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Keeping you up-to-date
and informed of all the important and not so important things
that have happened in the County of Kent and the Club. |
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17-08-2009 |
Most unusual place to wear an IMC sweater |
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We are looking for the most unusual place you have worn your IMC sweater, please supply a photograph and tell us about it to the webmaster@theimc.org.uk |
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30-07-2009 |
Take a look at the latest programme for 2009/2010 |
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The IMC have created an exciting programme of events for 2009/2010 please visit the Whats On page of the website and log in for further details. If you would like to join the IMC or need a password reminder please contact the membership secretary via the contact page. |
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07-07-2009 |
Winter Walking in Scotland - January 2009 |
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In a joint IMC/County event, a group of adults and one Explorer Scout took part in a week’s winter walking in January. Based in a bunkhouse in Kingussie, near Aviemore, most of the walks were in the Cairngorms. Following several weeks of heavy snowfall, conditions were near perfect. After a couple of days in the Northern Corries learning or practising essential winter skills such as ice axe arrests, snow and ice belays, kicking steps, walking with crampons and digging snow pits to check how well the different layers of snow were bonded to each other, we set off in several small groups on the third day to walk around the ridge above the Northern Corries and summit Cairn Gorm (1,244m). Conditions were cold and windy for the first three days – wind speeds reached 45mph and wind chill was down to -20°C at times!
On the fourth day we left the Cairngorms behind and drove the short distance to Creag Meagaidh (pronounced Craig Meggie). In beautiful conditions, we walked up the Coire Ardair valley to Lochan a’ Choire, watching a large herd of red deer grazing on the other side of the valley. Unexpectedly, the snow in Coire Ardair was thigh deep in places and progress was slow. By the times we reached the Lochan, there was not enough time to get to the summit of Creag Meagaidh. Next time, hopefully!
This was our fifth consecutive year of winter walking in Scotland and each year we have hoped to dig and sleep in snow caves, but conditions have not been right – until this year! In two groups of six, we walked to the summit of Carn Bàn Mòr in the Western Cairngorms and dug two large caves in a deep snowdrift. Six people spend a surprisingly warm and comfortable night in each cave.
Each evening in the bunkhouse, lectures were given by experienced walkers on subjects which included boots & crampons, flora & fauna and weather. On the Friday night, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns’ birth, we had a Burns Supper complete with haggis, kilts, bagpipe music and a wee dram!
On the final day, we set off into the Northern Corries again. In small groups we roped up and ascended either Jacob’s Ladder or Aladdin’s Couloir, both 180 metre long Grade II gullies.
A selection of photographs can be found in the Photo Gallery.
Planning for next year’s trip, from 14th to 21st February, is already well under way. If you would like to join us, e-mail Nigel Rainey via the County website to express an interest. Places are limited to a maximum of 30, so don’t delay.
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