Details: The highlight of the IMC year!

Hi Guys,

After the huge success of the Xmas meal last year there is no other option than to invite you to another great meal.
So i am pleased to announce that the Golden Dragon would be delighted to cater for us this year.
So get your wallets and purses out and give me your cash........in the form of a cheque!

The details of the night are as follows:

Date: Thursday 17th December
Venue:
Golden Dragon
Cardinal Leisure Park
39 Grafton Way
Ipswich
IP1 1AX

Time: 7-7.30 pm

Cost: £14

I would be really grateful if you could tell me if you are coming ASAP, so that i have an idea of numbers,
and of course please send your cheque by the 15th November to:

Alicja Piatkowska

51 Cliff Lane

IP3 OPD

Of course they cater for vegetarians too,so if you want to come please just let me know if you want a vegetarian meal.

cheers,

Alicja

Details: A chance to visit a less-trafficed part of Snowdonia, whilst based in a nice warm house.

For mountains, the Arans are only a few minutes away. Aran Fawddy is a 'proper' mountain at 905m with spectacular views (if the weather is kind). A traverse of the Arans from Bala to mine is also a good day out. Cader Idris (a mere 893m) is about 20 minutes away to the NW and, if you want real isolation, the Plymlymon range to the South (peaks up to 750m)is close too. Peaks up to ~600m are walkable from the house (if your navigation is good). The more traditional venues of Ogwen and Llanberis are about an hour away.

I've been eyeing up some of the streams in the Arans as potential scrambles (and some are recognised as winter climbs if we get a really cold snap) if anyone would like to join me in exploration.

There's lots of mountain biking nearby. Coed y Brenin is about 30 minutes away and I've been eyeing up some possible routes from the house. There are several recommended routes from Machynlleth I'd be keen to try these too (see this page.

If the weather is truly horrid then there's low level walking nearby in the valleys and on the coast.

I can offer several (double) beds (4 of them provided we finish on time) and lots of floor space. Wood burning stoves for warmth too, lovely!

Details: It's the first Wednesday-of-the-month club meet (please see the link for more details).

Details: Setting off from the BikeArt hire place in Thetford (IP27 0AF) at 10am, we'll be taking on one or more of the 4 off-road trails. I confess, I'll be on the easy one, but the hardest is described as "snaggly in parts with steep rises and descents", so there's something for everyone!

Please let me know if you're coming so we don't set off without you.


No bike? No worries, there is a bike hire place at the visitor centre. Please make sure to book in advance, and remember to turn up a little earlier so the hire guys can sort you out.

Details: Details to follow

Details: We of the IMC committee would like to invite you to this year's AGM, which will be held in the usual fashionable haunt of the Brewery Tap pub in Ipswich (http://thebrewerytap.org/contact.php). They do good food, so if you feel like turning up early for tea before hand, I'm sure you won't be alone. Arrival will be from 7:30pm for a 7:45pm start.

I'll be sending out the agenda on the 27th September, so if anyone would like to propose a motion for discussion, please make sure it reaches me by 26th September at the latest, and that you have a seconder for the motion.

Please note that motions and any voting are restricted to IMC members only.

Details: Details to follow

Details: It's the first Wednesday-of-the-month club meet (please see the link for more details).

Details: As is traditional, this first evening pub meet of the "winter" season will be an opportunity to reminisce over slides and videos of various IMC meets and activities during the past year.

Currently on the agenda are some stunning winter views from the Ennerdale Meet in February, a video of the charity "Everest" climb at Stowmarket in March, and various summer rock climbing meets including Cornwall at Easter and N Wales in July. Other contributions welcome - just let me know in advance please.

7.30pm for and 8.00 pm start. Quality real ales on offer at the bar.

Hope to see lots of you there.

Martin

Details: Due to closures at Copleston, we've had to rearrange the first Wednesday-of-the-month club meet (please see the link for more details) to the second Wednesday instead.

Details: This kind of grown from a small beginning so I am throwing this out to the club as a whole. Climbers, walkers, mountain biker and chess players come along – you are all welcome.

Main event is the 3rd – 4th Sat/Sun with an extra day on the Friday should anyone care to partake.

The venue... and now for something completely different... The Peak District.

Campsite: The usual – Hardhurst Farm.

Details: The Wye Valley is a stunning area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is home to some fantastic limestone crags offering exciting routes across all grades, both single and multi pitch. Last year's climbs at Wintour's Leap and Shorn Cliff were a great introduction to the area.

The plan this year is to stay again at Rushmere Farm Campsite; it's well located, has a new shower block and is within walking distance of The Globe (a friendly local pub serving home-cooked grub).

If you'd like to join in please let me know. Although this is an informal meet so you'll need to arrange your own climbing partners, I'll be happy to co-ordinate transport/camping/Sat night meal etc.

Hope you can come!

Lynn

Details: It's the first Wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: The Lake District will be the venue for our August Bank Holiday meet this year. Excellent for climbers, scramblers and walkers.

My preference is for Langdale, based at the National Trust Campsite, 2 minutes walk from the Old Dungeon Gill pub. Several great climbing crags are directly accessible from the campsite without driving, and it's well located for some classic Lake District walks and scrambles.

I've contacted the campsite. Booking soon is required as there are only a few spaces left for the bank holiday weekend. So please let me know asap if you are planning to join the meet.

This will be an informal meet with people making their own arrangements for activities, partners etc. I'll try to co-ordinate transport so please let me know if you would like or can offer a lift and when you would like to travel.

Martin

Details: A mystery meet proposed - No longer a mystery, a destination has been proposed.

Weather dependent N. Wales is the likely destination. Some are travelling down on the Thursday Evening / Friday morning returning

Any interest throw me a line and we will see what happens...

Details: It's the first Wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: Are you free on 1-2 August.

I am laying out an invite for a potential climb meet way up north in the misty realm of Northumberland, the land where the grades are manly and the sheep greatly a feared by all those bewildered outsiders from down south.

I am going to suggest the Kyloe out the Woods / in Woods, Back Bowden Doors and Bowden Doors areas as they are close together with a good spread of grades at all venues and there are two campsites to choose from. Open to advice from anyone who has been there on which is better.

Why go here when travelling a long distance like this would drop you in the Lake District? Be brave, take a chance and explore somewhere new.

Details: I'll be circulating full details when I get back from a week's climbing (joys of retirement) on 6 July.

In the meantime Mike T, as original meet leader, is holding the fort and will keep people in touch.

We are still one or two leaders short for this meet - please contact Mike if that's you.

Martin

Details: Initially pencilled in as a backup in case the multipitch weekend doesn’t go ahead but Chris and I are going anyway so thought we might as well open it up to all.

We will be travelling up on Wednesday the 1st and we are now going to camp in Nant Peris opposite the Vaynol Arms

This will be an "informal meet" so it's up to members to make their own arrangements for climbing partners.

If anyone is in need of a lift or can offer a lift I will happily put people in touch.

Details: It's the first Wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: This is a fantastic opportunity to stay in the legendary Rockhall Cottage built into the rocks of "The Roaches".

For those who have not been before the hut is just a short walk from the road and is seconds away from the lower tier climbs, enabling you to pop back for a morning cup of tea or decide to pop out and do a quick bit of climbing on the Friday evening (just don't pick a three pitch route and forget your head torch!).

The number of beds is limited to 12 in the 2 bunkrooms at the cottage but there is camping nearby as well.

The Roaches offers an excellent range of gritstone climbing cross all grades, from Mod to E10, with a mix of single and multipitch climbs.

The hut has to be booked in advance hence this post is so far in advance.
Further details about who to contact and who needs your £20 deposit will follow in 2015!!!

This will be an "informal meet" so it's up to members to make their own arrangements for climbing partners.

Details: This is the meet for you if you want to take a break from cranking on E5s.

Climbers are of course welcome, but the emphasis of this meeting will be on hill walking and srambling.

There are some most excellent scrambles all over Snowdon and the Glyders. Some may require the odd rope- but always moving- always looking for that line of least resistance.

Back in time for liver and bacon at Pete's Eats.

Probably camp near the Vaynol Arms, so beer will definitely be involved, and probably fine French cheese.

Details: It's the first Wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: This is the IMC annual meeting for beginners, the first of our beginners series of meets for 2015.

If you are new to rock climbing, only ever been indoors, or just a little rusty this is the meet for you.

We will descend upon the Peak District and with excellent friction slabs you can see what you rock boots are really made for, or you could experience some superb jamming cracks.

Beginners will be teamed with experienced club members, to help you literally learn the ropes.

Travel arrangements, car sharing, and accommodation will be sorted nearer the time.

The club can provide some helmets and harnesses and ropes but you will need to be self sufficient in terms of tent, sleeping bag, cooking, waterproofs (or sun cream), and camping fees (£6 per person per night).

Details: It's the first Wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: Details to be confirmed but brilliant sea cliff climbing guaranteed

Details: It's the first Wednesday-of-the-month rearranged Beginners/Newcomers club meet.

Details: A return to Cornwall and fantastic sea cliff climbing
Full details to follow

Details: Further details to follow but this meet is the social highlight of the year so make sure you get it in your diary now.

As with previous years there will be a mix of routes from simple to fiendish; some on top rope, some lead only. You’ll need your own rope/quickdraws for the lead routes and these are only open to those entering in the Intermediate or Expert categories. There will be prizes for each category - Beginner, Intermediate and Expert - sponsored by Action Outdoors.

It's all for fun, and a little cash raising for the club with the raffle. There will also probably be a cake or two - that sort of thing, so please come along and join in even if you're not really the competitive type.

Any raffle prizes/ cakes/ bottles etc to Hannah please

As with previous years we will be tagging/identifying the routes for the competition beforehand, if you’d like to help out with this then let me know, helping out won’t exclude you from the competition.

Details: Although I'll hope to be climbing, this is open to anyone with a reasonable level of winter walking experience. You need good winter boots, and should have, steal or borrow ice-axe and crampons.
It's in the nature of the west coast mountains that there isn't a great deal to do without heading above the snow-line. Equally, avalanche risk and storm force winds may make going above the snow-line unwise.
When it's good, it's brilliant though, so snow goggles may also be needed.

Details: It's the first Wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: Please hold the date. Sunday the 22nd February.

We are going to attempt to climb 8,848 metres at the Cragg in Stowmarket.

I have worked out the arithmetic and I think we can just about do this.

It would be great if you could come along even if its only for a couple of hours. Every metre is going to help.

You can now start to donate and tell your friends. Please see our Virgin Money Giving page.

I would not be at all surprised if some people baked some lovely cakes and savoury snacks to keep us going.

Details: We have the exclusive use of Ennerdale YHA which is situated in the Ennerdale valley with Pillar and Steeple to the south, Red Pike to the north and the central fells further up the valley to the east. We will have the use of 24 beds split between 3*4 and 2*6 bedded rooms and the run of the self-catering facilities and dining room/lounge. Cost will be roughly the standard rates with 15 staying and will reduce with more takers.
Get in touch soon to reserve your space.

Details: It's the first Wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: Details will be found on SUFFOC website nearer to the date

Details: The first evening pub meet of 2015 will be a club Quiz Night hosted by myself.

The questions will all be on mountaineering, hill-walking or climbing topics - some easy, some challenging. The format will be similar to the IMC quizzes I organised around ten years ago - so a complete surprise to newer members - but with a nod here and there to recent TV quizzes such as "Only Connect" and "Pointless".

Come along as a team of three or four, or make up a team with others when you arrive.

7.30pm for a prompt start at 8.00pm with a half-time beer break to recharge the brain cells.

Directions to the Brewery Tap here

Hope to see lots of you there!

Martin

Details: TBC

Details: It's the first Wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details:
starting 7-7.30pm

Cost:£16

The Dhaka

6 Orwell Place

Ipswich

IP4 1BB

Details: A pre Christmas get away into the Welsh mountains for walking, scrambling, mountain biking and tea-drinking.

We're staying in a 14-bed self-catering bunkhouse near the foot of Tryfan - Gwern Gof Uchaf.

Some people are turning up on Thursday evening, others on Friday.

There is no plan of activity; I imagine many will be walking, a couple biking and a few others climbing or scrambling depending on the weather. There's plenty of excellent options accessible from the bunkhouse door with no driving.

I'll be doing a communal Chilli and Sheila will be doing an apple cake for pudding.

As of Weds 26th Nov there were 2 spaces free in the bunkhouse.

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: Full details on SUFFOC's website nearer the date

Details: Your chance to get involved in setting new routes at the Copleston Climbing wall.

Please let Martin know if you can offer to help during the weekend.

More details in Martin's email.

Details: 7.30pm start. It will probably last a couple of hours. Good beer and food are close at hand.

Do come along if you can. It's not quite as exciting as lobbing on a micro, but it is a chance to have a say in the running of your club and elect or get elected to the committee.

Details: TBC

Details: Venue currently under discussion....but hot rock is definitely on the list!

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: Details to be confirmed
Good weather should mean great gritstone climbing
Not so great weather will mean plenty of mud for mountain biking!

Details: We have two short presentations this evening by Ian T and Christina on their climbing and via ferrata trip to El Chorro and the Camino del Rey in southern Spain and by Martin H on a walk in the Monte Sibillini National Park in central Italy. There will also be a few slides of IMC meets this year including a short video from Mike T of IMC members climbing The Sloth at the Roaches.

And not forgetting a top choice of real ales and some excellent company.

Hope to see you there. 7.30 for 8.00pm.

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: Planning to stay at Tom's Field campsite. Most people will camp, but I may book the Walkers' Barn if there is enough interest.

For more info, including the climbing options, see the IMC Swanage venue guide. Options also available at Portland.

The majority of the traditional climbing is in the VS to low E grades although there are a handful of crags with easier (and harder) grades. Also most of the crags, including the classic easier crag of Subluminal are abseil access only.

Details: For full details please see SUFFOC's webpages
Ickworth Park Event Details

Location/grid ref: Ickworth Park TL 816 614 Post Code IP29 5QE
Entries:
Registration 10:00 - 12:00 (Entry on the day only)
Starts: 10:30 - 12:30 Start times will not be pre-allocated.
If you want to prepare your entry slip in advance, follow this link.

Fees:
Adults
Adult BOF members
All entries on yellow or white courses
Juniors (under 21) and students

Families with only one map/dibber pay the appropriate Adult rate
£8.00
£6.00
£3.00
£3.00

Details: We will be having a Meets Meet on Weds 24th September 7.30pm at the Copleston Wall, if you can't make the meet but would like to make suggestions of a venue or volunteer to organise a meet please let me know.
For those of you who are new(er) to the club, the winter months bring out more of our hill walking club members and if we get the winter conditions then ice climbing is the main goal for some.
Of course a mild autumn is also a great time for some gritstone climbing and those hardened to cold fingers think grit is best climbed on a sunny winters day.
Then of course there's the opportunity to mountain bike and always pubs with a fire to warm up in!
Instead of camping we often use bunkhouses, these vary from raised sleeping platforms with basic facilities to those with central heating, drying rooms, bunkbeds and fully equipped kitchens. Because organisers often have to pay a deposit to secure a booking we will ask those joining the meet to also pay a deposit to secure their place on the trip.
If you'd like to arrange a meet but need some pointers or are unsure whether to join a meet then please drop me a line and I'll do the best I can to help.
Hope to see you at the meeting
Hannah

Details: I've stepped in to organise this meet which is now rapidly approaching.

The Wye Valley is one of my favourite short weekend climbing destinations being reasonably close and a nice change from the Peak District. I'm certainly hoping to go myself, and I'm happy to co-ordinate transport and camping if others are interested. It's an informal meet, so you'll need to make your own arrangements re climbing partners, though I'm happy to put people in touch.

The Wye Valley has a variety of interesting limestone crags, single pitch and multi-pitch, to go at. A full range of grades are available, though it's good to have someone reasonably experienced in the team.

Please let me know if you are interested in joining this meet.

Martin

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: Lundy Island is a sensational place to enjoy some of the very best sea cliff climbing in the world.

Most/many of the climbs are multi-pitch and approached via abseiling in to the base of tide effected cliffs. Climbing is right across the grades, but most is at HS and above. It's probably a good idea to have the necessary skills to cope with these challenges.

14 people are already booked into The Barn and two people are camping. There is no more room in the Barn but camping is still available. Camping is available for the full week or for fewer days to coincide with sailings. Let me know if you would like to come.

Details: Updated 15th July
If you couldn't make the previous beginners meet, loved beginners meet and want to do more or just want to get out on more real rock, this is the trip for you.
The Peaks makes a great base as there are so many different crags available or some good walks/ cycling if you've done enough climbing.

Staying at the IMC approved campsite of Hardhurst Farm .....hot showers, easy walk to the pub, cafe for breakfast on site, tent, campervan and dog friendly.....

This is an organised meet so we will be matching beginners and improvers with suitable leaders and we can provide harnesses and helmets to borrow if required.

If you are interested but haven't confirmed, please do so asap

What we need to know if you're coming on the meet
In what capacity you are coming - beginner/ improver/ assistant/ leader
Whether you need a lift or will be driving - departure point and time (drivers will ask for fuel money)
If you need a harness or helmet
Previous experience if you're a beginner/ improver and what you'd like to get out of the weekend

In addition to your climbing kit, some things you will/ might need;
Tent, sleeping mat, sleeping bag, warm clothes, waterproofs, sunhat, sun cream, cooking stove, packed lunch, drinks bottle, camping fees, basic first aid kit, suitable footwear to walk to the crags and anything else you think you might need for a weekend's camping.

Between now and the meet we still have a beginners night at Copleston wall on the 6th August, so a chance to get more practice in and ask any questions about the meet or chat about what you want to achieve that weekend.

We look forward to hearing from you and getting out on the rock, hopefully in the sunshine ;-)

Hannah & Dan

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: Once again we will be heading to the Roaches in July.

This is a fantastic opportunity to stay in the legendary Rockhall Cottage built into the rocks of "The Roaches".

For those who have not been before the hut is just a short walk from the road and is seconds away from the lower tier climbs, enabling you to pop back for a morning cup of tea or decide to pop out and do a quick bit of climbing on the Friday evening (just don't pick a three pitch route and forget your head torch!).

The number of beds is limited to 12 in the 2 bunkrooms at the cottage but there is camping nearby as well.

The Roaches offers an excellent range of gritstone climbing cross all grades, from Mod to E10, with a mix of single and multipitch climbs.

If you are interested in a place in the hut then please let me know ASAP, as the hut has to be paid for in advance a £20 deposit is needed to secure your place (this assumes we fill the hut). I'm normally at Copleston on Monday/Wednesday evenings or you can contact me for other means of paying. The hut has gone up this year so if we get less than 12 there may be a little extra to pay.

As with previous years we will probably do a group meal on Saturday night for those interested.

This will be an "informal meet" so it's up to members to make their own arrangements for climbing partners, but I'll try to put people in touch if you let me know your preferences. I'm also happy to co-ordinate sharing transport so please let me know if and when you will need, or can offer, a lift.

Details: A number of IMC members have enjoyed orienteering in the past - some still do. It's a chance to practice those navigation skills (without travelling to the hills) and get some good exercise at the same time.

The last of the Suffolk Orienteering Club "summer series" which takes place on Wednesday evenings (it does clash with Copleston climbing but there is time to do both as orienteering events start from 6pm)

Details on Summer Series
further details about other fixtures are on the Suffolk Orienteering Club website

Details: There's always Stowmarket Wall and/or Orienteering

Details: Elena and I are re-instating an IMC tradition of a few years back and invite all IMC members to a summer party and BBQ at our place, 49 Valley Road, Ipswich, on Tuesday 15 July.

