Karabiner Mountaineering Club Annual Dinner 2026

Saturday morning so many choices:

Climbing at Sheepbone Crag                       – led by Gareth Williams

Moel Eilio circuit                                            – led by Christine Beeston

Climbing at Sheepbone Crag, Gallt yr Ogof, Ogwen Valley

Saturday 10th October 2026
Present: Gareth Williams, Andy Stratford, Sean Kelly

It was a wild and windy start in Llanberis with showers threatening throughout the day and highish winds.
Gareth had chosen an esoteric offering in Sheepbone Crag, with UKC indicating there had been no ascents in over a decade… Undeterred Gareth convinced Andy it was a good option and Sean decided what the hell!

Moel Eilio Circuit:
Present: Christine Beeston, Mark Garrod, Cathy Gordon, Roger Mapleson, Bridget Mapleson, Ann Waters. Colin Maddison, Craig Marsden

The walkers led by Christine departed at 10:30 making their way up to the waterfall as a start point to an anti-clockwise circuit of Moel Eilio. A breezy showery affair with great moody views.

Craig and Colin changed the decision from scrambling to try and join the Moel Eilio walk after arriving in the Ogwen valley just as a large shower was driving throug. A 50:50 decision on the way the other group were doing the circuit didn’t work out as the 2 groups caught sight of each other around Foel Gron

A good leg stretcher of 14km or so followed on by the ubiquitous KMC café visit.

Michelle decided a cycle ride to Bangor pier was in order.

John and Midge visited Ty Powdwr mounting the new certificate.

The Dinner

31 members and guests assembled for our 82^nd Annual Dinner,

Our speaker this year was our own Andy Stratford delivering an engaging presentation on ‘the Last Glaciated Volcanoes of Ecuador’ the KMC 2022 expedition.

This year’s raffle was to be dedicated to Llanberis Mountain rescue, we had lots of donations with Jim Gregson being especially generous, with a Helmet, harness and fleeces galore. We managed to raise a fantastic £230 in the raffle.

We managed to secure a room to retire to post dinner, which worked out very well, where the quiz marking was able to proceed… All very respectable scores with the winning score of 35/40.

Sunday 11^th of October

Sunday started with a much-improved weather outlook, with a trip up Moel Siabod for Roger, Bridget, Lorna, Christine & Ann.

A walk to Caban ensued for Sabina, Sue, Craig, Mary & Colin, Alan L Jones took a stroll along Llyn Padarn, Michelle took a dip in Llyn Ogwen with Mark wisely opting for cameraman duties and Nathalie took a run to Bethesda from the hut and back.

Thanks to All who attended for a successful Annual Dinner.

Karabiner Mountaineering Club 82nd Year - Annual Dinner The Royal Victoria, Llanberis Saturday 10th October 2026

The highlight of the 2026 social calendar has arrived again, the KMC Annual Dinner. This will be an excellent opportunity to reconnect with all your KMC friends, we will be returning to North Wales again this year to the always excellent Royal Victoria Hotel in Llanberis. 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.

HOTEL Booking deadline Friday 18th of September 2026, so get in contact soon.

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

Saturday

Pre-Dinner Drinks: from 6pm

Call to Dinner: 6.45pm

Dinner: 7pm – 8.45 pm

Speeches: 9pm – 9.45pm Speaker: Andy Stratford presents ‘’The Last Glaciated Volcanos of Ecuador’’ – a KMC expedition from 2022. 

9.45 pm - Raffle, Awards.

After dinner drinks: Retire to the bar for drinks and merriment until the inevitable end, a separate lounge will be available downstairs to congregate and socialise

Raffle: If you would like to donate something to the raffle please contact Craig or bring it along on to the dinner on Saturday. Tickets are £2 each.

Sunday

More info on activities to follow soon.

I am excited – where can I stay?

The KMC has reserved 15 rooms at The Royal Victoria and we fully expect demand to exceed supply. Rooms need to be booked by Friday 18th of September 2026. A special rate of £155 / night has been agreed per double / twin room, please secure booking directly with the Royal Victoria Hotel by quoting code KMC101026 to get this agreed rate and book with the hotel direct.

If you prefer you can of course stay at the hut or elsewhere, please let me know if that is what you intend to do.

The cost of the dinner is £35 per person for the Vegetarian / Vegan menu and £45 for the Dolbadarn menu.

So when booking please pay the full cost of the meal only into the club main account and e mail myself @ president@karabiner.org indicating your menu choices and how much you have paid and to Treasurer @ treasurer@karabiner.org with the reference of annual dinner 26 so he can keep the club accounts straight. 

Please note if you intend to stay at Ty Powdwr you need to tell us at the time of booking to ensure there is space for you. Obviously you will have to cover your own hut fees!