
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."
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
THIS IS NOT A WALKING EVENT. It will involve mountaineering at high altitude with an element of technical difficulty. Previous via ferrata experience is NOT essential but you will need a head for heights and scrambling skills. We won’t be doing anything desperately hard but this will still be a definite step up from the kind of activities we typically do as a group in UK mountains.
You must come properly equipped. To do via ferratas you will need to bring a climbing harness, helmet, via ferrata lanyard and a couple of slings and carabiners. For any high altitude scrambling and hiking you will need an ice axe.
The Dolomites
Meet at: Pizzeria Lo Sfizio, Piaz de Ramon 32, 38035 Moena TN, Italy. The plan is to meet socially for a couple of hours on the evening of Saturday 21st June before beginning the week’s activities the following morning. We will be leaving to travel home on the morning of Saturday 28th June. Some of us will be driving and car sharing though of course others may prefer to fly. The nearest international airports are Verona, Venezia and Innsbruck. Details of various travel arrangements will appear in the comments section nearer the time.
Forming the ancient natural frontier between Italy and Austria, The Dolomites are considered by many to be the most visually stunning mountains anywhere in the world. The sight of their lofty, spire like jagged pinnacles soaring skywards and stretching into the distance as far as the eye can see is truly breathtaking. Needless to say the possibilities for adventure in these magnificent mountains are endless.
Our plan is to enjoy a few big mountain days exploring some of the many dramatic peaks and ridges in the region without entering into the realms of serious Alpine mountaineering. The Dolomites are of course the home of the via ferrata and this activity will be an integral part of the trip. There will also be plenty opportunity to do some scrambling and hiking. Either way the objective is to reach high altitude mountain summits in the 2,500 to 3,000 metre range. We will be looking at peaks such as Sassolungo, Monzoni, Latermar, Cima Bocche, Sass De Putia, Torre Exna, Col Di Liana, Piccolo Lagazuoi, and Spiz Di Tariciogn to name a few.
Other pursuits such as rock climbing will also be on offer along with anything else you might fancy in this spectacular landscape. Feel free to do what ever you want on any given day. If necessary we will split into smaller groups/pairs so everybody gets the chance to do something they are happy with.
Photos from our previous trip to the Italian Dolomites can be seen here:
https://www.meetup.com/sheffield-mountaineering-rock-climbing-meet/photos/34655798/
Difficulty: Via ferrata of easy and moderate grades, scrambling and hiking at high altitude.
Experience Required: Some previous big mountain scrambling or rock climbing experience in the UK with our group is an essential requirement for anybody who wants to come on this trip.
Maps: Tabacco 05 Val Gardena – Alpe Di Siusi, Tabacco 06 Val Di Fassa, Tabacco 07 Alta Badia, Arrabba – Marmolada, all 1:25,000 scale.
Guidebooks: Via Ferratas Of The Italian Dolomites: Vol 1 North, Central and East ranges; Via Ferratas Of The Italian Dolomites: Vol 2 Southern Dolomites; Day Walks in the Dolomites, all published by Cicerone.
Accommodation: You will need to arrange your own accommodation. We will be based in and around the town of Moena in the Val Di Fassa region. A few of us have already booked an apartment there. There are many holiday apartments in this area along with other options such as chalets and campsites. These can all be found on Booking.com and Laterooms.com or just a general Google search.
If everybody wants to contribute £12.00 towards our substantial Meet Up fees and the additional costs incurred in organising this trip such as maps, guidebooks, printouts etc, that will be great, thanks.
Disclaimer: 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.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Mountain Scrambling, Crinkle Crags and Bow FellNew Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, Ambleside
Route: Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell
Meet at: New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel car park, Great Langdale, postcode: LA22 9JX, OS map reference NY295064. 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.
A classic Lake District mountain outing which we will spice up by throwing in some high quality scrambling.
Rising to an altitude of 902 metres, Bow Fell is the highest mountain in the Langdale valley and indeed one of the highest in England. The best approach to its lofty summit is via the spectacular chain of five monolithic rocky outcrops known as the Crinkle Crags. Our route to the mountain will of course incorporate the Crinkles followed by the wonderful scramble up Three Tarns Rib.
