Hogmanay Hootenanny

Yes. We will arrange lifts for people who can’t drive. Different people bring different skills – it usually works out in the end.

Yes.

This primarily isn't a climbing trip. It's a hiking, scrambling and socialising trip.

There may be climbing, but this won't be the place to do your first outdoor climbs, and many experienced people won't be bringing their climbing kit.

Saturday night dinner is included in the cost of the trip.

We'll be recruiting volunteer chefs and will be looking for helpers with prep, washing up etc

Tea, coffee and milk will also be provided (the coffee might only be instant though…maybe pack your cafetière!).

It may be worth bringing some snacks and cake.

All dietary requirements and allergies will be catered for - Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Kosher, Meativore, allergic to pepper, etc - please express it on the sign up form

You're very welcome to come - but unfortunately we can't offer you a discount. Do come along!

This usually doesn’t work.

All plans are made the night before, usually changing 3-4 times during the night and changing at least once in the morning. This makes it extremely difficult to tell anyone where to be and when. It might be possible to come for the day, if you were prepared to arrive at the hut at ~7am and were prepared for mountains of faff and uncertainty.

You also won’t be able to stay for any social bits on the Saturday night, where the group really gets to know each other.

Mountaineering isn’t usually a good sport if the weather is wet. However, there will be some plan B’s in case of unexpected issues (such as really heavy rain). These could be:

• Go for a scramble
• Go for a walk
• Go indoor climbing
• Go to a museum or tourist attraction
• Go to the pub

The Climbing Clan is fully run by volunteers. No-one is compensated for sharing their climbing and rope skills amongst the group. Nobody is using or assumed to be trained to professional qualifications unless they tell you otherwise in writing.

Everyone that comes to Climbing Clan events recognises that:

“that climbing, scrambling and hill walking are activities with a danger of personal injury or death, and by taking part acknowledge they are aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.“

Our Cancellation Policy is here.

A group of supportive, friendly people who like to encourage each other to climb and eat cake. Sometimes at the same time.

We support an open, inclusive and accepting atmosphere for all members, whatever their ability or ambition.

We have the hut mostly to ourselves, and we don't segregate on perceived differences, put your sleeping bag in a bunk to reserve that as your place to sleep.

Please be encouraged to take Lateral Flow Tests and play it safe - don't come if you have symptoms. Let's keep the Clan safe. <3

Everyone plays a part in making these weekends happen.

You can give us your preferences on what you'd prefer to help with, and we'll do our best to accommodate your choices - but this may not always be possible.

Please have a conversation between lift giver and lift getter about sharing the price of fuel between you. It's up to you to have this conversation and work out something mutually agreeable between you.

• Sleeping bag (mummy style sleeping bags with a hood are best in the UK)
• Pillow
• Slippers? (see below)
• Earplugs and eyemask (other people can be loud, can snore and this may help you sleep better)

If you’re hoping to climb, you’ll need your own gear - there isn’t anywhere to hire it for. At a minimum - you’ll need:

• Harness
• Helmet (this needs to be a climbing helmet, kayaking, snowboarding, cycling helmets are designed to protect you from different things)
• Belay device & karabiner
• Climbing shoes

Really helpful things to have, even if you’re not leading

• 2 x 60cm slings
• 2 spare screwgate karabiners
• Prusik loop
• Nutkey + leash

If you have any of these things, bring them:

• extra karabiners
• some or all of a trad rack
• half ropes
• a 50 or 60m rope
• relevant guidebooks

If you're a trad leader, you should know what to bring (everything!).

The weather and time of year is important to think about, but this is the British Isles, we have to plan for all weathers at all times of year.

• Outdoor trousers (not denim or jeans of any type)
• comfortable climbing top
• underwear
• waterproof top and bottom
• an extra warm layer
• hiking boots
• thick socks for hiking in
• gloves + spare gloves
• a full change of clothes back at camp (for being around the hut)
• an extra warm layer for belaying
• hat
• ice axe
• crampons
• buff / scarf
• swimming costume(!)

There is often a walk to any climbing, maybe even a bit of a hike. It’s good to be equipped in case we’re outside longer than expected.

• Small rucksack (25-40 litre)
• headtorch
• water bottle (at least 1 litre)
• tupperware lunchbox for sandwiches
• breakfast and lunch tuff for the trip
  
• spare batteries
• suncream
• sunglasses
• themos flask
• midge net / insect repellent
• first aid kit with plasters, hay fever medication, painkillers
• phone charger and cable
• book / cards / headphones
• walkie-talkies

• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• toiletries
• all medication and medicines and inhalers you might need
• towel

As a trial we are not providing breakfast and lunch on this trip however we will be providing communal Tea, coffee, milk etc. The Only meal included in the trip price is the evening meals.

You will be required to supply your own food for your breakfast and lunches and we will give you some guidance on how this might work best.

We'll arrive Sunday night - you'll need to sort your own dinner out.

We'll have breakfast, and then head off outside.

We'll return to the hut for food together, and drinks... and to make lunch and plans for Sunday.

We'll have breakfast, clean and empty the hut, and head off out.

After Sunday's activities, everyone will head home.