Mountain Training Courses
The start of Autumn has been full of Mountain Training Courses for us. We provide Mountain Training SPA courses, but work on ML and other courses for different providers. It’s great fun working with so many people, and in different areas, and I think really important to do as it retains our currency and competence to a higher level.
First up we were running an ML refresher in the Brecon Beacons. Anna and Louis had heaps of personal walking experience but with upcoming assessment they wanted their nav fine-tuning, some input into their ropework and sample a mock assessment.
Mountain Training ML refresher night navigation
Back in Pembrokeshire we then had an SPA training course, the climbing instructor award we are providers of for Mountain Training. The SPA will be changing names and a little of the format next year, which brought up some discussion amongst the trainees. Everyone put lots in and we had a long but fun weekend!
Joey, one of the trainees took this selfie whilst I was explaining something to Louis during the Mountain Training SPA training course…
It was then up to North Wales to work on a mix of ML training and assessments for Wet &f High Adventures. The first 3 days I was with the training guys, a super friendly bunch and really keen to learn, and great to be working alongside Simon on the course. We covered the basics of navigation, rope work and emergency procedures and explored the remit of the ML on steep ground with a journey up Seniors Ridge. I’ve no doubt they’ll all go on to make great Mountain Leaders!
Here’s me showing he Mountain Training ML trainees “the ropes”
For the latter half of the week I was out on the ML assessment expedidition with 4 of the candidates. We had a 2 night/3 day mini expedition in the Carneddau. They navved, managed the group, kept us safe on steep ground and taught us interesting stuff about the flora and fauna of the environment we were in. Pretty long days and late nights with night nav both nights so good effort team!
Mountain Training ML assessment in the Carneddau
Straight back to Pembrokeshire for our last SPA assessment course of the year. I had trained each of the candidates at some point or another, so it was great to see them come back so prepared, it was clear that they had put lots of work in to the consolidation phase. We had some truly beautiful weather on day 2 – sunnny, warm (t-shirt weather at the end of October?!) and porpoises – bet not many Mountain Training Courses can boast that?!
Paul, on the Mountain Training SPA assessment, recusing Max here. A fantastic performance and well deserved passes for all!
Thats a wrap for our UK Courses for the year, as on Saturday we fly out to Nepal for a month of work with an Australian school trekking and exploring for World Challenge. But before that we have a few weeks of personal climbing hopefully up a peak in the Annapurna range! Woo how!