Robert Mcgrady - 164217

Introduction to Rock Climbing Course. (09:30 - 17:00) This course usually has a minimum course requirement of two participants, however I was able to utilise a shadowing instructor to make the course viable.
This is a 2 day course held at 2 different locations. Day 1: Avon Gorge, Day 2: Cleeve Hill. This course is to give the candidates the necessary skills and experience to enjoy safely top & bottom rope climbing at outdoor crags.
Day 2 syllabus:
- Intro & safety brief
- Structure of the day
- Helmets & Harnesses
- Walking in
- Understanding equipment and uses i.e., different carabiner shapes, gate types and materials, slings (nylon & Dyneema), semi static rope, dynamic rope, rope protectors, etc.
- Reading and interpreting the guidebook
- Recap on assessing anchors (stakes at location) Rating them out of 5; 1 being very poor - 5 being bomber.
- Redundancy. - Why 2 point or 3 point, and why we should be questioning our anchor choices if we have to use more.
- Knot work - Fig 8. on bight, Alpine Butterfly, Overhand on bight, Clove hitch, BFK (master point) - uses and limitations.
- Creating a bottom rope rig and how and why we equalise the anchor points (vector forces on anchors)..
- Using a prussik one a rigged anchor as a means of safeguarding ourselves at the top of the crag.
- Protecting the ropes hanging over the edge and why. (Rope Protectors)
- Practicing creating anchors using different set ups and equipment and then assessing using KISS acronym (Keep it simple stupid).
- LUNCH
- Recap on skills learnt in the morning.
- Allowing the clients to read the guidebook and set up 4 lines using the anchors at the top and assessing their rigging.
- Climbing on the rigging that they've created to inspire confidence in their rigging.
- Practicing any skills that the clients wanted more time on (personal abseiling)
- Access and online resources
- Equipment retailers
- How to check your equipment/manufacturer lifespans
- Debrief and Q&A.
- Walk out