Paul Sammons - 172104

THE OLD STUFF

Top roping experience as a scout back in the day.

Abseiling/jumaring experience in Saudi Arabia in 1994 in desert wells.

As an assistant scout leader in 2008/9 I supervised groups of scouts abseiling in Isle of Harris. This involved setting up top ropes, anchored to fence posts, then instructing scouts from the top, rigging their harnesses ready for abseil. Using figure of 8 descenders, and Italian hitch to control safety lines.

Supervised climbing and abseiling at Arnish slab, Stornoway three times from 2007 to 2012 with my two daughters. All top rope stuff.

THE PROPER STUFF

2014 - opportunity to get involved with training for SPA course prep with Isobel Oakley. Plan to take SPA course October 2014.

SPA course completed with Alan Halewood. Have climbed regularly ever since, dividing time between personal climbing and teaching others. Mainly climbing with/instructing adult/young adults in small groups. Moved from Western Isles to Dumfries and have climbed in a good number of single pitch venues in Scotland. A wee bit of multi pitch in the lakes (lead all pitches of Little Chamonix) and some more multi pitch in April 2017 with Isi Oakley - Huntlys cave (Schist) and Creag a Barns, Dunkeld.

March 2017 - feel ready to do SPA assessment!