BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Ensemble Independent//vPim 0.658//EN CALSCALE:Gregorian BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260412 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260414 SUMMARY:Rockhoppers: Day Walk - Medway Megaliths DESCRIPTION:On Sunday 12 April\, join us in Medway\, Kent\, for a 15 mil e / 24 km walk along part of the North Downs Way past some of the oldest ne olithic monuments in Britain. \n \nRoute: Medway Megaliths on OS Maps (.gpx available) \n \nNon members are also welcome to sign up via the Eventbrite page. \n \n*** \n \nTHE WALK \n \nMeeting at Rochester station\, we’ll walk past the 11th cen tury cathedral and through the town\, following the Medway valley south. \ n \nWe’ll climb Blue Bell Hill to visit the eastern cluster of the Medway Megaliths which date back to c.3800–3400 BCE\, making them among the oldest monuments in Britain (a thousand years older than Stonehenge). The monumen ts - Kit's Coty House\, its three massive uprights still supporting a capst one\, and the scattered ruins of Little Kit's Coty nearby - were burial and ritual sites for a Neolithic community moving from hunter-gathering to set tled farming. People tie clooties (coloured ribbons) to the trees nearby to make wishes or ask for healing. \n \nWe’ll then come to the White Horse Stones\, linked (inaccurately) with the fifth-century Anglo-Saxon warriors Hengest and Horsa\, plus contemporary paganism\, and walk southeast along the ridge of the Downs\, looking out across the Weald. It should be gloriou s: bluebells in the woodland\, cowslips on chalk grassland\, blackthorn and hawthorn blossom in the hedges\, plus various birds I can’t identify. \n \nFinally the flint ruins of Thurnham Castle\, a 12th-century motte-and-ba iley\, before descending to Bearsted station (via the pub). \n \nTRANS PORT & LOGISTICS \n \nWe will meet at 10:20 at Rochester station to s tart the walk. For those that want to travel together\, we’ll meet at 09:00 at London Victoria.  \n \nPlease note the return is from Bearsted\, whic h is on a different line. To do the journey cheaply\, you can get a return ticket from London Victoria to Rochester and a single ticket from Bearsted to Swanley (around £22 total). It is also possible to travel out to Rochest er from London St Pancras. \n \nTrains out: \n09:12 London Victoria\, ar r. Rochester 10:11 \n09:20 St Pancras\, arr. Rochester 09:57 \n \nTiming s: \nDepart Rochester station 10:20 \n6 hours walking (2.5 mph / 4 kmh) \n2 hours pubs\, looking at rocks\, general faff \nReturn: 18:21 Bearstead → London Victoria (one train per hour) URL:https://www.rockhoppers.org.uk/meets/6340 CREATED:20260411T142742 LAST-MODIFIED:20260411T142742 ORGANIZER:Jay Owens[mailto:jc_owens@hotmail.com] END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260417 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260420 SUMMARY:Rockhoppers: Wildcamping / Thru-hiking Novice Meet - Dartmoor DESCRIPTION:This meet is for those of you who want to dip your toes into th e realm of wlidcamping and thru-hiking. Do you want to walk to remote place s carrying everything required on your back? Have dreams of taking on a lon g distance walks? You'll learn integral skills to make it all possible. \n \nWe'll Cover: \n1\, Gear - What is and isn't required for a night of wi ldcamping. \n2\, Pack Management - Learn how to pack your bag for optimum comfortability and practicality \n3\, Pack Comfort - Fit the backpack to s it on your hips and rest on your shoulders \n4\, Wildcamping - choosing yo ur spot\, setting up your tent\, cooking your own food with campmates \n \nWe'll head to Dartmoor and spend the night at a campsite. A big breakfast on the Saturday followed by gear discussions and packing our bags appropri ately. A suitably sized walk into the moors and setting up camp for the nig ht. Next morning we'll pack up and hike back out to the start in a circular route. URL:https://www.rockhoppers.org.uk/meets/6325 CREATED:20260411T142742 LAST-MODIFIED:20260411T142742 ORGANIZER:Martin Wearn[mailto:martin7913@hotmail.co.uk] END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260501 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260505 SUMMARY:Rockhoppers: Annual Cornwall Bank Holiday Extravaganza DESCRIPTION:This is our annual bank holiday epic to West Cornwall (dubbed o ne of the best meets of the year)\, to enjoy the the dramatic granite coast al crags\, beautiful coastal walks and idyllic beaches of the Land's End Pe ninsula. \n \nFor the climbers\, there's nearby climbing