Romsey Climbers

Hi to all RoCs members,

Some important advice and guidance from Romsey Climbers to all our members.

Now that lockdown restrictions have been partially lifted and we are allowed out side again, please be aware that due to the 3 month lockdown period stopping all climbing initially for several weeks, and limited climbing in the last few weeks the conditions of some of the popular climbing crags may well have changed from what you have been used to in the past. Many of the crags and some specific routes will have become greasy and slippery due to lack of use, and the various extreme weather conditions we have been experiencing. They also may have suffered an increase in vegetation, mud and debris forming in the cracks we use for hand & footholds and more importantly for placing gear for protection.

When we are able to venture out on meets again please take care and allow for these new conditions. I am sure it will not be long before the crags and routes will be back to their former conditions as more climbers get out on rock and the routes get cleared of their new found growth and debris. Also please take into account you may be a bit slower, less flexible and slightly out of practice than you were last year due to the forced “Stay at home and stay safe” government policy over the last 3 months, so that “Easy Diff” may well be a bit more of a challenge than it was last year. It certainly will be for me!!

Please also ensure you always carry an up to date copy of our “Additional Information Form” which we supplied to you all when you first joined RoCs. For the safety of everyone in the club, and to ensure that the information is all up to date, please print off and complete this form again, which I have sent out to all RoCs members, especially the section asking for next of kin (your ICE you nominated to us when you joined). This form should then be put into your climbing and/or walking rucksack so that if you are involved in a climbing or walking incident and require medical help, the emergency services will be able to see if you have any medical requirements or conditions, and they or one of us can contact your ICE contact (partner, family member or friend) if required. This is an important requirement of being a club member with RoCs. Please ensure you carry a copy in your rucksac all the time and keep it up to date. One day we may need to use this information. This is for your own safety and peace of mind for your family.

Hoping to see you out on rock or at a climbing wall very soon, take care and stay safe.

Pete

The latest decision by RoCs is that we have cancelled the April meets that were listed on the meets page (Fairy Cave Novice and Dartmoor) due to the Corona Virus situation, except for the Nepal meet, which has been postponed to April 2021.

We will be monitoring the situation on a monthly basis for future meets in 2020, and will be guided by the Government, NHS and BMC advice regarding travel, group meetings and climbing outside. It will also depend on the availability of individual campsites, bunk house accommodation and use or access to pubs and cafes etc in the climbing areas. Please check and comply with the guidelines listed on the relevant websites and the BMC website link regarding individual members going outside for personal exercise outside.

https://www.thebmc.co.uk/should-you-go-climbing-outdoors-and-hill-walking

Hi all RoCs members. Although some of our activities take place outside, we also meet up at climbing walls and sometimes in pubs. With the current situation where the number of cases are increasing in the country, please can you all consider the well being of our climbing society by not attending any walls or meets inside or out if you have any signs of being infected by the corona virus in line with the advice from the NHS or the government statements. If you think you are infected or even if you think you just have cold or Flu symptoms, please self isolate for the required period and do not pass on any infections to other climbers.

Romsey Climbers Annual Dinner this year will be held at the The wheatsheaf braishfield Braishfield Road, Braishfield, SO51 0QE Romsey, from 7-00 pm onwards. There is an event page on the RoCs Facebook page so if you wish to attend (with or without your partner!) then please post on the event page that you wish to attend, and how many of you are going. Sarah is organising this event, so please let her know soon as she will need to book numbers with the pub. If you do not use Facebook, you can contact Sarah direct by e-mail (do not e mail me about this event please). I have sent out an e mail to all members with this information included. This event is great fun and should not be missed. A chance to chat about all the meets coming up, meet the new members (or for the new members to meet us established members) and talk about all your aspirations for climbing this year!