News 2024

Ashford in the Water - Monthly DMC Walk

November '24 - Caroline

Foxhouse Circular - Monthly DMC Walk

October '24 - David

Mike led this month's walk with 7 members and two prospective members, Rob and Viv on their first meet.

In bright sunshine, we started from Foxhouse and did a 10 mile circuit taking in Burbage Edge, Houndkirk Moor, Black Plantation and Totley Moor.

A lovely day out with great views from our lunch stop on Houndkirk Hill.

Matlock Top 10

October '24 - Andy

This is the 4th time we have ridden the Matlock Top 10 as an informal club event. The Matlock Top 10 takes in 10 of the toughest cycling hill climbs in the Matlock area, and involves over 6000 feet of ascent in under 40 miles.

This year we had 12 riders take part, and after a chilly, misty start from Darley Dale, the weather improved into a beautiful autumn day, allowing us to sit outside for our lunch break at Chase Cafe, Holloway, and our post ride rehydration at the Laburnum Inn, Hackney.

With a range of riding speeds, we went at a pace to suit everyone and regrouped for a rest at the top of every hill. A great day out!

Pembroke Meet

August '24 - Alex

Pembroke 2024, what a trip!!! Only 4 of us went but had an absolute blast.

Steve and I decided to break up the journey by stopping at Shorn Cliff in the Wye Valley, a great crag that we had all to ourselves.

The whole trip consisted of absolute quality climbing on mostly solid, steep rock. Everyone seemed to make the most of the dry days pushing right up to their limits. 

There was only one moist day which presented us with an opportunity for some rest, a walk around Tenby and its beaches and an evening in the pub.

For those who are looking to enjoy sea cliff climbing Pembroke is a great destination offering an adventure at whatever your ability. Look out for future trips as it’s truly amazing!

Thanks to all who made such a memorable trip.

Langde - Fell & Rocks Rawhead Cottage

August '24 - Alex

Over the weekend of 2nd - 5th August 7 of us ventured to Langde and stayed at The Fell & Rocks Rawhead Cottage.

We travelled via Trowbarrow quarry to enjoy some limestone crack climbing and make the most of the dryer conditions. It was great that evening to meet Pete & Laura.

The next day was a proper mountain day for Roger, Raphael, Ben, and me. We started with a long but scenic walk up to Gimmer. After ticking off many classics, we stumbled down to the new Dungeon Ghyll for much-needed refreshments. Pete and Laura scrambled up White Ghyll's edge, walked across to Harrison Stickle, and scrambled up South West Face, while Tom did a solo 12-mile round of the Langdale valley.

Sunday was forecast to be a little worse in terms of the weather, so the climbers decided to stay a little lower and sheltered at White Ghyll. After one route was completed, the weather came in as expected, and we abseiled in the rain to retreat from the hills. Laura and Pete did a scramble up Scale Gill from behind the hut up onto Blea crag.

With great company and a very comfortable and well-equipped hut, this was a quality weekend in the lakes. Thank you, Roger, for arranging it!

Kinder Meet

June '24 - Robin

5 turned up for the Kinder walk this morning.

It was a nice day, to begin with. As planned we walked up Grindsbrook and across to the Downfall from Crowden Clough where Caroline diverted, I hope she made it back OK, found a peculiar text a bit later(?).

We went a little off track on the first bog trot, but on sighting Kinder Gates, all was good. We had lunch and finished the first leg to Kinder Downfall, donning waterproofs on the way. But no bog-trotting dramas so far.

On our journey to the northern edge though, we did have to negotiate a few squashy bits, but only found one real leg eater. All survived with perhaps minor bootys, and we managed to drop onto the edge path on the north at about the right point at the top of Fairbrook Clough. The clouds looked even more ominous, especially over Bleaklow, but the rain wasn’t as bad as earlier.

The Cliff - Yorkshire 2024 Meet

June '24 - Martin

Good day at “the Cliff” on Sunday the 23rd of June for the Yorkshire 2024 meet. 

About 10 members enjoyed surprisingly good conditions. Outstanding achievements include Alex’s Sharapova-esque  ascent of Great Western, the  loudest grunts definitely clearing past 100 decibels! Meanwhile, Paul calmly faced his Wall of Horrors—Martin couldn’t do the start. 

A highlight was Roger coming suitably equipped with Lambrini wine and chicken drumsticks—no boil in the bag Vesta curry for this seasoned expeditioner. 

Less fortunate was James, who, seeking some kind of weird sexual, erotic or emotional fulfilment, managed to dislocate his knee in a green chimney.  

