We'll be staying at Hollows Farm campsite in Borrowdale, from Friday evening through to Sunday. The Lake District needs no introduction and Borrowdale is one of its most famous and scenic valleys, extending south from the tip of Derwentwater.

Accommodation: Camping. You will need to bring your own tent, sleeping and cooking/eating equipment. Information on the campsite facilities is available on the campsite website.

Food: In common with most Rockhopper meets, you are responsible for bringing all your food including breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner. If you wish to eat out on Saturday night, there are pubs nearby (e.g. The Borrowdale Hotel) or other eating options a short drive away in Keswick.

Transport: It is possible to get there by public transport which would be the train from London Euston to Penrith, the X5 bus to Keswick followed by a local bus down to Borrowdale (check bus times and trains in case of disruption).

Price: The price is £12.50 per person per night (so £25 total), payable directly to the campsite. Sometimes, small campsites such as this do not accept card, so I would recommend you bring cash.

If it's looking like the meet is popular, I will contact the campsite and see if we can book additional spaces. Obviously, the sooner I ask, the best chance of success with this - so if you are planning on coming please do not delay signing up.

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NAV WORKSHOP

For club members who have learnt the basics of navigation in the past but want to put it into practice, the "Nav Workshop" will be a chance to practice planning and navigating your own walks with experienced club members acting as "mentors" in your group to make sure it doesn't go pear shaped.
Refer to the e-mail sent by Simon to the club mailing list on 26/4 for more details.

It would also be great to have some additional experienced people sign up and willing to act as mentors.

Join us for a 10-mile day walk through one of the prettiest corners of the Chilterns.

Meeting time: 10:00 at Chesham station. Both Chesham and Rickmansworth are on the Metropolitan line, so it’s a direct Tube run from town. (One thing: a few Chesham trains make you change at Chalfont & Latimer, so check yours.)

The Chess Valley Walk follows the River Chess, a clear chalk stream, from Chesham down to Rickmansworth, taking in water meadows, woodland, the last working watercress farm in the Chilterns at Sarratt, the site of a Roman villa at Latimer, and red kites overhead much of the way.

The walk is open to members and newcomers alike. We will have two pace groups with someone navigating each, a bit faster and a bit slower (with more frequent breaks), for different comfort levels, so that people can go at whichever pace suits them without feeling pressure to either keep up or wait.

Lunch (packed) at riverside picnic at the halfway point, finishing with an optional drink at The Coach & Horses in Rickmansworth.

Getting there is easy:
Both Chesham and Rickmansworth are on the Metropolitan line, a direct Tube journey from central London.

Bring: Walking boots, water, packed lunch, sun protection and layers, raincoat incase it rains

Book on: Website for club members as usual, Eventbrite for prospective members

More detail on the route: Chilterns National Landscape  |  AllTrails map

Bail outs:

Chalfont & Latimer — ~4.5–5 miles in. Early/midway exit, near Latimer and just before the picnic. Note it’s a short detour uphill off the valley path to reach the station, not right on the route.

Chorleywood — ~7.5–8 miles in. After the picnic, near the end. Bailing here also skips the least pleasant final stretch (the bit near the M25), and you can ride one stop to Rickmansworth to still make the pub. Also a short step off the route to the station.

We aim to make our walks welcoming and comfortable for everyone, with flexible pacing, quiet rest stops, and easy options to leave early.

Beware this route does include a few stiles and some uneven, sometimes muddy ground.

If you have any access needs, please get in touch ahead of the day.

Where else would you want to be for the Summer Solstice than the 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 this is the meet for you.

We're staying at the Bunkhouse located near Portland Bill. This is the perfect location - a 5 minute walk to the crags of Coastguard and Wallsend North/South whose perfect conditions are late afternoon / early evening due to their west facing sea cliffs. Make sure you save some gas to utilise some late day climbing.

Beginners and grade chasers all welcome. Never discount a bit of DWS also.

Supermarkets 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.

Why aren't we camping? 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. You'll get a better sleep than a tent and be all rested for your climbs.

Spaces will fill up quickly for this annual trip!

