BSC2019: Sport Climbing (Saturday 09:30)

This year, we will once again be offering two days’ worth of climbing events suitable for a range of abilities. On Saturday, we’ll arrange a sport climbing day and Sunday will be focused towards those who get their thrills in trad and/or multi-pitch!

For Saturday’s sport climbing day, we’ll head to a former quarry about 20-30 minutes’ drive from the rugby club which offers climbs at grades suitable for climbers with a wide range of abilities. A number of leaders will be available on the day to help you pick out routes that will suit your skill and experience level. In addition if you’ve been climbing indoors for a while, this could be the perfect event for you to venture from resin to rock!

What is Sport Climbing?

Sport climbing is a form of climbing where you climb and clip the rope as you go into bolts placed in the rock in order to protect the climb - this as opposed to ‘trad’ climbing, where you place your own removable protective gear as you go. It’s one of the most common methods of climbing outdoors around the world, but relatively rare in the UK where climbing ethics dictates that you leave natural rock as you found it - that is, bolt-free. There are exceptions however, particularly where rock is ‘man-made’ such as in former quarry works, such as where we’ll be heading. It does however have its benefits in a relatively low requirement for equipment and generally easy walk-ins from the car park! As such, if you’ve previously only climbed indoors, sport climbing is often the easiest way of getting out on rock for the first time.

What level of climbing experience should I have?

Ideally, you’ll have some recent climbing experience, preferably including some lead climbing, though please message the event leader if you’ve only top-roped and we’ll do our best to ensure you can join us. If you’ve never climbed before, why not check out one of the weekly climbing events that are run by our volunteers across the UK, where we’ll teach you everything you need to know to get started!

What about the weather?

Members should understand that rock climbing is weather dependent – more so than some other outdoor activities - not least as it can be dangerous to climb on wet rock. Whilst we will do everything reasonably possible to run the event as described, the event leader may need to change the location and/or other event details to best suit the anticipated weather. We will advise members booked on, or interested, in the event of this as soon as is practical, but you should understood that in certain circumstances it may be necessary to move the event to an indoor climbing centre, or cancel the event all together.

Participation Statement

As a BMC Affiliate member, Outdoorlads draws your attention to the fact that climbing is an activity with a danger of personal injury or death. You should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for your own actions and involvement.

Please note that every person participating should be aware of (and accept) that those members perceived as ‘in charge’ or leading the event are not necessarily qualified, do not need to be qualified, and are not regarded by OutdoorLads, or themselves as ‘technical experts’ but are amateur climbers with some experience and who are happy to impart their knowledge.  Any advice given should be considered with this in mind by the recipient.

Event photos courtesy of Paul Ridealgh