Lots of people have looked at the previous post regarding this trip so
there is interest. Please note that the dates have been moved from those
originally published on the "meets calendar" to suit Gordon and Peggy who
will try and co-ordinate this trip, but I must stress we or the club
cannot take responsibility for your safety over the weekend.

We will start arriving on the Friday 14th evening at
http://porthclais-farm-campsite.co.uk/ any time. If anyone has a BBQ bring
it along and I am sure we can all chip in with a bit of cooking/food and
basically get some climbing in.

To get to the crag: walk out of tent, across field, find gap in hedge,
cross footpath, arrive. Yes, it's that simple! Guidebook is Pembrokeshire
Vol. 1 - North Pembroke (2013) or Pembroke (2009). Please bring a
guidebook if you possess one.

For those who have been before: Format is the same as previous years.
Please come along and give us the benefit of your experience!
For those who haven't been before: the sign to the campsite is obscured by
the hedge bank as you approach the turning, so keep your eyes peeled
especially if it is dark when you arrive. I expect that we will be pitched
at the top of the first field opposite the wash-block, so that we are easy
to find (and convenient for nipping over for the facilities). Please
note that hot water in the wash-basins and washing-up sinks is free, but
the showers take 50p coins.

Rather than meet separately in the East and West, the club will come together and meet at the Summit Centre, the first indoor wall in South Wales, and where the club once met regularly.

Car sharing will be available, use the usual means of contact to coordinate.

Rather than meet separately in the East and West, the club will come together and meet at the Summit Centre, the first indoor wall in South Wales, and where the club once met regularly.

Car sharing will be available, use the usual means of contact to coordinate.

This trip is not specifically aimed at beginners, although they can be accomodated. Further details are on the Bulletin Board.

In a break from recent tradition (due to unfavourable tides at Box Bay), this year there will be a New Members' Day at Morlais on the 22nd April.

In case anybody was wondering what we do at a New Members' Day I have compiled a little list.

For everyone-
-Meet old a new members of the club. Absolutely everyone is welcome of any ability and any level of experience.

For people who haven't climbed outdoors before-
- Have a go at top roping climbs (Morlais has lots of beginner routes).

For people who have climbed trad before-
- Bring someone or get paired up with a fellow trad climber and pick some routes. For people who haven't done much or not for a while or are feeling a little nervous, we will find you an experienced club member to partner with. For people who don't have trad gear, there will be lots of people who do including me who will be happy to provide gear for you to try out.

Further details are available on the club Bulletin Board.

This second New Members' Day at Boiler Slab is a chance for new and old members to meet.  Absolutely everyone is welcome of any ability and any level of experience.

Those new to climbing will have the opportunity to second or top-rope a number of climbs.

For people who have climbed trad before, bring someone or get paired up with a fellow trad climber and pick some routes. For people who haven't done much or not for a while or are feeling a little nervous, we will find you an experienced club member to partner with. For people who don't have trad gear, there will be lots of people who will be happy to provide gear for you to try out.

We'll be meeting at the Overton at 10am (Post Code SA3 1NQ). There will hopefully be sufficent parking in Overton, where additional parking has been arranged with a few locals, otherwise additional parking is available at Port Eynon car park (Post Code SA3 1NN). Please share cars whenever possible and be prepared to park at Port Eynon if there is no space at Overton, although there will be someone around to coordinate if this is the case. Further details are available on the club Bulletin Board or by contacting [email protected].

Further details are to members on the club Bulletin Board. Alternatively for further information and to book a place, please contact Wayne Yeates [email protected]  tel.07874206053

Further details are on the club Bulletin Board.

This trip is not specifically aimed at beginners, although they can be accomodated. Further details are on the Bulletin Board.

Camping/climbing weekend on the limestone cliffs of south Pembrokeshire.

Includes a Range West briefing for 2018: https://www.thebmc.co.uk/pembrokerockfalls-bombs-and-2018-briefings

Meet leader: Peter Sheppard <[email protected]>

Further details are on the Bulletin Board.