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 that delicious food cool. And cafes and pubs galore nearby.

https://www.nicholastonfarm.co.uk/ - Price is £15 per night.

Climbing: there is something for everyone and you can walk to much of it from the campsite along 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 Port Eynon and a whole bunch of naughty-nautical themed sport climbs a scenic bus ride away in Rhossili beach.

Walking: turn left and follow the beautiful coastal forest and dunes towards and beyond Tor Bay and Three Cliffs bay with its castle, woodlands and swimming beach. Turn right and walk along the miles of empty beach towards Port Eynon and Oxwich bay with their 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 tea and ice cream and getting the bus back. Walk backwards to get up onto the ridge and the lesser-trodden parts of Gower including some lovely frollicking fields and a strangely empty castle.

Canoeing / Kayaking: in previous years we've hired some water-craft from Oxwich bay and paddled around a bit, which was strenuous but good fun.

For hikers, the Wales Coast Path offers great coastal views (and seals!) and varied terrain. Head to sandy beaches like Three Cliffs Bay, traverse rugged cliffs, or venture inland to Cefn Bryn for panoramic vistas. Picturesque trails weave through villages and nature reserves, for some beautiful walks

"The first meet of the year takes us to Dinas Mawddwy and the Stafford Mountaineering Club hut, Bryn Hafod. The hut was built by members, and has a comfortable lounge, large kitchen, drying room and showers."

What should have been the first meet was postponed due to stormy weather, but we shall not be deterred.

The hut is situated directly below the main ridge of the Aran mountains, offering great walking at an altitude of between 600 and 900 metres. On a previous visit at this time of year we enjoyed cold crisp weather with stunning views south west to Cader Idris, west to the sea, and north to the main hills of Snowdonia.

Above the hut is Craig Cowarch crag, home to many 3* multipitches, including a 6 pitch 3* route called Will o' the Wisp.

The hut is wonderfully isolated, 1km from the end of the road, so its a great place to relax. We will probably organise a communal meal for Saturday evening.

Swanage is located at the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast, which is a great area for climbing & walking and also biking & swimming.

For 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.

Walkers have the Isle of Purbeck, Studland Bay and Poole Harbour on their doorstep, including the South West Coast path.

There are also great tracks for biking and swimming areas at Swanage and around the coastline.

Campsite tbc

Our mid-summer camping meet is to Dinas Farm Campsite close to Bethesda. There’s a gorgeous river nearby and trees to camp under. Spotless showers and toilets, a recycling point, a park, a washing up area and clean drinking water. The cost is £12 per night CASH ONLY, pay on arrival.

15 minute drive to the slopes of Tryfan.
Super close to Anglesey.
20 minute drive to Llanberis.

The location provides access to all Snowdonia has to offer. World class climbing and picturesque hiking.

Looking for a meet steward if anyone would like to volunteer.

Buttermere needs no introduction really, but for those who haven't been, we are staying at Syke Farm campsite. A beautifully idyllic campsite in the heart of Buttermere.

https://www.sykefarmcampsite.com/

It is a truly stunning location with the banks of Buttermere Lake and Crummock Water on your doorstep - a lovely but long lowland walk. There are hikes galore, including the Buttermere marathon touring the ridgeline high above the campsite. You could head up Fleetwith Pike and view the two lakes from up high with the sea in the distance - possibly the most taken picture in the Lakes, but truly worth it.

It's a playground of wonderful hiking - get in touch for suggestions if required.

Rock Climbing
Plenty of crags walking distance from the campsite. Grey Crag is a premier venue up high, and Eagle Crag is famous its high quality multi-pitch routes.

We've had to pay in advance for the meet, so we'll be taking payment upon sign up.

It's a long way to go, but for a long weekend it will be worth it.

Had a busy summer but still want a short trip from London? Attended a trad novice weekend and want to put your skills to the test? Join our trip to the lovely, quaint Wye Valley, just a couple of hours away!

We're staying at Beeches Farm campsite. They have a fridge freezer for communal use, each pitch has a fire pit (only wood bought on site can be used) and they're perfectly located for hiking and climbing :) Oh and pubs.

