[Stu Gorman]

The weather finally played ball and the rescheduled skills share meet went a head on Saturday 11th with over 20 members gathering at Head End Quarry. The aim of the day, to share skills and knowledge with each other, gaining confidence with our personal skills and climbing in a club environment. It was amazing to see so many new members. The weather was so good it was almost a shame we were not in the high mountain crags! Hopefully it continues and many more members are now keen to join the upcoming busy summer schedule!

Thanks to all who volunteered to share their knowledge and to those who participated. I hope you enjoyed the session and found it useful.

Members: Stu G, Mark, Judith, Mark , Steve, Matt, Sam, Robyn, Carol, Craig, Audrey, Anne, Jen, John, Abby, Kerry, Chris, Tilly, Nick, Rowan L, Oli.

[Stu Gorman]

Evening all,

We are going to try attempt 2 for the skills share meet on Saturday 11th May.

The skills share meet is designed for new and existing members and will focus on passing on skills and knowledge to help members build confidence and support their climbing progression.

The location of the meet shall be the same as last time, Head End Quarry near Ireby.

Members looking to participate can sign up to one of two themes of coaching;

– Competent Seconding Skills
– Transition to Lead Climbing

As well as participants, we will be looking for experienced club members to help support by coaching and passing on their skills.

This would be a great meet for new members looking for their first opportunity to get out. Last year had a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere with lots of encouragement and safe spaces to ask those ‘silly questions’ and help each other. I am looking to create the same environment this time.

Given the nature of the meet, having people confirm attendance upfront will help us plan.

Can you please email or WhatsApp message me to ‘sign up’ as a participant or volunteer coach.

My email address is stu_dan@hotmail.com or 07854 083438 on WhatsApp.

Thanks,

Stu Gorman

[Stu Gorman]

*Cancellation – Skills Share Meet, due to weather *

Ive got up and gone and looked at the crag and it’s not great. We are in cloud and misty drizzle. The rock is damp also.

I am going to cancel the skills share meet. Sorry for the short notice but the weather seems to be on the worse than forecast side. It won’t be the best learning environment sitting in cloud getting wet from the start.

I will look to reschedule it in a few weeks. Apologies again.

Stu

[Stu Gorman]

Spring has arrived, apparently but Mother Nature has missed the memo and the weather is yet to pick up. Still despite a reschedule to a Thursday, traditionally meaning less members can make it, Head End Quarry was a hive of KMC climbers desperate for their first taste of outdoor rock in the 2024 season.

The turn out was excellent and there were lines being climbed across the full length of the crag. It was amazing to see so many new members coming along for their first evening out.

With the early bids getting the best of the weather and more climbing done, the late shift arrived, still managing to climb a few routes before the wind picked up more and the misty rain landed. Only one thing left to do at that point, a quick pint and a catch up at the greyhound in Bothel.

Great climbing enjoyed in the company of John, Chris M, Pete, Rowan, Steve H, Sam M, Cath, Ali , Mark, Euan, Mike, Charlie, Ann, Carol, Steve, Kath, Adam, Alice, Dave and Stu G.

[Stu Gorman]

Skills Share Meet – Saturday 13th April

This Saturday, we have our Skills Share meet looking to support our members, new and existing to brush up on their seconding and leading skills before the main summer meets.

The venue is the same as this Thursday, Head End Quarry, a great location for a chilled, slow pace meet to chat, practise skills and get in a route or two.

Names I have for the meet are:

Volunteers
– [ ] Steve Hardy
– [ ] Mark Megan
– [ ] Judith Brown
– [ ] Stuart Gorman
– [ ] Robin Newynn
– [ ] Mark Ward

Participants
– [ ] Euan Austin
– [ ] Rachel Clarke (Second)
– [ ] Paul Pitchford (Second)
– [ ] Carol (Second)
– [ ] Craig Oliver (Lead)
– [ ] Audrey Mitchell (Lead)
– [ ] Luke Bell
– [ ] Sam McLoughlin (Lead)
– [ ] Anne (refresh)

If anyone else plans on coming, please drop me a WhatsApp message or email directly to stu_dan@hotmail.com

The weather is looking a little mixed but the morning and early afternoon currently forecasted dry so we shall say the meet is on.

We shall kick off at 0930 and keep an eye on the weather for finish time, no later than 1500.