Spaces are still available. Further details on the Bulletin Board.

A relaxing day’s climbing at a popular friendly venue…

Saturday 30th June at Three Cliffs. Low tide is at 2.10pm, so a civilised start with Three Cliffs being free between approx 11am and 5pm.

The idea is to have a relaxed, sociable meet at a well-known venue with something for most climbers, including those with families (we’ll be bringing our young daughter).

Parking is at the National Trust carpark in Southgate (see the Wiki for directions). There is a conveniently located cafe next to the carpark for breakfast and/or post-climb cake and ice-cream.

For those that want to make a weekend of it, there is a campsite overlooking Three Cliffs Bay (with an amazing breakfast view): www.threecliffsbay.com. It is popular, so those thinking of camping may need to book ahead. For those wishing to overnight in luxury, they even have glamping Shepard’s huts and yurts!

Further details on the Bulletin Board.

As is traditional, the club hut in North Wales has been reserved for the Easter weekend.  The plans are flexible, and weather dependent, but would hopefully include anything from walking and scrambling to climbing and mountaineering. You could even bring your bikes for a bit of on or off-road riding.

Any help would also be appreciated with hut cleaning and maintenance. As well as a general clean, there are plans for plasterboarding under the stairs area, and possibly some repairs to the outside steps.  A lot has already been done to the hut, and if you haven't been for a while, there's now an oven and upgraded heating in the kitchen, as well as keyless entry and much improved drainage outside

For more information or to sign up, visit the forum

The objective is to climb multi-pitch routes in Llanberis Pass, Gogarth, Ogwen or Tremadog. This is not expected to be a teaching trip although some knowledge from more experienced leaders may be imparted. The plan is to arrange a teaching weekend for a future date.

To get the most out of this trip you must be able to abseil and either lead multi-pitch or second up to VS comfortably.

We will be staying at the club hut in Deiniolen, which has recently had upgraded cooking facilities and heating, amongst other improvements

For further details or to sign up please visit the Bulletin Board

It has been a few years since the club has had an organised trip to the Lakes. The plan is to stay in the Borrowdale valley at Chapel House Farm Campsite (www.chapelhousefarmcampsite.co.uk) , and use that as the base for climbing and walking.

This trip is also in part being run as a memorial to John Custance. His favourite route was Little Chamonix on Shepherd’s Crag in Borrowdale. In memory to John there is the idea of doing something like getting as many people on the route (safely) at the same time or continuous ascents by SWMC teams.

Please visit the Bulletin Board for more details

Unfortunately due to the stormy weather forecast, this meet has been cancelled

For more information contact Pete Sheppard on the message board

As is traditional, the club hut is booked for the August bank holiday weekend.

Vince Brown and his friend will be there, looking for people to teach leading or rescue techniques, as well as take roped scrambling if the weather's not great.  If you're looking for some tuition in new skills, or some practice in aspects you're not confident in, then this would be extremely useful.

In addition to this, there will be the usual mix of activities - from multi-pitch mountain route to hillwalking and everything in between. Just turn up and do what you want!

If the weather's good we normally do a barbeque on one of the evenings.

If you're interested in coming, check out the message board topic

This year the Annual General Meeting will be in the function room at Boulders, Cardiff, beginning at 19:00.

For more information, visit the message board

A chance for some hill walking in Snowdonia, staying at the club hut in Deiniolen

The weather forecast for next week is looking pretty cold, with snow on the summits, so winter conditions are a definite possibility

All are welcome, but appropriate kit (i.e crampons & ice axe) will be required if it remains wintry.

If you have any questions, or want to come along, check out the message board thread

Just a quick heads up for everyone to keep their diaries clear.

The club’s annual get together will this year be held on Friday the 22nd of November at Munday’s Bar, the private bar upstairs from No Sign Bar in Swansea.

https://nosignwinebar.com/mundays-bar-private-hire-venues-swansea/ 3

We were there a few years ago and a good time was had by all as I remember. The food was really nice and the drinks selection was excellent.

