Climbers Unite for Earth: TCA’s Dumbarton Rock Clean Up

In celebration of World Earth Day, climbers from all corners of Scotland gathered at the iconic Dumbarton Rock for a mission that went beyond conquering heights—it was about preserving the natural beauty that makes our outdoor adventures possible.

Organised by TCA, the Dumbarton Rock cleanup held on Sun 28 Apr, was nothing short of remarkable. What started as a modest effort to tidy up the climbing hotspot turned into a vibrant display of community spirit and environmental stewardship.

Mother Nature certainly smiled upon us, gracing the day with impeccable weather that seemed almost tailor-made for the occasion. As the sun beamed down, a crowd of 40 to 50 eager climbers gathered, ready to roll up their sleeves and make a difference.

The atmosphere was incredible, buzzing with excitement, camaraderie and climbing. From seasoned climbers to first-timers, families, and climbing enthusiasts of all stripes, everyone came together with a shared purpose: to give back to a place that holds a special spot in Scottish climbing history.

Joined by

Familiar Faces

Among the familiar faces were legends like Andy Gallagher, whose pioneering spirit has left an indelible mark on Dumby’s climbing routes, and Matt Wright, fresh off his awe-inspiring ascent of Rhapsody. Yet, the beauty of the day lay not just in the presence of climbing luminaries but in the diversity of participants, each bringing their own unique energy to the event.

Armed with bin bags and boundless enthusiasm, the cleanup crew set to work scouring every nook and cranny of Dumbarton Rock. From discarded wrappers to forgotten water bottles, every piece of litter was a testament to the importance of our collective responsibility in preserving our outdoor playgrounds.

Amidst the cleanup efforts, conversations flowed freely, touching on everything from favourite boulders to dreams of embarking on epic Via Ferrata adventures. And thanks to the generous support of sponsors like FlavourBomb and Tenzing, we were able to keep our energy levels high throughout the day. Big thank you also to DMM for supplying loads of fantastic prizes for the raffle. 

Raising money for

Urban Uprising

A highlight of the day was the incredible generosity of our community. Through donations and raffle entries, we raised over £100 for Urban Uprising, a testament to the power of coming together for a cause greater than ourselves.

As the day drew to a close and the last bin bag was tied up, a sense of accomplishment filled the air. Yet, amidst the satisfaction of a job well done, there lingered an undeniable anticipation for the next cleanup. Whilst a yearly clean-up of Dumby is amazing, we’d strongly encourage any climbers that are at the venue to pick up a few pieces of litter each time they visit to help keep our crag clean in between these big events. 

Until then, let’s carry the spirit of the Dumbarton Rock cleanup in our hearts, remembering that by standing together, we can move mountains—and keep them clean too.

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