On 21 April, the first warm sunny spring day of 2024, a happy group of climbers gathered at Apple Buttress, Gardom's Edge to celebrate the 75th birthday of one of the oldest Peak District climbing clubs. Ages ranged from 10 to 93 – founder member, Paul Gardiner still fit and eager to join the throng. Apple Arete, (first ascended by founder member, Dave Penlington in 1952) was the route of the day.
From Burton-on-Trent and Derby origins the Derbyshire based club has grown to a UK wide membership of almost 200. Members enjoy the use of our two bunkhouses, one below Snowdon and one in Baslow. The Oread offers activities for all: Gentle walkers, tough mountaineers, winter and summer climbers, cyclists and even wild swimmers!
This summer some of us explored the Peak District geology on a series of Geo walks while others drove thousands of miles to the midnight sun on the Lofoten islands, Norway for this year's big trip.
Celebrations continued with a hugely successful Anniversary camping meet in September at Chatsworth. The sun shone and over 100 people camped each night. Activities included a B.A.R.M.Y. competition (Best All Round Mountaineer of the Year) with points gained for climbs plus reaching designated checkpoints – stone circles, trig points and so on. 26 teams took part, the winners gaining 960 points for climbing 32 routes plus 590 for visiting other features as they dashed from crag to crag. Meanwhile the youngest competitor ascended Trafalgar Wall on her dad's back!
We are celebrating 75 years of fun on Peak District crags, in the hills and mountains, at home and away,
Come and help us celebrate: https:// www.oread.co.uk/ membership/
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