Weather permitting, this will also be a chance to share our new(ish) and much larger garden with friends for the first time. The club gazebo will be on show, there'll be plenty of BBQ grill space c/o Jeremy and ourselves, plus a little orienteering/mountaineering challenge to keep people amused at some point during the evening.

Please come armed with your choice of drinks and your favourite BBQ meat or veggie alternative. We'll provide salads and bread/rice options.

Non-IMC partners are welcome. Please let us know if you're able to come so we're fore-warned of likely numbers.

Hope to see lot's of you there! 7:00pm start, with the BBQ ready to cook at 7.30.

Martin and Elena

Details: Time for some mountain time!
If you're up for a weekend climbing, walking, scrambling with tea shops, pub, gear shopping as optional or essential extras then let me know.
We'll be staying in Nant Peris at the usual IMC campsite opposite the Vaynol Arms pub - basic but ok facilities,showers available (50p meter), dog and van friendly for those that need to know. Approx £5pp/pn
Nant Peris provides easy access to climbing in Llanberis pass and easy walking access to Glyders and associated mountains - loads to do in the local area and tons more further afield.
Vaynol Arms does food, as do numerous places in Llanberis just down the road.
Llanberis is nearest place for cash point and basic provisions in the shop plus the famous Petes Eats.

This will be an informal meet

If you're interested please email/call/text me and let me know...
When you are planning on arriving/ leaving
Any activities planned
Lifts available/ wanted

Hope you can make it

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: A number of IMC members have enjoyed orienteering in the past - some still do. It's a chance to practice those navigation skills (without travelling to the hills) and get some good exercise at the same time.

Suffolk Orienteering Club has a "summer series" which takes place on Wednesday evenings (it does clash with Copleston climbing but there is time to do both as orienteering events start from 6pm)

Details on Summer Series
further details about other fixtures are on the Suffolk Orienteering Club website

Details: Fantastic Peak District climbing...guaranteed to be a great weekend away
I've booked North Lees campsite, it's a great site and a lovely evening walk down the Valley to the pub for Saturday evening beer and food.

Please let me know if you are interested in joining this meet. If you are new to club meets, please also have a look at the club meets guidelines. This will be an "informal meet" so it's up to members to make their own arrangements for climbing partners, but I'll try to put people in touch if you let me know your preferences. I'm also happy to co-ordinate sharing transport so please let me know if and when you will need, or can offer, a lift.

Details: A number of IMC members have enjoyed orienteering in the past - some still do. It's a chance to practice those navigation skills (without travelling to the hills) and get some good exercise at the same time.

Suffolk Orienteering Club has a "summer series" which takes place on Wednesday evenings (it does clash with Copleston climbing but there is time to do both as orienteering events start from 6pm)

This meet in Christchurch park is being planned by Martin, it will have a "long" and a "short" course, the short being easier.

Details on Summer Series
further details about other fixtures are on the Suffolk Orienteering Club website

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: Details to follow

Details: This is the IMC annual meeting for beginners.

If you are new to rock climbing, only ever been indoors, or just a little rusty this is the meet for you.

We will ascend upon the Peak District and with excellent friction slabs you can see what you rock boots are really made for, or you could experience some superb jamming cracks.

Beginners will be teamed with experienced club members, to help you literally learn the ropes.

I'll sort out travel arrangements, car sharing, and accommodation nearer the time.

The club can provide helmets and harnesses and ropes but you will need to be self sufficient in terms of tent, sleeping bag, cooking, waterproofs (or sun cream), and camping fees (about £5 per night).

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: Climbing (or whatever you like) in the Langdale valley, camping at the National Trust Langdale campsite at Chapel Stile.


I've booked spaces for all 19 attendees (as of 25th Mar). if you're not on the list and are interested we may be able to get more space, but no guarantees. The price will be about £12 pppn. Alternative campsites are available elsewhere in the valley.

From a climbing perspective there's routes at all grades from Diff(e.g. Middlefell buttress, just 20mins from the road) to E-silly.


The 3 most popular crags are:
Raven Crag (handily, just behind the pub)- routes at all grades
Gimmer crag - the classic mountain crag of the area with routes at all Grades
White Ghyll - loads of great routes at Severe upwards.

In addition there are plenty of smaller crags (such as Scout Crags)as well as other big mountain crags such as Pavey Ark and Bowfell.

As you all know, there's plenty of walking and scrambling options nearby too.


Please let me know if you are interested in joining this meet. If you are new to club meets, please also have a look at the club meets guidelines here . This will be an "informal meet" so it's up to members to make their own arrangements for climbing partners, but I'll try to put people in touch if you let me know your preferences. I'm also happy to co-ordinate sharing transport so please let me know if and when you will need, or can offer, a lift.

I will, of course, be organising blue skies and 20-something temperatures.

Details: We're heading to the limestone sea cliffs of South Pembrokeshire for Easter this year. It's a late Easter, so hopefully the weather will be warm and dry!

We'll be staying at the St. Petrox campsite. It isn't possible to book the campsite but we've not had difficulty finding space before - they normally open a spare field if required. Anyone wanting an electric hook-up for a camper van should phone 01646 622561. Dogs are welcome, provided kept on short leads. The nearest pub is about a mile away. People will probably eat there one night but you may want to cook on site the other nights.

As usual the Pembroke trip comes with a small 'health warning'. The south Pembroke sea cliffs have some of the finest climbing in the country but they are not the best beginners area. Most of the climbing is Hard Severe or above. There are a few excellent cliffs with easier climbs, but even these may need an abseil approach, so it's best to have someone experienced at hand. If you're unsure whether this meet is for you, or you are looking for a more experienced climbing partner for the weekend, it's probably best to mention this at one of the club climbing wall nights.

For non-climbers, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path is within easy reach, and there are also a couple of easier climbing areas on the North coast about 30 miles away.

Please let me know if you are interested in joining this meet. This is an "informal meet" so it's up to members to make their own arrangements for climbing partners, but I'll try to put people in touch with possible partners and for sharing transport. Also I'm happy to book meals at the Stackpole Inn on one or both of Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Martin

Details: Due to Copleston not being available on Thursday's the skills night will now be on Monday.

The rough plan is to cover the key areas for people heading outdoors for the beginners meet and beyond including:

Belaying using two half ropes - and what to do when your belayer is colour blind!
Basic knots etc for outdoors e.g. Italian hitch, clove hitch & possibly alpine butterfly.
Abseil skills - inc. safety, we’ll setup abseiling off the slab. A skill often needed for sea cliffs and to descend after completing routes on some crags.
Trad gear and how to use/remove it from the crag. If seconding you won’t be popular if you’ve left half your leads gear rack behind.
Belay setup/tear down/general safety around belaying outdoors.

The idea is to give people an introduction to some of the skills needed outdoors in a safe friendly environment. Hopefully it will mean on outdoor meets you’ve a reasonable idea on the key areas that are different to inside (apart from the fact the rock doesn’t have coloured holds).

If you are interested in joining the session on the 7th then please let me know, if the date doesn’t work then it would also be useful to know so I can see if we can arrange something else, though at the moment Monday is about the only good night at Copleston.

If there are any specific areas you’d like me (or me to find a suitable member of the IMC) to cover on skills night then let me know and I’ll see if we can fit it in. I was also wondering if a second session with more advanced skills might be good, moving to the dark side (sport climbing) and things such as self rescue techniques have been mentioned, so any thoughts on that would be welcome.

Details: Have a look at this link.

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: The last of our evening pub meets and slide shows this winter/spring season.

This evening will include an audio-visual presentation by Mike Challis on his "Shropshire to Cader Idris" journey last summer and a presentation by Adam Gosling on his attempt on Island Peak in Nepal.

We meet at the Brewery Tap, Cliff Road, Ipswich (good beer guaranteed) from 7.30pm, with the slide show starting at 8.00pm.

Hope to see you there!

Martin

Details: Well spring has definitely sprung and it is high time we get the IMC diary filled up for the summer/ autumn!

We already have a few meets in the diary and thanks to those who have already volunteered to organise them.

We will be meeting at 7.30pm on Weds 26th March at Coplestone wall to get the dates and venues sorted, it would be great to see you and hear your ideas.

So if you have ideas for meets, somewhere new you want to go or an old haunt that is a definite must - please come along.

Don't forget that meets aren't solely about climbing - although we will be doing plenty of that, most venues are also great for walking and often some mountain biking or other outdoor activities can be thrown in too....absolutely necessary though are good pubs and tea rooms ;-)

If you can't make the meeting PLEASE drop me an email/ text/ call so we can add it to the meeting.
Lastly having an idea does not mean that you have to organise and if you haven't organised a trip before there are plenty of us who can help you out with planning.

Look forward to hearing from you

Details: Not long until the forth annual IMC Champions Cup, kindly sponsored by Action Outdoors (http://www.actionoutdoors.co.uk/).

Registration starts from 7pm.

Climbing between 7.30 and 9.30.

You can register after 7.30 so don't worry if it's a rush from work.

As we did last year the year the registration and scoring will be computerised, so if you know you are attending you can let me know in advance and I will register you. Please nominate a category from:

1. Beginner/getting back into it
2. Intermediate/OK OK, I know I'm not really a beginner anymore
3. Expert/veterans, I know I'm not going to win but I have been climbing a long time

As with previous years there will be a mix of routes from simple to fiendish; some on top rope, some lead only. You’ll need your own rope/quickdraws for the lead routes and these are only open to those entering in the Intermediate or Expert categories.

It's all for fun, a little cash raising for the club with the raffle & entrance fee, there will probably be a cake or two- that sort of thing, so please come along and join in even if you're not really the competitive type.

This year to help the IMC ‘holds fund’ there will be a £2 entrance fee, and of course don't forget you will need to pay £4.20 to Copleston in the usual way. If you’ve not been for a while then look out for the new purple holds purchased jointly between the club and the school, there should be some new black holds soon too.

As with previous years we will be tagging/identifying the routes for the competition on Monday 17th, if you’d like to help out with this then let me know, helping out on Monday won’t exclude you from the competition.

Details: The date for this meet is now settled, but if there aren't any other takers, I may end up going on my own and booking a climbing guide.
Winter walking is still an option, but I would prefer that there was more than one person doing it, as Scottish Winter is not a place to be on your own unless you are experienced.
Latest:
Two of us driving up on Friday the 7th. One returning Tuesday evening.
A climbing guide is booked.
Still possible variations on return date - most probably the Sunday but could be later.
Please get in touch if interested and will try to work out the inevitable complications.

Details: Sport climbing on the Sicilian coast!

All grades of route - though the widest choice if you're climbing at grade 5 or above.

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: A group has block booked the wall for their exclusive use, every tuesday night (between 8.00 and 10.00 pm) in February and this may extend into March.

Details: A group has block booked the wall for their exclusive use, every tuesday night (between 8.00 and 10.00 pm) in February and this may extend into March.

Details: Sorry have had to change date to the 15 - 16 Feb.

Plan to stay at the Ogwen Valley Bunkhouse, off the A5 at TynY maes.

Converted from an old chapel, has a wood-burner and underfloor heating, have stayed before and nice and warm. Free wifi when I last stayed. Good kitchen and sitting area.

Plenty of walking and scrambling close by.

If you fancy a drink probably better to bring your own and enjoy the cozy bunkhouse.

Will check but I think dogs are welcome.

Cost is £13.50 a night, barn takes 14 in total if we get enough interested can book sole use if not will just book per bed, let me know if interested as soon as possible so can start to book as bunkhouses booking up fast for Feb now.

Will hope for cold dry weather.

Details: The second of our evening pub meets and slide shows this winter/spring season.

This evening will include two presentations of IMC exploits last summer (with a beer break between): Adam, Marc and Ian's ascent of Mont Blanc and Adrian and Sheila's hut to hut expedition in the Julian Alps.

We meet at the Brewery Tap, Cliff Road, Ipswich (good beer guaranteed) from 7.30pm, with the slide show starting at 8.00pm.

Hope to see you there.

Martin

Details: A group has block booked the wall for their exclusive use, every tuesday night (between 8.00 and 10.00 pm) in February and this may extend into March.

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: A group has block booked the wall for their exclusive use, every tuesday night (between 8.00 and 10.00 pm) in February and this may extend into March.

Details: The first of our evening pub meets and slide shows this winter/spring season.

This evening will be dedicated to the Dolomites with presentations on two trips to that area last summer from Mike T and Steve C.

We meet at the Brewery Tap, Cliff Road, Ipswich (good beer guaranteed) from 7.30pm, with the slide show starting at 8.00pm.

Hope to see you there!

Martin

Details: A weekend of winter walking, scrambling, climbing or cycling in the Northern Lakes.

The Catbells Camping Barn in Newlands has been booked for exclusive use by the club on Friday and Saturday nights.

The barn is within walking distance of the Swinside Inn for those who don't want to battle a camping stove for dinner. Slightly further afield there are a number of great pubs/restaurants too, or you could go into Keswick for a wider choice but terrible service.

The area is an excellent base for walking and cycling, the barn has a location to store bikes too.

The official meet is from Friday PM until Sunday but if you would like to extend the trip it should be possible to book extra nights on a per person basis direct with the camping barn.

The barn is now fully paid for so I need a £20 deposit per person to secure your place. I'm normally at Copelston on Wednesday or for alternative means (cheque or bank transfer) drop me an e-mail and I'll confirm the details.

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: Hi Guys and Girls,

As you know December is slowly approaching so it should be no surprise that the Christmas meal is being organised. It is a good occasion to catch up with people who you haven't seen for a while (like me) and who share the same interests... fine dining and / or drinking.

So if you don't have any plans for Saturday 14th December why don't you join us?
I can tell you with confidence that the place is superb, with a cosy atmosphere, good food and staff who are very welcoming.


The details of the night are as follows:

Saturday 14th December

starting 7-7.30pm

Cost:£15

The Dhaka

6 Orwell Place

Ipswich

IP4 1BB

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=ip41bb&ie=UTF-8&ei=9KZRUumcOqSd0QXFpoCQAw&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAg

Don't leave it to the last minute when it will be too late!
I would be really grateful if you could tell me if you are coming ASAP, so that i have an idea of numbers,
and of course please send your cheque by the 23rd of November to:

1) cheque -Alicja Piatkowska

2) or cash (you can meet me or Stuart in Stowmarket at the climbing wall on various days, so if you are planning to climb there text me and check if any of us will be there that day ).


Please let me know if you have any specific dietary requirements. Vegetarians shout out!

For those who are driving there is a small car park opposite the restaurant (in front of the church) which is free of charge after 7pm. Also Dhaka's manager advised me that if any of us have a problem to park, just park in front of the restaurant and let any member of staff know that you can't find any place and they will help you.


If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact myself ph
07799762429

Hope to see you all...

Cheers,

Alicja

P.S. And for the second year in a row Nick has confirmed that he is coming up from darkest Devonshire, but only after accepting a bribe of free curry!

Details: SPACES STILL AVAILABLE FOR THIS GREAT TRIP......
For the last couple of years we have run an excellent and very popular trip to the great Cwellyn Arms bunkhouse and pub in Rhydd Ddu, North Snowdonia – so this year we plan to return again.

In the past we have had a good mix of people walking, scrambling, mountain biking and climbing – so I very much hope we will see the same this year.

The area is perfect for walking the quieter western side of Snowdon and the Nantlle Ridge as well as easy driving distance to other areas....more suggestions here

If the conditions are right then there are plenty of ice climbing opportunities...last year the snow was incredible up in North Wales on these dates but who knows what this year will bring!!

Mountain biking is also a good option and last years bikers returned home muddy, wet and tired – so it seems all was well there.

There is always plenty to do in North Wales so should be something for everyone !!

For those new to winter meets with the IMC – we tend to book bunkhouses of varying shades of luxury this one is pretty good) and to book these we have to plan everything fairly well in advance and get deposits to confirm commitment.

Saturday night is pub night for many.... I have a table reservation already made for 7/7.30pm check out the great food and if you want to eat in the pub I can email you the December menu choices.

We will be using the big bunkhouse and have sole use of this cost is £15 per person per night.
The trip will be Fri pm to Sunday but last year people stayed on extra nights – again this does need to be booked and confirmed, so please let me know what your plans are.
To confirm your place please send me your £15 deposit as soon as possible, let me know what nights you want to book and if you want to eat in the pub on Sat night.
To pay:
Cheques, Bank Transfer,or happy to take cash at Copleston Climbing wall.
Any questions let me know.
Cheers for now
Hannah

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: To follow.

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: The first of our winter evening pub meets. We meet at the Brewery Tap, Cliff Road, Ipswich (good beer guaranteed) from 7.30pm, with the slide show starting at 8.00pm.

The presentation this evening will be a mix of highlights of the IMC year (those that were captured on film anyway). There will be videos of members in action (or is that members' inaction) on the two beginners' climbing meets and the club's 25th anniversary bash, as well as slides from other club meets. If my camera was there, then you will be featured!

After the half-time break Adrian will entertain us with some of his and other club members' Scottish exploits in 2013.

Hope to see you there!

Martin

Details: Friday to Sunday
Eyam YHA
1 car already organised, other spaces available in shared dorms/ camping

Pack your bags to be ready to leave for any dry weekend in the Peaks through October.

Details: All details can be found at Adventure Film Festival

Program 2 is playing on Thursday

Group Discount has been offered to members please contact me on mobile or email for further details

Details: In addition to meeting Simon Yates, the night will also include a Q&A session, book signing, and door prizes

Cost: £10 per person, bookings essential
Bookings at World expeditions


Simon Yates is one of Britain’s most accomplished mountaineers, with a career spanning almost 30 years. His adventures have taken him to the four corners of the planet, although he is probably best known for being the climber forced to cut Joe Simpson’s rope during their fateful descent in the Peruvian Andes in mid-1980s – a story retold in Joe’s best-selling book and BAFTA award-winning film Touching the Void that made them both household names.

Over the years Simon has developed a strong reputation as an engaging expedition leader and is a long-standing World Expeditions guide. Adventure fans inspired by his trips are invited to join him in the upcoming months on one of the three trips that he will lead: climb volcanoes in Ecuador, trek the Great Himalaya Trail or ascend the remote Mount Blackburn in Alaska.

Simon is also an accomplished author, having published three books (Against The Wall, The Flame of Adventure and, most recently, The Wild Within), all of which have been shortlisted for mountain literature prizes.

Accompanied by stunning imagery and told in his usual understated and dry humorous style, he offers a rare insight into the physical isolation and challenges of visiting the world’s most remote and seldom-visited mountain regions.

Details: All details can be found at Adventure Film Festival

Program 1 is playing on Monday

Group Discount has been offered to members please contact me on mobile or email for further details

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: THE PLAN:

Climb some of the best Sea Cliffs the South Coast has to offer and/or indulge in some fun bolted crazyness.
Take full advantage of the balmy South Coast climate* and stay at the classic Tom's field Campsite( near a pub)
* There's Palm trees and everything there.

Details: 7.30-8.30 Bring your ideas for activities for the winter and spring season- winter climbing, hiking, hot rocks, slide shows, Christmas celebrations. An idea proffered doesn't commit you to being an organiser. If you can't come please email any ideas.

8.30 onwards- climbing wall

Details:

Vajolet Towers

Sassolungo Group

Details: Another chance to get on the gritstone and do some hand jamming.

Let me know if you would like to come.

I'll organise car share and camping nearer the time.

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: By popular demand we will be staying at
Nant Peris, Tyr Isaf campsite - basic campsite with showers available (50p meter)
This campsite cannot be booked and will be busy so first people there need to try and create a space for us if possible. Approx £5pp/pn

Nant Peris provides easy access to climbing in llanberis pass and easy walking access to Glyders and associated mountains - loads to do in the local area and then there is the bus or road to get you further afield.

