Advanced Climbing Techniques - Self Rescue for Climbers
The photo above shows a climber on one of the big routes on El Penon de Ifach in Calpe. This huge Limestone sea cliff is famous for amazing climbs in the most impressive of positions. What the brochures don't talk about is the seriousness of the place and the amount of loose rock, there's loads!
An absolutely brilliant place to climb, let there be no doubt about that, my best days in this area have been on the sea cliffs.
Before going to these places, I find it reassuring to refresh Advanced Climbing Techniques & self rescue skills to be on top of the game.
Recently there's been a few articles published on-line regarding self-rescue for climbers. Indeed it's an important subject for any climber, whether leading or seconding and regardless of the grade they may be climbing, mishaps can occur anytime and often when least expected.
It was years into my rock climbing career before I started to think about the 'what ifs' when things go wrong (I wasn't working in the climbing sector back then), why it took me so long i'm not sure, but my best guess is, it isn't something that many climbers bother to consider, and the subject had never arisen.
Pretty unbelievable really. When I did start to question people about these Advanced Climbing Techniques for getting out of trouble, the knowledge was sadly lacking. We're talking here about climbers who were frequently operating on sea cliffs and big mountain crags, so self rescue skills to some degree are essential rather than optional.
Thankfully over the years a selection of skills courses and self learning has left me in a far better position these days. Mostly though, what I discovered is that only a few quite simple techniques are required and these can be applied to a variety of situations.
Rule 1: always make sure to keep yourself safe when going to help others
Rule 2: calling for help is always a good idea. If you can then do so immediately
Rule 3: Think simple. What's the simplest solution to the mess you're in. Simple = quicker = more efficient = probable better outcome 🙂
Rule 4: Devote some of your climbing time (yes it's precious, but so is life) to learning & practicing a few simple techniques.
The 3rd photo below showing the counter-balance abseil being set up is a technique at the forefront of my mind at the moment. Only a few weeks ago, whilst on a multi-pitch route, the leader inadvertently dislodged a large block. I heard the shout from above 'BELOW' and moved accordingly, the block missing me be only a few feet, phew!
A counter-balance abseil being the next step, should I have been injured and unable to continue. A sobering thought. Thankfully, I was climbing with a knowledgeable partner that day, so know the right steps would have been taken.
How to learn these Advanced Climbing Techniques:
Study a relevant book - Down by Andy Kirkpatrick is a good place to start
Ask friends whom you climb with, they may be able to help;
Practice these techniques in a safe place, with a back up rope if necessary;
Book onto a self-rescue for climbers course - we can arrange these in the Lake District and Costa Blanca
