If you're unsure about whether to take your climbing from the indoor wall to real rock, this guide will help you understand what our Real Rock climbing day involves.
Our top rope days take place at two fantastic outdoor venues: Hobson Moor and Troy Quarry. Both are former quarries with a good range of climbs suitable for club members of all levels. Hobson Moor is a short 5-minute walk from the meeting point, while Troy Quarry is a slightly longer 15–20 minute walk.
Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a confirmation email with all the key details: where to meet, what to bring, and what to expect. Our qualified instructors will arrive early to greet you, hand out any shared kit, and lead the short walk to the climbing area.
At the climbing site, the instructor will point out the climbing zones and set a safety area where you’ll wait while they rig the top ropes—though they may have already done this before your arrival. While you wait, you can begin kitting up and warming up.
The session will feel similar to climbing at an indoor wall. You’ll be divided into belay teams, pick your routes, and take turns climbing and belaying. The big difference is that outdoor holds aren't colour-coded, so you’ll need to identify and use natural features on the rock. After reaching the top—or your highest point—you’ll be safely lowered down, just like at the gym.
You’ll usually have time to try between 3 and 8 climbs, depending on the venue, the pace of the group, and the difficulty of the routes. Our instructors will be on hand throughout to offer technique tips and help you make the most of your day.
If it’s a full-day session, we’ll take a lunch break, but regardless of the session length, you should bring water and snacks to stay fuelled and hydrated.
Due to licensing regulations, parents or guardians must stay on site. If you’re experienced in belaying, you’re welcome to help out under the instructor’s supervision—but this is optional. If you’re a climber, and it won’t interfere with the club members’ session, you might even get the chance to climb (subject to instructor approval). Otherwise, feel free to relax and enjoy the day—we recommend bringing a fold-up chair, layers to stay warm, or sun protection depending on the weather
Summit Up are delighted to be offering free Easter Holiday Camps for eligible children. To qualify, children must be aged between 6 and 10, live in the Oldham postcode area, and have a valid HAF code.
We are excited to invite local teachers and youth group leaders to The Summit Up Educator Experience at Summit Up Climbing.
This special event is designed to give you the opportunity to try climbing for yourself, explore our facilities, and learn more about how we support schools and youth groups through engaging, confidence-building experiences. Whether you are looking for an exciting school trip, a team-building session, or a new activity for your young people, we would love to showcase what we offer.
We are currently gathering expressions of interest to help us confirm a date and time that works best for attendees. There is no commitment at this stage - simply let us know if you would be interested in attending and your preferred availability.
If you would like to register your interest, please complete the short form https://forms.gle/QAfUajaePoJCbRK89
Starting from 16th February, an additional parking option will be available for Summit Up visitors. Please note that this is not a Summit Up-owned car park; it is operated by PaybyPhone and is located on Horsedge Street, just around the corner from Summit Up. The parking fees are as follows: £1 for up to 1 hour, £2 for up to 3 hours, £3 for up to 12 hours, and £6 for up to 24 hours.