Vaynol Arms does food, as do numerous places in llanberis just down the road.
Llanberis is nearest place for cash point and basic provisions in the shop plus the famous Petes eats.

Is anyone else up for this trip?

Those already on the list to come will be doing a mixture of climbing, walking, scrambling - it is not an organised meet but happy to help make arrangements or put you in contact with others.

Forecast is currently looking pretty good certainly pretty warm, with cloud and sunshine and a possible risk of lightening on saturday and I guess we may have some showers to go with it - although not on forecast as yet.

If you're interested please email/call/text me and let me know...
When you are planning on arriving/ leaving
Any activities planned
Lifts available/ wanted

Hope to see you there

Details: Climbing and mountain biking.

Contact John for details.

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month "rescheduled" second Wednesday-of-the-month club meet. This is getting to be a habit!

Details: A two day attempt at the Welsh 3,000’s including a wild camp on the Saturday night.

Starting from the lay by near at Pen-y-Gwrd hotel (no longer a possibility since they installed pay & display parking machines!!) early Saturday am to walk up Snowdon for the beginning of the classic south-north route. An alternative start would be to walk in to Glaslyn on Friday night and have two nights wild camping, which would give us a head start on Saturday morning.

The Welsh 3’s are all the peaks of 3,000 feet above sea level from Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa, Carnedd Ugain, Crib Goch) across to the Glyders (Elidir Fawr, Y Garn, Glyder Fawr, Glyder Fach, Tryfan) then up on to Carneddau (Pen yr Ole Wen, Carnedd Dafydd, Yr Elen, Carnedd llewelyn, Foel Grach, Carnedd Uchaf,, Foel Fras). It’s not over then of course as we’ll need to walk back to the cars on Sunday taking in any tops we didn’t manage to bag on Saturday!

Caveat - if the weather forecast is total cack we might have to either re-schedule for another weekend or cancel and do something else.

Further details to follow.

Details:

Valkyrie

Lots of climbing at the Roaches (see the planetFear Roaches article, or the UKC crag database for Roaches Lower Tier, Upper Tier and Skyline), with classics such as Black and Tans (S), Technical Slab (HS), Valkyrie (VS) and the Sloth (HVS), and also the neighbouring Hen Cloud, which even has a 3 pitch gritstone route: Central Climb (VS)

The Don Whillans Memorial Hut is booked for 2 nights (19th Jul and 20th July). The hut is now full, but any additional people can camp.

Don Whillans Memorial Hut

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month "recheduled due to wall closure" wednesday club meet.

Details: The annual IMC beginners' multipitch climbing meet this year is on 6/7 July. This is your chance to learn the special skills of multi-pitch climbing.

The likely destination is Borrowdale in the Lake District which has a good range of multi-pitch climbs for beginners, and makes a change from the normal North Wales venue. However, depending on how well the meet recruits we may revert to North Wales which has crags better suited to larger numbers.

Assuming it's Borrowdale, we will be staying at the Stonethwaite campsite

This meet is a good way to improve your skills & experience on bigger crags. You will need to be a competent belayer and, ideally bring your own harness & helmet although the club has a few spares which will be available.

This is a "formal" meet so I will organise climbing partnerships each day to make sure that those of you with less experience are teamed up with someone who can "show you the ropes". We won’t be able to accommodate more beginners than we have leaders to lead them, so please let me know early if you are keen to join this meet. Please also let me know if you can offer or will need transport.

Hope to see you there - Martin.

Details: CANCELLED - due to poor weather and lack of interest.

I've stepped up to organise this trip to the Wye Valley on the weekend of 15-16 June. Glorious weather is guaranteed.

The plan is to camp at Cherry Orchard Farm, Newland (GL16 8NP). It is fairly basic but reasonably priced and has been a very nice venue for barbques on previous visits. Just 10 minutes walk from the campsite is an olde worlde country pub, The Ostrich Inn, that sells good beer, food and excellent puddings! Tell me if you'd like to eat there on Saturday evening and I'll book a table.

If you're interested in coming then let me know please so that I can confirm numbers (especially for the Ostrich Inn who have said they expect to be busy so want to know how many we will be).

So if you're thinking about coming please tell me:
- Are you definite, probable or just possible?
- Will you be camping at Cherry Orchard?
- Will you want to eat at the Ostrich on Saturday?
- Can you offer or do you want a lift?
- Are you planning to climb with someone in particular or looking for a partner?

There's lots of climbing available in the area at Wintour's Leap, Shorncliff, Simmonds Yat, or slightly further afield the Avon Gorge. The IMC mini-guide says of the area: "A good selection of trad climbing exists across all the grades from Diff up to mid Es as well as sport climbing at mainly 6s and above. There's everything from steep cracks to scary, delicate slabs. Almost all the rock in the area is limestone. The majority (but by no means all) of the routes are in the VS-E3 range. For those operating below VS the best crag is Symonds Yat, described by UKC as 'A characterful and adventurous crag'. With over 400 routes there is something for everyone there, but it can be a bit polished. Running a close second for route choice but with a much better view over the river, Wintours Leap is another good venue with an excellent range of mainly multipitch routes. If you're into steep and strenuous sport routes, Ban y Gor is the place to go.
Shorn Cliff is a club favorite with those operating in the VS-E2 range as is the slightly smaller crag of Wyndcliff. Both crags have a few routes below VS too. Shorncliff doesn't seem to see as much traffic as most other crags in the area and perhaps because of this it isn't as polished as most other venues. In addition, the overhanging trees shelter the rock, so allowing climbing even during fierce heat or drizzling rain. Shorncliff has long single pitch routes including many very good *** HVS's.

I hope that's whetted your appetite, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: Roll up, roll up.......

It that's time of year again, the days are getting longer, the temperature is staying above freezing and the Ipswich mountaineering group are starting their climbing adventures......outside.

If you are started to find climbing indoors a bit repetitive, same holds day in day out, or standing at the bottom of the wall and wishing you could be standing outstand in the beautiful countryside (weather not guaranteed!), this meet is for you!

If you fancy experiencing climbing outside, the IMC Beginners meet is the place to be. We will ascend upon the Peak District and with excellent friction slabs you can see what you rock boots are really made for, or you could experience some superb jamming cracks and actually put your hands into something instead of just holding on, or ...... errrr learn why jugs are actually called jugs?

But what if you ‘haven't climbed out side before’ or you ‘ haven't climbed for a while and feel a bit rusty’ i hear you say... no worries, this is the opportunity to be teamed up with more experienced members, who will check that knot for you, and offer advice on how to tackle that crux move.

So what’s the catch? there isn't one! you might have to buy the experienced member a beer for his labour, but that's its.

So when is it? Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd of June 2013. Some people arrive Friday night and camp, others travel up the Saturday morning.

And where is it? Plan will be to camp at Hardhurst Farm near Hope, Derbyshire. They have onsite showers, breakfast cafe and is located directly behind the Travellers Rest which serves evening meals. The nearby villages also host coffee shops, Indian restaurants and an opportunity to go gear shopping.

So what do you have to do? email equipment@ipswich-m-c.co.uk with the following information.....
Experience/what you would like to achieve
If you need a helmet/harness (ropes etc. will be provided by experienced members)
Travelling arrangements... date/time/location leaving, date/time coming back. and if you can offer, or need a lift.
Let me know if you are under the age of 18
You will need to be self sufficient in terms of tent, sleeping bag, cooking, waterproofs (or sun cream), and camping fees (about £5 per night) etc.

For those aspiring to be leaders/assistant leaders (and or tea makers) please come forward now, this weekend only happens because of the time you give, my thanks in advance.

What happens next? I will shortly send out a new email to all those that respond (or already have enquired), and start the process of teaming people up.

Any questions/problems, just ask!

DaNo
Your friendly gear officer

Details: Climbing, walking, scrambling and what-have-you up in Great Langdale.

I've booked 8 spaces at the National Trust Langdale campsite. Those are available 1st come 1st served. We may be able to get more but no guarantees. Alternative campsites are available elsewhere in the valley.

From a climbing perspective there's routes at all grades from Mod (e.g. Middlefell buttress, just 20mins from the road) to E-silly.

As you all know, there's plenty of walking and scrambling options nearby too.


Please let me know if you are interested in joining this meet. If you are new to club meets, please also have a look at the club meets guidelines here. This will be an "informal meet" so it's up to members to make their own arrangements for climbing partners, but I'll try to put people in touch if you let me know your preferences. I'm also happy to co-ordinate sharing transport so please let me know if and when you will need, or can offer, a lift.

I will, of course, be organising blue skies and 20-something temperatures.

Details: This year we'll be heading to South Pembrokeshire for the May Day bank holiday weekend.

We'll be Staying at the St. Petrox campsite. It isn't possible to book the campsite and it can get busy over bank holidays so an early arrival is probably sensible, though they normally open a spare field if required. Anyone wanting an electric hook-up for a camper van should phone 01646 622561. Dogs are welcome, provided kept on short leads. The nearest pub is about a mile away. People will probably eat there one night but you may want to cook on site the other nights.

As usual the Pembroke trip comes with a small 'health warning'. The south Pembroke sea cliffs have some of the finest climbing in the country but they are not the best beginners area. Most of the climbing is Hard Severe or above. There are a few excellent cliffs with easier climbs, but even these may need an abseil approach, so it's best to have someone experienced at hand. If you're unsure whether this meet is for you, or you are looking for a more experienced climbing partner for the weekend, it's probably best to mention this at one of the club climbing wall nights. For non-climbers, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path is within easy reach, and there are easier climbs on the north Pembrokeshire coast (30 miles away).

Please let me know if you are interested in joining this meet. I'll try to put people in touch for sharing transport and/or climbing partners. Also I'm happy to book meals at the Stackpole Inn on one or both of Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Martin

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: I'll book Hardhurst Farm (great cooked breakfasts, nearby pub, superb curry house and tea rooms in Hathersage- 10 mins drive)

Stanage, Froggat, Curbar, Burbage, Birchen, Millstone it's almost endless.

The weather is sure to be bright and sunny and warm for this trip. Let me know if you would like to come and I'll sort out the campsite and lift sharing.

Please send entries for the caption competition below.

I personally might go up on the Friday am or even Thursday pm/evening and get an extra day in. Let me know if you are interested in that as well.

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: Back to Cornwall for Easter. As usual we will be staying at Trevaylor campsite. This is under new ownership who have given us an IMC rate of £6.

The campsite has a small shop that sells food and the odd bit of climbing gear. There is also a bar on site. A Co-op, cashpoint, fish & chips, pubs and an excellent pasty shop are in St. Just about a mile away.

The Queens Arms at Botallack is just a few hundred yards away from the campsite I will book some tables for at least the Saturday night there. Please tell me if you want to eat there.

Cornwall has lots of single and multi-pitch sea cliff climbing of all grades from Diff to E9, mostly on excellent granite. Routes are generally well protected. Although many crags are tidal and require abseil access such as the excellent Chair Ladder. Others like Bosigran are straightforward non-tidal walk-ins. Despite the good range of grades, it is recommended that relative beginners find a more experienced partner.

I've booked the weekend but there is scope for people to stay into the week and make a holiday of it. Last time Carol had some very enjoyable circular walks taking in the coast and inland sites in fantastic weather. Carol was born down the road next to Carn Euny so anyone who fancies half a day off climbing can book guided tours with her.

Carn Euny site

Details: Our last Tuesday evening pub meet of the 2012/2013 winter season. Ian Thurgood and Christina Ennis will be presenting a slide show of their visit to New Zealand.

There will be lots of pictures of rocks and mountains and water and flora and fauna and other stuff, interspersed with various tales of our travels down under - but I'm afraid it won't be the sophisticated multi-media show you've been accustomed to! Anyone got a long stick so I can point things out!?!

Do come along for an 8:00pm prompt start. Enjoy the show, drink a few beers to keep the landlord happy (the club pays nothing for the room) and meet other members to plan future adventures or reminisce about adventures past.

Hope to see you there!

Details: The above is a range of possible dates, although I would look to be there for five or six days.
The hostel hasn't been full most of the time on previous trips, so I wouldn't expect to book much in advance.
There's good winter climbing on Ben Nevis and in Glen Coe, as well as a few other locations within easy reach. Winter walking is also a possibility.
Winter boots, gaiters, crampons and axe(es) are essential as well as suitable clothing, etc. Some kit might be borrowable in the club.
Some experience of hill walking and navigation skills are essential above the snow line.
The area isn't great for low-level walks - there are some possibilities in bad weather, but a lot of what looks straightforward on the map can turn out to be difficult or impossible due to river crossings, etc.

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: A chance to learn for the first time or get a refresher in a variety of rope skills.

Tying in, belaying, building belays, ascending ropes, abseiling, assisted hoist, and much else.

Details: Our second Tuesday evening pub meet of 2013 features two short slide shows. Adam Gosling will describe his adventures on the walkers' "Haute Route" (or is that "Oat Route") from Chamonix to Zermatt. Then, after the interval, Mike Turner will take us mountain walking and "via ferrating" in the Berchtesgaden region of the Bavarian Alps.

Do come along for an 8:00pm prompt start. Enjoy the show, drink a few beers to keep the landlord happy (the club pays nothing for the room) and meet other members to plan future adventures or reminisce about adventures past.

Rumours that Adam has promised free drinks all round if our gallant secretary succeeds in climbing the right-most red route at Copleston by this date are not entirely unfounded.

Hope to see you there!

Details: Club climbing competition.

Registration 7.00pm onwards
Climbing 7.30pm to 9.30pm
Prizes-raffle 9.30pm to 10.30pm
Don't worry if your're late.

Three categories of competition; (i) beginner/lapsed (ii) intermediate and (iii) expert.

Do as many routes as you wish. Some will be top roped, others lead climbing. Each route is worth 1,000 points divided by the number of people who climb the route.

It's a fun evening and we raise a little money for the club through the raffle, so come along even if "competitive" climbing is not your thing- it's not the Olympics.

Details: Returning this year to a great bunkhouse and pub in Rhydd Ddu.

Cwellyn Arms web page

The area is perfect for walking the quieter western side of Snowdon and the Nantlle Ridge as well as easy driving distance to other areas....more suggestions here

if the conditions are right then plenty of ice climbing opportunities...but I think none of us are counting on the weather after this summer !!!!
Mountain biking is also a good local option but there is always plenty to do in North Wales

If you are interested in this meet please let me know as soon as possible.
The plan is to use the big bunkhouse and have it as private use, the cost will be between £15-18 per person per night.

The other great thing last year was a good pub meal on Saturday pm - if you can give me an indication of whether you would like to be included in this that would be great.

No money needed now, confirmation and money will be needed at a later date.

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: Our first Tuesday evening pub meet of 2013 sees Steve Culverhouse deliver a slide show of sea cliff climbing entitled "Exposure Explosion" - something to do with the height above the sea, Steve assures me, rather than the amount of clothing being worn by any of the IMC members featured.

Do come along for an 8:00pm prompt start. Enjoy the show, drink a few beers to keep the landlord happy (the club pays nothing for the room) and meet other members to plan future adventures or reminisce about adventures past.

Hope to see you there!

Details: Volunteers sought to put up some new routes at Copleston wall on Sunday. This is your opportunity to set the routes or challenges you'd like to see on the wall. No experience necessary, but you will need to adopt some simple extra safety measures which we can show you.

I will be there from 9.30 to about 3.00 on Sunday. If anyone is free on Saturday then help to strip existing holds from wall would be great too.

If possible, drop me an email if you're able to help out. Part-timers and last-minute volunteers are welcome too. Tea and biscuits provided, but best to bring a mug.

you will need some kit over and above the usual - please email me if you'd like to help and need to borrow any of these:

Helmet
Holds and Allen bolts do get dropped from time-to-time. Please bring a helmet if you have one. There are a few club helmets to borrow.

Sling and screwgate karabiner
We normally set routes in pairs - a setter and belayer. The person setting the routes will need a sling and a screwgate karabiner to clip themselves to the wall (it's safer and more comfortable for both route-setter and belayer). I have a few spares if you don't have your own.

6mm Allen key or socket
The route-setter will need a (decent) 6mm Allen key or Allen socket. Again I have a couple of spares.

Woolly hat, warm kit etc.
This is a school hall in mid-January we're talking about. It'll be chilly and there's a lot of standing about if you're on belay.

Gri-Gri/Edelrid Eddy etc.
Far from essential, but if you were thinking of getting one of these auto-locking belay devices then this weekend is a perfect excuse - re-routing is where they pay dividends. They do need a little getting used to though.

Details: Happy New Year Everyone,

Looking forward to getting out in the mountains this year?

Looking forward to getting your hands on the gritstone/limestone/granite?

We already have several excellent meets scheduled (and on the website), and it would be splendid to get a few more organised for the Spring and Summer and early Autumn.

Please come to Coplestone Wall on 16th January at 7.30pm for a "Meets Co-ordination Meeting". We'll keep it short and sweet so we can do some climbing as well.

If you can't make it and would like to orgainse a meeting please let me know. If you can't make it but have a cracking idea also let me know- good ideas don't mean you have to organise to meet.

I hope to see as many of you there as possible.

Jeremy

Details: We will be staying at Stybeck Farm which is well located for access into the northern and central lakes. As well as the comfortable bunkhouse there is B&B and camping available. Please get in touch for more information.

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details:
Hi Guys,

Those who voted for the Xmas curry last year will be pleased to hear that this year we are going to have the Xmas do in "A passage to India".
So get your wallets and purses out and give me your cash........in the form of a cheque!


The details of the night are as follows:

Date: Friday 14 th December

Venue:

A Passage to India
27-31 Fore Street
Ipswich
IP4 1JW

Time: 19:30

Price £13.00.

I would be really grateful if you could tell me if you are coming ASAP, so that i have an idea of numbers,
and of course please send your cheque by the 23rd of November to:

Alicja Piatkowska

51 Cliff Lane

IP3 OPD


Of course the curry house caters for vegetarians too and even people from Devon,so if you want to come please just let me know if you want a vegetarian meal or a Devonshire pastie.

I hope to see you all and that means you Nick as well.

cheers,

Alicja

Details: Over the winter the BMC have organised a Leading Ladder. Climbing walls across the country are particpating. They put up routes for a couple of weeks each. You only have to attend two walls to take part. Local particpating walls include Mile End and the Castle in London. Big Rock in Milton Keynes, the Cragg in Stowmarket and the wall in Norwich.

I think you register at the wall,but I'll find out.

Drop me an email if you want to come to this one and I will arrange lifts. A few members are already interested.

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: You may or may not be aware that 2012 is a momentous year. It is the
year that the Ipswich Mountaineering Club reaches its 25th anniversary.

To enable us to mark this fantastic achievement the Thorpe Woodlands
Adventure Centre in Thetford Forest has been booked for the weekend of
24/25 November 2012. See below for further details.

Without you, the club would not be what it is, so we would really like
to use this opportunity to gather as many past, present and founder
members together as possible.

What better possible excuse could there be to catch up with old friends meet new ones and talk about the rock and mountains that we all love so much?

We hope past members will recognise at least one of the signatories
below, and many of those in the "To" list above. We've tried to get
email addresses for as many former members as possible, but if you spot someone we've missed, and you are still in contact, please do forward this on.

Some preliminary details of the event are given below, and more
information will follow in the summer. But for now it would be good to
have a rough idea of who hopes to be able to join us on 24 November. No definite commitment is required at this stage.

Please RSVP to 25years@ipswich-m-c.co.uk

Hoping to see you there!

