Climbing Wall Award Training

On my way home from Wales I stopped off to run a Mountain Training Scotland Climbing Wall Award Training Course at Perth UHI Climbing Wall. 3 people came along on the course including another AMI member Jess who was there to get an insight into the differences between working outside and at the wall. The climbing wall environment is different from the outdoor crags I also teach on and has its own restrictions and opportunities. I really enjoy working on these courses and helping give candidates some great coaching tools and an insight into the high level of planning and judgment required to coach the widest range of new lead climbers on artificial walls.

Association of British Climbing Walls AGM

The ABC began in 1994 as an informal organisation for Climbing Walls to discuss issues of mutual interest. By 1997 it grew into a more formalised members association open to a wider range of walls. Today it is a large organisation representing the greatest body of knowledge on good practise in the running all manner of artificial climbing structures in the UK and attracts interest from round the world. Its offspring the ABCTT (ABC Training Trust) runs NICAS the phenomenally successful participation scheme which has introduced and guided over 100000 people into indoor climbing.
I first attended a meeting some time around 2000 and am now an Associate Member and sit on the Training Committee to reflect my role as a Technical Advisor for a number of Climbing Walls.
I always find the AGM and the associated seminars interesting and informative and its been fascinating watching the Association becoming more professional over the years. This year was no exception and it was great to see a new paid Officer and plans to develop and finance the association to the members into the future. There were sessions on: the Climbing Awards Review, Peer Belaying, Wall Anchors, the new EN Standards, Routesetting, Autobelays, Leadership and Teamwork, Employment Law a report on Market Research done into Climbing Walls and more... Its also a chance to network and meet friends old and new. Great to see support from Walltopia and others such as Lyon Equipment, DMM, Black Diamond, Climbing Wall Services all present. It was also great to grab a few routes at The Beacon since it was too grim to get a quick route in before the journey north!

Training and Assessing

At the weekend I was working with Sandy Paterson for Mountain Training Scotland on a 2 days workshop looking at how we Train and Assess NGB Candidates. Those attending were a mix of newer, experienced and aspiring Trainers and Assessors and it was great to see everyone sharing ideas on how to get the best from candidates. For the last couple of days I've been putting some of that into practise on an SPA Training course based in Glasgow. We had a mixture of weather and it was nice top see a 50/50 gender split on the course too. More pics and captions on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/climbwhenyoureready/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1674404962594313

3 scrambles in Lochaber

3 day's mountaineering for Steve Fallon with MIA Trainee Kieran to assist me whilst working towards his Assessment.
First up was a lovely day on the Aonach Eagach with Jay, Peter and Shona. The team made good time over the ridge on a relatively quiet day after the crowds of the Skyrun at the weekend and we descended off the west end to prolong our stunning view out to Ardgour.
Day 2 was just as nice. Peter and Jay were out again this time with Julia to complete the team. Grins all round as we had dry rock and great views. Lunch on the summit and this team were game for a little more so we came down Great Gully Buttress to complete the day!
Day 3 and it was only ever going to be 2 out of 3 for the weather unfortunately. Lorne Alastair and Gregor headed in with full waterproofs on but Gregor turned back before the ridge with a niggling knee injury bothering him (skiing is obviously more dangerous than mountaineering). The rest of us got a good soaking but enjoyed Tower Ridge nonetheless. Another swift ascent meant we had time to enjoy Ledge Route as our way down.
Well done all of you!

Catching up.

Just over 7 weeks since a blog post! A great month in Greenland... icebergs in light that seemed to glow with so much body you could cut it with a knife. A nice first ascent and time spent with wonderful folk. Since then? Up Tower Ridge and down Ledge Route 3 times, Curved Ridge 3 times (down Great Gully Buttress twice), the Aonach Eagach twice, Ledge Route in the rain for some first timers, up and down Dinnertime Buttress, an MIA Assessment with rock climbing at Dunked twice, Huntly's Cave once, Polldubh once and a very wet Cairngorm Nav day, a CWA Assessment, an SPA Assessment and a little quality time with the family...Its a grand life if you don't weaken...