Report from Ronan Duddy

A little summary of the year.

Early March

Skiing in Austria for a week with Fiona, and brother (plus partner) and my friend. Sant Anton was the venue. I had not skied before and it was utterly brutal. Snow plow turns felt like turning a container ship. Fell a lot, surprised I didn’t break anything. Fiona had skied before and did great. By the end of the week I was getting the hang of parallel turns.

Early May

Climbfest at Malin Beg. Fiona didn’t climb as in the first trimester. I climbed a lot with George, did some great climbs (thanks George!). Seconded one of Warren Poots’ E2s with a Welsh climber .

Mid May

Climbed at Lower cove.

Spent the weekend at Fairhead camping and climbing. Finally succeeded on a popular multipitch route a friend and I had bailed on spectacularly last year (slight epic on that occasion where we left the house at about 8am and got home at 3am). This time the route went smoothly. The following day I did more climbing with George. Post on weekend: Weekend-at-fairhead

Went climbing at Dalkey sometime before the ban during the year too… can’t remember when.

Late May, Early June

Fairhead meet. Talk by Hazel Findley. George and I paired up for more climbing (in the rain!). David peddling CCC guidebooks. Post on CCC website: Fairhead-meet-may-2025

Fiona and Ronan Small Crag Fairhead 

Mid July

MI meet in Chamonix. Our first time. Stayed for a week. Did some walks, climbed with Marcin and watched the climbing world cup. Fairly relaxed time given pregnancy. Chamonix/alps seem family friendly which is good to know.

End of Aug

Climbed at Fairhead. Took the furthest fall I’ve ever taken in my life, inches away from the top of Thunderhips at the Prow. Was starting to feel like a caged animal towards the top and didn’t have big enough cams for the final part. Left heel and back still a little sore.

Ronan on Midnight Cruiser Prow Fairhead 

End of Nov

Baby is due. All’s going well thankfully.

A report by Philip  Mannus

It has been a very busy year. I passed my Winter ML on 5/2/25. I spent two weeks in Aviemore Area doing some grade 1 routes and practising for the assessment. I also passed my Climbing wall development Instructor qualification in May of this year.

 I soloed Marmolada at 3,343metres, the highest mountain in the Dolomites by its Via ferrata. It was challenging because a lot of the Via Ferrata wires were frozen and buried in snow and ice meaning that I had to solo climb over patches without any safety crossing some major drop offs. I climbed the mountain on both the ascent and descent via the VF. The return route took 11hrs. This was following 10 days attempting to climb Mont Blanc via the Grand Mullet arete onto the Dome. We had to turn back at 4,100metres due to a storm.  As a result of the weather we travelled to Orpierre and climbed there for 2 days on multi pitch bolted routes.

View of The Mont Blanc Du Tacul from the Cosmiques Hut. The conditions were not in for an ascent and the avalanche in the pic was a further indication that conditions were not in. The guides in the refuge also advised against it.

The walk to the Cosmiques hut from the Aiguille du Midi was interesting as the climb down the arete out of the tunnel was sketchy at best. Much easier coming up than going down.

I returned to Mont Blanc with Séan Convery in September. We took the standard route but there was nothing standard about it. Heavy snow made it pretty tough going, a real slog in 30cm of fresh snow. At one point we were lucky not to have been near an avalanche just up from the Goutier. 

Top of Mont Blanc

Séan was fighting a very bad flu, otherwise he would have left me in his trail. Thankfully we made it to the top!  The peak was a nightmare, very dicey around the summit, with some guides giving it a miss and staying at the Tete Rousse hut. 

 

Pics of the May/June attempt to climb Mont Blanc from the Grand Mullet Hut. Crossing the series of crevasses and coming down from the hut.

We spent the previous two days looking at Mont Blanc du Tacul from the Cosmiques hut, but the conditions weren’t in and we just went to the hut from the Aiguille du Midi.  At least it got us acclimatized.   While on the Mont Blanc trip with Séan we also did some local sport climbing and a via ferrata.

During the summer, Sean and I also set up a few new routes in Donegal, one named after my twin brother, who passed away 5yrs ago and it was called “A nod to Davey”.

Had a three-day trip in Glencoe where I guided a very nervous fellow climbing member around the CWD arete, Buachaille Etive Beag and Ben Stava. Fantastic views except for Ben Strava which was covered in mist.

