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rock climbing courses

October 2021

outdoor activities lake district and training

October 2021 – ‘Biblical’ rain!

Scrambling Course

We kicked off with a four-day adventure Scrambling course: more information – Here

The work had come from a colleague who runs his own guiding business and this is sometimes how it goes in our industry. As well as running courses yourself, sometimes there is a limit of how many you can do time wise and physically wise as your on the go from the minute you meet the client until you get back into your car and head home.

The four-day scrambling course is a great opportunity to consolidate your learning. Firstly on day one there can be quite an overwhelming amount of information to take in. For example when to use the rope, and more importantly how to use it. So to have it spread over four days things start to sink in.  adventure

Adventure!

To add to the adventure of it all, the weather forecast for the week wasn’t great. In fact on two of the days there was ‘biblical’ rain forecast! Day one we were unable to cross the stream below Pavey Ark and so had to detour and consider an alternative to Jack’s Rake – A classic grade 1 scramble in the Lake District. Picture showing this above with Stickle tarn in the foreground. Indeed we did come back later in the week and get the tick when there was a break in the weather. It was the sort of weather where no waterproofs would be…waterproof if you know what I mean? But this adds to the realism and adventure of it all, and definitely makes you a stronger overall mountaineer.

Ground

Over the four days some ground was covered. I thought the weather was marginally looking better in the northern Lakes but this was too good to be true. But we did manage to climb the famous Cam Crag ridge, again a classic Lakeland scramble. As we topped out in the wild weather with visibility down to about ten metres, we covered some navigation tips and tricks, as this is an essential part of scrambling in the UK Mountains. It’s also equally important to be able to navigate to your start location too. As pin pointing exactly where a scramble starts can be very tricky. The second day wasn’t how I had planned it, but being the best weather of the week made it fit. Was an ascent of Middlefell Buttress in Langdale, quite probably one of the, if not thee best adventures and easy rock climbs in the valley. Furthermore it is topped off with a 40m abseil down the gully back to the start, a textbook way to end the scramble.

Scrambling Course – Rock Climbing Course

After the scrambling course, it was on to a four-day adventure rock climbing course. Fraser wanted to learn more about the art of climbing and how to go about doing things correctly. Again, the same as the scrambling course, this is super essential to get the grounding in so that you don’t learn bad habits that can stick with you for years.

For example I remember when I started, I was shown to make yourself safe at the top of a climb, you put a figure of eight in the rope on a bight and clipped it to your harness. Now although not unsafe, it’s just a time consuming knot to do in that situation. So therefore not appropriate. On the other hand, a clove hitch for example is adjustable, therefore saving time equalising yourself near the edge. adventure

Top roping/Bottom roping

Another topic he wanted to cover was bottom roping. This is where you rig a rope up at the top of a climb and belay your climbing partner at the base of the climb. Its advantages are the belayer can help the climber with tips and tricks on how to climb their chosen climb. We looked at some of the most common set up’s and ‘how to’ rig your ropes safely and efficiently.

Building belays

This skill was slowly feathered in over the four days. Belay building can be confusing so a slow build (no pun intended) I find is best. Every situation is different but if you know the main principles, you can then use it when building belays in different situations, and different types of rock.

Hill walking for confidence

The back end of October was a booking I had taken earlier on in the year. Andrea wanted to become more confident and independent in the hills, so she can have her own safe adventures. She had, had various aches and injuries over the years, which had knocked her confidence.

Originally we had planned a two-day course to cover various topics. For example, moving on steeper terrain. Crossing scree and lose rock. Light scrambling and techniques for this. Navigation for bad weather, were the main points to cover. Sadly we both decided to put the other day on ice and come back when better weather is here. In fact the day we postponed was again ‘biblical’ but this time caused many floods in the area, and some bridge damage! Definitely a good call to postpone. She was extremely grateful and although not the preferred option, sometimes it’s the best plan of attack, especially when you are trying to build confidence.

Links:

Scrambling advice/rack – Here 

Advice on Rock Climbing rack etc – Here 

Rock Climbing UK

Rock Climbing in the Lake District & UK

 

Fancy some rock climbing? Our rock climbing courses offer something for everyone. Therefore we have a selection of Rock Climbing courses to choose from. Beginners through to seasoned climbers, we will tailor the day/s to YOUR requirements, and YOUR needs. Because the Lake District is our main base, it therefore means that it’s an ideal place to learn, as well as being the suggested birthplace of British Rock Climbing.

