January 2001 Newsletter
Chairman's Introduction
The Bluffers Guide to Running UWS Hiking
Cadair Idris Weekend
Peak District Weekend
Christmas Dinner
Hikes in Detail
Chairman's introduction
Sam's Boring Bit
Every term has its ups and downs! Last term was no exception, with the wettest autumn on record; a "dry" weekend that coincided (a rare bit of luck) with the Peaks Weekend and then gale force winds in Cadair Idris. Nevertheless, the roller coaster ride finished on a high and for all who miss it what a great event at Christmas Dinner you missed - of what I can remember anyway!
However, that was then and this is now. If you are new to the club this term or coming back for more punishment then welcome to another busy term.
We have rearranged the Pen-y-Fan hike for this term so that everyone gets a chance to see this incredible mountain. (Make sure you see the other changes we have made.) Then there is the AGM when you get the chance to have your say about the people who run the club for the coming year and then there is the social highlight of the term in the form of the Barn Dance that promises to be bigger and better than ever.
See you around.
Sam Kent
Bluffers Guide to running the UWS Hiking Club
Fancy getting in on the action?
It will soon be time to wish farewell to the old committee and welcome aboard a new lot of energetic and enthusiastic youngsters who will have a go at running the club. (AGM 22nd Feburary). Being a committee member does take up a little of your time, but is great fun and will serve to benefit you as well as looking good on your CV too. Below is a list of the various positions up for grabs, so you can decide which one suits you best!
Then turn up to the AGM and get voted on.
Chairman
The person with overall responsibility for the club, the chairman's job involves deciding which bar to hold weekly meetings in, keeping order at meetings and making an annual speech at the Christmas Dinner. Needs to be diplomatic and previous committee experience is useful. Note: You do not have to die your hair red.
Vice Chairman
The job that involves least work and the main responsibilities include booking transport and looking after all club equipment. They also get to fill in for the chairman when he is not around.
Secretary
This position requires you to make notes of important information at meetings - like the previous weekends beer trophies! You will be asked to book accommodation for weekends away and the warn pubs of our arrival on Sundays, so that they can lock up the children!
Treasurer
Main responsibility is to decide how many beers the club funds can support. You need big pockets to store the money in as the AU treasurer is never there when you need her. Helps if you have a calculator.
Social Secretary
A vital position, as responsible for devising and booking all the club's social and then getting drunk at them! Must be cheerful and have a sense of hummer.
Publicity Secretary
Responsible for publicising all the clubs events (walks, social etc) mostly via the notice board and email. Full set of coloring pens provided. They also get to take the blame from social sec for failed socials.
Webmaster
This new position involves updating our excellent website (www.uwshiking.org.uk) with both walks and socials information. Previous web experience useful but by no means essential.
Rhodri Haines (Treasurer)
Cadair Idris Weekend Away - 24th - 26th November 2000
It was late on a Friday night when we finally arrived at the luxurious opulence of the Dolgoch Falls holiday apartments. That didn't stop a few hardy souls from sampling the delights of a local public house. On their return, we all decided to pay our respects to the eponymous Dolgoch Falls, which were but a short stroll up a dark track. As we approached we could hear the noise of the falls getting louder and louder, and then suddenly we were there. In the light of our torches, all we could see of the waterfall was a thunderous white torrent of water exploding out of the darkness before us. We returned to the apartments, suitably impressed, via a short detour through the woods.
The next morning the weather seemed fine until we were just about to leave, whereupon it began to rain. The rain continued to fall as we arrived at the foot of Cadair Idris, didn't let up as we began to climb, and intensified as we rose above the treeline. As our small group continued to climb the wind blew harder, the rain occasionally turned to sleet and the cliffs by the edge of our path seemed got higher.
Eventually we reached the rocky summit and clung to the trig-point for a while before heading into the calm of the mountaintop shelter for a nice hand-warming hot cup out of our Thermos flasks. With no sign of the other group and after a short break to drip-dry, we left the shelter to find both wind and rain had abated somewhat. Our descent was consequently less dramatic, and the clouds covering the summit eventually cleared allowing us a glimpse of the apparently knife-edge ridge we had walked along on our ascent. A brief moment of excitement was provided by a river crossing, which resulted in one or two minor foot-soakings but no casualties.
Back at the apartments, we discovered that the extreme weather had meant the other group had been unable to reach the summit. So to make up for it everyone went for a stroll in the woods around Dolgoch Falls, which, everyone agreed, had shrunk from the previous night but were nonetheless still quite impressive.
