BCC headed back to Donegal 21-23 Aug, this time to the wonderful location of Malin Beg. This was the location of the Colmcille Climbfest in 2025 and had been on the BCC wish list since then. In total, 22 members signed up for the trip, and we were also delighted to be joined by David Walsh and Phil Mannus from Comcille Climbers who provided some very welcome local knowledge.
Wonderful climbing 10 min walk from the campsite
After a long drive on Friday evening, it was great to see that the self-appointed BBQ Rep (Fergus) had already got the cooking going, so only just enough time to get the tent up before burgers and box-cider.
It looks colder than it actually was!
The next morning whilst most of us were sorting breakfast, two of the newer embers of the club (Michael and Craig) were seen heading off to the dock in wetsuits for a bracing morning swim. After the more conventional caffeine kick-start to the morning for the remainder, everyone loaded up for the taxing 10 min walk to the climbing. One of the many appeals of Malin Beg is that there is such a great variety of climbing within a very short walk of the campsite, some of which can be scrambled down to, and Neptune Wall proved very popular for this reason.
Catriona happy to have led to the top of Neptune Wall
After a full day of climbing, the last climbers returned to the campsite after dark, delighted to see that Fergus was once more working his magic with the BBQ. Whilst enjoying the warm glow of the firepit, Richard produced an A4 sized chocolate bar, to which Gemma asked “are you sharing that” in a way that was clearly not phrased as a question!
Craig show-boating in approach shoes whilst Michael bids for “coolest looking belayer”
That night, there is a suspicion that Ashley was hanging around outside people’s tents whispering “slab, slab…” because for some inexplicable reason, even those that hate slab climbing headed off the following morning to climb slabs. It turns out that slab climbing is Ashley’s most favourite thing, until it comes with approximately zero protection!
Gemma and Owen above the Island Channel
Away from the slab, the club ab rope got its second outing and was set-up at Prawn Sawn all day, a fantastic little crag with routes from VD to HVS, with Jetsam (HS) proving to be a fan favourite. The day finished with a return to Neptune wall to revisit the 3-star routes Bosun’s Ladder (S 4a) and Hydrophobia (VS 4b).
Ashley leading Jetsam
So, Donegal delivered once again, with good weather and fantastic climbing. Malin Beg will certainly be on the BCC calendar for next year, but if this year has taught us anything, it’s that we’ll need lots of small gear if we’re heading near the slabs. A set of DMM Peanuts is already on order. Another thing we all learnt is that Catriona is really smart, although not smart enough to remember to pack up her camping chair!