Meets are what the club is all about. They're run by members, for members. The club thrives by having members take an active interest in the meets that are run. We typically agree the next year's meets - where we're going and who's organising which meet - at our AGM in October. The Frequently Asked Questions page offers advice on what to expect on a meet.
To subscribe to the meets calendar on your PC or smartphone, copy-paste this link. NOTE: subscribe rather than downloading or it won't update automatically. https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/webmasterrockhoppers%40gmail.com/public/basic.ics
Depending on the program or application you're using, you may need to choose the "subscribe" or "add by URL" option. Contact the Webmaster for help.
Need help booking onto or organising a meet? Find instructions here.
Pattterdale at the southern end of Ullswater: the last time we went in winter we had blue skies and hard snow! Does Striding Edge beckon, or perhaps you prefer St Sunday Crag or a round of the Dodds. Bring your skis and make use of the Helvellyn ski-tow!
We'll be staying in the intimate Shepherd's Crook Bunkhouse, which we have on an exclusive basis.
https://www.noranbankfarm.co.uk/shepherd-s-crook-bunkhouse.
Unfortunately the second booking we had for further spaces. Booking for those with transport will reopen when spaces become available.
Our "snow chasing" short break to Scotland this year is to Tulloch, staying at the Station Lodge.
https://www.stationlodge.co.uk/hostel/
Just step off the train and you are there, making this ideal for public transport. There are 6 Munros reachable on foot from the hostel, with more accessible by bus/train or car, as is the winter climbing on Ben Nevis and Creag Megaidh, skiing in the Nevis Range and even the Cairngorms and Glencoe are not that far away making this a true snow-chaser. Or jump on a train to Corrour and re-enact "going for a walk" from Trainspotting.
In 2016 the National Parks of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales were expanded so now meet either side of the M6. Ever wondered what is there? We are staying at Shap Fell Bothy, a private but very well endowed bothy that was once a telephone repeater station by the old A6 high up on the Eastern Lakeland fells at 1390ft.
http://www.shapfellbothy.co.uk/
It has heating, a wood burning stove, electricity, a small kitchen with gas burners, and a star gazing window in the ceiling of the upstairs dorm! Perfect for exploring the western edge of the Howgills, the Shap Fells and the other Borrowdale. Did you know Monty's Cottage from Whitnail and I is just over the hill in Wet Sleddale?
Off to Llanberis, staying at the Karabiner Hut, Ty Powdr, once the gun powder store for Dinorwic slate quarries. https://www.karabiner.org/hut/
Obvious proximity to the quarries would be a boon to any early season climbers. Or there's always the full traverse of the Glyderau starting on the doorstep.
Ever climbed the Bowderstone in Borrowdale? Well here's your chance as we are staying at Bowderstone Bunkhouse right next door.
https://www.calvertlakes.org.uk/what-we-do/bowderstone-bunkhouse/
Ideally placed for the big fells around Scafell Pike, and if winter pans out nice winter climbing on Great End (we can hope).
Please note its a 600m walk from the carpark to the hut which you will be doing in the dark whatever the weather. Once the hut is full overspill camping is available down the road at Chapel House Farm. So make your choice - last hut trip or first camping trip of the year?
It's time we went back to the Beinglas campsite and enjoyed the hospitality (and taxidermy!) of the Drovers Inn. Nestled at the northern end of Loch Lomond, we will be surrounded by Munros, and as Easter is not too early this year, we'll be camping.
For those using public transport, you can get the Citylink coach 914/915/916 from Glasgow (Glasgow-Skye route), or take the train to Ardlui, and pick up the same coach for the last few miles (in both cases we recommend you book!).
Location: https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/56.33174,-4.72068,17/pin
Nearby Monros:
http://www.trossachs.co.uk/mountains.php
An Easter alternative to Scotland. Maybe Pembroke, but the final decision might be decided by those who want to go. How's that for democracy?
MoreOur annual novice meet: further details will be released closer to the time, but this is your chance to get an introduction to outdoor climbing and gain some insights from some of our more experienced members.
There is also ample opportunity for the walkers to test their navigation skills on the Kinder plateau!
MoreA trip to the Northumberland coast. Plenty of climbing and coastal walks plus much fun to be had in the hills of the Northumberland National Park.
MorePorthclais campsite - bank holiday sea cliffs, coastal walks and ice-cream. I recommend the mango if you can find it: and it's not sorbet!
Moreit's our time to give back to the nature again.
Join the Snowdonia Society for an action-packed weekend of volunteer activities across Snowdonia with camping, music and food on the Craflwyn Estate, Beddgelert.
https://www.snowdonia-society.org.uk/event/mad-weekend-2019/
To register you need to contact Claire Holmes to book your place and secure a camping spot on the Craflwyn estate:
MoreSport or trad, or just go for a walk. We will be staying at our old favourite, Beeches Farm Campsite
MoreCamping somewhere near Alston. Cross Fell is not far from here, the highest hill in England outside the Lakes.
MoreFor our first hut trip of the season we will be staying in Princetown right at the centre of the Moor. The bunkhouse is in the Fox Tor Cafe, handy for a cream tea.
MoreStaying in the Yorkshire Subterranean Society Schoolhouse, Helwith Bridge: anyone up for some underground adventures. Also handy for the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge.
MoreCwm Eigiau Cottage is a homely but very basic mountain hut remotely situated on the slopes of Carnedd Llewelyn, the second highest of Snowdonia's summits after Snowdon itself.
MoreThe only way to spend New year: we will be staying at SYHA Aviemore. We have a block booking for 5 nights from 28 December, but it will also be possible to arrive on the 27 December and to stay on later for those that wish to.
MoreBased in the National Trust's Exmoor Basecamp at Countisbury near Lynmouth.
We will be just yards from the SW Coast Path, and excellent moorland circuits inland. Next door is the cosy Blue Ball Inn, dating from the 14th Century.
Time to blow away those New Year cobwebs!
MoreYes, believe it or not we already have New Year 2021-22 booked. By popular demand we have secured SYHA Ratagan on an exclusive basis. On the banks of Loch Duich and its otters and seals there are views over the nearby Five Sisters of Kintail.
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