If you are travelling by car, from the ring road, turn off along the Wednesfield Road., go under the railway, and take the first right turn into Sun Street. Follow this round a right bend, and the pub is on the left, just after its car park. If you use a sat nav, the postcode is WV10 0DG. If you come by bus, its very close to the bus station.

The Great Western is a very good pub. Hope to see you there on Tuesday.

The BMC negotiates and agrees seasonal climbing restrictions to protect nesting birds with a variety of conservation bodies. Climbers have a great reputation for observing these restrictions and this is a reminder that all of this year’s seasonal restrictions are now in force.

Many of our cliffs and crags are also home to a variety of nesting birds, all of which have some degree of protection by various legislation. The BMC and its regional access volunteers agree these restrictions on an annual basis and great effort and negotiation goes into ensuring that the minimum amount of routes are restricted while at the same time ensuring the protection of key species.

Reckless or deliberate disturbance of some key species such as Peregrine Falcons or Choughs is a criminal offence in itself, while even accidental disturbance of some of the key sea-birds colonies can lead to a catastrophic failure of the whole colony. This is especially true for the birds of the auk family, such as Guillemots and Razorbills, which nest on long horizontal rock ledges and only produce one egg each year. When disturbed, the whole colony flies off in alarm, causing the eggs to roll off the ledge.

There have been a number of changes and alterations to the seasonal agreeements this year and its imperative that climbers do check the RAD before climbing. The BMC also has an agreement in many areas, that when it’s clear that the young birds have succesfully fledged, the restrictions can be lifted early – so again check the RAD for the most up to date information.

There have been significant changes in the seasonal restrictions in recent years at most locations in Wales -including Clwyd Limestone, Llanymynech, Great Orme, Pembrokeshire and Gower as well as at the recently negotiated access to new venues such as Barmouth Quarry and Moel y Gest.

In many areas there has been a significant reduction in the number of routes that are restricted, especially at  Gower,  Pembrokeshire (Mowingword) and on the Lleyn.  This reduction in the number of routes that are restricted can only be sustained if climbers can be seen to be strictly adhereing to the agreed restrictions.

And finally, remember that simply because a crag is not restricted it does not mean that there are no nesting birds present – keep an eye out for typical signs of agitated or disturbed  birds – screeching or constant close flying in circles above a particular spot on a cliff and be prepared to retreat or choose another route in that case.

via The British Mountaineering Council.

The highest hill is Moel Famau at 554m (1800ft). This has a curious structure, the “Jubilee Tower”, on top. The building was started in the early nineteenth century to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of George III, but they ran out of money and later demolished most of it anyway, and only the stump remains (still quite impressive, and visible from miles away).

The range is quite extensive, with lots of other good hills, many of which have Iron-age hill forts around their summits.

As the hills are lower and further east than Snowdonia, this would be a good wet weather escape on a rainy Sunday. Driving towards the midlands, leave the A5 at Cerrigydrudion and take the B5105 to Ruthin. OS Explorer sheet 265.

National route markers disappeared on the way to Cheltenham but the trail is OK in places. He came a cropper as a 4 by 4 came hurtling towards him with the sun in the driver’s eyes but Nick managed to steer into undergrowth just in time. One hour to Cheltenham where he peruses the outdoor shops which prove to be alarmingly and unsurprisingly upmarket.

Nick headed for the 6pm train to Wolverhampton and luckily, finds in his wallet, a valid return ticket while he is in the ticket queue. Nick made it back home around 7pm.

Check you’re your wallets everybody, you might find just the ticket you want!

They broke camp about 9.30 arriving the Hut about 3.00. During the walk they bumped into Andy Truss, Sarah, Pippa and Neil Skipp on the tops who were also staying at the hut so Pete was able to give them his car keys enabling both parties more time on high ground.

Pete and Matt spent Saturday night at the Hut and on Sunday, with the hut contingent, they walked over Moel Siabod in a cool breeze on the way home. Picture below shows three of the girls admiring the small lake below Moel Siabod.

