by Zoe Pickering (Club Chair):
My decision to go on the Scottish Winter Meet this year was somewhat last minute and it was not without reservation either - the last one I went on was around twenty years ago - it rained all week and the memory, as they say, is dark. However, I bit the bullet and bagged my place and found good conditions, sunny views and plenty of snow, even if it was only down to a few hundred feet below the summits.
The meet was fully booked and it was good to see friendly faces old and new, pursuing a wide range of wintery activities including radical intrepidness from Max and Will on the North Face of the Ben (I bumped into them at the top at lunchtime and they'd already done three routes), baby steps in snowy gullies and on classic ridges such as Ledge Route from Ben and myself and brave endeavours from everyone else on a range of walks and climbs including Curved Ridge on the Buchaille and ascents around Stob Coire Nan Lochan.
There was also a mountain biking contingent who made full use of the many cycling options in the area, including the Nevis Range mountain biking tracks and Sustrans routes out along Loch Linnhe to Stalker Castle. The weather was kind, although surprisingly warm, the pubs and craic were, as always, good and there are already plans for next winters' trip - hope to see you there!
Dare we say but it looks like 2022 is going to be the year we can properly get together again. With that in mind we have a great series of club meets to inspire you to come out for adventures with us. Club meets are a core part of what the Bowline is all about so get these in your diary. Watch out for the invitations to signup to these meets which we'll send out via email in due course.
We will of course have plenty of additional day trips to the Peak District for climbing or walking which we'll run as and when the weather suits. Plus, there is plenty of scope for adding more meets so if you have an idea (particularly one you are prepared to organise) let us know.
26th/27th March - Love the hut (maintenance weekend).
9th-16th April - Fontainebleau bouldering (family friendly, gite places available).
30th April - 2nd May (bank holiday) - Dartmoor climbing/walking (family friendly, camping).
21st/22nd May - Climbing/walking weekend at our club hut.
2nd-5th June (jubilee weekend) - Cornwall climbing (family friendly, camping).
18th/19th June - Summer picnic/BBQ weekend in Peak district.
2nd/3rd July - Saunders Mountain Marathon (Lake District).
23rd/24th July - Meet at our club hut.
13th/14th August - Mountain biking weekend trip.
27th-29th August (bank holiday) - Pembrokeshire climbing.
10th/11th September - Club hut weekend.
Early October - Corsica hot rock trip (exact date TBC).
15th/16th October - Walking/scrambling weekend at the club hut.
19th November - Club annual dinner.
4th December - Chairman's walk.
6th December - Bouldering competition
