The Committee has been monitoring the government and the BMC advice of how, as climbers, we manage our response to the Coronavirus pandemic. We have decided to cancel the meets programme and close the huts until further notice. This is based on the NHS advice to avoid all non-essential travel and social gatherings. We cannot ensure the huts are kept clean and virus free, also bunk room accommodation excludes social separation. We will review the situation as appropriate in light of any developments and advise the membership.
For advice on the current situation please refer to the NHS and BMC guidance.
If you have hut bookings, the club will reimburse any deposits or if preferred arrange to move the booking to a future date.
We will override the electronic looks on the huts so they cannot be used.
We are very sorry for any problems this action causes but hope you all stay safe and well in the difficult time ahead.
Vic Odell – Climbers’ Club President
What a shame that we cannot be treated as adults and make our own decision as to whether we stay in a hut over the next few months. Nobody who would choose to use a hut would expect it to be completely risk free and would know they would come into contact with others, and manage that accordingly. This is a poor decision denying those of us that now have a lot of spare time the possibility of extended UK climbing breaks.
This argument simply shows we do not take on board the actions necessary to combat this disease in as short a time as possible.
The decision is the right one, as the contagious nature of the bug thrives on close contact, and the tactile nature of passing it on.
HI Chris, I was booked into Roy Bridge this weekend and although this is disappointing I feel its less about us and more about us possibly transferring the disease into rural communities less able to cope with an outbreak.
When I read Mikes Peascods post earlier today saying they were cancelling all guiding until further notice for this very reason, I guessed the CC and SMC would follow suit and to be honest it does make sense.