After a hearty dinner, we headed for another pub where we commandeered a room with a pool table and jukebox, nicked all the chairs and resolutely failed to haggle a discount off twenty shots of Cointreau. When we returned (yet again) to our apartments we had a quiet house party, during which an improbable amount of beer was drunk without anyone noticing. Lizzie decided that there was not enough light, and so brought a lamp from one of the bedrooms, failing to notice the five meters of cable had been fixed and painted to the wall and which no longer was.
In the morning and after a late breakfast we headed off on our second big (sort of) walk of the weekend. After leaving the minibuses and drivers in a very narrow country lane the walk included the cheerily named Happy Valley (a lush green valley containing one farm, a church, a public telephone and a post-box) and an unnecessarily steep hill. The walk ended at the seaside resort of Aberdovey where refreshing cup of tea was the order of the day.
Returning to Dolgoch apartments for the last time we packed up in record time and headed back to Swansea, pausing only to grab a bite to eat in the student capital of the world (Lampeter) and arriving back a couple of hours later.
Rob Lievesley
Peak District Weekend Away - 3rd - 5th November 2000
The Peak district is situated in North West England, the highest part being Kinder Scout.
Traveling north in two minibuses, we took a quick stop for food, and to let those with longer legs stretch a bit (or anyone with legs for that matter). Safe at our destination we leapt off the bus eager to get settled in and fed and then inevitably to the pub. Beverage consumption was kept fairly low with consideration in mind of the next days walk.
Up early for breakfast and off to conquer Kinder Scout. We went up in two groups, one led by Maz, there group having a challenging, organised walk in store for them, and the second led by Sam, whose group were destined to wander around on top of a hill looking for a way off. However, for both groups there was astonishing scenery in store. The Peaks are covered in rock formations which have been shaped by the weather into the most bizarre shapes, and they were good for climbing to. I was lucky enough to be in Sam's group and lunch was cold and wet, that is the weather not our actual lunches (unless you were really unlucky). There were some waterfalls too, which were spectacular.
Anyway, enough of this walking malarkey, its back to the station for hot showers and a square meal. Or not. Some managed good meals but cold showers, others managed a hot shower but a small meal, others achieved both, some neither, (though some smelly people opted not to have even a hot shower). I wisely prepared myself for the drinking ahead with two chicken and mushroom pot noodles, and fortunately was not punished for this foolhardy behavior.
To the pub and the pub was very nice, and things went well, especially when a group of young females caught the eye of several lads present. We also checked out some local girls as well! Drinking culminated in the Cointreau Challenge initiated by Rhodri, which threatened to put some out of action but left our guts intact.
After the pub, promises, pacts and secret drinking alliances are formed to make sure the next weekend is far more drunken. Then we had to go to bed as all the beer has gone.
Next day a brave few, those who did not drink the night before, those who did not drink too much and those who were hungover but stupid, went on a lovely trip to a reservoir with a big dam, and walked around it. [Derwent Reservoir for those who can remember.]
Then it is back to Swansea tired, but happy. The journey home witnessed the creation of the Hiking club song, a fitting tribute to the hiking efforts of the weekend and the Beatles yellow submarine.
Dav Jarman
Christmas Dinner - 6th December 2000
As the end of term approached, the nights became longer and colder, and tacky decorations went up all over Swansea, it became apparent that Christmas was on its way. This meant a chance to kick off our extremely muddy walking boots (if you attended any of the hikes near the end of term, you will know what I mean) and put on something pretty for the annual Hiking club's Christmas dinner.
After quite an uneventful coach journey, the highlight of which was our Chairman Sam's gorgeous newly dyed red hair*, we arrived at the Oxwich Bay Hotel a rather large group of hungry hikers. Luckily, no sooner had we stepped through the door then we were handed the menu - a huge list of scrumptious food that included a starter, main Christmas meal and a desert for only £14, what a bargain!
Following the meal, Sam proceeded to give his well prepared (i.e. written on the coach on the way to the hotel) and entertaining speech, where his brightly colored hair at least served the purpose of keeping everyone focused on him throughout.
It was then time for the raffle, the quality prizes (approximately 50% made up of mars bars) of which kept everyone in suspense, wondering if Rebecca would draw his or her number next.
After consuming vast quantities of alcohol, the cheesy disco music did not seem quite so bad. In fact, everyone became quite enthusiastic, especially when the Macarena came on!
Unfortunately, the coach ride home proved slightly more painful due to Rebecca's renditions of karaoke classics which accompanied us all the way home. I am sure it did not take as long to get there as it did to return home!
