Wye Valley Camping
Hello happy climbers, it’s time for a visit to the beautiful Wye Valley.
Climbing
There is quite a variety of climbing in the area from sport climbing in the quarry to trad multi-pitches that look over the winding river. The ‘walk’ in to the river climbs is more like a climb down but well worth it if you like that kind of thing.
Certainly for the trad routes you’ll want to be confident in your abilities, there are mid to high grade climbs. I believe the same goes for sport and I would recommend anyone new to the outside pairs up with an experienced person. Whereas the experienced lot… there’s loads in the area to enjoy.
Accommodation
This meet will be at the Beeches farm campsite, pretty near lots of climbs. We have stayed there before a while back and were given a corner area of the campsite with fire pits. It is a great place and has proper camp site facilities. For more info: http://beechesfarmcampsite.co.uk
Plus, family friendly camping!
Pst, important: If we are rowdy they will bill us £50 so please keep the noise level respectful.
Food
Please bring your own – this is a camping meet so self catering. Bring a BBQ!
Environmental Considerations
In the Wye Valley and the Forest of Dean as a whole access has always been a major factor, and there is probably as much ‘banned’ as accessible rock. Some of the crags as SSSI sites, and home to protected plants which grow on the climbs themselves, it is vital not to harm these when climbing, as a few thoughtless actions may result in the access agreement being withdrawn. The Wye valley is a key site for Whitebeams (a cousin of the rowan tree) whilst they appear common at some crags, as tree anchors and belays, these species are rare and very localized, and form a central part of the cliff plant communities. Please take care not to harm these trees when setting up belays, especially with the thin modern slings. The rarest plants may appear insignificant sometimes occurring where they do in 100s or 1000s, some are ferns some are grasses, but at Woodcroft Quarry (and nowhere else in the world) the rarest of the rare was discovered in 2006, Tutshill Hawkweed, there is a solitary example at about 6 metres height on “dirty debut” in the quarry, please pass it with the greatest of care.
BMC Participation Statement:
In order to be covered by BMC insurance, all meet attendees must read and understand the BMC Participation Statement:
“The BMC recognises that climbing, hill walking and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.”