COVID-19: If you plan on coming to this meet, please make sure you sign up below, as this will aid track and trace if required. Please remember to adhere to government social distancing rules and do not attend if you have a shielding letter or if you have or live with anyone who has any of the symptoms of coronavirus.
For further information Club members are directed to https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-meeting-with-others-safely-social-distancing and BMC document entitled ‘COVID-19 guidelines for groups of outdoor climbers and hill walkers’
This year is going to be a little different to previous Ladies’ meets, as we are going to have to take more of a “staycation” approach thanks to you-know-what. But on the plus side, yippee we can sleep in our own beds 🙂
The exact location is to be decided (weather dependent!), but the plan is to climb in two different venues on the two days – so you are welcome to join us for either or both days as you see fit! Possible locations are Swanage/Portland, Cheddar/Fairy Cave Quarry and the Wye Valley. We will keep you posted via the Facebook event and email closer to the time. We hope to see you there!
About
This meet is for all ladies, irrespective of outdoor climbing experience – but do get in touch ahead of the meet if you have not climbed outside before so we can make sure you have the appropriate equipment and someone you can climb with.
Because of current guidelines we request that you climb with the same partner for the duration of the trip to reduce transmission potential. If you plan to lift share please follow government guidelines (see link above).
Equipment
Please bring your own climbing shoes, harness, climbing helmet, ropes and gear (if you have them) as well as warm layers and waterproofs. Sturdy walking shoes/boots are a likely requirement, depending on the weather and which crags we visit. Also, you will need at least 1L of water/other drink and food to get you through the day. Additional considerations: hand sanitiser, face mask, first aid kit (we will have the club kit but feel free to bring your own), sunglasses, sunscreen (I can dream…).
Crags
Depending on the weather and wind direction this might be a last minute decision – luckily we have plenty of options within about 2 hours’ drive! Likely options are as follows:
Cheddar Gorge
If you’ve not been to Cheddar Gorge before, prepare to be impressed by this high, steep-sided, limestone, road-side crag. With both sport and trad climbs available (many of which are multi-pitch!) this is a great option for all and within 2 hours of Southampton is possible for a day trip. More info can be found here:
https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/cheddar_gorge_north-2280
https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/cheddar_gorge_south-240
Fairy Cave Quarry
This disused limestone quarry is near to Frome and whilst the rock can be a little fragile in places, there are some excellent routes here – most of which are slabby!
https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/fairy_cave_quarry-1290
Wintour’s Leap
Wintour’s Leap is the closest of the Wye Valley crags, and has plenty on offer for both trad and sport enthusiasts. In the words of UKC: “The gem of the Wye Valley. Superb limestone, outrageous overhangs, technical faces, cracks, flakes, nice views, you name it.”
https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/wintours_leap-51
Swanage
Probably doesn’t need much introduction for most of you, but if you’ve not climbed at our most local collection of crags before then this is a must. Particularly joyful on a sunny winter’s day when the winds are blowing from the North – I’ve had the crag to myself and climbed here in a T-shirt in December! Plenty of crags to choose from here, but the usual suspects are:
https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/cattle_troughs-251
https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/subluminal_and_lighthouse_cliff-245
Portland
The final option is Portland – for sport climbers this really is the place to be! Also lots of bouldering options available too. Again loads of crags here, usually to be decided last minute depending on the wind direction:
https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/the_cuttings_boulderfield-21987#maps
https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/blacknor_beach-21718#maps
and many many more!