Some preliminary details of the venue and the event

Thorpe Woodlands is an outdoor education centre in a very scenic part
of the forest, not too far from Ipswich (about 50mins) and in the right
direction for former members who have moved away to be nearer the
mountains. There are no mountains in Thetford Forest of course, but the centre does have a climbing wall, high ropes course, off-road cycle trail and a variety of other activities to entertain us. It is chiefly a venue for young people, but we will have exclusive use of the centre for the night. There is a large function room, and 37 beds of good hostel standard.

The focus will be a celebration dinner on the Saturday evening, but
there will also be a chance to try the activities (optional) during the day on Saturday and/or Sunday. People who wish to stay overnight will have a choice of hostel beds or camping.

We will confirm the cost later, but the aim will be to keep it
inexpensive. There is an overnight charge of £14.40 per head in the
hostel or £5.20 for camping. Catering will be in addition, and activities on a pay as you go basis. (Some are free - eg the bike trails if you bring your own bike!).

Members, past, present and founder, will have priority, but we hope to
have space for non-member partners and families as well, especially if
you are just coming for the day, or are happy to camp.

Please let us know what you are interested in when you RSVP.

Details: Over the winter the BMC have organised a Leading Ladder. Climbing walls across the country are particpating. They put up routes for a couple of weeks each. You only have to attend two walls to take part. Local particpating walls include Mile End and the Castle in London. Big Rock in Milton Keynes, the Cragg in Stowmarket and the wall in Norwich.

I think you register at the wall,but I'll find out.

Drop me an email if you want to come to this one and I will arrange lifts. A few members are already interested.

Details: Yes, it's AGM time again. As usual, the president will try to keep the boring bit as brief as possible, leaving lots of time to contribute your ideas on how you would like the club to run in 2013, and enjoy the excellent beer the Brewery Tap is famous for.

Start time: 7.30 pm for 8.00 pm.

Hope to see you there.

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: This meet should appeal to the hikers amongst us. There is of course great caving to be had in the Beacons as well and good climbing. I fancy getting a few miles and meters of ascent under my belt in the beautiful Beacons. Great for pratcising and learning navigation skills.


I have booked the bunkhouse near Abergavenny.


There's more room for anyone who wants to camp. Let me know.

Details: This is the first winter pub meet of the season. Please note the change to Tuesday evenings this year. As usual the venue is The Brewery Tap, Ipswich - lots of parking, good beer, and a room to ourselves. The start time is 7.30 pm for an 8.00 pm kick-off.

For this first evening Elena and Martin Hore will present photos of their recent "Grey Gap Year" trip to Australia, New Zealand and the Far East.

Highlights (for Martin at least) were the Cascade Saddle and Rees-Dart trek in New Zealand's Southern Alps, the Tongariro crossing in the North Island's volcanic zone, climbing at the famous Mount Arapiles in Australia, The Tiger Leaping Gorge in China's Yunnan province, and Mount Kawah Ijen on Java.

We'll also be including a few photos of other aspects of the trip (the bits Elena enjoyed!)

Hope to see you there!

Details: Take your pick. Whether you are above ground climbing, below ground caving or at ground level walking the hills. This area has it all!

We will be staying as guests of Cerberus Spelæological Society in the bunkhouse at their Larkshall HQ.

"Situated in Somerset in the eastern part of Mendip between Oakhill and Stoke St Michael (ST 6505 4720) it makes an ideal base for caving, as well as many other outdoor activities including walking, cycling, climbing etc. It is close to the Mendip Way footpath and there are a number of local crags and quarries for climbing which have become popular in recent times."

And only a 15 minute drive to Cheddar Gorge.

"The accommodation provides all the home comforts with a kitchen/dining room, large lounge, library, and showers and changing facilities. For anyone so inclined the central corridor can be traversed using the climbing holds fitted along the wall." Making an alternative to the table-top traverse.

£5.00 per night each. Or we share £60.00 per night and book the whole 12 bed room. Camping also available. Dogs are only allowed to stay by arrangement.

For details see Larkshall - Information for Visitors

Details: Over the winter the BMC have organised a Leading Ladder. Climbing walls across the country are particpating. They put up routes for a couple of weeks each. You only have to attend two walls to take part. Local particpating walls include Mile End and the Castle in London. Big Rock in Milton Keynes, the Cragg in Stowmarket and the wall in Norwich.

I think you register at the wall,but I'll find out.

Drop me an email if you want to come to this one and I will arrange lifts. A few members are already interested.

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Note: this meet has a slightly later start time of 8pm, due to a prior booking of the wall.

Details: A late season weekend of climbing on the Swanage cliffs. Portland is also within easy reach. Please read the IMC article on the area for an idea of the area (note: some of the climbing can be steep and serious).

We'll be staying,as usual, at the well-equipped Tom's Field campsite. A good pub serving a fine pint of Ringwood Brewery's finest and hearty food is within walking distance.

If there's interest we might take in the live music at The Square and Compass on the Saturday night.

It's steep. It's juggy. It's fantastic. It's Swanage!

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

OK - so it's the second Wednesday this month, that's because the Copleston wall is closed until 10 Sept

Details:
Update 06/09/2012
The Grit Dash itself has been called off, but there is an informal Peak District climbing weekend going ahead with camping at Hardhurst Farm.



The return of a venerable IMC tradition - a weekend of mildly competitive dashing & climbing around the peak district. As the 'dash' itself is mildly competitive (but in a fun sort of way) there are inevitably a few parameters, but hopefully these are not too onerous to put anyone off. The emphasis is on having fun!

Grit Dash – the detail!

The Grit:- to climb 7 routes on the eastern gritstone edges from Stanage to Froggatt

The Dash:- to do it in 8 hours or less and travel only on foot. Starting at North Lees camp site, Hathersage (Grid Ref SK235832 on OL1 map) and finishing at The Chequers Inn, Froggatt (by the patented Ian's Ready Reckoner about 9km walk without the climbing)

The teams:- pairs please (no threesomes!). You can either pair up before the weekend or I’ll draw random teams out of the proverbial hat on Friday night

The scoring:- stars = points! (but see notes below). A handicap system will be in place to make it accessible to all and fairer for us mere mortals. The starting point is based on your gritstone leading grade and is your ‘par’ grade.

The (for want of a better word!) rules

• The routes -
  3 routes on Stanage between Plantation and Popular End and all from different sectors
  1 route on Burbage North, 1 on Burbage South
  plus 1 other on the Burbages (don’t forget the quarry!) and 1 route on Froggatt
  Or 2 routes on Froggatt
  
• All leads must be clean – i.e. no falls and no resting on gear – for max points. The second may rest but not fall.
  
• Each team member must lead at least one route - other than that, you're free to decide who leads what.
  
• Shanks’ pony only!
  
• Scoring
  - the 20?? Rockfax Eastern Grit will be the definitive guide for the
  purposes of scoring
  - no extra points for finishing in under 8 hours – it’s not a race!
  - each lead climb at your par grade = 2 points
  - 1 point added for each grade above your par grade (leader only)
  - 1 point deducted for each grade below your par grade (leader only)
  - 1 point for each star
  - 1 point deducted for every fall or leader rest on gear
  - 1 point deducted for every 15 minutes or part thereof beyond 8 hours
  
• Your integrity is your guide! The judge(s) can not be omnipotent so we’ll just have to rely on good old fashioned climbers’ honesty
  
• Time starts from North Lees camp site – so fortune may favour the fleet of foot! (but not by enough to make a difference in reality!) – and starts will be staggered in an attempt to ease congestion at the most obvious 3 star fleshpots in the early stages
  

• shuttle enough cars over to The Chequers first thing Saturday morning to get everyone back to North Lees later
  
• scoring will take place in The Chequers when all teams are safely gathered in, so we may wish to reserve some space for dinner
  

Details: ****************** NEWSFLASH ******************

All bookable campsites on Gower are now full. You can however go to Hillend (http://www.hillendcamping.com/camping.php) which does not take campsite bookings. You just have to turn up early enough to pitch your tent while they have space. I will be going down Gower on Wednesday 22nd, so I could possibly go to that site early on Friday morning and book-in IMC people. How does that sound? Simon

• http://www.southwalesmountaineering.org.uk/g_book/index.php/Bouldering_in_Gower


• http://www.planetfear.com/articles/Gower_Climbing_80.html


• http://www.sportsclimbs.co.uk/mainpages/gower/Gower%20Index.htm

Details: Our annual beginners' multipitch climbing meet in North Wales gives you a chance to learn the special skills of multipitch climbing in one of Britain's foremost mountain rock-climbing areas.

This meet is a good way to improve your skills & experience on bigger crags. You will need to be a competent belayer. Ideally bring your own harness & helmet, although a few spares will be available. Let me know if you need either.

This is a "formal" meet so I will organise climbing partnerships each day to make sure that those with less experience are teamed up with someone who can "show them the ropes".

I'll also organise car share, so please let me know when you intend to travel and if you need a lift or can offer a lift.

I've reserved the Gwern Gof Isaf bunk house, right in the very heart of Snowdonia- see the link below. It holds 16 people and there is camping on the adjoining camp site. So we should be able to dry off if it rains.

Let me know if you want to come and whether you would like a place in the bunk house.

Bunk House and Campsite

Some great photos of the area


Jeremy

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details:

Valkyrie

Lots of climbing at the Roaches (see the planetFear Roaches article, or the UKC crag database for Roaches Lower Tier, Upper Tier and Skyline), with classics such as Black and Tans (S), Technical Slab (HS), Valkyrie (VS) and the Sloth (HVS), and also the neighbouring Hen Cloud, which even has a 3 pitch gritstone route: Central Climb (VS)

The Don Whillans Memorial Hut is booked for 2 nights (20th Jul and 21st July). The hut costs £192 for the weekend, and the cost will be divided between the number of people that go. The hut sleeps up to 12 so costs could be from £16 (12 people), to, say £24 (8 people).

Don Whillans Memorial Hut

Details: Birchden woods, Groombridge nr Tunbridge wells Kent. BMC owned and managed site with small 2 and 3 man pitches. Routes are short top roped English graded climbs with a good blend of technique and power from 3/4's to 7a+ (or f.ing 'Ard).

Static rope, harness, slings and crabs, shoes. Food for BBQ and open fire cooking, Wood a bonus.

Its about 2 hours drive so with car shares can be a cheap friendly weekend away.

Details: North Wales has to be on the meets calendar but to start this "summer season" the southern part of Snowdonia is the destination - to be precise the Cadair Idris Massif with the impressive peak of Cadair Idris itself, the Myndd hills, stunning Dyfi valley and sea and estuary views - best of all its so much quieter than the well loved main Snowdon massif.

Wanderlust article
Visit Snowdonia Info - gives you a bit more info

When we arranged the meets calendar for 2012 we set aside this meet as a chance to offer people the opportunity to learn/ practice/ brush up on skills for the mountains - map reading/ navigation being the main points.

Map reading and navigation are not only useful for mountain days but also for finding elusive crags (ready for the Peak Grit Dash in September) or for use in an emergency...or finding the campsite when the Sat Nav doesn't work !!!!

There are also people looking to spend time with groups for their Mountain Leader log books - so whether you are a beginner to the art of map and compass or need to spend time "teaching the art" to others this could work well for you.

Of course as on all meets - there is plenty of other things to do and the Cadir Idris Area provides not only stunning mountain and hill walking but also some great mountain days on the crags plus good mountain biking.

I'm a bit out of date on the pub and tea shop front but I'm sure we'll find some !!

Climbing and scrambling
Cadair Idris
Craig Cau
I'm sure others can add further details here....

Planning to camp at Cwmrhwyddfor Farm click here for UKcampsites just below Cadir Idris - quiet, basic campsite - dogs and campfires allowed - cost £5pp/pn
Shower uses 20p's

If you are interested in joining this trip please let me know what you are interested in doing and whether you can offer a lift.

Thanks
Hannah

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: Trad routes and sport routes. Single pitch and multi-pitch. 1,000 climbs in all. Amongst them ‘some of the longest and most breathtaking inland climbs in Britain’. With a broad span of grades. And all in the compact space of a single valley. Great for social climbers!

Much work has been done in recent years to improve climbing and access. So it’s best to see the new guide available from the following website for £15.00 or from me on free (short term) loan. It has excellent photo-topo details.

http://www.tauntonleisure.com/cheddar-gorge-climbs-by-martin-crocker/p8611

Importantly, it also gives the essential information about the ‘hard won climbing arrangements’ that have been agreed with landowners and have enabled the site to be what it is today alongside the public safety, conservation and tourism issues. It’s a privilege to climb in such a remarkable place.

For insurance purposes, and for climbing in the gorge, this is strictly an IMC/BMC Affiliated club member only meet. This is because of the access agreements (and common sense). Helmets are strongly advised.

The meet will suit new climbers as well as those seeking stuff like the 70m 3 pitch Kephalonia E5 trad route! If you were on the beginners meet and don’t yet have enough gear for leading trad, there are bolted routes at reasonable grade. F5 or even a few F4 if you haven’t been practicing at the climbing wall enough! If anyone wants practice threading the rope at the top of a climb, maybe we could have a session at the wall before the meet?

Though limestone is not the best in the wet, it’s unusual for climbing here to be totally impossible due to weather. The various twists and turns in the valley lead to sheltered faces in most conditions. If desired, there is a good climbing wall in Bristol.

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: A long weekend visit to the IMC West country branch to try out the Sea cliffs and possibly inland crags.

Details: Our annual beginners meet, usually based at Hardhurst Farm near the village of Hope.

All welcome regardless of experience. Come along and experience real rock!

Its that time again, the time when new meets old, experience meets novice..... where plastic holds become real rock.

If you haven't climbed outside before and or looking to brush the dust off them nuts, this is the opportunity to be teamed up with fellow IMC members and get an introduction to what real rock has to offer.

The logistics:

Plan will to be camp at Hardhurst Farm near Hope, Derbyshire. They have onsite showers, breakfast cafe and is located directly behind the Travellers Rest which serves evening meals. The nearby villages also host coffee shops, Indian restaurants and an opportunity to go gear shopping.

You will need to be self sufficient in terms of tent, sleeping bag, cooking, waterproofs etc.
Climbing harness and helmet can be supplied (let me know in advance), other hardware such as ropes will be provided by club members.
Don't forget your climbing shoes!

With regards to travel, people travel up from various locations at various times, so if you could let me know if you need a lift (when and where from) or if you can offer a lift. The norm is to travel up Friday evening, camping Friday and Saturday, then travel back Sunday

Think that covers all the bases - any questions please ask!



For more info, click........... here.

Details: Another chance to pick up some skills useful for outdoor climbing and the beginners weekend.

We can go through things like setting up belays, use of double ropes, and use of prussiks for abseiling and ascent.

Details: Exclusive late night shopping at your local independent outdoor shop.....ACTION OUTDOORS

Dave has kindly agreed to have a Thursday late night shopping on the 10th exclusive to all us IMC members...
he will keep the shop open so people can call from anytime.

Just in time to get what you need for beginners meet (when the sun will obviously start shining again !!!)

If you're just getting into climbing Dave has a great deal on Petzl Corax Climbing Kit and if you need rock shoes as well it's only a further £34.99 to include a pair of Climb X Nomad rock shoes

or for all those seasoned/ more seasoned climbers here's your chance to stock up on some new shiny bits to scratch over the summer...buy that crag guide you're missing

Or you may need to replace the camping gear that you've been meaning to sort all winter or stock up on gas ready for the next camp cuppa.....

Failing that then its a chance to have an evening in the highly pleasurable sport of gear fondling !!!!

Please drop me a line if you can make it so we know that it's worth Dave not going home for his dinner!!

If you've never been to Action Outdoors before then this is where to find THE outdoor shop in Ipswich

Then to recover from all that money spending you can always pop round the corner for a quick pint as McGintys is round the corner.

Hope to see you there for a social shopping event..where it doesn't matter if it rains ;-)

PS don't forget if he can Dave will always give you the IMC discount !!!

Cheers

Hannah

Details: May Bank Holiday in the Wye Valley.

Plenty of climbing e.g. Wintour's Leap, Symonds Yat, Shorncliff, see the IMC guide.

This is planned to be a climbing trip, but other activities are possible in the area such as canoeing.

Cherry Orchard Farm has been booked for 15 people at £6 per person per night. And I've booked a table at The Ostrich Inn for 10 people on Sunday evening.

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: Ben and I are heading to the sandstone saturday after I finish work, leaving about 5pm to camp and climb all day sunday. camp on the BMC sites and enjoy getting away if your busy and can't do a full weekend or long one. toproped (bottom if your correct)Sandstone climbing. Hard starts on many but relaxed, fun and a nice mix of technique, power and balance.

Details: An early-season visit to the peak district, climbing, walking or a bit of whatever you fancy.

Details: A change from our usual Easter meet in Cornwall.

There is sea-cliff climbing of all grades in North and South Pembroke.

some of the classic crags in the area are St Govan's head, Saddle Head, Porth Clais and Carreg y Barcud

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: Early season chance to get your hands on the real thing. I know it's not everyones cup of tea, but I think a sunny day out at Harrison's or Bowles is alot of fun.


For those that have never been- it's all top roped (well strictly speaking bottom roped)- lots of variety of grades, but most require a strange mix of delicacy and brute force- but don't let that put you off.

All go for Saturday.

Details: Back due to popular demand.

Climbing, raffle, cakes and ale, prizes.

Free entry.(you do have to pay the usual climbing fee)

All and every level of climbing welcome to enter.

Beginners and irregulars Challenge.
Intermediates Challenge.
IMC Champions Cup. (current champ: Chris)

All just for fun.

Register on the night. Although you do need to be an IMC member to enter.

We'll start from 7.15pm, but you can still enter up until 7.45pm.

The competitions will take place during the evening when the wall is open to the public, so we will need to be patient and considerate to other users and pay £4.20 in the usual way.

Read the competition rules and guidance.

See you there.

Details: Staying in the cottage - Godre Pentre - owned by Croydon Caving Club at Ystradfellte. Cost is a mere £4 pppn and currently plenty of space (as at 27th Feb).

The Brecon Beacons (and slightly overlooked cousin next door The Black Mountains) offers a wide and varied range of activities. There is plenty of good walking, with opportunities to hone those navigation skills! the highest point of the Brecons being Pen y Fan at 886m or Waun Fach at 811m in The Black Mountains, Mountain biking – routes from easy yellow to ‘killer’ black (apparently), Kayaking – white water excitement on the Usk or the quieter waters of Llangorse lake and the canals, climbing (outdoors, mostly at Llangattock and Dinas Rock, if the weather is kind enough & indoors), Horse riding/pony trekking, even caving if you fancy giving it a go or the show caves of Dan-Yr-Ogof

The town of Brecon itself is worth a visit for a wander round the Cathedral. For the more erudite amongst us the book seller’s mecca of Hay on Wye is only a short drive up the road

So, drop me an email or I’m occasionally at Stowmarket or Copleston trying to climb!


Ian

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet.

Details: This is one of the events organised by Suffolk Orienteering Club for orienteers in the Eastern Region. Non-members are welcome. There is no special help for beginners, but IMC members who are used to navigating in the hills should find that they can cope well with one of the easier courses. The harder courses may prove more of a challenge.

For further details visit the Suffolk Orienteering Club fixture list.

Details: It's quiz night at the Brewery Tap
Teams of 6, £1 each to enter
Kick off at 8.30pm
Good fun and a chance to test the grey matter and dredge up random facts from the back of your mind
Hope to see you there

Details: Winter meet in the Lake District.

Staying at Causeway Foot Farm Camping Barn near Keswick.

