We have had a few more pictures added to the gallery from the recent club trip to the Peak District. Looks like it was a good trip with some classic routes been done
Posts Tagged ‘Climbing’
Downs Hut – Pictures
April 22nd, 2011El Chorro – Spain
April 6th, 2011Dale recently organised a last minute budget trip to El Chorro in southern Spain. Four of us went for a week and it is a superb climbing venue. There is so much rock to be explored and it appears less popular than other venues such as Kalymnos.
We stopped in Ardales, a short drive from El Chorro village but central to many crags, for the week. The high light of the trip was the ‘King’s walkway’ of ‘camino del rey’ a via ferrata along a disused and crumbling walkway, which we did on our rest (i use the word loosely) day.
There are a few pictures in the gallery, some of which are below
Alex Mac Hut, Scotland – 25 Feb 2011
February 27th, 2011Four of us left Wolverhampton at 19:20. It was 11 degrees, so the hope of any winter sports was low. By the time we reached Glencoe it was raining but cooler. The roads had been quiet, a sign the more sensible majority had stayed at home.
Saturday
In true WMC style we got up and debated the few options we had. Neil, Monika and Richard left for the Nevis range ski centre while Matt, Andy and Sarah went for a walk.
Seven of the eleven ski lifts were closed but the runs, the ones that were open, were in ok condition. A snow shower helped cover the ice patches with a (thin) fresh layer of powder and improved the upper runs noticeably. The hardest part of the day came when we decided to go for lunch. We were directed to a run which was far from complete. It was more grass than snow and after an arduous decent to a bowl of soup we decided to call it a day. We had a better than expected day skiing despite the recent thaw.
Andy, Sarah and Matt parked in Glen Nevis and made their way up the summit track and once at the loch they followed the path to the North Face of Ben Nevis and the CIC Hut. After checking out the venue they headed down to the North Face carpark and back to the car.
Sunday
Sunday morning was spent procrastinating. Neil, Monika and I only had skiing equipment and after the final arduous decent on Saturday we were reluctant to ski. Matt was the only one with ice climbing gear and he was eager to get on some ice. We eventually decided to try out the indoor ice wall at the Ice Factor. Now I know heads will be shaking at the idea but it was good fun, never before have I been able to push my self on ice without worrying about that dodgy ice screw or what the belay above me was like. It was also a great place to work on technique and give each other guidance. There are a good few routes to have a go at in the 2 hour slot we had and we were all pumped by the end. The only thing missing was a gale force wind and spin drift.
Andy and Sarah, keen to bag another visit to a remote hut (as an alternative to bagging Munros) decided to go to Glen Nevis again and walk up to the Steall Hut via Steall falls which itself is worth visiting.
Our next meet is next weekend at our club hut in Snowdonia
Only four of the eleven lifts were working
The snow was reasonable higher up
The lower runs were far from complete
BMC 2011 Climbing Restrictions Poster
February 14th, 2011The 2011 climbing restrictions poster is now available to download
The UK is internationally important for a number of bird species, which are often vulnerable during the nesting period. The BMC works in partnership with conservation bodies to ensure any restrictions agreed are as minimal in extent and duration as possible, whilst still allowing birds to nest successfully. In many cases restrictions are lifted as soon as the chicks fledge the nest.
The BMC asks all climbers to check restrictions for the areas in which they climb. Climbers have an excellent record of respecting bird nesting restrictions and continued goodwill is important to develop and maintain good relations with landowners and conservation bodies. The 2011 poster should be appearing at walls, shops and cafes over the next few weeks, but a downloadable version is available here.
The BMC’s Regional Access Database (RAD) should be the every climber’s first stop for up-to-date access information. The RAD is a searchable database of all the crags in England and Wales with special access and conservation considerations, including all the agreed nesting restrictions. Check the RAD here.
2011 Meets
February 2nd, 2011Well its better late than never but the WMC 2011 meets card is finally here. We had a few technical glitches which have prevented us from publishing it in pdf any earlier but the clubs calendar was updated late last year so hopefully no one has missed out.
