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Derbyshire

Clearly Derbyshire has an enormous amount of climbing information to be put on to the site. It's coming - however, most locations are crags where an SPA is always required and consequently it is not necessary to include them in this website. We will do so for information/completeness purposes as it is such a popular area.

We have had several queries as to whether the 'simple nature of setups' on some gritstone crags in the Peak mean they are suitable for Level 2. This betrays a severe lack of understanding of the nature of these crags; setups can be very difficult even in seemingly straightforward situations. SPA is required as a minimum at all locations.

Glenbrook Guide Campsite, Hope Road, Bamford, Derbyshire

Warden: Alys Allardyce Tel 01433 651567

Glenbrook is a major Guide centre with two large residential buildings. There is no climbing on site, but there is a popular local spot for abseiling from a bridge almost 100 feet high over a river in Millers Dale. This requires a licence (which Glenbrook hold) and a qualified instructor - Alys can arrange this for you, just call.

There is a possibility that there will be an abseil/climbing tower at Glenbrook at some stage.

Bridge Abseil at Millers Dale

Wirksworth Climbing Wall

Level 3 (SPA)

Wirksworth Leisure Centre, Hannage Way, Wirksworth, Derbyshire, DE4 4JG.

Tel: 01629 824717

This is an unexpectedly good wall for a small town. Only opened in the last few years, the wall has 150 square metres of toprope/lead wall, and 100 square metres of bouldering. The wall is superbly made, and not as busy as many others as perhaps it seems an unlikely location. Highly recommended.

The centre require SPA as a minimum qualification, and you need to take a copy of your certificate and liability insurance the first time you go, to register as an instructor. Book in advance for groups.

Drum Hill Scout Site

Level 1

Morley Lane, Little Eaton, Derby.

Postal address: PO Box 6200, Belper, Derby, DE56 1XE. Tel: 01332 831233 Fax: 830302

website: www.drumhill.org.uk

This large Scout site has three well maintained good quality climbing facilities:

An abseil tower

A modern outdoor climbing wall called 'The Boulder'

An indoor traversing wall in a sports hall/hut

The site currently (autumn 06) have Guide Level 1instructors, and the person in charge of climbing is familiar with the GGUK scheme and is an assessor for Level 1 - so suitable staff are available.

Please call Lisa Fox who is in charge of outdoor activities on 01332 349577 for more information.

Windgather

SPA

Windgather rocks stand on the border of Staffs and Derbyshire. They face west on a ridge (hence the name) and provide a number of routes in easy grades, ideal for groups.

Rather surprisingly we have been asked whether these rocks are suitable as a Level 2 venue. They are not. Belays are sparse and tricky to arrange in places, and a minimum SPA is required to teach here.

Upper Limits, Longnor

Level 3

Unit 1, Buxton Road, Longnor, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 ONZ

T: 01298 83149 F: 01298 83846 Ken Weston - Centre Manager

This is a Leek College/Local Authority site and can be used by the Guide Association. The centre has an AALA licence and you can therefore use their staff.The centre will now accept the GGUK Level 1 Award for visiting instructors - you need to take a copy of your certificate and will be given an induction.

The wall is fairly small and basic, consisting of a plywood surface with bolt on holds made by another climbing wall, the Rope Race in Manchester. There is a scaffold bar at the top for you to pass your own rope over (tracer ropes in place), so you do need to bring a rope.

Males and females aged 7 years upwards. Opens: Mon, Wed, Fri 10.00am-9.30pm. Tues, Thurs 10.00am-4.00pm.

From a local paper:

'With ninety different climbs of graded difficulty, Upper Limits is fully equipped with a top roped safety system. Its network of "caves," hidden behind a climbing wall, leads to an abseil tower and will be accessible to cavers with disabilities.

Rock climbing, archery, indoor caving.

Activities available for most groups of people.

Yarncliffe Quarry

SK 255794 (Landranger map 119)

SPA

This gritstone quarry has a good section for beginners, the first slab on the laft as you enter - Ant Slab. There are ample tree belays at the top, but many of the trees are small or suspect and have been over-used. The ground is heavily eroded at the top too.

This is a good location but please make sure you abide by the guidelines set out in the notice at the gate to the quarry (see photo of these below; click on the photo for an enlargement which is clearly legible).

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