The climbing on Portland is all sport climbing with routes across all the grades, so there is something for everyone. The climbing is mostly on non-tidal sea cliffs, without abseil approaches. There is also trad climbing not too far away in Swanage (probably not beginner-friendly due to abseil approaches and harder grades), if that is your preference.

For anyone new to sport climbing who would like to come on the trip, as a minimum you will need to be a competent lead belayer, and either you or your climbing partner will need to be a competent lead climber (with your own rope and quickdraws – 60m rope and minimum 14 quickdraws recommended). For those who haven’t done sport climbing before, it is much the same as leading indoors except for having to thread the anchor at the top in order to lower off. In the past we have been able to organise a skills session at Coplestone prior to the trip in order to show beginners how to thread the top anchor, so let me know if you would be interested in that and I shall see what we can do.

We’ll probably stay at Martleaves Farm campsite (http://www.weymouthcampingandcaravanpark.co.uk/)again. Alternatively, there is the YHA hostel on Portland itself. Campsites in that area are a little pricier than other climbing areas, and most aren’t particularly group friendly. Martleaves has worked well in the past but if anyone knows of any other more reasonably priced, group friendly campsites in the area then please do let me know.

This is an informal meet so you’ll need to arrange your own climbing partners and travel plans, however if you are looking for a climbing partner or a lift (or can offer lifts) let me know and I’ll put people in contact.