on immaculate gr anite crags at Chair Ladder\, Sennen and Bosigran. There is plenty of walki ng on the SW coast path\, as well as swimming and surfing beaches for those wishing to brave the water. \n \nWe're staying at Treen Farm Campsite ag ain\, near the coastal path\, Logan Rock\, cliff top Minnack Theatre and st unning Pedn Vouder & Porth Curno Beaches. The Logan Rock Inn a short walk a way. \n \nAfter numerous issues last year\, Treen have requested: \n \n - PRE-PAYMENT £15 pppn\, NEEDED 7 DAYS BEFORE BY FRI 24th APRIL \n- THE TRIP PAGE WILL BE CLOSED A WEEK BEFORE\, THE TOTAL PAYMENT & LIST WILL BE S ENT TO TREEN \n- TREEN WILL NOT OFFER REFUNDS WITHIN THE WEEK BEFORE \n- PLEASE WRITE YOUR TENT SIZE/CAMPERVAN IN SIGN UP NOTES URL:https://www.rockhoppers.org.uk/meets/6321 CREATED:20260411T142742 LAST-MODIFIED:20260411T142742 ORGANIZER:Jonathan Richards[mailto:jrichards036@gmail.com] END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260509 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260511 SUMMARY:Rockhoppers: Day Walk - tbc DESCRIPTION:We are looking for a volunteer in the club to run a day walk Sa turday 9th or Sunday 10th May. Get in touch with the Walkers' Rep if you ca n help :) URL:https://www.rockhoppers.org.uk/meets/6341 CREATED:20260411T142742 LAST-MODIFIED:20260411T142742 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260515 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260518 SUMMARY:Rockhoppers: Trad Novice Skills Weekender - Peak District DESCRIPTION:This meet is specifically for those of you who want to learn sk ills that will enable you to take on the wonderful world of trad climbing. This Skills Weekender is for you if you are already an indoor climber with the confidence to lead and belay a partner safely or you're a sport climber looking to make the leap into trad. You'll learn skills vital for trad cli mbing that you can then use to further your own progression. \n \nWe'll c over 4 core areas\; \n1) Gear\, what is it and how to place it safely\, \ n2) Belaying with half ropes\, \n3) Setting up anchors to keep you and you r climbing partner safe\, \n4) Abseiling on a single line and half ropes. \n \nWe will climb on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th of May. Details of gr oups and leaders will be posted closer to the dates but it wont deviate muc h from previous years. \n \nWe will be camping at the North Lees campsite for the Friday and Saturday nights. \n \nCost will be £39 per person for the weekend. URL:https://www.rockhoppers.org.uk/meets/6313 CREATED:20260411T142742 LAST-MODIFIED:20260411T142742 ORGANIZER:will green[mailto:wilma_green@yahoo.com] END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260515 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260520 SUMMARY:Rockhoppers: Cairngorm Backpack: Lairig Ghru & Beyond 1 DESCRIPTION:The Lairig Ghru passes through the heart of the Cairngorms reac hing 835m\, higher than most hills in either England or Wales. Above it the mountains tower for almost another 500m to their summits. The plan is to u ndertake a backpack circuit to and from the convenient transport hub of Avi emore. Once through the Lairig Ghru an option will be to establish a base c amp and visit the remote Munros of the Dee watershed before returning to ou r transport home\, perhaps over the Cairngorm/Ben Macdui plateau or the equ ally spectacular Lairig an Laoigh. \nMay is a great time to visit the Cair ngorms. The days are really starting to stretch out but it’s still too earl y for the midges. Snow patches will hopefullly be lingering in high shelter ed spots and could be encountered in the Lairig Ghru. \nNote this trip is a backpacking trip\, carrying all food and equipment required for four nigh ts camping in remote mountainous country. The route will remain flexible as per the strengths and aspirations of the group\, together with the weather and the conditions on the ground. It is a challenging mini-expedition\, su itable for those who are comfortable camping\, carrying a loaded pack and w ish to take these skills a little further. \nGroup size is strictly limite d to 5 (plus trip steward) to align with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code\, and for safety. It is not a guided trip and we will operate with input fro m all the team. \nNote the trip will begin in Aviemore on Friday morning s o all attendees must be ready to join then. We will return to Aviemore arou nd mid-afternoon on Tuesday for return travel. As this trip is not running over the bank holiday it should make transport slightly