Stafford Team Diary 1988 – RAF Mountain Rescue Association

Editor: –

Thanks to the efforts of Terry Tomlinson the original Diary has been digitised in the original format. Click on this link to see the transcription from the original.

The original document did not run in chronological order and used several styles for diary entries. To make it easier to read I have extracted the text and created a standard format in chronological order.

It is not an exact facsimile but by reducing the blank spaces on individual pages in the original reduces the blank ‘real estate’ on the website. Photographs are black and white photocopies from the original document, unfortunately, they do not come out well but have been retained as a record of events.

RAF STAFFORD MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM

Team Diary for 1988

29 December 1987 – 3 January 1988 (New Year Grant)
Base:	Llanrwst – JSATI Centre
Team Out: .	Tony Emsley, Jimmy Clethero, Ian Ellis, Karl “Sledge” Smith, Adam Barnett, Dave Briscoe, Dave Thom, Kev Turvey, Al Sylvester, Howard, Marsh & Mick Brittell.
Wednesday 30 December 1987
Hotel 1	Emsley, Smith, Ellis, Marsh.
	East face of Tryfan, Grooved Arête VD both routes aborted due to rain.
Hotel 2	Clethero, Brisco, Thom, Turvey, Barnett
	732663 – Dulyn Res’r – Foel Grach – Carnedd – Llewellyn – Black Ladders (Scramble) – Carnedd – Dafydd – Pen Yrb Ole Wen – Ogwen.
Weather:	Heavy Rain	Cook:	Al Sylvester
Thursday 31 December 1987
Hotel 1	Emsley, Ellis, Marsh, Barnett, Thom, Hughes (Saints).
	Pen Y Pass – Miners Track – Gribin Ridge – Bwlch Y Saethau – Y Wyddea – Pen Y Pass (Good Fell Run?)
Hotel 2	Sylvester, Smith, Brisco, Turvey.
	Nantgwynant – Yr Aran
Weather:	Windy and Wet			Cook:	Jimmy Cleth
Friday 1 January 1988 (Happy New Year)
Hotel 1	Emsley, Smith
	Oggy Valley (Lots done, I bet?)
Hotel 2	Clethero, Marsh, Thom.
	Tryfan
Weather:	Windy and Wet			Cook:	Dave Briscoe
Saturday 2 January 1988
	Assisted Ogwen Valley MRT on a Callout
Sunday 3 January 1988
	Returned to Base.

RAF Stafford Mountain Rescue Team Incident Report Form A
Reference: ………Form R No……………. 001……………………. DTG 051600Z Jan 88 Nature of Incident ……….Stretcher Evacuation Date: Sat 2 Jan 1988 ……………………. Area: Devils Kitchen
Narrative: Stafford hill parties were informed of incident by Ogwen Valley MRT base, and were requested to assist with evacuation due to ground conditions making things difficult for party already with stretcher. Hill parties were re deployed and met with Ogwen members in Devils Kitchen area where assistance with stretcher carries was given to road head and waiting ambulance.
Other SAR Forces involved: Ogwen Valley MRT Comments on Equipment: N/A
Statistics: Alerted: 1315……………..Deployed: 1315….On Scene: 1400….Stood Down: 1645 2 January 88 Total Man Hours: 428 hrs
Mileages (statute): 1 2 3 4	Vehicle: RVT AMB Troop Carrier Troop Carrier		Registration: 00 AY 16 88 KE 07 31 KCE 07 88 KG 51	Mileage: 24 26 200 252
Total Mileage: Numbers of Personnel on task: Current team strength: Remarks:		70 10 25 Nil
. . . Date:					Signature: Name: Rank: Appointment	Emsley Sgt T Leader
Distribution: External: Action: MOD SAR 1b/ILR (RAF) HQ SC Attn Sqn Ldr Air NRCC Attn OC SRCC Attn OC Information: RAF Kinloss …………………………Attn MRT Leader RAF Leuchars ……………………..Attn MRT Leader RAF Linton-on-Ouse …………..Attn MRT Leader RAF St Athan ……………………..Attn MRT Leader RAF Valley ………………………….Attn MRT Leader Internal: Information: Stn Cdr S Admin O CRO OC MRT File: SFD/2851/MRT

8 – 10 January 1988
Base:	Foxhouse Inn, Peak District.
Team Out: .	Emsley, Gilmour, Clethero, Ellis, Roberts, Higgins, Thomas, Brettell, Young, Cawthorne, Marsh, Shaw, Bartrip and Musgrave
Saturday 9 January 1988
Hotel 1	Emsley, Higgins.
	155928 – Allport Castles – Allport Moor, Bleaklow – Shaw Wildboar Clough – 073987
Hotel 2	Gilmour, Ellis, Cawthorne.
	Edale – 590 – Crowden Head – Noe Stool – Brown Knoll – Lords Seat – Edale.
Hotel 3	Clethero, Musgrave, Brettell.
	168940 – 591 – 512 (Swainshead) – Howden Edge – March Outer Edge – Bullstones – Slippery Stones.
Hotel 4	Roberts, Bartrip, Young.
	Wildboar Clough 073987 – Bleaklow – Alport Moor – Alport Castles Vehicle 155928
Weather:	Gopping and Wet		Cook:		Thomas
Sunday 10 January 1988
Hotel 1	Emsley, Gilmour, Clethero.
		Alan Slab Trapeze Direct Three Pebble Dash Green Gut Diamond Crack Silver Crack		. VS HVS S MS S	. 4B 5A . 4B .
	Ellis, Shaw, Bretell, Bartrip.
		Diamond Crack Trapeze Direct		HS VS	4B 4B
	Young, Musgrave.
		Diamond Crack Trapeze Direct Green Gut		HS VS S	4B 4B .
Hotel 2	Higgins, Thomas, Cawthorne, Marsh.
	Edale – Kinder

15 – 17 January 1988
Base:	Longsleddale, Lake District
Team Out: .	Gilmour, Turvey, Smith, Thomas, Ellis, Barnett, Roberts, McKechnie, Shaw, Neal, Williams, Cooper, Henderson, Blow, and Musgrave.
Saturday 16 January 1988
Hotel 1	Gilmour, Turvey, Smith.
	Tarncrag Pinnacle Red – 713 – Adam Seat, Mardale – Bell – Kentmere Pike – Sadgill.
Hotel 2	Thomas, Ellis, Barnett.
	Kentmere Pike – Harter Fell – Branstree – Nowth Hill – Selside Pike – Tarn Crag – Grey Crag.
Hotel 3	Roberts, McKechnie, Shaw, Neal.
	Drybarrows – Low Kop – High Kop – Red Crag – Raven Howe – High Raise – Rambsgill Hall – High St – Mardale – Nan Beild Pass – for 46077.
Hotel 4	Williams, Cooper, Henderson, Blow.
	Recip Hotel 3
Weather:		Cook:	Musgrave (?)
Sunday 17 January 1988
Hotel 1	Gilmour, Turvey, Smith, Henderson.
	Kentmere
Hotel 2	Williams, Cooper, Blow.
	Ambleside
Hotel 3	Thomas, Ellis, Musgrave.
	Ambleside Area
Hotel 4	Roberts, McKechnie, Shaw, Neal.
	554062 – High House Fell – Borrowdale Moss – Long Crag – White House – Borrowdale Head.
Weather:				Cook:	Barnett

22 – 24 January 1988
Base:	Golan, North Wales
Team Out:	Williams (?), Musgrave, Barnett, Henderson, McKechnie, Shaw & Cooper
Saturday 23 January 1988
Hotel 1	Williams, Cooper, Henderson, Musgrave.
	512507 – Garnedd Goch – Craig Cwm Silyn – Mynydd – Tal Y Mignedd – Trum Y Ddysgl – Mynydd – Drws Y Coed Y Garn – 572525. (Plas Y Brenin – climbing wall)
Hotel 2	Brettell, Shaw, Young, Barnett.
	Recip Hotel 1 (Just did Y Garn)
Weather:		Cook:	McKenchnie
Sunday 24 January 1988
Hotel 1	Williams, Musgrave, Barnett, Henderson.
	Pen Y Pass (wagon snagged)
Hotel 2	McKechnie, Shaw, Cooper.
	Pen Y Benglog – Tryfan – Glyder Fach – Glyder Fawr – Devils Kitchen – Pen Y – Benglog.
Weather:				Cook:	Young

5 – 7 February 1988
Base:	Trefrin, North Wales.
Team Out: .	Emsley, Gilmour, Shaw, Ellis, Higgins, Musgrave, Thom, Briscoe, Marsh, Van-Der-Lee, Mick Brettell, Henderson, and Cooper.
Saturday 6 February 1988
Hotel 1	Emsley, Shaw.
	Steep ground test Idwal slabs – ordinary route ↑↓
Hotel 2	Gilmour, Higgins, Musgrave, Thom, Briscoe, Henderson, Cooper Marsh, Van Der Lee, Ellis.
	Melynllyn (Friday night) bivvy on Fuel Grach – Hafod Y Rhiw – Pen Witherig Yr Wrach – Bwlch Trimarchog – Pen Yr Helgi Du – Helyg – 692602.
Weather:		Cook:	Brettell
Sunday, 7 February 1988
Hotel 1	Emsley, Musgrave, Shaw.
	Moel Siabod (on climbed rich)? Ice axe braking followed by route up front of Siabod 8001 grade 1/11.
Hotel 2	Gilmour, Thom, Van Der Lee, March,
	Recip Hotel 3
Hotel 3	Ellis, Brettell, Briscoe, Cooper.
	569527 – Y Garn – Mynydd Drwsy Coed – Trum Y Ddysgi – Tal Y Mignedd – Craig Cwm Silyn – vehicle.
Weather:		Cook:	Higgins
Troops were just preparing to RTU but received message from Oggy Base for assistance in carry off on Tryfan report R to follow. → After finishing above call-out troops were requested to assist RAF Valley MRT and Ogwen Valley MRT on the Carneddau, which finished at 12:00 hrs on Monday 8 February. Also report R to follow. →

RAF Stafford Mountain Rescue Team Incident Report Form A
Reference: ………Form R No……………. 068……………………. 091035 Feb 88 Nature of Incident ……….Request for Assistance with evacuation of fallen walker. Date: 7 Feb 88……………………. Area: Tryfan N. Wales
Narrative: Stafford MRT were asked by N Wales Police to assist Ogwen Valley MRT with an evacuation of a fallen walker. Stafford MRT were deployed on the Hill and after ascending approximately 1500 ft heard that the casualty had been evacuated by helicopter as the weather had improved. Stafford MRT then return to Oggi base.
Other SAR Forces involved: 22 Sqn RAF Valley MRT SARDA. Comments on Equipment: N/A
Statistics: Alerted: 1545……………..Deployed: 1600….On Scene: 1630….Stood Down: 1730 Sun 31/1/88 Total Man Hours: 453 hrs
Mileages (statute): 1 2 3 4	Vehicle: RVT AMB Sherpa TC 1	Registration: 00 AY 16 88 KE 07 12 KC 34 88 KE 51	Mileage: 13 12 12 13

RAF Stafford Mountain Rescue Team Incident Report Form A
Reference: ………Form R No……………. R070……………………. DTG 091 0352 Feb 1988 Nature of Incident ……….Search for fallen Walker Date: 7 Feb 1988 ……………………. Area: Manby, Ysgolion Duon N Wales
Narrative: As per attached sheet
Other SAR Forces involved: RAF Valley MRT, 22 Sqn, SARDA, Ogwen Valley, Coast Guard Comments on Equipment: HF comms at night non-existent Recurrent MT failure (injector pipe) Laerdal Aspirator proved ineffective
Statistics: Alerted: 1800……………..Deployed: 1805….On Scene: 1830 ….Stood Down: 2010 7 Feb 88 * Feb 88 Total Man Hours: 428 hrs
Mileages (statute): 1 2 3 4 5	Vehicle: Bedford AMB TC 1 Sherpa RVT		Registration: 29 KA 91 88 KE 07 88 KE 51 12 KC 34 00 AY 16	Mileage: 93 195 200 252 190
Total Mileage: Numbers of Personnel on task: Current team strength: Remarks:		1150 19 Good liaison with all other agencies. Helicopter support excellent.
. . . Date: 9 Feb 88					Signature: Name: Rank: Appointment	Emsley Sgt T Leader
Distribution: External: Action: MOD SAR 1b/ILR (RAF) HQ SC Attn Sqn Ldr Air NRCC Attn OC SRCC Attn OC Information: RAF Kinloss …………………………Attn MRT Leader RAF Leuchars ……………………..Attn MRT Leader RAF Linton-on-Ouse …………..Attn MRT Leader RAF St Athan ……………………..Attn MRT Leader RAF Valley ………………………….Attn MRT Leader Internal: Information: Stn Cdr S Admin O CRO OC MRT File: SFD/2851/MRT
Stafford MRT were at Oggy base after incident on Tryfan (see report R068). We were informed of a further incident in the Black Ladders area and were asked by Ogwen MRT to take control of this incident as they were committed on another task. Stafford TL went to Gerlon Water works where the police were waiting with an informant who had heard whistles and shouts at the incident site. Control was set up at Gerlon and Stafford and Valley troops deployed to likely areas on the mountain. Searches were carried out until 0100 hrs the following morning when parties were recalled for a rest and to get ready for a further early start. Additional assistance was requested from the RAF Valley and Stafford MRT Personnel who were at base. The Valley team leader plus 5 arrived at 2230 and proceeded onto the hill to carry out an all night search and the Stafford team were told to arrive at the incident for 0700 hrs in the morning. At 0810 the 22 Sqn Helicopter arrived at Oggy base and took one MR troop to look at the area and try and establish the likely site of the casualty. They succeeded in narrowing the possible area down and all troops were airlifted into site. After a short search the casualty was located and lowered by stretcher to an area accessible to the helicopter. He was then flown to Bangor Hospital and all troops were flown back to Oggy base. Some Stafford and Valley troops were used to assist with carrying equipment to another incident on Y Garn that was being handled by Ogwen MRT. Whilst en-route to Stafford the team were first on scene at a road accident and administered first aid and maintenance until relieved by the emergency services.

12 – 14 February 1988
Base:	Bontunchel, North Wales
Team Out: .	Emsley, Gilmour, Clethero, Smith, Ellis, Thomas, Roberts, Brettell, Young, Henderson, Misgrave, Briscoe, Higgins, Blow, Turvey & Cooper.
Annual reunion for Stafford MRT held on 13 February 1988 went on to the early hours of Sunday morning, nothing really done by troops except percent of Snowdon by a couple of parties. Weather was horrendous may be the reason for so little done.

