April 1967



Easter 1967

Friday

N & M Hodge, C Shannon & L Edge climbed Moel Hebog.


Saturday

Two Hodges did Telegraph Col, Lin & Chris went shopping.


Sunday

Colin Yorke, two Hodges, Chris Shannon, Pete Smith, Glen Hirons, J & S Gilmore & L Edge did Nantle Ridge with variations on descent.


Monday

Colin, Chris, Two Hodges, did Pen yr Ole Wen and Carnedd Llewelyn, Pete & Lin climbed Pen yr Ole Wen. Glen, Jenny & Sandy festered.


Easter Monday

Arrived with Frank and Iona Kippax, two friends from Malawi. Frank is Chairman of the M.M.C. (Mlanji Mountain Club). When the 'Mob'* moved out we settled in.

*(Marvellous Old Bods)


Tuesday

Weather moderately good, Frank & I walked over Moel Eilio, Moel Cynghorion, to Cloggy. Violent hail storms with thunder and lightning. Came down railway.


Wednesday

Cold and windy - Crib Goch, Crib y Ddysgl and Yr Wyddfa - Ridges plastered and most enjoyable. Descended P y G Track. Hundreds of trippers.


Thursday

Took the Kippax family on a tour including Nantle area. Weather improving steadily.


Friday

Weather fantastic!!!. Snowed heavily during night. As Homer couldn't get up to go on the rocks Frank & I went to North Ridge, Tryfan, Bristly Ridge Direct, Glyders. Down via Devil's Kitchen. One of the best days ever with wonderful sunshine.


Saturday

Terrible day - Driving snow and rain. Waited in the hut. Jobs carried out - new stovepiping in drying room; fitted bolt & latch to rear door; framed painting & varnished it; lined cutlery draws.

C.D.M.


Colin Yorke's Meet - April 29/30th

Saturday

Main party to East Face of Tryfan* - small party under leadership of Jack Drummond to Cader Idris. Miscellaneous routes in Pass attempted!

Weather: Monsoon approaching over Siabod, but very clear & sunny otherwise.

*Anne, Angela, Chris, Glen, Colin (Yorke) - Pinnacle Rib. Christine, Colin (J) & Diane - Grooved Arete. Linda walked to the top of Tryfan & Pete soloed Pinnacle Rib.

Everyone ran down West Gully in 5 mins to the road.

After a delicious supper we all bombed off to the Glyn(?) Inn and Chris got SLEWED for which he was awarded the CDM. (Canned Dairy Moo).


Sunday

Jim Murray, Dave Robinson & Andy Gilmore arose at 2.15am -sh and left at 2.35-ish for the summit of Snowdon, "To photograph the sunrise". The summit was reached at about 5.00am, but there was no sun to be seen, only swirling mists and driving rain! Arrived at Caer Fran at 7.45 - not enough milk, so we made tea for ourselves & disappeared.

Main party: Spiral Stairs & Flying Buttress.

Small party: (Colin J(1), Chris(4), Lyn(5) & Pete(2) & Hirons(3))

1,2,3 - Scratch Arete,

4,5 - Sat in the van and read. (Penthouse)

(1+4)+(2+5) = 3 + 'Penthouse'



May 1967



May 13th

Foul! Foul! Foul! weather! Chris made a valiant attempt to revive his Lumbago on the Gribin with Pete. Meanwhile back in the pass Mike soloed Dolerite Dump & ¼ of The Cracks.


20 May

The Link on Dinas Mot

Quite good with Diagonal last cracks - green & greasy & gripping


21 May

The Clog

Reserved for Whitsun Meet!! (Leader please note).


Saturday

    Chris & Alan Left Hand Route Cwm Silyn

    Brian & Mike Ordinary Route

    Alan & Mike up a vacant 'overhanging chimney'


Sunday

Glen, Chris, Brian & Roger to Anglesey.

Alan, Ben (guest) & Mike - Schoonermaster's Gully


Monday

Brian & Chris - Pulpit Route on Milestone

Alan, Ben & Mike Eifl Tower

3 May Sunset Boulevard & Surplomb . F Bennet & M Jones A.L.

God bless the Navy.



June 1967



9/11 June 1967 Liverpool I.V.C. Weekend

In weather of unequalled sunshine severity, a reasonable party of Vibram footed I.V.C. tigers, with boundless enthusiasm set off for the Snowdon Horseshoe with high hopes & little knowledge. Crib Goch & the next unspellable (and unspeakable) peaks fell with immense ease ( & occasionally with words that if one had not known the people concerned might have been profanities) Snowdon summit provided opportunities for individual tastes in 'splinter parties'. Two & a half elected to return via the main Snowdon - Caer Fran main highway. Three more brave souls made a perilous, and incident packed descent of the Pyg track, and emerged at the car park suffering heavily from 'Valley Lassitude'. Meanwhile the remaining five, against their better judgement, were prevailed upon by the insistent Miss Arkel to complete the Horseshoe like all good purists. Good relations were established with Mrs O'Rourke (Of Commander and Mrs O'Rourke, of course!) of Pen y Pass, who will be pleased to provide rum in coffee for anyone who can depose Mr Briggs.

