What we’re about
Welcome to Sheffield Mountaineering. We are a long established and very friendly group for people who enjoy adventures in the mountains and hills of the UK and beyond. Being based in Sheffield we take full advantage of the Peak District as well as making regular trips away to Snowdonia, the Lake District, the Scottish Highlands and the great mountain ranges of mainland Europe.
We are best known for our scrambling activities and we also have a vibrant rock climbing scene. Other pursuits we offer include winter mountaineering, hiking, caving, abseiling and indoor climbing. We cater for all levels of ability and experience so whether you’re a seasoned Alpinist, just a hill walker looking to move on to something a bit more adventurous or anything in between, you have come to the right place. All our outings take place under the guidance of experienced and knowledgeable leaders.
Our activities happen with a relaxed friendly vibe and we like to see ourselves as a big happy family rather than a group of strangers thrown together. Many lasting friendships have been formed through people meeting at our events. We welcome new members and first timers and always try to make our group a safe and comfortable space for anybody who is socially awkward or vulnerable in any way.
Though very experienced and accomplished mountaineers, our organisers are all modest, easy going and very approachable. We take great pleasure in helping beginners improve and develop their mountaineering skills.
We are a proudly diverse, inclusive and multi cultural group and welcome people of every race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity etc etc.
Membership of our group is absolutely free but at each of our events we do appreciate donations of £2.00 per person towards our substantial MeetUp fees and other operating costs such as unpaid time off work for those of us organisers who are self employed. Running this group and facilitating quality mountain outings for like minded people under professional level guidance is quite a money pit so if those benefiting from our activities can help out in some small way it is always very welcome. Please read the notes below and we hope to hear from you soon....
Important Notes:
This Meet Up group provides an informal means of meeting fellow mountain enthusiasts and enjoying what the great outdoors has to offer. Although there is always an element of knowledge sharing, it is not a Club or Training/Coaching group and therefore members of the group should not expect to receive any special training or instruction. While mountain safety is always our number one priority, at the end of the day as with any other voluntary activities, you remain responsible for your own Health, Safety and Well Being. For any of the Meet Up activities, please ensure you are comfortable with what you are doing and that you are fully informed of the risks. Any doubts at all then please ask. The group does not have any insurance and cannot accept responsibility for the actions of its members. We will do everything possible to keep you safe but we are NOT responsible for any accidents you may have. By signing up and coming to any of our events, you agree to all of this.
Please also note the following BMC Participation Statement:
"The BMC recognises that climbing, hill walking and mountaineering are
activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these
activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for
their own actions and involvement."
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This event takes place in a big mountain setting and involves easy grade technical scrambling and adventurous hiking with some moderate exposure. It is suitable for confident beginners looking to progress to the next level. It also has more than enough quality to make it a worthwhile exercise for seasoned mountaineers.
Ben Nevis Ledge Route and Mountaineering in Glencoe
Meet at: The public bar in the Glencoe Inn on the main A82 road through Glencoe Village, PH49 4HP. The plan is to travel up on Saturday 6th then meet socially for an hour or two in the evening before the week’s activities will begin the following morning. We will be leaving to travel back home on the morning of Saturday 13th. As an environmentally conscious group, we actively encourage car sharing. Further details of car sharing arrangements from Sheffield, Manchester and elsewhere will appear in the comments section nearer the time.
While we plan to spend the week enjoying as many mountain adventures as possible, there will be one main objective; an ascent of Ben Nevis via the North Face Ledge Route and this outing will be prioritised for the first good weather day of the trip. The delightful Scimitar Ridge scramble will be on the agenda too and we will also spend plenty time in the magnificent mountains of Glencoe.
As the highest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis needs no introduction. Tens of thousands of pilgrims reach its 1345 metre summit every year and virtually all of them do so by the Pony Track (the main tourist path). Very few venture round to the other side of the mountain and on to its imposing North Face (shown in photo above) but that is exactly what we will be doing. Our route of ascent will be via The Ledge Route, which follows an implausibly amenable line up that towering North Face. It is a long and sustained scramble with some dramatic positions but is never overly technical.
Glencoe boasts some of the most incredible mountain scenery anywhere in the UK with a series of spectacular jagged peaks towering over the narrow valley below from both sides. So breathtaking is the view that there is even a purpose built parking place on the A82 road through the valley to allow never ending coach loads of tourists to stop and gaze in wonder. Of course we will be doing a lot more than just gazing at those mountains, we will be getting up close and personal with their lofty summits including the likes of Buachaille Etive Mor, Stob Choire Sgreamhach, Am Bodach, Stob Choire Nam Beith, Aonach Dubh and more.
Photos from a couple of our previous trips to Ben Nevis and Glencoe be seen here:
https://www.meetup.com/sheffield-mountaineering-rock-climbing-meet/photos/34449827/
https://www.meetup.com/sheffield-mountaineering-rock-climbing-meet/photos/32721348/
Difficulty: The Ledge Route is a Grade 2 scramble. Scimitar Ridge is Grade 2 or 3 depending on the line taken. Other routes we will be looking at in Glencoe will involve adventurous hiking and Grade 1 scrambling. For more information on scrambling grades see:
https://www.thebmc.co.uk/understanding-scrambling-grades
Experience Required: Some previous mountain scrambling experience is essential. If you lack the required experience but fancy this trip, just come to some of our other scrambling events first.
Ordnance Survey Map: OS Explorer 392 Ben Nevis & Fort William 1:25,000 scale.
