One of the major advantages of joining the club is that we arrange trips away! We visit a wide range of crags, featuring different climbing styles and rock types. We go away for both weekends and day trips, providing you with transport, accommodation and of course banter that you might not otherwise have gotten a hold of. Below is a brief synopsis of trips we run, exact dates can be found on the events page.
The day trips we offer run to a number of different crags, sometimes we'll put on transport but sometimes we'll take bus and train, not cos we're cheap, but because if you don't have a car it makes a return trip easier. Venues that feature on our day trip list include:
Which ones we go to depend mainly on the weather, no point going to a slimey limestone cliff if we can go to a quick drying grit outcrop. But even if we change the venue all of these are worthy of a great day out. Also the committee, although having many special powers, have not heard of every crag, so if you'd like us to go somewhere don't be afraid to mention it down the pub, or on the website.
Our first weekend trip of the year. We stay in a village hall in the bustling metropolis (ok village...) of Lucker, it's a great opportunity for some superb climbing in the Northumbrian hills, at crags such as Bowden, Back Bowden and Chevy. We also have the option of a trip to the North York moors on the Sunday. Climbing aside Northumberland is a big social weekend, with a chance to get to know each other, to help this along Saturday night is dedicated to all manner of crazy games, including the fabled extreme sock wrestling!
A new trip introduced in 2008, we're off to the peak district for some lime and gritstone action in the late autumn sunshine. We've got a hut booked with plenty of bunks and also a field outside for those that want to camp. We're hoping to build experience on this trip and to this end we're hoping to pair veterans and newer members up together for either one or two days. Hopefully this'll help in the coming trips where we spread ourselves thinner on bigger crags and everone has to become that little bit more self sufficient. As for the crags, Windgatherer Rocks are very close by, Chale Dale limestone just a hop away and the famous Stanage edge just a twenty minute drive away. The possibilities are nearly endless!
We're going back to our roots here and once again visiting one of the many iconic crags of North Wales. Since our last trip here in 2006 the BMC has held multiple crag clear up days with volunteers cleaning up this once over grown master-piece of rock, improving access and restoring the condition of popular and not so popular classics. Unlike 2006, this year we will be staying in the Bromsgrove and Redditch Club hut. The hut is situated brilliantly either at the base of the crag for the keen climbers or opposite Eric's cafe for those that are motivated by an awesome breakfast. The climbing is all multi-pitch on top notch classic routes some topping out at over 90m, and if it's raining: a trip to the beach, a foray down the slate mines or a trek across the Snowdonia peaks can all be arranged (or we can just all go down the pub!).
Our first trip of the spring term. We'll be staying in the University hut situated in the beautiful and unspoilt Duddon valley. It's a great facility, and within striking distance of all kinds of rock. With Eskdale granite, esk buttress, all of Langdale or the famous black crags which look down upon it close by. We can even venture down into Wasdale and pay a visit to the iconic Napes Needle on Great Gable.
The year would not be complete without a trip to the Roaches. The Roaches,for those that don't know - is in Staffordshire, mid-way between Leek and Buxton. To many members, this is the most eagerly anticipated trip of the year. With a huge number of absolute classic routes including the Sloth, Valkyrie and Wombat. There are both single and multi-pitch routes situated on two tiers of rock literally outside the front door, this trip is surely one of the highlights of the year! If all that is not enough the hut itself is worth the trip. It's literally built into the crag (the kitchen is actually a cave!) All this means there's really no excuse not to climb all day!
LUUMC members get discounted entry to The Leeds Wall on a Wednesday afternoon, so most weeks, especially during the winter, you'll find plenty of club members spending the afternoon there. Ask any existing member for more information about the Leeds Wall, how to get there etc... Until you can tie in, belay and put a harness on (though not necessarily in that order...) you need to go down to the wall with someone experienced. Hopefully the Committee will arrange some training sessions at the new University Wall in the Sports Centre, to get you up to standard. Obviously you can climb there too - it's cheaper than the Leeds Wall and easier to get to... though in comparison it's pretty tiny! AND it's closing in November to make way for the new swimming pool...