For those of you that did not attend and who did not have the pleasure of awaking up the next morning with a huge bruise on your lip, wondering how you managed to achieve that with a plastic light sabre, be sure not to miss our next social.
Then there was Ed who 4 days after the event admitted that he had woken up wondering what he had been doing to warrant rescue by HM Coastguard. [If you don't know the story buy Ed a drink and he is bound to tell you - or maybe not!]
Emma Roe
*Sam's note for the future: when the bottle says permanent red hair die it means permanent for both hair and expensive white shirts!
Spring and Summer Term Hikes
Tintern Abbey - Sunday 4th February (A Walk).
A nice gentle re-introduction after Christmas and the exams. The walk takes us up the Welsh side of the Severn before heading inland to the historic remains of Tintern Abbey. A spectacular walk that is not too hard on the legs.
Dartmoor Weekend Away - Friday 9th to Sunday 11th February (B Walks).
Dartmoor, situated in the southwest of England, is a vast open space of moorland that provides some excellent walking areas for the weekend. Over the two days of walking, you can have a go at "Letter Boxing". If you do not know what it is then you will have to come away with us and find out.
Elan Valley - Sunday 18th February (B Walk).
A glorious walk around the lakes and dams in the southern part of Central Wales. It may not be in the National Park, but it should be. The walk give spectacular reflections in the lakes that change as the walk progresses. It's also the last walk with the current committee before it all changes.
Gower Backbone and BBQ - Sunday 25th February (A Walk).
The first walk with and led by the new committee for 2001-2002. While the old committee sit on Rhosilli beach preparing the barbeque for you when you arrive in the afternoon. This is only a gentle one, as we don't want to push the new committee too much on their first walk.
Pen-y-Fan - Sunday 4th March (C Walk).
Wa-hoo I hear you cry. This re-scheduled Pen-Y-Fan walk had to be postponed from last term. It is the highest mountain in the Brecons and offers spectacular views from each of the four peaks of the day. The finish is in the Star Inn, one of the best pubs in Britain
Melincourt Falls - Night Hike - Tuesday 6th March (B Walk).
The first night hike of the New Year and it's to the fantastic waterfalls of Melincourt in the Vale of Neath. The walk goes through the woods were they could have filmed The Blair Witch Project or the X-Files
Snowdonia Weekend Away - Friday 9th to Sunday 11th March (C Walks)
My favorite area in the UK for walking as we climb the highest mountain in England & Wales. This time of year we have to walk up it as the train isn't working, so at least after you've slogged you guts out climbing to 1085m, you wont meet you gran.
Carreg Cennen - Sunday 18th March (B Walk)
A quaint walk in the black mountains of the Brecons, which isn't too strenuous, just one or two hills. It finishes next to the ruins of Carren Cennen and for the tea drinkers, a fantastic tea shop with bottomless mugs of tea
Crickhowell Roundabout - Sunday 25th March (C Walk)
Not for the feint hearted. This mammoth hike takes in 26 miles of the Beacons, but the sense of achievement at the end is amazing. It takes in more hills and mountains that we can count and ends in the picturesque town of Crickhowell.
Easter Camp - Friday 27th to Sunday 29th April (A/B Walks)
We will be publishing the destination early in this term when the details are sorted and to give everyone time to plan. This trip promises to be great and it will make a difference from all the other weekends away. (This is the last weekend of the Easter holidays)
Preselli Hills - Sunday 6th May (B Walk)
This walk in Pembrokeshire takes us to the moorland of the Preselli hills. Plenty of hills and different scenery makes for interesting walking.
Three Cliffs Bay - Night Hike - Tuesday 8th May (A Walk)
A nice gentle evening stroll along the south Gower coast, taking in some of the best bits of the area. We finish up in the Mumbles - hopefully in time for a quick drink.
Ystradfellte Waterfall Walk - Sunday 13th May (B Walk)
One of the highlights of the year. The walk is not too challenging and is mostly along river banks. Through the day we see a number of impressive waterfalls building up to the large fall we actually walk behind (Its not too wet, honest!), remember to take your waterproofs and a cheap camera could be handy.
Pembrokeshire Coast - Saturday 20th May (A Walk)
This coastal walk in Pembrokeshire (in West Wales) takes us along some of the most beautiful coastline in the country - in fact it is the only coast national park in the country.
Summer Trip - Sunday 10th to Wednesday 13th June (A/B Walks)
As with the Easter Camp, we will publish the destination early this term when we have sorted out all the details. However, where ever we end up going it sore to end up being a great trip. I hope that there will be something for everyone with walks of all grades. (The date is planed to be after the exams but before the Summer Ball.)
Andy Ellis