19 – 21 February 1988
Base:	Windermere, Masonic Hall, GR 97/477980.
Team Out:	Tony Emsley, Jai Henderson, Dave Briscoe, Wop Ellis, Kev Williams, Karl Smith, Mario Blow, L A Law, Steve Roberts, Richie Cooper, Kev Turvey, Mick Brettell & Phil Shaw.
Saturday 20 February 1988
Hotel 1	Emsley, Henderson, Briscoe, Ellis .
	90/402081 – St Ravens Edge – Stone Grove Pike – Threshwaite Beacon – High St – Mardale Ill Bell – Harter Fell – Kentmere Pike – Shipman Knotts – Stile End (468049).
Hotel 2	Williams, Smith, Blow, Law.
	Recip Hotel 1 except High Street
Hotel 3	Roberts, Cooper, Turvey, Brittell.
	Langdale – Dungeon Ghyll Upper Ravine GD 3 – South West Face Harrison Stickle. GD 2 – Thungar Knott High Raise – Sgt Man & Dungeon Ghyll Lower Raise GD 1 .
Weather:		Cook:	Phil Shaw
Sunday 21 February 1988
Hotel 1	Emsley, Henderson, Brisco, Law, Brettell, Ellis.
	3 Shire Stone – Pike ‘O’ Brisco.
Hotel 2	Williams, Smith, Cooper.
	?
Hotel 3	Roberts, Shaw, Turvey.
	Easdale – Sour Milk Gill GD 1 * – Belles Knot GD 2 **
Weather:		Cook:	Mario Blow

26 – 28 February 1988 ILR’s Inspection
Base:	Foxhouse Inn
Team Out: .	Gilmour, Smith, Youde, Clethero, Phil Shaw, Turvey, Cooper, Williams, Ellis, Young, Musgrave, Brettell, Neil, Law, Blow, Henderson & Sqn Ldr Foster (ILR).
Saturday 27 February 1988
Hotel 1	Gilmour, Foster, Smith, Youde.
	Upper Booth, Jacobs Ladder, Brown Knoll, Lords Seat, Mamtor Hollins Cross, Loosehill & Edale.
Hotel 2	Clethero, Shaw.	Cheadale Climbing
		Phil/Richie: . . Jimmy/Kevt: .			Ragled Arête HeAthanism Succulent Corner HeAthanism Chee Tor Gride (First 2 Pitches Only)	S VD S 4A VD VS
Hotel 3	Williams, Ellis, Young, Musgrave.	Cave Dale climbing but nothing finished
		Yarncliffe: Lawrencefield: .			Centipede Aphids Wall (top rope Ellis) Gingerbread Meringle Eclair	. . HVS VS VS
Hotel 4	Brettell, Neil, Law, Blow.
	Grindsbrook – 628 – Crowden Tower – Noe Stool – Brown Knoll – 532 – Lords Seat – Mam Tor – Hollins Cross – Edale.
Weather:		Cook:		Henderson
Sunday 28 February 1988
Hotel 1	Gilmour, Foster, Smith, Shaw, Ellis, Turvey.
	Stretcher Lowering – Horizontal/Vertical
Hotel 2	Clethero, Young, Neil, Law, Youde.
	Abseiling Techniques
Hotel 3	Brettell, Cooper, Blow, Musgrave, Henderson.
	Two Man Resq/Hammon Lift Off
	All techniques done at Burbage Quarry
Weather:		Cook:	Williams

4 – 6 March 1988
Base:	Kirby Mallon, North Yorks.
Team Out: .	Emsley, Clethero, Musgrave, Higgins, Roberts, Youde, Hornby, Van Der Lee, Smith, Henderson, Turvey, Thomas, McKechnie & Cooper.
Saturday 5 March 1988
Hotel 1	Emsley, Musgrave, Higgins.
	Ribble Head to Horton 3 Peaks – Whernside – Ingleborough – Pen-Y-Ghent.
Hotel 2	Roberts, Youde, Hornby, Van Der Lee.
	Recip Hotel 1
Hotel 3	Clethero, Smith, Henderson, Turvey.
	Three Peaks
Hotel 4	Thomas, McKechnie, Cooper.
	Sell Gill Holes – Horton in Ribblesdale – Red Moss Pot – Birkwith
Weather:		Cook:	Briscoe
	Call-out 17:00 hrs on Saturday 5th of February 1988 the troops were requested to carry off and administer first aid to a fallen walker on Whernside report R – 149.

RAF Stafford Mountain Rescue Team Incident Report Form A
Reference: ………Form R No……………. 149 Nature of Incident ……….Recover injured walker.. Date: 5 March 1988……………………. Area: Yorkshire
Narrative: The MRT were asked by N. Yorks police to assist with the recovery of a fallen walker on the path down from Whernside. The casualty was located and first aid given before being carried down to the MRT Ambulance and then on to the County Ambulance at the Roadhead.
Other SAR Forces involved: Cave Rescue Organisation Comments on Equipment: N/A
Statistics: Alerted: 1545……………..Deployed: 1600….On Scene: 1630….Stood Down: 1730 Sun 31/1/88 Total Man Hours: 453 hrs
Mileages (statute): 1 2 3	Vehicle: AMB Troop Carrier Troop Carrier		Registration: 88 KE 07 31 KC 45 88 Kg 51	Mileage: 27 25 34
Total Mileage: Numbers of Personnel on task: Current team strength: Remarks:		86 14 25 Nil
. . . Date:					Signature: Name: Rank: Appointment	Emsley Sgt T Leader
Distribution: External: MOD SAR 1b/ILR (RAF) HQ SC Attn Sqn Ldr Air NRCC Attn OC SRCC Attn OC Information: RAF Kinloss …………………………Attn MRT Leader RAF Leuchars ……………………..Attn MRT Leader RAF Linton-on-Ouse …………..Attn MRT Leader RAF St Athan ……………………..Attn MRT Leader RAF Valley ………………………….Attn MRT Leader Internal: Information: Stn Cdr S Admin O CRO OC MRT File: SFD/2851/MRT

Sunday 6 March 1988
Hotel 1	Clethero, Youde, Hornby, Bristol, Turvey.
	Sht 91 GR 810043 – nine standards rigg
Hotel 2	Roberts, Musgrave, Smith, Cooper,
	Gordale Scar – Gordale Scar Beck – Great Grose Scar – Parsons Pulpit – Goredale.
Hotel 3	McKechnie, Higgins, Van Der Lee, Henderson.
	West Moor 499 – 624 – 668 – 662 Fourtains Fell – 593 Know Fell.
Weather:		Cook:	Dipstick

11 – 13 March 1988
Base:	Dolgarrog, North Wales.
Team Out: .	Emsley, Shaw, Musgrave, Gilmour, Cooper, Turvey, Henderson, Clethero, Brisco, Hornby, Thomas, Smith, Higgins, Youde & Ellis.
Saturday 12 March 1988
Hotel 1	Emsley, Shaw, Musgrave.
	628508 – Y Aran – Snowdon – Y Lliwedd – Watkin Path, Cwm Tregalan – Wagon.
Hotel 2	Gilmour, Cooper, Turvey, Henderson.
	Y Gribin Ridge – Glyder Fawr – Devils Kitchen.
Hotel 3	Clethero, Brisco, Hornby.
	Recip of Hotel 4
Hotel 4	Thomas, Smith, Higgins, Youde.
	Pen Yr Ole Wen – Carnedd Dafydd –Carnedd Liewelyn – Foel Grach – Aber Falls.
Weather:	Manky/Gopping			Cook:				Ellis
Sunday 13 March 1988
Hotel 1	Emsley, Shaw, Ellis, Musgrave.
		*Kirkus Climb Direct Y Gelnen	210′ 215′		S VD
	Higgins, Henderson, Thomas, Brisco.
		Taith Y Pererin Babylon Slick	250′ 100′ 220′		Diff VD VD	(3rd deck only) (1st pitch only) .
Hotel 2	Gilmour, Turvey.
		Shadow Arête	200′		D	(Bwich Wiwedd Buttress)
Hotel 3	Clethero, Smith, Youde ,Hornby.
	Snowdon (Y Wyddfa)
Weather:	Gopping (again)			Cook:			Cooper

18 – 20 March 1988

The week-end was spent on camp due to Dr Ieuan Jones first aid course. Some good results were recorded with some certain DTL’s not doing as well as they should.

25 – 27 March 1988

This week-end was spent covering the “Rock and Run Mountain Marathon”, which was held in the Lake District. Gilmour, Henderson, Clethero and Smith attempted it. The rain was really bad and troops ended up aborting the place.

31 March – 9 April 1988
Base:	Lochcarron, N/W Scotland.
Team Out: .	Emsley, Gilmour, Clethero, Smith, Ellis, Thomas, McKechnie, Cooper, Shaw, Brisco, Turvey, Neil, Henderson, Musgrave, Fretz & Youde.
Saturday 2 April 1988
Hotel 1	Thomas, Shaw, Brisco.
	Morvisg – Sgurr Nan Ceannaichean
Sunday 3 April 1988
Hotel 1	Emsley, Ellis, Shaw, Smith.
	Ben Liiath Mor – Sgurr Ruadm
Hotel 2	Gilmour, Neil, Henderson, Cooper, Clethero.
	Morvisg – Sgurr Nan Ceannaichean
Hotel 3	Thomas, McKechnie, Brisco, Musgrave.
	As Hotel 1
Weather:		Cook:		Turvey & Daz Youde
Monday 4 April 1988
Hotel 1	McKechnie, Cethero, Henderson, Neil, Emsley.
	Glenuag Lodge – Sgurr Choinnich – Sgurr A’ Chaorachain.
Hotel 2	Gilmour, Shaw, Cooper, Turvey, Youde.
	Beinn Laith Mor
Hotel 3	Thomas, Brisco, Musgrave, Smith.
	The Saddle – Sgurr NA Sgine
Weather:		Cook:	Ellis – 6/10
Tuesday 5 April 1988
Hotel 1	Clethero, Henderson, Cooper, Fretz, Ellis.
	The Saddle – Sgurr NA Sgine
Hotel 2	Thomas, Smith, Brisco, Youde, Turvey.
	Sgurr Choinnich – Sgurr A’ Chaorachain – Moile Lunndaidh.
Weather:		Cook:	Phil Shaw – 7/10
Wednesday 6 April 1988
Hotel 1	Gilmour, Ellis, Fretz, Henderson.
	Swimming
Hotel 2	Thomas, Neil, Cooper, Shaw.
	Fannachs – Nest (Overnight Stop) – Fionn Beinn.
Hotel 3	Clethero, McKechnie, Youde, Turvey, Brisco.
	Bla Bheinn
Weather:		Cook:	Smith – 7/10
Thursday 7 April 1988
Hotel 1	Gilmour, Smith, Ellis.
	Bla Bheinn
Hotel 2	Thomas, Neil, Cooper, Shaw.
	As Wednesday 6th
Hotel 3	Clethero, Fretz, Henderson.
	Fannichs
Hotel 4	McKechnie, Turvey, Brisco.
	Sgurr Alasdair – Sgurr Dearg
Weather:		Cook:	Youde – 3/10
Friday 8 April 1988 (Mrs Ellis’s Birthday)
Hotel 1	Gilmour, Smith, Brisco.
	Fionn Bheinn
Hotel 2	Thomas, Shaw.
	Ben Fhada – Glas Bheinne
Hotel 3	Cethero, Henderson.
	Fionn Bheinn – Achnasheen
Hotel 4	McKechnie, Ellis, Cooper, Turvey, Fretz.
	Apple Cross
Weather:		Cook:	Youde – 3/10

15 – 17 April 1988
Base:	Foxhouse Inn, Peak District
Team Out:	Emsley, Clethero, Birkett, Cooper, Law Van Der Lee, Ellis, Musgrave, Young, Turvey, Hornby, Williams, Henderson ,Higgins, McKechnie, Roberts.
Saturday 16 April 1988
Hotel 1	Emsley, Birkett, Musgrave, Henderson.
	Circuit of Derwent Reservoir
Hotel 2	Clethero, Young, Higgins, Cooper.
	Kinder from Edale
Hotel 3	Williams, Ellis, Law, Turvey.
	Wildboar Clough – Bleaklow
Hotel 4	McKechnie, Van Der Lee, Hornby.
	Wildboar Clough – Bleaklow – Snake Pass
*Hotel 1 and 2 were involved in a call-out on Grinah Stones involving in Coronary and a casualty in shock, both casualties carried to vehicles in stretchers.
Weather:			Cook:		Steve Roberts – 8/10
Sunday 17 April 1988
Hotel 1	Roberts, McKechnie, Hornby.
	Kinder from Edale
Hotel 2	Cethero, Ellis, Henderson, Turvey.
	Climbing: Lawrencefield & Yarncliffe
	(Clethero & Turvey): . . . . . .	Cordite Crack Tony’s Chimney Avalanche Once Pegged Wall Capital Cracks Cardinal’s Crack Sulu.		15M 6M 9M 9M 20M 20M 20M		HS VD VD VS VS VS VS	4b . . . . . xx
Hotel 3	Williams, Cooper, Musgrave, Young, Higgins, Van Der Lee.
	Climbing: Lawrencefield & Yarncliffe (Techniques)
Weather:			Cook:		Law – 2/10

RAF Stafford Mountain Rescue Team Incident Report Form A
Reference: ………Form R No……………. 244……………………. DTG …… 17 1800 Apr 88. Nature of Incident ……….Recover of persons Date: 16/4/88……………………. Area: Bleaklow Moor Peak District
Stafford MRT were asked by the Ranger Service to assist with an incident on Bleaklow. The incident was located and evaluated and extra manpower and equipment requested. On its arrival both casualties were carried to MRT vehicles and transported to the roadhead where they were handed over to civilian agencies.
Other SAR Forces involved: RAF Valley MRT, Edale MRT, Glossop MRT, Ranger Service Comments on Equipment: N/A
Statistics: Alerted: 1315……………..Deployed: 1320….On Scene: 1345….Stood Down: 1745 Total Man Hours: 36 hrs
Mileages (statute): 1 2	Vehicle: Troop Carrier Amb		Registration: 88 KG 51 88 KE 07	Mileage: 24 10
Total Mileage: Numbers of Personnel on task: Current team strength: Remarks:		34 8 25 Nil
. . . Date:					Signature: Name: Rank: Appointment	Emsley Sgt NCO I/C MRT
Distribution: External: Action: MOD SAR 1b/ILR (RAF) HQ SC Attn Sqn Ldr Air NRCC Attn OC SRCC Attn OC Information: RAF Kinloss …………………………Attn MRT Leader RAF Leuchars ……………………..Attn MRT Leader RAF Linton-on-Ouse …………..Attn MRT Leader RAF St Athan ……………………..Attn MRT Leader RAF Valley ………………………….Attn MRT Leader Internal: Information: Stn Cdr S Admin O CRO OC MRT File: SFD/2851/MRT

