Climbing Rack For Two Climbers

This is my suggested minimum rock climbing rack for a team of two climbers. This rack will cover bottom roping, top roping, abseiling and lead climbing. Nathan - Outdoors Ireland

Harness x 2
Helmet x 2
Shoes x 2
50M Climbing Rope x 1
50M Rigging Rope x 1

Rope Protector x 4
Medium Sling x 4
Long Sling x 2
Nut x 10
Nut Key x 1
Snap Link x 1
Prussik x 3
Belay Plate x 2
Extender x 8
HMS Crab x 14

UCC Diploma In Food Manufacturing Management

For our tenth or eleventh year, we are delighted to be part of the UCC 'Diploma In Food Manufacturing Management', kicking off the program with a team building/communication course in Cork shortly - https://www.ucc.ie/…/cour…/diplomainmanufacturingmanagement/

Fire Tripod For Cooking, Fuel Drying & Gear Drying

Here is a fire tripod with cooking options, fuel drying and gear drying. No cordage used. This took two hours to build including finding the appropriate material, which was green hazel and green willow.

Begin with three forked uprights. The other forks in the uprights are necessary for this design, so finding the right material can take time. I find hazel and willow especially good for their abundant forks.











Self standing and self locking tripod using the natural forks.

Begin to place the mid height horizontal supports.

Cut a notch into one of the mid height horizontal supports.

Use natural forks for holding the horizontal supports in place.

All three horizontal supports in place.

A longer stronger pole laid across the tripod to hang pots from. I call this the pot hanger.
















Notch one end of pot hanger also.

One end of pot hanger fitted into position to prevent slippage when pots are in use.

Two pots in use from pot hanger.

Another pot hanging from tripod for more gentle cooking.

This is an extra cooking device I call a pot pole.

Notch end of pot pole pretty deeply.

Carve two simple pegs.

Position pot pole like so over fire, either for gentle cooking at ember edge, or hard cooking at ember base. Stones can be used instead of pegs for securing pot pole.

Tripod in use with three different ways of hanging pots.

Gear drying over fire, especially effective once flames die and ember base increases.

Kindling and fuel drying. Placed into your shelter once dry as you never know when it will rain next!

A nice hazel poker.

Packed away ready for another day. While not practical to carry this if traveling on foot; on a canoe expedition I find it really useful to carry in the canoe stern and quickly assemble each evening at camp.

The overall sturdy design also allows it to be lifted on and off the fire as and when you require it.




Click Here To See Our Bushcraft Training Courses

Weekly Update From Outdoors Ireland

Have not done one of these updates since last summer! Here are a few photos that sum up the past few days...

13 Rock Climbing Techniques We Teach On Climbing Courses

13 Rock Climbing Techniques We Teach On Climbing Courses.

I have tried to keep each description as brief as possible for simplicity. Thanks, Nathan - Outdoors Ireland


Leg Push
Once foot has purchase, push upward with that leg, using the same kind of muscles as when pushing a bike pedal. Shorter upward steps make this easier. You are pushing upward with your legs instead of pulling upward with your arms.

Pivot
When climbing there are three climb areas available to you; directly in front of you - like climbing a ladder; or without needing to shuffle your feet; simply pivot on your toes to face leftward - opening up left side climbing; or simply pivot on your toes to face rightward - opening up right side climbing. This can work in conjunction with using side pulls (see below).

Toe Jam
Carefully insert the stiffest/pointiest part of your shoe toe area into cracks/ledges. This will allow you to begin using smaller and smaller holds.

Heel Jam
Carefully insert the stiffest/pointiest part of your shoe heel area into cracks/ledges. This will allow you to begin using smaller and smaller holds.

Inside Edge
Use the inside edge of your shoe, usually under the ball of the foot, to slot onto the smallest of ledges or roughs. The shoe sole under the ball of the foot is nicely rigid for this purpose.

Outside Edge
Use the outside edge of your shoe, usually opposite the ball of the foot, to slot onto the smallest of ledges or roughs.

Smear
Like you would put out your foot to stop a ball, place as much of the flat/smooth shoe sole against the smooth rock. With enough sole contact area and enough pressure, this will hold your foot against the smoothest of rock. Usually requires a good handhold. You need your leg straight and your backside sicking out to get the correct smearing angle.

Palm
A little like smearing, but for your hands. Place your palm flat against the rock at low to mid height. It can balance your position and it can serve as a push up lever.

Push Up
Instead of reaching up to a hold to pull upward on; reach down to waist height, place hands flat in push up position and simply push upward.

Mantleshelf
This is like the above push up technique, but using both hands side by side, in front of you and higher up. It is for moving onto a ledge higher above you than ideal. As you start off your mantleshelf you also bounce upward on your toes for increased power and lift.

Jug
This is a large positive hold that you simply latch your hand over and into, and it is bomber. Where a jug is only large enough for one hand to latch into, you can place your second hand over the top of your first hand.

Crimp
Tense fingers into a hook/claw shape and lock finger tips into the smallest of edges/roughs. The size of the small hold dictates how many finger tips you can hook or crimp; from one finger tip to all five finger tips.

Side Pull
When faced with vertical cracks/holds, turn hand sideward and pull sideward from these cracks/holds. It can also help to lean your upper body away from the hold you are pulling sideward on.


Click Here To See More Of Our Climbing Course Resources

Mountain Skills 2 Killarney - 27th & 28th Feb

We have a Mountain Skills 2 in Killarney this 27th & 28th Feb with two places left available.

This course covers navigation techniques, compass techniques, night navigation, steep ground skills, emergency procedures, mountain rescue, route planning and hypothermia.

Click Here To See Full Course Syllabus
Click Here To See Full Details

To Book Please Contact Nathan:
+353 (0) 86 860 45 63
info@outdoorsireland.com

Bushcraft Survival Skills 1 Syllabus

Bushcraft Survival Skills 1 Syllabus : Two-Day Course

Bushcraft V Survival
Bushcraft Circle
Survival Pyramid
Rule Of Three
Order Of Priority
Survival Kit

Efficient Movement
Leave No Trace
Resource Map
Resource Considerations
Water Considerations
Toilet Considerations
Knife Safety

Debris Shelter
Temporary Shelter
Fire Building
Fire Tripod
Pot Hook
Water Sterilization
Cooking
Hot Rock
Tin Can

Wood Ash Uses
Wood Charcoal Uses
Pine Tree Uses
Sphagnum Moss Uses
Wild Foraging
Tracking Intro

Photos From Bushcraft Weekend In Killarney

Some Photos From Last Weekend's Bushcraft Survival Skills 1 Course

Next BSS1 Is 2nd & 3rd April