Crinkle Crags offers an adventurous and undulating traverse with optional scrambling possibilities all along the route. Three Tarns Rib provides delightful scrambling up a series of delicate airy slabs.
The full day will include a level stroll in from the car park leading to a steep pull up the banks of Browney Gill which will get most of the day’s hard work out of the way, a crossing of all five Crinkles with little bits of scrambling at regular intervals to take us to the col at Three Tarns from where we will make a Grade 3 scrambling ascent of Three Tarns Rib to lead us to the summit of Bow Fell, we will then descend via the dramatic but amenable Great Slab and contour across the Climbers Traverse to return to Three Tarns before descending via The Band on our way back to the valley floor.
The Grade 3 scramble can be avoided by taking an easier line at Grade 1 or a simple walkers path.
Photos from our previous outing on Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell can be seen here:
https://www.meetup.com/sheffield-mountaineering-rock-climbing-meet/photos/34738110/
Difficulty: Grade 3 scrambling or Grade 1 if all the main difficulties are avoided. For more information on scrambling grades see:
https://www.thebmc.co.uk/understanding-scrambling-grades
Experience Required: Some previous scrambling or mountain hiking experience is highly recommended.
Ordnance Survey Map: OL6 The English Lakes South Western Area 1:25,000 scale.
Guidebooks: Scrambles in The Lake District Volume 1: Southern Lakes published by Cicerone Press, Wainwright’s Pictorial Guides, Book 4 The Southern Fells.
As always, if everybody wants to contribute £2.00 towards our Meet Up site fees and other operating costs that will be great, thanks.
- Beginers Scrambling: Crowden Clough & Grindsbrook CloughCar park between Barber Booth and Upper Booth, Edale
Route: Crowden Clough and Grindsbrook Clough, suitable for beginners or the more experienced.
Assemble at 08.45 for a prompt 09.00 departure.
Meet at: Car park near railway bridge between Barber Booth and Upper Booth. OS map reference SK107847. From Sheffield, follow the A625 then A6187 to Hope. In Hope, turn right opposite the church and follow the road to Edale. Continue past Edale for approx. 2 km, cross a bridge over a stream, then turn right immediately. Follow the road under a bridge, then slightly uphill for approx. 300 metres to the parking area on the left side.
The car park is now pay and display, should it be busy there is free parking around the bridge you have passed under. I will be at the car park early, look out for a red MazdaCrowden Clough is the finest Grade 1 scramble in the Peak District. The rock is nice and clean, while the scrambling is pleasant and interesting. Easy enough to make it a perfect introduction for beginners. There are also a couple of optional harder pitches, a waterfall and a chimney, which more experienced scramblers will definitely enjoy.
The full day will include an ascent of Kinder Scout via Crowden Clough. A hike along the edge of the summit plateau, and a descent of Grindsbrook Clough, a continuation down to the village of Edale before returning to the car park by hiking the first mile of the famous Pennine Way.
Photos of some of our previous outings to Crowden Clough and Grindsbrook Clough can be seen here:
https://www.meetup.com/Sheffield-Mountaineering-Rock-Climbing-Meet/photos/31333487/
https://www.meetup.com/Sheffield-Mountaineering-Rock-Climbing-Meet/photos/29820250/
https://www.meetup.com/Sheffield-Mountaineering-Rock-Climbing-Meet/photos/29366440/
https://www.meetup.com/Sheffield-Mountaineering-Rock-Climbing-Meet/photos/28683806/469275356/
https://www.thebmc.co.uk/understanding-scrambling-grades
Requirements; a reasonable level of fitness, to be able to hike several miles, sense of adventure and preparation for any weather.
Participants do so at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety.Duration: Approx. 10 km, with height gain (from car park to Kinder summit plateau) of approx. 340 metres. Estimated time, 4 to 5 hours.
Ordnance Survey Map: Dark Peak Area OL1 Explorer Map 1:25 000 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.
Any questions, please message me or ask in the comments section.
Many thanks, Dave.