22 – 24 April 1988
Base:	Dollgellay, Mid Wales
Team Out:	Thomas, Higgins, Cooper, Brisco, Turvey, Henderson, Hornby, Musgrave, Youde, Blythe (Trialist).
Saturday 23 April 1988
Hotel 1	Thomas, Brisco, Blythe, Hornby.
	Blean Pennant – Craigty Nant – Foel Rhudd – Craig Cwm Du – Arran Benllyn – Arran Fawddwy – SH .685 – Drysgol.
Hotel 2	Higgins, Smith, Youde, Henderson.
	Cader Idris – Mynydd Mdel .855 – 893 – Penygadair – .661 – .662 – .661 – Craig Cwm Amarch Liyn Cau.
Hotel 3	Cooper, Turvey.
	Climbing at Tremadog
		Yogi Boo Boo	120′ 200′		S V Diff
Weather:				Cook:		Musgrave
Sunday 24 April 1988
Hotel 1	Thomas, Blythe, Youde, Henderson.
	Cwm Cywarch – Craig Y ffynnon – SH.655 – Ochr Y Bwlch
Hotel 2	Higgins, Brisco, Smith.
	Maen Du 675 – CAE Afon 643 – Gribin Fawr – Waun Der 670 – Gribin Fawr – Wagon.
Hotel 3	Cooper, Hornby, Turvey.
	“Basic” Techniques at local crag
Weather:				Cook:		Law – 2/10

29 April – 2 May 1988
Base:	Buttermere
Team Out:	Thomas, Clethero, Birkett, Smith, Roberts, Higgins, Cooper, Brisco, Turvey, Blythe, Allen’
Saturday 30 April 1988
Hotel 1	Thomas, Higgins, Birkett, Blythe.
	Langdale Horseshoe
Hotel 2	Clitheroe, Smith.
	Ennerdale Horseshoe (Running) 6 hrs 20 mins
Hotel 3	Roberts, Cooper, Allen, Turvey.
	Honister Pass – Brandreth – Hay Stacks – High Crag – High Stile – Red Pike – Buttermere. Keswick Cafe’s
Weather:		Cook:	Brisco
Sunday 1 May 1988
Hotel 1	Thomas, Birkett, Brisco.
	Base – Fleetwith Pike – Brandreth – Grade Knotts – Hey Stacks – High Crag – High Stile – Red Pike – Buttermere.
Hotel 2	Clethero, Blythe, Smith.
	Loadpot Hill – Wether Hill (High Street Group)
Hotel 3	Higgins, Turvey, Allen.
	Littletown – Dale Head – Hindscarth – Robinson – Buttermere.
Weather:		Cook:	Cooper

6 – 8 May 1988
Base:	Llanberis – GR 115/
Team Out: .	Cethero, Cooper, Blythe, Allen, Neil, Smith, Turvey, Youde, Watt, Henderson, Higgins, Musgrave, Van Der Lee, Caulton.
Saturday 7 May 1988
Hotel 1	Clethero Turvey Cooper Musgrave
		Main Wall – Cyrn Las Western Slab – Dinas MOT The Cracks – Dinas MOT		465′ 200′ 295′		HS VS HS	* **
Hotel 2	Higgins, Blythe, Youde, Van Der Lee.
	Tryfan (North Ridge Via Milestone Buttress – 2/3 /– Bristly Ridge 1 ***– Glyder Fach – Glyder Fawr Y Garn – Foel Goch – Mynydd Perfydd – 821 Carnedd Y Ffiliast
Hotel 3	Smith, Allen, Watt, Caulton, Neil.
	Nantgwynant – Gallt Y Wenault –Y Lliewedd – Snowdon –.993 – Snowdon – Buulch Main – Yr Aran – Nantgwynant.
Weather:			Cook:		Jai Henderson
Sunday 8 May 1988
Hotel 1	Clethero, Henderson.
		Wrinkle Ribstone Crack		235′ 175′		VD VS	** *
	Cooper, Allen, Henderson, Blythe.
		Skylondinas Shadow Wall		200′ 155′		HS VS	. *
Hotel 2	Higgins, Musgrave, Caulton,
	Nantle Ridge
Hotel 3	Smith, Youde, Watt.
	Nantle Ridge
Weather:			Cook:		Neil & Turvey

RAF Stafford Mountain Rescue Team Incident Report Form A
Reference: ………Form R No……………. 290……………………. DTG …… Nature of Incident ……….Recover of Fallen Walker Date: 7.5.88……………………. Area: Snowdonia
4 members of Stafford MRT were routine exercise on Tryfan were informed of an incident by Ogwen MRT. On descending to assist Stafford Pol found one Ogwen member already at the scene. Stafford members then assist with first aid and carry casualty down to a location suitable for helicopter evacuation.
Other SAR Forces involved: Ogwen Valley MRT, 22 Sqn RAF Valley Comments on Equipment: N/A
Statistics: Alerted: 1120……………..Deployed: 1120….On Scene: 1135….Stood Down: 1325 Total Man Hours: 36 hrs
Mileages (statute): 1	Vehicle: N/A		Registration:	Mileage:
Total Mileage: Numbers of Personnel on task: Current team strength: Remarks:		Nil 4 25 Nil
. . . Date:					Signature: Name: Rank: Appointment	Emsley Sgt NCO I/C MRT
Distribution: External: Action: MOD SAR 1b/ILR (RAF) HQ SC Attn Sqn Ldr Air NRCC Attn OC SRCC Attn OC Information: RAF Kinloss …………………………Attn MRT Leader RAF Leuchars ……………………..Attn MRT Leader RAF Linton-on-Ouse …………..Attn MRT Leader RAF St Athan ……………………..Attn MRT Leader RAF Valley ………………………….Attn MRT Leader Internal: Information: Stn Cdr S Admin O CRO OC MRT File: SFD/2851/MRT

13 – 15 May 1988
Base:	Watermillock
Team Out:	Emsley, Ellis, Brettell, Henderson, Youde, Thomas, Smith, Caulton, Musgrave, Roberts, Shaw, Hornby, Allen.
Saturday 7 May 1988
Hotel 1	Shepherds Crag:
	Emsley, Caulton, Shaw, Youde.
		Brown Slabs Face Donkey Ears Hee HaN		140′ 265′ 50′		VD VD VS	. . 5A (top rope)
	Blencathra Via Sharp Edge and Scales Fell
Hotel 2	Smith, Thomas, Henderson, Allen.
	Branstree – Gatescarth Pass – Adam Seat – Harter Fell – Nan Bield Pass – Mardale – III Bell – Thornthwaite Crag – Stone Cove Pike – St Ranens Edge – Kirkstone Pass – Red Screes – Scandale Pass – St Sunday Crag – Birks – Grizedale Bridge.
Hotel 3	Ellis, Roberts, Hornby.
	Hartsop – The Knott – High Street – Kidsty Pike – Rampgill Head – High Raise – Red Crag – Leadpot Hill – Pooley Bridge – Base.
Weather:	Excellent		Cook:		Mick B
Sunday 8 May 1988
Hotel 1	Emsley Caulton Thomas
	Deeddale – Link Cove Gill Grade 3 *** White Slabs Grade 1 Hart Crag
Hotel 2	Ellis Shaw Allen Musgrave Henderson Smith
	Shaw/Allen: .	Fishers Folly Ardus		80’ 130’		VS MS	4C/4B .
	Ellis/Mossy: .	Cresendo Ardus		. 130		VD MS	(First 2 Pitches) .
	Smith/Henderson: . .	Little Chamonix Brown Slabs Brown Slabs Direct		230’ 100‘ ,.		VD VS VD
Hotel 3	Roberts, Youde, Brettell.
	Skiddaw Area
Weather:			Cook:		Hornby

20 – 22 May 1988
Base:	Langorse
Team Out:	Williams, Caulton, Smith, Ellis, Turvey, Henderson, Brisco, Allen, Musgrave, Law, Birkett, Hornby.
Saturday 21 May 1988
Hotel 1	Williams, Turvey, Brisco, Henderson.
	Climbing Llangattock Quarry
Hotel 2	Ellis, Church, Law, Allen.
	Brecon Beacons
Hotel 3	Birkett, Musgrave, Hornby, Caulton.
	Recip of Hotel 2
Weather:		Cook:	Mick B
Sunday 22 May 1988
Hotel 1	Williams, Church, Brisco, Musgrave, Law.
	Tafarn Y Garreg (849171) – Fan Hir – Fan Brychiniog – Waun Leifrith – Twunsund – Carreg Lem – Carreg Goch – Castelkl Y Geifr Tyg.
Hotel 2	Birkett, Turvey, Hornby, Allen.
	Llandebr – Blagn YR Newbert – Disgwyfa – Pen Y Gadair Fawr – Waunfach – Penttruman – Pen Twyn Glas – Pen Alltb Mawr – Pen Cerrig Callm – Llandebr.
Hotel 3	Smith Caulton Henderson
	Llanthony Loxbridge Tump – 604 – 610 – Offas Footpath – 703 – 677 Hay Buff – Gospel Pass – return to Llanthony
Weather:		Cook:	Ellis

27 – 31 May 1988
Base:	Langorse
Team Out:	Emsley, Caulton, Clethero, Ellis, Thomas, Turvey, Cooper, Henderson, Brisco, Musgrave.
Saturday 28 May 1988
All team involved in search exercise on Bleaklow, Ian Ellis as casualty on Grinah Stones who was quickly located and followed by a lengthy carry off. Also involved were Chesterfield Army Cadets who were participating on the D of E Award Scheme.
Eve –	Clethero, Turvey.
		Flapjack S Lyons Corner House Embankment		24 M 35M 30M	MV HVS VS		4A 5A 4B 4B
Weather:			Cook:			Musgrave
Sunday 29 May 1988
All troops involved in rescue/belay techniques at Burbage. Again the Army Cadets were taking part in basic techniques abseiling/prusiking.
Eve –	Clethero, Turvey.
		The Mall Lambeth Chimney		22M 22M	VS MVS		4C 4A
Weather:			Cook:			Clethero
Monday 30 May 1988
Hotel 1	Emsley, Henderson, Brisco, Cooper, Musgrave, Caulton.
	Walked the length of Stanage deviating for navigating exercise late Sunday evening, bivvied on Stanage Edge and returned 1/10 Foxhouse Monday morning.
Hotel 2	Clethero Turvey – Climbing at Stoney, Middleton.
		Thrutch Cointreau		65′ 65′	S VS		3A, 4A 4B
Hotel 3	Jack, Ellis.
	Froggatt Edge (Ranger) Curbur Edge
Weather:			Cook:			Thomas
Monday 30 – 31 May 1988
At 1430 hrs the team were called out by NRCC and 7 team members were airlifted by rescue 125 (Coltishall) to scene (crashed Meteor one POB (fatal) team set up crash guard. Remaining 3 troops drove to scene bringing Bedford, Sigs and Ambulance. Crash site was on waste ground amid housing estate near Coventry Airport, at which the aircraft was due to fly past as part of an air show (this was the last flying Meteor in-service). The team were relieved by RDF Scampton crash guard duty morning and team RTU 1200 hrs.

RAF Stafford Mountain Rescue Team Incident Report Form A
Reference: ………Form R No……………. 352……………………. DTG …… 10718Z Jun 88. Nature of Incident ……….Aircraft Crash Guard Date: 30 May 88……………………. Area: Coventry
Stafford MRT were on exercise in the Peak District when RCC Edinburgh tasked us with crash guard for an aircraft accident in Coventry. 7 team members were airlifted to the scene while the others brought the vehicles down. On arrival at the site cordons were established and debris etc marked to aid crash investigators. A night time patrol and control of entry system was also set up, with the aid of Cosford personnel, due to the proximity of the housing estate and the number of people about. Stafford MRT were relieved by RDF Scampton at 0815Z on 31 May and RTB.
Other SAR Forces involved: Flt 202 Sqd Coltishall Comments on Equipment: Cellphone loaned by Police, proved invaluable. Dayglo TL Vest and armbands very handy when on incidents with many civilian agencies involved as it saves a lot of explanation and time.
Statistics: Alerted: 1300Z……………..Deployed: 1340Z….On Scene: 1420Z….Stood Down: 1000Z Total Man Hours: 282 hrs
Mileages (statute): 1 2 3 4	Vehicle: Bedford AMB RVT Sherpa		Registration: 29 KA 91 88 KE 07 00 AY 16 .	Mileage: 150 143 207 120
Total Mileage: Numbers of Personnel on task: Current team strength:		620 14 25
Remarks: Assistance given by police and fire service both at site and with administration was exceptional and should be formally acknowledged
. . . Date:					Signature: Name: Rank: Appointment	Emsley Sgt SNCO I/C MRT
Distribution: External: Action: MOD SAR 1b/ILR (RAF) HQ SC Attn Sqn Ldr Air NRCC Attn OC SRCC Attn OC Information: RAF Kinloss …………………………Attn MRT Leader RAF Leuchars ……………………..Attn MRT Leader RAF Linton-on-Ouse …………..Attn MRT Leader RAF St Athan ……………………..Attn MRT Leader RAF Valley ………………………….Attn MRT Leader Internal: Information: Stn Cdr S Admin O CRO OC MRT File: SFD/2851/MRT

3 – 5 June 1988
Base:	Llanbedr
Team Out: .	Emsley, Cethero, Thomas, Williams, McKechnie, Smith, Caulton, Henderson, Turvey, Shaw, Allen, Brisco, Youde, Cooper.
Saturday 4 June 1988
Hotel 1	Emsley, Thomas, Henderson, Smith, Caulton.
	645315 – Rhinog Fawr – Rhinog Fach – Graig Y Gut SH 588 – Rhinog Fach – Bwich Yb Rhiwer SH 515 – 632185.
Hotel 2	Clethero, Shaw, Turvey, Allen. – Tremadog
	Clethero Allen	Christmas Curry Great Western Scratch		250′ 220′ 170′	S VS VS		. 4B, 4B, 4C & 4B 4B & 4B
	Shaw Turvey	Grim Wall Shadrach		180′ 170′	VS VS		4B & 4C 4B, 4B & 4C
	Clethero Shaw	Scratch Arête .		200′ .	HVS .		4C & 5A .
Hotel 3	McKechnie, Brisco, Cooper, Youde.
	Recip of Hotel 1
Weather:			Cook:			Williams
Sunday 5 June 1988
Hotel 1	Emsley, Thomas, Turvey, Smith, Shaw.
	Cader Idris
Hotel 2	Clethero, Williams, Cooper, McKechnie, Brisco, Henderson, Coulton, Youde,
	Clethero Henderson	Yogi PMP G String		120′ 230′ 120′	S S HVS		. . 5A & 4C
	Cooper Youde	PMP Y Broga		230′ 140′	S VS		. 5A
	McKechnie Caulton	Bramble Buttress PMP		190′ 230′	VD S
	Williams Brisco .	Oberon Boo Boo Xmas Curry		170′ 200′ 250′	VD VD S
Weather:	Cloudy with sunny spells and warm.		Cook:			Allen

