Climb safely outdoors

Have you always wondered what’s beyond a climbing wall and what our historically enriched British traditional climbing is all about? Maybe you’ve been enjoying some climbing outside, but would like to increase your level of safety and awareness.

I’d love to share with you all the techniques you need to enjoy climbing safely by yourself.

Some techniques to learn

• Crag safety and etiquette

• Rock climbing techniques (you don’t find many cracks to jam at the wall)

• Rope types (there are many), their uses and good rope-work

• Climbing hardware, it’s use and removal

• Building a good belay and using it correctly (direct and indirect etc.)

• Assessing rock quality

• Grades, route selection, route finding and escaping a route

• Abseiling: setting up, checking and using

• Communication and climbing calls

Learn / develop your lead and multi pitch climbing

Lead climbing is a logical progression in any climbers career. It allows you to lead the way on cliffs, wherever you want to venture. It undoubtedly holds an added element of seriousness and as such it’s very important to make sure you are doing it correctly. There are many ways that I can help you to take your first steps or further your journey in to this exciting world, while keeping you safe.

Multi pitch climbing is exciting and allows you to go higher, but again gives a few extra things to think about.

Further techniques to learn

• Advanced rope techniques and management while leading, double rope technique and extending runners.

• Protecting yourself on a route

• Multi pitch stance and rope management

• Leaving the belay and changeovers

• Fall factors and shock-loading on anchors

• Multi pitch abseiling and retreat

• Finding rests and thinking ahead

• Psychological techniques and focus.

problem solving

Things don’t always go to plan in life and the same is true when climbing. Personally I have been involved in a wide range of rescues in remote and serious areas, from the mountains of Pakistan, Patagonia and the Alps; to the cliffs of the Outer Hebrides and Ben Nevis. There are many different skills to learn and practice, which can keep you safe or even save the day in these unexpected circumstances.

some Skills to learn

• Tying off a belay and escaping the system

• Ascending a rope safely

• Abseiling / lowering past a knot (required if part of the rope needs isolating i.e, due to damage)

• Haul systems (assisted and unassisted)

• Accompanied and counterbalance abseiling

• Rescuing off a traverse

• Casualty evacuation and emergency procedures