End of Year Social - November 2023
The annual CMC end of year Social is, for many, the highlight of the year. We met at the Chamois Mountaineering Club hut in North Wales (a club we have close ties with). Some members couldn’t contain their enthusiasm and arrived midway through the week. The remaining group arrived on Thursday and Friday. The weather, as for most years, looked fickle, so plans were open.
Friday:
The day proved a little chilly but dry, so a decision was made for the majority to tackle ‘Snakes and Ladders’. To think of this as a rock climb is kind of missing the point. It’s more of an adventurous scramble through a redundant slate quarry. It offered exposure and definitely something a little ‘different’ Mid way through, myself, Kev and Josh ventured off as Josh wanted to Lead’ Looning the Tube’ (E1 5a). The evening saw most of us in the local pub for the day’s events exchanged.
Saturday:
The weather seemed to be holding out for some climbing of dry rock (who knew!?!). Teams headed off to local crags whilst another ventured up Snowdon via the Watkins path. A few more headed to Tremadog and enjoyed the delights of what this amazing roadside crag has to offer. The highlight of the weekend for many was the evening’s events. Namely the annual prize presentations, quiz and the now famous ‘Chairman's Spag Bol’. This is what the weekend was all about … the club getting together and having fun. I can’t remember who won the quiz but I suspect much secret googling took place!
The club awards are, with the exception of two, voted on by club members:
Most Improved: Pretty self-explanatory and always hotly contested! Kloe was a very well-deserved winner of this. It must be noted that there has been a huge improvement in ability with many club members, which made Kloe’s nomination and award even more impressive.
Club Member: Awarded to the club member who is seen by other members as supportive, offers encouragement and advice to other members and is seen as a good ambassador for the club. Challum was the runaway winner of this award which is testament to the high regard he is held by many of the club members, who voted for him. He rarely missed a wall meet (or any meet come to that!) and was always ready to offer help and guidance to the new members. He's something of a scotch expert too!
Wallam award: Decided by the committee, this award goes to the club member who embodies the virtues of Chelmsford Mountaineering Club. Graham Hewing-Powell was the worthy winner. Graham has been a long-standing member of the CMC and his keenness for climbing is as strong now as it’s ever been. He’s been at the heart of CMC life for many years, and is a very fitting recipient if this award.
L’alpinist: Decided by the committee, this award goes to the club member, or members, who achieves something of ‘mountaineering significance’. This wasn’t awarded this year which is testament to how high the bar is to win this.
Epic award: This is awarded to the club member, or members who have enjoyed some interesting ‘type II fun’ and are still with us to tell the tale. It could be seen as a good thing that this wasn’t awarded this year. but that depends on your perspective and whether club members are keeping quiet about their ‘epics’.
With the awards handed out and the Spag Bol duly consumed, the evening merged into a relaxed and good-humoured affair, with drinks and chat around the fireplace.
Sunday:
With more than a few hangovers being nursed, there was a slow start to the day. Some headed home, whilst others headed out for more climbing, to prolong their stay.
Overall, it was a brilliant weekend and a very fitting finale to what has a great year for the club.