10 – 12 June 1988
Base:	Kirby Malham
Team Out:	Emsley, Clethero, Ellis, Caulton, Youde, Cooper, Allen, Hornby, Brettell, Bristol, Shaw.
Saturday 11 June 1988
Hotel 1	Emsley, Clethero, Caulton, Youde.
	Hill Inn – Ingleborough (Clethero Simon Fell) – Horton in Ribblesdale. Bouldering Gordale Scar.
Hotel 2	Ellis, Cooper, Allen, Hornby. – Climbing Twistleton Scar
	Ellis) Hornby) .	Night Club Left-hand Crack Skeleton Scoop		25′ 25′ 30′	VD VD HVD
	Ellis ) Allen)	Just Looking .		30′ .	S .
	Ellis ) Cooper ) Allen )	The Candle . .		35′ . .	HVS . .		(top rope) . .
Eve	Climbing Gordale Scar
	Clethero) Shaw )	Totoe .		23M .	VS .		4C & 4C .
Hotel 3	Brettell, Brisco.
	Peny Ghent – Whernside – Ingleborough (5 hrs)
Weather:			Cook:			Phil Shaw
Sunday 12 June 1988
Hotel 1	Clethero, Shaw, Youde, Brettell, Briscoe. – Climbing Attermire Scar
	Clethero Shaw ) Youde ) .	(1) Fantasy (2) Viper (3) Nettle Crack (4) Hairs Wall		70′ 40′ 45′ 80′	MS MVS VS VS
	Brettell ) Briscoe )	(1) Something (2) Sunburned		30′ .	VD E 10
Hotel 2	Ellis, Allen, Hornby, Cooper.
	Yordas Cave – Gragerath – Greenhill – Crag Hill – Blea Gills – SH 439 – Whernside – Vehicle stop
Weather:			Cook:			Pete Caulton

17 – 19 June 1988
Base:	Hollows F M (Borrowdale)
Team Out: .	Clethero, Williams ,Higgins, Caulton, Ellis, Turvey, Law, Henderson, Hornby, Musgrave, Van Der Lee, Youde, Birkett, Allen, Evans, (Shaw).
Saturday 18 June 1988
Hotel 1	Clethero, Caulton, Evans, Allen.
	Seathwaite – Stockley BR – Grains Gill – Esk Hause – Esk Pike – Bowfell – Shelter Crags – Long Top – Pike of Blisco (new dungeon Gill).
Hotel 2	Williams, Turvey, Hornby, Law.
	Recip of Hotel
Hotel 3	Higgins, Youde, Musgrave.
	Littletown – Maidenmoor (overnight bivvy Fri-Sat) – High Spy – Robinson – High Snab – Littletown. (Techniques during p.m.),
Hotel 4	Ellis, Birkett, Henderson.
	New Dungeon Ghyll – Pavey Ark (Jakes Rake) – Thunacar Top – Langdale Pikes – Stakes Pass – Rosset Pike – Esk Hause – Seathwaite.
Hotel 5	Phil Shaw.
	Gatesgarth – High Crag – High Stile – Red Pike – Starling Dodd – Buttermere
Evening	Clethero, Shaw. – (Monolith Crack)
	Set out to climb at Shepherds Crag, Phil lead 1st pitch VS 4C, he fell and landed badly suffering hairline fracture of his femur.
Later	Jimmy C and Conrad Allen return to climb the route successfully.
Weather:	Very warm, sunny mainly.		Cook:			Van Der Lee
Sunday 19 June 1988
Hotel 1	Clethero, Turvey, Allen, Caulton. – Climbing at Shepherds
	Clethero) Turvey ) . .	Eve Rogue’s Gallery Adam Black Icicle		165′ 235′ 130′ 100′	VS VS VS HVS		4B, 4C & 4B 4C,5A,4B & 4B. 4C & 5A. 5A & 4C *
	Allen ) Caulton )	Crescendo Scorpion		250′ 165′	VD HS
Hotel 2	Williams, Henderson, Ellis, Musgrave.
	Williams ) Henderson)	Ardus Shepherds Chimney		130′ 135′	HS HS		** *
	Ellis ) Musgrave )	Brown Slabs Face Little Chamonix		140′ 230′	VD VD		* **
Hotel 3	Higgins, Van Der Lee, Hornby.
	Wagon at high side – Long Side 733 – Carl Side – Skiddaw 931 – Bakestall – Wagon.
Hotel 4	Burkett, Law, Evans.
	Great Gable, Styhead, Corridor Route, Scarfell and return to Seathwaite.
Weather:	Very warm, humid and sunny spells.		Cook:			Youde

24 – 26 June 1988
Base:	Sparrowpit
Team Out: .	Clethero, Caulton, William, McKechnie, Higgins, Turvey, Brisco, Henderson, Youde, Van Der Lee, Law, Allen, MacLeod.
Saturday 25 June 1988
Hotel 1	Clethero MacLeod, Turvey, Law. – Climbing: Stoney Middleton
	Clethero) Turvey ) . .	Parachute Gabriel Pearly Gates Golden Gates		14M 22M 45M 36M	HS VS VS HVS	4A 4C 4C 5A & 4B ***
	Clethero) Law )	The White Knight Babylon-By-Pass		30M 27M	VD HVS	. 4B (Horrid)
	MacLeod) Law ) MacLeod) Turvey )	Aux Bicyclettes) Lost Horizon Fe Fi Fo Fum .		24M 24M 18M .	VD VD HVS .	. . 5A ** .
Hotel 2	Williams, Henderson, Higgins, Brisco. – Climbing: Froggatt/Burbage
	Williams ) Henderson) , , .	Gamma Sunset Crack Sunset Slab Browns Eliminate Armageddon		12M 10M 12M 14M 14M	VD VS VS E1 E2	. 4B 4B 5B ** (Top Rope) 5C (Top Rope)
	Higgins) Brisco )	Diamond Crack Sunset Crack Sunset Slab Gamma		8M 10M 12M 12M	HS VS VS VD	4B 4B 4B ** .
Hotel 3	Van Der Lee, Caulton, Allen.
	Van Der Lee) Caulton ) . .	Jammed Stone Chimney The Coign Terrace Gully The Chute		7M 20M . 10M .	VD S VD S
	Allen ) Youde) , , , ,	Waterloo Branch The Coign Terrace Gully The Chute Wallend Slab Additive Chimney		14M 20M , 10M 20M 10M	HS S VD S VS VD	, , , , 4B ** ;
Weather:	Sunny but very hazy “Humid”.		Cook:		McKechnie
Clethero) Brisco )	Running Sparrowpit – Edale via Kinder – Crowden tower – Grindsbrook.
Sunday 26 June 1988
Hotel 1	Clethero, Henderson, Van der Lee, Law. – Climbing (1) Millstone Edge (2) Stanage
	Clethero ) Henderson) .	(1) By-Pass Bond Street (2) Flying Buttress Direct		40M 22M 16M	HVS HVS HVS	4B & 5A 5A* 5B***
	Van der Lee) Law ) . .	1) Close Shave Boomerang (2) Crack & Corner Manchester Buttress		30M 24M 15M 15M	S S HVD HS	* * * 4B
Hotel 2	McKechnie MacLeod Turvey Brisco Caulton Youde Allen
	MacLeod) Turvey ) . . . ,	(1) Embankment 2 (2) The Tippler (1) Grotto Slab (1) Crack & Corner (1) Garden Wall (1) Manchester Buttress		. . 18M 15M 14M 15M	VS E1 M HVD HVD HS	4B & 4B * 5B * (Fell Off) ‘ . . 4B
	Allen ) Youde) Van Der Lee) Law )	(1) Manchester Buttress. .</span , ,		15M , , ,	HS , , ,	4B ** , . ,
Weather:	Overcast warm becoming cooler		Cook:		Higgins

&nb

1 – 3 July 1988
Base:	Mungrisedale
Team Out: .	Cethero, Thomas, Caulton, Musgrave, Smith, Williams, Turvey, Starling, Higgins, Hornby, Youde, Henderson, Law.
Saturday 2 July 1988
Hotel 1	Thomas, Caulton, Musgrave, Smith.
	Mosedale – Great Calva – Knott – Great Sca Fell – Great Lingly Fell – High Pike – Carrock Fell.
Hotel 2	Williams, Turvey, Allen, Starling.
	Base – Souther Fell – Sharp Edge – Blencathra – Lons – Cale Fell – Little Man – Skiddaw – Bakestall – Little Calva – Knott – High Pike – Calebreck.
Hotel 3	Higgins, Hornby, Youde.
	GR 90/347356 Calebreck – High Pike – Great Lingy Hill – Comb Height – Knott – Great Scafell – Great Calva – Lower – Man – Skiddaw – Blencathra Centre.
Hotel 4	Clethero, Henderson. – (Saunders Mountain Marathon Day 1)
	Taking part in two day fell race covering the Fairfield area and Hellvellyn area arrived at Mid-way camp 15th. *CK Points: GR 383163 – 377142 – 387111 – 373112 – 363106 – 326165 – 363184 – midway camp GR 371208
Weather:	Showers in the morning, cloudy with sunny spells remainder.				Cook:	Andy Law “Hamish”

Sunday 3 July 1988
Hotel 1	Thomas, Youde, Hornby, Caulton, Musgrave.
	Glough Head –Calfhow Pike – Great Dodd – Stybarrow Dodd – Raise – Glenrid. (Striding Edge – Helvellyn)
Hotel 2	Williams, Allan. – Climbing at Raven’s Crag Langdale
		Centipede Savernake Holly Tree Wall	. 255′ 190′	. Severe (Mild) VS
Hotel 3	Higgins, Smith, Starling, Law.
	Recip of Hotel 1 via Striding Edge – Helvellyn
Hotel 4	Clethero, Henderson.
	Up at 0630 hrs, breakfast of musli and race start at 0800 hrs, crossed finishing line in 12th position. CK Points: Midway Camp GR 371208 – GR 354228 – GR 347177 – GR 343160 – GR 358169 – finish Ullswater hotel grounds GR 387171.
Weather:	Bright and sunny early becoming dull and showers later.				Cook:	Kev Turvey

8 – 10 July 1988
Base:	Foxhouse Inn
Team Out:	Emsley, Caulton, Hornby, Starling, Ellis, Birkett, Law, Allen, Higgins, Henderson, Briscoe.
Saturday 9 July 1988
All troops set off from Foxhouse on Saturday morning to Leconfield to exercise With ‘E’ Flt 202 Sqn (Sea Kings).
The troops were shown around chopper then boarded with rotors turning, were winched down then winched up and finally hover jump.
Weather:		Cook:	Steve “Jai” Henderson
Saturday 10 July 1988
Hotel 1	Emsley, Higgins, Birkett, Caulton, Hornby, Law, Allen, Stalin, Brisco.
	Techniques: Vertical lower Tension cableway Pulleys
Hotel 2	Ellis Henderson
	Curbur Edge – Froggatt Edge – Longshaw – Bothy
Weather:		Cook:	Dave Briscoe

15 – 17 July 1988
Base:	Editor – No Base Stated
Team Out: ,	Clethero, Higgins, Cooper, Hornby, Starling, Emsley, Caulton, Shaw, Brisco, Youde, Busgrave, Smith, Birkett, Henderson, Law.
Saturday 16 July 1988
Hotel 1	Emsley, Shaw, Smith, Birkett.
		Ordinary Route Charity Hargreaves Slab	450′ 450′ 80′	VD VD VD
Hotel 2	Clethero, Brisco, Henderson, Caulton, Starling.
	14 Peaks – “Failed”
Hotel 3	Higgins, Hornby, Youde, Musgrave, Law.
	Editor – No Route Stated
Weather:	Gopping				Cook:	Cooper
Sunday 17 July 1988
Hotel 1	Emsley Caulton Law Henderson
	Nav ex in Moelwyns
Hotel 2	Clethero, Smith, Brisco, Youde, Musgrave.
	Snowdon Ranger Hostel – Cloggy Ridge – Snowdon – Pen Y Pass.
Hotel 3	Higgins, Birkett, Cooper, Starling, Shaw.
	Snowdon (interesting)
Weather:	Gopping				Cook:	Hornby

22 – 24 July 1988
Base:	Tan Y Pistyll
Team Out: .	Clethero, McKechnie, McLeod, Ellis, Smith, Shaw, Youde, Cooper, Turvey, Brisco, Henderson, Musgrave, Van Der Lee, Starling.
Saturday 23 July 1988
Hotel 1	Clethero, Cooper, Shaw, Van Der Lee.
	Corwen – Liberty Hall – Moelm Fferna – Memorial, SH 527 – Cadair Bronwen – Cadair Berwyn – Moel Sych – Base.
Hotel 2	McKechnie, Musgrave, Turvey, Brisco.
	Recip of Hotel 1
Hotel 3	McLeod, Henderson.
	Climbing at Craig Y Forwen
Hotel 4	Ellis, Starling, Youde.
	Base – SH 682 – Godor – Moel Yr Ewig – Cadair Berwyn – Moel Sych – SH 706 – Post Gwyn – Base.
Weather:	Clear spells with many showers	Cook:	Smith – Spaghetti Bolognaise
Sunday 24 July 1988
Hotel 1	Clethero, McLeod, McKechnie, Van Der Lee, Brisco, Musgrave, Turvey ,Henderson, Starling, Youde.
	Crag techniques – several runs of horizontal stretcher lowering, all involved swapping around “Nil natural belays ground stakes used”.
Hotel 2	Shaw, Smith.
	Rhos – Mynydd Tarw – Foel Wen – Tomle – Cadair Berwyn –Moel Sych – Liyn Liuncaws – base.
Weather:		Cook:	Ellis
Doing Nothing	Cooper: – Too lazy to go on the hill!

29 – 31 July 1988
Base:	Crook Farm
Team Out:	Emsley, Smith, Shaw, Birkett, Youde, Allen, Musgrave, Law, Hornby, Champion (Trialist), Starling.
Saturday 29 July 1988
Hotel 1	Emsley, Law, Starling, Batson (Linton).
	Coniston – Levers Water – Little How Grade 2 xxx – Coniston Old Man – Coniston.
Hotel 2	Smith, Shaw, Allen, Hornby.
	Torver – Walna Scar – Dow – Crag – Coniston Old Man – Little How – Levers Water – Coniston – Torver.
Hotel 3	Birkett, Youde, Champion.
	Wetherlam – Swirl How – Old Man – Dow Crag – Buck Pike – Brown Pike – Torver.
Weather:	Gales and rain	Cook:	Musgrave
Sunday 31 July 1988
All troops to Cathedral Cavern for a techniques session.
Weather:		Cook:	Aller
RTU by 2130 hrs

Expedition Report Annex E

Objectives

The primary objects of the expedition was to provide members of the RAF Stafford Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) with high altitude mountaineering training in the Pennine Alps of Switzerland. This was to take the form of crevasse rescue techniques, glacier navigation and we hoped would culminate in the ascent of Monte Roza (15, 008ft), the Matterhorn (14, 550 ft) and the Weisshorn (14, 868 ft). What we actually achieved, through good fortune with the weather and the lads fitness and endurance was, in addition to the techniques and navigation training, ascents of the following mountains, all above 4000m in height:

Monte Roza 15, 008 ft

Weisshorn 14, 868 ft

Matterhorn 14, 550 ft

Zinalrothorn 13, 718 ft

Breithorn 13, 533 ft

In all we climbed 71, 677 ft of alpine mountains, though if the individual efforts of each climber is taken into account the sum total actually comes to 399, 949 ft. It seems that after the 1st bite of the Apple there was no stopping the lads whose enthusiasm throughout was superb and teamwork was first-class.