The following day, also of fine sunny weather will undoubtedly be spent, in the contemplation of nature, by some low-level lake. (MB Oldaker)


23rd/25th June

BL Knox's Meet (If he will excuse me writing it up.)

Saturday: Round to the Ogwand, Nick H & Joan, Chris, Roger, Mike, Ian & Margaret. Routes done on Idwal Slabs & East & West Walls: Faith, Hope, Charity, Ash Tree Wall and Saint's Wall.

Sunday: The Ogwand again - East Face this time. A Procession up Grooved Arete: Ray, Ian, Nick & Joan & Colin Y, Mike & Brian, Chris & Roger. The rain saved Ray & Ian at the foot of Belle Vue Bastion.


Mon 26th Ray & Ian

It looked as though it would rain so Lliwedd was a natural choice. The old routine - Avalanche, Red Wall, Longland's Continuation and we met in rain on the summit.


Tues 27th

A fair day dawned and we had a Pass day. The Wastad was graced and specific routes chosen were Skylon, Lion, Erosion Groove and Trilon.

Wed & Thur We like to blame the weather.


Fri 30th

We must climb today. Good weather so we set off for Craig yr Ysfa. Agrippa has been fancied for a long time, alas the second pitch failed to reveal the key to its success and as the Amphitheatre was deserted we roped off not very sheepishly. Mur y Niwl, which seemed like a meadow after the steepness and exposure of Agrippa, was disposed of as was Pinnacle Wall and so into evening sun.



July 1967



Sat 1st July

We had visited Cidwm in the middle of the week but it was dripping wet. Our return this afternoon (after rescuing a ledge-bound lamb) found the cliff dry. A desire to sleep in the sun light was fought off and we made our way to the foot of Vertigo. This splendid route soon fell to our delicate tread and proved to be a really worthwhile climb with some splendid positions. And so a generally unsatisfactory week was brought to a satisfying climax.


July 2-4 1966

Clitheroe Royal Grammar School

Annual 14 Peaks Attempt

Arrived about 7.30, went to bed at 11, up at 1am. Transferred to Pen y Pass in the minibus, and about 20 set off at 2.30 on the Crib Goch scramble. Usual route along the ridge to Crib y Ddysgl and Snowdon. Arrived back at the minibus at 6.0am (must be a record folks!) - welcome cup of tea from our support. Can't complain about the weather - Yet! Everyone then managed to drag themselves up Elidir Fawr, shrouded in mist. Then completed the usual route to Y Garn and the Glyders - everybody still going strong. The mist descended to clear for Glyders and Tryfan. The descent of Tryfan shattered many and the sight of the support minibus and Mr Thorpe's tea was more than welcome. Arrived minibus about 1.30 left at 1.50 for the slog up Pen yr Ole Wen, led by Mr Pycroft, with all the staff talking about the sunny(?) afternoon to come. BUT by the timt the second of the Carnedds was reached in the mist was on us, along with - driving wind and rain. Following accurate compass bearing we plodded on, cursing the weather, the last few peaks and the leaders. Last peak reached, then long slog down the path to the minibus. Time of arrival varied - the first two (Fox and Harry) at 8.25 - the rest at anything to 9. For the first time the walk was completed by all the members of the school - 1st 100% FINISH - we're superhuman!!

All went to be starving after soup and stew.

Our thanks again to Jim Grindle and the M.M.C. for the use of the hut.

    AJ Milton AJ Pearson R Valouin

    RI Little Harry Blaylock MJ Howarth

    IA Hulland B Ross RP Davies

    DH Green TI Life Eland (?)

    (?) Ian J Lofthouse


July the 22nd eh pooh.

ILLEGIBILHARZIA

Done Cemingtaphingberg Cornerington pooh.

(Lewy Brown & Glennard Hirons)

PS ington bery Henrysmithington berry eh pooh.

Naughty looypooh wrighting in our nice bookypooh

A good day was hadington bery all

A splendid time was guarateed (sic) by allington.

(You cant' even spell!)

Wat a good entry I thankington berg!



August 1967



Sat Aug 5th

Hodge, Roger Wilson, Colin Jones: Erosion Groove, Overlapping Wall

Glen, Chris, Nick & Woman (Di) thought they were going sailing on Anglesey but ended up Horse riding.

