Find new buddies and explore new crags
Here's some general information for members coming on CAWA climbing trips, especially if you're new to climbing outdoors.
Outdoor climbing is a whole different experience to indoor climbing. If the climbing bug has got you, it's well worth getting into.
Who can come on a trip
Because of legal and liability rules, CAWA can't provide training on trips. Everyone who comes has to be a CAWA member and an 'independent participant'. That means you're completely self-sufficient and have the right experience for the type of climbing being done.
CAWA doesn't provide any climbing gear. You need your own, or you need to come with someone who is fully kitted out for the climbing you're planning to do.
Basic risk management: everyone on a CAWA trip must wear a helmet when climbing, when belaying, and at the base or top of cliffs.
Bringing kids
CAWA loves kids. No, really. But not every trip suits children, especially the little ones. Members under 18 can come along, as long as a capable parent or legal guardian supervises them. Again, for legal and liability reasons, we don't and can't supervise children - whether they're climbing or not. Please check with us first to see whether a particular trip location is family-friendly.
How trips work
When we organise a trip, we tell members where it is and describe the type of climbing in the area. From there you can decide whether you've got the skills, experience or interest for that kind of climbing, and whether you'll come. We also sort out accommodation and book tent sites where that makes sense.
We'll do our best to help members get in touch with each other to sort out carpooling and climbing partners. But CAWA doesn't provide or arrange climbing partners, and we can't promise there'll be someone for you to climb with. Who comes along varies from trip to trip, and people's plans can change at the last minute. When the registration details go out, anyone looking for a partner can see who else is coming and contact them directly.
Every trip has a CAWA trip coordinator. Their contact details go out when the trip is announced, so you can ask them about the area and the type of climbing before you decide.
Climbing with people you've just met
Safety is our top priority. Some CAWA trip locations don't suit inexperienced climbers unless they're with an experienced climber who takes full responsibility for them. That might be down to the routes themselves, or the skills needed to get to them.
New and less experienced climbers are very welcome on trips, and we'd encourage you to come - it's the best way to meet climbers and build experience. That said, it's always up to the more experienced climbers whether they're happy to climb with someone less experienced. It's not an easy call, and it may be more than someone feels able to take on. That's how most climbers operate anyway, on a CAWA trip or just out on a weekend. It comes down to trust, and showing people you've got the skills and experience for that type of climbing. We can't promise how much climbing a less experienced person will get on a trip unless they bring an experienced buddy. Still, we were all in that spot once, and you have to start somewhere.
So please don't be insulted or disappointed if more experienced climbers ask you not to take part in certain climbs during a trip.
Getting more experience
A lot of people start climbing indoors, where it's hard - if not impossible - to learn the skills you need on real rock. Things like placing and removing cams and nuts, setting up anchors and belays, and multi-pitch climbing. The best way to build those skills is to climb locally with experienced climbers and, ideally, do a course with a reputable company or come to a workshop run by CAWA.
You can also come to one of the CAWA gym crashes, where you can talk to other members and get a feel for where people are climbing locally on weekends. People often post on the forum under 'partners wanted / lift shares' looking for someone to try outdoor climbing with. Join in with these informal groups and people get to know and trust you.
We look forward to seeing you out there.
Trips get announced through our events calendar, along with gym crashes and workshops. Have a look at what's coming up.