FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Questions listed in no particular order...

Who can join the club?

Anyone can join.  The club is aimed at the LGBTQIA+ climbers and cavers plus allies.

How long has the club been going?

Work to set up the club began in September 2023 and our first club event took place in January 2024.  In 2024 the club ran 9 weekend trips, and club members did a large number of day and evening trips together, organised via the club WhatsApp community.

What will the club do in 2025?

The club goes caving and climbing in the UK and abroad.  The club organises weekend trips and trips abroad (schedule for 2025 on our homepage).  Day and evening trips are organised on a more ad-hoc basis by club members via our WhatsApp community.  Please fill in the enquiry form if you would like to be added to this.

Does the club have insurance?

We are affiliated with the BMC (British Mountaineering Council) and the BCA (British Caving Association) and are insured for climbing and caving activities in the UK through these organisations.  Members need to buy their own insurance for trips abroad.

How do I join the club?  How much does it cost?

Fill in the membership form here and pay by bank transfer.  The cost is given when you complete the form.  It depends on whether you want to go climbing, caving or both; and whether you already have BMC and/or BCA membership (either as an individual or through another club).  Student and unemployed person discounts are available.    The BMC and BCA membership fees are reduced pro-rata at 3-monthly intervals throughout the year.  Depending on your membership options, the cost will be between £5 and £48.90.

I am already a member of other club(s) affiliated to the BMC and/or BCA.  Can I claim back the cost of my duplicate BMC and/or BCA membership?

Yes.  If you are a member of another BCA-affiliated club (or have your own individual BCA membership) you can enter your BCA membership number on the form instead of paying the BCA membership fee when you join Out On Rock.  If you are a member of another BMC-affiliated club you still have to pay the BMC membership through Out On Rock, but can then obtain a refund from the BMC via the form linked here.

How do I keep in touch with what the club is doing?

You can keep in touch with us via Instagram and Facebook.  If you send us a message on this form you can be added to the club WhatsApp community, which is used for the organisation of ad-hoc day and evening climbing and caving trips by club members.

I have little/no climbing/caving experience?  Can I still come on the trip?

Some club trips require significant prior experience and gear, others require none whatsoever.  If you are uncertain whether a trip will be suitable for you please ask the trip co-ordinator.  On some trips it may be possible for more experienced members to assist novices, however participation on all club trips is at your own risk.  You formally agree to this by joining the club, or by completing the forms linked below to attend events as a non-member.

Can I attend any climbing events as a non-member before deciding whether to join the club?

Yes.  If you fill in the form here you will be able to attend club climbing events for a period of 3 months before deciding whether or not you wish to join the club.

Can I attend any caving events as a non-member before deciding whether to join the club?

Yes.  If you fill in the form here you will be able to attend up to 4 caving events before deciding whether or not you wish to join the club.

Where can I buy a club T-shirt or other merchandise?

Here.

Are allies welcome?

Yes, absolutely.  It says so in the constitution.

Do you have any rules?

Generally we are an anarchic and non rules-based club, but we do have a constitution, a small number of rules and a data protection & photography policy.

Do you have a regular indoor climbing evening?

Yes.  We are at the Big Depot, Wythenshawe, Manchester: First Tuesday evening of every month, 6:30pm.  Just fill in the enquiry form here if you'd like to join us.

Does the club have a caving/mining call out procedure?

Yes we do. If you want to go caving/mining  then this club believes that you should always leave a call out, this is the normally the responsibility of the trip leader. Call out's preferably should be done via a phone call to a person who is a caver themselves, or via our Whats App groups, provided you have confirmed someone is willing to do the call out. If a group exceeds the stated call out time and you cannot contact them, you should then phone 999 ask for police and tell them you need to initiate a cave/mine rescue.

When leaving a call out please state:

• Expected time out

• Call out time

• Car reg of one of the vehicles (if appropriate, or accommodation if staying locally)

• Number of cavers and any pertaining info, i.e. novices etc.

• Contact phone number.

• Cave/mine entrance and exit.

• Planned route (if big system).

So for example:

"We are going down County Pot, we plan to go via the High level Traverse and exit via Lancaster hole. There are 4 of us one is a new to SRT, we expect to out by 6pm, call out 9pm. My Car is a blue fiat panda, reg X12 Z234 and you can get me on 079123456789."

Finally, if you have a last minute change of plans, but there's no phone signal to update the call out, then provided you are still parked in the same place and the call out time has not changed then you can leave a note at the car to update your location for any rescue services that come looking for you.