The Alpine Club, the world’s first mountaineering club, was founded in 1857.  For over 150 years, members have been at the leading edge of worldwide mountaineering development and exploration. 

With membership, experienced and aspiring alpinists benefit from a varied meets programme, regional lectures with notable guest speakers, reduced rates at many alpine huts, opportunity to apply for grants to support expeditions, significant discounts at many UK retailers, extensive networking contacts, access to the AC Library and maps - and more! 

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Despite a few last minute cancellations, there was still a great turnout for the AC North Pembroke Meet based at Porthclais Farm, with 15 attendees either camping or campervan-ing at this spacious campsite, a three-minute sprint from the nearest climbing.

 

The weather gradually improved from Thursday to Monday, and those still around on the last day were able to enjoy brilliant hot sunshine, no wind and calm seas. The previous days weren't that bad either, with teams visiting the grippy north coast gabbro, the south coast slabs of old red sandstone, and, slightly further afield, the Castlemartin limestone. There was a convivial mix of long standing (read "old") and relatively recent members, all of whom enjoyed their stay so much that we plan to do it again at around the same time next year.

Participants: Nigel Bassam, Frances Diffley, Lindsay Griffin, Sue Hewitt (Meet Organizer), Richard Ive, Steve Kempley, Toktam Mahmoodi, Andrew Moore, Rob Moorcroft, Nick Smith, Manuel Staab, Richard Toon, John Venier, Tina and Tony Westcott.

Toktam Mahmoodi leading Libra on the course gabbro of Craig Coetan, a lovely multi-pitch venue, complete with seals, a little north of St David's Head. (NS)

Low tide and Manuel Staab on the old red sandstone of Porthclais. (NS)

OK, so who took my stance? Richard Ive on the spectacular hanging belay of Pigs on the Wing, Triple Overhang Buttress. (RM)

Nigel Bassam, belayed by Toktam Mahmoodi, heads out along the traverse of the north coast gabbro classic, Barad, at Trwyn Llwyd. (RT)

Toktam Mahmoodi finishing the exposed second (and crux) pitch of Barad. (RT).

All smiles at the top of Barad: Toktam Mahmoodi, Richard Toon, and Nigel Bassam. (RT)

Manuel Staab having a day of adventure on the nine-pitch Missing Link, Craig Hebog. (NS)

Nigel Bassam leading the upper section of the Mother Carey's classic, Rock Idol. (NS)

Meet Organizer Sue Hewitt at Pencarnan, north of Point St John. Across the famous fast-flowing Sound lies the Isle of Ramsey. (LG)

Well, never mind the rope work Nigel. Nigel Bassam belayed at the top of Red Wall, Porthclais. The abseil rope to the left is.....er....impressive. Brave men! (NS)

Maybe best not to have put any runners into that top white slab John. John Venier belays Andrew Moore on Armorican, Craig Caerfai, with a party to the left finishing Caerfai Crack.

John Venier belays Andrew Moore as the pair pioneer new ground on the tidal Crag X. However, take note of that shallow corner system near the left edge of the image. (TW)

John Venier tackling that previously-mentioned corner system on Crag X. He is about to move up and right to a block with a conspicuous circular patch of white lichen...............(AM).

..................which both he and subsequently Andrew surmounted. Not so Tony Westcott, seen here just inches away from the block before it detached in an aggressive manner, causing deep cuts in the shin, a variety of bruises, and the need to purchase another helmet. (TW)