Girlguiding UK Climbing and Abseiling Scheme

Directions: From M62 J9 - Follow A49 towards Warrington town centre. Go through 2 roundabouts. you'll see McDonalds on your R. The NW Face is 150 yards further on.

From M6 J21: Take A57 into Warrington for about 3 miles. On the edge of the toen centre pass cemetery, then Sainsbury's on your L.After this a large roundabout, take A49 North. Go through a set of lights and the NW Face is on your left.

Group visits: Min 6 people, pre-booked 7 days ahead with 25% deposit. Cancellations under 48 hours subject to full payment.

Costs (Groups): Peak: £6 with harness hire, £4 without. Offpeak: £5/£3.50 (This doesn't include instruction)

Instruction: £10 per instructor per hour. These rices are a few years old, so please check.

Open: Mon-Fri 10-10, Sat & Sun 10-6.

General: A large commercial climbing wall with plenty of areas suitable for all abilities. Courses available, a young peoples' climbing club.

Their instructors don't necessarily hold the SPA, but have an in-house qualification. They will accept the GA Level 1 as a qualification if you want to instruct yourself. Ratio is 1:6

Forest Campsite, Sandiway, Northwich

Level 1

Forest Camp, Kennel Lane, Sandiway, Northwich, CW8 2EA

Tel: 01606 882709

This is a Scout campsite with an old wooden built abseil and climbing tower. The tower is functional and located right next to the site offices. The site will accept Guide Association Level 1 qualified instructors; they do have staff available but they have Scout M forms only.

1st Handforth Scout HQ, Wilmslow

Level 1

Off Station Road, Handforth, Wilmslow

Contact: Ian Mackay, 17 Finney Drive, Wilmslow, SK9 2ES. Tel & fax: 01625 524483

email: ian@mackay17finney.freeserve.co.uk

An indoor wall of plywood bolted to the end of the building with removable bolt-on resin holds. The wall is built to the required standards and has been checked by the insurers too. There are 8 belay points for ropes, but no ground anchors. There is no leading on the wall.

At present we don't have any information about the wall's own staff, so please insist on SPA or the Girlguiding UK Level 1 Award.

Teggs Nose Country Park

Level 2 - For the section with belay bars (shown)

White Peak Sheet Grid Ref 948723

Signposted from the A537 from Macclesfield

Contact: Teggs Nose 01625 614279 email: teggs@cheshire.gov.uk

This crag is a disused gritstone quarry within a country park. Groups must book with the Park Ranger to use the crag.

Belays at the top are large purpose built bars, about 5m back from the edge, so you must take static rope slings to set up climbs. Please note that the origins of any stakes elsewhere are uncertain and you should never take it for granted that stakes are OK; check them and always use more than one anchor to set up. For abseiling, the belays are the same and are not ideal, but there is a small ledge that participants can get a foothold on to gain a better, lower position. The Italian hitch should be raised off of the ground by using a rucsac.

Ideal group sizes would be less than 12, using an instructor plus an assistant.

Teggs Nose Country park - face

Teggs Nose

Mill Dale Scout Camp

Mill Dale
Mill Lane
Blakenhall
Nantwich
Cheshire

Warden/Contact Address
Robin Christian
14 Wisterdale Close
Wistaston
Crewe
Cheshire

Tel: 01270 567964

This site has a small wall inside a barn. It is fine for groups of smaller children or as an introduction to the activity, but is limited in height and climbing area.It is well constructed with belays at the top. You would need to solo to the top to set up ropes, but this is hardly a daunting prospect. The site don't have any instructors who could take Guides on a regular basis, but do have one contact who is Level 1 qualified - so please arrange well in advance to allow time to contact her. Visiting staff with GG Level 1 welcome.

Mill Dale wall - bottom section covered with boards for security whilst not in use