Situated close to the A66 route and the Keswick hub of local roads we should have easy access to get here and to venture out for whatever activities suit the weather conditions.

Blencathra (Saddleback) and Skiddaw can both provide fun walking conditions in snow for highflyers, whilst the central fells are within driving distance for ice climbing, scrambling and similar adventure. Added to which there is Whinlatter Forest and Derwentwater for true Lakeland scenery. Great views from Catbells or Ashness Bridge and many low lying fells provide great rewards with little effort. Then there is Keswick for creature comforts and gear fondling.

Further afield there is Cockermouth where Wordsworth was born and the rolling country at the ‘back o’ Skiddaw’. Not to mention the Heskett Newmarket brewery and the peaceful Mungrisdale and Mosedale valley. There is also good off road cycling of various grades and surfaces.

The maximum number is 16 so please let me know as soon as possible if you want to come. Then I can confirm the camping barn which I expect to cost £7 to £10 each per night depending on numbers. Friday and Saturday nights are provisionally booked and, subject to availability, there is the option to extend if you want to stay longer.

Please call me or email for more information.

David

Details: Social meet at the pub......
Info from the web page The Brewery Tap
Quiz Night - Thursday 9th February
And the 58th one. I'm amazed we got past #10. Usual doobry; 830pm start, max of 6 per team, snackeroos at half time, £1 (still) per person.

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School.

Come along for a taster session. Ask for the Co-ordinator, which tonight is Jeremy.

Club members and people turn up from around 7.30pm and get tired by around 9.30-10.00pm. It's a great evening for getting fit, being sociable and for newcomers meeting some of the members.

Please don't forget to register and sign in on arrival, as the evening does take place during normal public opening hours-it's £4.20

Under 18s do need parental consent. A consent form can be found on the website under Join the IMC.

Details: Around 8pm in the bar area at Copleston school. We'll be planning the summer meets calendar.

The more the merrier. New ideas and/or enthusiastic volunteers always welcome.

Details: Now we have several boxes of new holds, it's time to put them to good use.

This is your opportunity to set some routes at the grade & style that you want.

You'll need a sling or two and a screwgate. If you have your own helmet bring it along as dropped holds, Allen keys and bolts are not unknown. If you have a decent 6mm Allen key or socket bring that along too. A light rucksack or bag of some sort is useful to carry holds when you're on the wall.

If you're missing anything on that list, there are plenty of spare helmets and I have a few spare slings, screwgates & Allen keys.

We'll probably start around 9.30 and continue until we've had enough (perhaps 3 or 4pm).

For those who've not done any re-routing before it's quite straightforward. We'll be re-routing in pairs - one person route-setting, one belaying. We'll typically swap over 2 or 3 times whilst setting a route, adding 4 or 5 holds at a time.


Tea and biccies provided to keep energy levels up. Don't forget some lunch if you're staying all day. And bring an iPod if you don't want to be forced to listen to my music!

Details: In a radical turn, this month's 'slideshow' involves moving pictures - never let it be said the IMC is behind the times.

Votes will be taken for titles such as 'Hard XS', "Welsh Connections", "A century on the crags", "High Hazard", "Echo Wall", "Upside Down Wales", "Set in Stone" & "Psyche" I & II. There's everything from gnarly old-timers on Napes Needle to honed boulderers way above the deck with no rope to nutters on chalk cliffs.

Held at my house. Bring a bottle if you want a beer! Tea and nibbles provided

Details: In addition to the usual climbing option we will be offering the chance to learn or practise your ropework skills. We can cover setting up belays, abseiling, escaping the system, prusikking, assisted hoists.

Details: A chance for us to raise a glass to Martin and Elena as they set off on their travels.
Meet from 9/9.30pm at the Fat Cat after the usual weds climbing at Copleston.

Details: Winter walking and scrambling in the hills.

Planning to go to the Lakes looking into staying at Wythmoor Farm Camping Barn which has space for 12 at £8.50 per person.

Let me know if interested so I can book hut.

http://www.lakelandcampingbarns.co.uk/barns/wythmoor-farm-camping-barn

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School.

This is an informal meeting of club members and people turn up from around 7.30pm and get tired by around 9.30-10.00pm. It's a great evening for getting fit, being sociable and for newcomers meeting some of the members.

Although we're unable to offer formal instruction, we can point those new to climbing in the right direction. This may be a short course to learn the basics.

Please don't forget to register and sign in on arrival, as the evening does take place during normal public opening hours.

Details: Hi Guys,

I'm pleased to announce that MIZU will have the pleasure of hosting us for our Xmas do this year . It was an absolute thrashing and MIZU won by 10 votes.
Thank you everybody for taking part.

Date: 15 Dec.

Starting at 7.30pm (7pm at Mannings, next door pub, if you fancy pint of beer before)

Price £11.00

As there is no Christmas set menu or set price we will be asked to choose a meal from menu. The average price for a starter and main dish will be between £11.00-13.00.
So i will collect £11.00 up front and sort out any difference on the night, depending on what people have ordered.
We will be dining upstairs, so if anybody is late they know where to go.
For anyone who is interested we will probably go for a drink afterwards.


MIZU NOODLE BAR
10 Cornhill,
Ipswich,
Suffolk,
IP1

http://www.mizunoodlebar.co.uk/


Please pay £11.00 by Sunday 27 November. You can either pay me by:

1) cheque -Alicja Piatkowska

2) cash (you can meet me most Wednesdays Coplestone Climbing Wall 7-9.30, Sundays Stowmarket Climbing Wall 10-2.30pm).


I'm looking forward to seeing you all there.


Alicja

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School, Copleston Road Ipswich IP4 5HD; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.10 per evening.

This is an informal meeting of club members and people turn up from around 7.30pm and get tired by around 9.30-10.00pm. It's a great evening for getting fit, being sociable and for newcomers meeting some of the members.

Although we're unable to offer formal instruction, we can point those new to climbing in the right direction. This may be a short course to learn the basics.

Please don't forget to register and sign in on arrival, as the evening does take place during normal public opening hours.

Details: Winter walking, scrambling or climbing in Snowdonia.

I've booked the Cwellyn Arms bunkhouse, which is at Rhyd Ddu, located at the foot of mount Snowdon. The cost will be £15-00 per person per night. I will book the bunkhouse for Friday and Saturday night. If anyone wants to stay longer this can be accommodated. To book your place please can you contact me and forward a deposit of £15-00. Also, let me know your travel arrangements, whether you will be driving or need a lift, and whether you wish to walk, scramble and climb rock/snow subject to weather conditions.

Eddy Webster

Details: I will be doing some re-routing at Copleston wall. Help from regular wall-using volunteers would be gratefully accepted and will allow us to get much more done.

This is your opportunity to set some routes at the grade & style that you want.

You'll need a sling or two and a screwgate. If you have your own helmet bring it along as dropped holds, Allen keys and bolts are not unknown. If you have a decent 6mm Allen key or socket bring that along too. A light rucksack or bag of some sort is useful to carry holds when you're on the wall.

If you're missing anything on that list, there are plenty of spare helmets and I have a few spare slings, screwgates & Allen keys.

We'll probably start around 9.30 and continue until we've had enough (perhaps 3 or 4pm).

For those who've not done any re-routing before it's quite straightforward. We'll be re-routing in pairs - one person route-setting, one belaying. We'll typically swap over 2 or 3 times whilst setting a route, adding 4 or 5 holds at a time.


Tea and biccies provided to keep energy levels up. Don't forget some lunch if you're staying all day. And bring an iPod if you don't want to be forced to listen to my music!

Details: 7.45pm at the Brewery Tap, Cliff Road, Ipswich

Details: Staying at Gorsebank Camping outside Dalbeattie in static camping pods. It would appear they are running a special offer of £10 a head per night and it's firework night. Win Win.
Dalbeattie (300m) and 3 other of the 7 Stanes are close by for our enjoyment.
Go on you know you want to.
First choice accommodation weekend is now full. If you want to go I need confirmed interest and £10 deposit as soon as possible.

Details: This is one of the events organised by Suffolk Orienteering Club for orienteers in the Eastern Region. Non-members are welcome. There is no special help for beginners, but IMC members who are used to navigating in the hills should find that they can cope well with one of the easier courses. The harder courses may prove more of a challenge. The courses at this event are planned by IMC member, Martin Hore.

For further details visit the Suffolk Orienteering Club fixture list.

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School, Copleston Road Ipswich IP4 5HD; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.10 per evening.

This is an informal event and people turn up from 7.30pm and get tired by around 10.00pm. It's a great evening for getting fit, being sociable, and, if you are thinking of joining, meeting some of the rest of the club.

Give it a try, come along, bring a friend, and bring a spare harness if you have one for newcomers.

Oh and please don't forget to register and sign in on arrival, as the evening does take place during normal public opening hours.

Details: This is our first winter evening pub meet, held at the Brewery Tap, Cliff Quay, Ipswich.

This first evening is a chance to see what club members have been up to this year. Various club members have been asked (nobbled) to bring along a short slide presentation. Come along and be entertained by their antics, drink some fine beer, and enjoy good company. You may even find yourself a star of the big(ish) screen.

Click here for the location of the Brewery Tap.

Details: First Aid evening with emphasis on climbing and mountaineering injuries and emergencies.

There are only 12 places available, so it's first come first served- email Jeremy to book your place. (as of 2nd Oct there are only 2 spaces remaining).

There is a charge for the course- probably £5 per person- to cover the cost of hiring dummies and other equipment.

The session will start at 7.00pm and end about 10.30pm.

Venue: Jeremy's house, Ipswich.

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School, Copleston Road Ipswich IP4 5HD; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.10 per evening.

This is an informal event and people turn up from 7.30pm and get tired by around 10.00pm. It's a great evening for getting fit, being sociable, and, if you are thinking of joining, meeting some of the rest of the club.

Give it a try, come along, bring a friend, and bring a spare harness if you have one for newcomers.

Oh and please don't forget to register and sign in on arrival, as the evening does take place during normal public opening hours.

Details: This is one of the events organised by Suffolk Orienteering Club for orienteers in the Eastern Region. Non-members are welcome. There is no special help for beginners, but IMC members who are used to navigating in the hills should find that they can cope well with one of the easier courses. The harder courses may prove more of a challenge.

For further details visit the Suffolk Orienteering Club fixture list.

Details: Swanage: for climbing and ice cream.
Most of you will know all about Swanage....but for those who don't why not check out Swanage and ice cream

Trad Health Warning: The combination of tides, abseil access and some loose rock make most of the trad crags at Swanage 'serious' in one way or another. If you're intending to go climbing there, the ability for at least one of the climbing pair to deal with these hazards is highly recommended! In particular, the ability to abseil in and prussik back out again if necessary is useful for both climbers. Helmet essential.
* let me know if you would like to come

Details of ice cream eateries to follow.......

Details: 8pm in the bar at Copleston wall.

All welcome as we put our heads together to plan the winter programme

Details: The All-comers meet next weekend will be based at Cherry Orchard Farm in the beautiful Wye Valley - the location and some info on the local climbing are on our website here. In the event of a bad weather forecast a rapid rearrangement to the Peak district is possible.

I suspect we're likely to spend at least the Saturday climbing at Symonds Yat

I'm sure most folk will be heading for the Ostrich Inn in the evening.

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School, Copleston Road Ipswich IP4 5HD; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.10 per evening.

This is an informal event and people turn up from 7.30pm and get tired by around 10.00pm. It's a great evening for getting fit, being sociable, and, if you are thinking of joining, meeting some of the rest of the club.

Give it a try, come along, bring a friend, and bring a spare harness if you have one for newcomers.

Oh and please don't forget to register and sign in on arrival, as the evening does take place during normal public opening hours.

Details: The rescheduled meet at Duddon is finally back and confirmed...after a bit of toing and froing we are finalised!

So a great opportunity for a long weekend in this lovely quiet part of the lake District.
Great climbing on nearby crags or other crags and mountains a short drive away - great location for some good mountain walking days too.

Drop me a line if you want to come along, what days, driving/ lift etc

Hope to see you there

Details: Lundy is a fantastic place to get away from it all, walking is the only way to get around and the sounds of the sea, wind, goats, sheep and birds are pretty much all you hear.

The climbing is superb: the rock is solid (mostly) and incredibly grippy; the atmosphere is exciting with huge waves crashing below you; finding the right crag can be a challenge but even that is enjoyable once you have fully relaxed into the Lundy pace of life.

It is serious, ideally you need to be competent at leading multi-pitch VS or above to get the best out of it and, more importantly, experienced in techniques for getting out of difficulties if things go wrong or it starts pouring down half way up pitch two... Many routes are accessed by abseil and others by scrambling, sometimes at mod standard, over big drops. Having said that, there are plenty of routes at HS and below to fill a relaxed week on the island - I think we only did a couple of VSs in our week.

There are other things than climbing to do: exploring (pot holes, sea tunnels, ruins); letter boxing; organised snorkelling trips; the pub.

Many of the 2009 visitors had been before, some several times, and we have joined them in falling in love with the place.

Accomodation is in The Barn, which sleeps fourteen in two dormitories and has a large cooking, eating, lounging area. There is also a campsite if The Barn is over subscribed – tents need to be able to stand up to Atlantic westerlies.

Lundy is off the North Devon coast and the ferry takes about two hours from Ilfracombe. There is a very good little shop in the "High Street" with a good range of food: fresh veg, fruit, dairy stuff and excellent cakes…

Accomodation in The Barn (already booked) is £94 per person (if fully occupied) and the ferry is £58 return.

Outward sailing is at 3pm on the 13th, return at 2pm on the 20th.

The campsite is £11 per person, per night. Booking required.

If you would like to know more then please e-mail or call us on 01603 474440

John and Kathy

Details: North & Mid-Devon climbing trip.
UK climbing describes Baggy Point in North Devon as having "lots of friendly, well protected slab climbs mostly in S to E2 range with easy access. A mid-range slab climbers paradise" So if you can't spare a whole week for the Lundy trip why not have a weekend in North Devon? With 350 climbs on culm metamorphosed sandstone with good friction why would anyone want to brave the seasick inducing ferry trip to Lundy?
The outline plan at the moment is to stay at little roadway farm campsite, near Woolacombe and only 5 milesdrive from the dramatic headland of Baggy Point. There charges for 2011 are £8 per person per night and £2 per car. (good value for this part of the world in August).
In the unlikely event of rain there's surfing, coasteering, drinking and eating cream teas to keep everyone busy!
Of course Baggy Point is not the only climbing in Devon so if the weather or other circumstances dictate we could try mid Devon.

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School, Copleston Road Ipswich IP4 5HD; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.10 per evening.

This is an informal event and people turn up from 7.30pm and get tired by around 10.00pm. It's a great evening for getting fit, being sociable, and, if you are thinking of joining, meeting some of the rest of the club.

Give it a try, come along, bring a friend, and bring a spare harness if you have one for newcomers.

Oh and please don't forget to register and sign in on arrival, as the evening does take place during normal public opening hours.

Details: This is a long weekend of three to four days if people are able, climbing on portlands continental style sport routes. there are grades suitable for relative beginers 4's up to some scary high 8's. (aparantly)! many in the sport 6 grade.

mostly single pitch. helmet and good belay technique essential. 50 to 60 metre single rope needed for most routes.

Suggestions are to camp out on portland and maybe include a day deepwater soloing or trad/sport at swanage.
anyone interested get in touch.

Details: This event is organised by our local orienteering club. It is one of their series of five local events taking place in Suffolk on Wednesday evenings this summer.

These are informal events, open to all comers, using parks and other areas that are too small for the club's weekend events. There's a short (up to 2km) and a longer (up to 4km) course at each event. The short event should be accessible to anyone with basic hill-walking map and compass skills, even if you've never tried orienteering before. The longer course may be a little more challenging, depending on the area.

Starts are from 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm. If you start early, and feel fit, you may be able to make it to Copleston for climbing afterwards!

Full details are on the Suffolk Orienteering Club website

Please drop me an email if you intend to come. If a lot of IMC members attend I'll need to let the organiser know to print more maps.

Details:

Valkyrie

Lots of climbing at the Roaches (see the planetFear Roaches article, or the UKC crag database for Roaches Lower Tier, Upper Tier and Skyline), with classics such as Black and Tans (S), Technical Slab (HS), Valkyrie (VS) and the Sloth (HVS), and also the neighbouring Hen Cloud, which even has a 3 pitch gritstone route: Central Climb (VS)

The Don Whillans Memorial Hut is booked for 2 nights (15th Jul and 16th July). The hut costs £192 for the weekend, and the cost will be divided between the number of people that go. The hut sleeps up to 12 so costs could be from £16 (12 people), to, say £24 (8 people).

Don Whillans Memorial Hut

Details: 16th year of the Ipswich Hospital Charity Abseil.
This is not an IMC meet, but volunteers from the IMC usually help out.
See email to club members for details

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School, Copleston Road Ipswich IP4 5HD; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.20 per evening.

This is an informal event and people turn up from 7.30pm and get tired by around 10.00pm. It's a great evening for getting fit, being sociable, and, if you are thinking of joining, meeting some of the rest of the club.

Give it a try, come along, bring a friend, and bring a spare harness if you have one for newcomers.

Oh and please don't forget to register and sign in on arrival, as the evening does take place during normal public opening hours.

Details: This event is organised by our local orienteering club. It is one of their series of five local events taking place in Suffolk on Wednesday evenings this summer.

These are informal events, open to all comers, using parks and other areas that are too small for the club's weekend events. There's a short (up to 2km) and a longer (up to 4km) course at each event. The short event should be accessible to anyone with basic hill-walking map and compass skills, even if you've never tried orienteering before. The longer course may be a little more challenging, depending on the area.

Starts are from 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm. If you start early, and feel fit, you may be able to make it to Copleston for climbing afterwards!

Full details are on the Suffolk Orienteering Club website

Please drop me an email if you intend to come. If a lot of IMC members attend I'll need to let the organiser know to print more maps.

Details: Details: Our annual beginners' multipitch climbing meet in North Wales. Your chance to learn the special skills of multipitch climbing in one of Britain's foremost mountain rock-climbing areas.

We'll be staying at the Nant Peris campsite directly opposite the Vaynol arms (see the IMC snowdonia page here) The entrance is just on the Llanberis village side of the Vaynol Arms.

This meet is a good way to improve your skills & experience on bigger crags. You will need to be a competent belayer and, ideally bring your own harness & helmet although a few spares will be available.

This is a "formal" meet so I will organise climbing partnerships each day to make sure that those with less experience are teamed up with someone who can "show them the ropes".

See the IMC snowdonia link above for more info on the area.

Hope to see you there - Martin.

Details: This event is organised by our local orienteering club. It is one of their series of five local events taking place in Suffolk on Wednesday evenings this summer.

These are informal events, open to all comers, using parks and other areas that are too small for the club's weekend events. There's a short (up to 2km) and a longer (up to 4km) course at each event. The short event should be accessible to anyone with basic hill-walking map and compass skills, even if you've never tried orienteering before. The longer course may be a little more challenging, depending on the area.

Starts are from 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm. If you start early, and feel fit, you may be able to make it to Copleston for climbing afterwards!

Full details are on the Suffolk Orienteering Club website

Please drop me an email if you intend to come. If a lot of IMC members attend I'll need to let the organiser know to print more maps.

Details: anyone up for some bouldering and climbing from 6:30 till 9:30 at the crag?

Details: Come and walk, climb, scramble, mountain bike, paddle, eat in tea shops and pubs, explore the coastline, go gear shopping or just explore North Wales. Whatever the weather there should be something that you can do !

