Rock Climbing Introduction

Great fun weekend, guiding an introductory rock climbing course.
A mix of guided climbing on some of the classic routes here in the Lakes, underpinned with a good dose of instruction and coaching on traditional climbing.
Great weather throughout, during a very mixed forecast!

 

Jo Cresswell on the 3rd pitch of Troutdale Pinnacle, Borrowdale

 

The classic traverse, pitch 5 on Troutdale Pinnacle, Borrowdale

 

The final 'very airy' pitch on the classic Troutdale Pinnacle, Borrowdale 

 

Jo belaying on the final pitch of Ardus, Shepherds Crag, Borrowdale

 

 

Enjoying the climbing on Ardus, Shepherds Crag, Borrowdale

 

Topping out on Ardus on Shepherds Crag, with Derwent Water nr Keswick in the background

 

Jo climbing the second pitch on Centipede, Raven Crag, Langdale

 

Enjoying the climbing on Original Route, Raven Crag, Langdale.

Safe climbing

Ade

BMG Summer Training

We ran again the IFMGA British Mountain Guides Summer rock climbing training last week, here in the Lakes.
A great week covering many of the skills that make up a very competent summer UK Rock Guide.
We split the days into 4 key areas, developing the trainees existing skills and experience and putting into place a professional approach and mindset that will be a constant throughout all the courses they complete on the BMG scheme.

Key areas -

• Guided Climbing
• Teaching
• Short Roping
• Mountain Day  

The Trainees had a great week which has set themselves up for a UK summer of training and work and ultimately preparing themselves for their Summer UK Rock Assessment in September.
It's their first block of training coming after their induction onto the British Mountain Guides Training Scheme. During the induction we assess their climbing ability as well as initiate some basic foundations in short roping, navigation and crag rescue scenarios.
It was great to see so much enthusiasm and talent, which was both inspiring for us as Trainers and great to be a part of.
We had great weather considering the forecast! (there was snow on the high fells all week!)

Guided rock climbing in Langdale, Lake District

 

Teaching short roping in the Coniston area, Lake District

 

Guided climbing in Langdale, Lake District.

 

Teaching short roping in the Coniston area Lake District.

 

 

John Orr enjoying the mountain day high up on Gimmer Crag, Langdale

Thanks to Stuart McAleese and Steve Long for their quality of input and training during the week.

Many thanks to Arc'teryx who's the main sponsor and partner of the British Mountain Guides. Arc'teryx specifically sponsored this training course which is amazing, dramatically bringing down the overall cost of the course to each trainee. 

The trainees also went away with some much appreciated Arc'teryx goodies including some mountain trousers and the new Arc'teryx Acrux FL GTX Approach shoes which look great.

Also many thanks to Paul Casey who owns the Climbers Shop in Ambleside, for holding one of the evening sessions we ran after shop opening hours.

In all it makes for a great course and one that I hope has given the trainees a great foundation in UK Summer rock guiding.

Safe climbing

Ade