OPC sport climbing trip

[thecolm]

... is there gonna be one this year?

[Ginge]

Most likely around easter time again yes. As of yet there has not been any work put into organising it though.

[woodsy]

if you want to throw a few ideas down for it by all means definitely cos its some trip... like spain etc

[thecolm]

think harr knows of some good spots in france. If its easter again DWS shouldnt really be made a big factor. Also camping as against a hostel may be worth considering. more of a laugh and I've found you tend to wake earlier and get more climbing into each day. and cheaper of course(I think... cost of accommodation vs extra baggage??).

also mayb invest in a small rope bag or two that take fulls or sets of halfs. they remove the need for coiling (so no more terribly coiled ropes) and they're really convienient for moving between nearby climbs. Probable lessen tha chance of brand new ropes being destroyed too like last time.

Maybe also more awareness than some are gonna be more/less enthusiastic than others to climb so allowing a bit more freedom with people being able to go where they please so long as no one is being left out.

[harr]

www.climber.co.uk/categories/articleitem.asp?item=125

i would recommend siurana in spain, fly into barcelona and rent a couple of cars to get to the camp site. the site has a few cabins you can rent for a reasonable price, cheap and cheerful or you could camp but that means the weight of the tents.
Orpier in france is nice, Ceuse is class but very hard and a long walk in, sardinia is amazing but you need transport ie cars. the list goes on...

daveaytonsblog.blogspot.com/2007/11/siurana-spain-part-1.html
www.climb-europe.com/areas.htm
www.rockfax.com/areas/country.html?id=2
www.rockfax.com/databases/results_crag.html?id=544

[woodsy]

I found that everyone who wanted to climb got to climb as much as possible, with group logistics and that most people had a similar level of enthusiasm. Injuries and illnesses did however play against some of the group while others focused on helping and teaching rather than their own climbing.. a better system may be put in place for vehicles so that there are not some groups taking cars and others being left behind..

the rope bag seems like a good plan but apart from these trips would it be redundant? or is the demand for it on these trips enough to purchase it? What are prices like?

In relation to places we can go to, France worked out quite expensive to get around and what not last year so thats why we avoided it.. However when setting up the committee we can make up a short list including the places harr mentioned and judge them on feasibility and practicality again

[thecolm]

the bags would prob b handy for most climbin trips here as well as abroad. Just think they're really handy, and buyin a 30e bag saves a rope from being destroyed den its win win.

wit regards the cars, as long as a car was full then the people inside it cant really be said to be leaving people behind.. dont think any1 last yr focused too much on their own climbing as far as im aware.. mainly id just like too see people being free too make their own plans as long as the car is filled.. last yr a few people decided day one would be given over to shopin and making food groups witout discussing this with every1.. when others decided to climb that day and shop in the evening some people were'n too happy. thats what i was refering to when i said some would be more enthuiastic than others.

[Keith]

I agree on more rope bags being a good idea, as I see it we have axes and crampons only used in Scotland and possibly the alps, and fuck loads of ice screws that possibly aren't used at all in a year, so even if they were only used on the sport climbing trip, so be it. But would allow for better gear loaning if it was giving in a club bag for protection.

Spain this year was an epic trip. But it needs to be gone into with a better itinerary I think, like Scotland is. This is probably the most important improvement needed.

The 4 cars were so good, definitely have to do that again. The subcommittee will have to look into costing, hidden insurance costs and eligibility of drivers (the main driver of the car must have a credit card [debit cards weren't accepted at the desk even though it was told to us that they would be], 2 years old licence and be over a certain age).

Let us know when the subcommittee is formed and I would be happy to give a few pointers.

[thecolm]

o i forgot... get maps!! we only had mine and it almost lead to disaster on day 1 when the lead car got too far ahead of the others we could have been lost for days and raped by the multiple prostitutes...
MAPS!!!

[harr]

Hey here is my two cent...

A sport climbing trip should in my opinion be broken up into independent groups responsible for their own food. equipment and where they go day to day.

If the groups are decided before they leave for the trip then it makes it easier to divide up draws, ropes, tents and cooking equipment.

big things like booking flights, car rental and booking accommodation could be finalized before the trip. the numbers going on the trip should be decided by the amount of transport needed ie 4 cars, 5 per car 20 people. or a 16 seater mini bus etc. Alternatively pick a destination that is accessible by public transport and the climbing is within walking distance of the camp site/ Refugio/ apartment. (el Choro, Suirana(by taxi))

Equipment wise, 15 draws per team of two or three. at least two sets per group gives the group the option to leave a set of draws on a route to work on, or for other groups to try without the hassle of placing all the draws again. two 60meter ropes per group (group =5) depending on the destination a set of half 60s for multi pitch routes. Rope bags are essential for sport climbing as the ropes are constantly dropped on the ground at the base of routes and need protection from the gravel and dust, not to mention how easy it makes moving the ropes from route to route. I would recommend buying guide books for each group so there is no hassle when your there. Then depending on accommodation you might need a stove, pots and tent. Check what fuel is available at your destination, i would recommend an MSR Super Fly as it is adaptable to most types of gas canister (or something similar), or petrol stoves, but be careful to empty out the fuel bottle before you go.

personal equipment. shoes, harness, helmet and chalk, everything else is optional. oh and finger tape.

So hope some of this helps, sport trips should be hassle free and easy to organize, try to limit the amount of work done centrally and make small groups responsible for them selfs, if you think people need to be looked after then don't brim em.

Harr

[thecolm]

sounds like the makin of the best trip yet ;D

[Duecewilder]

sounds like few good ideas there.... since the semester is nearly over it might be a good idea just to send out a club email and invite people to give opinions and also give an estimation for numbers

[thecolm]

i not climbing wit u ul force me to bat hang,bicycle and heel hook all over the place

[Duecewilder]

1 u heel hook like twice as much as me and ull do it by yourself neway...
2 bicycling is a very effective technique
and
3 bat hands are just for the laugh really... even i know that but still doesn't stop me trying to do one...