We will be camping in Nant Peris in the Ty Isaf farm campsite opposite the Vaynol Arms. There are two campsites in next door to each other in Nant Peris, Ty Isaf is the 2nd one if you're travelling from Llanberis pass and the entrance is just past the Vaynol Arms.

The campsite is based at the Llanberis end of the pass and for those wanting to climb or walk in the pass the bus that passes through the village is the best way to travel and avoid car parking issues.

If you have skills and experience in an activity and are willing to help out other less skilled participants who want to give something a go then please let me know.
Please note that although on this meet we want to try and give people an opportunity to try out something new or brush up their skills this is not an "organised" meet, therefore if you need technical skills you do need to get yourself teamed up with someone who has the appropriate knowledge and gear particularly if you are a beginner. Always a good idea to ask around at Copleston wall on a Wednesday night.
Or if you are interested in coming on this meet drop me an email with your preferred activity choices and we can see what we can do.

Activities mentionned so far:
Walking - plenty of fantastic mountain routes from the classic Snowdon and Glyders to the less known Nantle ridge or the coastal Llyn penninsula or Anglesy for something different
Climbing - both single and multi pitch with loads to do in all grades.
Scrambling - some great classic routes, plenty of ridges and lots of opportunities at all levels
Water based....great sea kayaking around Anglesey, canoe/kayaking on Conwy River or Menai Straits
Mountain Biking - this info comes from Beics Betws based in Betws-y-Coed a 20 min drive from the campsite. Most visiting bikers come here to ride the Gwydir North or Marin Trail on 24km trail in the forest just north of Betws-y-coed. The start of the Marin Route is four miles North of Betws y Coed, it can be accessed from Betws y Coed by a minor road.
Less ambitious riders will enjoy the gentler 10 km ride around Llyn Elsi, a reservoir above the village. We have maps of this route in the shop.
In Penmachno, just 4 km's south of Betws-y-coed, there are two routes. One of 19km "Dolen Machno" has long sections of singletrack with quite a "modern" feel while the 11km Dolen Eryri is a more "old fasioned" cross country loop with great views. Both can be linked together to provide a belting 30km day out.
There is a lot more riding in the area, if you need more information call in the shop and we can advise you.
Other bike hire options :
Beddgelert Bikes
Bike Hire Llanberis

Other things to do:
Llanberis visitor attractions include:
Mountain Railway
Electric Mountain and Dinorwig Power Station
This was regarded as one of the world's most imaginative engineering and environmental project. Today, Dinorwig's operational characteristics and dynamic response capability are still acknowledged the world over. Dinorwig is the largest scheme of its kind in Europe. Dinorwig is comprised of 16km of underground tunnels, deep below Elidir mountain. Its construction required 1 million tonnes of concrete, 200,000 tonnes of cement and 4,500 tonnes of steel.
The station's six powerful generating units stand in Europe's largest man-made cavern.
National Slate Museum
The village has two popular outdoor shops - Outside and Joe Brown's
and of course Pete's Eats

Other things to do:
National Trust Gardens in North Wales
Bodnant garden is famed for its azealeas, rhodedendrons and the laburnam arch and we might just be there at the right time for this ?
Caernarfon and castle
Conway and castle
Anglesey

Loads of other things we could be doing so just drop me an email and see you in Wales

Details: See entry on UKC

[ Note: this is not an IMC Meet but will be of interest to IMC members ]

Details: This event is organised by our local orienteering club. It is one of their series of five local events taking place in Suffolk on Wednesday evenings this summer.

These are informal events, open to all comers, using parks and other areas that are too small for the club's weekend events. There's a short (up to 2km) and a longer (up to 4km) course at each event. The short event should be accessible to anyone with basic hill-walking map and compass skills, even if you've never tried orienteering before. The longer course may be a little more challenging, depending on the area.

Starts are from 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm. If you start early, and feel fit, you may be able to make it to Copleston for climbing afterwards!

Full details are on the Suffolk Orienteering Club website

Please drop me an email if you intend to come. If a lot of IMC members attend I'll need to let the organiser know to print more maps.

Details: Due to an unfortunate series of events, we've had to move this back by a week. Feel free to get in contact if the new dates suit you better!

...

The Cuillins; lots to do there judging from the guidebook. Walking, climbing, superb scenery to take in.

Four people booked on the trip so far, staying at the YH in Glenbrittle. It's £16.50 per night. There is also the campsite in Glenbrittle.

I have suggested 8 days but you don't have to come for the whole duration.

A few people may be interested in attempting the Cuillin Ridge. It's tough, exposed and in parts technical (or so I have read)10km, 3000m of ascent, so you'll need to be fit and not one for beginners. It looks just superb though. What I have read suggests an attempt does need some planning, so let me know if you are interested in doing the ridge in particular. Some great photoson UK Climbing.

You don't have to do the ridge of course, so if you're after just a week away in the hills let me know.

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School, Copleston Road Ipswich IP4 5HD; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.10 per evening.

This is an informal event and people turn up from 7.30pm and get tired by around 10.00pm. It's a great evening for getting fit, being sociable, and, if you are thinking of joining, meeting some of the rest of the club.

Give it a try, come along, bring a friend, and bring a spare harness if you have one for newcomers.

Oh and please don't forget to register and sign in on arrival, as the evening does take place during normal public opening hours.

Details: As we have all just recovered from the double whammy back to back bank holiday weekend, we seem to have another one to fill.

The grand committee have decided that travelling South is now old hat and we should head North to Duddon Valley. As quoted by duddonvalley.co.uk this Jewel in the crown of Cumbria, will delight all enthusiastic walkers, mountain bikers, climbers and nature lovers aplenty.

Plan is to stay at Turner Hall Farm (Seathwaite, Broughton-in-Furness, LA20 6EE), which current rates are….
£5 adults
£1 cars
£1 tents
£2 campervans
£2 children
£1 dogs
£1 shower meters

Please contact me if you are interested in going and whether you want to walk, climb or do your own thing. We can then start to match people and organise travel arrangements.

Details: This event is organised by our local orienteering club. It is one of their series of five local events taking place in Suffolk on Wednesday evenings this summer.

These are informal events, open to all comers, using parks and other areas that are too small for the club's weekend events. There's a short (up to 2km) and a longer (up to 4km) course at each event. The short event should be accessible to anyone with basic hill-walking map and compass skills, even if you've never tried orienteering before. The longer course may be a little more challenging, depending on the area.

Starts are from 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm. If you start early, and feel fit, you may be able to make it to Copleston for climbing afterwards!

Full details are on the Suffolk Orienteering Club website

Please drop me an email if you intend to come. If a lot of IMC members attend I'll need to let the organiser know to print more maps.

Details: Our annual beginners meet. All welcome, whether beginner or not.

Calling all IMC members, new and old, it will soon be that time of year to adventure from the plastic gym walls to the Great Outdoors…. yep the IMC Beginners’ meet.

If you haven’t been climbing outside before and or are looking to brush up on some skills this is a great opportunity to team up with the IMC’s more experienced members for a great introduction to what Grit stone has to offer.

With crags such as Frogget hosting the very amenable Gamma (VD) to the pumpy Diamond Crack (HS) and Stanage with its juggy protectable Black Hawk Crack (S4a) or its awkward jamming Castle Crack (HS), there will be opportunities for all grades/styles of climbers.

Camping will be at Hardhurst Farm near Hope, Derbyshire, which has onsite showers, breakfast café etc, and is located directly behind the Travellers Rest which serves evening meals (though it can get rather busy). The nearby villages also host coffee shops, Indian restaurants and that all important gear shop.

You will need to be self sufficient in terms of tent, sleeping bag, cooking, waterproofs etc.
Climbing harness and helmet can be supplied (let me know in advance), other hardware such as ropes will be provided by club members.
Don’t forget your climbing shoes!


So interested in attending? or have any questions? send us an email ASAP (I’m also often at Copleston's wall on Wednesday).

With regards to travelling arrangements let me know if you need or can provide a lift and when you are planning on travelling.

Further details here

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School, Copleston Road Ipswich IP4 5HD; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.20 per evening.

This is an informal event and people turn up from 7.30pm and get tired by around 10.00pm. It's a great evening for getting fit, being sociable, and, if you are thinking of joining, meeting some of the rest of the club.

Give it a try, come along, bring a friend, and bring a spare harness if you have one for newcomers.

Oh and please don't forget to register and sign in on arrival, as the evening does take place during normal public opening hours.

Details: Following on from Easter, we'll be heading to Pembroke for May day.

Staying at St. Petrox campsite. It isn't possible to book the campsite and it gets very busy over bank holidays so an early arrival is probably sensible. Anyone wanting an electric hook-up for a camper van should phone 01646 683980. Dogs are welcome, provided kept on short leads. The nearest pub is over a mile away sadly and although we'll probably go there for dinner one night, you may want to BYO.

As usual the Pembroke trip comes with a small 'health warning'. The South Pembroke cliffs have excellent climbing but are not a great beginners area. There's barely more than one day's worth of easy climbs, and some of these require an abseil approach; otherwise it's pretty much Hard Severe and above. Folks need to be experienced in sea cliff climbing at this standard, or teamed up with someone who's agreed to show them the ropes. If you are interested in coming along, but would like to be put in touch with others for shared transport or climbing partners, then please let me know. For non-climbers, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path is within easy reach, and there are easier climbs on the North coast (30 miles away) though some areas are subject to bird bans in early May.


Please let me know if you are intending to join us; also whether you would like me to book you in for food at the Stackpole Inn on one or both of Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Details: Our traditional Easter meet in Cornwall. As usual we will be staying at Trevaylor campsite as usual, very close to St. Just. Special IMC rate of £5.50 pppn. The campsite has a small shop that sells food and the odd bit of climbing gear. There is also a bar on site. A Co-op, cashpoint, fish & chips, pubs and an excellent pasty shop are in St. Just.

The Queens Arms at Botallack is just a few hundred yards away from the campsite I will book some tables for at least the Saturday night there. Please tell me if you want to eat there.


Cornwall has lots of single and multi-pitch sea cliff climbing of all grades from Diff to E9, mostly on excellent granite. Routes are generally well protected. Although many crags are tidal and require abseil access such as the excellent Chair Ladder. Others like Bosigran are straightforward non-tidal walk-ins. Despite the good range of grades,I'd recommend relative beginners find a more experienced partner.

Following Cornwall, some of us will be taking the next week off and will move along the coast towards Pembroke for the next weekend. Plans will be weather dependent!

Details: Shake the dust off your outdoor rock climbing gear, remind yourself how to set up belays and general early-season shake down.

Will be staying at Hardhurst Farm (bring warm sleeping bag!)

See here for more info what to do in the area.

Details: Last of our evening pub meets and slide shows this winter.

Venue: The Brewery Tap, Cliff Road,Ipswich. www.thebrewerytap.org

Come and hear tales of an early autumn trip to the Dolomites (unfortunately too much rain to climb), and then retreat to Arco, Italy (slightly less rain - but some climbing) from Mike Turner, Johnboy, Ian Ackerly and Jez le Prez. Will also cover a previous walking / via ferrata trip to the same area in the Dolomites.

8.00pm start - good beer, fine entertainment, be there!

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School, Copleston Road Ipswich IP4 5HD; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.20 per evening.

This is an informal event and people turn up from 7.30pm and get tired by around 10.00pm. It's a great evening for getting fit, being sociable, and, if you are thinking of joining, meeting some of the rest of the club.

Give it a try, come along, bring a friend, and bring a spare harness if you have one for newcomers.

Oh and please don't forget to register and sign in on arrival, as the evening does take place during normal public opening hours.

Details: Free entry, lots of great prizes donated by Action Outdoors, top quality raffle. And the inaugural IMC Champion's Cup.

All and every level of climbing welcome to enter.

Top rope competition for beginners and irregulars.
Intermediates competition.
Experts competition. (we know who you are)
Plus others.

All just for fun. (and prizes and a cup)

Register on the night. Although you do need to be an IMC member to enter.

We'll start from 7.15pm, but you can still enter up until 7.45pm.

It all takes palce at Coplestone Wall, Copleston School, Ipswich, the entrance is off of Foxhall Road, opposite Chilton Road.

The competitions will take place during the evening when the wall is open to the public, so we will need to be patient and considerate to other users and pay £4.20 in the usual way.

See you there.

Details: Location: Glen Nevis YH
We will mostly be travelling on Saturday 5th March and back on Saturday 12th. One of us is likely to be driving up on the Sunday. I've booked the hostel for the nine of us committed so far in January. Latecomers will have to take their chances, although the YH is unlikely to be full other than Saturday and Friday nights.
This isn't really a trip suitable for unaccompanied beginners. Some winter skills are essential, so if you lack them, please be sure that you'll be with someone who does know one end of an ice axe from the other.
Apart from experience, some kit is also essential, especially suitable boots. Summer hillwalking boots are not adequate, even just for winter walking!

Details: If we can't beat them, let's join them. Let's see if one (or two or three) IMC teams can walk off with the Brewery Tap pub quiz prize!

Venue: The Brewery Tap,Cliff Road,Ipswich. www.thebrewerytap.org

Quiz starts at 8.00 for 8.30pm, but I understand it may be necessary to get there before 7.30 to be sure of a table. Teams of 6(max) which we can organise when we get there.

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School, Copleston Road Ipswich IP4 5HD; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.20 per evening.

This is an informal event and people turn up from 7.30pm and get tired by around 10.00pm. It's a great evening for getting fit, being sociable, and, if you are thinking of joining, meeting some of the rest of the club.

Give it a try, come along, bring a friend, and bring a spare harness if you have one for newcomers.

Oh and please don't forget to register and sign in on arrival, as the evening does take place during normal public opening hours.

Details: On the evening of Weds 23rd Feb we'll be holding the regular planning session for the summer meets calendar in the bar at the Brewery Tap from 8.00. I'm hoping for a good turnout (most of the committee will be there). Everyone is welcome to come along chip in ideas - it's not just for those who want to run a meet - although the more volunteers the merrier. So if you've always wanted to visit Stannington Ruffs, Daddyhole Cliffs, Fairhead (it's on my ticklist..) or Cheesewring quarry here's your chance to organise the 1st IMC trip there.

Details: Going to the Duddon Valley in the Lakes.

Staying in a camping barn in High Wallabarrow Farm

website: www.wallabarrow.co.uk/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/1723?opendocument&part=3

if interested send me an email

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School, Copleston Road Ipswich IP4 5HD; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.10 per evening.

This is an informal event and people turn up from 7.30pm and get tired by around 10.00pm. It's a great evening for getting fit, being sociable, and, if you are thinking of joining, meeting some of the rest of the club.

Give it a try, come along, bring a friend, and bring a spare harness if you have one for newcomers.

Oh and please don't forget to register and sign in on arrival, as the evening does take place during normal public opening hours.

Details: Our first winter evening pub meet of 2011.

Venue: The Brewery Tap,Cliff Road,Ipswich. www.thebrewerytap.org

Slideshow - "IMC Mountaineers in the Pyrenees"

Good beer - good entertainment - please be there! 8.00pm start.

Details: Luxury and exclusive accommodation booked at the Swirral bunkhouse (OL5 365174)for eight people. (£8 per night per person.) Right in the thick of the action at the foot of Helvellyn and a pub only a mile away.

The Swirral bunk house is now full. Plus two brave souls in a camper van.

The nearby Hevellyn YHA has spaces at £18 per night. tel 0845 371 9742 or email helvellyn@yha.org.uk

You can either book the YHA yourself (at least one IMC member already has) or let me know and I will book for you. Either way let me know if you are coming so I can arrange lifts for everyone.

Both venues are great for low level or high level walks. If you particularly like walking this could be the trip for you.

The Sykeside bunk house and campsite also have availability.

Other activities, weather permitting, will no doubt include, scrambling, climbing and a possible attempt on Striding Edge.

See photos of the area

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School, Copleston Road Ipswich IP4 5HD; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.10 per evening.

This is an informal event and people turn up from 7.30pm and get tired by around 10.00pm. It's a great evening for getting fit, being sociable, and, if you are thinking of joining, meeting some of the rest of the club.

Give it a try, come along, bring a friend, and bring a spare harness if you have one for newcomers.

Oh and please don't forget to register and sign in on arrival, as the evening does take place during normal public opening hours.

Details: New Year in North Wales - winter walking, scrambling and climbing!

Staying at Gwern Gôf Isaf bunkhouse between Capel Curig and Llyn Ogwen.

Seven going so far.

Sure we will manage a drink or two to welcome 2011.

Details: starting 7-7.30pm
Masha of India
200 St. Helens Street
IP4 2LH

The price £10.50 please pay by Friday 19 November.

Details: This meet will be based at the Rhyd Ddu bunkhouse. Details can be found on their web site snowdoninn.co.uk the bukhouse we will be staying at is not shown on the web site, I've been informed it is a new 8 bed bunkhouse. Rate is £15-00 pppn. Please contact me if you are interested.
For those that prefer camping there is a campsite.

The bunkhouse is close to the Cwellyn Arms, which has been voted best real ale pub in Snowdonia by CAMARA.
This venue provides access to wide range ofwalking, scrambling and climbing!

Details: It's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School, Copleston Road Ipswich IP4 5HD; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.10 per evening.

This is an informal event and people turn up from 7.30pm and get tired by around 10.00pm. It's a great evening for getting fit, being sociable, and, if you are thinking of joining, meeting some of the rest of the club.

Give it a try, come along, bring a friend, and bring a spare harness if you have one for newcomers.

Oh and please don't forget to register and sign in on arrival, as the evening does take place during normal public opening hours.

Details: Our second winter evening pub meet of the year, incorporating the AGM.

Venue: The Brewery Tap,Cliff Road,Ipswich. www.thebrewerytap.org

Annual General Meeting, followed by a short slideshow "Climbing in Croatia"

Good beer - good entertainment, and the chance to have your say on how the club will be run in 2011 - please be there! 8.00pm start.

Details: Our first winter evening pub meet of the year.

Venue: The Brewery Tap,Cliff Road,Ipswich. www.thebrewerytap.org

Slideshow - IMC Climbers in Action - Summer 2010. Please bring along a few photos to entertain (and possibly embarrass) members present.

Good beer - good entertainment - please be there! 8.00pm start.

Details: This is our annual late summer trip to Swanage. We will be camping at Tom's Field, Langton Matravers, which is within easy reach of the classic Swanage traditional limestone climbing venues of Subliminal, Boulder Ruckle, Cattle Troughs and Guillemot Edge. Most of the climbing hereabouts is Hard Severe and above, but there are a few easier routes at Subliminal and Cattle Troughs. Most of the cliffs involve an abseil approach. Also nearby are some of Britain's best sport climbing venues and the "Jurassic" section of the South West Coastal Path.

This is not a beginners meet, and those attending should be self-reliant with regard to gear, climbing partners and knowledge (though advice will be available for those new to Swanage). I'll do my best to co-ordinate transport and put people in touch re climbing partnerships before the meet.

Martin

Details: If you have never attended one of these meets, the idea is to team experienced climbers with less experienced to give either a taster of what it's like to climb outdoors or to help you improve various skills and techniques.Climbing harnesses and helmets can be supplied if I know in good time beforehand to get it organised, although it would be a good idea to have your own climbing shoes. All other climbing gear such as ropes, hardware etc will be provided by club members. You will need to be self sufficient for your accommodation (tent!), sleeping bag, cooking gear etc.We usually travel up on the Friday afternoon/evening so we can be a bit more organised on the Saturday morning - at least that's the theory! - and do our best to maximise bodies per vehicle. When responding, please let me know if you are willing to drive your own vehicle and the number of spaces available or if you will need a lift.Please let me know if you would like to go on the list and, if a beginner/improver, an idea of your climbing experience to date and what climbing gear you have/would need to borrow. Established IMC members please let me know if you can help for the weekend and whether you consider yourself leader or assistant.

