Events

Sheffield Adventure Film Festival (ShAFF), Showroom Cinema, Sheffield, 9-11 March 2012

Over seventy of the best adventure, travel and extreme sports films hand-picked for you from around the world.  Screened over one weekend at the art deco Showroom Cinema in Sheffield - UK's biggest independent cinema outside London.  Also talks and lectures on epic climbs, runs and rides by world-class adventurers, activities, live music, kit sale, competitions, a locally produced festival brew and a cracking vibe. Don't miss it!

Overground Underground, Ingleborough, Yorkshire Dales, 26 May - 5 June 2012

Returning for a second year, and lasting a full week, enjoy this family friendly festival in and around Ingleborough, which will share the skills, passions and expertise of local people and organisations to let you experience this beautiful North Yorkshire landscape in new and unexpected ways.  Whether you are a beginner or expert, there'll be lots of taster activities to try as well as films, talks and demonstrations.  Expect a similar range as last year, which included climbing taster sessions, extreme archaeology, rescue dogs demonstration, guided, themed walks including geology, wildlife, history and archaeology, pond dipping and bug hunting, zorbing, and much much more.

Cliffhanger, Millhouses Park, Sheffield, 7-8 July 2012
Climb it, bike it, run it, do it

One of the UK's largest outdoor pursuits festivals, with plenty for rocksports fans, Sheffield's Cliffhanger is a must.

Cliffhanger has quickly grown into the UK's biggest outdoor event for outdoor people with climbing, kayaking, orienteering, caving, fell running, adventure racing, scuba diving, mountain biking, mountain boarding, kite flying, angling, bushcraft, parkour, slacklining, assault courses, a massive bargain area, music, plenty of children's rides and other activities, food stalls, a market, and much, much more...

Kids and Family Outdoor Climbing Days, Brimham Rocks, North Yorkshire, Various dates throughout 2012

The Harrogate Climbing Centre is working in partnership with the National Trust to run lots of climbing sessions at Brimham Rocks, so why not bring the whole family to have a go at climbing in the great outdoors! No prior experience necessary. 

2012 dates to be confirmed but booking will be essential on 01423 815024 or info@harrogateclimbingcentre.com.

Gaping Gill Open Weeks, 2-8 June 2012 and 18-27 August 2012
Going down Gaping Gill is an opportunity normally reserved for experienced cavers.  However twice a year there is a chance for anyone to see this truly awe-inspiring underground scene, by taking advantage of one of the winch meets organised by Craven and Bradford Pothole Clubs.

Gaping Gill is perhaps Britain's most famous cave. From the moor on the flanks of Ingleborough in the Yorkshire Dales, Fell Beck plunges 105 metres (360 feet) into the Main Chamber and is Britain's highest unbroken waterfall. Descending this Main Shaft (Britain's deepest surface shaft) is an experience never forgotten, and many visitors return year after year, becoming familiar faces to be welcomed back as old friends.

The Chamber is floodlit, allowing the public and cavers alike a view not normally available outside winch meets.

The Whitsun Gaping Gill Winch Meet has been held by the Bradford Pothole Club for over 50 years. The winch is open to the public for the week leading up to the end of May bank holiday through to the Monday itself, although in 2012 it's a week later to take advantage of the long bank holiday celebrating the Queen's Jubilee.

Craven Pothole Club held their first winch meet in 1932 and now give the chance to the public in the week leading up to August bank holiday through to the Monday itself.

You need to book on arrival at Gaping Gill, and the winch starts operating early - normally 8 am. Hopefully it will be a grand day for your visit. However, the hole is located on the open moor and the weather on the surface can be very different to that in Clapham village. We recommend you wear warm, waterproof clothing and boots/strong shoes - we do!

The ride on the winch takes about a minute each way and is often accompanied by a slight spray from the nearby waterfall. During busy periods you will queue to ascend in the chair, so you'll need that warm clothing.

Minimum age is 7 years and children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Find out more about the Bradford Pothole Club Public Winch and the Craven Pothole Club meets.