Birmingham UK

I may have an opportunity to live and work in Birmingham UK for 3 to 6 month long stretches for the next few years. I enjoy gym, trad, ice, and alpine climbing, all at a pretty low level. But it is a big part of how I spend my time these days. Can anyone tell me how the access to these activities is living in Birmingham? Thanks.

Bump

Hey. I have climbed a few times in the UK, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I cant speak to Birmingham specifically but being that it is in central England gives access to lots of areas. A couple hours to the north is Stanage (Gritstone), to the west is Wales (great slate climbing and sea cliffs) and to the SW a few hours is Pembrooke. The climbing is primarily trad and can be bold in the higher grades, don't expect to see too many bolts. Ice and alpine are a bit trickier, youll have to go North to Scotland for that and don't expect ice climbing like back home. When it comes to climbing in the UK weather is a huge problem, but have no fear, there is always a pub near!
If you have more questions, let me know

From Birmingham your obvious local climbing area is the Peak District (National Park, though very different than a US one). The closest well known crags would be at "The Roaches" (Google maps will show it - about 1:30 drive). Rock in the Peak District is for the most part called Gritstone and tends to form as 30-80 foot high escarpments that can be miles long...hence lots of routes. It has a string trad, bolt free ethic. The town of Hathersage is pretty much ground zero for the biggest climbing area there.There is also some Limestone climbing in the Peak District at areas such as Stoney Middleton. Climbing is very popular in this area....no problem find folks to climb with.

About 2.5 hours drive is the Mountain range of Snowdonia (again National Park). These are real mountains, large multi-pitch trad routes in a mountain environment. WIth the correct winter weather there can be epic mixed Alpine climbing here. There is also in this area quite unique climbing in disused slate quarries (tends to be at the harder end of the grades but some bolts). Also in this area is some wild sea cliff climbing on the cliffs of the island Anglesey.

Beyond that at about 3 hours drive you have The Lake District National Park which is again an Alpine style environment...large trad climbs in the summer and epic winter climbing when winter weather cooperates.

There is further limestone climbing in the Cheddar gorge area South West of Birmingham, and if you are upto a 4 hour drive, epic moderate sea cliff climbing in South West Wales and England (Cornwall).

In short there's a ton to climb, you learn to work with the weather and perversely enjoy it eventually.

I lived near there around '96-'97. At the time, I thought the gym there was the best one I'd ever seen. I loved how tall the walls were. I don't remember too well now, but I think they were about 15m high. I'm sure it's all change by now.

Also, I loved how the whole gym was basically a lead climbing gym, and top roping was reserved for a small section in the corner. One other thing, I remember asking the guy at the desk about getting certified/tested for lead climbing. He was totally confused, and started asking why I needed to be tested, and said why would you lead climb if you don't know what you're doing?

Also, the weather sucks, so you'll prob just be a gym climber.

Steve

Thanks for the info! Any more? Got some decisions to make by tomorrow.

I'd do it!