Walking and biking trails in an area of natural beauty. Also close to the Dales and Pendle Hill, associated with the famous 'Pendle Witches'. No doubt Pendle Witches Brew will be available in local pubs. We are staying at Dale House barn, between Slaidburn and Settle.

Where is the president taking you this year?

We can finally reveal that he'll be taking you to the beautiful Dolgellau in South Snowdonia, an incredible part of Wales in which the club has spent far too little time. From YHA Kings, where we'll be staying, you will find beaches, lakes and big mountains within a 30-minute drive, and a beautiful ruined abbey within 15.

For climbers, Cadair Idris features the legendary Table Direct (VD ***) followed by the Cyfrwy Arete (3/D ***), rewarding challengers with dramatic views and exhilarating exposure.

Walkers have superb choice abounding, while the nearby Rhinogs offer multiple scrambling options to the walker seeking a little more technical thrill.

Our Saturday evening plans will feature a break from the traditional, with local Neapolitan-style pizza, salads and sides on offer. This satisfying mozzarella-laden feast will be followed by a thought-provoking (and hilarious) Rockhoppers Pub Quiz with, if there's time and it's dry, outside Rockhoppers Hide & Seek (the headtorch edition). Quiz prizes will be announced alongside our granting of the Rockhopper of the Year Award and commiseration prizes for the runners-up, and will all take place under the watchful eye of Penny the Penguin, our much-loved but a little creepy club mascot.

For what are you waiting? Sign-up for the best* party of the year before places go.

BYOB!

* Realistically the best party of the year will have been the 70th Anniversary Dinner in May, but we reckon this will be a very close second.

(If you want to bring your children to this event, please message the steward, Dan Oatley, so appropriate arrangements can be made.)

We are staying at Sparrowhawk Backpackers Ecohostel in the village of Moretonhampstead, at the north eastern end of Dartmoor, about 14 miles from Exeter. There is a double bed for any couples. Please pay the warden on arrival.

High above the village of Dolgarrog in the Conwy valley nestles the remote Rugby Mountaineering Club hut. The hut is basic but snug, and catering is usually on a communal basis. It gives superb access to all the hills in the Carneddau. The last two miles are a walk in along a track from the car park There is also a camping option. Spaces have been quickly snapped up in the past!

For our annual jamboree we have exclusive use of syha Glencoe. Noted climbing venues include 'The Beuchie' and various routes on the Three Sisters. Other points of interest include the waterfalls at the Study in the Pass of Glencoe.
Elsewhere, the Aonach Eagach offers the finest scramble in mainland Scotland. There are also routes on the Bidean nam Bian massif.
New Year itself will include our traditional haggis supper.
All this, and the famous Clachaig Inn!

Lying at the start of the Pennine Way, the village of Edale has two pubs serving food, two cafes, and a railway station with regular services to Manchester and Sheffield. Easy access to the hills of Kinder Scout and Mam Tor. We are staying at Nab View bunkhouse on Ollerbrook farm.

Staying at Bryn Hafod, the Stafford Mountain Club hut. Nearby peaks include Cadair Idris (893m) and Aran Fawddwy (905m). The area is criss crossed with trails, including some of the best dedicated mountain biking trails in Wales. The Red Lion in Dinas Mawddwy serves food.

We are staying at the Exmoor Centre,in quite a remote location in the Hoaroak valley near Lynmouth and Lynton. I am told the old diesel generator is no more, replaced by solar panels. There is an axe and a good supply of logs for the woodburner. Will the toilet freeze over again? At least we are situated in woods.

We are staying again at the splendid Old Schoolhouse, owned by the Yorkshire Subterranean Society. The Helwith Bridge Inn is close by, and does meals. We are just down the road from Horton in Ribblesdale, if anyone is up for the three peaks challenge.

Stay off-grid by the shores of Loch Ossian, high up in the middle of Rannoch moor. The SYHA eco hostel is accessible by rail with Corrour station a twenty minute walk away. Any other route involves a long walk or bike-ride. If it snows we can build snowpeople and go sledging! Oh and maybe climb a mountain or few.

We are staying at High House, a converted farmhouse, in Seathwaite, at the head of Borrowdale, the loveliest of the Lake District valleys according to Alfred Wainwright. The central fells such as Scafell, Great End and Great Gable can be ascended directly from the front door.

We are staying at Coed Owen bunkhouse, which is on an idyllic Welsh hill farm in the heart of the Brecons, between Merthyr and Brecon. Two hours walk from Pen Y Fan. Nantddhu Lodge hotel is just a five minute walk away and serves great food and fine ales.

Staying at Caseg Fraith club hut, situated near the base of Tryfan. Ideal for walking on the Giyderrau, Carneddau and Moel Siabod, and for climbing on Tryfan and in Cwm Idwal.

Glen Nevis Youth Hostel sits at the foot of Ben Nevis, with a path to the mountain leading directly from the door. Surrounded by some of Scotland's most dramatic landscapes including a spectacular walk to the Steall Falls. Other activities include sea kayaking and mountain biking (you can hire bikes in Fort William).

The idea is to cross the high plateau of the northern Cairngorms with four nights "backpack" camping. We will start out in Deeside not far from Balmoral, and finish at Kingussie if all goes to plan. The largest area of land over 1000m in the UK, the sub-arctic flora and fauna is a joy as the days in the north really start to lengthen out. You will have to carry everything you need for the duration. We will aim to traverse Ben Avon, Beinn a' Bhuird, Beinn a' Charainn, Ben Macdui, Carn a' Mhain, The Devil's Penis, Cairn Toul and Mullach Clach a' Bhlair. Spring can bring stable weather to the plateau with amazing heat inversions (not guaranteed), no midges (guaranteed!) and there will still be snow lying in the high coires. An excellent introduction to expeditioning.

Pitlochry is ideally located for the glens and Munros of the Southern Cairngorms National Park. The hills by Loch Tay are conveniently down the road, so plenty to explore. Shops, pubs and restaurants make for a cosy venue in the long dark winter nights and our usual Hogmanay haggis shenanigans. There are also direct trains from London!