Frequently Asked Questions for Away Meets

Where do we stay?

What are the transport arrangements?

What food do I need to provide?

How are activities organised?

What do I need to pack?

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Accomodation:
We usually stay in huts belonging to clubs affiliated to the BMC. They provide basic self-catering accommodation and may be some distance away from the road or indeed the nearest parking. The remote huts are usually flagged up on the Bedford MC website.

  1. They provide bunks or basic sleeping mattresses in one or more communal dormitories.
  2. They have an equipped kitchen with enough cutlery and crockery for their intended capacity.
  3. There are toilets and washing facilities, usually at least one shower and these are generally segregated between men and women.
  4. They often provide a drying room.
  5. In winter they may have either night-storage heaters or an open fire requiring coal or wood.
  6. Sometimes the electricity need coins for the meter or expected items (e.g. Tea towels) are not provided in which case everybody will be notified by the Meet Organiser(s).
  7. When we stay in independent privately owned hostels we expect a slightly higher standard for the extra price but this is not always the case and we apologise for these aberrations.

Consequently you need to provide:-

  • Sleeping Bag
  • Torch
  • Towel and Washing Items.
  • Matches are a good idea if cooking on gas, as not all stoves have self-igniters.

For remote huts you need to plan your packing to minimise trips from car to hut.

We always clean up the huts before returning home on and the hut fees will be collected during the weekend.

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Transport:
The Meet Organiser(s) usually suggest car sharing groups based upon pick-up points and departure times prior to the last Wednesday before the meet. However these need to be finalised by the individual members, thereafter each car group will be independent.

  • Don't assume that the driver will stop for a meal on the journey.
  • Payment needs to be arranged with the drivers on a car by car basis.
  • Arrange what time you will be returning after the meet.

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Food:

Provide your own food for breakfast and snacks for lunch.
Evening meals may be cooked in the hut or some go out to pubs for a meal.

  • For daytime snacks, some make or buy sandwiches, thermos flasks of tea/coffee/soup, others eat bars on the move or plan their walks/runs around the pubs or tea shops.
  • On Sunday we are expected to clean the hut including the kitchen. Sometimes we do this in the morning and on other occasions, just before leaving (depending on the season, prevailing weather and remoteness of  the hut) but this does tend to discourage cooking a meal before the return trip.

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Activities:

These are not organised by the club but by the individual members, on an ad hoc basis, and often over breakfast. They cover walking, running, scrambling, cycling and climbing ....and in bad weather just shopping and sheltering in tea shops.
However we try to make sure that nobody is left out on their own unless they seek that. Some members will come away to a meet with specific objectives.

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Equipment:

In addition to the Sleeping Bag, Torch, Towel & Washing Items (recommended in the Accomodation section):-

Basic Gear

  • Rucksack (and waterproof liner)
  • Walking Boots (though some will prefer fell running shoes or trainers and expect wet feet).
  • Selection of socks to taste. (Most prefer a thin and a thick pair with boots.)
  • Gaiters (if expecting snow, bogs or river crossings)
  • Hat/balaclava.
  • Waterproof Jacket and Overtrousers
  • Thermal base layer
  • Mid layer(s) (e.g' Fleece jackets/pullovers). Several thinner layers are more versatile than one very thick jacket.
  • Gloves (several pairs in winter and possibly including mitts)
  • Compass

Everybody leaves some vital piece behind at some stage and gets very teased when they try to beg a spare from other members.

Winter Walking

 If 'full winter conditions' are expected then the Meet Organiser(s) will notify everybody and recommend ice axe & crampons. Normally areas of hard frozen snow can be avoided, though some mountains have notorious 'black spots'.

Rock Climbing

If you are planning to go rock climbing then the minimum that you will need is:-

  • Harness
  • Belay device and screwgate karabiner
  • Rockshoes/boots. (Though experienced climbers may climb in walking boots on easier climbs).

Strongly recommended is:-

  • Helmet
  • Nut Extractor

Winter Climbing (Snow & Mixed)

  • Helmets are essential
  • Harness
  • Belay device and screwgate karabiner
  • Stiff  boots (B2/3)
  • Crampons
  • Technical Axe(s)

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