Transport

This was provided in the form of 3 Sherpas (civilianised) 2 of which were freight Rovers and the 3rd was a passenger variant. With the 8 drivers we were able to make very good progress to and from Switzerland with the drivers being able to rest every 2 – 3 hours.

The vehicles and passengers were transported across the English channel from Dover – Calais – Dover by P & O ferries on 30 Jul and 13 Aug 88.

Finance

A breakdown of expenditure is sshown in Annexes C and D. Zermatt is a key location for alpine climbing and the Swiss have taken excellent commercial advantage of this! The CILOR rate was found to be insufficient to meet the requirements of the expedition and the SIF grant went quite some way to alleviate this problem. Mountain huts were likewise very expensive though this was offset to some degree by the expedition members being members of the RAF Mountaineering Association and holders of Reciprocal Rights Cards.

Medical

a comprehensive medical pack-up was taken with the expedition. Beside the usual abrasion and minor stomach ailments the only other illness suffered by members of the expedition was altitude sickness. With its accompanying headaches and nausea it was quite an uncomfortable experience for those concerned, though it was noticeably felt more by the younger (18 – 21 years of age) element of the expedition – testimony to the generally held opinion that the older you are the more adjustable your body (good news for the golden – oldies on the expedition!). Those who did suffer were put on a course of high-intake iron tablets.

E – 1

Accommodation

Base camp was housed in the Swiss camp site (the only campsite for that matter) in Zermatt. Quite an expensive site to stay in but with the 5 tents we took a long we enjoyed quite a comfortable time.

Diary of Events

The following is a day by day diary of the expedition’s activities:

30/31 Jul 88. After driving to Dover the expedition was ferried across to Calais, arriving at 1300 local on 30 Jul 88. The night of the 30/31 Jul was spent in the village of Pontarlier on the Swiss/French border. The border was crossed early the following morning and the expedition arrived in Zermatt at about 1300. The rest of the day was spent in setting up the base camp, shopping etc. With the expedition members feeling quite fresh after the journey and with the promise of reasonable weather for the next couple of days the decision was taken to move up to the Rothorn Hut and the Weisshorn Hut the following day.

1/2 Aug 88. Williams, Higgins, Brisco, Henderson and Cooper left for the village of Randa in the early afternoon of the 1 Aug and from there started the long walk in to the Weisshorn Hut. The hut is situated on the edge of the Schali Glacier, directly below the Wiesshorn and the walk in takes about 3 to 4 hours from Randa – quite a thirsty walk on a warm afternoon!:

“That afternoon the lads were taken through crevasse rescue techniques on the glacier and a recce was carried out of the initial stages of the route we proposed (E ridge) Wiesshorn The initial stages appeared to justify its grading of PD (Peu Difficile) and seemed well within the troops capabilities. The lads bedded down at about 1900.

The hut warden wakens at 0200 after a pretty restless night – high winds rocked the hut all night and anticipation of what was to come no doubt added to the insomnia!

The group was on its way by 0300 and made very good progress across the Schali Glacier, through a rock band at Pt 3145m and then up a steep, broad colouir to the foot of another rock band at about the 3450m point.

The rock band was quite interesting to say the least! Verglas had formed on the rocks and this made climbing quite delicate for the grade though the two parties (Williams/Brisco/Henderson and Higgins/Cooper) still managed to reach the 3500 m about 2½ hours after leaving the hut.

Several parties were in the Weisshorn Hut the night before with the same intentions as ourselves, however we were the 2nd party away from the hut and it wasn’t till the last moment that we realised why the head torches crossing the glacier below were now turning back to the hut.

Bad weather was sweeping in quickly from the west (out of our sight) and hit us quite suddenly. The mist dropped quite quickly and with thunder above us the fresh snow falling on the ridge above we took the decision to abandon the climb at about the 11, 900 ft point. The decision proved to be the right one as within 1 hour the mountain was embroiled in one first-class example of an alpine thunder storm.

The group returned to the hut and made its way back to Zermatt. A bit of a disappointment but discretion was the better part of valour!”

E – 2

Clethero, Ellis, Turvey and Van Der Lee had proposed to carry out crevasse rescue techniques on the glacier next to the Rothorn Hut and client the SE Ridge of Zinalrothorn the following morning (2 Aug):

“After a horrible walk to the hut (approx 4 hours) the troops booked themselves into their rooms and sorted out kit for a 0400 start. On arrival at the hut Kev Turvey was suffering from nausea, quickly followed by Ian Ellis and myself (Jimmy). Crevasse rescue techniques were carried out in the afternoon and the troops bedded down at about 2000 for the night.

At 0400 we all quickly got dressed and had breakfast. Kev Turvey was feeling far too ill and went back to bed and the rest of us kitted up and set off at 0445. The first section was an ascent of the Rothorn Glacier followed by a traverse over rock barriers and upper snow slopes. Ian soon succumbed to the altitude bug and after a bit of deliberation decided to return to the hut. With Karl and myself feeling okay we pushed on to the main ridge and after 2½ hours we hit the ridge proper. The going was quite easy for about 30 mins – along a snow crest before a series of rock outcrops forced us to start belaying each other.

After crossing the rock outcrops the route now take us into the south face which initially was very loose and dodgy underfoot requiring a reasonable amount of concentration. We now headed for a steep colouir/gully which we climbed on its left side on very good stable rock. The climbing has quite a lot of insitu protection in the form of pitons and slings.

An hour or so after passing the first rock outcrops we started being hit by very fresh winds before we reached the Gabel Notch. We were now back on the SE Ridge and from here excellent rockclimbing and scrambling took us on to the summit (with one or 2 very exposed traverse around rock pinnacles).

The view from the top was excellent though bad weather was closing in quite quickly from the west. The return journey was the same route we took in ascent and required many abseils and much concentration and 1½ hours after leaving the summit we were greeted back at the hut by Ian and Kev who had spent the morning practicing snow and ice climbing and alpine techniques on the Rothorn Glacier.”

4 Aug 88. The plan for today for Williams, Higgins, Cooper, Briscoe and Henderson was an ascent of Breithorn on the Swiss/Italian border, SE of Zermatt . The peak is 13, 533 ft high and we plan to climb it via its S Face and Ridge (graded PD):

“The route involved a 5 km walk in across the Breithorn Plateau which proved to be quite a navigation tester. The group found itself navving in white – out conditions through crevassed area on the plateau and we reached the 3830 m point at about 1145 where the face started.

The snow in the first few hundred feet was very doughy and crampons were balling up every half a dozen steps. This changed higher up however to good neve snow.

The lads were feeling the altitude by now (with Dave Briscoe giving a fine impression of a zombie!). The climbing was excellent and the two parties (Williams/Brisco/Henderson and Higgins/Cooper) reached the summit at about 1245.”

E – 3

4/6 Aug 88. The plan for Jimmy’s group was an ascent of the Weisshorn and after sorting out initial problems at the Tourist Office (ei Karl booking the group into the Weisshorn Hotel (Zermatt!) Rather than the Weisshorn Hutt!!) They set off at 1245 for the Rail Station:

“We arrived at Weisshorn Hut after about 3 hours walk in from Randa and once settled down we had some supper and went to bed. At 0200 we woke up and made for the dining room which was also being used as a bedroom due to a full house. We quickly ate breakfast and within 30 mins of getting up we were on our way.

We crossed the Schali Glacier and soon after crossing our first obstruction, a rock barrier, we reached the broad colouir, we climbed up this deep colouir, over another rock band (the same which was verglassed on Kev’s attempt) and headed towards the large colouir at the foot of the E ridge. Every other party was making for a large buttress coming down from Pt 3916, instead of this we opted for a more defined ridge left of a large snow filled gully which gave good climbing onto the E ridge and then 3 rope pitches brought us onto Pt 3916 proper.

Kev Turvey and I carried on, with Ian and Karl close behind. The next section was to be the most difficult of the day, a section of a large rock towers (gendarmes), the section about 600m in length took the best part of two hours to overcome, belaying each other the whole way.

Kev was beginning to feel the pinch by now and required lots of encouragement. The final 500m which was steep snow gave good climbing in a spectacular situation, both was beginning to feel the altitude by now having to stop regularly to catch our breathes. After one more steep snow/ice pitch we could see the summit and a few minutes later sat down on the summit which was marked by a metal crucifix.

After a good rest and admiration of the views all round we sorted ourselves out and began the descent, belaying each other over the difficult sections and they gave way to easier ground. We met Ian and Karl a little way below the top and after a quick chat and a drink carried on down. A couple of hours later we reached the Weisshorn Hut.

Ian and Karl arrived back after an 18-hour day we bedded down in the hut again, we return to Zermatt the following day.

6/7 Aug 88. The plan for Kev’s group for these two days was to ascent of the Matterhorn (14, 550 ft) the route intended was the Hornli Ridge, a PD climb which was notorious for overcrowding and stonefall. Not notorious………………… (cannot work out words) Editor

“after spending the night of the 6 Aug in the Hornli Hut we set off at 0415. The guidebook for the route proved to be quite ambiguous. There were many variations to the route described and they have seen to be climbers everywhere. Now this wasn’t too much of a problem until the key passages on the route had to be climbed and everyone started to converge on these passages.

We had to wait about 1½ hours below the Solvay Refuge Hut while other parties climbed the Mossley Slab and this proved to be the case on all the major pitches of the climb. Parties were overloading the abseil/belay stakes and fixed ropes and safety seemed to be of a very low priority to them – it was an MRT nightmare – plenty of perspective business. Several of our party were hit on the helmets by rocks kicked down by careless parties above when you had to develop your own soft-shoe shim-sham to avoid being hit!”

E – 4

“we were well behind schedule by the time we reached the shoulder (13, 812 ft). The shoulder had a broad snowfield across it (about Grade II in Scotland) and this was in very poor condition, what with the number of climbers on it and the effects of the sun – classic avalanche conditions – with quite an exciting surf–ride promised down the north face if it did go!

The time by now was 1245 and although we had only 700 ft to go to the summit we decided to try again another day using different tactics. The fixed ropes sections above others were strewn with climbers all jostling their way up and down – dozens of accidents waiting to happen.

So, we turned back and, after an epic descent (shim – shamming away from the falling rocks all the way we arrived back at the Hornli Hut at 1930. A beautiful Hill from a distance but a bit of a rubble heap when you’re on it, we could still pick out climbers coming down from the summit at about 1800!

We reached Zermatt at 2130 – very tired physically and mentally. All our problems centred on the number of people on the route – many of whom were ill-equipped (some wearing jeans and plimsolls!), With lack of knowledge and technique. The guide told us later that there was talk of restricting the number of climbers on the mountain because of the stone fall damage – good idea we say to that, what about some traffic lights?”

9/10 Aug. After a bit of discussion on how best to use up our last few days and how best to have another crack at the Matterhorn we decided on the following

Myself and Richie were to have a crack at the W ridge of Monte Roza (at 15, 008 ft the highest mountain in Switzerland and the second highest in W Europe).
Jimmy Clethero/Steve Henderson, Peter Higgins/Kev Turvey and Ian Ellis/Karl Van Der Lee were to have another attempt at the Hornli Ridge, though, learning from our problems on the previous attempt they would now break up the climb into 2 stages, up to the Solvay Refuge Hut in the afternoon and from there to the top 1st thing in the morning:

Monte Roza. “Richie and I, after spending the night in the Monte Roza Hut we set off on our climb at 0245. The route involved quite a complicated navigation section at the bottom as we had to find our way through a very heavily crevassed snowfield – which proved quite interesting in the dark – and this opened out to the bottom of a large glacier cwm.

The climbing was excellent, there were only a handful of parties on the route (all with good manners!) And we moved quite fast along the route which up until 4359m point involved mainly snow climbing at about Grade 1 standard.

At 0930 we reached the Sattel and from here we ascended (leading through each other) a magnificent mixed rock/snow ridge with exhilarating exposure, in some places about 2,000 ft to the glacier below. The ridge was knife-edged in some places and a few tight–rope walker impressions came out, made by circus music from those not climbing!

The last picture of the climb involved a 20 ft rock climbing pitch of about V Diff standard and this pitch (in the form of a chimney) led direct on to the summit which we reached at 1130. Brilliant climbing conditions

E – 5

on a glorious day with superb views for 100s of miles around made it a day to be remembered. We even met someone from Llanberis in North Wales on the summit (it’s a small world!).

We descended the same route and arrived back at the Monte Roza Hut at about 1600 and finally arrived back at Zermatt at 1900.”

Matterhorn. “We left Zermatt just after Kev and Richie (at about lunchtime) and made our way up to the Hornli Hut. After a quick break here we carried on up to the Solvay Refuge Hut just below the Shoulder and settled down for the night.

The hut proved quite a reasonable night’s sleep even though we had to share it with a few Japanese climbers and set off about 0500 the following morning.

The climbing above proved to be quite exhilarating with the exposure though we had obviously chosen the right alternative plan because we could see the crowds racing up below us. The three parties reached the summit between 0800 and 0930, stopping for just a little while to touch the Italian summit cross, take a few pictures, admire the views and then get off before the rock knockers got up!

To add credence to its reputation we witnessed a helicopter rescue a bit lower down from was – the casualty appeared to have injured his leg and the helicopter was in and out before you could say ‘Jack Robinson’.

Our descent proved to be just as hard as the previous attempt – there seemed to be a constant fall of stones from above with people just not paying attention to their footwork and we arrived back at the hut at about 1600 – quite tired and with quite a few scratches on our helmets!

We stayed at the hut only to get changed quickly and got back to the base camp shortly before Kev and Richie. A memorable view from the top but very hard work physically and mentally.”

The last few days were spent resting, tidying up the base camp, sorting out kit etc. After a last night’s hearty meal (with the odd beer of course) on Thu 11 Aug we packed up the vehicles and left on the Friday lunchtime. After an uneventful journey across continent we finally arrived back at Stafford late on the Saturday.

A fantastic two weeks, a real eye-opener to the lads who’ve never been to the Alps before and an experience never to be forgotten. Thanks lads for a great time and for pulling your weight!

E – 6

Annex F

Expedition Photographs

Photo No Description

1 & 2 The Breithorn (13, 533 ft). As seen from Rotinboden (on a clear day!). The route taken is out of view behind the side seen in the photograph but the last few hundred feet followed the ridge on the right-hand skyline to the dome shaped summit.