£12 per night paid at point of sign up. Tents and vans welcome.

https://www.beechesfarmcampsite.co.uk/

Plenty of great single pitch and multi pitch trad. Some sport climbing in the region also.

One of the UKs National Trails goes right past the campsite (Wye Valley Path).

This weekend away will follow a 30-mile section of the South Downs way over two days, taking in great views and some less visited parts of the Downs. We will have an overnight stop at Truleigh Hill YHA which is in a countryside location up on the South Downs ridge. We have camping spots and a private room for those wanting to test or hone their backpacking skills.

We aim to keep this a car-free meet where possible :)

Saturday

Travel to Amberley and walk to Truleigh Hill via the South Downs Way (moderate, 15 miles) taking in open downland scenery, Chanctonbury Ring, and the remains of Bramber Castle. Please bring a packed lunch. Pub stop / food options in the village of Upper Beeding, 2 miles from end. Truleigh Hill YHA also has a restuarant.

Travel to Amberley on the Saturday: Buy a single to Amberley. Travel home from Lewes to London on the Sunday will need another single ticket, as it is on a different line.

Sunday

Walk from Truleigh Hill to Lewes via South Downs Way (moderate, 15 miles), passing Devil’s Dyke and some great views from the South Downs ridge. Celebratory Pub stop at end in Lewes if desired.

Accommodation

We will be staying at Truleigh Hill YHA on the Saturday night. We have 12 camping spots and a private room for 6. Please select the payment option for camping or private room and write in the notes which option you have chosen.

We’ll be camping @ Bosherton camping which is literally next door to both the cafe and local pub. Price is £6 per night. Options to extend stays to make it a long weekend.

This is one of the finest climbing areas in the uk with sharp limestone cliffs rising over 50m from the sea. Mid grade classics include Sea Mist (HS), Myola (HS), Blue Sky (VS), Riders on the Storm (HVS) and Army Dreamers (HVS). The Saddle Head area is suitable for low grade climbers but needs an abseil or mild scramble to get to it.

South Pembroke - home to some of the UK’s finest limestone cliffs rising over 50m from the sea...expect an audience of bemused seals looking on.

For non-climbers, there’s some dramatic coastal walking to be had. In fact theres 186 miles to choose from!
The Bosherton lilly ponds are nearby with beaches and fine coastal walks extending in both directions. Various watersports are also available in the wider Pembrokshire area aswell as opportunities for sealife spotting.

TBC

Deets to Follow

Pinnacle club hut

Hello everyone,

Welcome to our first official International trip for a while! We're heading to El Chorro, a wonderful sport climbing destination in Southern Spain. There are so many phenomenal crags with excellent limestone routes, along with some classic multi-pitch routes.

We're still looking for a meet steward so please reach out if you would happy to take on the role.

We have booked La Finca Campana - we have a small apartment with two rooms of four beds, a kitchen, a shared outdoor 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 trains from Malaga to El Chorro.

Accommodation costs - £120 for 7 nights.

Only the accommodation is currently booked. There are return flights for less than £100 right now. It's nicer if people travel together but not essential.

Southern 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.

To follow

If you've not been to this remote hut set high above the village of Dolgarrog in the Conwy valley, then make sure you book this trip and experience something unique!

The 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.

Communal meals recommended. All rubbish must be carried out, and human waste must be buried at the end of the trip.

This is a must try for any Rockhoppers who haven't been before. Spaces usually go quickly.

This year's New Year trip is going to Braemar, in the Cairngorms.

Braemar sits right in the heart of the mountains, and walking options range from the relatively accessible Munros beside the Glenshee ski centre to long hard walks to the remote peaks in the subarctic wilderness of the Cairngorm plateau. Depending on conditions, there might also be opportunities for skiing at Glenshee and the Licht, or even winter climbing at Lochnagar and beyond.

The New Year trip is also a great social occasion - in the past, we've filled in the long evenings with everything from impromptu ceilidhs, dubiously legal fireworks to demonstrably unsafe party games. Expect a big haggis supper for Hogmanay.

We last stayed at SYHA Braemar, a former shooting lodge, in 2019. It has since been fully renovated.