It was the best weather Pete has had in Wales for years, he felt a bit stiff afterwards but says it was well worth the little discomfort. He tells us there is still life in the old dog yet.

(We know!)

Enjoy the thrills and spills of the mountains as our heroes tackle the Urner Alps traverse while trouble brews to the north in the shape of an Icelandic volcano.

They may have survived unguardianed huts, a close brush with the Laussane Mountaineering Club and a desperate dash for their lift home through flower-filled alpine meadows, but what will they do now as global air travel is brought to a halt by a cloud of volcanic ash?

The club has spared no extra cash to bring you a special support feature, ESCAPE FROM THE ASH CLOUD OF HELL, which finally brings this un-told tale to life.

Don’t miss this double biller, which is sure to be a big hit. Reserve your seats now!

A NICE LITTLE URNER starts at 8.30pm on Tuesday, February 28 at the Wheatsheaf Inn, Market Street, Wolverhampton

Update: Unfortunately this was cancelled and has now been re booked for Tuesday 6th March, same time same place

The Écrins, or Dauphiné, are the wild and unspoilt southern French Alps. They offer big alpine routes on remote mountains and valley cragging in beautiful settings. But never mind all that – what we go for is the food and wine. So reserve a table Chez André for a mouth-watering journey around this spectacular region.

On the menu from 8.30 pm Tuesday 24^th January in the Wheatsheaf Restaurant…

Hors D’Oeuvre

Ailefroide 2001: A nostalgic look back at the first WMC Alpine meet of the ‘modern era.’ Can you recognise these fresh-faced versions of the now grizzled, injury-scarred and weather-beaten elders? Featuring ascents of the classic Barre des Écrins, Montagne des Agneaux and L’Ailefroide.

Entrée

La Bérarde 2003: More nostalgia: probably the only club alpine meet where the phrase ‘grand beaux temps’ actually appeared in the metéo. Bask in the sunlight on more classic peaks: Le Rateau, La Meije and the Aiguille Dibona.

Plat Principal

Join an elite group of WMC gourmets as they eat their way up and down the sport climbing paradise of the Durance Valley. Discover the secrets of gastro-escalade and meet the real Naked Chef. To work up an appetite we visit the crags of Les Ayes, Rocher Baron and Le Ponteil.

Dessert

Andy and Dale gibber their way up the mighty limestone face of Montbrison (before being overcome by the fear and running away).

Your wine waiter for the evening: Andy Clarke.

On the way as usual we were chatting away and missed the turning and did a big circle, this happens all the time, O well. Eventually got to Brean and it is full of people on the few sports climbs, a right circus. The trad climbing at Brean looks fun if not a little scary. We decided that we could make up a couple of good long traverses pumpy pumpy. This was followed by some other good boulder problems we made up. It would not be a trip out with Stu if I didn’t try and hit him with some bits of rock, got to love a bit of loose bouldering. As the tide came in we quickly packed up and went home.
By Dale

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Flickr

Roses, Battles and Mountains.

presented by Dave Wilkinson.

Accounts of two expeditions to unclimbed 7000 metre peaks in the Eastern Karakoram; Location: Northern Ladhak, the northern-most bit of India.

See the world’s only venue for high-altitude mountaineering in a war zone;

The world’s biggest glacier outside the polar regions;

An approach journey involving the crossing of six high passes;

A region so sparsely populated, it was hard to find anyone to employ as porters;

When is a yurt not a yurt?

What has the Dam-busters got to do with this remote asiatic region?

Why is the region’s biggest river called the “River of Death”?

See a hill speckled with bird-poo;

And an elephant on top of a high mountain.

For all these exotic sights, and many more, come along to the Wheatsheaf,8.30 pm, Tuesday Jan 10th.

Note: We will be continuing with the raffles in aid of Mountain Rescue at each of the slide shows, if anyone can help by donating a prize it would be much appreciated