Tickets are £10 and include a hot/cold buffet. Speak to one of our membership secretaries or ordinary members in person, via email or on the message board.

I’m planning a sport climbing trip to Sicily next March 14-21st (ish, depending on flights). I’ve been before a few years ago, it’s really nice there. There are hundreds of quality routes on a miles-long crag next to the sea (not tidal), with grades right across the spectrum from 4s to 8s with most in the 5-6b region. It’s mostly single-pitch but there are also multipitch routes in the area. The weather is great (I went in January last time and it was nice and warm all week), and being Italian the food and drink are of course excellent!
This is just an initial call for interest so we can work out costs etc.

Destination: San Vito Lo Capo 2

Routes: Here’s 3 just one of several crags in the area just to give an idea. A guidebook 2 is also available.

Accommodation: Depending on numbers, budgets and preferences, there is a choice of a camping village sandwiched between the base of the crag and the beach with caravans and apartments to rent (https://www.elbahira.it/eng/ 2) from around €50 each for the week if you don’t mind sharing rooms, or fancy AirBnBs in the nearby town (closer to nightlife but mostly more expensive and further from the crags).

Transport: Available direct flights (to Palermo) are from Stanstead running Sunday-Sunday (currently £42 return) or from Gatwick running Saturday-Saturday (£61 return). On the other side we’ll need to hire a car to get to and around San Vito which will be around £20-30 each for the week depending on the size of the car and how many are sharing.

Equipment & Experience: You will need your own helmet, harness, rock shoes, belay device, and a sling and a couple of screwgates. The club does have a few helmets and harness to lend out but you’ll likely find your own much more comfortable when hanging around all week. Between us we’ll also need enough ropes and quickdraws and ideally a couple of clip sticks. I’d imagine we’ll have plenty of gear between us but we’ll sort this out when we have firm numbers. Prior experience leading and seconding sport routes isn’t necessary but we can do a session locally before we go if anyone wants to brush up.

Cost: I don’t expect this to be a super-expensive trip. Other than the above, other costs will be getting to and from the airport on this side, fuel in the hire cars, insurance, and food & drink. The accommodation will be self-catering so we can cook together to bring costs down, or alternatively there are lots of restaurants in the nearby town.

The idea is everyone would book their own flights and sort out their own insurance etc, then we’ll sort out accommodation & car hire together when we have firm numbers. It’d be best to book sooner rather than later as there’s not that much accommodation left so I’ll set a deadline of 14th December - if anyone wants to join on after that we can try to sort something out.

BTW, some of my friends from uni are also going so it should be a good-sized group to make it a fun trip!

Any questions,  visit the message board thread
James Burton

Due to the ongoing pandemic the Annual General Meeting this year will be online. Full details to follow.

Description

A 'meet and greet' sport climbing day for people to put faces to names, new members to get involved along with experienced climbers, and for some people climb outdoors for the first time. All welcome!

Location

Mermaid Wall, Rhossili. Accessible sport climbing right off the sand

Meet Leader

Pete Sheppard

[email protected]

Description

Seacliff trad climbing

Location

Penally West, South Pembrokeshire

Meet Leader

Roger Martin

How to Book

Please view our COVID-19 meet information

Members should book by visiting the message board and signing up. If you're not yet a member, and would like to join us then please contact Alec Naylor at [email protected] for further information

The first meet and greet event of the year, or “turn up and tie on” as BMC like to call it, is planned for Saturday 2 April

This meet will be primarily a way to meet members of the club, either due to not climbing for the last year or to welcome new members!

Usual format - meet in the National Trust car park in Southgate, find new/trial members and fill in any paperwork if no done online beforehand, then amble down to the beach and do some climbing. If there’s plenty of leaders and experience belayers then we can lead/second, but if not we’ll be looking for the more experienced members to set up top ropes and be available to teach.

