Ahh summer trip; exams are over, you’ve lived up to the “40% is a pass” mantra and soon you’ll be back home eating taste-the-difference food for free again. What better way to celebrate than with 4 days of camping next to the beach in Gower (somewhere in South-Wales) with coastal walks, epic sea cliffs to climb and a forecast of rain...?
Yet the most ominous weather forecast since every other BUMC trip this year did not deter 27 hardy mountaineers in varying degrees of hangover (courtesy of summer-ball) from charging down the M4 headfirst into the pouring rain.
After hiding in a cafe for a while the sun finally turned up and groups split up to go trad climbing at Three Cliffs Bay, build tents and explore the local Oxwich beach.
George straddling Arch Slab, VS 4c at Three Cliffs Bay
The next day, a group headed to Rhossili beach for a relaxed day of sport climbing, highlights included turning up 2 hours before the tide went out, witnessing a bold first decent from a sheep and a very rapidly approaching tide. The walking group also enjoyed a day around Rhossili beach, exploring the various ship wrecks hidden in the coves.
Jane and Ellie soaking up the view
This was followed by the annual summer trip beach BBQ and obligatory group photo:
Tuesday marked the arrival of the rain, so after a lengthy lie-in everyone headed to an indoor climbing wall in Swansea, before 19/20 social sec Mia organised a pub dinner for us all.
Wednesday, the final day, saw a hard-core group of climbers sport climbing at foxhole, walkers exploring the dunes around Oxwich beach and trad climbing at Tor Bay, featuring several members first trad leads and several groups romping up the 4 pitch East Ridge of Great Tor.
Emma and Oli half way up the East Ridge of Great Tor, VDiff
Another brilliant trip to finish off another brilliant year with BUMC!
Thanks to George for organising and all of the drivers.
Mia smiling through the trad climbing fear-factor!