BMC North West Area

08/04/2026

Cheshire update: good news, bad news, good news. New bat monitoring survey, Harmers Wood. You’re not being recorded (unless you’re a bat after dusk) and the equipment will be gone in a week.

People still not quite getting the ‘don’t climb after recent rain’ message, another hold breakage. Please keep spreading the message if you can, especially with newer climbers who might not know.

Hayden’s quarry still looking good after last years tidy up via volunteers from the local wall

The routes could do with a bit of traffic to keep them clean, just as good as the more popular Schoolroom quarry next door. Especially if you’ve a head for highballs!

06/04/2026

Denham quarry: potential kestrels nesting on Complete Streaker, Pool Wall. Avoid for now please.

Thanks James Anstee for the note!

28/03/2026

Excellent collaboration this week giving Trowbarrow a wash and brush up.

Working with (land managers), members and our NW access team.

Brambles cleared from Red Wall and the bouldering traverse washed and brushed.

Scrub and tree maintenance on top of Main Wall with the removal of dead ash, making it easier to ID and reach healthier trees. Great teamwork 🤝💥

18/02/2026

Walkers and climbers wanted! Got something to get off your chest? Good news to share? Want to get involved?

Please come along and have your say. In person at the BMC office and online via Zoom. 6:30pm onwards for a catch-up first.

Zoom link on the BMC North West page https://thebmc.co.uk/en/bmc-north-west-area-meeting or via email if you're signed up

25/01/2026

Tedious reminder not to climb on wet rock.

The gritstone is vulnerable when wet and looses structural strength making it more likely to fracture. Once that happens and the surface skin is lost, you’re on the fast track to erosion.

The finer grained sandstone is 10x worse. The Cheshire sandstone shown here is around 220 million years old, give or take. Safe to say it’ll take a while to grow back.

Please treat the rock with kid gloves, save it for the future, help spread the word to newer climbers that might not realise.

Turns out rock isn’t always hard as rock.

22/01/2026

Please help share the fundraiser for the iconic Don Whillans Hut!

07/12/2025

Another great bit of crag custodianship in the north of our patch. Warton Main has always been an acquired taste compared to more popular spots nearby like Trowbarrow, it’s had a renewal of interest with some more popular sport routes on the terrace. The traditional routes have a slightly more fierce reputation.

Our access rep Martin reports that significant cotoneaster removal should help stabilise the crag, letting in other species and hopefully providing a better home for nesting peregrines, scarce in recent years. This was a multi agency project, with specialist contractors. Should be good news for future climbers.

26/11/2025

Volunteer support is needed this weekend at the Big Depot for the Youth Climbing Series Grand Final 🧗

If you can spare a morning or an afternoon on either the 29 or 30 November, please take a look at the application form in the post below ⤵️

Can you volunteer at the Youth Climbing Series Grand Final?

We need a few more volunteers to help us deliver the YCS Grand Final this weekend. Taking place at Big Depot, Manchester on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November, we’re looking for people to get involved with:

📋 Judging
🧗 Belaying (additional training required)

As a volunteer, you’ll receive a thorough induction on how to do your role. No experience is necessary and everyone is welcome to apply. To sign up, click the link below 👇

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=9QUAYtljpE26wHf3RIrTD5GpPR7b0xVGsnIC85URu0JUOVExU0xGTzUzVlJYVUdZMUVHSThGU0hSWSQlQCN0PWcu&route=shorturl

10/11/2025

Back by popular demand and heading to Manchester!

We’re touring our Winter Skills lectures around the UK, so whether you need a refresher before the winter season or want to head out into the snowy hills for the first time - these evenings are perfect for you.⁠
⁠
“Which axe should I have?” ⛏️⁠
“Do I need crampons and spikes?” 🥾⁠
“How do I stay away from avalanches?” 🏔️⁠
⁠
Find out the answer to all this and more! Tickets now on sale for:⁠
⁠
❄️ Leeds | 8th December⁠
❄️ Manchester | 9th December⁠
❄️ Online | 9th December⁠
❄️ Cardiff | 11th December⁠
❄️ Birmingham | 16th December⁠
❄️ London | 17th December⁠
⁠


✏️

06/11/2025

Heading to Manchester this December!
https://thebmc.co.uk/bmc-winter-lecture-series-manchester

Back by popular demand! We're touring our Winter Skills lectures around the UK, so whether you need a refresher before the winter season or want to head out into the snowy hills for the first time - these evenings are perfect for you.⁠
⁠
"Which axe should I have?” ⛏️⁠
“Do I need crampons and spikes?” 🥾⁠
“How do I stay away from avalanches?” 🏔️⁠
⁠
Find out the answer to all this and more! Tickets now on sale for:⁠
⁠
❄️ Leeds | 8th December⁠
❄️ Manchester | 9th December⁠
❄️ Online | 9th December⁠
❄️ Cardiff | 11th December⁠
❄️ Birmingham | 16th December⁠
❄️ London | 17th December⁠
⁠
🎟️ https://thebmc.co.uk/en/bmc-winter-lecture-series

Presented this year by Sam Leary Mountaineering/ Leading Edge and Summit Mountain Skills

✏️

04/08/2025

The meeting will be online via Zoom. No pre-registration required. Use the link below to join us. Apols for short notice.

https://www.thebmc.co.uk/en/bmc-north-west-area-meeting

All welcome, come listen and have your say. Sadly no chips!