Low tide is just after 2pm, and the main cliffs gets at least 3 hours either side, so 10:30am meeting time at the car park.

Location

Three Cliffs Bay, Gower

Meet Leader

Peter Sheppard

Further details to follow

The club is running a trip to the hut in North Wales and climbing on Saturday 30 April to Monday 2 May. There is room for 18 club members at £5 a night. I plan to arrive on Friday evening

If you want to get out on the big mountain crags, perhaps on the classics in Llanberis Pass or Ogwen, you need to be at least a competent second who can belay and does not mind a small stance with a couple of hundred feet of space below you. If that’s not your cup of tea there is lots of scrambling and walking options, but again being able to look after yourself is important. 

Description

This meet will be primarily a way to meet members of the club, either due to not climbing for the last year or to welcome new members!

As usual we will be going to Box Bay. If you’ve never been before this is a great venue to try out trad climbing as there is easy access and the routes tend to be beginner friendly.

The climbs are tidal but can be accessed at around 3 hours either side of low tide. Low tide will be around 11:45  so things should be climbable until 3pm.  We're meeting at 11 but  the meet leader will aim to be there around 10:30

For parking, the easiest place is Rest Bay pay and display car park. Head back along the coast line towards Porthcawl town centre and you should find the crag.

For more info have a look here https://swcw.org.uk/wiki/Box_Bay 3

Location

Box Bay, Porthcawl

Meet Leader

Pete Sheppard

Description

A week up in the beautiful Isle of Skye - a place abound with climbing, scrambling and walking possibilities. An opportunity to attempt the Cuillin Ridge, one of the big UK mountain adventures.

Location

Isle of Skye

How to Book

Please view our COVID-19 meet information

Members should book by visiting the message board and signing up. If you're not yet a member, and would like to join us then please contact Alec Naylor at [email protected] for further information

Subject to confirmation

Further details to follow

Further details to follow

Further details to follow

Further details to follow

The traditional walk up the easy route to the top of Pen-y-Fan on the Winter Solstice

Further details to follow

Further details to follow

The first meet and greet event of the year, or “turn up and tie on” as BMC like to call it, is planned for Sunday 12th March

This meet will be primarily a way to meet members of the club, either due to not climbing for the last year or to welcome new members!

Usual format - meet in the National Trust car park in Southgate, find new/trial members and fill in any paperwork if no done online beforehand, then amble down to the beach and do some climbing. If there’s plenty of leaders and experience belayers then we can lead/second, but if not we’ll be looking for the more experienced members to set up top ropes and be available to teach.

Low tide is just before 3pm and the main cliffs gets at least 3 hours either side, so 11:30am meeting time at the car park.

Location

Three Cliffs Bay, Gower

Meet Leader

Abi Davies

Description

A 'meet and greet' climbing day for people to put faces to names and new members to get involved along with experienced climbers.

Location

Gilwern is an old limestone quarry situated in a spectacular location overlooking the Black Mountains, with climbing suitable for all abilities.

Meet Leader

Tim Griffiths

The third meet and greet event of the year, or “turn up and tie on” as BMC like to call it, is planned for Saturday 24th June

Low tide on Sat 24th is 5pm, which is a bit late so the decided crag is Foxhole Cove, a non-tidal sport crag with a mix of grades.

Meet time is 11am at the National Trust car park in Southgate and we’ll walk down together

Location

Foxhole Cove,  Gower

Meet Leader

Abi Davies

The Annual General Meeting is being held at the Summit Centre this year

All members are encouraged to attend

All details regarding the annual dinner will be on the message board

The traditional club trip to the hut over Easter. The plans are flexible, and weather dependent - climbing, scrambling, walking etc. On previous Easter meets there's even been some winter conditions.

The hut will also be in need of some general maintenance activities - cleaning etc so all help will be welcome.

