Homeward Bound

Well that's that's; homeward bound after nearly two months of winter walking and winter climbing in the Scottish Highlands.

Two months of living and breathing snowpacks, avalanche reports and frontal systems 🙂

Thanks to some great climbing partners; Elaine-about to give up smoking for good; Jason-about to spend the summer driving around Ireland; @jennygrahamis_ just back from setting a record cycling around the world!

@glenmorelodge @mountaineering_ireland @mountaineeringscotland

The consolation for leaving the snow behind, is at least I'm going into a summer floating on Glengarriff Bay in a kayak; catching up with otters, kingfishers and sea eagles 😎
@glengarriffwoodsnr

Upgrading Your Backpack

Upgrading Your Backpack:

1.The waterproof cover that comes with a backpack is no good for proper wet (or windy) conditions - you can't beat a heavy duty binbag, with all your contents dry inside.

2. A whistle on a shoulder strap is good for those unplanned emergencies. Technically the emergency signal is repetitions of 6 whistle blasts, or six torch flashes; however in general whistle blasts or torch flashes are seen as an emergency signal; so don't worry too much about remembering the number!

3. Then for map reading/navigation a waterproof stopwatch for timing, plus 10 pacing beads for pacing. Pacing beads can be put onto a piece of lace or paracord.

Here Are Older Posts On:
What Backpack Kit To Have: http://outdoorsireland.blogspot.com/2016/06/what-kit-to-carry-in-mountains.html

What First Aid Kit To Have: http://outdoorsireland.blogspot.com/2018/01/mountain-skills-first-aid-kit.html

Text Message 112 Register: http://outdoorsireland.blogspot.com/2021/02/emergency-text-message-to-112-for.html

Scramble Skills 2 Syllabus

Scramble Skills 2 Syllabus
This is a non-official, non-certified, training course. Course Directed By Nathan Kingerlee. This is the second part of becoming a competent, safe, self sufficient mountaineer - able to tackle mountain routes and scrambles, using a rope. Scramble Skills Assessment Follows On Next.


SS1 Recap

Scout
Spot

Test Rock
Test Anchor

Sling Anchor x 2 (Spike/Thread)
Place Anchor
Place Runner

Indirect Belay With No Anchor
Indirect Belay With Anchor
Direct Belay/Friction Belay

Route Choice
Route Assessment
Primary Drop
Secondary Drop

Gully/Horizontal Ridge/Vertical Ridge


Click Here To See Course Dates
Click Here To Book A Course
Click Here To See Scramble Skills 1 Syllabus

Scramble Skills 1 Syllabus

Scramble Skills 1 Syllabus
This is a non-official, non-certified, training course. Course Directed By Nathan Kingerlee. This is the first part of becoming a competent, safe, self sufficient mountaineer - able to tackle mountain routes and scrambles, using a rope. Scramble Skills 2 Follows On Next.


Harness & Helmet
Rope Carry
Rope Flake
Rope Coil
Tie In x 2 (Waist/Harness)
Bucket Seat x 3 (Bucket/Wedge/Foot)
Body Belay Above
Body Belay Below
Lower Above
Lead Step
Second Step
Classic Abseil

Safe Start
Safe Wrap
Safe Communication

Foot Technique
Hand Technique
Body Technique

Test Rock
Test Anchor


Click Here To See Course Dates
Click Here To Book A Course
Click Here To See Scramble Skills 2 Syllabus

Looking To Move From Hill Walking To Mountaineering & Scrambling?

If you are a hill walker looking to get into scrambling and mountaineering, these are the skills you may want to have:

1. Rope Flake, Coil & Carry
2. Retrievable Classic Abseil
3. Bucket Seat
4. Body Belay Climbing
5. Body Belay Lowering
6. Placing A Sling Runner While Climbing
7. Using Terrain As A Runner While Climbing
8. Simple Climbing Calls
9. Only Move/Climb When Rope Is Tight
10. Never Ever Have Slack In Your System!
11. Direct Belay (belaying from your anchor)
12. In-Direct Belay (belaying from your body)
13. Direct Belay: Rope Friction Belay Around Rock Anchor
14. Direct Belay: Italian Hitch Belay From Sling, Around Rock Anchor
15. Know When To Turn Back
16. Interpreting A Weather Forecast
17. Testing Handholds, Footholds & Anchors

You can get these skills from a more experienced partner, reading, youtube or do a training course with us. If relying on youtube make sure the skills being displayed are proper best practice.

Here Are Some Blog Resources