Past festivals

2021

After a fallow year due to COVID-19, it is so good to be back. After 2 years of planning a lot's been added to this year's festival to try and make it the best yet! New additions alongside morning yoga and breezy ecoloos, include the Mountain Training's Learning to Lead workshop and AMI's Breaking Barrier workshop - both prove very popular. 2021 also sees the start of our partnership with AMI, working together to increase the number of mentors at the festival.

I'm so happy we could go ahead this year-seeing everyone smiling (even in the rain) l was a breath of fresh air.

Hetty
Festival Organiser

It means so much to hear what our little festival does for those who come - I don’t think me and Ellie ever could have dreamed what it would become!

Charlie
Festival Organiser

2020

After months of organisation, we were devastated to have to cancel our 2020 festival due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, still keen to give something back to our wonderful community we launched our Climbers Like Me Series which set about challenging the old school perception of what it means to be a 'climber'. Alongside this, Rab also launched a film on the four organisers of WTF called 'Over the Edge'. Turned out to be a busy year after all!

Try not to stare at someone if they look different – it is hard because as humans we are curious of things we don’t often see.

Hannah
She/her

Being outdoors and having the space it allows to ‘breath’, away from binary spaces and judgments which has really helped me. 

Aghi
He/him or they/them

2019

The festival is still growing...we're now over 300 people! Tickets sell out instantly, in the refresh of a page. We add new ticket types, the 'Rescue Course' and 'Parent & Child' tickets, and a masterclass for the Climber ticket holders. Our new home is Clark Farm, with breathtaking views of Sheffield framing the site. The weekend is peppered with morning runs, woodfired pizza, campfire vibes and haybale sessions.

Teaching was a rewarding experience for me. It has got me more psyched for my

MIA training next month.

Morag Eagleson

Leader

It is such a fun and supportive environment. I love how involved the sponsors are. It really feels like a little community.

Adele Doran

Rescue Course

2018

The team has a rejig - Katy passes the baton to Hetty from Rab, who impressed us last year with her epic organisation. An excellent call. Now we're almost 200 people strong. Tickets sell out in 4 minutes (faster than Glastonbury!). We introduce 'Climber' tickets and 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.

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.

Vicki Mayes

Leader