CYHA NEWS

CHELMSFORD YHA: THE NEXT GENERATION

Our August Bank Holiday trip to the Peak District turned out to be something of a family affair. There were a total of 36 of us spread between the two hostels of Bretton and Eyam including 7 youngsters from 4 different CYHA clans. It was particularly nice to have the Pountney and Bromham families with us, as we have not seen as much of them as we would have liked in the last few years.

Due to the constraints of small children in wheeled buggies and back packs, the families enjoyed the rather more sedate activities such as caverns, gorges and Chatsworth House whilst the likes of Tom and Jim sped over the hills on their mountain bikes. The rest of us did something in between, including Gary's splendid walk detailed below. We all got together for the barbecue on Sunday night and in spite of the atrocious weather there was a real party atmosphere.

Bretton Hostel is a wonderful location we will have to return to. Thanks to Janet for organising it.

A Walk on the Peak District Moors

On the Sunday morning, after a good night's sleep it was time to get up and see what the weather was doing. It had been raining the previous day with thunderstorms during the night, but the weather had taken a turn for the better, it was sunny and warm and I had a walk already planned. I managed to persuade the majority (Chris, Janet and Bethany opted for something more family orientated) that this would be "the best walk ever". Fifteen of us set off from Bretton YH and marched smartly up the road, it wasn't too long before we came to the first (and only intended) climb but it soon levelled out and we were soon making our way across Abney Moor where spectacular views opened up. Several people (well, Helen actually) soon agreed that this was indeed "the best walk ever" and passed around the dolly mixtures (this was repeated several times during the day, I must remember to invite H. on more walks). We continued on to Wolf's Pit and here the moor was a vista of colour, the heather being in full bloom. We soon reached a waymark which would take us back to the Youth Hostel, it was far too early to go back, so we continued onwards across Offerton Moor, gently ascending to Offerton Edge where we decided to stop for lunch.

Whilst admiring the view of the Derwent valley below, of Win Hill to the North and munching on my sarnies I really appreciated the opportunity to be able to get away from work and London. It had been well worth extending the walk and, as lunch ended I suggested a further extension to our route, which everybody endorsed. The plan was to continue on to Offerton Hall, to the River Derwent to follow the riverbank to Leadmill Bridge. After stopping off at the Plough Inn, we continued on through the village and turned for home. On reaching Hazelford we followed the path skirting through Highlow Wood and followed Highlow Brook. We then turned to follow Bretton Brook and climbed up through Bretton Clough soon emerging onto a tarmac road and back to the Youth Hostel.

There was only one moment of disorientation, which occurred on the way back when I led everyone up a short but sharp climb, which turned out to be completely unnecessary. But, as there had only been the one climb, at the very beginning of the walk until then, I thought that this wandering was excusable (no one else did though). Even so, it was satisfying to be able to lead a walk which had more than lived up to my expectations. As the original route had only been intended to be six miles or so and we ended up, by common consent, walking nearly twice that distance, I would like to think that everyone felt that the day had been both enjoyable and worthwhile.

Gary

A Very British Barbecue

I have, over the years, been to very many barbecues. Most of them have been delightful occasions filled with sophisticated conversation and sunshine - not however the CYHA barbecue at Bretton! I suppose really we were asking for trouble organising a barbecue for August Bank Holiday weekend in the Peak District, but I guess we just like living life on the edge!

Saturday was deep drizzle, but Sunday dawned bright and sunny and we thought we might be in line for a stroke of luck on the outdoor catering front. Alas we were deceived! Just as the very first burger left the barbie in a state of sooty perfection, the humidity that had been building all day erupted into torrential rain.

Displaying true grit and a certain stiffness in the upper labile quarter, we donned our waterproofs and continued to enjoy our al fresco meal. So the buns got a bit damp and the salad a tad soggy. We still had a great time. The only cry of dismay I heard all evening was from Robert when he realised his wine was getting diluted, and that is perhaps better not repeated.

Alison

Smelling Sweet

Our heartiest thanks go out to Helen Atkinson for her splendid evening on herbal remedies and aromatherapy. Not only will members of the group be smelling a lot sweeter from now on, but I think the anti-snore spray may become a permanent item in male dormitories for years to come!

No Building Stone?

The talk on East Anglian building materials, courtesy of the Chelmsford & District Centre of the National Trust, was fascinating. Quite apart from the discussion on the definition of a rock, I was amazed at the sheer variety of materials the region had to offer. Along with the flint work we are all familiar with there's also chalk, limestone, sandstone and septarium. The examples the lecturer gave made you want to pay far more attention to the wonderful buildings in our own area, often neglected when we visit further afield!

Fighting for Our Lives in Suffolk

Trudi's Sunday walk round Stutton in Suffolk promised to be a civilised occasion - a modest walk in the sunshine, lovely views on the river Stour, rounded off by a well earned drink in the pub.

All started well strolling along the river bank and enjoying our picnic lunch in the sunshine. But that was before we found The Footpath From Hell! Shoulder deep in thistle and nettle we waded for half a mile bitten, stung and bleeding. Without the aid of a helpful local chap I'm certain we would have perished. Never was a pint of bitter so well earned.

Lakes and Mountains - The Canadian Rockies Experience

Dave, Ali, Trudi and Helen are just back from a tour of the Canadian Rockies.

See the pictures and story of the trip.

Shaken & Stirred

My basic introductory climbing course in the French Alps turned out to be a helluva week. We were just 3; me, Simon, who had done the course before, and taciturn Allan from Edinburgh. Simon said "we didn't do anything like this last year". Last year they had done an introductory rock-climbing day, a basic snow+ice skills day, and bagged a couple of minor peaks. Our guide, Dave, took the approach "there's a mountain /rockface; lets climb it".

Quote of the week was part way down a snow/rock mixed route on the first day: "you can all abseil can't you?". Expletives deleted!

Day 1 Petite Aiguille Verte. At lunch I could see straight down to a crevassed glacier 'kin long way below. Abseil in crampons.

Day 2 Les Clochers climb on Aigullies Rouge above PlanPraz. Tyrolean traverse. Simon led some VS moves, and the abseil over a knife-edge. Sustained exposure.

Day 3 Hideous descent from Aiguille Midi. 2-pitch ice-climb in Vallee Blanche. Abseil off ice screw, muffed going over Bergshrund and ripped trousers and scuffed thigh with crampon. Dave admitted "should have explained better". Thunderstorm that evening was the only interruption to perfect weather.

Day 4. Now suffering nightmares (every time I woke up I was seeing sheer drops...). Crag day. Some confidence restored. Seconded HVS, allegedly.

Day 5 Mt Blanc du Tacul, 4200 metres. YES! Hypoxic - weird having to relearn to breathe! Climb up and jump down 3' gap to Bergshrund. Sustained exposure (what's new).

Day 6 Arrete des Cosmiques. And on Saturday I flew home for a family get-together on Sunday.

Shaken daily. Only now, in retrospect, stirred to want more!

Lorna

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