You can download a copy of the meets card here - http://www.wolverhamptonmountaineeringclub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/WMC-meets_2011.pdf
This month we have a slideshow in the pipeline, we are off to the club’s hut in Snowdonia and venturing to Scotland for some ice climbing at the end of February. Hopefully we will see you there!
Pembroke, Range West Briefings 2010
April 28th, 2010Dale route checking in Pembroke
Its getting to that time of the year when the MOD all access to the western part of the Castlemartin firing range in Pembroke. As the area is a live firing range it is full of nasties such as unexploded bombs. Climbing is still restricted by and anyone wishing to climb within the range must attend one of the briefings held at the Castlemartin camp.
In previous years a briefed climber could take an unbriefed climber onto the range but as of last year this is no longer the case and all climbers must attend one of the briefings which start at 9am and are to be held on:
- Saturday 29 May
- Saturday 19 June – Cancelled, re-arranged for 3rd July
- Saturday 31 July
Please note the range is closed for the whole month of June. The MoD have exercises operating 7 days a week. The range is due to reopen on the 3rd July.
More information can be found on the BMC website here and here
Llanymynech access problems
April 9th, 2010Recent developments, poor behaviour by some climbers and the rise in popularity of this excellent site have caused concerns for the owners of this Nature Reserve. Negotiations are underway to protect access to this nationally important climbing site, but some new restrictions could be imposed.
Climbing has taken place here since at least the 1950s, and today there is a great mixture of some long traditional routes as well as some of the longest and best quality accessible sports routes in the Midlands. However the site is also a Nature Reserve (managed jointly by the Montgomery and Shropshire Wildlife Trusts) and has been a Site of Special Scientific Interest since 1953. This means that some activities (called “Operations Likley to Damage the Special Interest”) need formal consent from Natural England, and that carrying out these activities without formal consent can be illegal under the Wildlife & Countryside Act. This is quite a comprehensive list and includes such things as spreading fertiliser, burning vegetation, but also includes activities such as carrying out engineering works such as drilling (including bolts!), modification or clearance of loose rock or grading rockfaces.
Click here to read the full article on the BMC website
Dave’s dream come true
April 6th, 2010DW2 managed to ‘break his dream’ this Easter weekend by finally climbing A Dream of white horses HVS 5a on Wen slab, Gogarth after 8 years and 9 attempts. He said, “I’d gone to do the route on many occasions but had to abort for various reasons including bad weather and once a partner refused to abseil down with me!” The route traverses the slab from the right and passes above spiders web arch in the back of the zawn. Climbing is atmospheric and a slip on the last pitch can leave you dangling in space. After the route was completed he commented, “Pitch 4 is a real adventure and my type of climbing!”
Dave at high water belay on pitch 1
Approaching belay on pitch 1
Considering gear options on pitch 2
Traversing to concrete chimney on pitch 3
Savouring the moves on pitch 4
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Sport England seeks new Board members
February 25th, 2010Sport England wants leading individuals in community sport to consider applying to join its Board.
Sport England and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport are seeking to recruit up to five new Board members, strengthening the team that oversees Sport England’s performance as it works to create a world-leading community sport system. These vacancies provide an opportunity for a suitably experienced member of the mountaineering world to play an influential role in the development of community sport in England.
Read the full article on the BMC website.
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Slate Quaries Access & Conservation
October 14th, 2009Carol on Looning the Tube, Dinorwig Quarries
The Dinorwig quarries are our local crag when we are at the hut. As some may be aware part of t quarry was closed for filming over the summer and Dali’s hole is becoming more and more popular. The owners of the quarries, First Hydro, have concerns about their liability.
The BMC requests
Climbers are asked to avoid gathering in large groups at this very visible site [Dali's Hole] and organised groups (club meets, youth groups, etc.) are requested to be particulary aware of the sensitivity of this site and the need to keep a low profile here.
You can read the full report on the BMC website here BMC – Access & Conservation .
