Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Outdoor Activities => Climbing => Topic started by: Samm on March 27, 2012

Title: Ozone
Post by: Samm on March 27, 2012
Just looking a bit of advice from those that use the Ozone for climbing.  Do they rent out harnesses or do you need to have all your own kit?  What's the wall like in general?
Title: Re: Ozone
Post by: LandyLiam on March 27, 2012
the wall is bigger than tollymores but they don't have the autodescenders and you may have to lead climb up to fix a rope if none are already in position, not sure about gear hire.
Title: Re: Ozone
Post by: Kayakgirl on March 27, 2012
Samm, I've been thinking of starting up climbing. I know Tollymore are doing a girls only course. If you are interested let me know.
Title: Re: Ozone
Post by: Samm on March 27, 2012
I'm just coming to the end of the women's climbing course in Tollymore! I think that they were saying that they may not be running anymore of them. I know there's a few of us from the course that are hoping to keep it up, so you're more than welcome to come and join us.
Title: Re: Ozone
Post by: Kayakgirl on March 27, 2012
That would be great, I know how to belay but I'm a beginner when it comes to climbing.. :(
Title: Re: Ozone
Post by: LandyLiam on March 27, 2012
from tollymore's facebook site

Quote
Tollymore National Outdoor Centre
Fancy getting out on the mountains with like minded females - well watch this space for more info on our 'Women Only Rockclimbing' coming up on Sat, 12 May. This course will be the same as our 'Go Rockclimbing' course but with all females!! So leave the husbands, partners at home and have some 'me' time with your friends or make a few new ones! http://www.tollymore.com/Courses/Mountaineering/Mountaineering/RockClimbing/Go+Rock+Climbing
Title: Re: Ozone
Post by: twentyclicks on March 27, 2012
Ozone will lend a harness for free, but you need your own locking carabiner and belay plate.
You need to fill out a form to register with the centre - there is Boost membership plans or you can just get your card for free and pay each visit (you must bring the card each time!).
You also need to fill out another form to say you know how to belay and top-rope etc and will abide by the rules.

It's a good wall. Good bouldering section and a variety of climbs. Bit limited to start but once you get a feel for it there are lots of good challenges. Reminds me I haven't been since January... will be crap when I go back  :(
Title: Re: Ozone
Post by: Samm on March 27, 2012
Quote
Tollymore National Outdoor Centre
Fancy getting out on the mountains with like minded females - well watch this space for more info on our 'Women Only Rockclimbing' coming up on Sat, 12 May. This course will be the same as our 'Go Rockclimbing' course but with all females!! So leave the husbands, partners at home and have some 'me' time with your friends or make a few new ones! http://www.tollymore.com/Courses/Mountaineering/Mountaineering/RockClimbing/Go+Rock+Climbing

I think Tollymore are getting a little carried away with their 'women only' things. I know that personally I am doing one of their 'women only' courses cause it was a 6 week climbing course with all gear and instruction for £30, not cause there were no men! While I'm all for things like the Women with Altitude weekend for encouraging women, there has to be a point where enough is enough. Maybe it's time for a 'men's only' course! Or radically, a course with men and women!!
Title: Re: Ozone
Post by: Samm on March 27, 2012
Thanks for all the advice. Hopefully will get there next week to try it out for myself.
Title: Re: Ozone
Post by: RockandRideOutdoors on April 01, 2012
Hi Folks,

Just to let you know Rock & Ride Outdoors will be running evening Rock Climbing sessions every wednesday evening in the Mournes starting on 18th April. The sessions start at 6:30 pm and go on until it is dark.  Each session is £20 but we will give you a reduced rate if you book a block!

For more info on what you get out of the evening check out our this http://www.rockandrideoutdoors.com/index.php/evening-climbing-sessions.html (http://www.rockandrideoutdoors.com/index.php/evening-climbing-sessions.html) and our blog,  http://rockandrideoutdoors.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/evening-rock-climbing-sessions-starting.html (http://rockandrideoutdoors.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/evening-rock-climbing-sessions-starting.html).

Cheers

Team R&R
Title: Re: Ozone
Post by: Samm on April 01, 2012
Hi Folks,

Just to let you know Rock & Ride Outdoors will be running evening Rock Climbing sessions every wednesday evening in the Mournes starting on 18th April. The sessions start at 6:30 pm and go on until it is dark.  Each session is £20 but we will give you a reduced rate if you book a block!

For more info on what you get out of the evening check out our this http://www.rockandrideoutdoors.com/index.php/evening-climbing-sessions.html (http://www.rockandrideoutdoors.com/index.php/evening-climbing-sessions.html) and our blog,  http://rockandrideoutdoors.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/evening-rock-climbing-sessions-starting.html (http://rockandrideoutdoors.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/evening-rock-climbing-sessions-starting.html).

