Peter
who put together a simple solid oak memorial that was dedicated on March 4th 2006, sixty-four years after
his death, and shortly before the centenary of the founding of the scout movement.
Aged 15 years he left school to work as an apprentice for a railway wagon construction company in Saltney.
I do not think he worked there long, for his main joinery skills came from working for Charles Gill Joinery
initially at Wepre Hall and then on the Queensferry Road, near Shotton, were he finished his apprenticeship. I
think, through National Service, he then entered the Merchant Navy, following a very famous line of Hutton’s
of Connah’s Quay into the Navy. His father was lost at sea in 1941. Our time together then drifted apart,
although he still attended scout camps when home on leave.
His range of practical skills and interests was vast. Joinery: heavy, motor and light plant engineering: house
building; if a job needed doing, Peter was able to get it done! Of course running through everything was his
love for animals and the countryside. Peter’s knowledge grew from the early days of exploring the
countryside and our adventures trying to snare rabbits on the Sand Hole to a growing recognition of all things
in the countryside being wonderful. His bird recognition was, as with most things self-taught but extensive.
2
Jones, Wyn, unpublished account, The Story of a Remarkable Man, 2011.
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Gorphwysfa Journal
The Gorphwysfa Club came along when his interest in mountaineering developed; supporting many of the
club meets throughout the country. He played a leading part in the club and with Penny organising highly
successful Annual Dinners, one of the highlights of the club year. The Oak Seat in the Gorphwysfa Copse, in
Snowdonia that he designed and built in remembrance of Lady Nancy Rowlinson, another Gorphwysfa
friend, who died of cancer, is a lasting memory of his joinery skills.
Peter has been a huge help to the Friends of St Julitta's, Capel Curig in restoring the building, his skills are in
evidence throughout the medieval church and outside. It was Peter who had the skills to put on the roof of the
Bier House (in Capel Curig rain!), the first of our major jobs and it was Peter who put together the stand that
the performers stood on at the poetry evening last Tuesday - in between anything associated with timber in
the church will have his signature on it! Of course, when it was suggested that the group held an annual
medieval dinner in the church the Hutton’s rushed forward to help; several lovely evenings have now taken
place.
He has been a tower of strength so many times when help has been needed. Penny and he have been long
standing supporters of the group, help essential for a volunteer charity, help again so visible today.
Andrew Blackford's words when he said he was a gentle-man and a gentleman summed Peter up totally.
Peter’s battle with cancer for about 18 months was so typical of his strength and resilience, not giving up hope
until the very end, his loss will be felt my many people. Our thoughts and love for this kind and generous man
rest with Penny, Kate and Phil, and all the other relatives who have suffered a huge loss; their loss is our loss
too.
Further Reading.
Anon, Custom House Lane School, 1881-1981, Undated, probably 1981.
Copp, Sue, 100 Years of Scouting in Connah’s Quay, Bridge Books, 2007.
Elleke, Boehmer, Ed. by, Scouting for Boys, the original 1908 edition, Baden-Powell, Robert, Oxford
University Press, 2004.
Maddock, A.R., Deeside, the History of Flintshire, Part X1 , Jones and Griffiths, Printers, Church Street, 1941
Williams, Vic, The Great Estate, the Middle Years, Wepre Hall, The Betany Bookshop, Shotton, 2004
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Gorphwysfa Journal
SUZANNE THOMAS IN SIERRA LEONE
Sent by Ros Noy
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Gorphwysfa Journal
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Gorphwysfa Journal
TOUR DE LLYN LLYDAW RESULTS - 1 JANUARY 2015
SHORT COURSE
Position
Name
1
Angus Dunnill
2
Rebecca Elliott
Club
None
None
Class Time
M13 00:24:39
F15
00:27:07
LONG COURSE
Position
Name
1
Sam Spinney
2
James Slack
3
Paul Jones
4
Gwion Williams
5
Irfon Rowlands
6
Phil Lynes
7
Stuart McDonald
8
Gary Porter-Jones
9
Dai Bedwell
10
Goronwy Hughes
11
Louise Beetlestone
12
Brian Wills
13
Katrina Spinney
14
Iain Lea
15
Carwyn Williams
16
Gabriel Lees
17
Gareth Dobson Jones
18
Jonathon Tyler
19
Jeremy Dunnill
20
Richard Borne
21
Steffan Evans
22
Rob Duckers
23
Paul Hodges
24
Andrea Smith
25
Barney Broatch
26
Harriet Kirk
27
Stuart Elliott
28
James Harwood
29
Dave Broatch
30
Kevin Clark
31
Jenny Williamson
32
Ian M Rothery
33
John Humphries
34
Daie Colin Gautrey
35
Kirsty Duckers
Club
Eryri
None
Eryri
Eryri
Cybi Striders
None
Eryri
Eryri
Gorphwysfa
Hebog
Eryri
Eryri
None
None
Hoplites
Eryri
Eryri
Eryri
None
Mysteruns
Eryri
Chester Triathlon
Eryri
None
None
None
None
Eryri
None
Cybi Striders
Eryri
Cybi Striders
Mysteruns
None
RAF
Class
M33
M25
M42
M40
M47
M30
M39
M47
M47
M41
F34
M43
F29
M40
M37
F24
M44
M31
M49
M47
M33
M31
M48
F38
M18
F33
M39
M40
M54
M47
F31
M60
M57
M49
F29
Time
00:47:51
00:49:02
00:49:38
00:51:11
00:51:48
00:52:16
00:52:25
00:52:33
00:53:56
00:54:18
00:54:30
00:55:37
00:55:53
00:56:13
00:56:47
00:56:51
00:56:55
00:57:04
00:57:35
00:57:42
00:59:50
01:00:14
01:01:44
01:01:45
01:02:06
01:02:15
01:02:43
01:02:51
01:03:22
01:04:58
01:07:34
01:07:46
01:09:13
01:09:22
01:09:40
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Gorphwysfa Journal
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
Ellie Salisbury
Sue Jones
Alexandra Fletcher
Sabine Hoekema
Fay Freeman
Tina Usherwood
Elizabeth Bedwell
Alan Simpson
Jane O'Donnell
Lucy O'Donnell
Ruth Elaine Harvey
Alun Jones
Rhys Llywelyn Williams
Charles Richard Hogg
Gerry Lynch
Eryri
Cybi Striders
Eryri
Rhedwyr Glanrafon
None
None
Gorphwysfa
Gorphwysfa
None
None
Cybi Striders
Cybi Striders
Rhedwyr Glanrafon
Rhedwyr Glanrafon
Gorphwysfa
F52
F54
F34
F38
F45
F51
F16
M71
F50
F34
F49
M59
M43
M46
M61
01:10:01
01:12:09
01:12:18
01:12:26
01:14:28
01:15:08
01:16:45
01:19:46
01:21:10
01:21:12
01:21:15
01:21:22
01:23:41
01:24:28
01:26:27
Page 38