The weekend of 19th – 21st June saw the MMC make the journey up the M1 for the annual training meet in the peaks, with weather forecast to be decidedly mixed. Most of the group were camping and arrived after 8pm to set up tents and get some dinner before a couple of drinks and a fairly early night, with a little rain and some heavy bass from the field next door. 

Saturday dawned overcast and with one or two threatening clouds, but stayed dry for the start of the training meet. The training group, led by Oscar, headed off to Birchen Edge. Assisting Oscar were Harry, Paolo, Nick and Ali, with Charita, Marguerite and Martin the trainees. The day started with a shortish walk from the carpark to the crag and, following a brief standoff with a group of 35 school children, the training group moved to a less congested area. The group set up a couple of top ropes (bottom roping) to give an overview of building anchors and (once they had worked out how to get off the ground), to get everyone moving. The group then moved over to a couple of climbs under Nelson’s monument, nos 16 & 17 including a V Diff 4C with some thrutchy madness involving a boulder, a high hand and a hip swivel . Following which Oscar gave an instructional trad grade description talk, over lunch in the glorious sunshine. 

After lunch the training group moved on to top roping – belaying the climber from the top of the crag – accompanied by some horizontal rain. Trainees started off by lowering the climber down from the top for them to climb back up, an abseil rope was also set up on one side so one trainee could abseil (best practise, with prusiks and extended belay device of course), whilst the other two practised belaying. All three trainees did multiple rotations of belaying, climbing and abseiling until they were pro’s. 

Those not joining the training group split into two groups, with Michael, Petra and Josh tackling the Monsal trail on their bikes and Damien, Chris and Andrew R heading off to Curbar Edge for climbing, joined by Katerine after lunch.

That evening, half the group stayed at the campsite for dinner whilst Michael, Petra and Josh led a trip to the pub. Oscar and Harry set off to pick up Ollie who’s train was due in at 6:30pm, unfortunately when it arrived there was no Ollie. Around the same time, Ollie realised that he was on the train to Manchester! Oscar and Harry stopped for dinner in Hathersage whilst Ollie took the short detour via Manchester and all three returned to camp for 9pm. 

On Sunday, following breakfast and an early morning run for Harry and Paolo, the campers packed up their tents and loaded their cars. The trainees headed back to Birchen Edge with Andrew R joining those assisting Oscar to deliver the training. Michael, Petra and Josh returned to cover some more of the Monsal trail, whilst Damien, Chris, Ollie and Katherine followed the training gang to Birchen Edge to climb some hard stuff.

The training group returned to the crag they had intended to climb on Saturday which was childfree. The trainees paired up with experienced climbers, Charita with Nick, Marguerite with Oscar and Martin with Paolo, with the experienced climbers leading and the trainees seconding. The pairs climbed a number of different routes. Ali led, seconded by Andrew R. Robin and Sandy stopped by on a walk. After lunch Oscar gave an informative talk and demonstration on gear placement followed by the trainees having a go at getting some nuts, cams and hexes in the rock, and their efforts being assessed by Oscar. The training concluded with some more discussion on anchor placement and a final few climbs, before the short walk back to the car park, a quick group photo and a fond farewell. Feedback from trainees and trainers alike was tired but happy.

With many thanks to Anna Z, the meet organiser, who after all her hard work, unfortunately could not reap the rewards in person.