A group of Third and Fourth Year Hamptonians headed to the Isle of Portland in Dorset for an adrenaline‑packed weekend of rock climbing, set against some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the UK.
Despite the sea temperature hovering at a decidedly bracing 11 degrees, pupils were fortunate to enjoy beautiful, sunny weather throughout, creating ideal conditions for climbing. The main focus of the weekend was classic limestone sport climbing, with pupils developing their technical skills, including rope set‑up and vital safety techniques.
Under the expert guidance of instructors from the Portland Outdoor Centre, Hamptonians climbed at several of the island’s renowned crags, including Sharbutts Quarry, Blacknor South and Battleship Veranda. The challenging routes provided an excellent opportunity to put newly learned skills into practice on real limestone in a coastal environment.
In addition to climbing, Hamptonians made the most of their stunning surroundings in a variety of ways. Time was spent relaxing on the beach and enjoying the fresh sea air, while teamwork and problem‑solving were put to the test in a memorable bridge‑building challenge — carried out on kayaks!
