Rockhoppers Mountaineering & Climbing Club Social Events

19th January	Trekking to Mera Peak At over 6000m Mera Peak is the one of the highest peaks in the Himalayas that can be trekked without needing any technical climbing. Located in Eastern Nepal, Chris walked a 17 day circuit from Lukla to Mera though the Hinku Valley in September/October last year. Views of Everest, Lhotse, and other 8000m peaks were interupted only by the clouds, rain, and blizzards!	Chris Townsend
16th February	The mass climb of Golem Korab and other mountaineering and climbing spots in Macedonia Last year more than 1500 people reached Golem Korab (2764m) in one day through fog, rain and snow and enjoyed an amazing clear sunny view over both Macedonia and Albania. The peak of Golem Korab is the highest point in both countries and is topped with a stone marking the border. Previously restricted territory, the peak could only be accessed once a year in the company of the military, which started the tradition of the mass hike up to the top. Now, you can freely go up at any time of the year, but the event continues to grow in size with people coming from neighbouring countries and farther to participate. Macedonia also has 16 mountain ranges over 2000m as well as a variety of trad climbing locations, which will also be included in the presentation.	Sally Broughton
16th March	Ice climbing in Queyras Two beginners take on ice climbing in the French Alps mecca of Freissiniere. The slideshow will feature incredible action bum shots of the pair familiarising with vertical ice, axes, abalakovs etc. Our seasoned rock climbers will attempt to convey the appeal of climbing frozen icefalls and testify that the thrill of outdoor climbing doesn't have to be put on hold in winter.	Joris Roulleau and Michael Hopert
20th April	Iceland - Land of Fire and Ice Iceland, a country with activities ranging from glacial week-long treks and Sea Kayaking to gentle valley walks with stunning vistas: it is a place everyone should visit. Iceland the birth place of democracy is completely volcanic in nature and is one of the worlds most geological active countries today, it being sited on the mid-atlantic ridge. In 1973 a volcano erupted just off the coast in the Westman Isles resulting in the island growing considerably. Vast plains of old lava can be seen right across the country along classic shield volcano cones. The interior of the country remains a completely uninhabited wildness area which can be inaccessible in places for years. This area is typified by vast glacial wash plains and lava fields surrounded by huge volcanic features and glaciers, treking across here is an adventure to be had. The coast of Iceland is variable, ranging from the typical Nordic type fjords to huge glacial washes, with glacial tongues extending down to sea level. It's with pride that nearly every village in Iceland has its own geothermally heated swimming pool/sauna. The country also has some of the worlds most spectacular waterfalls, with Dettifoss being the most powerful in Europe and is a sight to see. The word geyser originates in Iceland and while sadly the Great Geysir rarely performs there are still big geysers to be seen. For the literary people out there, the Icelandic Sagas are world famous.	Mark Roydhouse
4th May	Hallucinations, Haemorrhages and High Altitude Edemas Medical problems in the mountain environment and how to solve them. This talk is a wide ranging one - covering medical problems that occur on anything from the smallest hills in the UK to the 8000m giants of the Himalayas. Along the way we'll take a look at the science behind the problems and the solutions that are available. Entry will be £4 with proceeds going to Porters Progress and the International Porters Protection Group (IPPG). Note this is the first Tuesday of the month	Dr Jeremy Windsor
15th June	Waterfall ice in the Canadian Rockies The northern Canadian Rockies has some of the most reliable waterfall ice, with easy access along the Trans-Canadian, Icefields and David Thompson highways and not so easy access into the Ghost River and Dry Ranges, has become an attractive winter destination. Most of the climbing is within a network of national and state parks set up to protect this beautiful mountain wilderness. There is a range of single-pitch, multi-pitch, mixed and mountain routes of all grades. Routes that are named after beers and some of the humour doesn't need translating. Accommodation ranges from hotels/motels in the resorts along the Trans-Canadian, ACC hostels, back-country hostels using 'converted' WWII POW huts and salubrious mountain lodges. The driving hazards of deep powder on logging tracks and the Ghost, rutted ice on the parkway and streams of trucks on the trans-Canadian.	Vic Odell
20th July	Snowshoeing and Backcountry Skiing There was a time Edward plotted a route on Liechtenstein's Alps and thought that it was an ordinary summer style hike. But when he arrived there in March, he walked into the wild snow for no more than 10 meters before he decided to turn back. It was the first time he saw snow coming up higher than his knee on the hill. Then he realised that he needed something more than winter boots and crampons. Since then, he began to learn and combine snowshoeing and backcountry skiing into his winter expeditions. He is convinced that these means of mountaineering make his winter trips much more viable, including his recent ascent to Jungfrau summit. He will talk through his recent travels in Scotland, Montenegro and the Alps with steep snow terrain traverse & glacier crossing, as well as his learning process of snowshoeing and backcountry skiing.	Edward Woo