Roger (13 stone) peeled off Overlapping Wall with a cry of "aaaagh" ('below' according to him) but was held solidly by Hodge (9 stone).

Sunday: Mass exit to Cwm Silyn.

    Ray & Colin York & Mike Firth Outside Edge

    Ray & Mike Kirkus' Route

    Chris, Colin & Young lady Ordinary Route

    Glen, Roger, Hodge - Trundled - much to Rays disconcertion

God Bless Lew Brown Ltd

Glen's Meet


Sat 26th August 67

George, Roger and Bob did the descent and ascent of Blanco's second pitch as George cannot swim and the first was covered in sea water and I've just come home from sea like as well.

Then we did Pantin. Roger and George did it all, Bob did the first two pitches and the 4th pitch of Puffin.

A great day with seals for entertainment from the belay ledges.

George Homer, Roger Wilson, & Robert Dukeson 1st route on Castell Helen , 2nd routes on Craig Gogarth.

Sat 26th Aug Hodge & Ernie Entwhistle - Bezel on Craig Gogarth

Sun 27th Aug Hodge & Steve Platt - Curving Crack - very wet indeed.

Mon 28th Aug

    Hodge & Steve Platt - The Shaddow } Cloggy

    Hodge & J Jones - The Steep Band (alt leads) }

Sun 27th Aug Peter & Lew - Bluebell Cracks & festering (D Mot)

Sun 27th Aug Ray, Ian, Brian Knox Ian Hilditch - Devil's Staircase and Devil's Kitchen Ordinary

    Colin & Christine - Charity

    Glen & Chris - Petite Fleur


Mon 28th Aug

    Ray, Colin, Glen, Ian - Vertigo } Castell Cidwm

    Chris, Pete Lin, Ian Hilditch, Betty - Moel Hebog

    Sandy, Brian Nox, Lew Jones

A good weekend had by all. Catering by courtesy of Sandy, Maggie & Glen


Aug 28th - Sept 3rd

Arrived as meet was departing after a fine weekend - needless to say they took the fine weather with them. As most days were poor we did little apart from the Horseshoe before breakfast and two routes on the Milestone.

Fred, Bett, Jim & Christine Smith



September 1967



Sept 4th

Chris Hodge Pat - up Snowdon - wet and miserable.


Sept 3/14

Various routes during couple of weeks here. Erosion Groove & Western Slabs, Phantom Rib with Mike Firth. Dwm (abortive) at Cidwm with Alan Stuart and Ribstone Crack, Pharaoh's Wall, Dives & Better Things with Ray Edwards.

An enjoyable holiday. RDH


Sat 16th Sept 67

To the Milestone went Chris, Roge, Bob, Eric, Liz, and Pat. Chris & Roge did Soapgut. Bob & Eric did a route up the cliff to the left of Canopy hard in places. Liz & Pat festered. Then Chris & Bob & Roge did Rope Wall then abseils galore Olé.


Sat Sept 17th 1967

Ode To A Hut Warden

Chris Shannon's a climber of incredible fame

Some say that his antics are rather insane.

His technique is dreadful, his skill is not great

Some say that by climbing he will meet his fate.


One day round in Ogwen, all sunny and bright,

He tried to lead Zig Zag and fell off in fright.

His trusty companion who held him well tight

Is known to you all by name - Ian Wright.


His morale it was broken, his glasses were too

His second was green and was ready to spew

Ian banged in a piton a-ring-a-ring-ding

Tied the rope to it then left Chris to swing.


Fred Smith cut him loose with considerable glee

And said "Now Chris Shannon - Hut warden you'll be"

You'll fix the loose slates and level the floor

And see that no member shall bring in a whore


Chris Shannon was willing to keep the Hut clean

But the habits of members were rather obscene

Filth on the ceiling, filth on the floor

Chris cleaned it all up but they trampled in more


Oh Chris we all love you, we want you to know,

We think you're the greatest, although rather slow,

The Hut will be dirty the rest of your life

So go buy a toupée and get you a wife.


J Hirons R Dukeson Lew Jones M Hodges


93rd of Wednesday 1802

Today we engaged a Frigat 'B' class and caught a broadside along the starboard flank. Nel' was of course his usual petrified self and commanded like a true coward. Jed took a good command of the gun and brought down the frigits (sic) topsail with his 800th shot shot (sic). This brought her Australian port side round and we caught her fair with a broadside. This sent him scuttling up the Pass, unfortunately a luck shot from a French 45 caught us in the rudder and we could not pursue.

W Hardy esq


Stop Press. Lew has still not been overtaken on his motorbike.