3 & 4 White-out conditions on the Breithorn Plateau made navigation quite complex and very time-consuming.

5 & 6 The summit (but no view!). Top photo shores Pete Higgins and Richie Cooper, the bottom shores Dave Briscoe, Sweep, Kev W and Steve Henderson.

7 Monte Roza (15, 008 ft). The initial few hundred metres through the heavily crevassed zone now passed with the start of the first cwm in the background.

8 The start of the summit ridge from the sattel, easy climbing before the real difficulties begin.

9 Richie Cooper on the mixed rock/snow ridge leading to the summit.

10 View from the ridge – the Grenz Glacier 6,000 ft below with the Matterhorn’s east face in view in the top left distance.

11 The summit tower, about 500 m away.

12 Our Llanberis acquaintance, Sweep and Kev Williams on the middle section of the ridge.

13 Richie on the summit.

14 The Breithorn, Matterhorn and Dent Blanche seen left to right in the photograph from Monte Roza.

15 Kev Williams on the summit – second highest mountain in W Europe, highest in Switzerland.

17 The Matterhorn (14,550 ft). Seen from Zermatt, the route followed is the ridge facing the camera, well-defined with the north face in shadow on the right.

18 High on the Hornli ridge on the first attempt, photograph taken just below the Solvay Refuge Hut. Zermatt in the Green Valley in the distance.

19 Kev Williams and Steve Henderson at the Solvay Hut – so far many cues and many scratches on the helmets from falling rocks!

F – 1

Photo No Description

20 Kev Williams and Richie on the Matterhorn.

21 Zinalrothorn (13,718 ft). Karl Van Der Lee approaching the summit after an absorbing rock climb.

22 Karl abseiling back down the route from the summit.

23 & 24 Weisshorn (14,868 ft). Kev Turvey on the E Ridge.

25 Jimmy Clethero on the summit of Weisshorn.

26 Matterhorn (2nd attempt). Steve Henderson following Jimmy Clethero up the snowfield on the shoulder of the Hornli Ridge.

27 The final rock step before the summit ridge.

28 Steve Henderson and Jimmy Clethero on the Matterhorn summit with the Union Jack (smatterings of Tenzing & Hillary – oops, sorry Steve!). The other two parties not far behind.

29 The Team:

Back 3: Steve Henderson, Dave Briscoe, Kev Williams

Middle 4: Jim Clethero, Richie Cooper, Kev Turvey, Ian Ellis

Front 3: Karl Van Der Lee, Pete Higgins, Clive Young

Missing Presumed Drunk:

F – 2

F-3

3 & 4 White-out conditions on the Breithorn Plateau made navigation quite complex and very time-consuming.

F-4

5 & 6 The summit (but no view!). Top photo shores Pete Higgins and Richie Cooper, the bottom shores Dave Briscoe, Sweep, Kev W and Steve Henderson

F-5

Monte Roza (15, 008 ft). The initial few hundred metres through the heavily crevassed zone now passed with the start of the first cwm in the background.

The start of the summit ridge from the sattel, easy climbing before the real difficulties begin.

F-6

Richie Cooper on the mixed rock/snow ridge leading to the summit

View from the ridge – the Grenz Glacier 6,000 ft below with the Matterhorn’s east face in view in the top left distance.

F-7

The summit tower, about 500 m away

Our Llanberis acquaintance, Sweep and Kev Williams on the middle section of the ridge.

F-8

Richie on the summit.

The Breithorn, Matterhorn and Dent Blanche seen left to right in the photograph from Monte Roza.

F-9

Kev Williams on the summit – second highest mountain in W Europe, highest in Switzerland.

F-10

The Matterhorn (14,550 ft). Seen from Zermatt, the route followed is the ridge facing the camera, well-defined with the north face in shadow on the right

High on the Hornli ridge on the first attempt, photograph taken just below the Solvay Refuge Hut. Zermatt in the Green Valley in the distance.

F-11

Kev Williams and Steve Henderson at the Solvay Hut – so far many queues and many scratches on the helmets from falling rocks!

Kev Williams and Richie on the Matterhorn

F-20

Zinalrothorn (13,718 ft). Karl Van Der Lee approaching the summit after an absorbing rock climb.

Karl abseiling back down the route from the summit.

F-13

23 & 24 Weisshorn (14,868 ft). Kev Turvey on the E Ridge.

Jimmy Clethero on the summit of Weisshorn.

Matterhorn (2nd attempt). Steve Henderson following Jimmy Clethero up the snowfield on the shoulder of the Hornli Ridge.

F-15

The final rock step before the summit ridge

Steve Henderson and Jimmy Clethero on the Matterhorn summit with the Union Jack (smatterings of Tenzing & Hillary – oops, sorry Steve!). The other two parties not far behind.

F-16

The Team:
Back 3: Steve Henderson, Dave Briscoe, Kev Williams
Middle 4: Jim Clethero, Richie Cooper, Kev Turvey, Ian Ellis
Front 3: Karl Van Der Lee, Pete Higgins, Clive Young
Missing Presumed Drunk: Sweep

F-17

5 – 7 August 1988
Base:	Sparrowpit
Team Out: .	Roberts, Law, Watt (visitor), Starling, Allen, Youde, Nation (visitor), Smith, Shaw, Birkett, (Bridgwater & Champion) Trialists.
Saturday 6 August 1988
Hotel 1	Roberts, Law, Watt.
	Wildboar Clough – Bleaklow – Snake Pass – Kinder –Edale Head – Barber Booth.
Hotel 2	Birkett, Nation, Youde.
	Recip H1
Hotel 3	Smith Champion Bridgewater
	Hagg Side – Back Tor – Featherbed Moss – Margery Hill – Slippery Stones – Track Round Derwent – Hagg Side.
Hotel 4	Shaw, Allen. – Stanage
		Rusty Crack Via Media Fern Crack Chute Wall End Slab R/H Trinity Central Trinity	HVS VS VS S VS HS .		5B . . . . . .
Weather:				Cook:		Starling
Sunday 7 August 1988
All troops to Burbage for climbing and techniques.
Weather:				Cook:		Youde

12– 14 August
Base:	Llanfihangel
Team Out: .	Emsley, Birkett, Smith, Shaw, Thomas, Fretz, Starling, Law, Youde, Hornby, Musgrave, Allwen, Champion, Nightingale.
Saturday 6 August 1988
Hotel 1	Emsley, Nightingale, Starling, Shaw, Law.
	Cmm Gwdi – Pen Y Fan – Corn Du – Obelisk – Champion Storey Arms – Fan Fawr – FanLlia.
Hotel 2	Thomas, Youde, Hornby’s, Musgrave, Birkett, Allen.
	Recip H1 and Fan Nedd and Fan Gyhyrich.
Weather:	Wet and windy	Cook:	Fretz
Sunday 7 August 1988
Hotel 1	Emsley, Shaw, Youde, Allen, Law.
	036235 – Bryn Teg – Cribin – Fan Y Big – Craig Cwarelli – Hornby Craig Pwllfa – Twyn Du – 103206
Hotel 2	Birkett, Starling, Champion, Nightingale, Musgrave.
	Recip H1 without Gribin
Hotel 3	Smith, Fretz.
	Overnight bivvy then walk over fans and Pen Y Fan to Wagon
Weather:	Strong winds, very wet	Cook:	Dip Thomas

19 – 21August
Base:	Trepriw
Team Out:	Thomas, Musgrave, Turvey, Ellis, Caulton, Cooper, Nightingale (Trialist), Allan, Starling, Henderson.
Saturday 20 August 1988
Hotel 1	All troops
	Cwm Perfedd – Myndd Perfedd – Foel Goch – Y Garn – Glyder Fawr – Fach – Gallt Yr Ogof – Capel.
Weather:		Duty Driver	Henderson	Cook:	P Caulton
Sunday 21 August 1988
Hotel 1	All troops
	Tin Can Alley for climbing/techniques.
Weather:		Duty Driver	Nightingale	Cook:	R Cooper

26 – 30 August 1988
Base:	August Grant – Arrochar Alps – Scotland
Team Out: .	Clethero, Higgins, Ellis, Shaw, Caulton, Henderson, Musgrave, Van Der Lee, Law, Youde, Eggerton, Nightingale, Turvey, Starling, Allen.
Saturday 27 August
Hotel 1	Clethero, Musgrave, Allen, Law, Eggerton.
	Beinn Bhvidhe
Hotel 2	Higgins, Henderson, Caulton, Youde, Nightingale.
	Ben Vorlich
Hotel 3	Ellis, Shaw, Turvey, Starling
	Ben Lomond
Weather:	Heavy Showers	Duty Driver	Cook:	Van Der Lee
Sunday 28 August
Hotel 1	Clethero, Caulton, Nightingale, Allen, Van Der Lee.
	Beinglas Farm – Beinn Chabhair – Beinn A’ – Chorin – An Caisteal – GR 370240
Hotel 2	Higgins, Shaw, Eggerton, Youde, Starling
	Ben Vane
Hotel 3	Ellis, Henderson, Turvey, Musgrave.
	GR 370240 – An Caisteal – GR 370240
Weather:	Heavy Showers	Duty Driver	Cook:	Law
Monday 29 August
Hotel 1	Clethero, Henderson, Starling, Eggerton.
	Succoth – Ben Arthur (The Cobbler) Beinn Narnain
Hotel 2	Higgins, Law, Allen, Youde.
	Succoth – Beinn Narnain – Beinn Ime.
Hotel 3	Ellis, Caulton, Nightingale, Musgrave, Turvey.
	Ben Vane
Weather:	As usual – Heavy Showers	Duty Driver	Cook:	Shaw/Van Der Lee
Tuesday 30 August
After breakfast troops cleared Bothy and team return to Stafford.
Weather:	Guess? Yes heavy showers	Duty Driver	Cook:	Higgins

2 – 4 September 1988
Base:	Llanberis
Team Out:	Clethero, Ellis, Shaw, Caulton, Turvey, Musgrave, Allen, Higgins, Eggerton.
Saturday 3 September 1988
Hotel 1	Clethero, Cooper
	Oggy Teashack – llyn Bochlwyd – Glyder Fach Main Cliff – Direct Route 300′ HS – Glyder fach Y Grybin Ridge.
Hotel 2	Ellis, Shaw, Musgrave.
	Moel Lefin – Moel Hebog – Garnedd Goch – Craig Cwm Silyn – Petes Eats.
Hotel 3	Higgins, Caulton, Allen, Eggerton.
	Creigiau Gleison 687
Weather:		Duty Driver	Cook:	Turvey 0745 – 0800 hrs
Sunday 4 September 1988 Bike Race
Hotel 1	Clethero, Turvey, Eggerton, (Kid Currie).
	Manning checkpoint on summit of Snowdon Penny Y Pass – Pyg Track – Snowdon – Llanberis Path.
Stafford “A Team” – Ellis, Higgins, Shaw.
	Ian dropped out at Snowdon summit with snaggy knee, Pete Higgins dropped out shortly afterwards with thigh injury. Phil crossed finishing line 2 hrs 30 mins.
Stafford “B Team” – Musgrave, Caulton, Allen.
	All team finished together with a time of 2 hrs 30 mins.
Weather:	Windy and cloudy above 2,500′	Duty Driver	Cook:	Cooper – breakfast only (luncheon out at Vaynol Arms)

9 – 11 September 1988
Base:	Dent
Team Out: .	Thomas, Ellis, Turvey, Musgrave, Williams, Shaw, Cooper, Eggerton (PMC Trachy), McLoed, Roberts, Caulton, Briscoe, Youde.
Saturday 10 September 1988 – All troops climbing at Pot Scar
	Thomas Turvey . .	Purple Slab Freizor Rebate Equity	55 ft 25 ft 35 ft 50 ft	S + S + VD+ S +
	Shaw Eggerton . .	Meek and Mild Overdose Equity Rebate		VS VS S VD	4C 4C . .
	McLeod Briscoe . . . . . . .	Vetch Dry Wall Cannabis Potholiers Proddliz Morts Crack Mivana The Pusher Meek and Mild Ringing Groove		VS VS VS VS VS VS VS VS HVS	5A . 4C . . . 4C 4C .
	Ellis Caulton . .	Celtic Wall Ash Tree Corner (Variation) Cumfrey Raguort Crack	5M 19 M 8M 19 M	VS VD+ HS S	5A . . .
	Williams Musgrave . . .	Periwinkle Pinnacle Wall Centic Wall Cannabis The Pusher	. . 5M . .	VS VS VS VS VS	4C 4C 5A 4C 4C
	Cooper Youde .	Dodger Rebate Purple Slab	40ft 35ft 55ft	VD S S
Weather:		Duty Driver		Cook:	Roberts
Sunday 11 September 1988
Hotel 1	Thomas Turvey . . .	Night Club Just Looking Left Hand Crack Skeleton Scoop Broken White		VD S VD VD VD
	McLeod Musgrave . .	Twisleton Crack Sickle Arête Superiority Priority Direct		VS VS VS .
	Ellis Eggerton .	Just Looking Skeleton Scoop Broken White		S VD VD
	Shaw Caulton . .	Zero Wall Twilight Zone Twisleton Crack Breakaway		HS S VS HS
Hotel 2	Williams, Roberts, Youde, Cooper.
	Navex – East Baugh Fell
Weather:		Duty Driver		Cook:	Briscoe (not much eaten)

16 – 18 September 1988
Base:	Sparrowpit
Team Out:	Thomas, Higgins, Youde, Starling, Clethero, Allan, Henderson, McLeod, Caulton, Brisco.
Saturday 17 September 1988
Hotel 1 . . . .	Thomas Briscoe McLeod Allan	Retired due to slight fall Looking through Garky Gibsons eyes Minestrone Parmiz		. HVS HVS HVS
Hotel 2	Higgins, Youde, Coulton, Starling.
	130834 Mam Tor – Lords Seat – Horsehill Tor – Brown Knoll – Kinder Low – 624 – Blackden Edge – Edale – Mamtor to vehicle.
Hotel 3 . . . .	Henderson Caulton . . .	Ants Arête Ants Crack Ants Wall Centipede Cardinal’s Arête	16 M 17 M 17 M 17 M 20 M	HS S HS S VS	4A – 4A – 4C
	McLeod Thomas	Formica Slab Cardinal Slab Threatened	17 M 20 M 20 M	VS VS HVS	4B 4C 5A
Weather:		Duty Driver		Cook:	Jai Henderson
Sunday 18 September 1988 ^{Editor – There was no diary entry for this date}

