A day trip to somewhere new and completely different to most RoCs members. Almost all of us have heard of Southern Sandstone and it’s time we did some exploring! The BMC website says ‘Beautiful and unique rock architecture which provides challenging climbing across the grades is the stand out feature of this incredibly popular South East crag. The intricacy of movement its routes require and stunning woodland setting transport you into another world’
Only two hours from Romsey, this area offers trad and sport climbing over a wide range of grades. There are single- and multi-pitch routes and some real gems in idyllic locations high above the river Wye. Campsite or accommodation to be decided…
Sign up to the Facebook Event or email john.horton(@)ntlworld.com
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.
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Organiser: John H
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)
Last year, Sam Blandford-Elliott, a professional mountaineer and climber who’s a club member and lives in North Wales, ran two courses at a discounted rate for club members during the meet and he will probably be available again in 2024. He can lead climbing/mountaineering/navigation days, depending on members preferences.
Who’s going?
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Close to the Yorkshire 3 Peaks, Ingleton Waterfall walk and lots of open-water swimming possibilities too!
This is our annual trip to the Peaks at Hathersage, based at North Lees campsite. This is about 1 mile due North of Hathersage. This meet is suitable for all members as it is ideal for beginners and the more experienced climbers in the club. If you have never climbed outside on real rock, we can take you up some really easy nice rock. There is a wide choice of gritstone crags to choose from, some with a few multi pitch routes, but mainly all single pitch with a short walk in.
The wash facilities have had a massive upgrade so now the campsite is very posh. There are Pods as well as tent pitches available and a couple of camper van slots as well. I will be camping so will book a slot for me and anyone who travels up with me. Book your slot on the North Lees website stating if you have a car or just need a tent slot. If you wish to use a Pod, please book this in advance yourself. A deposit may be required for a booking. Please indicate to me if you are camping or in a Pod. At the moment booking in advance is required for camping so you will need to do this yourselves, in groups up to 5 per pitch with a car. If you decide to come with someone who has already booked their pitch with a car, you can add yourself by booking a pitch without a car. Also book a camper van slot or a Pod for yourself if required. Air B & B, bunk rooms or pub rooms are available in Hathersage if you do not use North Lees.
The contact details for the site are 01433 650838. To get to the campsite from Hathersage, go west on the A6187 Main Street and TR before the railway bridge up Jaggers Lane, then TR up Coggers Lane for about 1/2 mile, then TR into Birley Lane. After about 1/2 mile North Lees site is on your left just before a left hand bend. There is a wooden gate to enter the site. We will be car sharing as much as possible due to the limited parking spaces and to save fuel costs. Hathersage has a couple of pubs, and we will use the Robin Hood pub in Hathersage. There are also food shops and a few Outdoor gear shops so all you need for a weekend away with RoCs.
Bring along some wet weather walking gear as well, (water proof coat, over trousers and walking boots) just in case the weather turns damp and we decide to go for a bit of a bog trot up on the hills. 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 will be eating at a pub in the evenings.
Anyone wishing to attend this meet can you please post on the Facebook Event page your intention, including when you plan to travel down, and which nights you plan to stay. We will be trying to car share as much as possible to save on fuel costs.
Sign up on the Facebook event or email: peter.telling(@)ntlworld.com
This is our annual jaunt to Dartmoor, where we will be staying at Langstone Manor, Moortown PL19 9JZ about 2 miles east of Tavistock. This is on the western edge of Dartmoor in the grounds of an old manor house and is our most posh of campsites. We go every year and are always welcomed by the team there. You can choose to camp in quality conditions, or use a variety of Pods, from basic to posh. The facilities are excellent with good shower, toilets and washing up, clothes washing and drying, as well as an on-site shop, bar, lounge and eating facilities. The owners are Jane and David. (See the website www.langstonemanor.co.uk ).
The contact details for the site are 01822 613371 and www.langstonemanor.co.uk. If you wish to book a Pod, please do this yourself as I will only be booking camping places with Jane. There will probably be a deposit to be paid for a Pod, so book early to ensure a bed for the night. Be aware that if we have to cancel at the last minute due to bad weather you may lose your deposit on a Pod booking.
I will be booking some pitches as usual, so you only need to let me know numbers and you can pay the campsite on the day of arrival. Last year we had about 12 members attending and we were charged £7 per night each. If you wish to use a Pod, Camper van or other accommodation please make that booking in advance your self. I will nearer the time make bookings for the restaurant we use on site once numbers are confirmed.
The climbing on Dartmoor is stunning at Dewerstone, from easy to silly depending on your skills. Other crags are there (Sheeps Tor, Hay Tor, Hound Tor) so plenty of opportunity for all grades of climbers. This meet is ideal for beginners and the more experienced climbers so if you are new to outside rock climbing it is an ideal meet for you. Make sure you bring suitable food and cooking gear for breakfast and also food for mid-day as there are no facilities near the climbing areas for food and drink. We will be using the bar or a pub for evening food and drink. If it is a bit damp on the day there are loads of wild walking areas on Dartmoor, so bring your walking gear as well!
Anyone wishing to attend this meet can you please post on the Facebook Event page your intention, including when you plan to travel down, and which nights you plan to stay. We will be trying to car share as much as possible to save on fuel costs. We hope to negotiate a single person price per night by sharing pitches. I will provisionally book places soon, so will need to know the final camping numbers nearer the time to ensure there is enough spaces for all the members to be together.
Sign up on the Facebook event or email: peter.telling(@)ntlworld.com
- 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.
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