Scrambling Weekend

I have been at Glenmore Lodge this weekend running an Introduction to Scrambling course. On Saturday Rachel, David, Danny, Craig and myself headed into Coire an t Sneachda with the aim of looking at personal movement skills, risk assessment, route choice and protecting each other with out a rope. We also looked at some navigation on the way in as the visibility was poor and they were all keen to brush up on this as well. Half way into the the coire we headed up to the Twin Ribs area and picked a line up onto the ridge discussing various issues including what the various scrambling grades meant. We then headed along the ridge taking various detours off the ridge to find some more scrambling. Once on the pleatue we headed back around to 1141 and back to the van looking at some more navigation. A great day was had even if it was a little damp.

On Sunday we headed to the Chalamain Gap with the aim of looking at some unplanned use of the rope.We spent the first half of the day looking at anchor selection and practicing ropework in the horizontal so we knew it was working before we took it to the vertical. We then spent the second half of the day testing out the ropework, abseiling and looking at different types of anchor and belaying methods. Although it was a dry (ish) day the rock was still wet and very slippery all adding to the challenge.

A great weekend, thanks for your company team. I have a few days off before heading out to France for a weeks climbing with my good friends Luke and Anne so I am currently dreaming off shinny bolts, warm rock and good red wine, fingers crossed!