Rock Climbing, Yorkshire Dales
Our rock climbing experience gives you the opportunity to learn basic rope work and experience both climbing and abseiling in Yorkshire. Our bouldering and rock climbing sessions take place in the heart of the Yorkshire
Dales and are perfect for beginners. We can also tailor the session to give a challenge for those with more experience – feel the adrenaline rush as you scale the rock face!
What to Expect
Rock climbing involves climbing up, down and across (called traversing) natural or man-made rock walls. It’s hard work and physical exertion! So much so that rock climbing has even been added to the roster for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo! Although man-made walls are great fun and can be really challenging, at How Stean we like to climb the real thing. This is why we go rock climbing in Yorkshire at Brimham Rocks! With our instructors present, it is completely safe but gives you the exhilaration that only real rock faces can.
In the Yorkshire Dales we are blessed with a fantastic array of gritstone and limestone rocks which are absolutely perfect for climbing. These rocks are famous over their country for their unique shape and labyrinth-like formation. The rocks themselves are perfect for rock climbing as they have natural foot and handholds that make them perfect for beginners, but can also become a bit of a challenge if desired! Brimham Rocks are situated nice and close to How Stean Gorge and it’s a beautiful drive through the Dales to get there. Once you arrive there are multiple opportunities for rock climbing only a short walk away, so you can get on the rocks straight away and without any hassle!
Personal Development
There are several personal development benefits to be gained from rock climbing– especially rewarding if you’re trying it as part of a school trip or team building activity:
- Strengthen communication skills – Listening and being receptive to your instructor when ascending is just as important as when abseiling down the rock face
- Learn to trust – It takes a lot to trust that someone is holding you while you lean back over a steep drop when abseiling after your climb. Great for team working skills!
- Build self-confidence – Scaling a rock face and abseiling is an effective way to develop self-belief and confidence to try new and scary things, overcome fears and build resilience.
- Become reflective – Evaluating your own and others’ experience in order to spot strengths and weaknesses to build on for next time!
*This activity is also available as a residential or school day trip activity. Please see our educational package details here.