Oh yes, and I am off to climb Aconcagua in Mendoza in Jan.

A report by Helen Harris

• Elevation: 5,137 m
• Duration: 10 days
• Route: Southern Route from Doğubayazıt
• Camps: Camp 1 (3,200 m) and Camp 2 (4,200 m)

The Mount Ararat expedition began with an acclimatisation climb on Mount Arto (3,560 m) near Lake Van — a windswept volcanic ridge.

Mount Arat

The team, which also  included Colmciller Jackie Wade, then travelled east to Doğubayazıt, the frontier town beneath Ararat’s immense snow dome and drove up rough tracks to the trailhead and began the ascent to Camp 1 (3,200 m). 

Camp 1

To prepare for the summit push, the team made a rotation from Camp 1 to Camp 2 (4,200 m), carrying light loads and spent a few hours there to acclimatise, taking in the sweeping views over Armenia and Iran before descending back to Camp 1 for the night.

Summit Day

Three of the team left Camp 2 in darkness with headlamps and crampons donned

The final 1,000 metres to the top were a slow, rhythmic grind in the thin air. By around 8:00 a.m the summit of Mount Ararat (5,137 m) was reached under clear skies. The view was extraordinary: the white cone of Süphan Dağı to the west, the peaks of Iran to the east, and far below, the green patchwork of the Aras Valley.

After taking photos and a few quiet moments on the summit, the long descent back to the trailhead began. Unfortunately, the descent on rotation between camp two and camp one  brought an unexpected and serious challenge. I sustained a fall on loose scree, suffering a fractured tibia and fibula with ankle dislocation.

Descent by Horse

With no official mountain rescue service on Ararat, our guide acted quickly. After stabilising the injury a horse was brought up from the lower slopes, allowing for a difficult  evacuation to the roadhead. From there, I was transported to Doğubayazıt Hospital for emergency treatment and surgery 

Mount Ararat gave us everything a great expedition should: beauty, challenge, and humility. Yet the accident was a sobering reminder of how quickly things can change in remote, high-altitude environments

 

Report by Paddy O’Brien

The Belmullet peninsula was the venue for this meet with Scotchport bay as the base. This bay on the NW side of the peninsula makes a great base, quiet, level parking, some camping space and a calm sheltered bay for swimming with ever changing views.

The crags are 1km north at Dún na mBó and are reached by just 10 to 15min pleasant walk from the upper car park. If you have an eeeeeebike you still have to walk, unless you can persuade someone to carry you! The days were warm and sunny which energised everyone into tackling the crags. Six new crags were opened up, some existing routes and a total of 19 new routes were climbed, ranging in grade from V Diff to HVS and 10m to 30m in length on good rock.

Valli produced her ever reliable wood burner and a very pleasant, mild, midge free evening was had. There was no music or song but who needs Alan or Frank when you have DW after one or two glasses of red!

This area has plenty to offer and there is lots more potential, it’s well worth a visit.

Thanks to everyone who came along and for making it a memorable weekend.

Report: By Nigel Miiler

While on a downhill skiing trip in Leogang, Austria, in February 2025,  I introduced the guys to ski mountaineering.  Once everyone was fitted out with the correct equipment (Helen Fairbairn swapping her snowboard for two planks) we headed to the starting point which conveniently followed a groomed piste for a short distance.  Once Anthony had his skins attached to the skis he immediately did his usual and took off straight across a groomed piste on the brow of a hill.  The team, which also included PJ and  Valli, skinned up a total of 700m through forest tracks where our resident downhill ski instructor became detached from her skis and face planted on the snow. 

 

A pleasant lunch was had at the top followed by a bit more skinning and then we transitioned to downhill mode and made our way back without incident despite some initial difficulties adjusting to lighter skis and less stiff boots.  A great day was sadly tinged as we thought of Margaret who was very keen to join us, lying in hospital.

This short article is to introduce “Sierra de Gredos” to the Colmcille Climbers.

In September 2024, I had the pleasure of spending two weeks in Sierra de Gredos, a mountain range two hour drive west of Madrid. My companions were Mourne-based climbers Kevin Quinn and Joe Rogan that I climb with at Hotrock and-the Mournes. Kevin has vast experience mountaineering in Ireland, Europe and the greater ranges.  Joe also has years of experience, and is always stoked to climb, indoors or on granite slabs throughout the Mournes.

