Rock Climbing Courses Lake District
It's been another busy week here in the Lakes, and the sun has been showing itself which has made being outdoors and on rock even more pleasant.
We have been joined by Jo Bradshaw, for a 'trad' rock climbing course, and where better to do this than right here in the Lake District.
Already an accomplished high altitude mountaineer, with numerous very big summits ticked, Jo was keen to develop her rock climbing skills. To find out more about the impressive things Jo gets up to, check out her website here
We began on the crags of Pike O'Blisco: Long scar & Black crag. These crags offer impeccable rock that is a pleasure to climb on. During the course of the day we climbed 5 routes, set up an abseil, and spent time selecting anchors & building belays using a variety of systems.
The following day we stayed in the Langdale valley and climbed routes 1 & 2 at Upper scout crag and Original Route on Raven crag. During lunchtime, we helped out a fellow instructor (thanks Si) to set up a bottom rope system ready for their clients to climb. This gave Jo the opportunity to set up a rope under some time pressure, she actually managed to set up two, good effort!
Today the weather broke and heavy rain descended! Thankfully this didn't have much impact on our day as the plan was to have a more technically intense day anyway. Hodge Close quarry was the venue for this, sheltering under the big trees whilst going through many scenarios including those mentioned below.
Top & bottom rope systems; releasable / non-releasable abseils; in / out of reach anchors; stance management; belay methods; escaping from a belay system; abseiling to a stuck / injured climber, and problem avoidance whilst climbing.
Thanks very much Jo, it's been a pleasure and so good to meet you & Daisy.
Mark
