"Who are they? Where do they come from? And, most importantly, can they be deported back there?" These are the questions that have plagued many who have met us. Others have been charmed by our quiet nature, our civility and urbanity, and by our amazing capacity to go climbing no matter what the weather. For the simple truth is that the UCCMC will venture out regardless of the weather, although we are not above turning back should conditions turn dangerous. There is no motto for the club, but if we had one, it would read "Goddamit, what am I doing out here?" We have climbed in Wales, Scotland, All over Ireland, some groups even in America and Europe. Wherever you go, you are bound to encounter members and ex-members, always distinctive with their good manners and "Hey, that's my rope!" mentality.
So what do we do? Well obviously we go hillwalking, but that's not the last of it! We also have a small collection of so-called "rock jocks" - at least according to Mr. D. Coffey. They like to hang around && flex biceps quite a lot, occasionally muttering things about "...3rd pitch on E3 over in the Burren... didn't think I'd make it..."! The club also organises various weekends away, including a Freshers Weekend, Night hike, plus an excursion to the far distant hills of Wales/Scotland!
Each year the club campaigns vigorously for new members during Clubs Day. This generally results in large numbers of curious "people" (let's not be sexist now!) at the first few hikes. However, the numbers (for some unknown reason...) start to drop off after the first few weeks, which is a shame really! Last year, thanks to the antic of "Mad" John and his accomplice Tony, the club secured a suspected record number of interested people on Clubs Day. By intensively campaigning/cajoling/bribing numerous susceptible first years, they succeeded in bamboozling more than 700 people into joining the club. Hats off to the lads, everyone! This resulted in record attendance's for the first climb of the season, with over 100 people making a spirited attempt to climb the Paps. Careful management of the groups resulted in a survival rate of 100%, plus one goat.
Following an extremely successful year, during which the club managed to get as far afield as western Connemara, and Glencoe in Scotland, and a few hardy souls made it to the alps during the summer, it's time to begin afresh. A quick look back over the year, first though. There was the usual collection of climbs, and for the most part the weather was great and the craic mighty. Some of the more outstanding memories from the year include an epic Freshers Weekend, including some "Alternative" climbing by John and Tony. Then there was a rather eventful trip to Connemara (where the ultimate cure to a hangover was discovered). Easter saw an exhilarating trip to Glencoe in Scotland, where Rob demonstrated his mastery of the Snowboard (and Hugh his mastery of "Dropping the Ice Axe at the Wrong Moment"). Also over the Easter Break, some of the club went rockclimbing in the Burren. So the new year begins afresh, as usual with a bang. Numbers are up, literally hundreds of people are clamouring for the chance to be led up the irish mountains (and back down again). Trojan work being done by the committee as usual, and the tradition of meeting midweek for a drink has taken a firm hold - although there is some confusion over the optimal choice for a watering hole. All in all, it's shaping up to being a great year. Here's to good weather!
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