Big Trip 2025 - The Gower

Every year the club plans our Big Trip, usually a long weekend somewhere in the UK where we can climb, eat, and let the shenanigans really roll. This year we decided to "shenan" around the wonderful, picturesque Gower peninsular in South Wales. A spot famous for its stunning limestone sea cliff climbs and as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

After months in the planning the week up to the trip was fraught with concerns over the weather. Massive downpours were forecast and it was looking doubtful as to if we would actually get to climb outdoors at all. Back up plans for indoor climbing were rapidly drawn up, and although they would have been fun, we were all glad when we somehow managed to not only miss the rain, but find some absolutely cracking sun and perfect climbing weather.

Our trip guru led us to the sea cliffs at Rhossili for our first day. After a few hours trapped in various cars, our wildly ADHD laden crew was turned out onto the beach where we threw ourselves up the limestone before being chased inland by the approaching tide. Sends were sent, handstands were handstood, and for some of us it was our time experiencing sea cliff climbing. Some of the crew couldn't resist the call of Cthulhu and after a solid half an hour trying to 1v1 the waves, dripped their way back to the cars and back to the bunkhouse. All in all a very successful first day. Pizza for dinner. 

Day two was the unfortunate wash so we took shelter in the warm and welcoming embrace of Flashpoint Swansea. The extremely long overhang attracted a large pack of the roving hoard and commensurately appetites were increased; the vegan donuts were vegone in a matter of minutes. 

Day three. Foxhole Bay. The crowning jewel of this year's Big Trip. Non-tidal sea cliffs with that view? Impeccable. The weather? Perfect.  My leftover pizza? Slightly too warm because I left my bag in the sun. Nevertheless, the climbs made up for it. After spending most of the day sending in this magical little bay, and with the afternoon drawing to a close, we had to say goodbye to the Gower and thank you for a joyful and memorable Big Trip 2025. 

You can see our full post with pictures over on our Instagram!