Please keep an eye on emails and WhatsApp should the weather change.

Thanks!

Stu Gorman

[Stu Gorman]

This Saturday, we have our Skills Share meet looking to support our members, new and existing to brush up on their seconding and leading skills before the main summer meets.

The venue is the same as this Thursday, Head End Quarry, a great location for a chilled, slow pace meet to chat, practise skills and get in a route or two.

Names I have for the meet are:

Volunteers
– [ ] Steve Hardy
– [ ] Mark Megan
– [ ] Judith Brown
– [ ] Stuart Gorman
– [ ] Robin Newynn
– [ ] Mark Ward

Participants
– [ ] Euan Austin
– [ ] Rachel Clarke (Second)
– [ ] Paul Pitchford (Second)
– [ ] Carol (Second)
– [ ] Craig Oliver (Lead)
– [ ] Audrey Mitchell (Lead)
– [ ] Luke Bell
– [ ] Sam McLoughlin (Lead)
– [ ] Anne (refresh)

If anyone else plans on coming, please drop me a WhatsApp message or email directly to stu_dan@hotmail.com

The weather is looking a little mixed but the morning and early afternoon currently forecasted dry so we shall say the meet is on.

We shall kick off at 0930 and keep an eye on the weather for finish time, no later than 1500.

Please keep an eye on emails and WhatsApp should the weather change.

Thanks!

Stu Gorman

[Stu Gorman]

The forecast is looking ok for tomorrow and into the early evening with some wet stuff coming in nearer sunset.

Tomorrow’s rescheduled meet at Headend Quarry is therefore on.

I’ll be there around 5 ish. I hope you are able to join us for the first outdoor climb of the year

[Stu Gorman]

*Postpond Meet*

Apologies all, the weather tomorrow looks very wet for the majority of the day with brighter skys by the evening. The limestone stays damp at headend for a while so sadly, I will delay the meet and try again on Thursday.

Appreciate not everyone can make a Thursday. I hope that we can still muster a good turn out should the weather forecast hold in our favour.

Thanks,

Stu Gorman

[Stu Gorman]

Over the weekend of 9 – 11th Feb, 9 KMC members ventured north to the great mountains of Scotland to partake in some winter adventure. With team members arriving and departing throughout the weekend, great communication and team work saw members join up with several objectives in mind.

The weather and ground conditions across the weekend were mixed with high winds on Friday and the arrival of fresh snow on Friday into Saturday leading to adverse avalanche conditions on most of the northern corrie’s slopes. Sunday however was a more settled day with the snow pack having had time to consolidate a little.

Being flexible in the winter mountains is the key to success and our team demonstrated just that. With a number of winter mountaineering objectives and skills refreshing undertaken, several routes were also scaled including Fiacaill Ridge, Red Gully, Goat Track Gully, and a couple of un-named objectives in Creagan Cha No (mixed, gully and ice!).

With the nature of this being a weekend meet, there was the opportunity each evening to unwind, relax, and swap stories over great food, fine beer (or whisky of course) and excellent company in the Winking Owl.

Meet attended by: Brendon, Jamie, Dillon, Charlie, Stu G, Ros, Aileen, Matt, Ann S and Steve D.

[Stu Gorman]

Thanks to everyone who has signed up for the Skills Share meet on Saturday 24th June.

We have decided to run both sessions at Shepards Crag, Borrowdale for ease. Start time of 0930 in the Brownslabs area. I’ll be there from 0900.

The following names are signed up;

Coaches
Mark Ward
Judith Brown
Stu Gorman
Andy Brockbank
Mark Megan

Participants
Craig Oliver – Seconding
Carol Oliver – Seconding
Steve Dixon – Leading
Charlie Pearson – Leading
Katherine Price – Leading
Andrew Stevenson – Leading

Parking to the north is found at Kettlewell national trust car park with a short walk in to arrive in the Brown Crag / Brownslabs area. Best to team up with members who have a NT card to avoid expensive fee.

There is a lay-by to the south which can accommodate a few cars past the Borrowdale Hotel with a similar walk in. This will bring you into the crag in the Jackdaw area, taking the footpath behind High Lodore farm. Parking at High Lodore Farm to the south is now unavailable to climbers (contrary to most guide books that have not been updated).

Look forward to see you there. Any issues, please contact me directly via WhatsApp or email at stu_dan@hotmail.com

Stu G

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