Rock climbing in the Lake District is varied and offers so many great venues, as well as having it’s very own unique quality. Likewise we don’t just don’t confine ourselves to climbing in the Lake District, and regularly operate Rock Climbing courses from the crags and outcrops of Scotland and Wales.

belaying on arran classic south ridge direct

Booking:

To simply book a place either call or pay a £50 deposit via the Paypal button below. The remainder of the balance to be paid once type of course and dates are finalised. This reserves you’re Rock Climbing space. For specific dates contact us beforehand.

mountain guiding and climbing course scotland
rock climbing in wales tryfan

Links:

Rock Climbing Tips: Here

Classic Rock List: Here

Petzl Belay Advice: Here

Rock Climbing Courses UK:

 

Four day Climbing Course

Our four day Climbing course really sets you on the right path for climbing knowledge, know how and the correct procedure. Therefore this course would be suitable for people wanting to learn about the sport, also people wanting to progress on the path of learning to lead. Likewise for people requiring a ‘tune up’ or for those requiring further knowledge. Clients go away from this course feeling empowered and ready to take it to their own next level.

The climbing wall is a totally different sport to outdoor climbing. Therefore a climbing course is the way to go especially when considering safety aspect, let alone getting to grips with the know how of what to do when climbing outdoors. Likewise some have climbed outside before but want to know if what they have been doing is correct, and or learn new skills and become slicker. During the course you will learn:

What the course covers:

  • Tying in – More to this than people think
  • Equipment – why, what, where?
  • Movement on rock
  • Climbing on different rock and features – slabs, faces, cracks etc
  • Basic knots
  • Making safe at a belay
  • Building belays
  • Abseiling
  • Prusiks
  • Retreating safely
  • Lot’s of climbing!
  • And tons more

 

As always we get as much climbing in as we possibly can. The above list is by no means complete, and when we meet we will ask you YOUR goals and aspirations for the week. Further questions can be sent to us via the usual ways if needed, and we guarantee you’ll come away with stacks of further knowledge.

Pricing:

4 day Rock Climbing course:

1-1 £720

1:2 £395 per person.

3 day Rock Climbing course:

1-1 £550

1-2 £295 per person. 

A £50 deposit will book your place. See our Contact and Pricing page for more details.

For larger groups of 8 persons, please get in touch for pricing.

* Larger groups are fine. Further instructor/s will need to be hired for larger groups.

Further, in addition, lastly furthermore next likewise not only-but also 

Below you can find various climbing options. These can be either half day, full day, or longer courses if required. Ask for more information. In brief

 

Introduction to Climbing

Designed to suit beginners to the sport, so no rock climbing experience is necessary.  The day will involve looking at the basics needed to start out, and of course climbing as much rock as we can throughout the day. Likewise if you go Rock Climbing in the Lake District with us then we generally use a ‘bottom roping’ system, which means we squeeze in lots of Rock Climbing. Additionally it also means we can get you climbing in a safe and relaxed environment.

Numbers

Large and small groups can be accommodated.  All equipment and tuition is provided, and either a half day or a full day can be booked.

Pricing:

Prices start from as little as £35 per head. Depending on group size.

A £50 deposit will book your place. See our Contact and Pricing page for more details.

For larger groups of 8 persons, please get in touch for pricing.

* Larger groups are fine. Further instructor/s will need to be hired for larger groups.

rock climbing courses

From Indoor to Outdoor

This is aimed at those people who so far have done all or most of their Rock Climbing on an artificial wall.  You may now be feeling inquisitive, and ready to see what outdoor Rock Climbing is all about. Therefore we will guide you through the essentials of outdoor Rock Climbing. During the course you will learn the skills required to operate efficiently outside whilst climbing.

Numbers

Large and small groups can be accommodated. All equipment and tuition is provided, and either a half day or a full day can be booked.

Prices:

Prices start from as little as £35 per head. Depending on group size.

A £50 deposit will book your place. See our Contact and Pricing page for more details.

For larger groups of 4 persons, please get in touch for pricing.

* Larger groups are fine. Further instructor/s will need to be hired for larger groups.

rock climbing courses

Multi Pitch Climbing

This is available for beginners through to seasoned climbers. Some climbing experience is advisable, but not essential.

The beauty about multi pitch climbing is the climbing flows more and puts you in some amazing places!

There is no shortage of multi pitch Rock Climbing in the Lake District. In other words we are spoilt for choice. Alternatively Scotland and Wales has some fantastic (If not the most accessible-Wales?) multi pitch classics! For example see our Old Man of Stoer page to wet you’re appetite.

