Croeso i Glwb Mynydda Prifysgol Caerdydd!
Welcome to the Cardiff University Mountaineering Club!
'Tighter-Lighter-Brighter', Fontainebleau 2022
As one of the biggest and most active clubs in the Athletic Union, CUMC
prides itself on being able to offer the widest-ranging and entertaining
experiences for all our new and current members. We offer something for
everyone: from our social nights-out to the boulders of Fontainebleau,
there is great scope for complete beginners and experienced climbers
alike to explore, play, and push themselves in situations many people
would never even dream of! The only limit in this club is your
enthusiasm! Membership is available to all students attending Cardiff
University, and there is also a limited number of associated memberships
for ultra-keen students not studying at Cardiff. Our members are a
mixture of undergrads and postgrads. You are never too late, young, or
old to join! It doesn't matter what stage of your university degree you
are at, or how experienced a climber you are.
We cater for every level of experience!
Franky, Peak District 2021
Beginners
The club is very much structured around teaching and helping beginners
with little or no previous experience until they can climb safely and
independently on their own. All our leaders and teachers were taught by
older members of the club when they first joined! You don't need to buy
any basic equipment, we can provide it all for you from our kit store.
Our president (2021-22) Saumiyaah, SWUBS 2022
Experienced
The club has climbers at every level from V-Diff to E-grades and you can
never be too good or too bad. For our more experienced members, we offer
several member-exclusive climbing trips to The Peak District for trad
and El Chorro, Spain for sport. There is always the opportunity to push
hard rock grades during visits to local and far-flung crags on
mainstream weekend trips.
Our treasurer (2021-22) Tim, Peak District 2021
Casual
Maybe you enjoy climbing but aren't completely obsessed with it? CUMC's
social side is just about as extensive as its climbing. Our nights out
are something to remember. We arrange alcoholic and non-alcoholic
socials, throughout the year. Alcoholic socials are often themed, and
extremely enjoyable...without crossing into silly initiation drinking
fests! Alternatively, you can join us on our non-alcoholic socials which
include activities such as movie nights, ice skating, meals, beach
parties, fundraising events, and BBQs. If you want to meet people, climb
sometimes, and party often then this is the club to join!
And for every type of climbing
Summit of Mont Blanc, French Alps 2013
Mountaineering
Club members have in the past run an annual trip which visited the Alps
however more recently the club have been allocating that slot for a
visit to El Chorro, Spain during the Christmas break, for an
improvement on Welsh weather! We also visit our local mountain range, the Brecon Beacons, for
more casual walks and hikes.
Winter Skills, Scotland 2022
Winter Climbing
If we have enough interest, during the
Christmas recess we journey to the Scottish Highlands, staying in a
bothy for 10 days.This is often to the Cairngorms. If conditions are
even slightly reasonable we aim to tackle ice and/or mixed winter
routes, otherwise, it is Munroe bagging. We are also known to jet off to
North Wales, providing conditions are suitable. Expect cold conditions,
early starts, dark walk-ins and some seriously impressive snow and ice
climbing. Another trip that should not be missed!
Our development sec (2021-22) Gethin, Peak District 2021
Outdoor Rock Climbing
During the weekends we run day trips to our local crags; the beautiful
coastal cliffs of the Gower peninsula, the deep river gorge of
the Wye Valley and to the sandstone escarpments of the Brecon Beacons.
After a hard day of climbing, we go to a pub in Cardiff for a few drinks
and a meal.Late in the spring semester, (when the days are longer,
warmer and drier), we aim to visit crags in the evenings during the week
rather than go indoor climbing. There is plenty to do for every grade of
climber from beginner to extreme. Once a month for the entire weekend we
go climbing at crags in North Wales, The Peak District, Pembrokeshire,
Dartmoor, The Lake District, Yorkshire, Cornwall and Devon. At the end
of each academic year, we spend 10 days on a climbing 'road trip' where
we climb at some of the less-visited and hidden crags that we would
never have to time to visit on a normal weekend. Join us if you want to
explore the UK countryside!
Summit Centre
Indoor Rock Climbing
We are fortunate enough to have a choice of climbing centres; one called
Boulders that's only a 10-minute drive from the Student's Union and
another called Roc - Bloc around the same distance. We take a minibus
down there every evening from 6 pm on a Tuesday and Thursday, staying
until the centre closes! It is here where you will take your first
climbing steps. Expect to see familiar faces if you head down outside of
these times.
Kieran, Fontainebleau 2022
Bouldering
For the past 19 years the club has spent the
Easter recess in Fontainebleau, France; the best bouldering area in the
world. This is a hugely popular trip involving up to forty people,
including old members. We spend a relaxed week sunbathing, drinking
cheap red wine, gorging on cheese, and climbing the occasional bouldering route; a very social and memorable trip.