Sheffield Mountaineering

To welcome in 2026, we’re heading up Kinder Scout for a festive night-time adventure: a headtorch scramble up Red Brook, a picnic on the plateau, fairy lights, sparklers, and fireworks rolling across Manchester and the Peaks as we see in the New Year outdoors with good company.

Our intended line is a classic: up Nether Red Brook and down Fairbrook, choosing either Kinder Downfall or Fairbrook Naze as our midnight viewpoint, depending on weather and wind. Expect a warm, friendly, slightly chaotic “Extreme™ but fun” NYE vibe — blankets, lights, food, laughter, and proper winter mountain sense all included.

IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ
Because it’s New Year’s Eve and people are committing their night to this, we’re building in some flexibility. We don’t want anyone left at home with nowhere to go because Kinder decides to throw a tantrum.

Plan A (Preferred)
Up Nether Red Brook → Kinder plateau → picnic + fireworks at Downfall or Fairbrook Naze → down Fairbrook.

Plan B (If weather shifts)
We may switch to Upper Red Brook, choose whichever viewpoint is safest, shorten or adjust the summit stop, or tweak timings so we minimise exposed waiting.

Plan C (If the tops are unsafe)
If Kinder is being unreasonable — high winds, sheet ice, freezing rain, white-out — we’ll swap to a safe low-level walk and then go to a pub together to see in the New Year.

Something will happen. No one will be left without plans.

A WhatsApp group will be created beforehand to keep everyone updated.

Meet Point & Route
We’ll meet at Birchin Clough Car Park on Snake Pass.
The exact pin will be posted in the WhatsApp group.

The route will be Red Brook (Nether, or Upper if conditions warrant), then a wander over the plateau, a midnight viewpoint stop, and a descent via Fairbrook back to Snake Path.

Scrambling Grades (for clarity)
Nether Red Brook is mostly Grade 1, with alternative finishes that can raise it to Grade 2 or even Grade 3 depending on the exact line.
Upper Red Brook is Grade 1.
Fair Brook is also Grade 1.

These are the summer/adverse-free grades. At night, in winter conditions, on wet or icy rock with limited visibility, the technical seriousness increases significantly. This is why the experience requirements for this event are high.

Experience & Skill Level Required
This event is strictly limited in numbers and is only suitable for people with genuine scrambling experience in difficult conditions. You need to be confident on steep, loose and sometimes committing ground, comfortable moving on rock in the dark by headtorch, and capable of managing yourself safely in winter weather.

if your scrambling experience is mainly sunny Grade 1 days out, this won’t be the right event. If you’ve done more serious or exposed scrambles, winter scrambles, or you’re used to rough ground in poor visibility, you’ll understand what the night will involve.

Helmets are required.

Timings
Our start time will be weather-dependent:
If things look calm and dry, we’ll start earlier and have a relaxed time on the plateau with food and fairy lights as we wait for midnight.
If the weather is less friendly, we’ll start later so we spend less time sitting cold and exposed.

You should expect the outing to take around 4–6 hours.
Exact meet and set-off times will be confirmed closer to the day on WhatsApp.

Equipment
Bring two headtorches, warm layers, waterproofs, an insulated jacket for the summit stop, gloves (plus a spare pair), a hat/buff, and a seating mat so you’re not freezing on the ground.
Footwear should be appropriate for winter conditions on Kinder — mountain boots recommended; approach shoes only if you’re confident they suit the weather.
Please bring picnic food for the summit, a hot drink, and plenty of snacks.
We’ll bring sparklers (small contribution appreciated), and fairy lights are very much encouraged for some New Year’s magic.
Cost

There will be a £2 contribution, plus a small chip-in for sparklers
This is simply to cover costs — it’s not a commercial event.
Weather
Kinder in winter is a law unto itself. Expect cold wind, clag, poor visibility, wet or icy rock, and sudden changes in conditions. We’ll decide which plan (A, B or C) to use on the day, with safety always coming first.

Community & Expectations
This is a friendly Sheffield Mountaineering community outing run by volunteers. We look after each other and keep things supportive and enjoyable, especially on a night as special as New Year’s Eve. At the same time, everyone attending is responsible for their own safety, equipment and judgement. Personal competence keeps the whole group safe and makes the evening better for everyone.

Booking Etiquette
Spaces are limited. Given this is a special night. Please only book on if you genuinely intend to come, and if you need to cancel, do so early so others can make plans in time to join us 😊

Participation Statement
Climbing, hill walking and mountaineering can provide life-long physical, social and mental health benefits through exercise and adventure in amazing environments. Sheffield Mountaineering recognises these activities involve a risk of personal injury or death. Participants should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.

Any questions, just ask away…