Numbers

A maximum ratio per instructor is 1-2. A 1:3 ratio is ok on some climbs.  All equipment and tuition is provided, and either a half day or a full day can be booked

Prices:

Prices are per person:

1:1 – £190

1:2 – £100

A £50 deposit will book your place. See our Contact and Pricing page for more details.

For larger groups please get in touch for pricing.

* Instructor ratio 1:2 max. Further instructor/s will need to be hired for larger groups.

Classic Climb Days

Ken Wilson’s Classic Rock book, covers suggested classics of UK Rock Climbing. I completed the list many years back, and not all in my opinion are ‘classics’. Some are more survival than enjoyment. Therefore we have put together a list of some classic UK climbs. There are many more ‘classics’ and if you have always wanted to climb one then do get in touch.

Lake District Rock Climbing classics:

Little Chamonix – Shepherds Crag Borrowdale – VD

Troutdale Pinnacle – Black Crag Borrowdale – Severe

Botterill’s Slab – Scafell crag – VS 4c

Eliminate ‘A’ – Dow crag – VS 4c

 

Scottish Rock Climbing classics:

Tower Ridge – Ben Nevis – D

Agag’s Groove – Buachaille Etive Mor – VD

Original Route – Old Man of Stoer – HS / VS

The Needle – Shelter stone crag – E1 5b

 

Welsh Rock Climbing classics:

Direct Route – Milestone Buttress – VD

Grooved Arete – Tryfan – HVD 4a

Main Wall – Cyrn Las – HS 4b

A Dream of White Horses – Gogarth north stack – HVS 5a

Numbers

A maximum ratio per instructor is 1-2. On some climbs 1-3 can be accommodated.  All equipment and tuition is provided, and either a half day or a full day can be booked.

Prices:

Prices are per head:

1:1 – £190

1:2 – £100

A £50 deposit will book your place. See our Contact and Pricing page for more details.

For larger groups please get in touch for pricing.

* Instructor ratio 1:2 max. Further instructor/s will need to be hired for larger groups.

 

Sea Cliff Climbing

These days are designed for climbers who lead climb or second to a VS standard & would like to but possibly so far haven’t ventured out onto the costal sea cliffs. We will most likely use the beautiful Welsh sea cliffs for our climbing. These include Gogarth, Pembroke, and the Orkneys. Check out our Old Man of Hoy page. It has to be said, these days require a confident approach. Rock Climbing on sea cliffs is very different than our Rock Climbing in the Lake District days. You will often find yourself on small ledges above the pounding sea. That said it’s an amazing and truly unique experience. Once done never forgotten and most want to go back form more. rock climbing

Numbers

A maximum ratio per instructor is 1-2. All equipment and tuition is provided.

Prices:

Prices are per head:

1-1 – £225

1:2 – £125

A £50 deposit will book your place. See our Contact and Pricing page for more details.

For larger groups please get in touch for pricing.

* Instructor ratio 1:2 max. Further instructor/s required for larger groups.

Learning to Lead

This is aimed at those people who are at the stage of wanting to learn to lead climb outdoors. Likewise it could be that you have some experience of lead climbing, and require some tips and tricks that’ll refine and build on your existing knowledge.

Moreover on one of our rock climbing courses, we aim to increase your own knowledge by building on what you already know. Building belays, where to stand, reading the next pitch, and rope work. These are just some of the things we’ll look at. After you’re time has finished with us, we guarantee you’ll go away with increased climbing knowledge.

On the other hand you may feel you’re confident with the above and want to push you’re grade. Our climbing coaches will be beside you –literally to offer advice, hints and tips along the way.

Improvised Self Rescues & Advanced Rope Work

These days are great for learning simple tried and tested rescue techniques when out climbing.

Firstly we’ll look at what to do if a crisis occurs? And furthermore look at how to avoid one happening. Below are some of the points covered:

  • Hoist – Partner gets stuck, now what?
  • Going off route
  • Prusiks and their uses
  • Escaping the system
  • Ascending a rope
  • An injured climber

 

Numbers

Learn to Lead courses work best with a ratio of 1:2. Preferably this would be your regular climbing partner. No problem if not we can sometimes pair people up if they are on holiday solo, or struggle for climbing partners. A maximum ratio per instructor is 1-2. On some climbs 1-3 can be accommodated.  All equipment and tuition is provided.

Prices:

Prices are per head:

1:1 – £190

1:2 – £100

A £50 deposit will book your place. See our Contact and Pricing page for more details. For larger groups please get in touch for pricing.

* Instructor ratio 1:2 max. Further instructor/s required for larger groups.

Further, in addition, lastly furthermore next likewise not only-but also , therefore, and in conclusionn

‘Climb the mountains and get their good tidings’ ”John Muir