Guided Rock Climbing - Old Man Of Hoy

Before Your Course

Your EverydayClimbing instructor will be in touch one to two days before your course commences.  This pre-course contact serves to introduce your instructor, confirm meeting details, and provide insight into the expected weather conditions. Our instructor are readily available to address any queries you may have, ensuring you're well-prepared for your upcoming adventure.

Access

Getting to Hoy offers various options. You have the choice of meeting us pre-departure, and we'll travel together as foot passengers to Hoy. Alternatively, you can arrange to meet your guide at any point in your journey, including the ultimate destination, Rackwick on Hoy.

If you choose to travel with us, our usual practice involves carpooling from Inverness. We then take a ferry from Thurso to Stromness and a second ferry to the Isle of Hoy. On Hoy, we make use of a local taxi service to cross the island and reach Rackwick Bay.

Acommodation

There are several accommodation options available for this trip. Rackwick offers a free-to-use bothy and a flat camping area. There is also a private hostel, as well as private cottage rentals for those seeking more comfortable lodging. We can assist or arrange any of these options for you.

If you choose to stay in the bothy, please ensure you have a sleeping bag and a roll mat. While a tent isn't usually necessary, we highly recommend bringing one just in case the bothy is crowded. Also, don't forget to pack some firewood and a small dram for the evening. It's a chance to savour the incredible atmosphere of this unique location.

Rackwick doesn't have any shops or cafes, so you'll need to bring all your meals with you. If needed, we can help organise meals and cooking equipment for your group if staying at the Bothy. The hostels are equipped with self-catering kitchens for your convenience.

On The Day

Embark on an unforgettable adventure to conquer the iconic Old Man of Hoy with our expert guides. Our primary aim is to guide you to the summit of this renowned sea stack, offering an exhilarating experience tailored to your preferences and abilities.

Starting from beside the hostel, our route leads us easily up and above dramatic cliffs, providing breathtaking views along the way. After approximately an hour, the majestic stack comes into view, and we pause at a scenic promontory to admire the route ahead and capture stunning photographs.

The ascent begins with a grassy scramble that leads effortlessly to the base of The Old Man of Hoy. Here, we prepare for the climb, leaving rucksacks and shoes behind to collect upon our return. Our experienced guides break the climb into manageable pitches, ensuring safety and support throughout. Depending on your experience level, we can adjust the climb accordingly to suit your needs.

Upon reaching the twin summit, celebrate your achievement and immortalise your journey by recording your names in the summit logbook—a cherished tradition among climbers.

For the descent, we facilitate four full-length abseils, with our guides providing expert instruction and security every step of the way. The final abseil offers a thrilling free-hanging descent, offering unparalleled views of the stack's grandeur.

After descending to solid ground, we'll ascend to the promontory for final photographs before returning to Rackwick. Weather permitting, you can enjoy a refreshing swim to conclude your day of adventure.

On the second day, following a restful night in your chosen accommodation, we'll commence our return journey to the mainland. Take the opportunity to explore the Isle of Orkney and its charming independent shops, or simply soak in the breathtaking scenery as the ferry sails past Rackwick and the Old Man, offering one last glimpse of this extraordinary landscape.

A Word On Fulmars

It's important to note that the stack is the property of the RSPB and serves as a crucial breeding site for various seabird species, such as Razorbills, Puffins, and Fulmars. The original climbers' route is typically free of breeding birds, but there may be instances where deviations are necessary to avoid disturbing them. If an ascent is booked during the breeding season, we will seek advice on the current situation to ensure a successful climb without disrupting the birds. The nesting season generally occurs from May to July, but the exact timing may vary annually.

Additionally, it's worth mentioning that the Fulmar is highly territorial and can protect itself by projecting fish oil onto climbers who approach too closely. This serves as an extra incentive to avoid the birds during the breeding season!

Not quite what you're seeking? No problem! We specialise in organising climbing, scrambling, or mountaineering guides for any route in the Scottish Highlands or islands. From the dramatic sea-stacks to the legendary Skye Cuillin, we've got your adventure covered. Feel free to drop us a line with your specific requirements, and we'll promptly respond to your inquiry.

Dates

This course is available year-round and can be scheduled on any day that suits your plans. Reach out to discuss your specific requirements or contact us using the form below.

Prices

Our prices are comprehensive and cover the following:

• Information and support prior to the course
• An AMI accredited, insured, and fully qualified guide
• Professional-grade climbing equipment for each participant
• Mountain safety gear
• Memorable photos of your adventure

One person - £600 

Two people - £650 (£325 per person)

Kindly note that the following costs are not covered by the guiding fees -

• Ferries and taxis
• Accomodation
• Meals

There is a substantial amount of information available online about the difficulty of this route and its various sections. Having guided it many times, we've found that if clients are confident in following on Very Severe (VS) ground, they are generally capable of climbing the stack. While most of the climbing is straightforward, there are two sections that require special attention.

During pitch two, a traverse must be made. This can feel quite exposed and daunting, especially for less experienced climbers. In this section, we place protection high above you and can guide you to the exact handholds.

Pitch three involves a challenging move that is strenuous, and the footholds are relatively small. We can assist with a tight rope if needed, but we typically encourage clients to attempt the move a few times before providing additional support.

Our skilled instructors prioritise your safety throughout the climb. We guide you as we access the route, lead pitches, manage belay stances, and ensure your protection during abseils or descents. We offer coaching and instruction based on your specific needs. Furthermore, if necessary, we can provide physical assistance during the most challenging sections. When you book, we'll have a conversation with you to discuss your background and aspirations, ensuring that your chosen route aligns with your abilities. If required, we can suggest an appropriate route that provides the right level of challenge for you or offer training to help you meet the necessary requirements.

Required

• 70l-90l duffle bag

• 45l-65l+ backpack for approaches

• 10-20l backpack (for climbing with)

• Approach shoes

• Climbing shoes

• Swimwear

• Towel

• Large rubble sack

• 1 or 2 man tent

• 2-3 Season sleeping bag

• Sleeping bag liner

• Sleeping mat and pillow

• Bowl, mug and cutlery

• Water bottles (around 2 litres)

• Head torch + spare batteries 

• Spare pairs socks/underwear

• Waterproof jacket and trousers 

• Thin fleece, soft-shell or light insulated jacket

• Thick fleece, soft-shell or insulated jacket

• Warm hat

• Gloves

• Hiking trousers

• 2x Synthetic/merino base layers

• Sun lotion and sunglasses

• Midge head-net and midge repellent

• Personal medication and toiletries

• Waterproof stuff sacks

• Camera, phone and charging block

• Books/entertainment

Optional

• Walking poles

• Wetsuit

Provided

• Climbing helmet

• Harness and chalk bag

• Belay device and screw-gate carabiner

• 120cm sling and carabiner

To guarantee your comfort and security throughout our activities, we strongly advise all participants to come prepared with the complete equipment listed. While our activities may proceed even if participants do not have the entire kit list, please be aware that EverydayClimbing and our instructors retain the right to modify the itinerary or conclude the activity early should the absence of essential equipment pose an elevated risk to the group, exceeding acceptable safety standards.

As part of our unwavering commitment to eliminating barriers to outdoor adventures, we offer a selection of equipment available for use by anyone, with no questions asked. Your safety and enjoyment are our top priorities. Just drop us a line to let us know what you require.