Start Training for this Winter's Most Exciting Competitions

Winter is looking more exciting than normal at the Manchester, Harrogate & Reading Climbing Centres – in order to give you some incentive for training, and to make those long evenings a bit brighter, they have a few big events to look forward to! 

Winter bouldering leagues have proved very popular over the years, with competitors coming from far and wide to take part and share in the prize funds. This winter will be a no exception, and MCC, HCC & RCC are adding in something for the dedicated lead climber as well!

La Sportiva Winter Bouldering League

In partnership with La Sportiva the 2013-14 season bouldering competition is the biggest and best yet. Problems will be set by a team including British Bouldering Champion Dave Barrans, professional route setter Ben Meeks, as well as resident setters, including wily old fox Andy Jack.

La Sportiva, along with Mountain Equipment have generously provided £6000 worth of prizes to split between the winners of each category, so there's even more incentive to give it your all! 

To make the finals that bit more exciting, international climbing superstar and master of every climbing discipline Neil Gresham will be on hand to demo routes, and provide coaching and tips for all.

As an additional excitement, Manchester & Harrogate Climbing Centre’s RockShops will be offering an extra 10% discount on all La Sportiva kit at each event.

For more details on each event series, check out each centre's website:

Manchester Climbing Centre

Harrogate Climbing Centre

Reading Climbing Centre

Get the dates in your diary, it promises to be a great series of events!

Petzl Lead Climbing Championship

If bouldering isn’t your thing, or you fancy yourself as a multi-disciplinarian, then make sure the dates for the Petzl Lead Climbing Championships are also in your diary!

With an independent event at each of the Manchester, Harrogate & Reading centres, there are chances to compete against your peers and win some great prizes right across the country.

Routes will be set by another superstar team including Dave Barrans, Ben Meeks and Liam Halsley, and will provide a wide range of grades with something for everyone to get their teeth into.  It’s Petzl who step into the sponsorship shoes for this one, teaming up with Mountain Equipment to offer another £6000 prize fund and spot prizes on the day and our on-site RockShop will be offering an extra 10% discount on all Petzl equipment.

Petzl Team athletes will be back to demo the routes and provide advice and tips, and this time they’ll be joined by legendary climbers John Dunne or Steve McClure, depending on the venue; with these guys on hand you’ll have to try your best!

For those of you not keen to compete, the events will be a great spectacle to compliment your climbing on the day, we’re going to be keeping the psych flowing with great music, and rounding off the proceedings with an exclusive showing of the Petzl Roc Trip film, complete with free food!