New Lochaber club getting climbers inside and out
LOCHABER’S newest climbing club has been making a big impact in the area, just three weeks after forming.
The recently formed Inside Out Climbing Club was established after huge demand from a growing group of young climbers (and parents) in Lochaber, many of whom have been climbing regularly at 3 Wise Monkeys climbing centre in Fort William.
The club aims to help the many new climbers take their newfound skills out to real crags, with the support of their parents and qualified instructors who are members of the club. Its first outdoor meets were at Kingussie and Crieff, but last Sunday saw the biggest outing yet when a 45-strong group from the club travelled to the Edinburgh Indoor Climbing Arena in Ratho, near Edinburgh.
An early start on a frosty morning didn’t dampen the high spirits of the excited young people and grown-ups. Ages ranged from six to 50-plus, with some of the toughest climbs being achieved by some of the club’s youngest members.
Hannah Francis, climbing instructor at 3 Wise Monkeys and club chairperson, said: ‘Sunday’s meet at Ratho was fantastic. We had a great turn-out and it is amazing to see how everyone is improving already.
‘My highlights of the day were seeing the proud faces of the parents as they learned new skills and saw their young climbers scaling the impressive walls, and seeing our newest and youngest member, Aaron, at six years old, climbing to an epic 30-metre height. I am really looking forward to seeing where we can take the club in the years to come.’
For anyone wanting to find out more about the club, email insideoutclimbingclub@ gmail.com or find ‘Inside Out Climbing Club’ on Facebook. The club encourages anyone to join – young or old, beginner or experienced.