Details: Fancy a long weekend in the Lakes.
This will be a “Do what you like” sort of meeting.
Great opportunity for fell walking, scrambling and climbing in the Borrowdale Valley.

Camping is at Hollows Farm at Grange-in-Borrowdale
Grid reference OL4 248165
Post code CA12 5UQ
www.hollowsfarm.co.uk
Good loos and showers and most importantly dog friendly.

Be prepared to make your own evening entertainment as there is no pub in Grange.
The nearby Scafell Hotel has the Riverside Bar that does good bar meals, this is short drive away, or an interesting 45 min walk and stagger back along the river and through the woods (highly recommended). But on a balmy “summer evening” what could be better than gathering around for bit of alfresco eating and a few tinnies.

Please let us know your interest asap, and for co-ordinating of car sharing if you have space or require a lift.

See you there
John and Suzanne

Details: Camping:


Manor House Farm Caravan Park
Summerbridge
Harrogate
North Yorkshire
HG3 4JS


Tel: 01423 780322


Open to alternative suggestions for camping - this is the only one I know! All grades of climbers welcome but be prepared to be sand-bagged by the infamous Yorkshire grading. There's a well known (sand-bag) climbs or two at Brimham if anyones interested... Minion's Way, Desperation Crack and Dogleg Crack maybe attempted so bring a camera, pop-corn and professional help for those who enjoy this type of climbing.

Details:

Valkyrie

Lots of climbing at the Roaches (see the planetFear Roaches article, or the UKC crag database for Roaches Lower Tier, Upper Tier and Skyline), with classics such as Black and Tans (S), Technical Slab (HS), Valkyrie (VS) and the Sloth (HVS), and also the neighbouring Hen Cloud, which even has a 3 pitch gritstone route: Central Climb (VS)

The Don Whillans Memorial Hut is booked for the weekend (total cost is £144 for the weekend, it sleeps up to 12 people), I now have enough people to fill the hut, but there might be the odd late drop out so let me know if you are interested and haven't told me yet.

There is also camping below Hen Cloud see here

Don Whillans Memorial Hut

Details: Our annual beginners' multipitch meet in North Wales. Your chance to learn the arcane skills of multipitch climbing.

We'll be staying at the Nant Peris campsite directly opposite the Vaynol arms (see the IMC snowdonia page here) The entrance is just on the Llanberis village side of the Vaynol Arms.

This meet is a good way to improve your skills & experience on bigger crags. You will need to be a competent belayer and, ideally bring your own harness & helmet although a few spares will be available.

See the IMC snowdonia link above for more info on the area

Details: A weekend of Limestone action in the beautiful wye valley. We will be staying in the campsite in the village of Newlands near Monmouth. There is an excellent pub within walking distance.


The Wye calley is home to a good selection of trad routes at all grades from Diff to E-Silly although the majority are in the VS and over range. Great crags include Symonds Yat, Wyndcliffe & Shorncliff. There are also a number of sport crags nearby


Non-climbing attractions include walking on Offa's dyke, the old town of Monmouth and Tintern Abbey.

Details: The May Day weekend weekend this year will be in the Lake district.

We are staying at the Bayes Brown farm campsite, Chapel Stile in the stunning Langdale Valley.

Walking, scrambling, climbing (single pitch and multi pitch mountain routes) mountain biking and of course, Tea Shop Exploration! are all on offer.

Details: Last minute splitters meet being organised for the Peak District.

Probable base for strike deep into the Peak will be the usual suspect:

Hardhurst Farm
Hope Valley
Derbyshire
S33 6RB

Map: http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=2596&map=on#maphere

Details: Our annual start of the year beginners' meet: On this trip new members of the IMC are teamed-up with more experienced members to introduce them to outside climbing.


Climbing harnesses and helmets can be supplied if I know in good time beforehand to get it organised, although it would be a good idea to have your own climbing shoes. All other climbing gear such as ropes, hardware etc will be provided by club members. You will need to be self sufficient for your accommodation (tent!), sleeping bag, cooking gear etc.


Camping will be at Hardhurst Farm, near Hope, Derbyshire. For those of you who have never attended this meet, we usually travel up on the Friday afternoon/evening so we can be a bit more organised on the Saturday morning. The site is situated directly behind a good food pub (The Travellers Rest) for your evening meal and there is a good cafe on site for breakfast.


See description of the area here


Please note that if you are hoping to get a meal at the pub, you need to find a table first and then get your order in before 9pm. It does get very busy so you need to consider that if you arrived after say 8pm, all the tables might be taken and then it could be a lottery as to whether you can get seated in time. Alternatively there are more good food pubs in neighbouring Hathersage (The Little John and The Scotsmans Pack) and an Indian restaurant/takeaway, and in Hope there are more pubs and a Chinese restaurant/takeaway.


If you are interested in attending please get in contact with me as soon as possible so that I can book spaces.

Details: Bank holiday weekend in North Wales. Camping at the Nant Peris campsite opposite the Vaynol Arms.


Multi-pitch climbing of all grades, walking and scrambling all possible from the campsite or with a short drive. For more info including campsite location see the IMC area guide here

Details: Open-to-all orienteering at Ickworth park near Bury St. Edmunds. Courses set for all levels. more information here

Details: Early-season trip to the Peak district for a bit of grippy grit or whatever the weather allows us to get up to.

Details: Yes, it's the first wednesday-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School in Ipswich; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.00 per evening.



This is an informal event and numbers vary but people will usually be at the wall from 7.30 until around 10.00 and it's a good occasion to be sociable, get fit and, if you're a potential new member, meet the rest of the club. Please don't forget to register and sign in on arrival, as these meets take part during normal public sessions.

Details: The traditional IMC Easter trip to Cornwall.


Staying at Trevaylor campsite (complete with Bar and shop that sells climbing gear). dogs are welcome and the cost per night is £3 per person + £4 per tent. There's a good pub within half a mile and shops, chippy and excellent pasty shop in St. Just 1 mile away.



The climbing in Cornwall is mainly on fantastically grippy Granite and there are three-star routes spanning the full range of grades. There are some excellent easy-access crags but some crags require an abseil descent - so usual warnings apply.



If you're interested please send me a £7 deposit. Drop me an email for details.

Details:


Last of a series of three winter evening pub meets at one of the IMC's favourite pubs, The Brewery Tap on Cliff Road.


This one is titled 'Winter Adventures'. Adrian Fagg and Andy Hansler will lead with their account of a great week in Scotland. Others are welcome to contribute slides of their winter adventures this year.


Kick-off 8.00pm.

Details: What ever your pleasure; Scotland has it all, from golden eagles to golden sunsunsets . . .


If you enjoy great scenery, wild desolate locations, combined with walking, mountain biking, rock climbing, whiskey, ice climbing (hopefully), haggis hunting and even sking then this is a meet not to be missed.


The plan is to stay in a hostel at Newtonmore which gives easy access to Glen Coe, Fort William and The Ben, along with Avinmore and the Cairngorms and even Creag Meagaidh.


Check out our very own Adrian Fagg's artical 'Scotland March 09' in last Aprils newsletter.


Fancy an easy day? - catch the ski lift at 'Nevis Range' to give a short walk to some single pitch ice climbs on Aonach Mor . . .(weather depending tho) . . and i'm told you can enjoy a beer at the top to. .


If your short of winter gear, there are hire shops around, including in Fort William.


Interested? ; Please indicate your interest as soon as possible.

Details: Yes, it's the first weds-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School in Ipswich; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.00 per evening.



This is an informal event and numbers vary but people will usually be at the wall from 7.30 until around 10.00 and it's a good occasion to be sociable, get fit and, if you're a potential new member, meet the rest of the club. Please don't forget to register and sign in on arrival, as these meets take part during normal public sessions.

Details: Suffolk teachers Amanda Richmond and Neil Taylor are giving a talk and slideshow on their attempt on Everest. Amanda successfully reached the summit. I know them both and I've seen the talk, which I can recommend.


Please let me know if you intend to be there - I can then confirm numbers with the organiser who will reserve tickets. This replaces the previously advertised pub meet on 25 February.


Details follow:


'Destination 8850 - Our Ascent of Everest' - Tue. 23rd Feb.


Co-op Education Centre, Fore Street, Ipswich - 7.00 for 7.30pm


Suffolk teachers Amanda Richmond & Neil Taylor give a talk
with photographs, of their ascent of Everest in May 2009.


Admission Price: £3.00 includes Fairtrade refreshments.


All proceeds to British Heart Foundation & Ipswich Fairtrade Group

Details: Another opportunity to go to the gorgeous Lake District, to do a bit of whatever you fancy.

Details: Open-to-all orienteering at King's Forest near Bury St. Edmunds TL 826 735. Courses at all standards.


Link to suffoc pages with more details here

Details: The first weds-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School in Ipswich; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.00 per evening.



This is an informal event and numbers vary but people will usually be at the wall from 7.30 until around 10.00 and it's a good occasion to be sociable, get fit and, if you're a potential new member, meet the rest of the club. Please don't forget to register and sign in on arrival, as these meets take part during normal public sessions.

Details: First of a series of three winter evening pub meets at one of the IMC's favourite pubs, The Brewery Tap on Cliff Road.


Most probably a 'potpourrie' slide evening - a medley of contributions from various members, with plenty of beer/conversation time in between.


Kick-off 8.00pm.

Details: Winter Walking based at Sykeside on the approach to Kirkstone Pass. This is an informal meet. So come prepared to make your own enjoyment, whether its walking, scrambling, cycling or just for the photography or socialising!

Details: I am going to The Castle climbing wall on the 17th of Jan for a coaching session. If anyone wants come along / car share then let me know.

Details: Details: Yes, it's the first weds-of-the-year club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School in Ipswich; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.00 per evening.



This is an informal event and numbers vary but people will usually be at the wall from 7.30 until around 10.00 and it's a good occasion to be sociable, get fit and, if you're a potential new member, meet the rest of the club. Please don't forget to register and sign in on arrival, as these meets take part during normal public sessions.

Details: The traditional IMC curry at the Masha of India


NOW FULLY BOOKED

Details: Walking, scrambling, mountain biking, climbing(?) based in a bunkhouse in Tawsfynydd

Details: Details: Yes, it's the first weds-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School in Ipswich; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.00 per evening.



This is an informal event and numbers vary but people will usually be at the wall from 7.30 until around 10.00 and it's a good occasion to be sociable, get fit and, if you're a potential new member, meet the rest of the club. Please don't forget to register and sign in on arrival, as these meets take part during normal public sessions.

Details: This auspicious occasion needs no introduction. Please keep your eyes on the email for notices. If you wish to stand for office or raise a matter for discussion please let me (or the Secretary) know.

Details: Open-to-all orienteering at Ickworth. Courses at all standards planned by our very own East Anglian champion, Martin (that's just for my own 55 - 60 age group - M). Link here

Details:
Please note change of date. Not sure what the slideshow will be - either Lundy or Alex Bloomfields visit to Greenland.

Details: sport or trad climbing on the Swanage Cliffs:


The trip comes with a small 'health warning'. The trad cliffs have excellent climbing but are not a good beginners area. There's barely more than one day's worth of easy climbs, and most of these require an abseil approach; otherwise it's pretty much Very Severe and above. Folks need to be experienced in sea cliff climbing at this standard, or teamed up with someone who's agreed to show them the ropes.


The sport areas are much more accessible - no abseils required. There is a small selection of sport crags near Swanage itself and a much wider selection of crags & routes just under an hour away at Portland.


If you are interested in coming along, but would like to be put in touch with others for shared transport or climbing partners, then please let me know.


As usual, we'll be staying at Tom's Field campsite in Langton Matravers.

Details: Steve Culverhouse and whatever cohorts he can sign up will be presenting slides of this year's Lundy extravaganza.

Details: I am organising the IMC trip to the Peak District on 12 / 13 August. The plan is to stay at Hardhurst Farm, Parsons Lane, Hope, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S33 (grid ref 184830) Tel: 01433 620001 . Its off the A6187.



The campsite has showers and a cafe and is a 2 minute walk from the Travellers' Rest pub, serving meals etc. The location is fairly central - lots of gritstone crags are easily accessible ie Stanage Edge, Froggatt, Birchen, Burbage North, Lawrencefield, Millstone etc etc as well as limestone crags - Dovestone, Wild Cat Crag, Stoney Middleton, Horseshoe Quarry to name but a few.




As well as rock climbing, the Peaks offers great walking and mountain biking options. Hathersage offers abundant gear fondling and tea 'n cake opportunities.




Let me know asap if:



you would like to come along,
you are prepared to drive and would like to offer space in your car,
you would like a lift
and I will co-ordinate car sharing and book Hardhurst Farm.


Christina - apologies for the cheeky cut & paste.

Details: Climbing/walking/whatever-you-like in North Wales. The usual approach would be to arrive at Dolgam, however the weather forecast needs watching so I'll not set this in stone yet. Hopefully we'll have an idea by Thursday and I'll update then. Get in touch and I'll sort lift shares and hopefully be able to put the un-paired in touch. Eastern Grit is unlikely to happen though as far as I'm concerned, it's a bank holiday we should head elsewhere.

Details: IMC Lundy Meet

Details: I am organising the IMC trip to the Peak District on 1/2 August. The plan is to stay at Hardhurst Farm, Parsons Lane, Hope, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S33 (grid ref 184830) Tel: 01433 620001. Its off the A6187.


The campsite has showers and a cafe and is a 2 minute walk from the Travellers' Rest pub, serving meals etc. The location is fairly central - lots of gritstone crags are easily accessible ie Stanage Edge, Froggatt, Birchen, Burbage North, Lawrencefield, Millstone etc etc as well as limestone crags - Dovestone, Wild Cat Crag, Stoney Middleton, Horseshoe Quarry to name but a few.



As well as rock climbing, the Peaks offers great walking and mountain biking options. Hathersage offers abundant gear fondling and tea 'n cake opportunities.



Let me know asap if:


you would like to come along,
you are prepared to drive and would like to offer space in your car,
you would like a lift
and I will co-ordinate car sharing and book Hardhurst Farm.

Details: Climbing in Yorkshire - Brimham Rocks, Almscliffe and all that


Organiser needed. Drop me a line or jump right in and edit this entry...

Details: Our regular beginners multipitch meet in North Wales


The idea of the trip is to introduce newer climbers to the excitement that is multipitch climbing.


Camping will be in Nant Peris opposite the Vaynol Arms (now there's convenient)

Details: Climbing on the limestone of the beautiful Wye Valley.

A good range of traditional climbing is available (though it's probably best at Hard Severe and above) and there are also two sport crags to go at (F5 upwards) plus good walking and sightseeing opportunities.

Camping is at Cherry Orchard Farm, Newland, a basic site set in a pleasant side valley with an excellent pub just 10 minutes stroll away.

A newish Climbers Club guidebook to the Lower Wye Valley is available and a free downloadable extract to Wynd Cliff , a crag that hasn't yet seen an IMC visit as far as I am aware - looks interesting.

Details: Climbing in the Peak district. Final venue still to be sorted but if weather's fine we'll be camping at Crowden (for crags such as Laddow, Shining Clough, Standing Stones - all recommended by the way) or if weather more iffy Upper Hulme (for the Roaches, Hen cloud, Ramshaw, Castle Naze etc.)




Drop me a line if you're interested

Details: All grades of climbing in the fantastic Borrowdale valley along with excellent walking, scrambling, mountain biking etc etc there's even a spot of Via Ferrata to be had at Honister Slate Mine just up the road!
We'll be camping at Chapel house Farm in Stonethwaite. No booking required but if you're interested in coming I'd like to know please, particularly if you're after a lift share or climbing partner. There are reasonable facilities at the campsite (2 or 3 showers and loos) and two pubs within walking distance. Many crags and lots of good walking and scrambling nearby, some of it direct from the campsite. Good crags within a mile or two are Raven Crag (Corvus anyone?) & Sergeant Crag slabs - both walking distance, Shepherd Crag (lots of classics at all grades), Black Crag (home of Troutdale Pinnacle, the best Severe in the lakes?), another Raven Crag, The Bowderstone (great bouldering I gather) & Goat Crag. Only slightly further are Napes Needle, Great Gable, Kern Knotts, Castle Rock of Triermain and innumerable other spots. See here for more info on the climbing options.


There is also rumours of certain quintegenarians hijacking one evening to mark their auspicious occasions!


If the forecast is really woeful then this meet may be re-arranged elsewhere - but it would have to be damn bad!

View Chapel House Farm in a larger map
The campsite entrance is left off the B5289 (unless we're in the overflow field which is on the right!) just S of the Stonethwaite crossroads.

Details: For anyone who can't make the Lakes trip I'm planning a long weekend of sport climbing and bouldering in the Peak District for the upcoming bank holiday Monday...


Campsite will be the usual suspect, Hardhurst Farm. The sports venues I'm suggesting are Horseshoe Quarry and Harpur Hill during the day with some evening bouldering anyone wants to join me.


Whilst there are some easier climbs you would ideally need to be leading 5+ / 6a to get the most out of the venues.


All interested parties contact me.

Details: IMC beginners meet in the Peak District. All comers welcome.


Provisionally staying at Hardhurst Farm


Please could all potential leaders, leader assistants and beginners let us know as soon as possible if you want to attend.
Note that if there are insufficient leaders, then beginners may be disappointed.

Details: Yes, it's the first weds-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School in Ipswich; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.00 per evening.


This is an informal event and numbers vary but people will usually be at the wall from 7.30 until around 10.00 and it's a good occasion to be sociable, get fit and, if you're a potential new member, meet the rest of the club.

Details: Nothing daunted by 2008's washout we're trying again for May Day at Pembroke...


Camping at St Petrox on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. They don't take bookings for tents but accept all comers (anyone wanting an electric hook-up for a camper van should phone 01646 683980). Dogs are welcome, provided kept on short leads. The campsite is handy for the St Govan's and Range East cliffs (a couple of miles to the St Govan's car park), has reasonable facilities and friendly owners, but has no pub within easy walking distance.


As usual the trip comes with a small 'health warning'. The South Pembroke cliffs have excellent climbing but are not a good beginners area. There's barely more than one day's worth of easy climbs, and some of these require an abseil approach; otherwise it's pretty much Hard Severe and above. Folks need to be experienced in sea cliff climbing at this standard, or teamed up with someone who's agreed to show them the ropes. If you are interested in coming along, but would like to be put in touch with others for shared transport or climbing partners, then please let me know. For non-climbers, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path is within easy reach, and there are easier climbs on the North coast (30 miles away) though some areas are subject to bird bans in early May.


Please let me know if you are intending to join us; also whether you would like me to book you in for food at the Stackpole Inn on one or both of Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Details: An Easter climbing trip to Cornwall to find the warmest weather in the UK.


Staying at Trevaylor campsite (complete with Bar and shop that sells climbing gear. dogs are welcome and the cost per night is £3 per person + £4 per tent. There's a good pub within half a mile and shops, chippy and excellent pasty shop in St. Just 1 mile away.


The climbing in Cornwall is mainly on fantastically grippy Granite and there are three-star routes spanning the full range of grades. There are some excellent easy-access crags but some crags require an abseil descent - so usual warnings apply.


If you're interested please send me a £5 deposit. Drop me an email for details.

To whet your appetite here's a few links:


UKC crag page - 132 crags!

some crags inc. Bosigran

more crags inc. Sennen and chair Ladder

Details: 'Yoga for Climbers' session for the club.

