Wye Valley, 9th - 11th June 2006

Helen Tudge. Email: membership@warwickclimbingclub.co.uk

Cherry Orchard Farm Camp Site, Newland, Coleford, GL16 8NP, Tel: 01594 832212

The campsite is fairly basic with facilities limited to a couple of toilets and a single shower and costs about £4.00 per person per night. However, it's in a nice position and is just a ten minute walk to the wonderful Ostrich Inn in Newland; this serves good, if slightly expensive, food and up to eight real ales. The owner of the campsite has also asked that we keep the noise down after11:00pm because they have close neighbours.

From M5 Junction 8; Take M50 to Ross-on-Wye; Take A40 to Monmouth. In Monmouth turn left on to the A466 and cross the River Wye. Follow the A466 for about 2 miles, by the side of the river, until the village of Redbrook is reached. Turn left and follow a lane for about 1½ miles before reaching the campsite, which is on the right. Distance from Warwick is 85 miles. See Map.

Wintours Leap is a steep cliff overlooking the tidal part of the river Wye. Multi-pitch climbs up to 300'.

Wyndcliffe is on the Welsh side of the river Wye. It is single pitch climbing and there are some good VS's.

Symonds Yat is very polished and the lower slopes are slippery when wet. There are however a few good climbs dotted around. Everybody should do either Vertigo or Whitt, since the belay at the top of the pinnacle is spectacular and has a fine view of the Saracan's Head!

Shorncliffe has some very fine single pitch VS's and HVS's although the walk-in may put off a few.

This is a good area for both mountain biking and hiking. The Forest of Dean has plenty of cycling trails.

The River Wye! It is possible to hire canoes and gently paddle downstream, stopping only to enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of the riverside pubs. Warning - drinking too much beer at lunchtime may lead to instablilities in the canoe and a possible afternoon dunking. A further note - Swans can sometimes be aggressive.

Not one of the club's regular activities, however, the Wye Valley hosts a large population of aggressive, rucksac munching squirrels, which require culling from time to time. Colin is offering to buy beer for the biggest individual bag of the day.

I suppose these days there has to be a disclaimer, so: Warwick Climbing Club recognises that climbing, mountaineering, mountain biking and the like are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.