An evening Outdoor Climbing at Dovestones Edge
5 people attending
1 place left
Since it got rained off in May, let's try again! Join us for an evening climbing on the fantastic Dovestones Edge near Oldham. For more details check out the UKC Logbook page for the crag.
Dovestones edge is one of several gritstone crags in the Chew valley area overlooking Dovestones reservoir. It is one of the most beautiful parts of the peak district yet is still within greater Manchester! The evening views are spectacular looking out towards Black Hill in the east and at sunset even Manchester's skyscrapers can look beautiful out to the west. The crag itself has a great selection of short single pitch routes to choose from at all grades. One brief word of warning though: The walk to the crag is short (about a mile) but has 250m of ascent along a hillside track at the end so bring footwear suitable for this!
We will meet at 6pm at the car parking, and the crag is a mile's walk from there. The event end time is 9:30pm (ish) so we may well do the last part of the walk back to the carpark in the dark. Please bring a torch if you have one, though we will bring spares so there should be enough torches to go around.
Members should understand that rock climbing is weather dependant – more so than some other outdoor activities. If the weather forecast is poor it may be necessary to reschedule, move or cancel the event. I will message all participants as early as possible in this case to keep people informed.
The number of places on the event may be increased if more leaders become available.
Required experience
To attend this event you must have climbed indoors before (preferably with outdoorlads), be competent at lead belaying and at tying in with a figure-of-8 knot, and at climbing F6a indoors. Please contact the event leader if you have any queries about the required competence.
Participation Statement
You MUST complete a Participation Statement, in addition to booking your event space before attending an OutdoorLads event. You only need to complete this Participation Statement once, not for each event you attend.
Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, even if they are extremely mild, or who has recently tested positive for Covid-19, is asked not to attend.
Please note that every person participating should be aware of (and accept) that those members perceived as ‘in charge’ or leading the event are not experts, do not need to be experts, and are not regarded by OutdoorLads, or themselves as experts, but are amateurs with some experience in the event type and who are happy to impart their knowledge. Any advice given should be considered with this in mind by the recipient.
By signing up to and attending an OutdoorLads event, you are confirming that you have read, understood and accept the content of this statement.
All photos are © of Sieh or the event leader with permission granted to OutdoorLads.








What to bring
If rain is forecast we will probably cancel / reschedule so waterproofs should not be required, but bring some warm clothes in case it is windy - it can often be oppressively hot in central Manchester but quite cold high up in the peak district!
To climb you will need, at a minimum, climbing shoes, a harness and a helmet. We have a limited number of harnesses and helmets available to borrow - please message the event leader a few days prior to the event if you need either of these items.
Note that the last part of the walk-in is along a rough uphill track so please bring footwear suitable for this.
Food & drink
Bring refreshments of your choice for an evening spent outdoors. Cake to share round is especially welcome.