Climbing and abseiling are some of the most challenging activities undertaken by our cubs and scouts. We are lucky enough to have three qualified climbing instructors within the group.

Safety first is key and we always use tested safety equipment. Climbers do not climb with us without a safety instruction and the famous 'three knot' challenge.

Not with Ticehurst scouts and want to climb? We can help you get climbing email us for more information climbing@ticehurstscouts.co.uk

We undertake climbing at both activity centres and out on 'real' rocks and are lucky to be within easy reach of the southern sandstone climbing area. Our scouts are presently building up experience towards a national climbing certificate of their own. Don't ask me why but many of our scouts prefer coming down (abseiling) than going up.

We are always short of climbing kit and so if you just happen to have any spare or unwanted climbing kit stashed away in a cupboard please let us know.

Nobody climbs with us without knowing their safety knots and how to use the equipment that we give them. We are not activity centre instructors whose focus is to get as many people up or down a tower in the least amount of time. We are interested in developing skills for young people and encouraging them to make more of the sport

Recent climbing seasons and regular haunts

We are regular visitors to Blackland Farm for the indoor and outdoor walls and towers. In addition we make regular trips to the southern sandstone outcrops around Tunbridge Wells an the surrounding are. In all cases we abide by the accepted practice of avoiding taking large groups.

2008
Lake District - Dungeon Ghyll and Langdales
North Wales - Tryfan adn surrounding hills
English Peaks around Edale and Kinderscout

2007
Eridge Rocks
Blackland Farm
Stone Farm Rocks
Symonds Yat rocks

2006
Toronto (leaders only)
Eridge Rocks
Bulls Hollow
Frylands Wood
Dartmoor crags

2005
Bulls Hollow
Blackland Farm
High Rocks
Stone Farm

Safety issues and kit in use

Nearly all our climbing is top or bottom roped single pitch climbs. We do not encourage multi pitch climbs for organised sessions. However, we have experience in multipitch climbs and use of chocks, belay devices, links and other tackle for making emergency escapes and descents in cse of emergency conditions.

All our ropes are logged and are regularly inspected. No ropes leave our stores without qualified personnel in charge. All karabinas and belay devices are regualrly checked for safety and loading. They are stored separately from our knotting and pioneering ropes and equipment.

Climbing is a dangerous sport and for this reason we undertake to check out any climbing locations before exposing our young people to them. We always visit sites before climbing and make judgement calls on the day that we are climbing at the site. A disappointing trip to the rocks is more preferable to an even more disappointing day spent in casualty.

Scouting has a policy of putting young people first and we will not force them to do things beyond their limits. This does not encourage them to come back for more. We hope to inspire, not persecute.