Calendar

• This is a weekend meet with campsite to be decided but can easily be done as a day trip (Portland is 1hr 30mins from Romsey).
• 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.
• 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

Sign up on the Facebook event or email jamiemccready (at) live.co.uk

A weekend meet to the rugged coastline near to St Davids Head. This meet is suitable for all members as it is ideal for beginners and also the more experienced climbers in the club. If you have never climbed outside on real rock, we can take you up some really nice easy rock. There is a wide choice of sea cliffs to choose from, mainly all single pitch with a short walk in. You will need to be ok with abseiling as most of the climbing areas are approached from the top of the cliffs. You will be able to stop at the bottom without getting wet! We will be car sharing as much as possible to save fuel costs. St Davids has a couple of pubs, and some food shops. There is not much else there except of course the Cathedral which is pretty stunning.

Bring along some wet weather walking gear (waterproof coat, overtrousers and walking boots) just in case the weather turns damp and we decide to go for a bit of a stroll along the coastal path. You will also need to bring along breakfast and any cooking gear required, food for mid-day lunch as there are no food facilities at the crags. We could eat at a local pub in the evenings.

In 2022 we stayed at a campsite at Porthclais, which is a 20 minute walk from St Davids. The site is Porthclais Farm site SA62 6RR and you can book a pitch on line by going to their website Camping – Porthclais Campsite (porthclais-farm-campsite.co.uk) and paying a 10% deposit to secure a place.

Organiser:

The Roaches are on the southern edge of the Peak District, about 3.5 hours drive from Romsey. There’s something for everyone, with plenty of Trad climbing and Bouldering on the finest gritstone at both the Roaches and Hen Cloud.  The Trad ranges from easy to Extreme and is mainly single pitch, with a handful of two pitch climbs. We’ll probably stay at Hazel Barrow Farm (Hazel Barrow Farm Camping And Glamping , Leek Campsites, Staffordshire (ukcampsite.co.uk)), which has camping, glamping, a bunkhouse or even a cottage if you’re feeling flush! And it gets better, because Pete’s discovered that BMC members (that’s us) get a 5% discount – what more incentive could you need?

Organiser:

Mandy has organised accommodation for us at the Count House, a Climbers Club hut a short walk from Bosigran, one of the classic Cornwall crags.

We’re based in the Duddon valley, an idyllic backwater away from the crowds. I’ve booked bunks for us at High Moss Cottage (grid ref SD237966, a modern climbing hut with good facilities and with some great climbing within walking distance. There’s no phone signal and isn’t for miles – bliss! We stayed here in 2022 and 2023 and had a great time.

Twenty minutes away is Wallowbarrow, of which Rockfax says: ‘sits in a magnificent position…friendly grades…rock quality and protection are good’. Just over an hour away is Dow Crag, one of the classic Lakes big cliffs; the FRCC guidebook says: ‘first class climbing…right across the grading spectrum…a superb setting’. There are also lots of other crags nearby. Because it’s such a quiet area most of the routes see little traffic and can be a bit green, so you can feel a bit like an explorer.

We’ll be sharing the chores in the hut. I’ve booked six bunks; if it looks like there are going to be more of us, I’ll see what I can arrange with the hut warden and I’ll probably need a deposit.

Organiser: John H

Sign up on the Facebook event or email johnhorton(@)ntlworld.com

>

Organiser: Jim

We’re staying at The Barn climbing hut at Capel Curig, which belongs to North London Mountaineering Club. It sleeps 30 in three bunkrooms and we’ve got the whole hut to ourselves so there will be plenty of space. The barn is set in a beautifully secluded location with wonderful mountain views and only five minutes’ walk from the Tyn Y Coed Pub and A5 lay-by (GR: SH 737572, postcode: LL24 0DT). It’s centrally situated, very handy for climbing in Ogwen and has mountain walks from the door. More details:Guest Barn – North London Mountaineering Club (nlmc.co.uk)

Who’s going?

Sign up on the Facebook event or email jk7g08(@)btinternet.com