Girlguiding UK Climbing

GUK Level 1 courses

steveranger — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:39:43 +0000

Theory on the Level 1 course at Hautbois

Today I’m teaching a Level 1 course at Great Hautbois House near Norwich. We have 6 candidates undergoing training; staff for Hautbois House’s activity programme this summer. Organised by Emma Davey, the Activities co-ordinator for Hautbois, and Ian Markham, the course is over two days with the assessment coming in March. You can run one at your centre if you have enough people; just contact Gilly Gray at HQ. You need an approved trainer who will usually be an MIA or maybe an SPA holder with Guides training. Don’t wait for one, organise one!

Always read the guide book..

steveranger — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 04:08:51 +0000

Today I did a route which didn’t look that long, so I didn’t check the guidebook. At the top I lowered my climbing partner, dropped the rope to abseil – only to find it was 8m short of the ground! Luckily it was possible via a circuitous route to scramble off, but be warned – it happens to everyone!

Steve at Joshua Tree after a day's climbing

Winter Adventures

steveranger — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:29:37 +0000

Your author is currently climbing in Joshua Tree National Park in California – one of the world’s best climbing locations. Just to keep you up to date, it’s 70 degrees F here today with perfect sunshine, beautiful granite with immaculate friction..

It’s important we all keep up our climbing adventures, so that our skills are up to date. Where are you climbing this winter? Whether at the local wall or grabbing a decent day at the crag, make sure you get out there somewhere!

Sun and Rock at Joshua Tree

Abseiling using prussik backup – caution

steveranger — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:25:55 +0000

There has been some discussion recently following observation by a British Mountain Guide that when abseiling backed up by a prusik loop which is attached to a legloop of a harness, some types of harness with a cinching legloop buckle can come loose. This causes the legloop to open. The prussik can then jam in the abseil device and stop the abseiler.

The conclusion is: test to see if this happens with your harness; use harnesses with ‘double back’ buckles rather than ‘cinching’ style.

Weaselling

steveranger — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 09:48:53 +0000

There has been a little confusion about “weaselling’ recently. To clear it up..

‘Weaselling’ is the local name in the Peak District for rock scrambling. This has been a very popular activity for many years in the area with outdoor groups.

Weaselling is classed as a climbing related activity as it: a) requires the use of helmets, spotting and climbing techniques; b) can involve considerable drops and work near cliff edges (e.g. Higger Tor); c) is usually undertaken in areas recognised as climbing crags.

Therefore the qualifications for weaselling are:
- A National Governing Body outdoor climbing qualification: SPA, MIA, MIC, British Mountain Guide. (NB Not Climbing Wall Award)
- OR a competent adult in possession of appropriate First Aid certificate who has been trained by a holder of the MIA or MIC. The assessment must be carried out directly, and signed, by the MIA/MIC holder. This training will be site specific. The training will normally be valid for a period to be decided by the MIA/MIC but not more than five years.

This information will also appear in the ‘Equivalent Awards’ section of the climbing website.

Petzl safety Warning – Via Ferrata Lanyards

steveranger — Tue, 17 May 2011 12:24:10 +0000

PETZL Product Safety Alert: Request for inspection of PETZL SCORPIO L60 and L60 CK via ferrata lanyards.
Please follow the link to get detailed information and to read the original notice:
http://www.petzl.com/en/outdoor/news/products-news-0/2011/05/13/product-safety-alert-request-inspection-scorpio-via-ferrata

European Ropes Course Instructor Qualification

steveranger — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 14:33:21 +0000

Last week we hosted a high ropes course for the European Ropes Course Association at Blackland Farm. The course was run by Ropeworks of North Wales, and led to the Instructor and Rescuer qualification – for more information please see www.erca.cc

Martin Robinson and Bryn Beach from Blackland were on the course as well as Yvonne and Martin from Chigwell Row, and in general the ERCA qualification is considered a step forward in providing standardised qualifications for high ropes.

Counterfeit Climbing Gear

steveranger — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 14:22:09 +0000

Just issued; a warning about a few Petzl products can be found at:

http://www.petzl.com/en/outdoor/news-1/2011/02/12/warning-regarding-presence-counterfeit-versions-petzl-products

Escaping the system

steveranger — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 14:12:51 +0000

This is a climbing video, not something about getting out of prison. Just picked up on an excellent clear series of videos on Vimeo by Steve Long, an Instructor at Plas y Brenin. This one’s about escaping the system, but there’s a whole series to check out.

Llangattock Crag News

steveranger — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 19:49:44 +0000

From the BMC, February 2011:
In April 1998 after years of work by Brecon Beacons National Park Authority and the BMC an access agreement was finally reached to allow climbing on Llangattock hillside. A group booking system has been established and group leaders intending to visit the crag should contact Crickhowell Adventure Gear (Tel: 01873 810020) to make bookings. (New ‘phone number)

Bookings can be made up to 8 weeks in advance and there is a limit of 3 groups of up to 15 people (total per group) per day. A small charge is payable to help cover wardening costs and the BMC Access Fund also makes an annual contribution towards costs. There will be no bookings when stock gathering is taking place.

The National Park has produced an information leaflet which includes a code of practice for climbers. Contact the Wardens Section (Tel: 01874 624437) for further details.

Individual climbers access is not affected.