Interested in climbing? The club is interested in YOU! Whether you are a complete novice or an E5 nutter, come along to the pub on Wednesday evenings and meet other, similarly afflicted souls! There is a very strong interest in both rock and ice climbing within the club. We can go climbing on any of the weekend meets and sometimes arrange trips in our own time.
Never climbed before? With Taysides newest and largest indoor wall next to the University , what better place to take your first steps, grabs, fumbles and falls in the security of a well maintained heated arena designed for the purpose. We are hoping to organise courses through the climbing wall for those who've never climbed before so that you can quickly gain independence and progress through the grades at your own speed. There are climbers of all abilities within the club so you're bound to find someone to climb with whilst, if you're stuck or just can't work out how to do the move, there are some more experienced members around who may be able to give you a few handy pointers.
For those who've climbed before we have people climbing at all levels so you'll be able to find a partner to climb with really easily and if the weather permits get outside and enjoy some of the real stuff.
In the summer term we start to head outdoors to the local bolted quarry crags of Ley and Legaston or slightly further a field to the traditional crags of Dunkeld, Aberdour and Glen Clova. On the weekend trips climbing is usually fairly easy to come by whether it be fear induced by the steep rock of Creag Dhu, some more relaxed climbing at Kingussie or the deceptive Glen Etive Slabs.
Winter conditions are upon us quickly in the autumn term and the mixed ice climbers take out their toys and start letting the sparks fly. The easier grades come into condition slightly later and we run the winter experience at the beginning of the spring term to practice some of the basic emergency procedures for snow and ice work. Throughout the winter/spring term trips are in areas of outstanding beauty at there best with a snow dressed ridges stretching off into the distance. If there are ridges there are also corries and it is here you will find the truly addicted ice climbers ascending everything from easy snow gullies to the vertical ice and mixed rock and ice routes. No matter what your addiction you'll find someone in the club who's doing it too. Now we just have to hope for the weather!
Climbing is becoming a more integral part of the clubs activities, and after the success of the FREE introduction to climbing sessions we have held at Avertical World the past couple of years many new members have become hooked. We represented Dundee University at the Scottish University Sport (SUS) Bouldering Competition held at Alien Rock 2 in Edinburgh. The competition, although we did not come out tops, was a great experience and gave us the chance to see some pretty good climbing! We hope to go back this year, and also make our presence known at the British Universities Bouldering competition (we haven’t been... yet!)
This year we are for the first time running regular dedicated climbing meets, in addition to our regular walking/mountaineering meets. These will go to other climbing walls (e.g. EICA Ratho near Edinburgh and Aberdeen's TransitionExtreme) and to local crags for outdoor climbing. We are also running a trip to the Ice Factor (Indoor ice climbing wall) in Kinlochleven. Visit the meets page for details.
As with all aspects of Mountaineering, it is generally not a competitive club and we do enjoy sociable weekly visits to our local climbing wall Avertical World (generally Wednesdays before going to the pub for sign-up). So, if you're interested, come along and get involved!