Past festivals
2018
The team has a rejig - Katy passes the baton to Hetty (sticking with the 'y' or 'ie' names!) as she needs to focus on other events. Hetty is keen to join. An excellent call. Now we're almost 200 people strong. Tickets sell out in 4 minutes (faster than Glastonbury!). We introduce 'climber' tickets. We move to Thorpe Farm, with excellent views of Stanage.
I loved the collaboration between climbers, the support and encouragement people showed for strangers, the openness of everyone to share and contribute.
Rochyne McNulty
Learner
The festival is full of energy, enthusiasm from everyone - organisers and participants alike, positivity and has thoughtful approach from the organisers.
Hazel Jones
Core Volunteer
2017
Gilly calls up. She and Katy Whittaker want to join the team! We expand in number to 120. Tickets sell out in 24 hours! Tenaya join the sponsorship team, running a cracking BBQ and bringing shoes. We are sponsored by DMM, Tenaya, Rab, 3rd Rock, The BMC, Mountain Training and Outside. We meet Hetty through Rab…we are impressed when she spends half an hour peeling all the ‘have beard will climb’ stickers off a sheet that Rab are giving away!
I went to WTF to meet other women who love climbing, to learn from them and just have a great weekend. What I got was this and so much more. I never thought I'd have come away saying I did my first lead climb.
Meg White
Learner
It really struck me, walking around listening to the leaders, that every single woman was exhibiting gold-standard practice and teaching. The future is bright if this group of women are our next generation of instructors.'
Rachel Crewesmith
Technical Advisor
2016
The first year, run by Ellie and Charlie after a hasty 2 months of preparation. A field, some tents, a borrowed marquee and a group of climbers sharing food over a communal BBQ. 67 attendees. Supported by DMM, Outside Shop, The BMC and 3rd Rock. We run it from Eric Byne Campsite. Our friend Sandro Gromen-Hayes makes a film and Ellie writes about it on UKC…word starts spreading!
It was an amazing event and we'd love to be involved again next year. It was definitely worth it from our point of view, and more importantly I loved the climbing!
Jessica Mor
3rd Rock Founder
There was a real atmosphere at the crag - welcoming, relaxed and fun. It was open to anyone and the venues were safe, with a good range of interesting routes.
