Join us for 3 days of fabulous gritstone climbing in the Peak District and find out why many regard it as the home of British rock climbing.
We will be staying in the Eastern side of the Peaks this time, within easy reach of several awesome crags including Stanage Edge – which holds more routes than you can possibly know what to do with
Accommodation
We will be staying at the Heathy Lea hut, belonging to Oread Mountaineering Club in Baslow. This wonderfully rustic hut has all sorts of memorabilia from their long-standing history and a lovely log fire (which we hopefully won’t need, but I wouldn’t count on it!) giving it a really authentic feel. The hut sleeps 12 and has toilets, a shower and a full kitchen. The beds have recently been upgraded to brand new bunks but you will still need sleeping bags and pillows.
If the hut fills up then we will open up bookings for the barn. So that you know what to expect – The barn is quite literally a barn. The last time we stayed in the barn, there were some resident bats and it wasn’t the cleanest place we have ever stayed. It may have improved since then, so don’t let that put you off! As a final selling point, there’s also no mattresses, so bring a roll mat (or air bed) along with your sleeping bag and pillow 🙂
Please note, there are four spaces reserved for those who are booked onto the ‘Introduction to trad’ course. If you book onto any of these four spaces and you are not on the introduction to trad course then you are likely going to either lose your space in the hut, or be moved to the barn. If you would like to sign up to the Intro to trad course then please do so here
Climbing
Baslow Edge is a short walk away; Froggatt and Curbar a short drive and Stanage Edge about 25 mins drive. There is so much to do for all abilities; even if you have no outdoor climbing experience you will have the chance to second routes with more experienced climbers – this is the perfect place to do so!
Alternatively, if sport is your preference, there are a number of sport areas nearby with Horseshoe Quarry just a 10 minute drive away. There are also loads of bouldering opportunities so bring your bouldering mat if you have one!
Things to take
Sleeping bag and pillow (and roll-mat if you are in the barn!)
Climbing gear: harness and climbing shoes are a must; helmet (can be borrowed if you don’t have one); and any other gear you have (ropes, trad rack, etc).
Wet weather gear
Sunny weather gear: sun screen, hat, sunglasses and swimming cossie if you want to take a plunge in the river 🙂
Sturdy shoes for the approach (Boots, approach shoes, trainers at a push!)
Day rucksack (~40-50 Litres)
Personal first aid kit + any medication you require
Drinks bottle (~1L)
Food
As always, dinner will be provided on the Saturday and Sunday night, as will breakfast on all three mornings (in the form of porridge; there is usually bread for toasting too). Friday night dinner is your choice, there are two pubs nearby, although I suspect many of us will be eating en-route.
Please bring enough food for lunch each day (there are also shops a short drive away).
Travel
This is a round-trip of 660 miles (Southampton to Baslow) so based on a car of four sharing this works out at around £16 per person for petrol – so please remember to reimburse your driver! If you don’t have a car fear not; there will be plenty of cars going – lifts will be sorted closer to the time at the wall or over Facebook.
Guidebooks
There will be a few of these knocking about, and the club has a copies of these, but if you want your own:
We look forward to seeing you there!