This has had to be cancelled due to lack of attendees.

Details: No really; it's the first weds-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School in Ipswich; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.00 per evening.


This is an informal event and numbers vary but people will usually be at the wall from 7.30 until around 10.00 and it's a good occasion to be sociable, get fit and, if you're a potential new member, meet the rest of the club.

Details: Those of you who attended February's slideshow would be aware that we encountered some noise pollution (that is perhaps the fairest way to describe karaoke at the Lloyds Tavern).

I have taken an executive decision to try the Brewery Tap at least for the next slideshow. I have booked us in for Thursday 19th March and the 'show' will be 'Climbing in the Midnight Sun - Two Steves and one Carol in Lofoten.' Kick-off 20.00 hrs (if my train isn't cancelled)

Steve and I have sampled the wares of this establishment last night purely in your best interests and can thoroughly recommend the Tolly Roger (Cliff Key Brewery) which was a jolly good pint. I have not booked anything beyond the next slideshow so if anyone has any thoughts please let me know as soon as possible.

Details: Tentative dates for a long weekend in Scotland. Activities will be down to weather and keenness of the attendees.


Possibly staying at Fraoch Lodge in Boat of Garten.


Organiser needed - just jump in and edit this entry if you're interested in running the meet!

Details: Yes, it's the first weds-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School in Ipswich; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.00 per evening.


This is an informal event and numbers vary but people will usually be at the wall from 7.30 until around 10.00 and it's a good occasion to be sociable, get fit and, if you're a potential new member, meet the rest of the club.

Details:
Improve your navigational skills and get fit (not to mention muddy) at the same time.


Venue: Knettishall Heath, Woodbridge. TL956806.


All experience levels welcome - there are courses ranging from family-friendly to frankly mad...

Details: At Stowmarket Climbing Wall. Organized by the wall's manager, Nick Hart.


Come and learn with world renowned climber Dave Macleod. Dave will be coaching groups of upto six climbers with exclusive use of the new bouldering wall.


Sessions cost £40 per person, with a choice of the following times:
10:00 - 12:00, 12:30 - 14:30, or 15:00 - 17:00.
Book by phoning the Mid-Suffolk leisure centre on 01449 674980.

Details: SAFE IS RISKY!
Dave MacLeod has put up or repeated many of the most dangerous trad routes in the world. But he thinks he is taking the safest path through life! Dave will take us on his journey of preparation for his hardest route by far, Echo Wall on Ben Nevis with images and film from many of his preparation climbs - everything from V13 bouldering to soloing 8c. You can see Dave's own website for more information.


The lecture will be starting at 19:00, with the bar opening at 18:30. £8.50 per ticket


To book contact the Mid-Suffolk Leisure Centre on 01449 674980


This event is organized by the manager of the MSLC, Nick Hart.

Details: 7pm onwards
* Boulder Bash with music
* Roped walls fully open
* Completely new, fully graded problems on ALL walls
* FREE Finger Buffet for all paying climbers


Usual Session Price

Details: A trip to the tried and trusted Sykeside bunkhouse/pub in Patterdale for the usual winter shenanigans.


There's plenty of good walking and scrambling nearby and an excellent pub on-site for the evening.


There are (basic) self-catering facilities in the bunkhouse section or the pub does meals, including breakfast. The rooms are *very* warm so don't bring your thickest sleeping bag - unless you're camping that is.


The bunkhouse is £13 per night and I will need 1 night's deposit from you to book a space.

Details: Yes, it's the first weds-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School in Ipswich; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.00 per evening.

This is an informal event and numbers vary but people will usually be at the wall from 7.30 until around 10.00 and it's a good occasion to be sociable, get fit and, if you're a potential new member, meet the rest of the club.

Details: Probably staying at Thorpe Farm bunkhouse (or camping at Hardhurst Farm if you're feeling hardy!). Due to my lack of employment I will not be organising this meet. Any volunteers?

Details: A re-run of last year's successful trip to North Wales.


Staying in a nice warm bunkhouse at the foot of Tryfan.


The places in the bunkhouse are already spoken for, but if you want to join in then please get in touch and I can suggest other places to stay. Also, there is a reserve list in case anyone drops out.

Details: Improve your navigational skills and get fit (not to mention muddy) at the same time.


Venue: SUFFOC District Event & ESSOL. Sutton Common, Woodbridge. TM306476.


All experience levels welcome - there are courses ranging from family-friendly to frankly mad...

Details: At The Lloyd's Tavern. Slideshow starts at 8.00pm prompt.
A brief (hopefully!) resume of our visit to South Africa, and participation in the International Meet organised by the Johannesburg section of the Mountain Club of South Africa, in March 2008. Click here for directions to The Lloyds Tavern.

Details: New for 2009! It's the first weds-of-the-month club meet of the year at the indoor wall at Copleston School in Ipswich; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.00 per evening.


This is an informal event and numbers vary but people will usually be at the wall from 7.30 until around 10.00 and it's a good occasion to be sociable, get fit and, if you're a potential new member, meet the rest of the club.

Details: Mountain biking at Coed y Brenin or nearby. Plenty of walking close by too in the little-frequented Arans & Rhinogs. Cader Idris is also nearby.


We'll be at a bunkhouse - details TBD

Details: Yes, it's the first weds-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School in Ipswich; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.00 per evening.

This is an informal event and numbers vary but people will usually be at the wall from 7.30 until around 10.00 and it's a good occasion to be sociable, get fit and, if you're a potential new member, meet the rest of the club.

Details: Improve your navigational skills and get fit (not to mention muddy) at the same time.

Venue: Rendlesham Forest, Woodbridge. TM355482.

All experience levels welcome - there are courses ranging from family-friendly to frankly mad...
See the Suffolk Orienteering Club's webpage for details.

Details: Starts at 20:00. In Lloyd's Tavern on Lloyds Avenue in Ipswich (by Debenhams). We need volunteers for the positions of President, Secretary, Webmaster, Newsletter Editor, and Youth Representative! Any takers?

Details: The most local of the excellent series of Winter skills lectures run by the BMC. More details here

Details: Remember, remember the first weds-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School in Ipswich; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.00 per evening.

This is an informal event and numbers vary but people will usually be at the wall from 7.30 until around 10.00 and it's a good occasion to be sociable, get fit and, if you're a potential new member, meet the rest of the club.


Bring your own fireworks...

Details: The plan is camp/bunkhouse/B&B (depending on the accommodation availability/attendee fortitude) in the vicinity of Dalby Forest. Those without bike can hire from Purple Mountain. Pete and Lou Krug have been singing the praises having holidayed there this summer. I haven't looked at camping yet as I would like some interest first. If I'm lucky I might even get to go on my own meet!
YHA has a bunkhouse at Sinnington outside Pickering. Costs are £6.50 per night or £78.00 for sole use.

Details: Proposal is for 10 Pin Bowling at KingPin, Gloster Road, Martlesham Heath. 8pm. £25 per lane per hour for 6 people.


Please respond to me on the carolinegoldsworthy@btinternet.com addy as I'm not currently in work.


Thanks
Caro x

Details: With the nights drawing in and the rain (probably) lashing the crags, how about a trip to a nice warm climbing wall?


See www.castle-climbing.co.uk for the venue and contact the organiser for car sharing and futher information.

Details: Kalymnos sports climbing..


2 weeks or 1 week upto you.


Great climbing venue. Climbs of all grades and great weather.

Details: Details: The regular 1st-Wednesday-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School in Ipswich; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.00 per evening.

This is an informal event and numbers vary but people will usually be at the wall from 7.30 until around 10.00 and it's a good occasion to be sociable, get fit and, if you're a potential new member, meet the rest of the club.

Details: Venue TBC - or everyone might like to go to Swanage. Volunteer(s) to organise this one needed please.

Details: Swanage for those of you want to. I expect the helicopter won't be looking so new this much later in the year ;-)


As usual, we'll be staying at Tom's Field campsite in Langton Matravers.


Swanage offers a range of adventurous sea-cliff climbing, mainly at VS and above and also a decent selection of sport routes. The fantastic sport cliffs of Portland are only an hour away too, if you like that sort of thing.

Details: Somewhere in the Peaks no doubt, but am open to suggestions. Let me know if you lead, are happy to assist or need guidance.


Thanks
Caroline

Details: Details: The regular 1st-Wednesday-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School in Ipswich; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.00 per evening.

This is an informal event and numbers vary but people will usually be at the wall from 7.30 until around 10.00 and it's a good occasion to be sociable, get fit and, if you're a potential new member, meet the rest of the club.


If the weather's fine and there's enough interest we may go to the pub afterwards too.

Details: Actual campsite and venue not yet decided but since there's a new guidebook it would be rude not to........


Madame Pres, my Good Lady Wife and indeed the x-Pres himself have been
trying to to keep Northumberland (the real North of England to those
that think those southern jessies of Yorkshire represent t'North of
England) a secret but those ratbags at Rockfax have spilt the beans so
we are going there at the Bank holiday.


I have at long last found an IMC style campsite and what a place it is -
Alnwick (remember you must pronounce it Arlnwick) Rugby Club! They have
a turn up and pitch campsite somewhere on their grounds (charging from £
5 per night). You cannot believe how much time I have spent trying to
find this place! I assume it is dog-friendly so Mounty and Pippa are
free to join in. The website provides more details - www.alnwickrugby.com


We will be well situated for getting to the northern crags such as Kyloe
and Bowden doors and indeed Simonside and the other Coquet Valley crags.
But Northumberland is so much more than climbing. There is great walking
and mountain-biking to be had and some brilliant beaches (maybe we can
organise a barbie) not too far away. Arlnwick has a castle that will be
familar to those afficionadoes of the Parry Hotter filums and there are
many other castles and places to visit so you can bring your families
along knowing that they can be entertained whilst you are out on the crag.


As I said the campsite is a turn up kinda place so just come along but
it would be helpful if you could let me know if you are coming along. If
anyone is in need of a lift please let me know and I will try and find a
driver.


Cheers


Peter (on behalf of the Northumberland Tourist Board)

Details: Details: The regular 1st-Wednesday-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School in Ipswich; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.00 per evening.

This is an informal event and numbers vary but people will usually be at the wall from 7.30 until around 10.00 and it's a good occasion to be sociable, get fit and, if you're a potential new member, meet the rest of the club.


If the weather's fine and there's enough interest we may go to the pub afterwards too.

Details: We're taking a risk by returning this event to it's usual place in July. No all nighters please folks and can we leave the MRT at home in their beds?

Camping at Nant Peris opposite the Vaynol Arms pub.

Will need to pair folks up for this trip so leting me know about your attendance in advance is useful.

Thanks

Details: Campsite TBC.


Limestone climbing in the beautiful Wye Valley. All grades from VDiff to E Silly.

Details: Details: The regular 1st-Wednesday-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School in Ipswich; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.00 per evening.

This is an informal event and numbers vary but people will usually be at the wall from 7.30 until around 10.00 and it's a good occasion to be sociable, get fit and, if you're a potential new member, meet the rest of the club.


If the weather's fine and there's enough interest we may go to the pub afterwards too.

Details: I have been deputised by the good lady wife to organise the Yorkshire
Meet. I have just booked a few slots at Manor House Farm Caravan Site so
let me know as soon as possible if you are interested in attending.


We have been here before and it is good site very close to Brimham
Rocks. A bit dear at £ 8 a night for a one man tent, £ 15 a night for a
two man tent or £ 20 a night for a family tent. I have had no end of
trouble trying to find a campsite which is either not fully booked up or
which will take groups and the slight hitch is that this one won't
accept dogs (sorry Pippa, Mo(u)nty and Bruce).


Excursion to the pub is quite exciting across some stepping stones when
you find them.


Link to the campsite is below


> > http://www.campinguk.com/manorhouse.htm
Directions: Situated on the B6165 Ripley to Pateley Bridge road between
Burnt Yates and Summerbridge (on left hand side and down a concrete
track if memory serves).


http://www.multimap.com/maps/?hloc=GB|HG3%204JS#map=54.0236,-1.69749|13|4&loc=GB:54.03532:-1.67998:16|HG3%204JS|HG3%204JS


Search on HG3 4JS on multimap if this doesn't work.


Please let me know as soon as possible if you are interested in attending.


Cheers


Peter (& Lou)

Details: Several of us are headed up to the Peaks this weekend for some climbing. Martin S has booked camping at Hardhurst farm for 8-10 small tents, so it looks like we're heading there. The weather forecast is not looking great (showery) - but I need ROCK!!!

Details: Camping at Nant Peris opposite the Vaynol Arms. There is no need to book this site, which has limited but perfectly OK toilet/shower facilities. We usually try to get on the lower (first) field which, although closer to the road, is generally quieter than the top field - not to mention vital seconds nearer the Vaynol!
Stuff to do includes climbing in Llanberis Pass (walking distance), Ogwen, Tremadog (approx 45mins drive) even the slate mines of Llanberis if you're that way inclined!; great walking (a quieter route to the top of The Glyders from this side); mountain biking (not too far from Coed-y-Brenin) and is limited only by your imagination!

Details: Climbing and walking in the Borrowdale valley in the Lake District.

We'll be staying at Stonethwaite campsite a few miles South of Keswick.

Borrowdale is one of the Lake's best valleys for rock climbing with routes of all grades easily accessible from the campsite. The area is also very convenient for walking, with mountains like Scafell, Great End and Great Gable accessible from the village of Seathwaite further down the Borrowdale valley.

Please contact me if you're interested in joining the trip.

Details: Our annual start of the year beginners' meet: On this trip new members of the IMC are teamed-up with more experienced members to introduce them to outside climbing. We also provide climbing equipment (helmet, harness, etc.) so that new members can give outdoor climbing a try before having to buy gear themselves.

Camping will be at Hardhurst Farm, near Hope, Derbyshire. For those of you who have never attended this meet, we usually travel up on the Friday afternoon/evening so we can be a bit more organised on the Saturday morning.

Most climbing gear will be supplied although it would be a good idea to have your own climbing shoes. I will have spare harnesses and helmets but you will need to let me know if you want to borrow them beforehand. You will need to supply your own tent, sleeping bag and cooking gear if you intend on catering for yourself although the site is situated directly behind a good food pub (The Travellers Rest) for your evening meal and there is a cafe on site for breakfast.

Please note that if you are hoping to get a meal at the pub on the Friday evening, you need to find a table first and then get your order in before 9pm. It does get very busy so you need to consider that if you arrived after say 8pm, all the tables might be taken and then it could be a lottery as to whether you can get seated in time. Alternatively there are more good food pubs in neighbouring Hathersage (The Little John and The Scotsmans Pack) and an Indian restaurant/takeaway, and in Hope there are more pubs and a Chinese restaurant/takeaway.

To book a space its best to phone me on 07789 226144 or you can email, using the link above.

Details: Details: Details: Yes, it's the regular 1st-Wednesday-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School in Ipswich; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.00 per evening.




People will be at the wall from 7.30 until around 10.00 and it's a good occasion to be sociable, get fit and, if you're a potential new member, meet the rest of the club.

Details: Mountain biking, walking etc in the 7Stanes area of Scotland. Contact Mike for more details

Details: Details: Slighty more hard core climbing in a fantastic setting.

Camping at St Petrox on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. They don't take bookings for tents but accept all comers (anyone wanting an electric hook-up for a camper van should phone 01646 683980). Dogs are welcome, provided kept on short leads. The campsite is handy for the St Govan's and Range East cliffs (a couple of miles to the St Govan's car park), has reasonable facilities and friendly owners, but has no pub within easy walking distance.

As usual the trip comes with a small 'health warning'. The South Pembroke cliffs have excellent climbing but are not a good beginners area. There's barely more than one day's worth of easy climbs, and some of these require an abseil approach; otherwise it's pretty much Hard Severe and above. Folks need to be experienced in sea cliff climbing at this standard, or teamed up with someone who's agreed to show them the ropes. If you are interested in coming along, but would like to be put in touch with others for shared transport or climbing partners, then please let me know. For non-climbers, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path is within easy reach, and there are easier climbs on the North coast (30 miles away) though some areas are subject to bird bans in early May.

Please let me know if you are intending to join us (guy@falconhurst.com); also whether you would like me to book you in for food at the Stackpole Inn on one or both of Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Details: A few of us are going on the course at Plas Y Brenin on these days. There are still several places left on the course. Contact me or PYB if you are interested in joining us.

The cost for the 2 day course is £240. Detailed course notes can be found at http://www.pyb.co.uk/courses/course-notes-detail.php?code=RCC13

Some other articles that might get you interested ...
You can read Ian Parnell's guide to Big Wall Climbing, parts one, two, and three.
There's a downloadable/online guidebook to climbing in Yosemite here.

We will probably make this a long weekend and do some climbing in North Wales on days adjacent to the course.

Details: Peak District climbing. Camping at Hrdhurst Farm. If you need a climbing partner or a lift give me a shout and I may be able to help.


Cheers
Caro

Details: Peaks / Camping at Hardhurst as per usual unless people would an alternative venue... Anyone fancies joining me for real rock action then some send me an email or better a txt message as I'm not always able to access my PC. Car sharing would be a bonus as it's a long old hike up to them there northern parts.


Climbing can be anywhere any grade. I can lead upto HVS and am willing give anything a go as a second (within reason).


Mobile - 07759 571501

Details: Details: Details: Yes, it's the regular 1st-Wednesday-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School in Ipswich; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.00 per evening.




People will be at the wall from 7.30 until around 10.00 and it's a good occasion to be sociable, get fit and, if you're a potential new member, meet the rest of the club.

Details: I'm heading up to the Keswick area between these dates and wondered if anyone wanted to climb around here, I'm staying in The Horse and Farrier But there is loads of camp sites around that area. I don't know the area so if anyone can suggest any good crags to go to then that would be great, please get in touch if your going so we can organise it a bit more!

Details: Details: Yes, it's the regular 1st-Wednesday-of-the-month club meet at the indoor wall at Copleston School in Ipswich; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.00 per evening.



People will be at the wall from 7.30 until around 10.00 and it's a good occasion to be sociable, get fit and, if you're a potential new member, meet the rest of the club.

Details: Winter walking and climbing in Scotland.


Tentative plans to stay at Fraoch Lodge in Boat of Garten. Costs from £16 per night to £20 per night depending on food requirements. Closer to the Cairngorms than Newtonmore.


I have sent a booking in for 3 people, until I receive confirmation from the Lodge no money is payable. Booking is for 4 nights from 27 February to allow for a bed on the night of arrival for any early birds.


Ok here is the final lowdown on Fraoch Lodge. We have 4 confirmed B&B spaces at the lodge, there are a couple of unconfirmed spaces still available, these will involve a move out to another establishment on Friday & Saturday to make way for course participants. First come first served on the last 2 spots then we may have to look at other sleeping arrangements.
Apparently there are more of you who want to join in. Weekend accommodation in and around the Cairngorms is difficult so you do need to get your decision made soon.

Details: Orienteering at King's Forest, near Ipswich. Grid reference TL 826 735 .
Courses are suitable for all ages and abilities, and help is available for beginners who are most welcome. Beginners may find this Planet Fear article useful.This is not an IMC event, but may be of interest to some of our members.

Details: The first of the 2008 regular 1st-Wednesday-of-the-month club meets at the indoor wall at Copleston School in Ipswich; The entrance is opposite Chilton Road and it costs £4.00 per evening.


People will be at the wall from 7.30 until around 10.00 and it's a good occasion to be sociable, get fit and, if you're a potential new member, meet the rest of the club.


To add to the good news there's even a bar next door...