easier and hopefull y cheaper to plan. URL:https://www.rockhoppers.org.uk/meets/6331 CREATED:20260411T142742 LAST-MODIFIED:20260411T142742 ORGANIZER:Marcus Risdell[mailto:marcus.risdell@googlemail.com] END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260522 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260526 SUMMARY:Rockhoppers: Snowdonia Bank Holiday DESCRIPTION:Details TBC URL:https://www.rockhoppers.org.uk/meets/6326 CREATED:20260411T142742 LAST-MODIFIED:20260411T142742 ORGANIZER:Danny Orchard[mailto:perseus2001uk@yahoo.co.uk] END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260522 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260527 SUMMARY:Rockhoppers: Cairngorm Backpack: Lairig Ghru & Beyond 2 DESCRIPTION:The Lairig Ghru passes through the heart of the Cairngorms reac hing 835m\, higher than most hills in either England or Wales. Above it the mountains tower for almost another 500m to their summits. The plan is to u ndertake a backpack circuit to and from the convenient transport hub of Avi emore. Once through the Lairig Ghru an option will be to establish a base c amp and visit the remote Munros of the Dee watershed before returning to ou r transport home\, perhaps over the Cairngorm/Ben Macdui plateau or the equ ally spectacular Lairig an Laoigh. \nMay is a great time to visit the Cair ngorms. The days are really starting to stretch out but it’s still too earl y for the midges. Snow patches will hopefully be lingering in high sheltere d spots and could be encountered in the Lairig Ghru. \nNote this trip is a backpacking trip\, carrying all food and equipment required for four night s camping in remote mountainous country. The route will remain flexible as per the strengths and aspirations of the group\, together with the weather and the conditions on the ground. It is a challenging mini-expedition\, sui table for those who are comfortable camping\, carrying a loaded pack and wi sh to take these skills a little further. \nGroup size is strictly limited to 5 (plus trip steward) to align with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code\, and for safety. It is not a guided trip and we will operate with input from all the team. \nNote the trip will begin in Aviemore on Friday morning so all attendees must be ready to join then. We will return to Aviemore aroun d mid-afternoon on Tuesday for return travel. This trip is running over the bank holiday for those who wish to preserve their days of leave. URL:https://www.rockhoppers.org.uk/meets/6332 CREATED:20260411T142742 LAST-MODIFIED:20260411T142742 ORGANIZER:Marcus Risdell[mailto:marcus.risdell@googlemail.com] END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260605 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260608 SUMMARY:Rockhoppers: Mentored Nav - Lake District DESCRIPTION:Camping at Hollows Farm Campsite. Surrounded by trees will make for a beautiful spot. £12.50. If arriving after 9pm please be respectful o f other campers when setting up. \n \nhttps://hollowsfarm.co.uk/camping/ \n \nOn this meet\, I'm hoping to be able to offer some mentored walk pla nning / navigation practice. The aim will be for newer members to build the ir confidence in planning and navigating walks\, and help put into practice if you've been on a course. You can also join in if you're a total beginne r at navigation\, but you'll get the most out of it if you have some knowle dge of how to read a map beforehand. \n \nExperienced pairs of hands\, wh o can help out as mentors\, will be especially welcome! \n URL:https://www.rockhoppers.org.uk/meets/6327 CREATED:20260411T142742 LAST-MODIFIED:20260411T142742 ORGANIZER:Simon Bateman[mailto:simon.bateman@gmail.com] END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260613 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260615 SUMMARY:Rockhoppers: Day walk - tbc DESCRIPTION:We are looking for a volunteer in the club to run a day walk Sa turday 13th or Sunday 13th June. Let the Walkers' rep know if you are inter ested. URL:https://www.rockhoppers.org.uk/meets/6342 CREATED:20260411T142742 LAST-MODIFIED:20260411T142742 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260619 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260622 SUMMARY:Rockhoppers: Portland - Sport Climbing Fix DESCRIPTION:Where else would you want to be for the Summer Solstice than th e isle of Portland? If you fancy climbing well into the evening\, grabbing a chippy and a pint and watching the sunset on the UKs longest day then thi s is the meet for you. \n \nWe're staying at the Bunkhouse located near