Page 38 - 2018 AMA Summer

CLIMBINGMEETS
NORTH
WALES
MEET
/ 17-19
NOV 17
By Martin South
“November without a Bens’ Meet? Nah, we can’t have that...”
...were Ryan and I’s thoughts as he needed someone to organise (I’d like to think it’s now) the annual November Meet at Ben’s Bunkhouse just outside Llanberis. A really healthy rank-range and mix of both Regulars and Reserves met up at the Bunkhouse for a weekend’s climbing and walking. I’d be lying if I said that the weather is normally on our side on the November Meet, truthfully it’s normally the opposite, which certainly makes for a more “sporting” experience for any hardy soul that makes it to get up to N Wales for the weekend. Particular kudos must go to Liz Dallyn and Toby Dudley, who still made the November pilgrimage to Llan-B even though they were only able to enjoy the Saturday’s activities. We’d a couple of Meet first-timers as well, which is always great to see. Welcome to the AMA!
Friday evening mainly consisted of me ticking the names off my sheet, with individuals bomb-bursting to the Veynol Arms, the chippy in Llan-B, or cooking in
the group kitchen to various degrees of impressiveness, from not very (me) to very (Callum Patton and Jamie Waddington).
The weather on the Saturday wasn’t actually that bad, certainly the best that I’ve seen it on a November Meet Saturday, so after Ryan’s quick session of grouping everyone together for their chosen
‘The aptly named Vertigo, which is on a pinnacle called Needle Rock, was a particularly popular route’
activities, we all split-up and headed for the hills. Jamie and Jase Till headed off to Tryfan Bach for some multi-pitch work, Ryan took Cleo Bishop-Bolt and Karl Jackson onto Idwal Butress for some quality scrambling, Liz took a big group to the Carnedds, Toby and Will Cathcart joined Ryan, Cleo and Karl in Cwm Idwal, the pair climbing ‘Hope’, and Phil Dyer
and I headed to Tremadog for some RCS revision work, and maybe a climb or two.
Phil and I’s first stop was Eric Jones’ Café, and we were privileged enough to be served a brew and cake (me...) by the
38 / ARMY MOUNTAINEER