23rd – 25 September 1988
Base:	Windermere
Team Out:	Emsley, Roberts, Caulton, Starling, Van Der Lee, Clethero, Ellis, Musgrave, Cooper, (Sqn Ldr I L R Foster), Thomas, Shaw, Youde, Turvey.
Saturday 24 September 1988
Hotel 1	Emsley, Van Der Lee, Foster, Starling, Youde.
	Fairfield Horseshoe
Hotel 2	Roberts, Shaw, Cooper, Turvey.
	Brotherillkeld 213012 – Bowfell – Esk Pike – Esk Hause – Gt End – Scafell Pike A – Narrow Cave – Dow Crag – Brotherillkeld.
Hotel 3	Gimmer Crag:
	Thomas Ellis	Gimmer Chimney (5th pitch of Bracket & Slab S)!!!	265′	VD
	Clethero Caulton	Gimmer Chimney	265′	VD
Weather:	Gopping/Wet	Duty Driver		Cook:	John Musgrave
Sunday 25 September 1988
Requested by Langdale and Ambleside MRT to assist in search for a Mr John Taylor, who had been missing from home since early August. The team was split into two parties.
Hotel 1	Emsley, Shaw, Vander Lee, Thomas, Foster, Youde , Caulton.
	Stickle Tarn
Hotel 2	Cletheroe, Musgrave, Starling, Cooper, Roberts, Turvey.
	Troughten Beck
Weather:	As Previous Day	Duty Driver		Cook:	Ellis

RAF Stafford Mountain Rescue Team Incident Report Form A
Reference: ………Form R No……………. 672……………………. DTG …… 260750 Z Sep 88. Nature of Incident ……….Search for missing person Date: 25/9/88……………………. Area: Langdale, Cumbria
Stafford MRT were requested by Cumbria Police to assist other rescue agencies with a search for a missing person, believed to be suicidal, in and around the Langdale Valley and Parvey Ark and the Valley of Bright Beck to the east. Searches were carried out in poor weather and low visibility until 1400 Z when all forces were withdrawn.
Other SAR Forces involved: Langdale Ambleside MRT, Furness MRT, Kendal MRT, SARDA Comments on Equipment: Cellphone in police incident van was invaluable, MRT’s urgently need something like this. HF comms again poor at night.
Statistics: Alerted: 1600 (24.9.88)……………..Deployed: 250640Z….On Scene: 250715Z….Stood Down: 251615Z Total Man Hours: 380 hrs
Mileages (statute): 1 2 3 4	Vehicle: RVT AMB TC 1 TC 2		Registration: 00 AY 16 88 KE 07 88 KE 51 31 KG 45	Mileage: 37 30 26 30
Total Mileage: Numbers of Personnel on task: Current team strength:		123 12 23
Remarks:
. . . Date: 26.9.88					Signature: Name: Rank: Appointment	Emsley Sgt SNCO I/C MRT
Distribution: External: Action: MOD SAR 1b/ILR (RAF) HQ SC Attn Sqn Ldr Air NRCC Attn OC SRCC Attn OC Information: RAF Kinloss …………………………Attn MRT Leader RAF Leuchars ……………………..Attn MRT Leader RAF Linton-on-Ouse …………..Attn MRT Leader RAF St Athan ……………………..Attn MRT Leader RAF Valley ………………………….Attn MRT Leader Internal: Information: Stn Cdr S Admin O CRO OC MRT File: SFD/2851/MRT

30 September – 2 October 1988
Base:	Golan
Team Out:	Clethero, MacLeod, Williams, Higgins, Cooper, Shaw, Caulton, Ellis, Henderson, Van Der Lee, Champion.
Saturday 1 October 1988
	Climbing at Tremadog
Hotel 1	Clethero MacLeod	Leg Slip The Plum Barbarian Itch Meshach	150′ 140′ 160′ 200′ 190′	HVS E1 E1 E1 HVS	5A, 5A & 5A * 5B & 5B 4A, 5B & 4C * 5B 4C & 5A **
	Cooper Champion	Boo Boo Xmas Curry	200′ 250′	VD S	– *
Hotel 2	Williams Caulton	Xmas Curry 1 Step in Clouds PMP	250′ 250’ 230′	S VS S	* 4C * **
	Shaw Henderson	Shadrach Leg Slip Oakover	170′ 150′ 140′	VS HVS VS	4B, 4B & 4C * 5A, 5A & 5A * 4B, 4C & 4B
Hotel 3	Higgins Ellis	Creagh Du Wall Scratch PMP	– 170′ 230′	– VS S	– – **
Weather:		Duty Driver		Cook:	Van Der Lee!
Sunday 2 October 1988
	Climbing at Tremadog
Hotel 1	Clethero Henderson	West Rim Claptons Crack	225’ 175′	HVS VS	4B, 5A, & 4C ** 4C & 4B
Hotel 2	Williams, Vander, Lee, Caulton, Champion.
	Made a bid for the summit of Snowdon, but failed at 700 metres descending by the Watkins Path to Nant Gwynant
Hotel 3	Climbing at Bus Stop Quarry/Dinas Mot
	MacLeod Shaw	Solstice Equinox Gnat Attack Diagonal 1st Pitch The Link The Chain	80′ 80′ 90′ 80′ 80′ 50′	HVS VS E1 HVS E1 E1	5A 4C 5B 5A 5C 5B
Hotel 4	Higgins, Ellis, –Climbing at Cwm Sylin
	Cwm Sylin Ellis Outside Edge 1st 2 Pitches Then Stdgy Cake at Eric’s (Tremadog).
Weather:	Overcast and cold becoming warmer	Duty Driver		Cook:	Cooper (Snaggy Knee)

7 – 9 October 1988

Base:

Llangorse

Team Out:

Clethero, Williams, MacLeod, Ellis, Caulton, Shaw, Musgrave, Briscoe, Allen, Cartwright, Henderson.

Note!

The week-end was in support of the advanced Mountain Rescue Course being held at RAF St Athan. All course pupils were assessed as controllers of incidents, and also as team leaders organizing the normal running of the team.

Saturday 8 October 1988 – “Exercise”

All of the team were involved in the exercise for search of a missing walker believed to be lost on the Brecon Beacons. Parties were deployed and commenced search in poor conditions. Exercise casualty was eventually found believed to be dead on steep ground below the summit of Pen Y Fan. Casualty was evacuated by rope stretcher to the easier ground below and end ex

Weather:

Very windy, low cloud and heavy showers.

Duty Driver

Cook:

Allen

Sunday 9 October 1988 – “Exercise”

All of the team were involved on exercise search for missing aircraft in the vicinity of the Black Mountain (Bannau Sir Gaer). Four parties set out for initial search and later joined by a Brawdy SeaKing, who rapidly located crash site and aircrew. Helicopter then ferried troops to the location for crash guard and prepare casualty for evacuation. Once evacuation of casualty was carried out exercise was terminated

Weather:

Overcast cloud level 2,500′, heavy showers later.

Duty Driver

Cook:

Caulton

“A very good effort by all involved”

14 – 16 October 1988
Base:	Bolton Joint Ex
Team Out:	Emsley, Thomas, Shaw, Caulton, Higgins, Turvey, Van Der Lee, Youde, Allen & Nightingale.
Saturday 15 October 1988
Team were involved in a search exercise with Bolton, Rossendale, Clywd and Oldham teams. Phil Shaw was in control and the rest of the troops were used as hill parties. The exercise was completed and team return to base by 17:00 hrs
Sunday 16 October 1988
Bolton MRT and others plus our troops all went to Lester Mill Quarry for a day and techniques (various). Many different things done or lots of things learnt. A good week-end especially as joint civvy/RAF exercises in the past have not been so good.

21 – 23 October 1988
Base:	Llanberis
Team Out:	Clethero, Nightingale, Shaw, McLeod, Caulton, Higgins, Briscoe, Turvey, Law, Cartwright, Youde & Champion.
On Friday night Jimmy arranged a night exercise on Carreg wasted. Phil Shaw abseiled down the crag to about half height and then acted the part of being a crag fast climb. It was then up to the rest of the troops led by the illustrious Pete Higgins to rescue Phil. They did so by a horizontal stretcher lower, and the exercise went well. The troops even making the dolbadarn for last orders
Saturday 22 October 1988
Hotel 1	Clethero , Turvey
	Milestone Buttress Superdirect The Pass: Phantom Rib	250’ 245’		VS VS	4B, 4B & 4C 4B, 4C, 4B & 4A
Hotel 2	MacLeod, Allen
	Spectre Hangover Diagonal	295’ 200’ 260’		HVS E1 HVS	4C, 5A, 5A & 4B 5A & 5B 5A, 5A, 5A & 4C
Hotel 3	Higgins, Youde, Champion, Law.
	Moel Hebog 782 – Ogog Owain Glynowr – Moel Lefn 638.
Hotel 4	Cartwright Briscoe Nightingale Caulton
	Llyn Glas – 921 – Crib-O-Dysgyl – Snowdon – Moel Cynghorion – Foel Goch –Foel Gron – Moel Eilio – base.
Weather:			Duty Driver			Cook:	Shaw
Sunday 23 October 1988
Hotel 1	Clethero, Nightingale
	Brant Hazel Grove	. 310″		VS HS	4C 1st Pitch
Hotel 2	McLeod, Turvey
	Wrinkle			V Diff
Hotel 3	Higgins, Briscoe, Law.
	Mynydd Mawr via Craig Y Bera Grade 2/3 *** Clogwnygarreg
Hotel 4	Cartwright, Caulton, Champion.
	Cribb-Y-Ddysgyl via the Parsons Nose then over to Crib Goch.
At 15:30 hrs Jimmy witnessed a climber decking it off the 1st pitch of Brant (VS 4C) sustaining head injuries, and possible leg injuries. Jimmy gave him first aid and he was evacuated by Hotel 1/2/3 to waiting civilian ambulance. The incident was completed by 16:30 hrs.

RAF Stafford Mountain Rescue Team Incident Report Form A
Reference: ………Form R No……………. 719……………………. DTG…… 231430Z Oct 88 Nature of Incident ……….Evacuation of fallen climber Date: 23 – 10 – 88……………………. Area: Llanberis Pass
Narrative: Whilst climbing on Clogwyn Y Grochan in the Llanberis Pass, Cpl Clethero witnessed a climber falling from the first pitch of Brant. The casualty had placed protection but this proved inadequate and he fell to the ground most of the impact being taken by his head. He had been climbing without a helmet and consequently suffered multiple injuries. First aid was administered and casualty was lowered to easier ground and then handed over to awaiting County Ambulance Authorities.
Other SAR Forces involved: Park Rangres, Llanberis MRT, Clwyd Police Comments on Equipment: Cellphone in police incident van was invaluable, MRT’s urgently need something like this. HF comms again poor at night.
Statistics: Alerted: 1430Z…………………..Deployed: 1430Z………………….On Scene: 1430Z……………………..Stood Down: 1630Z Total Man Hours: 16 hrs
Mileages (statute): 1 2 3	Vehicle: 229 230 231		Registration: 88 KE 07 31 KG 45 88 KE 51	Mileage: 6 4 6
Total Mileage: Numbers of Personnel on task: Current team strength: Remarks:		16 8 24 .
. . . Date: 24-10-88					Signature: Name: Rank: Appointment	. GS Clethero Cpl DTL
Distribution: External: Action: MOD SAR 1b/ILR (RAF) HQ SC Attn Sqn Ldr Air NRCC Attn OC SRCC Attn OC Information: RAF Kinloss …………………………Attn MRT Leader RAF Leuchars ……………………..Attn MRT Leader RAF Linton-on-Ouse …………..Attn MRT Leader RAF St Athan ……………………..Attn MRT Leader RAF Valley ………………………….Attn MRT Leader Internal: Information: Stn Cdr S Admin O CRO OC MRT File: SFD/2851/MRT

28 – 30 October 1988

Base:

Great Strickland

Team Out:

Emsley, Birkett, Shaw, Caulton, Ellis, Roberts, Williams, Higgins, Briscoe, Turvey, Musgrave, Van Der Lee, Youde, Law, Allen, Nightingale, Cartwright, Champion & Starling.

Saturday 29 October 1988

Hotel 1

Emsley, Birkett, Shaw, Champion, Cartwright.

Stanah – Sticks Pass – Raise – Lower Man – Helvellyn –Dollywagon Pike – Grisedale Tarn – Fairfield –St Ravens Edge – Stone Covwe Pike – Thornthwaite Beacon –Mardale III Bell – Nan Bield Pass – Small Water –Haweswater.

Hotel 2

Williams, Caulton, Youde, Musgrave, Briscoe, Nightingale.

Recip Hotel 1

Hotel 3

Roberts Law, Van Der Lee, Ellis, Turvey, Allen.

Haweswater – Rough Crag – High St – Mardale III Bell –Nan Bield Pass – Harter Fell – Adam Seat – Branstree –Pillar – Haweswater.

Weather:

Brilliant

Duty Driver

Cook:

Shaw Pete Higgins

Sunday 30 October 1988

Hotel 1

Ellis, Cartwright, Starling, Champion, Williams, Roberts, Youde, Musgrave, Briscoe.

Cross Fell – Great Dun Fell – Lower Dun Fell. + Knock Fell

Hotel 2

Nightingale, Law, Van Der Lee, Allen, Ellis, Turvey.

Cave Beck – West Fell – High Pike – Gt Lingy Hill – Caulton Gt Scafell – Longlands – 267359.

Weather:

Brilliant

Duty Driver

Cook:

Pete Higgins

RTU by 2030 hrs

4 – 6 November 1988

Base:

Kendal

Team Out:

Clethero, McLeod, Higgins, Ellis, Caulton, Shaw, Turvey, Musgrave, Briscoe, Youde, Starling, Champion, Van Der Lee, Allen.

Saturday 5 November 1988

Hotel 1

Henderson, Champion, Van Der Lee, Briscoe, Shaw.

Hartsop – Hartsop Dodd – Stone Cove Pike – Thornthwaite Crag – High Street – Rampsgill Head – The Knott – Rest Dodd – Angled Tarn – Hartsop.

Hotel 2

Clethero, Musgrave.

Ascended Harter Fell (Coniston) from Brotherilkeld
GR 213012 and returned to starting point.
Later climbed at Castle Rock:

Via Media
Direct Route

135′
135′

HVD
MVS *

Hotel 3

Higgins, Ellis, Youde, Caulton, Starling.

Kentmere – Yoke – Ill Bell – Frostwick – Thornthwaite Crag – High Street – Mardale Ill Bell – Nan Beild Pass – Harter Fell – Kentmere Pike

Hotel 4

McLeod, Allen. – Climbing at Trowbarrow Quarry

Jean Jeanie Red Slab Cracked Actor

100′
120′
100′

VS
VS
E1

***
.
4C

Weather:

Cold and Sunny (Early Mist)

Duty Driver

Cook:

Turvey

Sunday 6 November 1988

Hotel 1

Clethero, Turvey, & Shaw, Henderson. – Climbing at Trowbarrow Quarry

Pigfall
Jean Jeanie

120′
100′

S
VS

*
(4C) ***

Hotel 2

McLeod, Allen. – Climbing Ravens Crag Langdale

Pluto Bradley’s Damnation

225′
140′

HVS
HVS

Hotel 3

Higgins, Champion, Caulton, Van Der Lee.

