
What we’re about
Welcome to Sheffield Mountaineering. We are a long established and very friendly group for people who enjoy exploring mountains and hills in the UK without being solely focused on rock climbing (although we do plenty of that too). 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.
Our main activities include scrambling, rock climbing, winter climbing, 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 an experienced mountain leader.
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. We do not wish to make any profit from our mission of facilitating mountain outings for like minded people under professional level guidance but if those benefiting from our activities can help out with our expenses in some small way it is always very welcome. Please see the notes below and 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.
Please 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."
Route: Tryfan North Ridge, Tryfan South Ridge, Bristly Ridge, Y Gribin Ridge
Meet at: Tryfan car park on the A5 just West of Tryfan and Milestone Buttress and on the same side of the road. OS map reference SH663603. 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. Please also see section on parking below.
This one needs no introduction. The classic Cwm Bochlwyd Horseshoe, undoubtedly the most popular mountain scrambling outing in the UK and justifiably so. The route throws up two 900+ metre summits, four ridges and more scrambling than you can shake a stick at. Taking in the iconic shark fin profile of Tryfan and the spectacular jagged pinnacles of Bristly Ridge as well as many other interesting rock features, this is the most enjoyable day of easy ridge scrambling to be had anywhere south of Torridon.
The full day will include a delightfully short walk in from the car park, a Grade 1 scrambling ascent of Tryfan via the North Ridge, a Grade 1 scrambling descent of the South Ridge to the col at Bwlch Tryfan before a Grade 1 scrambling ascent of Glyder Fach via Bristly Ridge followed by a visit to the gravity defying Cantilever Stone and further interesting scrambling to the mountain’s main summit and the dramatic outcrop of Castell Y Gwynt then a Grade 1 scrambling descent of Y Gribin Ridge to take us back to the car park.
Photos from our previous outings to Tryfan and Bristly Ridge can be seen here:
https://www.meetup.com/sheffield-mountaineering-rock-climbing-meet/photos/35266780/
Difficulty: Grade 1 scrambling with a couple of moves on Bristly Ridge at the top end of that grade. Suitable for adventurous beginners. For more information on scrambling grades see:
https://www.thebmc.co.uk/understanding-scrambling-grades
Experience Required: Some previous scrambling or mountain walking experience is strongly recommended.
Duration: Approx. 8 km with height gain of approx. 900 metres, mostly scrambling! Estimated time 6 hours.
Ordnance Survey Map: OS 115 Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa 1:50,000 scale.
Guidebook: Scrambles in Snowdonia 2017 edition published by Cicerone Press.
Parking: Demand outweighs supply in the Ogwen Valley these days. The car park where we are meeting and all other parking places in the area all full up very quickly. We therefore highly recommend getting there as early as possible, ideally the night before. There are two campsites within walking distance of the meeting place (details below). Another option is to park up and sleep in your vehicle-there are very decent public toilets at Idwal Cottage. The aforementioned campsites are:
Gwern Gof Isaf https://gwerngofisaf.co.uk
Gwern Gof Uchaf https://www.tryfanwales.co.uk
I plan on staying at Isaf on the Friday and Saturday nights.
As always, if everybody wants to contribute £2.00 towards our Meet Up site fees and other operating costs that will be great, thanks.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Awesome Walls Indoor Climbing SheffieldAwesome Walls Climbing Centre, Sheffield, Sheffield
***Not suitable for beginners. You'll need to be able to belay safely to participate in this meetup
Come join us for a bit of mid-week climbing fun with top rope & lead climb options. You will need to be registered with Awesome Walls, which includes being able to belay & tie a figure of 8 (see 'New to climbing' below).
People tend to arrive between 6-7pm, though feel free to arrive at any time. Any problems with finding the group then ask for me (David Reeves).
There are typically between 5-10 people each week, mostly lead climbers. Abilities vary going up to approximately '7a' standard.
Most of us climb outdoors as well - at least when the weather is favourable!
Prices: £10 members / £12 non-members (paid to the venue on arrival)
Pricing options: HERE**Register with Awesome Walls HERE
New to climbing: Get in touch if you're new to climbing. Awesome Walls also run taster sessions HERE
How to find us: Ask for myself, David Reeves, at reception and they will point you in the right direction
- Mountain Scrambling Weekend in Borrowdale, Lake DistrictChapel House Farm, Keswick
Borrowdale
Meet at: Chapel House Farm campsite on the B5289 just South of Rosthwaite village, postcode CA12 5XG. 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.
Home to the very highest peaks in England as well as some of the finest crags, the Borrowdale valley has long been a Mecca for mountaineering enthusiasts. We will be planning to take full advantage of the spectacular cliffs, rock faces, ridges and gills in the area to get in a couple of quality big mountain days. The focus of the weekend will be on classic scrambles of all grades. Our options will include routes such as Grains Gill and Allen Crags, Great Gable link up, Base Brown, Intake Ridge, Sourmilk Gill, Rabbits Trod, Esk Pike Fortress and Cam Crag Ridge amongst others.
Photos from some of our previous trips to Borrowdale can be seen here:
https://www.meetup.com/sheffield-mountaineering-rock-climbing-meet/photos/34793401/
https://www.meetup.com/Sheffield-Mountaineering-Rock-Climbing-Meet/photos/29975406/
Difficulty: Mostly Grade 1 and Grade 2 Scrambling, possibly some Grade 3. For more information on scrambling grades see:
https://www.thebmc.co.uk/understanding-scrambling-grades
Experience Required: Some previous climbing or scrambling experience is strongly advised. If you want to participate but lack the required experience just come to a couple of our other scrambling/climbing events first. It is assumed that everybody attending will be comfortable on Grade 1 mountain scrambles.
Ordnance Survey Map: OS 90 Penrith & Keswick 1:50,000 scale.
Guidebooks: Scrambles in The Lake District Volume 2: Northern Lakes published by Cicerone Press.
Accommodation: Most of us will be camping as we have found this is always a highly popular option with our members on these weekend trips. We will be staying at Chapel House Farm Campsite:
https://www.chapelhousefarmcampsite.co.uk/
If you want to come on this trip but don’t fancy camping, feel free to arrange your own accommodation in the area. The Borrowdale Youth Hostel is just across the road from the campsite and it is very nice:
https://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/yha-borrowdale
If you just want to join us for one day that will be fine.
As always, if everybody wants to contribute £4.00 towards our Meet Up site fees and other operating costs that will be great, thanks.
- Awesome Walls Indoor Climbing SheffieldAwesome Walls Climbing Centre, Sheffield, Sheffield
***Not suitable for beginners. You'll need to be able to belay safely to participate in this meetup
Come join us for a bit of mid-week climbing fun with top rope & lead climb options. You will need to be registered with Awesome Walls, which includes being able to belay & tie a figure of 8 (see 'New to climbing' below).
People tend to arrive between 6-7pm, though feel free to arrive at any time. Any problems with finding the group then ask for me (David Reeves).
There are typically between 5-10 people each week, mostly lead climbers. Abilities vary going up to approximately '7a' standard.
Most of us climb outdoors as well - at least when the weather is favourable!
Prices: £10 members / £12 non-members (paid to the venue on arrival)
Pricing options: HERE**Register with Awesome Walls HERE
New to climbing: Get in touch if you're new to climbing. Awesome Walls also run taster sessions HERE
How to find us: Ask for myself, David Reeves, at reception and they will point you in the right direction
- Four Scrambles on KinderCar park between Barber Booth and Upper Booth, Edale
Route: The Cloughs, Red Brook, Arpeggio Gully and Crowden Clough.
Meet at: Car park near railway bridge between Barber Booth and Upper Booth. OS map reference SK107847. From Sheffield follow the A625 then A6187 to Hope. In Hope turn right opposite the church and follow the road to Edale. Continue past Edale for approx. 2km, cross a bridge over a stream then turn right immediately. Follow the road under a bridge then slightly uphill for approx. 300 metres to the parking area on the left side. The car park fills up very quickly so we highly recommend going by train. Edale station is 20 minutes walk away and is well served by trains from Sheffield and Manchester and points in between.
This outing includes some of the finest scrambles in the Dark Peak, each having something truly spectacular and memorable to offer. The Cloughs is a sustained and varied route in a lovely, picturesque setting, with some optional harder sections. Red Brook is a delightful scramble over clean, water-carved rock with breathtaking views. Arpeggio Gully is a stunning technical scramble with a steep and airy aspect, and some wonderfully pleasant moves on offer, and Crowden Clough is an endlessly rewarding route with an impressive waterfall pitch and a whole host of interesting lines to explore.
The day begins with a pleasant hike along a section of the Pennine Way towards Jacobs Ladder, followed by a Grade 1/2 (between 1 and 2) scrambling ascent of The Cloughs. From here, we head towards Kinder Low, and then along the edge of the plateau to the top of Red Brook, with stunning views towards Kinder Reservoir and beyond. A Grade 1 scrambling descent of Red Brook is followed by a contouring traverse along the hillside, and a Grade 3 scrambling ascent of Arpeggio Gully. Heading back towards Kinder Low, we continue towards Pym Chair and some optional scrambling and easy soloing in amongst cracks and chimneys. The path then takes us past the ornate and eye-catching forms of The Woolpacks to Crowden Clough, and a Grade 1 scrambling descent back towards Barber Booth.
Photos from the previous times we've done this outing can be seen here:
https://www.meetup.com/sheffield-mountaineering-rock-climbing-meet/photos/34596239/
https://www.meetup.com/sheffield-mountaineering-rock-climbing-meet/photos/33275646/
https://www.meetup.com/sheffield-mountaineering-rock-climbing-meet/photos/32454885/
https://www.meetup.com/Sheffield-Mountaineering-Rock-Climbing-Meet/photos/31460684/
Difficulty: Arpeggio Gully is a Grade 3 scramble, the other scrambles are all Grade 1/2 (between Grade 1 and 2). For more information on scrambling grades see:
https://www.thebmc.co.uk/understanding-scrambling-grades
Experience Required: Some previous scrambling or rock climbing experience is essential.
Duration: Approx. 12.5 km with overall height gain of approx. 650 metres. Estimated time 5 to 6 hours.
Ordnance Survey Map: OL 1 Dark Peak Area 1:25 000 Scale.
Guidebook: Scrambles in the Dark Peak published by Cicerone Press.
As always, if everybody wants to contribute £1.00 towards our Meet Up site fees and other operating costs that will be great, thanks.
(Description and original idea by Sam D)