All in all a wonderful day, capped off with beer, frites and salad niçoise at what might be Yorkshire’s poshest pub! 

Thanks to all who were able to attend.

Bank Holiday Climbing Meet at Swanage, Wales

May '24 - Alex

What a great spring bank holiday in Swanage! Reacting to the unsettled forecast, a last-minute change of plans from North Wales to the south coast paid off. With amazing weather, exciting but serious approaches, great routes, good food and fantastic company Swanage really delivered a trip to remember. 

Make sure you check out the away days throughout the rest of the year.

Rock Climbing fundimentals 

April '24 - Alex

Rock climbing fundamental skills session at Stanage popular. For new members and those looking to return to climbing.

Skills delivered :

Belaying - all things belaying, from choice of device, positioning, spotting, lead belaying and taking falls 

Abseiling - different ways to abseil, rope management, backups & retrieving gear

Anchors - choice of anchors, the 6 S’s, IDEAS, gear rating.

Great day with like minded folk enjoying the more technical aspect of climbing.

Cutthroat Bridge - DMC walk

April '24 - Sally

We walked up the old Drovers Road and on either side were lapwings that sounded like squeaky toys, protecting their nests, chasing away a red kite, seagulls and crows. As we walked up towards Moscar Cross, the rams were being very boisterous and head-butting each other, with a solid crash of horns, certainly headache-making. Walking along under Stanage Edge, We started to see Ring Ouzel,  and whilst having lunch saw quite a few along with wheatear, meadow pipit, and skylark.

The huge walls built between the Stanage buttresses came under discussion and are believed to have been built to stop drovers taking their cattle across the Moor so they had to pay tolls on the roads. Tony Fidler is an expert on this.

Luckily as we dropped down onto Bamford Moor, a Golden Plover wandered down the path in front of us,   so all the birds we hoped to see happened upon us, whilst we were wandering along.

We finished the walk along Bamford Edge, crossing Jarvis Clough, back to the cars.

A great walk, thank you, Mike. 

A Bright & Sunny DMC Walk

March '24 - Karen

 A bright and sunny day ?!

A group of 11 met at Edlestow car park to walk to, through and around Ashover. The coffee stop was at Ashover trig point and the now decommissioned nuclear observation bunker. 

The river Amber was crossed several times before the group ascended out of the valley, returning to the car park via the forestry commission lands.  Great views from the Ashover trig to the north and east and also on the return leg towards the White Peak area.

Stanage Far Right

March '24 - Alex

Today’s outside climbing meet was in jeopardy due to a dubious weather forecast. 

A decision was made to change the venue from Millstone to Stanage far right, giving shorter routes and boulder problems to stay warm in the cold conditions. 

As we approached the crag everything looked a bit marginal driving through Hathersage and up the hill we were in thick fog with everything seeming rather damp. Just as we approached the parking we broke through the fog and were met with clear skies and sunshine.

With snow on the ground but dry rock and warming conditions, we had a great day with a mixture of micro routes and easy bouldering.

Glad to have changed the plan and get outside for the day

Winter Scotland Meet

Feb '24 - Tom

This year the DMC club's winter trip was based at Mill Cottage near Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park. The weather was very mild for a winter meet although extremely windy. 

On the first day, we split into three pairs, Tom and Phil climbed the east ridge Beinn a Chaorainn, Cath and Gred climbed a Corbett from Kingussie, and Mike and David climbed Clach a Bhlair via the track, descending on the southwest ridge. 

With wind speeds of over 100 kmph forecast for Friday, we all decided to stay in the valley with one group walking towards the source of the river Feshie, a very sophisticated bothy (with running toilets), and the other group walking in Abernethy Forest. 

Saturday was slightly calmer westerly winds allowing some to climb Fiacaill Couloir. Although it is relatively high, its summit is just below the Cairngorm plateau and is well protected from westerly winds.  

Sunday saw Greg, Tom, and Phil walk a lap of Loch Morlich with a compulsory stop at the cafe. An excellent meet and plans are already underway for next year.

Bonsall Night Nav 

Jan '24 - Alex

Bonsall Night Nav 24th January. 17 members met up at the Barley Mow  in Bonsall before setting off on a challenging night nav, although the clear, moonlit night did make finding some of the checkpoints a bit easier. A few penalties were applied for being late back. Pete and Dave did really well and were the clear winners.

DMC Walk - Meerbrook, Turners Pool and Tittersworth

Jan '24 - Thel