The Gredos are part of the Sistema Central Mountain range that continues north of Madrid up through central Spain. The range is primarily granite rock with some black shale around Los Galayos; one of the 4 locations we visited.  The region has a wide variety of mountaineering opportunities including low level walks starting in villages, multiday refugio hikes, arrêtes scrambles, steep sports climbing, and our preference, multipitch trad climbing. All the guidebooks and information are in Spanish, however there are videos of climbs on YouTube and some sources are linked at the end. We were based outside the town of Arenas de San Pedro in a chalet-bungalow as part of a caravan-campsite, Camping Prados Abiertos. It is about a two-hour drive from Madrid airport. This sizable town has a tourist office near the castle, and this is another possible base having a selection of bars and restaurants.

Over the fortnight we visited all four climbing areas: Villarejo, El Torozo (number 2 on map), Los Galayos(14) and Circo de Gredos (3 and 23) which I have described in detail below. Having a car is essential as there is virtually no public transport.

Villarejo

The first two days were spent at Villarejo, a big granite mountain with many walls.  Most face southwest, with 170 routes from 15m to 200m up to Spanish 7c but many in the 4+ to 5+ grades.  The 40-minute walk-in took us to some single pitch routes 30m in height and grades V to V+ with some 6a moves.  The belays are equipped with rings and there is an odd bolt if there is no natural protection for steep sections.  On the second day we tackled a 3-pitch route, Irene Castilla. Kevin climbed the first pitch in the afternoon sun, I followed up a rather blocky pitch, getting my first bit of exposure and then Joe led the pumpy V+ step onto a lovely slab pitch to finish. Arriving at the summit, vistas opened onto the walls behind with routes up very steep looking faces at apparently modest grades.

On our third visit to Villarejo, Kevin pointed us towards a 7 pitch “classic” (trad) 4-star route called Estaban Altieri, 180m of IV, V and V+ with a 6a option on the fifth pitch.  Estaban Altieri meanders up the face and where routes cross over the correct belay is identified by the route name stamped on the bolts- how civilized! The forecast was a high of 25C in the afternoon so there was a risk we would get baked like sun-dried tomatoes if we were too lax on early pitches.  Again, local climbers helped us find the start of the route, it seemed like they had all climbed it. Kevin led the third pitch.  With route finding, it was a bit more serious than previous V pitches.  The fourth pitch, a V+ with several bolts, was my lead but I was a bit pumped and offered it to Joe.  He overcame issues with route finding, often looking for the rock with the least lichen. 

We had reached a belay at a big junction of several routes and the possibility of escape by short abseil to the right.  We had lunch and with a bit of high-level cloud protecting us from the sun we didn’t even discuss the opt out.

Kevin, standing boldly on a block above the belay, identified that the 6a option directly above was not preferred and moved out on a traverse to the right, then up.  Meanwhile another Spanish escaladore did opt for the 6a. He clipped the bolts at the belay and trapped my rope.  This meant I had to climb the direct 6a line and to free my rope from behind his at the bolts.  It was very steep with no positive hand holds so I ascended using the quick draws.  Joe easily led the next pitch(six), a V+ slab with a traverse on sparse gear. The guidebooks give a technical grade with no indication of other factors such as protection! I led the seventh pitch (IV-) which turned out to be a high-level scramble to the summit tor.  Small rock cairns indicated the way to scramble down to an abseil.  An hour later we were back in the car enjoying delicious ripe peaches.

El Torozo.

We tackled a 5-pitch route, El grand Deidre on El Torozo, a mountain west of Villarejo but part of the same massif.  Our strategy was to start early and avoid the sun-dried tomato risk.  Arriving at the base after a forty-minute walk-in, we heard English being spoken. They were Ester and Scott from British Columbia- the only native English speakers we met during our trip. El grand Deidre was heaven.  Dry, clean granite, pitch after pitch. It had a combination of trad protection and in-situ rings at the belay, with beautiful views down the Cinco villas valley. The Spanish climbers around us were friendly, offering beta on the route and other crags- their English being very much better than our pidgin Spanish.

