CLIMBERS and canoeists will be out in force at a Wye beauty spot this weekend (April 1-2).

Rock hoppers are holding a big clean up of the Symonds Yat crags as part of YatFest 2017.

And below them, more than 150 paddlers from all over the country will be taking on the famed Yat Rapids in a slalom competition hosted by WyeDean Canoe Club.

Crag owners the Forestry Commission have endorsed the two-day YatFest event as climbers clear hundreds of routes on the rock face of litter and debris.

Appealing for support from the local climbing community, event spokesman Graham Hassall said: “We’re not asking for a whole weekend, just as much as you can offer, even if that is just picking up litter at the base or top of the crags, and non-climbers are welcome.

“We’ll be replacing in-situ threads and lower offs, checking and replacing pegs, managing loose rock and rampant ivy as well as picking up litter and ensuring paths do not cross sensitive areas, as there are some very rare plants, so don’t forget your climbing gear and helmets.”

YatFest 2017 runs from 10am to 4.30pm on both days. Climbers have been asked to meet at the View Point café, and the event has been backed by Contour Outdoors, Summit Mountaineering and Trekkit who will be providing climbing workshops and freebies. Down on the river, canoeists from as far afield as North Wales, Devon and the Midlands will be testing themselves in slalom time-trials on the rapids. Racing on Saturday and Sunday starts at 10.30am and 1.30pm.

com/events/1180725438648898 for YatFest details, with more slalom information at www.canoeslalomentries.co.uk/year/2017/competition/symonds-yat-apr