The Rucksack Club

Spring really takes off in May, so the Rucksack Club calendar is packed with activities to encourage us all to get out and enjoy the mountains:
- Taking advantage of the bank holiday weekend, we have a camping trip over the wild hills of the Ben Alder Forest, both north and south of the Bealach Dubh. We start from the remote railway station at Corrour on Saturday 2nd, then head north east to Beinn Eibhinn for our first ascent (of many...)
- The following weekend we're off to our great hut in North Wales, Beudy Mawr, with climbing in mind.
- Another weekend, another country - this time (15-17 May) we're in England, the Duddon Valley to be precise, to enjoy the Lake District from our superb hut, High Moss. This is a joint meet with the Wayfarers.
- Just a week later and we're back to Scotland, this time taking advantage of Craigallan, our wonderful hut in Ballachulish, to give us a springboard for tackling the great ridges of Ben Nevis, not to mention trying out the new kitchen.
- Finally in May, we're back to High Moss to coincide with the Duddon Valley Fell Race; but running it is not compulsory!

We've also started our Wednesday Evening climbing meets so do Get Out There on Wednesdays too!

6th May TBD
13th May Anglezarke Quarry
20th May Stanage Apparent North
27th May Troy Quarry

To whet your appetite, here are some pics from what Rucksackers were getting up to last May

The outdoor world bursts into spring in April, so the Rucksack Club is geared up for a busy month:

Easter in the Rucksack Club traditionally means Scotland and this year is no exception; we convene at Mill Cottage near Feshiebridge with the Cairngorms at our feet.

The following week (10-12 April) is our President's Meet, which this year will be at the Gritstone Club's hut by Thirlmere, The Smithy. This will give great access to central Lakeland. 

A week later and we're back in the Lake District, this time with a joint meet with the Midland Association of Mountaineers at our own capacious hut in the Duddon Valley, High Moss.

Finally in April (24-26), we return to the Fell and Rock Club's Brackenclose hut, where we had a highly successful meet last year. 

Meanwhile, here are some photos of what club members were getting up to last April, captured in the 2026 Rucksack Club Charity Calendar in support of From high altitude trekking in Khumbu Nepal, to extreme alpinism on the Central Pillar of Frêney; Hard Rock exploits on Arran and very first steps of a climbing career on Agglestone Rock.

March is another busy month for the Rucksack Club, with a meet every weekend:
- We begin (6-8 March) with a visit to the Midland Association of Mountaineers' Glan Dena hut in Eryri for a planned 18-mile walk around the sites of historic former Rucksack Club huts in the area: Cwm Eigiau, Tal y Braich Uchaf, and Tyn‐y‐Shanty.
- The following weekend (13-15) the venue changes to our own hut in the Scottish Highlands, Craigallan, for winter walking and climbing - or whatever the weather permits. This is a joint meet with the Karabiner Club.
- The next weekend (21-22) we have a gargantuan walk in the traditions of the Rucksack Club pioneers. This will take us from Colne to Rowsley, timed to celebrate the centenary of its first completion. The pioneers started at 4.15p.m. and finished at 7.45p.m. the following day - with very sore feet! We'll do well to match their pace.
- Finally in March (27-29) we return to Craigallan for another chance to enjoy winter conditions, this time with the emphasis on walking.

Meanwhile, here's what club members were getting up to this time last year, as featured in the March pages of the Rucksack Club charity calendar in aid of

Don't miss next week's Slideshow: Tuesday 3rd March: To the End of the World: From Aconcagua to the Patagonian Andes with Adam Gouldsworthy.
7pm
Entry is free and open to EVERYONE Details at https://rucksackclub.org

There's plenty of activity in the Rucksack Club this February, not only making good use of all of our huts but with a sun rock trip too:
- We end January and begin February (30-1) with a caving meet based at Matlock, a fixture that has become a hardy perennial.
- Our fabulous Duddon Valley hut, High Moss, deserves a little help with maintenance each year, so we have a working meet scheduled for the weekend of 6-8 of the month. These working meets have built up a devoted following, being warm, friendly and productive occasions.
- But for those who can forego the camaraderie of the working meet, one of our number has organised a sun rock trip to the Costa Blanca (7-14 Feb). There is a villa booked north of Altea...
- Back in the UK, an enthusiastic recent member has organised a running and walking meet for the weekend of 13-15 Feb. This will be based at Beudy Mawr, our hut in the heart of Eryri.
- Beudy Mawr will be in use the following weekend also (20-22), when we have a 'do-as-you-please' meet.
- Finally in February (27 Feb - 1 March), our Scottish hut, Craigallan, will be busy for winter climbing - or whatever mountaineering activities suit the weather.
Wow! So many opportunities to Get Out There!
Here's some pics from club members last February:
- Cogne ice climbing
- Ski Mountaineering in Georgia
- High altitude trekking on Aconcagua
- Sun-rocking in Sicily

Free Slideshow - A Tale of Two Treks - 7.30pm Tuesday 13th January at Summit Up Oldham

Kick off 2026 in style as our Indoor Meets Season gets back underway at 7.30pm on Tuesday 13 January. We will be spanning continents and hemispheres as Helen and Rae Pritchard entertain us with a Tale of Two Treks. From the high peaks of Ecuador to the Greater Ranges of Nepal, there are tales of gold smuggling, smoking volcanos, helicopters and tea houses….stunning sunrises and breathtaking views ….. from the Equator to the Himalayas.

Each Slideshow this season features a raffle, with all proceeds going to a climbing related charity. The January event will support Mountain Rescue England and Wales

EVERYONE is welcome (even if you aren't a Rucksack Club member) and it's ABSOLUTELY FREE. Tell your friends and bring them along.