Another day Joe and I tackled an easy ridge that Kevin had climbed previously.  We set off from the road at dawn- again to avoid the heat in the afternoon.  There was some discussion about what gear to take.  It was described as a slab scramble with a grade 4 step.  Opting for a cautious approach we racked up at the bottom- harnesses and rock shoes on and alpine coils.  The first slabs were easy-angled which Joe, being well used to granite just walked up.  I was not so confident and sought out small edges, of which there were plenty.  The step was easy, not as bold as the first move on the Mauvais Pas on “FM” so we put the rope away and enjoyed the friction on the granite. The sun was out but the cool wind meant we had to layer up and sought the shelter of a boulder cave to have a second breakfast(10.30am).  The last section is a series of big blocks which present down climbing and route-finding challenges. We enjoyed spectacular views from the summit, especially across to our previous high point on El Torozo.

Los Galayos y La Mira.

The walk to Los Galayos is 2+hrs so it’s best to stay a few days in or around the hut, but our schedule didn’t allow it. Our plan was to walk in, climb El Torreon via a route on the south face and return to the car. We started with head torches before 7am. Two and a half hours later we arrived at Refugio Victory. It’s a basic hut with a guardian, a basic menu, floor space on the loft, water outside and no toilets. El Torreon is an obvious needle spike in the jaggy Los Galayos ridge on the right wall of the gorge.  Kevin asked a local climber that had bivouacked beside the hut “Would it be too hot on the south face?”  The reply “Not for Spanish but I can’t say for you”.  Considering my hips were complaining, the exposure on the summit, the possible heat on the face, I opted out of the climb.  After taking some photos, I headed off up a scree path to La Mira (2343m) on the plateau.  There are views back east to Torozo and Villarejo and west to the Circo de Gredos.  Arriving at the summit tower, a mother goat came to investigate if I would offer any scraps for lunch.  A family of Golden Eagles cast shadows on the plateau and Alpine choughs were screaming about the cliffs.

Javier is the current hut guardian, also a mountain guide, he speaks incredibly good English.  Leaving the hut after a coffee, I heard familiar but distant voices.  Looking up I saw Kevin’s yellow helmet on the top of El Torreon.  They had made it!  Back at the car park, locals advised that a dip in the spring fed trough was part of the experience. Walk, swim and then beer!

La Laguna Grande y El Amanzor (2592m)

In the afternoon we walked from the road end car park at “La platforma” to Refugio Elola (1970m)-booking necessary. The walk took us past upland pastures with horned black cows with massive bells.  This fully serviced mountain hut uses the endemic, and extremely rare, Almanzor fire salamander which is black with yellow dots as its logo.

The Circo de Gredos is a rocky ridge reminiscent of the Cuillin Ridge on Skye. To reach the summit of Almanzor from the hut takes 2.5 hours of walking and scrambling.  The route to the summit involves a scramble with a grade 3 step but no need for equipment.  We found our way along the ridge by following the worn rock and picking out the next small cairn in the rocky terrain.  For those interested, it is known as a winter destination with a microclimate of alpine conditions for most of the winter.

After a long descent back to the car park. It was an hour’s drive back to the campsite, so we opted for a meal in the village of Hoyos del Espino.  This is a substantive town with several hotels and apartments, so it is a possible base for exploring the high valleys from the north. 

Sports craigs.

On lazy days we visited 2 sports crags with single pitch bolted climbs to the north of the range, so an hour or so from our base.  We also explored several “pozas”, pools in rivers which are either natural pools, or dammed during the summer months for swimming.  One in Arenas de San Pedro is a full-sized pool, equipped with ladders and lawn for sunbathing- unfortunately they drained it for the winter the week after we arrived!

I really enjoyed the two weeks.  Thanks to Kevin for the introduction to the range and showcasing the major features for Joe and me.  I bought maps and guidebooks for a return trip.

Hugh McCann May 2025

Newcastle. County Down.

Here are some links which allow for more exploration.

Sierra de Gredos Regional Park | Fascinating Spain

www.areanasdesanpedro.es

www.turismoarenas.es and email turismo@aytoarenas.es

✅ Bienvenidos al Camping Prados Abiertos al sur de la Sierra de Gredos.

ReservationsLaguna Grande Refuge (refugiolagunagrandegredos.es)

Almanzor Fire Salamander | Citizen Conservation (citizen-conservation.org)

www.Desnivel.com is a publishing source for this region. Eg of guides

https://www.desnivel.com/librosdesnivel/senderos-de-gredos-30-excursiones-y-ascensiones-clasicas/

https://www.libreriadesnivel.com/libros/sierra-de-gredos-guia-de-escalada/9788498292848/

https://www.libreriadesnivel.com/libros/albujea-y-torozo/9788461737420/

https://www.libreriadesnivel.com/libros/riscos-de-villarejo/9788461616350/ and maps

https://www.libreriadesnivel.com/mapas/mapa-guia-deportivo-excursionista-de-la-sierra-de-gredos/2748/

https://www.libreriadesnivel.com/mapas/parque-regional-de-la-sierra-de-gredos/1202/

 

Example videos/blogs with routes and photos.

