Page 16 - 1996 AMA Autumn

The Old Man of Hoy.
The giant monolith of rock stands over 400ft high, expelled from Hoy Island some 100 years ago after a huge landslide. For many years it caught the imagination of mountaineers, but it was not climbed until the 18 July 66 by T. Patey, R. Bailie and Sir C. Bonnington. The sandstone sea stack was originally graded HVS 5a, but over the years the combination of the elements and climbers alike have eroded the delicate rock, and it is currently graded El 5b. The climb has earned a reputation for catching
16
AREA
Scotland (Northern Corries)
Scotland (Arran)
North Wales Peak District
Lakes Lancs
Peak District
South West
South West
Southern South Wales
DATES
24-26 Jan 97
23-25 Aug
23-25 May 28-31 Mar
TBC 12-13 Apr
26-27 Apr
26-27 Apr
4-5 Oct
17-19 Jan TBC
ACCN Inverdrurie B&B
Glen Rosa Campsite
TBC
North Lees Campsite GR SK 255832 (0433 50838)
REMARKS/LOCATION
Numbers soonest to book beds Dave Rowe 01250 875774
Numbers required for ferry bookings.
VRM'S MOUNTAINEER
THE OLD
A. Phillips
experienced climbing parties out, along with a few not particular­ ly well versed in their craft. This reputation of high adventure is what attracted JSMTC (Scot) to climb it for a staff training week­ end.
Come Friday 12 O’Clock, the buses were packed to the hilt with climbing equipment and mountain bikes, the bikes I'll explain shortly! The journey north went like clockwork, a four hour drive to Scrabster, then off loaded the kit for the ferry to Stromness. It was quite a sight to see, ten members of JSMTC cycling onto the ferry looking like an Hells Angel chapter of Quazi Modos. Two hours later we docked at Stromness on Orkney, the epic journey was far from over.
Stage three was a thirty minute tug boat ride to Linkness on the Hoy Island. During the journey we passed the wreck of a large ship, which we think was purposely scuttled during the war to act as a sentinal to Scapa Flow.
Was this the final stage? Not quite. The Tour de Hoy was under starters orders. Head torches on, and we were off, with pre-race favourite S/Sgt Andy Phillips falling by the wayside with a mal­ function to his machine (-the chain fell off). The race was now left wide open, well! wacky race that is. The cronky pelaton shot into the night, destination Youth Hostel six miles away. This night was not a good night for the fauna on the roads of Hoy, as Capt Mac Mackay took out a defenceless rabbit en route, with proof of his
AREA MEETS DETAIL 1997
TBC TBC
Basic!
Hope Campsite
TBC
Gritstone quarries,
hard and loose but something for all.
Curbar etc, Swanage
TBC Lundy
TBC TBC
Bristol TBC
Tpt available from Kilmarnock. Poss based at Llanwrst Stanage, Burbage, Millstone.
Dave Rowe 01250 875774 Kev Edwards 746-8624
Andy Parry
01869 243486 or 7775125 (after Xmas)
Brian Crossley 01274 607715
Andy Parry
01869 243486 or 7775125 (after Xmas)
Andy Parry 01869 243486 or 777 5125 (after Xmas)
Damien Plant 01985 222405 738 2405/2237
Damien Plant 01985 222405 738 2405/2237
Graham Coff 01344 22918 Rosie Stone 727 4243
CONTACT