A trad-climbing weekend, with camping

Description

This meet will be primarily a way to meet members of the club, either due to not climbing for the last year or to welcome new members!

As usual we will be going to Box Bay. If you’ve never been before this is a great venue to try out trad climbing as there is easy access and the routes tend to be beginner friendly.

The climbs are tidal but can be accessed at around 3 hours either side of low tide.

For parking, the easiest place is Rest Bay pay and display car park. Head back along the coast line towards Porthcawl town centre and you should find the crag.

For more info have a look here https://swcw.org.uk/wiki/Box_Bay 3

Location

Box Bay, Porthcawl

Meet Leader

Pete Sheppard

The second meet and greet event of the year, or “turn up and tie on” as BMC like to call it.

As tides aren't favourable the decided crag is Foxhole Cove, a non-tidal sport crag with a mix of grades.

Meet time is 10:30am at the National Trust car park in Southgate and we’ll walk down together at 11am.

Location

Foxhole Cove,  Gower

Meet Leader

Abi Davies

Description

A week up in the beautiful Isle of Skye - a place abound with climbing, scrambling and walking possibilities. An opportunity to attempt the Cuillin Ridge, one of the big UK mountain adventures.

Location

Isle of Skye

How to Book

Members should book by visiting the message board and signing up. If you're not yet a member, and would like to join us then please contact Alec Naylor at [email protected] for further information

Description

A trip to the Wye Valley for some sport climbing (or some trad if you head round the corner)

Location

Wye Valley

How to Book

Members should book by visiting the message board and signing up. If you're not yet a member, and would like to join us then please contact Alec Naylor at [email protected] for further information

More information here

"Base camp will be held at the beautiful Moorlakes Wood campsite where there will be space for camping, campervanning and even hammocking! We will have a variety of activities to do on-site including morning yoga, gear demos with Petzl, slacklining, campfires, discos, talks and more! In the evenings there will be a fully licensed bar selling a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and you can choose the fully catered ticket option to get breakfast and dinner cooked for you on Saturday and Sunday.

During the day plenty of locals will be around to recommend the best climbing locations across the peninsula. Or if you want to learn something new, we have climbing instructors running courses on a variety of skills from taking the first steps to climbing outside to self rescue on sea cliffs.

The BMC Gower Climbing Festival is entirely non-profit, organised and run by a small team of volunteers and supported by funding from the British Mountaineering Council."

Description

A relaxing day’s climbing at a popular friendly venue

The idea is to have a relaxed, sociable meet at a well-known venue with something for most climbers, including those with families

Parking is at the National Trust carpark in Southgate (see the Wiki for directions). There is a conveniently located cafe next to the carpark for breakfast and/or post-climb cake and ice-cream.

For those that want to make a weekend of it, there is a campsite overlooking Three Cliffs Bay (with an amazing breakfast view): www.threecliffsbay.com. It is popular, so those thinking of camping may need to book ahead. For those wishing to overnight in luxury, they even have glamping Shepard’s huts and yurts!

Location

Three Cliffs Bay

How to Book

Members should book by visiting the message board and signing up. If you're not yet a member, and would like to join us then please contact Alec- [email protected] or Abi- [email protected] for further information

Description

A day of trad climbing in the Mewslade area

Location

Mewslade, Gower

Meet leader

Abi Davies

Message board thread

Description

A day of sport climbing at Gilwern - a quarry with fantastic views just off the A465, close to Abergavenny

Location

Gilwern, Monmouthshre

Meet leader

Abi Davies

Message board thread

Description

The traditional August meet at the hut  in North Wales- activities weather dependent but anything from walking and scrambling, to multi-pitch climbing.  Suitable for all experience levels, but if doing multi-pitch mountain routes then you'll need to be proficient enough to do this (at least experience of belaying and seconding trad routes, abseiling)

Where

The club hut in Deinolen, North Wales

How to Book

Members should book by visiting the message board thread

This year's Annual General Meeting will be held at Up and Under, Cardiff