Your first meet

If you’ve been browsing the website and would like to join us on a Meet it’s best to come to the Creation climbing wall and meet us on a Thursday evening first. That way you can meet some of the members and many questions can be answered directly.

After that have a look at the forthcoming events on the Meets page and decide which meet you would like to attend. Meets are announced by the Meets Secretary via the Mercian Mailing List e-mail and also via the forum. Once the announcement has been made you can contact the Meets Secretary by e-mail, the forum, telephone or in person to sign up.

If you are new to mountaineering you will find it best to attend your first meet in spring, summer or autumn. These meets tend to require less equipment and the activities that the members undertake are less committing. Meets in winter (December to March) see members keen to pursue itineraries that are only suitable for experienced mountaineers.

Accommodation is usually of a simple cottage or bunkhouse type. Facilities vary widely from quite basic to almost luxurious. Sleeping is normally in mixed dormitories. The cost of the accommodation will be made clear by the Meets Secretary when the meet is announced. Please ensure you settle up with a member of the committee before the end of the meet.

Travel arrangements are usually made on the forum or informally between members. However the Meets Secretary will be happy to help newcomers find someone to travel with.

Communal evening meals are usually organised. Typically someone will volunteer to cook and suggest a menu. Members and other attendees can then either join in or not as they wish. This again is done on the forum. Breakfasts and lunches are always the individuals own responsibility.

Please be aware that the Club does not provide formal tuition in mountaineering or climbing. Newcomers are not expected to have any prior knowledge or experience but are expected to be responsible and willing to acquire the skills, knowledge and equipment appropriate to the activity in which they are participating. Typically this means learning how to put on a harness, tying on to a rope, belaying, being able to read a map and navigate with a compass.

As a minimum, for a meet in a hut, you will need to bring:

  • Sleeping bag
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Waterproof trousers
  • Walking trousers (jeans are unsuitable)
  • Warm fleece or jumper
  • Hat and gloves
  • Rucksac
  • Water bottle
  • Breakfast and lunches
  • Money for the pub, hut fees, and the communal meal
  • Walking boots and thick socks
  • Head torch and spare batteries

In addition you might need other equipment for camping meets, or if you want to take part in activities such as rock climbing, winter walking, winter climbing or mountain biking. If in doubt ask the meets secretary or a committee member who will be happy to advise. We may be able to help out if you need to borrow equipment.