Experienced and novice climbers are invited to spend a day with some superstars from the sport at The National Trust Longshaw Estate on September 19.

A Grit Day Out at Longshaw will see climbing heroes Katy Whittaker, Johnny Dawes, James Mchaffie, Mina Leslie-Wujastyk, Ben Bransby, Andi Turner and Adam Long convene on the estate alongside some characters from grit history for a day of stories and action. Climbers can take masterclasses with their heroes, and then listen to their stories and exploits while enjoying a catered BBQ and BYOB by the fire.

BMC Ambassador James McHaffie will lead a Self Rescue Masterclass, this will be an invaluable experience for anyone pushing their trad. Gritstone legend Andi Turner will lead a Masterclass on Gritstone Crack Technique, fancy the Brown and Whillans challenge? This should help! Running from 1pm to 5pm, the sessions are £20 and must be pre-booked as there are very limited spaces. Phone 01433 637904.

Nigel Vardy, AKA Mr Frosty, MHT ambassador will lead a historical walk through the estate, recounting the stories of the grit and it’s climbers. Nigel is a renowned storyteller and adventurer, expect period dress! This is a great free session for families. Nigel will depart for the crags from the Moorland Discovery Centre at 3pm.

Mina Leslie-Wujastyk, BMC Vice President and top British climber will teach a gritstone yoga class in the Moor Land Discovery Center at 5pm. Open your hips and engage those shoulders ready for slopers! £5, this session should also be rebooked to ensure a space: 01433 637904

The BBQ will begin at 5.30pm, bring your beers or bottles of wine and relax after your day on the grit before the main event.

At 7pm Adam Long will collect Katy Whittaker, Ben Bransby, James McHaffie and Johnny Dawes for a Grit Gang extravagaza. See pictures of their adventures and hard ascents and get ready to heckle!

Ruth Tweedie, sports development officer at the National Trust says “We are so lucky to have such famous names coming to Longshaw to help us celebrate the magnificent crags we have in the area. It’s such a great opportunity for people to come along and enjoy a relaxing day whilst honing their skills with the experts!”

A Grit Day Out will also house an exhibition of Grit History, supported by the Mountain Heritage Trust. Discover 5 characters from Grit’s past and present, and the adventures they discovered in the estates back garden. 

Arcteryx and Cotswold Outdoor have provided prizes to encourage your gritstone adventures. There are five Grit Day Out tick lists to collect, the most fully completed will be awarded prizes at the evening event (Historic ticks will be considsidered!) . These can be printed off from the event page, found at Sheffield climbing walls and outdoor outlets, or collected from the Longshaw estate. Try 6 one star wonders, climb like a Victorian, or follow in Joe Brown’s footsteps to be in with a chance of a prize.

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Timings:

9.30am Introduction to outdoor climbing. 

10.30am Grit Exhibition and Longshaw Cafe open.

1pm Andi and James’ Masterclasses leave.

3pm Nigel Vardy’s Walk departs.

5pm Mina’s 1 hr Grit Yoga class.

5.30pm The BBQ begins.

7pm The Grit Gang talk.

The last train back from Grindleford is 11.16pm.

Booking

To book tickets and for more information visit:

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/longshaw/things-to-see-and-do/events/

https://www.facebook.com/events/404028923133760/

For interviews or more info, contact Ruth Tweedie on Ruth.Tweedie@nationaltrust.org.uk

For more info on the Longshaw Estate visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/longshaw

This National Trust event is supported by the British Mountaineering Council, MHT, Arcteryx and Cotswold Outdoor.