I came, I saw, I conquered (to an extent) one of the most basic climbing walls they had, but hey ho…read more- you have to start somewhere! My very first time at the MCC and first time climbing generally and I have to say that I really hope I'll be going back soon! We went for a taster session between 5 of us which lasted an hour and cost £60 between us - not bad value I think! Liam the instructor was a really cool guy (in fact all the staff were pretty chilled and friendly) and was all about the safety first, followed by teaching us on the kiddy walls - then onto the "am I really going to have to climb up that mofo" walls! After we all had a chance to get up and down the big walls a few times we then went on to some bouldering which was really cool but I could definitely feel it in my shoulders the next day - intense but good fun and you really work up a sweat! Special mention should go to what a cool place is - just check out the snaps! An old church/cathedral converted into what is an amazing space and setting - just wow!

I have always wanted to try climbing in the past, but have always been put off by the initial cost…read moreof equipment and just the general worry that I may not like it. Well, I have put that behind me. I decided to throw the idea out to the people of yelp and managed to gather together a small group of rotund gentlemen (like myself), and one pretty lady, to have a go at our local climbing wall. It was in a converted church, which was pretty cool. The MCC offer a 1 or 2 hour taster session, with the idea being that the more people you get to come the cheaper it will be. We went for the 1 hour and have to say that that was more than enough. We were introduced to our instructor Liam, who managed to show us how to put on all the equipment so as it would cause the most amount of damage to our genitals during the hour. He then took us to a child wall for our initial go at climbing. The air was filled with hushed curse words as a room full of food bloggers were rapidly been overtaken by small children on the climbing wall. Then, to the large wall! Wait?! Already?! YES!!!! And so, two at a time we were sent up the large wall. And it wasn't easy. my forearms are still aching now as I type! But it was fun. Everyone was aching together. Everyone was helping each other and egging people on. After this, we had a go at bouldering. This basically like the wall, but without ropes and only up a wall that is about 10'. Liam put stickers at some of the highest places and we all had to try and get one. Well, the things we will do for a sticker. It was carnage. People were falling off walls onto the crash mats like we were in action movies. Then, an hour was done. fantastic. I want to go back again :-)