BMC President Rab Carrington represented the climbing community at the press launch of Cliffhanger, which marked the start of the countdown to Sheffield's outdoors festival on 11-12 July.

The festival will include the BMC-run British Bouldering Championships, so appropriately civic leaders scaled the world's biggest bouldering wall at the Climbing Works and announced plans for the event which will take place in Millhouses Park in 50 days time.

Sheffield City Council leader Councillor Paul Scriven - who freely admits he's scared of heights - put his trust in the hands of climbing enthusiast and Sheffield Hallam University vice-chancellor Philip Jones for a crash course in bouldering. Councillor Paul Scriven said: "In just three years Cliffhanger has grown to become one of the most exciting and well attended outdoor events in the UK. It offers fantastic variety for all the family and further proves Sheffield's status as the UK's climbing capital."

Renowned athletes were also in attendance to help provide a snapshot of what what will be on offer at Cliffhanger . Athletes included climber Steve McClure; world champion mountain biker Steve Peat; orienteer Oli Johnson; and runner Richard Patton. 

Cliffhanger is one of the UK's largest outdoor outdoor-pursuits festivals, based in one of Sheffield's biggest green spaces. It is the brainchild of Sheffield City Council's Parks & Countryside Department and has been developed to its current level with support from Heason Events.  Last year the family orientated festival attracted 15,000 people.

The event features competitions and demonstrations in rock climbing, orienteering, kayaking, mountain biking, running, skiing & snowboarding, skateboarding, free running, adventure racing and more visitors will be able to watch elite sports-people of all ages competing or demonstrating, and then take part in the sports they have just been inspired by.

There will also be scuba diving, angling, kite flying, assault courses, caving, a massive bargain area, music, plenty of children's rides and other activities, food stalls, a market and much, much more.

The activities are aimed at people of all ages. New attractions for this year include urban fell race, adventure race, trailquest, archery, rollerskiing, skateboarding demonstrations, mountain bike trials coaching and bouldering coaching.

To buy tickets go to www.cliff-hanger.co.uk/

Find out more about the British Bouldering Championships and enter the competition here.

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