Glasgow Glenmore Club
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Glasgow Glenmore Club
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Glasgow Glenmore Club Information for Members
These notes are intended to give prospective and new members of the Club some background on the operation of the Club, and to give some basic advice - for those who may need it - on clothing and equipment. More information about the Club’s current activities can be found on the website at www.glasgowglenmore.org.uk
1. Background
People who attended courses or instructed at Glenmore Lodge, near Aviemore, formed the Club in 1954. At the time of writing membership numbers around 120, with an active element of about 50. Average attendance at outdoor meets varies between 10 and 30, with up to 50 at some meets. Nearly all the outdoor meets are in Scotland, with occasional visits to other parts of the UK. In recent years the Club has organized a summer meet abroad which takes place every two years in locations like the Pyrenees and Alps.
This makes us one of the larger clubs in Scotland, but new members need not be daunted by the apparent size; the membership is a very welcoming to prospective and new members.
We are predominantly a hill walking club, which in practice means most members are walkers, a description embracing most activities up to and including scrambling. There are also a number of climbers and skiers. The Club has meets throughout the year, and in winter conditions can become sufficiently challenging to require mountaineering rather than normal hill walking skills and experience.
In 2004 the Club celebrated its 50th. anniversary and published a commemorative book ‘ How You’ve Changed! 50 Years of the Glasgow Glenmore Club’ It charts the history of the Club through articles and photographs – copies are still available at £10.
2. Personal Responsibility
Climbing and mountaineering, including hill walking, are inherently dangerous. You should be aware of and accept the risks involved and be responsible for your own actions. Although more experienced members will usually be happy to pass on their skills, the Club does not attempt to ‘teach’ hill walking, climbing or mountaineering or key elements like navigation. Club meets do not have formal ‘leaders’ and you should decide for yourself whether you are sufficiently fit, equipped and experienced for any particular trip or activity. You are responsible for making your own arrangements with companions of your choice. You must judge for yourself the experience of somebody who says that they will show you/take you/teach you etc. It is also their responsibility not to exaggerate their experience.
Route cards are used to record the details of hill walks and those participating. The first name that appears on a route card is only responsible for the reporting of the safe return of the party to the coordinator of the month. No extra responsibility is inferred.
3. General Information
Indoor club meets are usually held twice monthly from late September to early May, on the first and third Thursdays of each month. Lectures, slide shows and other events are arranged, and these meetings give an opportunity to meet other members and to make arrangements for outdoor Club meets and other outings.
Outdoor meets are normally held on the second Sunday and fourth weekend of each month, although this routine is varied at holiday weekends such as Easter, May Day, etc.
A Newsletter is published three or four times a year, between August and April, and gives details of meets, rendezvous points, changes of address, general Club news, etc.
The administration of the Club is carried out by a committee of nine, comprising Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and five Ordinary Members. They are elected annually at the AGM, which is held in May, each serving for a maximum of three consecutive years in any one office or as a Committee member, subject to a maximum of six years on the Committee. Any full Club member is eligible to vote and stand for Committee.
A list of members and contact details is available to every member. This information is confidential and is intended only to facilitate members contacting each other in connection with Club activities and therefore should not be disclosed to any third parties without the permission of the member concerned.
4. Basic Equipment
Everyone hill walking in Scotland should have equipment which is suitable for the often harsh conditions on Scottish hills, which can occur at any time of year and not just in winter. Advice on equipment and conditions likely to be encountered on Scottish hills is available in guide books and from web sites, for example the Mountaineering Council of Scotland at www.mountaineering-scotland.org. All Club members should ensure that they have at least the minimum, which may normally considered to be:
The above list is for guidance only and Members should carry the equipment which they feel necessary for their own comfort and safety.
The Club has a number of ice axes and crampons available for loan to new members at all Club meets. A rucksack is also necessary, and should be of sufficient size to carry their equipment, as well as plenty of food, drink and some emergency rations. Use a rucksack liner for spare clothing because rucksacks are not waterproof. After a wet or cold day a change of clothing kept in the car will be appreciated
5. Equipment –General
Know how to use map, compass and in winter conditions ice axe and crampons. If in doubt seek advice from fellow Club members, books or ideally attend a training course such as those run by Glenmore Lodge.