Guidebooks: Scrambles in Lochaber by Noel Williams and Scotland’s Mountain Ridges by Dan Bailey, both published by Cicerone Press, Highland Scrambles South published by SMC.
Accommodation: Some of us have booked a holiday cottage in Glencoe village. If you are not already booked into this cottage, you will need to arrange your own accommodation. There are many other options in the area. As well as cottages there are youth hostels, bunkhouses, B&B's and campsites. If you need any help or advice finding something just let me know.
If everybody wants to contribute £12.00 towards our substantial Meet Up fees and the additional costs incurred in organising this trip that will be great, thanks.
Disclaimer: This is NOT a package holiday or guided tour and there is NO insurance provided. Mountaineering can be a dangerous activity and you attend entirely at your own risk. We will do everything possible to keep you safe but we are NOT responsible for any accidents you may have. By signing up and coming to the event, you agree to all of this. We highly recommend that you take out your own insurance.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- The Yorkshire Three PeaksHorton In Ribblesdale Village Hall, Settle
England’s ultimate one day hiking challenge. We’re announcing this one well in advance to give you plenty time to build up your fitness levels!
Route: Pen Y Ghent, Whernside, Ingleborough
Meet at: Outside Horton In Ribblesdale Village Hall, Chapel Lane, Horton in Ribblesdale, Settle BD24 0HA. There is ample free parking in a large layby off the B6479 very close to the village hall. As an environmentally conscious group, we actively encourage car sharing. Further details of car sharing arrangements from Sheffield, Manchester and elsewhere will appear in the comments section nearer the time.
Pen Y Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough rise majestically from the heart of the Yorkshire Dales to form the highest points in England’s largest county. The challenge of reaching all three summits in one day seems almost as old as those hills themselves and is an essential rite of passage for every English based hiker.
We will be following the traditional route. After leaving Horton in Ribblesdale we will head for our first summit of Pen Y Ghent at 694 metres. From there, we will trek on across moorland and past the famous Ribblehead viaduct towards our second summit, Whernside, the highest peak of the day at 736 metres. Then comes our last big push, up to Ingleborough, completing our final summit at 723 metres before heading back to Horton in Ribblesdale to complete the circuit and rest our weary feet!
In keeping with the spirit of the group, everyone is welcome. That being said, this hike is a long and tough undertaking. People taking part should have the necessary fitness and be prepared to complete a total of 24 miles including three strenuous ascents of a combined 1585 metres ie a mile of vertical height gain!
Photos from the previous time we did Yorkshire Three Peaks can be seen here:
https://www.meetup.com/sheffield-mountaineering-rock-climbing-meet/photos/33537709/
Difficulty: Strenuous without technical difficulty.
Experience Required: Previous hiking/hillwalking experience would be beneficial along with a very good level of general fitness and a sense of adventure.
Duration: Approx: 39 km with total height gain of approx. 1585 metres.
Estimated time 9 to 12 hours.
Ordnance Survey Map: OS 98 Wensleydale & Upper Wharfedale 1:50,000 scale.
As always, if everybody wants to contribute £2.00 towards our Meet Up site fees and other operating costs that will be great, thanks.
- WEEKEND CLIMBING EVENT: Trad & Bouldering @ The RoachesRockhall Cottage - The Don Whillans Memorial Hut. , StaffordshireGBP 35.00
Buried deep in the South West corner of the Peak District and across the Staffordshire border, The Roaches is one of Britain’s premier climbing venues. With three distinct and extensive gritstone crags, the area offers a plethora of climbs of all grades and styles. From delicate slabs to overhanging roofs and jamming cracks, this place has got it all. The climbs here are generally some of the longest single pitch routes in the Peak District too. It really is an adventure playground for climbers of all abilities further enhanced by a sort of self contained natural theme park feel.
NOTE: This event is only for people who are staying at the accommodation.
Accomodation
To make the most of this special climbing weekend we will be staying onsite at the Don Whillans Memorial Hut. We have booked the hut (a year in advance) on the Friday and Saturday nights for exclusive use by Sheffield Mountaineering with all 12 spaces to be allocated to members of our group. This is a unique hut built into the rock which has been extended from an original cave dwelling. Not only is this hut right among the climbs it also gives us the opportunity to nip out and do a few more routes in the evenings after the crowds have left.The hut has:
- two mixed dorm rooms
- full cooking and dining facilities
- shower
- central heating
- drying room
Cost: We are pleased to offer this much sought after accommodation (booked a year in advance!!) at just £35 per person for the whole weekend (Friday and Saturday nights)
To secure your place please send £35.00 with the reference Roaches to Paypal Nigel Lamb via the link: paypal.me/NigelLamb72 or use my email address dr_chop@hotmail.com. If you don't have a PayPal account let me know.
Climbing: The Roaches offers an excellent range of quality gritstone climbing for both bouldering and trad routes.
Walks and Scrambling: This a very stunning area of the Peaks and has many great walks and some good scrambling.
Background: Don Whillans (1933 – 1985) was a working class lad from Lancashire who went on to become one of the foremost British climbers and mountaineers of his generation. His notable achievements included the first ascent of the South Face of Annapurna in 1970. Often a controversial character and by all accounts never the easiest person to get on with, his was nevertheless always one of the first names Chris Bonnington put on the team sheet when organising an expedition. Whillans was also renowned for his awareness of mountain safety as typified by a retreat from the North Face of the Eiger in 1962 that cleverly bypassed the treacherous Hinterstoisser Traverse. Sadly a lifetime of boozing and smoking lead to his untimely demise at the age of just 52.