Cheers

Team R&R

Are ye only doing the Wednesday evenings or are you doing it on Tuesday too?
Title: Re: Ozone
Post by: RockandRideOutdoors on April 01, 2012
Hi Samm,

At the minute we are just going to run with Wednesday, but if we get the interest we would run Tuesday evenings as well.

We can also arrange bespoke instructing days as well.

Cheers
Title: Re: Ozone
Post by: LandyLiam on April 01, 2012
wednesdays don't suit me  :(  can we get enough interest for a ni-wild tuesday, maybe a session on hen mountain followed by a campover  :)
Title: Re: Ozone
Post by: Kayakgirl on April 01, 2012
Tuesday's are good for me!
Title: Re: Ozone
Post by: Samm on April 02, 2012
Well, made it to the Ozone this afternoon and have to say, was a bit disappointed.  The majority of routes had no ropes, with no spare rope about the place and no way of putting it up.  Being beginners we were trying to stick to the easy wall, but with only one rope for that whole section we were limited in what we could do.  Of course that resulted in me doing something stupid and climbing the adjacent route, so when I fell near the top I then swung wildly and smashed myself into the wall.  I'll no doubt hurt in the morning!  It's definitely a place with potential, but don't know that it's overly suited to two beginners.  Might just have to cash out for a cheap PEC membership so we can use their wall instead.
Title: Re: Ozone
Post by: LandyLiam on April 02, 2012
i wonder if they give out the ropes at reception  ??? or may be cheaper to buy your own rope than join the PEC, but i've no idea how much a rope costs
Title: Re: Ozone
Post by: Samm on April 02, 2012
I don't recall seeing any krabs to connect to to keep yourself safe as you climb the rope up (I'm sure there's a much more technical way to say that!). The cheapest full PEC membership that includes the climbing wall is £21 a month, but I'm not sure if you have to pay more on top of that to use the wall each time. If not then that would work out at £4-5 a session seeing as we plan on going at least once a week. That would be fine. Plus their cheap membership gives full use of the swimming pool too!
Title: Re: Ozone
Post by: RockandRideOutdoors on April 03, 2012
Hi All,

If there was the interest we could also run the climbing sessions on a Tuesday evening as well.

If you are interested could you email us on info@rockandrideoutdoors.com.

Don't forget to 'like' us on facebook!

Team R&R
Title: Re: Ozone
Post by: twentyclicks on April 04, 2012
What time would they be starting at? Sorry, reread the original - 6:30!

I'm in work until 5:15 on Tuesdays, but either day would probably be relying on a lift from someone else going from Belfast. May be able to borrow my housemate's car...but it's not a given. Would be nice to get out on rock.
Title: Re: Ozone
Post by: RockandRideOutdoors on April 04, 2012
I could put an email out for you to see if anyone is travelling from Belfast?  It would make the drive cheaper as well as having a bit of company! 

Send us an email to info@rockandrideoutdoors.com to book a place.  It has been very popular so far!

Cheers
Title: Re: Ozone
Post by: Pudd on April 04, 2012
I, myself would be traveling from Ballymena, and thus would find it difficult to meet said times, if not even get appropriate transport?

Are there any other times/locations that you do RockandRideOutdoors?
Title: Re: Ozone
Post by: RockandRideOutdoors on April 04, 2012
Hi Pudd,

If you can not make 6:30pm due to where you are travelling is not a problem.  You can just meet us a bit later and still get at least 2hrs of climbing in.

Like I said earlier we are a small company who are passionate about the outdoors so being flexible is really important to us. 

As you are based in Ballymena we could look at doing a day up at Fair Head? Do you have any climbing experience?

Cheers

Team R&R
Title: Re: Ozone
Post by: Pudd on April 05, 2012
Hi Pudd,

If you can not make 6:30pm due to where you are travelling is not a problem.  You can just meet us a bit later and still get at least 2hrs of climbing in.

Like I said earlier we are a small company who are passionate about the outdoors so being flexible is really important to us. 

As you are based in Ballymena we could look at doing a day up at Fair Head? Do you have any climbing experience?

Cheers

Team R&R

It's not the traveling down that would be the issue, it's the traveling back up, as Public Transport is a bit sparse in that respect.  However, I may have a way around that issue, though I'll only be able to attend one session a week, even if that due to an unorganised work schedule. 

I have zero climbing experience.  Not unless you account for scrambling over large boulders in the Mournes once or twice?  Lol. 

I'll give you a ring sometime today.