Girlguiding UK Climbing and Abseiling Scheme

This is a wall in the corner of a gym, used sometimes for PE lessons but not that often. There are tracer ropes in place for setting ropes up; the wall isn't bad for its type. It is available after 5.30 p.m. and is administered by Worsley Pool Admin.

There isn't much information available; I spoke to the Head of PE at the school but it doesn't seem as if anyone else uses it.

Overall: reasonable if you are local and want to run some short sessions.

Dunham Park Scout Camp, Altrincham

Level 1

Farm Walk, Dunham Road, Bowden, Altrincham, WA14 4SP.

Tel: 0161 928 1699 email: (warden): PaulWilkinson1@compuserve.com

This is a small Scout campsite which mainly caters for local groups and younger ages (though not exclusively). There is a climbing and abseiling tower under a large tree in the grounds which is well maintained and on which the climbing is being extended. There are no site instructors or equipment available; you must bring your own. Guide Association Level 1 Award accepted.

The Rope Race Climbing Wall, Marple

Level 1

Goyt Mill, Upper Hibbert Lane, Marple, Stockport. Tel: 0161 426 0226

This commercial wall is extensive and has good facilities for young people with easy slabs for beginners. They will accept the Guide Association Level 1 Award; you will work with one of their instructors on your first session to familiarise yourself with their practices. They also have an in-house qualification and there are courses available for this.

Ashworth Valley Campsite, Oldham

Level:

Ashworth Road, Bamford, OL11 5UP.

Tel: 01706 360498

We await further information on this site. Although visited in January 2002 and telephoned (no answers), no abseil facility was found. If you have any information please contact us.

Boarfold Campsite, Chisworth, Hyde

This campsite is listed in the campsites handbook as providing abseiling, but actually doesn't. There is apprently some informal stream scrambling here which is the nearest to this activity, but no actual abseiling and no qualified staff. If using this site, please do not participate in any offered activities of this type.

Linnet Clough Scout Camp, Mellor, Stockport

Level 1

Gibb Lane, Mellor, Stockport, SK6 5NB.

Tel: 0161 427 1688

Thsi is a scout campsite with a tower which has good new climbing holds and an abseiling ramp. The Guide Association Level 1 Award is accepted.

Please take care when using the tower; the top is very open with the handrail bars being high for small children. It would be advised to belay participants from the ground back to the ground (i.e. tied on at all stages including waiting at the top).

Teggs Nose Country Park

Level 2

White Peak Sheet Grid Ref 948723

Signposted from the A537 from Macclesfield

Contact: Teggs Nose 01625 614279 email: teggs@cheshire.gov.uk

This crag is a disused gritstone quarry within a country park. Groups must book with the Park Ranger to use the crag.

Belays at the top are stakes in the ground, about 5-10m back from the edge, so you must take static rope slings to set up climbs. Please note that the origins of these are uncertain and you should never take it for granted that stakes are OK; check them and always use more than one anchor to set up. For abseiling, the belays are the same and are not ideal, but there is a small ledge that participants can get a foothold on to gain a better, lower position. The Italian hitch should be raised off of the ground by using a rucsac.

Ideal group sizes would be less than 12, using an instructor plus an assistant.

Top of page