The Cape 841 – Dollywagon Pike – Nethermost Pike –Helvellyn 949 – Striding Edge – Patterdale.

Hotel 4

Ellis, Youde, Starling, Musgrave.

Glenridding – Sheffield Pike – Greenside – Hartside – Sticks Pass – Raise – Whiteside – Glenridding.

Weather:

Very Cold and Very Sunny

Duty Driver

Cook:

Briscoe

NB: Pete Higgins was given three stitches after sustaining an injury to his left eye whilst playing hockey, Jai Henderson raised his stick are we bit too high!

10 – 14 November 1988
Call–out:	Penley (N Wales)
Duty Team
The team left Stafford at 0500 hrs Thursday 10 November 1988 arriving at Penley (search control) at 0615 hrs. The team were debriefed and soon deployed to search areas each search party made up of MRT troops Police, and many civilian volunteers keen to assist in the search for the missing schoolgirl Anna Humphreys. The team searched until nightfall and then retired to RAF Shawbury for the evening. The team departed from Shawbury Friday morning arriving at Penley at 0815 hrs, again the same as yesterday, but moving the priority to the South East around the home of a suspect (John Evans, convicted rapist). Some of the troops were deployed to search specific areas of interest i.e. farm buildings, culverts etc.
The team continued the search until Monday the 14 November 1988. By the end of daylight hours the team were relieved by RAF St Athan MRT, nothing found.

Mr David Evans was arrested and charged with the murder of Anna near Lyon in France. Anna’s body was recovered from the River Seven at Bridgnorth, Shropshire (information following the arrest)

RAF Stafford Mountain Rescue Team Incident Report Form A
Reference: ………Form R No……………. 719……………………. DTG…… 231430Z Oct 88 Nature of Incident ……….Evacuation of fallen climber Date: 23 – 10 – 88……………………. Area: Llanberis Pass
Narrative: Whilst climbing on Clogwyn Y Grochan in the Llanberis Pass, Cpl Clethero witnessed a climber falling from the first pitch of Brant. The casualty had placed protection but this proved inadequate and he fell to the ground most of the impact being taken by his head. He had been climbing without a helmet and consequently suffered multiple injuries. First aid was administered and casualty was lowered to easier ground and then handed over to awaiting County Ambulance Authorities.
Other SAR Forces involved: Park Rangres, Llanberis MRT, Clwyd Police Comments on Equipment: Cellphone in police incident van was invaluable, MRT’s urgently need something like this. HF comms again poor at night.
Statistics: Alerted: 1430Z…………………..Deployed: 1430Z………………….On Scene: 1430Z……………………..Stood Down: 1630Z Total Man Hours: 16 hrs
Mileages (statute): 1 2 3	Vehicle: 229 230 231		Registration: 88 KE 07 31 KG 45 88 KE 51	Mileage: 6 4 6
Total Mileage: Numbers of Personnel on task: Current team strength: Remarks:		16 8 24 .
. . . Date: 24-10-88					Signature: Name: Rank: Appointment	. GS Clethero Cpl DTL
Distribution: External: Action: MOD SAR 1b/ILR (RAF) HQ SC Attn Sqn Ldr Air NRCC Attn OC SRCC Attn OC Information: RAF Kinloss …………………………Attn MRT Leader RAF Leuchars ……………………..Attn MRT Leader RAF Linton-on-Ouse …………..Attn MRT Leader RAF St Athan ……………………..Attn MRT Leader RAF Valley ………………………….Attn MRT Leader Internal: Information: Stn Cdr S Admin O CRO OC MRT File: SFD/2851/MRT

18 – 20 November 1988
Base:	Trefiw
Team Out:	Emsley, Caulton, Clethero, Ellis,Turvey, Cooper, Allen, Van Der Lee, Musgrave, Law, Starling, Cartwright, Nightingale.
Saturday 19 November 1988
Hotel 1	Emsley, Van Der Lee, Musgrave, Caulton.
	Ogwen – Tryfan – Bristly Ridge – Cwm Tryfan.
Hotel 2	Clethero, Cooper, Law, Starling.
	Bethesda – Llech DDU – Carnedd Dafydd – Pen Yr Ole Wen – Bethesda.
Hotel 3	Cartwright, Turvey, Ellis, Allen.
	Tryfan – Glyderv Fach Glyderv Fawr – Llyn Gwn – Y Garn – Foel Goch – Mynedd Perfedd – 821 – 497 Bethesda.
Weather:	Windy, cold and mainly dry.	Cook:	Nightingale (Crap)!
Sunday 20 November1988
Hotel 1	Emsley, Allen, Law, Nightingale, Starling, Caulton, Van Der Lee.
	Improvised techniques abseiling all methods (multi stage) and backups “Prussiks” and rescue situations.
Hotel 2	Clethero, Cooper, Musgrave, Turvey.
	Pen Y Pass Car Park – Miners Crack – Y Gribin Ridge – Cartwright Snowdon (South Ridge) – Finger Stone – Pyg Track – Pen Y Pass. Turvey: Returned to wagon feeling poorly (honking up)
Weather:	First snow frozen above 1,000′, brilliant.			Cook:	Ellis

25 – 27 November 1988
Base:	Ennerdale
Team Out: .	Emsley, Clethero, Shaw, Caulton, Ellis, Roberts, Williams, Higgins, Cooper, Brisco, Turvey, Starling, Allen, Nightingale.
Saturday 26 November 1988
Hotel 1 – Alpha		Emsley, Batson.
	Langdale Area
Hotel 1	Clethero, Nightingale, Allen – Saturday and Sunday (overnight divvi)
	Pillar Rock – Pillar Fell – Looking Stead – Traverse Kirkfell – Traverse Great Gable – Lingmell- via corridor route – Wasdale Head.
Hotel 2	Higgins, Turvey, Champion.
	Base – Gt Borne – Stirling Dodd – Little Dodd – Red Pike – High Stile – High Crag – Scarth Gap –Hay Stacks – Fleetwith Pike – Bothy (Quarry),*Grey Knotts – Brandreth – Green Gable – Windy Gap – Black Sail YHA will stop
Hotel 3	Williams, Starling, Cooper, Brisco.
	“Sod All”
Hotel 4	Ellis, Shaw, Caulton.
	Yewbarrow ↑ Stirrup Crag – Red Pike (Wasdale) – Scoat Fell – Steeple – Haycock – Cawfell – Seatallan – Bowderdale.
Weather:	Very cold, sunny without wind.		Cook:	Roberts
Sunday 27 November1988
Hotel 1	Emsley, Shaw, Caulton, Starling.
	235196 – Dale Head – Hindscarth – Scope End – Little Town.
Hotel 2	Clethero, Allen.
	Black Sail – Great Gable – Napes Crag – Napes Needle – Needle Ridge – Summit – aided to loss walkers to Windy Gap – Green Gable – Brandreth – Black Sale YHA
	Ellis, Nightingale.
	Crag techniques on Anglers/Bowness Crag
Hotel 3	Williams, Roberts, Brisco, Cooper.
	Piers Gill (Lingmell)
Weather:	Sunny early becoming overcast, cold and windy.				Cook:	Linton Troop
	*Higgins, Turvey, Champion.
	See Saturday

2 – 4 December 1988
Base:	Dunsop Bridge (Trough of Bowland)
Team Out:	Clethero, Shaw, Ellis, Caulton, Roberts, Cartwright, Van Der Lee, Allen, Cooper, Champion,
Saturday 3 December 1988
The week–end team exercise was joint with the Bowland Pennine team in their area of responsibility. Today was an extensive search exercise of the high ground surrounding Dunsop Bridge. The scenario was that 4 scouts had not made their RV point and were several hours overdue. The teams were deployed (which took some time) and casualties were not long in finding, the casualties evacuations were organized. This left two casualties to be found and the search continued, one being found before daylight faded, and the last casualty was not found before the end of exercise. All search parties returned to base camp, some problems were encountered with communications leaving the controllers to rely on presumptions at times.
Weather:	Overcast and dry becoming glaggy with heavy wintry showers.	Cook:	Van Der Lee
Sunday 4 December 1988
Again the team and Bowland Pennine team mixed groups three of the troops went to Doon Mine in a simulated rescue situation, the remainder went on to the crag and trained along with members of B–Pennine in Hammond lift off’s vertical lowers, and finishing off with a few tension lowers each time altering in hope of an improvement.
Weather:	Very windy (gale force) overcast with one or two showers.	Cook:	Allen

9 – 11 December 1988
Base:	Llanfingel
Team Out:	Clethero, Shaw, Caulton, Van Der Lee, Allen, Williams, Turvey, Brisco.
Saturday 10 December 1988
	At 0230 hrs the troops were awakened to begin night navigation exercise.
Hotel 1	Van Der Lee, Turvey.
	Setting off from GR 006245 they then walked to check point 1 at GR 002221 (Llyn Outflow) this they struggled to find (also Kev Turvey was ill vomiting). From here they ascended to Tommy Jones Memorial obelisk, and failed to locate check-point 11 at GR 993216 (bend on stream) and on from here to spot height 619 Y Gyrn now descending in another failed attempt to locate check – point 111 at GR 983218 (between streams) they now descended to the road and ended there exercise at GR 972223
Hotel 2	Shaw, Allen, Williams, Brisco.
	Setting off from GR 932200 they located all seven check – points only having difficulty on finding No 5, but eventually logically worked out their snag. CP7 GR 943199 – Broad Ridge CP6 GR 946213 – Crag/Stream CP5 GR 959222 – Lynn – North Side CP4 GR 966227 – South of Stream CP3 GR 983218 – Between Streams CP2 GR 993216 – Bend on Stream CP1 GR 002221 – Llyn Outflow
Hotel 3	Clethero
	From GR 972223 I layed CP’s 3, 2, & 1. Finally pitching tent atCP1 and a failed attempt at getting some sleep, walked off with Hotel 2 on their arrival.
Saturday 10^th Afternoon
	Clethero, Shaw.
	Ascended Cefn Yr Ystrad above Taly Bont Forest
Weather:	Mainly clear, quite claggy on hill.	Cook:	Caulton
Sunday 11 December 1988
Hotel 1	Williams, Van Der Lee, Caulton
	From GR 236237 – Pen Twyn Mawr – Gadair Fawr – Waun Fach – Pen Trumau – Mynydd Llysiau 662 – Pen Twyn Glas .645 – Pen Allt Mawr – Pen Cerrig Calch – GR 236222.
Hotel 2	Shaw, Turvey, Brisco, Allen.
	Recip of Hotel 1
Weather:	Overcast and quite windy	Cook:	Clethero

16 – 18 December 1988
Base:	Llanwrst
Team Out:	Emsley, Winn, Clethero, Thomas, Caulton, Ellis, Cooper, Turvey, Musgrave, Law, Starling, Allen, Nightingale, Champion, Short.
Saturday 17 December 1988
Hotel 1	Winn, Nightingale, Cooper, Champion.
	Helyg – Pen Yr Helgi Du – Carnedd Llewellyn – Daffyd – Pen Yr Ole Wen – Ogwen.
Hotel 2	Clethero, Musgrave, Starling, Shortm
	Ogwen – Llyn Bochlwyd – Bwych Tryfan – Bristly Ridge – Glyder Fach – Gallt Yr Ogof –Helyg – Pen Yr Helgi Du – Carnedd Llewrlyn – Carnedd Dafydd – Pen Yr Ole wen – Ogwen
Hotel 3	Williams, Caulton.
	Bivvi out Friday night – Sat – Foel Grach – Carnedd Llewelyn – Pen Yr Helgi Du – Den Llithrig y Wrach
Hotel 4	Thomas, Ellis, Law, Allen.
	Ogwen – Y Garn – Devils Kitchen – Ogwen.
Weather:	Overcast, but dry.		Cook:	Musgrave/Turvey
Sunday 18 December 1988
Hotel 1	Winn, Musgrave, Allen,Law.
	Vehicle at Pen Y Pass – Snowdon via Y Cribin Ridge
Hotel 2	Thomas, Cooper, Short, Nightingale.
	As Hotel 1
Hotel 3	Clethero, Ellis, Starling.
	Milestone Car Park – Heather Terrace – First Pinnacle Rib – Tryfan – Bwlch Tryfan – Heather Terrace – Milestone Car Park.
Hotel 4	Williams, Champion, Caulton.
	Ogwen – Bwlch Tryfan – Bristly Ridge – Glyder Fach – Y Grybin Ridge – Ogwen
Weather:	Very windy clag at 500′.		Cook:	Williams/Turvey
Weather:		Very Cold and Very Sunny			Cook:	Briscoe

RAF Stafford Mountain Rescue Team </strong Incident Report Form A
Reference: ………Form R No……………. 810……………………. DTG…… 030900 Jan 89 Nature of Incident ……….Crashed Civil Airliner Date: 21.12.88……………………. Area: Lockerbie
Narrative: Stafford MRT were called to assist at the site of the Boeing 747 crash in Southern Scotland. On arrival at the scene the team were accommodated in the school gymnasium and instructed to report to the search control at 0600. From then on the team’s duties were to assist the other MRTs in deploying with other service and police personnel around the area of the crash to identify, locate and mark the casualties and significant pieces of debris. This took until 1300 hrs on 23.12.88 when the team was stood down and return to Stafford for 2100 hrs
Other SAR Forces involved: Civil MRTs, SARDA, RAF Leuchars, St Athan, Leeming MRTs, SAR Helos Comments on Equipment: Contact between MRT, RCCE and Stations would be helped considerably by the provision of Cellphone or similar
Statistics: Alerted: 212000Dec88……………..Deployed: 212100Dec88….On Scene: 220200Dec88 ….Stood Down: 232000Dec88 Total Man Hours: 16 hrs
Mileages (statute): 1 2 3 4 5	Vehicle: 229 (TC) 230 (AMB) 231 (TC) 233 (RVT) 238 (BFD)		Registration: 31 KG 45 88 KE 07 88 KE 51 00 AY 16 14 KB 21	Mileage: 553 514 581 510 397
Total Mileage: Numbers of Personnel on task: Current team strength: Remarks:		2555 19 23 This way the largest operation the MRT’s have been involved with, the co-operation between teams, army, pol and SAR Helos was excellent and will provide valuable experience for the future.
. . . Date: Thurs 24.12.88					Signature: Name: Rank: Appointment	Emsley Sgt MRTL
Distribution: External: Action: MOD SAR 1b/ILR (RAF) HQ SC Attn Sqn Ldr Air NRCC Attn OC SRCC Attn OC Information: RAF Kinloss …………………………Attn MRT Leader RAF Leuchars ……………………..Attn MRT Leader RAF Linton-on-Ouse …………..Attn MRT Leader RAF St Athan ……………………..Attn MRT Leader RAF Valley ………………………….Attn MRT Leader Internal: Information: Stn Cdr S Admin O CRO OC MRT File: SFD/2851/MRT

Leave a Reply