Amuso: Alto de los Corralillos y Torozo desde el Puerto del Pico (Gredos)

Torozo, Gran Diedro. V+, 220 m. D+ – Entre la Tierra y el Cielo – as text above.

https://youtu.be/GreYRz0J4RM?si=wLrZGCG9CjANFFmm

Amuso: Riscos de Villarejo. Punta Amparo: Irene Castilla (110m, V+) good intro to Villarejo

Amuso: La Mira desde Nogal del Barranco (Gredos) for walk in to Los Gredos.

Amuso: Almanzor desde la Plataforma de Gredos (Portilla del Crampón – Portilla de los Cobardes)

 

 

It  has been a year full of activity since the 2023 AGM November 4^th in Newcastle. Club Membership grew to 64,  with 44 Full and 20 Associate members.

3 Mountain Log editions had entertaining articles from Club Members – Ronan and Fiona  on the Alpine Summer Meet 2023, Anthony on Kashmir Expedition 2023, Alan’s quirky  Everest Diary 2074. Plus we have the new  Inishowen 100 Guide by David. Andrew  had an article on Kashmir 2023 accepted by the Himalayan Journal.

There were 12 official club meets plus the regular Wednesday Wallies coffee/climbing club.

The first meet was in November. 5 Cillers did a Muckish Miners Path clean-up. Alan’s write up made the news & a Highland radio interview ensued. A budding influencer?

In early December on the annual Wassail Abseil, a bouncy gang of 6  & 2 dogs overnighted in a Glenveigh ”bothy”. There was a fire, music, song, craic, beer, whiskey…. a somewhat less bouncy gang (dogs excepted) abseiled the next day, along with new clear headed arrivals Sean and Martin.

The Lynam Lecture in Dublin by Calvin Torrans had several of our members there.

A storm forced the January Connemara Winter trip into a windy Maghery Beach hike, led by locals Anne and Ronan O’Murchu.

In February-March  many got onto the snow in Scotland. On separate trips were Philip (for a month!), Abe, Keith and Neil. Rian was up Errigal’s Tower Ridge. There was a Ciller ski trip with Valli as guide to a wonderful ski area around Saas Felden, Austria,. Of note was Anthony’s remarkable graceful slow motion arret with knee twist.

In warmer climes, spectacular climbing spot, Caminito do Rey, Spain, had an  invasion of Irish – many Cillers  (Alan, Finbarr,  joined Jack Bergin & Robert Marchant plus Jackie, Helen, Maeve. Gerard O’S) . The few left here were out in the Bluestacks or Mournes.

The first Spring summer meet was an April recky of Port Na Sionnach, Inishowen . A terrific day’s climbing was had there a few weeks later in fine sunshine. Martin climbed in Srahalong Valley, Mayo while Abe opted for Cabeco D’Or, Costa Blanca. Thanks to Sean & Philip who did some Culdaff cleaning.

The Arran Island April trip had great weather for PJ, Anthony, Nigel, Rob and  Martin & included a scramble on A Chir Ridge Glen Rosa. A May. excursion to Scotland of Sean, Finbarr, Martin and Alan were in Lochaber, and climbed North East Buttress and Observatory Ridge on the Ben.

May Climbfest had a great turnout at Malin Head with camp at the Seaview Tavern. Now an international event with a  Welsh team of 5 led by Geoff, Tim from Kent plus climbers from Sligo, Claire, and Dublin. A  good number of new associate members were recruited. The super Inishowen 100 guide by club scribe David Walsh was launched (not to be confused with the other author David Walsh also in attendance).

Over the summer, there were a few mid-week Inishowen evening  climbs at Finbarr’s Wall & Dunowen & Port Na Sionnach, Leenan including various members such as Lisa, Jack, myself, Alan, David, Sean, and Finbarr. Tees adventure tours included a Cave of Lights on the Leenan outing. Port Na Sionnach was the scene of Sean’s agony hair-pulling atop of “Holy Mother of Jesus Get me Out of here”

Alan and returnee Marty were also out around Inishowen including the Music House. June 19th Sean and Alan climbed the almost forgotten classic Catriona, in Glenveigh, surviving man eating ferns and ticks, but good climbing in the upper half and a new variation done.

