Ladies Meet – Spring 2022
Where – YHA Swanage, Cluny, Cluny Crescent, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2BS
Contact information: Phone: +44 345 371 9346 Email: swanage@yha.org.uk
OS Grid Ref: SZ031785
Lat/Lng: 50.60615, -1.95783
For google maps and direction go here
If What 3 Words is your thing then crypt.boots.lifeboats
When – 13-15th May 2022
Spring Ladies Meet, 2022
Don’t miss our first ever Spring ladies meet – you never know, we might actually see the sun!
We are heading to our most local crags around Swanage for some stunning sea-cliff trad. There is a great range of grades here, and whatever level you climb at you can expect spectacular views from the top!
Climbing
The majority of climbing here is trad, although if that doesn’t float your boat you can find a good range of sport routes too e.g. at Winspit, Hedbury and the Promenade.(you may need to login first to access these links)
If trad is your thing, well there’s loads of it. For an idea of what you can expect, UK Climbing
has a list of over 70 crags in the area –
As most of the climbing is at sea-cliff crags, you will almost certainly need to abseil. If you haven’t done this before don’t worry, we can teach you at the crag.
Newbies are welcome to join – if you have never climbed outside or done any lead belaying, you will need to climb in a three with an experienced leader and belayer. 
Please get in touch before the meet (at sotonclimb@gmail.com with the subject heading “Ladies Meet”) so we can make sure we can match you up with an appropriate pair. We will also discuss abilities on the Friday night once everyone has arrived, to make sure everyone has someone appropriate to climb with.
Accommodation
We will be staying at the YHA in Swanage in private rooms with 2 – 5 beds in each. There are only 13 spaces available, so book early to avoid disappointment!
For more information on the hostel, see the YHA Swanage page on the Youth Hostels Association site.
As with all YHA hostels, bedding is provided, but you will need to bring your own towel, especially if you decide to go for a swim!
Food
We will provide breakfast (in the form of bread for toast, butter/margarine, jam, tea, coffee, milk/plant-based alternative).
We will also aim to cook a communal meal on the Saturday night, so volunteers for cooking/peeling/washing up are most welcome!
Dinner on the Friday night is your choice – there are plenty of options within walking distance from the hostel – and the hostel also has a bar/restaurant on site.
You will need to sort out your own lunches, but again there are plenty of options within walking distance from the hostel.
Equipment
You will need all the usual climbing kit:
- Climbing harness
- Climbing Shoes
- Helmet
- Trad rack*
- Ropes*
- Abseil rope*
- Prussik cord for abseiling
- Guidebook
- Decent sized bag to put everything in (ideally 30L+)
*If you don’t lead yet, then of course no need to bring a trad rack or ropes. If you want to borrow anything from the club, you can find the order form here
We also recommend you bring the following:
- Sturdy approach shoes/walking boots
- Towel
- At least 1L water bottle (more if it is going to be warm)
- Sunscreen, hat, swimsuit, Sunglasses*
- Raincoat*
- Windproof layer*
(*depending on the forecast or your bravery levels!)
Cost
The cost of this trip is £58, including the breakfast and one evening meal.
Travel
This is our closest climbing destination; however, it is still a 1.5-2 hour drive, depending on traffic. Therefore, for the sake of the planet, please do consider lift-sharing. Additionally, parking is likely to be limited and you may need to pay – so all the more reason to share and split the cost. Don’t forget: if you someone kindly offers to drive, please do reimburse them for fuel/parking etc!