The Club carries the following items of equipment for use by Club members: · 7 ices axes · 2 fully adjustable ‘walking’ crampons · 3 harnesses · 2 helmets · 2- 50m long 9mm ropes, yellow and blue · 2 -10m long 6mm ropes, as ‘confidence lines’, pink · a small selection of belay plates, carabiners and slings.
Ice-axes and crampons are regarded as being available only to tide new members over their first season of hill walking. Members should have their own maps - OS 1:50,000 are normally used, and the appropriate sheet number(s) is quoted for each meet in the newsletter.
The equipment listed above is available free of charge to members at all official outdoor meets.
At all Club meets, appropriate items to the season or meet will be available from the meet co-ordinator. Club members and official meets will have priority if demand exceeds the equipment available.
Members should ensure that all equipment is returned in good condition, and any loss or damage must be reported. Ice axes should be returned with guards, and ropes properly coiled and returned promptly in their bags, giving details of any incident which may have affected their reliability.
The Club reserves the right to impose a charge for any loss or damage.
6. Transport
An attendance list for the next outdoor meet is normally available at each indoor meet. If not present at the previous indoor meet, members should contact the coordinator of the month as soon as possible thereafter, and not later than the Monday preceding the outdoor meet. From this list, the coordinator arranges transport for those requiring it, and advises drivers of their passengers. Drivers then contact their passengers to make detailed arrangements. Members are encouraged to share transport where possible
Unless in exceptional circumstances members are expected to abide by these arrangements. Drivers and passengers will agree a mutually acceptable pick up/drop off point. It may not always be possible for passengers to be picked up from home Rendezvous points and times at the meet venues are given in club newsletters.
All members attending an outdoor meet should put their name(s) on the list, whether they have spare seats, require transport, or not. In cases of using huts or restricted campsites it is essential that the coordinator knows of everyone who is coming and notifies him/her of any subsequent change. This is important because some venues are oversubscribed and a waiting list operates, hence others could use a vacant place.
All those receiving lifts are, of course, expected to contribute to petrol and other costs (e.g.. ferries).
Drivers should give as much notice as possible if they subsequently find that they cannot attend a meet. This also applies to passengers, since a partly filled car means that the remaining travellers have to pay higher costs, and given sufficient notice it may be possible to rearrange transport using fewer cars. Anyone withdrawing at unreasonably short notice should be prepared to pay his/her share of travel costs.
If requests for lifts exceed those offered, priority will be given to Club members, on a "first come, first served" basis.
7. Camping
All Club camping meets are held at commercial camp sites. The Club no longer hold ‘wild camping’ meets in order to protect the environment. However, members do arrange their own wild camping trips from time to time and are requested to observe elementary camping and sanitary rules, and to leave "nothing but their thanks".
8. Youth Hostels and similar commercial venues.
A number of our weekend meets are based at hostels. Members should also know and observe hostel rules, however irksome they may seem, and in particular to note the following :- - keep the hostel tidy, especially the kitchen - wash pots immediately after use, before eating - do not wear boots inside - bedding is provided at all hostels with the exception of a small number, currently(2005) Loch Ossian, Craig and Glen Affric where sleeping bags are required. - adhere to opening and closing times, with lights out and silence after the specified bedtime. Aim to be back in the hostel from the hills before 21.00 hours. (As most hostel meets are in the winter you should be back before this anyway) - if arriving late at the hostel by special arrangement after a long drive, please be quiet! - if a dormitory is in darkness and there are people asleep when arriving late or leaving early, avoid switching a light on or making a noise. The careful use of a torch is recommended on such occasions
Normally the Club reserves a ‘block’ of beds or books a special opening when we will be the only people using the hostel. The newsletter gives details of how to book for all weekend and similar meets: these are usually via the coordinator for the month, but occasionally members are asked to book direct with the hostel.
9. Use of Huts
For weekends based at huts, there will be a column on the transport list asking if accommodation is required, and this will be allocated on a "first come, first served" basis. Only Club members may use huts belonging to clubs affiliated to the Mountaineering Council of Scotland.