P ortland Bill. This is the perfect location - a 5 minute walk to the crags o f Coastguard and Wallsend North/South whose perfect conditions are late aft ernoon / early evening due to their west facing sea cliffs. Make sure you s ave some gas to utilise some late day climbing. \n \nBeginners and grade chasers all welcome. Never discount a bit of DWS also. \n \nSupermarkets and pubs aplenty on the island and one of the best chippy's around - Chesil Chippy. Follow it with a pint at the The Cove. \n \nWhy aren't we campin g? Well the bunkhouse is too good to pass up. Comes with communal dorms\, a living room space\, an outdoor area for garden games and a big kitchen. Yo u'll get a better sleep than a tent and be all rested for your climbs. \n \nSpaces will fill up quickly for this annual trip! URL:https://www.rockhoppers.org.uk/meets/6319 CREATED:20260411T142742 LAST-MODIFIED:20260411T142742 ORGANIZER:Philip McAllister[mailto:phil_mcall@hotmail.com] END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260703 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260706 SUMMARY:Rockhoppers: Gower DESCRIPTION:We return to Nicholaston Farm\; a campsite with everything you could want: Endless sandy beaches\, beautiful forests\, a well-filled shop\ , on-site oven-baked pizza (possibly)\, hot showers with underfloor heating \, a dedicated warm water dog-wash and industrial fridges to keep all of th at delicious food cool. And cafes and pubs galore nearby. \n \nhttps://ww w.nicholastonfarm.co.uk/ - Price is £15 per night. \n \nClimbing: there i s something for everyone and you can walk to much of it from the campsite a long the beach. Three Cliffs bay and Tor Bay offer a range of easy to hard (trad) climbs from the beach. Just watch the tides so it doesn't turn into shallow-water soloing. There's boiler plate slab for more trad along near P ort Eynon and a whole bunch of naughty-nautical themed sport climbs a sceni c bus ride away in Rhossili beach. \n \nWalking: turn left and follow the beautiful coastal forest and dunes towards and beyond Tor Bay and Three Cl iffs bay with its castle\, woodlands and swimming beach. Turn right and wal k along the miles of empty beach towards Port Eynon and Oxwich bay with the ir pubs and fancy (and not so fancy) fish restaurants. Walk to Rhossili to visit the Wurm/dragon and smile at the sunflowers before having a pint or t ea and ice cream and getting the bus back. Walk backwards to get up onto th e ridge and the lesser-trodden parts of Gower including some lovely frollic king fields and a strangely empty castle. \n \nCanoeing / Kayaking: in pr evious years we've hired some water-craft from Oxwich bay and paddled aroun d a bit\, which was strenuous but good fun. \n \nFor hikers\, the Wales C oast Path offers great coastal views (and seals!) and varied terrain. Head to sandy beaches like Three Cliffs Bay\, traverse rugged cliffs\, or ventur e inland to Cefn Bryn for panoramic vistas. Picturesque trails weave throug h villages and nature reserves\, for some beautiful walks URL:https://www.rockhoppers.org.uk/meets/6333 CREATED:20260411T142742 LAST-MODIFIED:20260411T142742 ORGANIZER:Martin Wearn[mailto:martin7913@hotmail.co.uk] END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260717 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260720 SUMMARY:Rockhoppers: Bryn Hafod - South Snowdonia (Hut meet) DESCRIPTION:"The first meet of the year takes us to Dinas Mawddwy and the S tafford Mountaineering Club hut\, Bryn Hafod. The hut was built by members\ , and has a comfortable lounge\, large kitchen\, drying room and showers." \n \nWhat should have been the first meet was postponed due to stormy wea ther\, but we shall not be deterred. \n \nThe hut is situated directly be low the main ridge of the Aran mountains\, offering great walking at an alt itude of between 600 and 900 metres. On a previous visit at this time of ye ar we enjoyed cold crisp weather with stunning views south west to Cader Id ris\, west to the sea\, and north to the main hills of Snowdonia. \n \nAb ove the hut is Craig Cowarch crag\, home to many 3* multipitches\, includin g a 6 pitch 3* route called Will o' the Wisp. \n \nThe hut is wonderfully isolated\, 1km from the end of the road\, so its a great place to relax. W e will probably organise a communal meal for Saturday evening. URL:https://www.rockhoppers.org.uk/meets/6336 CREATED:20260411T142742 LAST-MODIFIED:20260411T142742 ORGANIZER:Chris Adye[mailto:chrisadye@hotmail.co.uk] END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260731 