CUHWC Glenridding Trip (9th-15th June 2006)

A few hours after handing in my third-year project reports, I was off to the Lake District for five days of fantastic walking. We stayed in the Gillside Farm bunkhouse in Glenridding, and climbed most of the hills in the surrounding Eastern and Far Eastern Fells, boosting my Wainwright count to 161!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/XXP8vkmrjHoPDBJc8

Alex and Emily on Froswick, with Caudale Moor and Thornthwaite Crag behind

CUBB Tour 2006: ‘Lost in Powys’ (and Gwynedd) (16th-19th March 2006)

My third fantastic tour with the Brass Band was to mid-Wales, staying in an Outdoor Education centre by the coast in Llwyngwril. We visited and played concerts in Guilsfield, Machynlleth and Barmouth, and I also managed to persuade several people to join me on hillwalking excursions! Plus all the Tour traditions of course!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2eUJWe9w6cypQxLZ8

The band after our final concert in Guilsfield

CUHWC Annual Dinner 2006 (22nd February 2006)

This year’s CUHWC Annual Dinner was held in the Prioress’ Room at Jesus College. We enjoyed an excellent meal in excellent company, followed by speeches by the outgoing and incoming presidents. Afterwards we had cocktails in the Maypole, then returned to my room for port, Cow-Song-singing etc!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Rcc2aTb5uCtZe6GBA

The starter: Mushroom and Goat’s Cheese Tart

CUHWC Eskdale Trip (17th-19th February 2006)

A brilliant hillwalking trip to Eskdale in the SW of the Lake District! I took advantage of the perfect weather for two long walks taking in many of the significant nearby fells. On Saturday my route was over Slight Side, Scafell, Scafell Pike (via the Lord’s Rake), Illgill Head and Whin Rigg. On Sunday I walked over Green Crag, Harter Fell and Hard Knott, returning via waterfalls on the River Esk, and Mediobogdum, the Roman Fort below Hard Knott.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Dpcozo7L6fkUGwHf8

Wastwater from Scafell

CUHWC Rhyd Ddu Trip (3rd-5th February 2006)

I went on a weekend trip to Rhyd Ddu, in Snowdonia, staying at the Oread club’s comfortable Tan yr Wyddfa bunkhouse. On Saturday I did a circular walk over Yr Aran, Snowdon, Crib y Ddysgl and Moel Cynghorion, with fantastic views thanks to the high cloud level. On Sunday I enjoyed some easy scrambling, following the Nantlle Ridge to Garnedd Goch and returning via the valley to the east.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/9RySXEseHR8atAkp9

Clogwyn Du’r Arddu crags, Moel Cynghorion and Moel Eilio

CUHWC Seathwaite Trip 2006 (8th-13th January 2006)

We then transferred to Seathwaite, at the head of Borrowdale, for the now-traditional CUHWC New Year trip there. I spent one day in the Central Fells, and three in the North-Westerns, including the excellent Coledale Horseshoe. My last fell of the trip was Robinson, which was also my 100th Wainwright (though I thought it was my 101st at the time!).

https://photos.app.goo.gl/mH5tndVbk1374dEs8

Rigg Beck and Ard Crags.

CUHWC Dunmail Raise Trip (25th-27th November 2005)

The final weekend trip of term was to the Lake District, staying in the Achille Ratti Climbing Club’s bunkhouse at Dunmail Raise. The ideal location meant we were able to do two excellent walks from the door. I spent Saturday bagging half a dozen Central Fells despite the wind and sleet, and on Sunday enjoyed superb visibility on a shorter walk including Seat Sandal, Fairfield and Stone Arthur – just one brief snow-storm, while we were on Seat Sandal!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/PG2QF2NwVcBSCnLX6

Gibson Knott and Helm Crag

CUHWC Howgill Fells Trip (11th-13th November 2005)

My first weekend trip of the year was to the Howgill Fells, staying near Sedbergh. We were lucky to have sunny weather most of the time: a contrast to the snow and ice on the last trip to this area (February 2004). On the Saturday I did a walk on the Howgill Fells, and on the Sunday I led a circular walk up Whernside from Dentdale.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/rmcRwTE2R5mgMten9

Cautley Spout

CUHWC Edale Trip (16th October 2005)

The first CUHWC trip of the new academic year was the traditional freshers’ day trip to Edale in the Peak District. I led a walk from Edale to Hayfield via Mam Tor, Brown Knoll, Kinder Downfall and Kinder Reservoir. Visibility was very poor to start with but gradually improved during the day, giving some sunshine and good views in the afternoon.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/37zntL9KLGNYRE4t5

Looking back to Mam Tor from Rushup Edge

Pyrenees (CUHWC): Parc Nacional d’Aiguestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici (18th-28th September 2005)

This year’s unofficial CUHWC summer trip was to the Spanish Pyrenees, where we spent ten days based near the village of Espot, just outside the National Park. Our walks included a five-day expedition, staying overnight in mountain refuges, which allowed us to access some of the more remote areas. We also reached the summit of several peaks around 2800m high. Before flying back home, we spent a day exploring Barcelona.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/K2tuVLaY1jFzDsTb8

Lac dera Restanca, and the rocky Serra de Rius