***UPDATED 17th September***

Alan Hinkes OBE -  Annual Dinner Speaker confirmed

Alan Hinkes, the only British mountaineer to have climbed all 14 8000m high mountains (a feat achieved by fewer people than have stood on the moon!) will be joining the KMC as our annual dinner speaker to provide us with tales from his 21 year challenge. As well as being an extraordinary high altitude mountaineer Alan is passionate about the UK's hills and mountains, is a renowned cameraman and dedicated environmentalist.

If you haven't already booked yourself on the Annual Dinner, don't miss out! Food orders can still be booked with Dan O'Brien but you will need to sort your own accommodation as the hotel and hut are now full.

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The highlight of the 2018 social calendar, as usual, will be the KMC Annual Dinner.  This year we will be returning to Lake District to visit the Skiddaw Hotel in Keswick for the first time.  With a full weekend of outdoor activities and social events that brings together members, associate members and their partners from all over the UK and farther afield it is not to be missed.  

This year’s extravaganza boasts two full days of outdoor activities (walking and climbing) a fabulous venue, a mouth-watering menu and, as a certain KMC President is celebrating turning the big FIVE-OH, the chance to help make Andy feel old!

Sounds interesting - so what’s the plan?

Friday

If you are staying at the The Skiddaw on the Friday night check in is from 3pm.  In the evening, there will be an informal drinks in the bar starting around 8pm.

Saturday

Social Low Level Walk: Jo Stratford.

We’ll catch the bus from Keswick bus station outside Booths (5 minutes from the Skiddaw hotel) at 09.20 am and call in at Salving house at 09.45 to collect anyone who wants to join. Depending on weather and interest of the party we’ll follow one of two short and easy linear routes to Keswick, arriving in plenty of time for those at Salving house to catch the bus back down the valley, get changed and get back up to Keswick for the dinner.

Route 1: A gentle climb to Watendlath for a potential tea room stop, then along the valley to Surprise view, Ashness Bridge and the landing stage. Anyone wanting less miles in their legs can jump on the Keswick launch from here and take a lovely boat ride back across Derwent Water (approx 6 km). Otherwise we follow the path along the road and lake then along the Lake shore and back to the town. (Approx 11 km total)

Route 2: Along the gorgeous Borrowdale Valley to Grange (possible tea shop stop), then taking the western shore of the Lake and through Portinscale to Keswick. (Approx 11 km total).

Main Walk: Meet leader – TBD.

Climbing:  Shepherds Crag – Andy Stratford.

Shepherds Crag will be the climbing venue for this year’s Saturday session. We’ll leave from the hotel about 9am – car sharing as much as possible as there is very limited parking at the cafe which is now priority for customers due to the popularity of the crag. Maybe a better alternative is to catch the same bus as the walkers (09.20). There is a Borrowdale Rambler bus every 30 minutes in each direction, with the last bus back up the valley to Keswick after 7pm.

Anyone interested please let Andy know in advance of the day.

The folk staying down at the Salving House can easily car share or catch the bus up the Shepherds – there is a stop just 20 yards from the hut.

Call to Dinner: 6.45pm

Dinner:  7pm – 8.45 pm

Speeches:  9pm – 10pm Speakers, Raffle, Awards.

After dinner drinks:  Retire to the bar from the end of the speeches until the inevitable end…

Raffle:  If you would like to donate something to the raffle please contact Dan or bring it along on to the dinner on Saturday. Tickets are £2 each. All proceeds go direct to support Llanberis Mountain Rescue.

Sunday

Low Level Walk: TBD.  Meet leader – TBD

Mountain Biking: Emily/Gowry.  A mountain biking adventure around Whinlatter leaving the hotel at around 09.30.

Main Walk: TBD. Meet leader – TBD

Climbing: TBD. Meet leader – TBD

I am really excited – where can I stay?

The KMC has reserved 27 rooms (7 single, 10 twin and 10 double) at the The Skiddaw and we fully expect demand to exceed supply.  Rooms need to be booked by Monday 16th July 2017.

Room and Dinner for two persons:

• Package 1: 2 nights B&B for double or twin occupancy and Dinner for £250.

• Package 2: 1 night B&B for double or twin occupancy and Dinner for £180.

• Package 3: As package one but including dinner on Friday evening for £280.

Room and Dinner for one person:

• Package 4: 2 nights B&B for single occupancy and Dinner for £150.

• Package 5: 1 night B&B for single occupancy and Dinner for £90.

• Package 6: As package four but including dinner on Friday evening for £165

Dinner Only (find your own accommodation):

• Package 7: Dinner at £22 per person.

The KMC has also booked spaces (7 male, 5 female) at the FRCC Salving House Hut located about 15-minutes drive south of Keswick.  Please specify when booking if you would like to stay at the Salving House.

There are many other accommodation options available in Keswick so there should be something available for every budget.

So what culinary delights are in store for us?

MENU

STARTERS

(1) Cumbrian broth - meat or vegetable option available

(2) Local game terrine with sweet onion chutney, granary bread

(3) Smoked salmon with crème fraiche, capers, shallots and candied lemon

(4) Asparagus and wild mushroom tartlet with goats cheese gratin (v)

MAIN COURSES

(1) Fell bred lamb shank with braised red cabbage and port, lamb jus

(2) Grilled local pork chop with roast apple, buttered mash, parsley sauce

(3) Lakes breast of chicken with gratin potato, bacon and baby onion sauce

(4) Cod loin with a herb crust, baby spinach and pesto dressing

(5) Spinach and ricotta strudel with chargrilled vegetables, tomato sauce (v)

DESSERTS

(1) Sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce, vanilla ice cream

(2) Strawberry cheesecake with fruit coulis poached strawberries

(3) White and dark chocolate torte, whipping cream

(4) Selection of Cumbrian cheeses and biscuits with celery and grapes

Followed by tea or coffee with mints

Sounds Great!  How do I book?

Please book your place with Dan O’Brien stating which package you would like.  Deadline for accommodation is Monday 16th July 2018. Deadline for dinner only is Saturday 1st September 2018

email – meets@karabiner.org.

Text – 07872165542 leave your name and number and a time when you will be available for a call-back.

Payment: Deposit £25 per person for packages 1-6.  Pay in full for package 7.  All deposits are non-refundable.

The balance must be paid with your food order and no later than Saturday 1st September 2018.  Please make cheques payable to Karabiner MC or (preferably) pay directly into the club account (details on the website).

Daniel O'Brien