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260803 SUMMARY:Rockhoppers: Swanage DESCRIPTION:Swanage is located at the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast\, which is a great area for climbing & walking and also biking & swimming. \n \nFor climbers\, the limestone cliffs offer both trad and sport routes at stunning coastal locations such as the bolted quarries at Dancing Ledge and the gentler trad sectors such as Subluminal and Cattle Troughs as well as more challenging routes nearby. \n \nWalkers have the Isle of Purbeck\ , Studland Bay and Poole Harbour on their doorstep\, including the South We st Coast path. \n \nThere are also great tracks for biking and swimming areas at Swanage and around the coastline. \n \nCampsite tbc URL:https://www.rockhoppers.org.uk/meets/6337 CREATED:20260411T142742 LAST-MODIFIED:20260411T142742 ORGANIZER:Jonathan Richards[mailto:jrichards036@gmail.com] END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260828 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260901 SUMMARY:Rockhoppers: Buttermere - August Bank Holiday DESCRIPTION:Buttermere needs no introduction really\, but for those who hav en't been\, we are staying at Syke Farm campsite. A beautifully idyllic cam psite in the heart of Buttermere. \n \nhttps://www.sykefarmcampsite.com/ \n \nIt is a truly stunning location with the banks of Buttermere Lake an d Crummock Water on your doorstep - a lovely but long lowland walk. There a re hikes galore\, including the Buttermere marathon touring the ridgeline h igh above the campsite. You could head up Fleetwith Pike and view the two l akes from up high with the sea in the distance - possibly the most taken pi cture in the Lakes\, but truly worth it. \n \nIt's a playground of wonde rful hiking - get in touch for suggestions if required. \n \nRock Climbin g \nPlenty of crags walking distance from the campsite. Grey Crag is a pre mier venue up high\, and Eagle Crag is famous its high quality multi-pitch routes. \n \nWe've had to pay in advance for the meet\, so we'll be taki ng payment upon sign up. \n \nIt's a long way to go\, but for a long week end it will be worth it. URL:https://www.rockhoppers.org.uk/meets/6338 CREATED:20260411T142742 LAST-MODIFIED:20260411T142742 ORGANIZER:Agnes Parrag[mailto:agnes.parrag@gmail.com] END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261107 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261115 SUMMARY:Rockhoppers: El Chorro - Spain - Week Trip DESCRIPTION:Hello everyone\, \n \nWelcome to our first official Internati onal trip for a while! We're heading to El Chorro\, a wonderful sport climb ing destination in Southern Spain. There are so many phenomenal crags with excellent limestone routes\, along with some classic multi-pitch routes. \ n \nWe're still looking for a meet steward so please reach out if you woul d happy to take on the role. \n \nWe have booked La Finca Campana - we ha ve a small apartment with two rooms of four beds\, a kitchen\, a shared out door area and a shared swimming pool. La Finca is walking distance from the main crags but a car is recommended as they're so cheap. There are daily t rains from Malaga to El Chorro. \n \nAccommodation costs - £120 for 7 nig hts. \n \nOnly the accommodation is currently booked. There are return fl ights for less than £100 right now. It's nicer if people travel together bu t not essential. \n \nSouthern Spain is the perfect autumn destination\, with almost guaranteed autumn sun. Currently space for 8 people with lots of potential to add more if it's popular. URL:https://www.rockhoppers.org.uk/meets/6339 CREATED:20260411T142742 LAST-MODIFIED:20260411T142742 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261211 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261214 SUMMARY:Rockhoppers: Cwm Eigiau - Snowdonia DESCRIPTION:If you've not been to this remote hut set high above the villag e of Dolgarrog in the Conwy valley\, then make sure you book this trip and experience something unique! \n \nThe hut is a two mile walk in from the carpark and what goes in must come out. It's basic but quaint\, small but snug\, and the isolated feel is magical. It gives superb access to all the hills in the Carneddau. \n \nCommunal meals recommended. All rubbish mus t be carried out\, and human waste must be buried at the end of the trip. \n \nThis is a must try for any Rockhoppers who haven't been before. Space s usually go quickly. URL:https://www.rockhoppers.org.uk/meets/6323 CREATED:20260411T142742 LAST-MODIFIED:20260411T142742 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR