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 people with a shared interest is quite a money pit so if those benefiting from our activities can help out in some small way it is always very welcome. Any money paid is merely a donation towards our costs in bringing like minded people together. You are NOT purchasing any product or service such as guidance, insurance or an experience etc. 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."
Featured event
Winter Mountaineering in The Cairngorms
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
You must bring an ice axe, crampons and crampon compatible boots. The boots are crucial. Without the right type of boots your crampons will not stay on. There is no alternative, bringing the right equipment is essential, things like micro spikes and walking poles just won’t do. Cheap crampons from China bought online will not be acceptable either.
THIS IS NOT A WINTER WALKING EVENT. It will be a bona fide mountaineering exercise. If the weather and conditions allow us to do the routes we are planning, there will be some exposure as well as technical scrambling on rock, snow and ice.
The Cairngorms (Aviemore)
Meet at: Aviemore. The plan is to travel up on Saturday 21st then meet for a pre expedition briefing in the evening before the week’s activities begin the following morning (the location for the briefing will be given to all attendees nearer the time). We will be leaving to travel back home on the morning of Saturday 28th. 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 Ben Nevis is Britain’s highest individual mountain, the Cairngorms are undisputedly our highest mountain range. As well as boasting the largest concentration of towering peaks, it is the only place in the country where you can walk for miles in a straight line without ever dropping below 1,000 metres in altitude. Needless to say the possibilities for adventure in such a mountain range are endless.
The focus of the week will be on big mountain outings involving high quality easy grade technical winter climbing. We will be looking at reaching the summits of mountains such as Ben Macdui (the country’s second highest peak at 1,309 metres), the eponymous Cairn Gorm, Braeriach, Cairn Na Criche, Sgor An Lochain Uaine, Cairn Toul, Cairn Lochan and Stob Coire an t-Sneachda as well as, conditions permitting, doing the classic scramble of the Fiacaill Ridge which makes for a superb outing in winter.
Photos from our previous winter trip to the Cairngorms can be seen here:
https://www.meetup.com/sheffield-mountaineering-rock-climbing-meet/photos/34381289/
Difficulty: Mostly Grade I winter climbing with Grade II on the Fiacaill Ridge. For more information on winter climbing grades see:
https://www.thebmc.co.uk/winter-climbing-grades
Experience Required: Some previous winter mountaineering/mountain scrambling/rock climbing experience with our group is an essential requirement for anybody who wants to come on this trip.
Ordnance Survey Map: OS Explorer OL57 Cairn Gorm and Aviemore, 1:25,000 scale.
Guidebooks: Scotland’s Mountain Ridges published by Cicerone Press, Highland Scrambles South published by the Scottish Mountaineering Council.
Accommodation: A few of us have booked a holiday cottage just outside Aviemore. If you haven't already got a confirmed place in this cottage you will need to arrange your own accommodation. There are many options in the Aviemore 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. 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
13
Awesome Walls Indoor Climbing Sheffield
Awesome Walls Climbing Centre, Sheffield, Garter Street, Sheffield, GBCome join us for a bit of mid-week climbing fun with top rope & lead climbing. People tend to arrive between 6-7pm, though feel free to arrive at any time. 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).
Prices: £12 members / £14.50 non-members (paid to the venue on arrival)
Pricing options: HERE
What to bring: Climbing shoes, harness, belay plate and rope (if you have one). NOTE: You can hire all these for a fee.
Already a climber: 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: Look out for me, Nigel, the short bald guy with a grey beard.
3 attendees
Scrambling and Hiking, Red Brook, Kinder Scout
Bowden Bridge Car Park - Peak District NP, 165 Kinder Road, High Peak, GBRoute: Red Brook
Meet at: Bowden Bridge Car Park, Kinder Rd, near Hayfield, postcode SK22 2LH. OS map reference SK048869. 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.
Public toilets in car park at start of walk.
Red Brook is definitely one of the finest easy scrambles in the Peak District. It is long and sustained with continuous pleasant moves on good quality rock that stays clean even when wet. It is beginner friendly but also provides plenty entertainment for experienced scramblers.
The full day will include a long scenic hike along the shores of Kinder Reservoir and banks of the River Kinder, a Grade 1 scrambling ascent of Kinder Scout via Red Brook, a hike along the edge of the summit plateau taking in close up views of the spectacular Kinder Downfall before continuing round the Southern edge of the plateau and descending via William Clough on the way back to the car park.
Photos of some of our previous outings to Red Brook and Kinder can be seen here:
https://www.meetup.com/Sheffield-Mountaineering-Rock-Climbing-Meet/photos/31895808/
https://www.meetup.com/Sheffield-Mountaineering-Rock-Climbing-Meet/photos/28763496/#470005101
Difficulty: Grade 1 scrambling (suitable for beginners). For more information on scrambling grades see:
https://www.thebmc.co.uk/understanding-scrambling-grades
Experience Required: Some previous hillwalking/hiking experience would be beneficial along with a reasonable level of fitness, sense of adventure and preparation for any weather. The walk in to Red Brook tends to be rather boggy so waterproof boots are strongly advised!
Duration: Approx. 11 km with height gain (from car park to Kinder summit plateau) of approx. 350 metres. Estimated time 5 to 6 hours.
Ordnance Survey Map: Dark Peak Area OL1 Explorer Map 1:25 000 Scale.
Guidebook: Scrambles in the Dark Peak published by Cicerone Press.
As always, if everybody wants to contribute £2.00 towards our Meet Up site fees and other operating costs that will be great, thanks.
29 attendeesAwesome Walls Indoor Climbing Sheffield
Awesome Walls Climbing Centre, Sheffield, Garter Street, Sheffield, GBCome join us for a bit of mid-week climbing fun with top rope & lead climbing. People tend to arrive between 6-7pm, though feel free to arrive at any time. 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).
Prices: £12 members / £14.50 non-members (paid to the venue on arrival)
Pricing options: HERE
What to bring: Climbing shoes, harness, belay plate and rope (if you have one). NOTE: You can hire all these for a fee.
Already a climber: 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: Look out for me, Nigel, the short bald guy with a grey beard.
3 attendees
Past events
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