Join us for 2 days of fabulous gritstone climbing in the Peak District and find out why many regard it as the home of British rock climbing. Even better, for once we will be there at a time of year you can actually feel your hands and feet!! 🙂
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 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; but next door is a large barn which can sleep a further 8 people and has plenty of space for socialising. The toilets are outside and there is no shower, but there is a river if you fancy a dip at the end of the day! Mattresses are provided in the hut, but not in the barn; you will need sleeping bags and pillows for both.
First come, first served – the first 12 people will be allocated hut spaces; the next 8 will be in the barn.
Climbing
Baslow Edge is a short walk away; Froggit 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! 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 (I know it is summer, but it is also England so always a chance of rain!)
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 night, as will breakfast on both 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!