On Saturday I wanted to refresh my scrambling skills and in particular look at how I can manage friends and peers when they are on a scramble. Steve took me through a whole range of skills on the Zig Zags (Grade 1) in Glencoe. We covered skills ranging from spotting to a simple belay using an Italian hitch system as well as covering how to lower someone if they "froze". It was an excellent day and the weather was not too bad, although we had started the day in rain and wind.
On the Sunday, Steve had decided to get me back onto the end of a rope and to do some climbing routes in Glen Nevis. I had been here a couple of years earlier but I also knew that my skills had faded a wee bit since then. No matter Steve quickly ran through the fundamentals and then we where of on the first climb which was Three Pines (VDiff). I coped with this one well, so Steve took us over to the next buttress which was the Flying Dutchman (Mild Severe). This was a slabby route and I had a real episode of not wanting to move. Steve was ever patient with me and got me down to a grass ledge and gave me time to compose myself. I have to admit it took a bit of "talking to myself" to get me back onto the rock, but I am so pleased I pushed on to nail my very first mild severe route.
We then moved on to Spike Wall (VDiff) which was a two pitch route which included a hanging belay which was all new to me - and was a pretty nervous experience. We finished the day with a descent of Scimitar Ridge (Grade II).
It was a brilliant weekend and Steve was really encouraging - I always felt safe with him and the wobble was down to my head not Steve. I'm already booked to go back out with Steve at the end of May and I can't wait. Also, I will be putting my refreshed scrambling skills to good use this weekend when I take a group up Striding Edge in the Lake District.
No comments:
Post a Comment