News 2022
Jon Wins in BMC Paraplegic Climbing Competition
Nov '22 - Greg
Our very own Jon Shields won his group (lower body) in the Paraplegic Climbing Competition yesterday (19th November 2022). Run by the BMC and GB Climbing, Gen, Roger, myself (Greg), and Jon's son Cameron went with Jon to Awesome Walls in Stockport to support him and cheer him on. It was an amazing event with the focus completely on what you can achieve rather than what you can't.
Congratulations Jon!
Youlgrave
October '22 - Andy
Nine members, one potential member and one dog set off from Youlgrave, with the intention of finding some of the 18 marker stones around Middleton and Smerril. The walk was planned to be around 10 miles, but a thunderstorm meant we cut it short by a couple of miles. We found eight of the stones, and after a complete soaking, finished the walk in bright autumn sunshine
Hot Rocks in Leonidio (Greece)
October '22 - Gill
'I'd wanted to climb in Leonidio (Greece) for years and the opportunity came in October when I joined Mike and John for a week. We hired 2 apartments in a small fishing village near to Leonidio so we had a slightly longer drive each day but the payoff was a swim in the Med. The weather was superb, as was the rock and we visited a different crag each day. Jane and Francis explore Leonidio with its many cafes and bars and found interesting places to sketch. Chris hired an e-bike and covered many miles on quiet roads, visiting monasteries and mountain top villages.
We all thought it was great and intend to return.
Duddon Valley Meet
October '22 - Genevieve
The weekend of the 8/9th October saw some members of the DMC travel up to the Rucksack Club’s High Moss hut, situated in a secluded and peaceful spot in the Duddon Valley. We managed to avoid heavy rain and enjoy two walks through the Autumnal landscape.
On Saturday, we walked from the hut to the top of Harter Fell, where we passed by several majestic Herdwick sheep, moth caterpillars, and fly agaric mushrooms (among other wonderful types of fungi) along the way.
On Sunday, we walked from just outside Broadgate up to Swinside Stone Circle, a relic of the Bronze Age, and up onto Knott Hill for a view over the Irish Sea.
This weekend away would not have happened without the hard work of Gill Francis, who booked the hut and took the time to promote the meet. A huge thank you also goes to Cath for opening the hut and leading the navigation.
Jo Brown Challenge
July '22 - Elen
Six DMC members were joined by some Castle MC members and a dog to do part of the Jo Brown Challenge. Our 12-mile route took us down the Goyt Valley, up to Castle Naze and Coombes Edge.
The weather was kind, the views were grand and the clues were found. Won't say too much about these in case anyone else fancies a go! It was lovely walking with new and old friends and the sharing of navigational skills to find clues, navigate new paths and identify landscape features was right satisfying. It was a tired but (hopefully) happy team who arrived back at the car park at 5pm.
The Be Prepared Award goes to Liz P who not only had a spare sunhat for someone who came without but also lent her spare walking stick to someone else who slightly twisted their ankle.
Hut Meet at Bosigran
June '22 - Cath
A great time was had by climbers, walkers and nature lovers at the iconic Count House at Bosigran, Cornwall in June. We enjoyed fantastic weather, superb climbs and beautiful coastal walking. Thanks to Mark Hetherington for the Commando Ridge photos, and other photos by Cath
Climbing Safety Skills at Colehill Quarry
April '22 - Gill
On the 13th of April, 6 members joined Gill at Colehill quarry to practice sports climbing safety skills. Gill spends winters in Spain and has developed a range of skills that she shared with members. Aspects covered included: clipping techniques, belay devices & belaying techniques, threading the anchor & lowering. Everyone enjoyed the chance to practice the techniques in a supportive environment.
This session will be repeated in the autumn.
The next workshop will be led by Chester, focusing on hoisting & escaping the system and is suitable for all skill levels.
Climbing Safety Skills at Birchen
April '22 - Chester
On the 3rd of April, 14 members turned up at Birchen Edge for a climbing safety skills session led by our very own DMC member, Chester. As an experienced climber, Chester demonstrated various rope ties, belaying techniques, and general climbing safety. All those who attended were at different skill levels and everyone took something away with them.
A big thank you to Chester for leading the session and Roger for doing a further impromptu anchor session (pictured) and also for Jon for supporting the training.
The session demonstrated an appetite for 'up-skilling' and we plan to hold more of these workshops in the future. The next one will be led by Gill on Sport Climbing Safety and is again suitable for all skill levels.
Outdoor First Aid Course
March '22 - Greg
The DMC’s Outdoor First Aid course was held on Saturday 27th March at the Strutts Community Centre in Belper, a grand Victorian building. We shared the venue - on the day - with a gathering of model railway enthusiasts in the main hall - much to Greg’s delight, and in an adjacent room, a practice session rock for band drummers. The collective noun for drummers is apparently an asylum, a fagot, or a roll of drummers. They were louder outside in the car park than inside the building.
The course was run by qualified Al Cash of Gritstone Adventures and was a single day compaction of the 2 day certificated course aimed at outdoor professionals. Half the time and half the price, but including all the most important bits you might require if called upon to react to an incident in remote areas.
Lots of basic procedures practised on each other or dear old Resusci Annie (actually Andy) and lots of creaking and groaning from some of the more elderly DMC members crawling about on their knees and bending backs while resuscitating Annie.
An excellent and very worthwhile session enjoyed by all 10 DMC attendees, be they First Aid virgins or those more experienced at the game. Al’s presentation was clear, concise and included all the current practices of procedures that are continually changing.
The photo is of Paul Dolan in a moment of inaction on the set of the Return of the Mummy.
The Roaches Meet
March '22 - Greg
We had a great walk today around the Roaches with some superb views, visiting Lud's Church and Gradbach. The sun shown and young and both long standing members took part.
Coniston Weekend Meet
March '22 - Greg
Club members enjoyed a lovely weekend staying at the YMC climber's hut at Coniston. We had all prepared for a very wet and windy w/e as per the forecast but as is so often the case the reality was much better at least on Saturday and Sunday with the wind a mere light breeze and the rain failing to turn up. The Hut is well placed near the head of the Coppermine Valley surrounded by centuries of industrial heritage. It was a great base to explore the surrounding valleys and peaks with fantastic views on Saturday of much of the lakes.
A big thank you to Gill Francis for booking the Hut.
Hollaway Circular
Jan '22 - Judy
A glorious frosty morning turned into a mild and sunny winters day for this months DMC walk in the Derbyshire Dales. The walk started in the village of Hollaway and climbed up to Whatsandwell where we stopped off for a coffee break. The walk continued up to Black Rocks and along the High Peak Trail. With the sun shining on the hillside and fantastic views of Florence Nightingales house, Cromford and over to Matlock it was the perfect lunch stop. We continued down into Cromford and circled back to Holloway.
The walk was approximately 10 miles and the weather and turnout were great. A big thanks to Judy for organising the route.
Night Navigation
Jan '22 - Sally
17 people turned out for our Urban Night Nav to explore the alleys, streams and back streets of Bakewell. The exercise was surprisingly challenging and only one group, the winners, got maximum points – congratulations to Dave Sargent and Pete Bush. Phil Ainge and Greg came 2nd not that any of us were being competitive!
There’s a lot of work in putting these together so a big thank you to Sally Newton, our former President, for putting this together. In March Sally is hoping to have a Night Nav set up on the moors so watch out for that.
Glen Dana
Jan '22 - Hillary
A great meet at Glen Dana. we kept the walks low and in the alley given the low cloud and mist. Lovely walk from Capel Curig and thanks to Chris Radcliffe for route planning.
Print 