
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."
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Scrambling and Hiking, Chrome and Parkhouse, The Dragon's BackQuiet Woman Pub, Earl Sterndale
Route: Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill
Meet at: The former Quiet Woman pub in Earl Sterndale, post code SK17 0BU. Just park anywhere you can in the village and make your way to the pub on foot to meet us. 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.
This scrambling and hiking outing is the classic of the White Peak. Commonly referred to as The Dragon’s Back. This range features two surprisingly sharp limestone ridges on small but spectacularly shaped hills. Often said to be the only true peaks in the Peak District, these hills stand out like monolithic miniature mountains amongst the highly picturesque scenery of the surrounding Dove Valley.
The full day will include a pleasant hike past Glutton Bridge and along the banks of Swallow Brook to the village of Hollinsclough. A steady ascent of Hollins Hill, then a drop-down to the valley before a hike up to High Edge. A lunch stop at some world War Two fortifications overlooking Buxton Raceway, followed by a descent past Tor Rock.
The main event begins with a Grade 1 scrambling ascent of the North West ridge of Chrome Hill. A descent of the South East ridge, a Grade 1 scrambling ascent of the West Ridge of Parkhouse Hill (with some optional exposed Grade 2 moves if a steep pinnacle is ascended). A descent of the East ridge before returning to our starting point at the delightfully old-fashioned village pub in Earl Sterndale (sadly now closed down).
Photos of some of our previous outings to Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill can be seen here:
https://www.meetup.com/sheffield-mountaineering-rock-climbing-meet/photos/34687878/
https://www.meetup.com/Sheffield-Mountaineering-Rock-Climbing-Meet/photos/31039614/
https://www.meetup.com/Sheffield-Mountaineering-Rock-Climbing-Meet/photos/29729605/
Difficulty: Grade 1 scrambling and generally low in the grade. This is a very beginner friendly scramble. 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.
Duration: Approx. 12 km, with overall height gain of approx. 600 metres. Duration approx. 5 hours.
Ordnance Survey Map: OS 119 Buxton and Matlock 1:50 000 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.
- Scrambling Weekend: Wasdale, Lake DistrictWasdale Head car park, Seascale
A lesser travelled and remoter area on the Lake District's far West has a plenty to explore.
Wasdale
Did you know Wasdale Head was the home of British pioneering mountaineering? Mountaineers based themselves at Wasdale Head Inn, making it the oldest "climbers bar/hut" in the UK. In fact "Castor" was the first ever documented scramble.Scrambling Grades
There will be two different graded scrambles each day. Please specify which you'd like to do when signing up:
Lower - Grades 1 to 2 (max 20)
Higher - Grade 3 and above (max 10) - (only open to people who have previously demonstrated competence within the group)Proposed activities:
FRIDAY: start time to be confirmed
Short evening activity such as:- Higher grade - Middle Fell G3 scramble (easier G2 lines possible)
- Lower grade - Burnmoor Tarn short walk
- Self-organise - Paddleboard/kayak/open water swimming (No permit required). Hire available locally
SATURDAY
Group meeting 8am
Start 8:30am- Higher grade - Upper Mosedale - 10km with over 1000m combined ascent inc Black Beck Crags (2/3), Green Crags (3+), Black Crags Upper Slabs (2+), Wind Gap, Edge (3+)
- Lower grade - Scafell - 8km & 1000m ascent inc. Lords Rake (grade 1) West Wall Traverse (grade 1), Foxes Rake (grade 1)
SUNDAY
8:30am meeting
9am Start- Higher grade - Scafell - 8km & 1000m combined ascent inc. Horse & Stick (3/D), Broad Stand (VDiff climb), West Wall Traverse (descent) (1), Castor (3/M), poss descent Lords Rake (1). NOTE: includes actual ROCK CLIMBING using a rope. Route may differ.
- Lower grade - Scafell alternative - Scafell Pike & Lingmel 13km 1000m ascent Via Corridor (easy 1) & Northern Scree (easy/-1)
Fee
£8 - We can only confirm your attendance once this is paid. This fee covers some of our expenses.To secure your place please send £8.00 with the reference Wasdale 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.
What to bring
Climbing helmet - as there is lots of loose rock (to standard EN12492)
Footwear - approach shoes or suitable boots (such as B1 or B2 graded)
Climbing harness - if doing Grade 3 or higher
Midge spray and head net
Birthday cake - it's Tess's 18th birthday weekendAccomodation:
Camping
Wasdale Head Inn. £6pp per night + £1 showers. No pre-booking
National Trust website here (Min 2 night booking)
£48 for 2 nights in small tent, £78 large tent
Pods/bell tents £176-216 (up to 3 adults 2 nights)
Church Stile camping & glamping HEREYHA @ Wasdale & Eskdale
Approx. £35-40per night shared room or £35-50pp per night for private room 4-6 berth availableWasdale Book here
Eskdale Book hereTravel times
A more remote Lake District area with roads to match. Approx journey times:
- Sheffield 4 hrs
- Manchester 3hrs 20minsAlso in the area:
Wasdale Emerald Pools - walk and swimming HERE
The Sawmill Cafe HERE
The Wasdale Head InnDisclaimer: 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.
- Scrambling and Hiking, Wildboar CloughTorside Car Park - Peak District NP, Glossop
Route: Wildboar Clough
Meet at: Torside Reservoir car park on the B6105 just off the A628 Woodhead Pass road. Postcode SK13 1JB, OS map reference SK068983. 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.
Widely regarded as a classic as well as being a perennial favourite of our group, Wildboar Clough is one of the very finest scrambles in the Peak District. It is sustained, entertaining and challenging in its upper section. The route begins with a lot of pleasant easy scrambling before things get interesting higher up with a series of rock steps leading to a dramatic waterfall pitch.
The full day will include a pleasantly short walk in, a Grade 2/3 scrambling ascent of Bleaklow via Wildboar Clough, a steady hike across the rough moorland of the summit plateau to Bleaklow Head and a long scenic descent via the Pennine Way and Clough Edge before returning to the car park with an easy stroll along the Longenden Trail.
Photos of some of our previous outings to Wildboar Clough and Bleaklow Head can be seen here:
https://www.meetup.com/sheffield-mountaineering-rock-climbing-meet/photos/33200451/
https://www.meetup.com/Sheffield-Mountaineering-Rock-Climbing-Meet/photos/31809389/
https://www.meetup.com/Sheffield-Mountaineering-Rock-Climbing-Meet/photos/29992550/
https://www.meetup.com/Sheffield-Mountaineering-Rock-Climbing-Meet/photos/27598921/
Difficulty: Grade 2/3 scrambling (between Grade 2 and 3). For more information on scrambling grades see:
https://www.thebmc.co.uk/understanding-scrambling-grades
Experience Required: Some previous scrambling or climbing experience is strongly recommended.
Duration: Approx. 12 km with height gain (from car park to Bleaklow summit plateau) of approx. 350 metres. Estimated time 5 to 6 hours.
Ordnance Survey Map: OS 110 Sheffield & Huddersfield Landranger 1:50 000 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.