This meet is aimed at outdoor novices and anyone else who needs to ease themselves back into climbing after a long layoff, although all club members will be very welcome. Fairy Cave is one of our favourite ‘local’ venues and is about an hour and forty minutes from Romsey. 
There are many lower-grade routes to learn or refresh techniques and plenty of harder routes, virtually all on amenably-angled slabs, if you want to push yourself.
Organiser: John H
Members going:
- John H
- Jonathan M
- Duncan P
- Mark G
- Darren
- Dave R
- …
- This meet is planned as single day trips over the weekend (Portland is 1hr 30mins from Southampton) however there are plenty of campsites locally (likely to be very busy) if people wish to stay.
- The aim will be to head to the quieter areas of Portland (such as The Lost Valley on the east side) with options to head elsewhere should people wish.
- There are a good number of easier grade 3, 4 and 5 slabs available, with plenty of top roping options. Or harder grades can be targeted, depending on what people wish to do.
- Bouldering is also an option – I will have a crash pad and the local bouldering guide book with me.
- Options for a swim in the sea at Ope Cove if the weather is nice.
- The plan will also be to stop at the Chesil Chippie after the days climbing for fish and chips on the beach (or a pint at The Cove).
Organiser: Jamie M
Members going:
- Jamie
- Sarah
- Mike
- Naomi
- Darren
- Corinne
- Duncan
- Matt
-
- This meet is planned as single day trips over the weekend (Portland is 1hr 30mins from Southampton) however there are plenty of campsites locally (likely to be very busy) if people wish to stay.
- The aim will be to head to the quieter areas of Portland (such as The Lost Valley on the east side) with options to head elsewhere should people wish.
- There are a good number of easier grade 3, 4 and 5 slabs available, with plenty of top roping options. Or harder grades can be targeted, depending on what people wish to do.
- Bouldering is also an option – I will have a crash pad and the local bouldering guide book with me.
- Options for a swim in the sea at Ope Cove if the weather is nice.
- The plan will also be to stop at the Chesil Chippie after the days climbing for fish and chips on the beach (or a pint at The Cove).
Organiser: Jamie M
Members going:
- Jamie
- Mike
- Corinne
- Ivan
- Naomi
Welcome to the clubs first night climbing meet held at Portland. It’ll be running from 11:30pm till the early hours and be based on the many multi grade sport routes on the East coast of the island. Head torches will be used for the actual climbing as I’m not aiming to illuminate the entire crag all night but will have flood lighting available to check routes prior to ascent and when needed. Members of all abilities are welcome, experienced members will set the ropes. The aim is to enjoy climbing in a different environment and situation to the usual and have some fun. Obviously traffic and queuing for routes will not be a problem unless another club has the same plan! If you’re interested in coming along please add your name or get in touch via Facebook.
Organiser: Darren
Members going:
1 Darren
Only two hours from Romsey, this area offers climbing in a wide range of grades. There are single- and multi-pitch routes and some real gems in idyllic locations high above the river Wye.
Organiser: Jim Kearn
Members going:
Spectacular sea cliff climbing on slab rock with great protection. I’m organising this trip on my local patch in North Devon, where we have some of the best trad climbing on the most spectacular sea cliffs. There’s also many beaches close by, so bring your wetsuits and surf boards.
DATE: 3-5 September 2021
ROUTES: from VD to E5
ROCK: Culm (compressed sandstone) with good protection
ACCESS: Abseil in after a 20 minute walk from the National Trust car park.
CAMPSITE:
There can be two options for camping, which we can firm up nearer the time.
1. Freshwell Camping, is booked at Baggy Point
Another chance this year to get your hands on the excellent friction of gritstone!
Organiser: Matt
Going:
- Matt (Thursday – Sunday)
- Pete (Thursday – Sunday)
- Patrick (Thursday – Sunday)
- Sarah
- Tony
- Ivan
- Kirsty
- Hannah?
- Helen
- Adam Fish
- John H
A week-long trip to one of RoCs favourite areas. The climbing is superb and there are lots of great walks and scrambles for the occasional (!) damp day.
We’ll be staying at Stu’s flat (thanks Stu) in the centre of Keswick, which has four beds and plenty of floor space for more in sleeping bags. We’ll do communal cooking most evenings and share the chores – eating well and making the trip affordable.
Organiser: John H
Members going:
- John H
- Dave R
- Hannah + Andy (arriving Friday)
- Kirsty (not staying)
- …
This Annual trip to the snow clad mountains of North Wales (hopefully) will allow any RoCs member to experience some easy winter mountaineering challenges without having to travel up to Scotland. We will be camping at Capel Curig in the 1* site next to the Bryn Tyrch Hotel on the A5, just before reaching the shops at Capel Curig. Camping conditions can be a bit windy and exposed sometimes, but not as bad as in the Ogwyn Valley. If you have a reasonable tent and a winter sleeping bag you will be fine. There are alternative options for accommodation on site in one of the small bunk rooms where light and a bed is supplied with mattress only. (Assuming it is open, if not we will use the alternative campsite down the road at Dolgam Farm, near the river, which has been known to be a bit wet in the past!). There are also bunk rooms available in the Rocks Hostel adjacent to the campsite or a room in the Bryn Tyrch Hotel (phone 01690 720223 to make your booking), for the less hardy climber. Hannah is considering booking the Bryn Brethynau Barn hut which we used this year. Please state if you are camping, using the hut or making your own arrangements in one of the other options.
As it is a winter trip, bring with you suitable winter warm and waterproof clothing, a decent pair of mountaineering boots, crampons and a walking axe as a minimum set of gear. Quite often the snow does not settle (or even arrive) so then it can be a bit wet and wild. Be prepared to bring waterproof trousers and jacket and a set of dry clothes for the pub in the evening.
We do not need to book places for the campsite, but if the weather is forecast to be really high wind or heavy rain for the weekend, we may well cancel at the last moment, so be aware of this if booking rooms or paying a deposit for a room in the hotel or bunk house off site to the camping area.
Patrick and I will probably go up Thursday morning and return Sunday afternoon. Travel plans will be confirmed nearer the time depending on who is attending. Post if you are interested in joining the Winter crew on this mad adventure full of fun, possibly some winter mountaineering and more than likely a good time in the pub.
Organiser: Pete /Hannah
Members Camping (Unless it is monsoon season)
- Pete (organising Camping) :- Thursday – Sunday
- Patrick :- Thursday – Sunday
- Ro :- ?? TBD
- Rachel :- ?? TBD
- …
Members in a Hut
- Hannah (organising Hut) :- Thursday – Sunday
- Jim :-Thursday – Sunday
- Matt:- Thursday – Sunday
- Steve:- Thursday – Sunday
- Jonathan:- Thursday – Sunday
- …
This meet is aimed at outdoor novices and anyone else who needs to ease themselves back into climbing after a long layoff, although all club members will be very welcome. Fairy Cave is one of our favourite ‘local’ venues and is about an hour and forty minutes from Romsey.
There are many lower-grade routes to learn or refresh techniques and plenty of harder routes, virtually all on amenably-angled slabs, if you want to push yourself.
Organiser: John H
Members going:
- John H
- Lindsay
- Emma
- Clive
- …
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