Fiona & Ronan were out at Dunseverick. Martin was very active in Mayo with climbing pal Ales Soucek at Kilary crag and Knock roadside crag & Srahlong Valley.

Further afield Rian climbed Gran Paradiso, Aosta Valley. Keith narrowly missed a devastating deluge in La Bernarde in Ecrin.

June 1^st Martin Boner hosted a meet in Connemara (postponed from January). A fabulous sunny weekend. Day 1 was a hike up Allebaun, a lough Glenawough dip, a  Beck scramble, & a slab climb & scramble on Intermediate of Joss Lynam. An overnight at Lenaune, then hiking & a new Martin route on Barrslievenaroy, Galway. Next day Alan & Martin did an amazing slab route in the Srahnalong valley. At the same time the Club campsite was getting a makeover:  Valli transformed the Rope Store with fabulous climbing murals, Anthony never looked happier in a digger creating a drain with support from PJ & Gerry.

The same weekend there was the Fair Head Meet. It has a great write up in the Club website from Ronan.

June 28 Tory Island trip gathered a dozen of all ages! It started with a gut wrenching  crossing. Bike-towed gear bags & a great camp spot on a NW cliff with handy beach & resident seal present all weekend. Jack & Lisa joined with their youngsters. Top entertainment came from boy band Pol, Paul & Alan. A new route put up by Alan, Tinneas Na Mara. Also sea dips and hikes around & the stunning spur of AnEochair Mhor.

Philip climbed at Bosigran Penzance getting back after a shoulder injury.

Aug 10th George Beaumont hosted a great Wicklow meet. There were more Man ( and Woman) eating ferns and ticks, and a lesson in humility at Luggala on Pine Tree Buttress (which also has a lot of gorse & a tricky holly tree). A few climbs were had on Day 2 at Glendalough. The same weekend Paddy, Frank & Martin headed to Achill Beg & climbed a sea stack & one other route on loose rock. Fiona & Ronan climbed  in N Wales. Hugh & Les were out in the Mournes.

Super fit pair Andrew and Sarah had also ran the arduous Art O’Neil Challenge  In the summer they ran the Laugavegur Ultra Marathon, from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk/Thorsmork (55km). Then they went to Skogar and walked the Fimmvörðuháls (Fimmvorduhals – Five Cairn Trail) back to Thorsmork (32km). Next they travelled up to the Western Fjords & explored Hornstrandir & sampled various hot springs

Late August was a Club trip of 9 to Espot & the San Maurici National Park in the Pyrenees some in 3 campers. Of note – a  via Ferrata at Baquera Baret was completed without gear! The highlight was climbing the wonderful Grand Encantat.

September16. An IMC group came to Malin Head & 5 Cillers joined them. The forecast was terrible. Worse, there was a 2 day rave at the Seaview (which Neil said was good). Climbing switched to dry Port a Doris then a move to Culdaff camping.

Over the Autumn Abe was out on the Sturrel. Philip was very active  & did Classical Revival, Lough Belshade. Sean & Philip were out on Jims Jaunt, Hen Mountain.  Sean went a slip sliding  on Big Slabber. It was also a sad faced Sean at the Poison Glen which was wet & trippy. Myself and Alan climbed Heads Together at Skelpoonagh Bay, Glencolmcille. Nigel, PJ & Ant climbed at  Altnadue Querry, noted as a wonderful accessible bolted gem. Hugh was climbing & scrambling Sierra de Gredos, Spain for 2 weeks (& he is making a report for the club on it).

October 12-13 was the Sligo MI meet with 10 Club members. We had a fine hike & abseil at Kings Gully with 4 climbing clubs represented and a morning climbing happily at Happy Valli Crag. Great to meet Sligo climbers Josef and new club member James on these outings.

Recently “two of Derrys finest Sperrinists” Sean &, fashion icon, Finbarr were in the Bavarian Alps & had great hiking up the Hollental and the Alpsitze. And Martin & Ales climbed at stunning Arco Italy.

Hopefully this coming year will also bring plenty of opportunities for climbs, hikes, kayaking, coffee and craic!