FESTIVALS
too. As the festival grew in popularity and the number of attendees almost doubled in its second year, so did the demand for instructors. Nowadays, the festival enlists the skills of around 60 volunteer instructors on a 90% female-identifying to 10% male-identifying basis, flipping the ratio of existing instructors within the industry on its head whilst remaining inclusive. The availability of subsidised tickets and free-to-hire gear support those facing financial barriers in attending the festival and parent and child sessions alleviate childcare concerns for families. This year, a week-long ballot system was introduced to ensure parity in ticket sales after the festival sold out faster than Glastonbury in previous years. With unwavering psyche, the learners, leaders and mentors braved the inclement conditions of the weekend and headed for the crag. Cheers of encouragement echoed along Stanage Edge and top-outs were celebrated with high-fives and hugs shared between new and old friends alike. After all that 2020 brought with it, the festival’s themes this year of Connection and Unity could not have been more apposite. As an organisation, the Women’s Trad Festival
continues its work in diversifying the face of climbing throughout the year via its Climbers Like Me photo series, which features images and interviews that celebrate diversity in the climbing community in the hope of inspiring the role models of the future.
WATCH:
THE WOMEN’S TRAD FEST 2021 VIDEO
This year’s film, created by Rachel Sarah Media, set about capturing the spirit of the weekend and the joy that climbing with others brings.
www.thebmc.co.uk/womens-trad-fest-2021
The BMC series continues with new episodes on more classic UK venues
Starting to climb outside? Make sure you know how to lessen your impact to maintain these superb locations for future generations. New episodes incoming will cover the awesome sea cliffs of Pembrokeshire, the mega classic Raven Tor with Hubble the world’s first 9a, and the still developing crag of Cademan Wood.
WATCH:
www.youtube.com/teamBMC
LEARN HOW TO: Words: Hannah Mitchell
Hannah is a Lakes-based freelance writer and journalist with a particular interest in the outdoors and associated social and environmental issues. She is also a keen climber, nature lover and a rather average runner.
www.hannahmitchellwrites.com @hannahmitchellwrites
Skills training courses for BMC club members
Up-skill with Training Essentials, the skills-training programme designed specifically for members of BMC affiliated clubs. The courses, put together by the BMC and the AMI (Association of Mountaineering Instructors), provide club members with the opportunity to develop their skills in scrambling, climbing and navigation, to gain confidence and independence whether scaling a mountain or hitting the crags. With a variety of courses, venues, dates and high-quality instructors
Training Essentials brings courses closer to members at an accessible cost. There are eight one-day courses running on weekends throughout the year for climbing and mountain skills.
BOOK NOW:
www.thebmc.co.uk/training-essentials
32 | CLIMB. WALK. JOIN.
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