About

The Derbyshire based Oread Mountaineering Club was founded in 1949 and has about 200 members. The objective of the Club is to support its members in the pursuit of any aspect of mountaineering; that is hill walking, rock climbing, indoor climbing, ice climbing and mountaineering in general, both in the United Kingdom and abroad. This is facilitated by providing a varied meets program, a seasonal calendar of social and indoor activities, and communication between members. The Club is inclusive, welcoming of new members, and supportive of existing members, offering an environment where members can develop their mountaineering skills. The Club expects members to be self-reliant, safe and responsible in their chosen activities; to themselves, to others and to the environment. 

Oreads on the summit of Ingleborough, photo Peter Amour

The Oread holds weekend meets, approximately twice a month, throughout the year. Members also enjoy a range of informally arranged weekend and mid-week activities such as trips to local crags during the summer months and visits to climbing walls and social events in the winter. There is a monthly daytime Wednesday walk for those available. From October to March the club runs a monthly lecture programme, presently held at the Royal Oak, Ockbrook. A monthly newsletter keeps members informed on all events. Nowadays this is circulated by e-mail wherever practical. Members can keep in touch about club activities and ‘spur of the moment’ activities by way of an e-mail discussion- group (oread@groups.io), a WhatsApp community and the club Facebook group. The club has huts in the Peak District and in Snowdonia available for the use of members and other mountaineering clubs. 

1) Tony Howard and other Oreads trekking in the Valley of the Kali Gandaki, Mustang, Nepal, photo Richard Hopkinson, 2) Nigel Briggs on El Schenun, Valli Dei Bagni, photo Pete Briggs, 3) Tim Sellears and Mike Mowbray on the Biancograt, Piz Bernina, photo Nigel Briggs.

Walking

Many members take part in walking activities throughout the year. There are monthly daytime weekday walks in the Peak District for those available at that time. The weekend meets are normally in mountain areas where members can walk as well as, or instead of, climbing; sometimes depending on the weather. There are several weekend day walks in the Peak District in the club calendar as well as ‘project’ series of walks such as the recent covering of the Peak District Boundary Walk over a number of days and weekends. For those enjoying a bivvi and walk experience in winter conditions the annual ‘Bullstones’ Meet in December is a must. The summer Alpine meets include potential for day walking, hut to hut walking, or overnight high level camping and walking.

1) Andrew Norman, Snowdon Horseshoe, photo Emily Spence, 2) Bolehill, Near Lawrencefield, photo Peter Amour, 3) Tryfan, photo Peter Amour

Climbing

1) Sam James seconding on Dover’s Wall, Stanage Edge, belayed by Spenser Gray. 2) Kyya Mayo-Morroll on Orpheus Wall, photo Mike Wren, 3) Spenser Gray on Pena Vieja, Picos de Europa, photo Nigel Briggs

The club is welcoming to adult climbers irrespective of age, gender and level of ability. In summer there are regular evening climbing meets in the Peak District, when the evenings are dark the climbers retreat to climbing walls in Derby and Wirksworth. The once or twice monthly weekend meets throughout the year are normally in climbing areas, and on other weekends there are usually groups of members climbing somewhere in the Peak District. Summer alpine meets are chosen to include crag and mountain climbing options. Groups of members are usually to be found enjoying some ‘sun rock’ in Europe in February and October.

1) Gill Radcliffe on Parzinnspitze, photo Chris Radcliffe, 2) Michael Hayes on Dreamboat Annie , photo Helen Hayes, 3) Emily Spence bouldering, photo Andrew Norman.

Winter Climbing

1) Dave Mawer leading Cleft Gully on Clogwyn Du, photo Michael Hayes, 2) Steve Christian on Parsley Fern LH variation, photo Michael Hayes, 3) Douglas Gardiner on Red Screes, photo C. Smith.

The club meets calendar usually includes at least two Scottish winter weekends. Depending on conditions this could involve splendid ice climbing, wallowing in snow filled gullies, or wandering around navigating in blizzard and mist. All this is traditionally washed down with a wee dram or two in the evening. Those looking for more reliable ice conditions have recently ventured to ice climbing venues in the Alps or North America. In a good winter some frozen waterfalls can also be found nearer to home in the Peak District.

Victoria Mawer, Lochnagar, photo Michael Hayes

Mountaineering

The Oread has a long history of mountaineering activities. These involve activities in the United Kingdom and further afield. Summer Alpine trips normally include some members reaching the highest peaks by straightforward or more demanding routes, often with an overnight hut stay. From time to time members, or groups of members, travel to the Greater Ranges for trekking, or more ambitious objectives.

1) Nigel Briggs on Barre des Ecrins, photo Tim Sellears. 2) Nigel Briggs on Weissmies, photo Pete Briggs

Governance

The Oread Mountaineering Club is an Unincorporated Association. The running of the club is laid out in the constitution, the club also has policies that cover areas to meet our legal responsibilities and to guide activities. The constitution and policies can be found on this website. On joining, or renewing, membership of the club the members agree to abide by the current constitution and policies.

BMC #FindYourAdventure

The Oread Mountaineering Club is an active participant in the BMC #FindYourAdventure initiative and we encourage you to find out more about the Club and it’s activities by browsing our website. The BMC #FindYourAdventure campaign is aimed to inspire hikers and climbers to find their next level in their chosen activity through joining a BMC Affiliated Club.