Summer BBQ and stay-over

A big thanks to club member's Graham and Yvonne who have kindly offered to host a summer BBQ and stay-over at their house near Bamford in the Peak District on the weekend of 15/16th June. The plan is to go climbing (or cycling or walking if you prefer) on Saturday and then head to Graham and Yvonne's late afternoon for a BBQ with the option to stay-over for those that want to make a weekend of it. We'll arrange the climbing venue nearer the time, probably Bamford Edge!

We'll be asking club members coming to the BBQ to bring some food contribution which we will co-ordinate nearer the time. If you want to come to the BBQ you need to book a place via the website so we know who will be there and how many are staying over.

Club members please RSVP via the Event on the website so we know how many are coming to the BBQ and how many are staying over - https://www.bowlineclimbingclub.co.uk/event-details/summer-bbq-and-stay-over-2

There is plenty of space indoors for staying over, there is even an extensive bouldering wall if you haven't had enough climbing during the day. You will need to bring your overnight gear including a sleeping bag, pillow and ground mat. Children and partners are welcome to come along but please indicate who is coming when you book your place, and bear in mind that although there is plenty of space it will be communal accommodation. 

On the Sunday there will be climbing as well.

THE meets list 2024!

Well here it is folks, a bit later than usual but hopefully the selection of great meets makes up for the extra waiting. A big thanks to everyone who has stepped forward and offered to organise a meet. As well as the meets below we'll also have plenty of weekend day trips to the Peak plus weekday evening trips for local bouldering and climbing (keep an eye on the WhatsApp group for these opportunities).

It's never too late to add further meets into the schedule so if you have an idea for a meet you'd like to see happen then let the Meets Secretary know. Even if we can't squeeze it in this year there is always 2025.

• 4th-6th May (May Bank Holiday) - Trad/sport climbing at The Club Hut

• 12th May - Kalymnos sport climbing

• 25th-27th May (Whitsun Bank Holiday):

  • Trad climbing in the Wye Valley

  • Bouldering at The Club Hut.

• 15th/16th June - Summer BBQ and stay-over at Graham and Yvonnes (Peak District).

• 29th/30th June - Love Llyn Padarn (watersports weekend at The Club Hut).

• 13th/14th July - Sport climbing weekend (venue TBC)

• 10th/11th August - MTB weekend (at The Club Hut)

• 24th-26th August (Bank holiday weekend) - Devon climbing

• 31st August - 7th September - Lundy island climbing

• 21st-22nd September - Club hut weekend

• 19th/20th October - Peak District bouldering weekend

• 8th-16th November - El Chorro sport climbing trip

• Saturday 16th November (evening) - Club annual dinner

• Sunday 1st December - Chairman's walk

A Winter of Snow

Skiing in Val Thorens

We headed back to the Alps in January this year for another great week of skiing. The snow fall on arrival day made for an interesting mountain ascent. With 2 cars stuck in various places up the mountain and family members being plonked on delayed buses with that night's food supply. Eventually, everyone made it to the accommodation.

The next day was a white out so we all had to quickly regain our ski legs and trust the piste poles would lead us in the correct direction, with only a few brief disappearances into the snow drifts! This all meant that we had great snow conditions and as the skies brightened for the rest of the week we all managed to get some great distances covered.

There were guest appearances from family and friends and new skills learnt. Several members tried their legs at cross country skiing and off-piste adventuring from Pointe de la Masse with with mixed results. All in all a great week and we are already keen to start looking at next year's venue.

Winter mountaineering in Ben Nevis/ Glencoe

What a great week we had in Scotland this March. We were lucky enough to have booked the best week of weather, which meant we were able to explore everyday.

With a mix of members we completed a whole range of sports.

• There were multiple big days in the mountains with teams topping out on Ben Nevis via Ledge ridge, several teams ventured up Stub Coire nan Lochan to climb up NC gully. The hidden Valley was conquered.

• A scramble up Bien a Bheithir (nicknamed by us Douglas and Donald) via School house ridge was in great condition.

• We even managed to "Hot Rock" Trad climb around at Glen Nevis

• There was cycling around the local hill paths and more importantly, the local cafes

• Our chairman also braved the water and went canoeing around Loch Leven

The wind picked up on the last few days and we were blown off Stob Ban and headed to the lower level walks and visited the impressive local waterfalls.

Thank you everyone for such a good week of adventure.