For many years now we have based ourselves at the Hardhurst Farm campsite, and this trip carried on with that tradition. Members, families and friends began arriving on Thursday and soon began occupying our usual corner of the tent field.
For the climbers, Stanage Edge is always one of the major attractions, being relatively easy to access and offering a good variety of routes, and for some of the younger attendees their first experience of gritstone. For some of the less young it also provided a chance to repeat some of the old favourites.
Another venue visited was the ancient quarry at Lawrencefield, again with a number of classic lines ascended.
The trip is however not all about climbing, and a number of other activities always form part of the visit, and include walking, the obligatory Park Run, for those who this is a required part of their weekly schedule, cycling, and on some occasions, swimming in the municipal pool in Hathersage , although not this year. Glossop Parkrun consisted of 3 laps of a beautiful park. Congratulations to Nick, as this was his first proper run since his knee replacement. Several walks took place, both direct from camp and from Hathersage. At least one mountain bike trip took place.
The weekend also has a very social aspect to it, with a chance meet and catch up with friends and acquaintances who we may have not seen for a year or more. This is assisted by the close proximity of the Traveller’s Rest pub and restaurant only a couple of hundred metres from the site, (your correspondent, however, still thinks in yards), where a large group would assemble in the evening, or just sit in camp with a beer and swap stories.
Another great trip, and we look forward to another next year.
See photos from this trip here.