Most huts in Scotland are available to Club members for their own expeditions. A list of huts and bookings secretaries can be obtained from the Club secretary.
10. Groups for the Hills
Normally there are parties on routes to cater for most abilities. Members should be aware of their own limitations and choose a route accordingly. The meet coordinator will be pleased to advise anyone in doubt.
For all outdoor meets, route cards are provided so that groups can leave a record of where they are going, times, equipment carried, etc. Members are earnestly requested to use them or ensure that their name has been added to the appropriate card. The route card should be completed as fully and accurately as possible to describe the proposed expedition. This information is vital in the event of a late return or mishap for determining when and where to mount a rescue operation, who is involved and to gauge the experience of those involved which is important.
Before a party leaves for the hill, all members should know who the party facilitator is and be aware of the intended route. The party facilitator is the person who completes the route card in conjunction with the party members and advises the coordinator of the safe return of that party : for the avoidance of doubt the facilitator is not the leader of the party and nor is any such duty assumed directly or indirectly by any member of the party. Anyone suffering from a condition or taking medication which could affect their performance or behaviour should advise the coordinator and facilitator. This information need not be divulged to other members of the party.
For weekend meets parties confirm their return at the venue. On the last day of weekend or similar meets, the facilitator should contact the coordinator later that evening to confirm that party’s safe return: this also applies to day meets when the party had not intended to meet at the end of the day at a pre-arranged venue.
The coordinator carries a Club mobile phone to aid communications during meets and for facilitators to report the safe return of their parties.
Inexperience in ice axe or crampon use should be declared to both the meet coordinator and the facilitator of your party.
Except in special circumstances, parties should stick to their intended route or specified alternative(s) set out on their route card.
The recommended size for parties is 3 to 5 people. Larger parties sometimes form, but progress is often slow, and in difficult conditions it is easy to "lose" someone. Serious solo expeditions are discouraged, and should only be undertaken by people with adequate experience, fitness, and judgment.
11. Children of Members
Members' children are welcome to attend Club meets when beds and seats are available (if not using family transport), on the strict understanding that the parents are responsible for them and that they do not interfere with other members' activities.
There is usually at least one meet a year which is suitable for young families.
12. Library
A number of books, guides and periodicals are available from the club librarian. Contact the librarian, or the Club website, for a current list of resources and details of borrowing arrangements. A member borrowing any item should sign for it in the book provided. There is no charge for this, but it is requested that books borrowed be returned within a reasonable period.
13. Log Book
The Club has a logbook that records all weekend, day and indoor meets. Members are expected to take their turn in making suitable entries. The archived copies of the logbook are available on request to anyone who wants to find out what happened in former times or during a period of absence. They make very interesting and amusing reading! Recent entries are also displayed on the Club website.
14. Suggestions
Members are welcomed and encouraged to tell any Committee member about suggestions for meets : the Club is always keen to try new venues, or if you feel some aspect of the Club’s operations might be improved, then we’d like to hear about them !
15. Affiliation to Other Bodies
Mountaineering Council of Scotland The MCof S is the recognised representative body for Scottish Mountaineers, with several thousand club and individual members. It is concerned with conservation issues, access problems, facilities and training, without seeking to promote the sport amongst the general public. Many Club members have benefited from the Council's winter training weekends at Glenmore Lodge. The Club membership subscription includes the individual’s annual subscription to MCofS : the principal benefits are third party insurance cover under the BMC scheme and copies of ‘‘The Scottish Mountaineer,’ the house magazine of the MCofS, which has lots of articles on the Scottish hills, equipment and tips for walkers and climbers.
Mountain Bothies Association The objective of the M.B.A. is to maintain simple unlocked accommodation for travellers in remote areas. The Club receives the regular newsletter of the MBA and a summary is given in the Club newsletter: the secretary can provide more details on request.
Scottish Rights of Way and Access Society (Scotways) The Club is a corporate member of this society. Its objects are the preservation, defence and acquisition of public rights of way in Scotland, and the erection of bridges, signposts, gates, stiles, etc. in connection with public rights of way. Summaries of its newsletters are given in the Club newsletter.
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