Taking place at Summit Up climbing wall in Oldham.

Show starts at 7.30pm, so how about coming along early to grab a few routes (did you know Rucksack Club members get concessionary rates?) or to enjoy a chat over a brew, pizza or ice-cream in the cheerful cafe? You can even bring your own booze :-)

Summit Up Climbing https://summitupclimbing.com/ is at Egerton St, Oldham OL1 3SE. Here’s a Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ndUK5QxJVHFgEpj87

If you can't make it in person, here are the details to join on Zoom

Zoom details:
Meeting ID: 848 3102 3967
Passcode: Year of founding of the Rucksack Club
Link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84831023967?

Winter is upon us, with the prospect of snow and ice to get us off our Christmas couches and out onto the hills. The Rucksack Club offers a whole range of opportunities to do just that:
- We see in the New Year at meets across our three huts in Scotland, Wales and England
- On 6th January an ad hoc team of Rucksackers and guests heads off for Wadi Rum in Jordan for some desert Big Wall action
-2026 proper kicks off on 10th January with our traditional Marsden-Edale meet, crossing the moors in around 22 miles - or double that for those starting from Edale the previous night (9th January) and visiting Marsden just long enough for a brief breakfast, before turning around and heading back to Edale with the main contingent!
- The following weekend (16-18 January) we convene at our well-loved hut in Eryri, Beudy Mawr, for a weekend of whatever the weather dictates.
- The next weekend (23-25 January) the focus changes to our cosy Scottish hut, Craigallan, with winter climbing in mind - so long as the weather cooperates!
- Finally, at the end of the month (30 January - 1 February) we have a caving meet based at Matlock, an annual fixture that has become justifiably popular.

Photos from January last year, as featured in the Rucksack Club Calendar in support of
- Stob Coire Nan Lochan
- Cwm Cneifon
- Striding Edge
- Double Marsden Edale
- Fairbrook Naze

Here's what's happening in The Rucksack Club in November
- We begin the month with a hill running meet at our great hut in Eryri, one of an annual series giving Peak and Pennine runners an opportunity to adapt to more mountainous terrain.
- Then we have our biggest gathering of the year for our Annual Dinner Meet, which this year is being held in Harrogate, But it's not just about food and drink; we have climbing, cycling and walking events planned too.
Meanwhile, we've just published the 2026 Rucksack Club Calendar in support of - thanks to the generosity of the club, every penny goes to fund Cancer Research and support those living with and beyond this disease. Here are just a few of the great photos from October and November last year. Search Climbers Against Cancer Calendar to buy yours!

Slideshow 7.30pm Tuesday 4th November – Winter Climbing, the perfect antidote to a comfortable life!

Join us at Summit Up climbing wall in Oldham for the first in our 25/26 season of winter evening Slideshows.

Andy Stewart will be regailing us with tales from the COLD face – Winter Climbing in all its glories (and attendant suffering).

The show is FREE to everyone, regardless of whether you are a Rucksack Club member or not. We will be holding a raffle and also taking voluntary donations in aid of Every Step for Dave to support Club member Dave Palmer.

https://gofund.me/696f907ba

Doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 7.30pm. If you like your slideshow accompanied with a little refreshment, you can bring your own booze. There will also be a sale of CAC goodies – the ideal Christmas shopping opportunity.

If you can’t make it in person, the show will also be on Zoom so you can enjoy it from the comfort of your sofa.

Zoom details:
Meeting ID: 848 3102 3967
Passcode: 1902
Link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84831023967?pwd=n3w8wX4Fn2Ni0thEYtqAEfiC9QT0cy.1

Here’s a few more pics to get you in the mood.

As autumn takes charge of our weather, the Rucksack Club has a programme of October meets to get us out onto the hills in like-minded company:

We begin (4th October) with a moorland walk over the peaceful Howgill fells, including the spectacular Cautley Spout waterfall and the high point of the Howgills, The Calf, before returning to Sedbergh.

Over the long weekend of 17-20th we have one of the jewels in the crown of our outdoor programme, the Island Meet. This year we're off to Rum, with its fantastic Rum Cuillin ridge rising steeply above the sea. 

Then we have a meet (24-26th) at our well-appointed Duddon Valley hut, High Moss, that is aimed at encouraging Associate Members and recently-joined members to get to know one another and to experience the joy of a weekend hut meet.   

Finally (31-2 November) we have another in our series of hill running meets, this time based at Beudy Mawr, our Eryri (Snowdonia) hut. An objective of the meet is to help Peak and Pennine runners to step up to the rougher terrain of the mountains. 

Photos from last year's October and meets - why not "Get Out There!" with us this year?

As the heat and languor of high summer subside, the Rucksack Club steps up to offer a busy programme of mountainous activities:
- We begin (6th September) with another episode of our long-running series of High Camps, but this time on a quiet hill on the edge of the Lake District, Whinfell, which offers extensive views over central Lakeland, the Howgills and maybe the Isle of Man!
- A week later we have two simultaneous events: a joint meet with the Wayfarers and Yorkshire Ramblers in the Robertson Lamb hut in Langdale and a do as you please meet in our Welsh hut, Beudy Mawr (12th-14th).
- On Saturday 20th, members will attempt to complete the orienteering challenge created by the late renown climber, Joe Brown, whilst he taught at the White Hall Centre near Buxton in the 1960s. Succeed or otherwise, it'll be an invigorating day out around the Goyt Valley.
- We end the month (26th-28th) with another visit to Beudy Mawr to enjoy the last of the summer sunshine - or the first of the autumn frosts. A communal dinner is on the agenda!
Photos from September last year, with Rucksackers in action from the Dolomites to the far north of Scotland, and all places in between. The final pic is from an earlier High Camp.