Info notice No. 1 dated 8th June 2008

Airline - Ryanair - from and return to Glasgow Prestwick. Other airports (including Liverpool and Stanstead) are also available (but with different costs).

As last February, I am again going to Norway and will lead the meet at Rjukan. There are many options for the duration of the meet, but I have for simplicity chosen a FIVE day climbing trip, with one travel day either side for the pricing with Ryanair. I am suggesting the dates will be January 30th (Friday) to 5th February (Thursday). As I will be doing some guiding/instruction again on or after the meet next February, I will be booking January 30th to February 20th for myself.

Many date options are available and it does not appear to alter the flight fares, but some dates do not appear to have return flights.

This year, Ryanair seem to have cottoned on to the value of the Sports bag addition and have priced the fee per single journey at £25 per bag. I still believe it offers up to 32kgs of ‘sports equipment’ (which could include dried foods and drinks?) at no extra cost other than for the bag, and I personally, with guiding ropes and extra equipment (and travelling with no climbing partner) believe it still to be worth it’s cost .

The suggested 7 day trip (5 climbing days) will be based in Rjukan. The meet last February suffered (I feel) due to all meet members having separate accommodations in the Hytteby Chalets. Whilst these are fine, it did not allow a ‘get together’ feel to the meet as I would have preferred.

Next February I am proposing to recommend we all stay at the Gjestegård hostel, where there is a communal kitchen, a communal lounge and nice (four person) rooms, with all the usual Norwegian comforts (warm rooms, a great drying room, car parking, and is also in town.) Whether all meet members will go along with my idea will be determined later? I had already discussed a group discount for meet members with the owner, and last February’s price per night was very comparable to the Hytteby chalets costs. More on this later. Many of you will know the great and convenient steep ice climbing available at Rjukan and I will keep everyone up to date with the meet.

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