Club Leader - Safe Ropework for Climbing

Course Aims
The aims of this course are:

• To develop a comprehensive level of understanding and independence
• To consolidate existing knowledge, and build on this knowledge
• To provide an individually tailored learning experience with nationally qualified coaches and instructors

Skills Covered
This course will provide a comprehensive level of instruction in technical aspects of rockclimbing, in order to develop a level of independence. This weekend will provide participants with comprehensive instruction in the skills required to use equipment efficiently and effectively, such as placing protection, building belays and consolidating ropework. When the staff meet the group and discuss aspirations and previous experience, they will decide on a more accurate structure for the weekend. This will ensure that all participants will have the opportunity to learn new skills at a pace that suits them. It will also bring course participants into the planning process, looking at the current weather and what is forecast for later in the course.

Areas generally covered include:

- Choosing suitable equipment

- Placing protection,

- Belaying effectively

- Developing ropework skills

Outline Programme

FRIDAY Arrive (7.30 – 8.00 pm)

Course outline, stores. Evening Session: Choosing equipment

SATURDAY

Full day at the crag, looking at ropework and use of equipment, choosing and leading routes. Return to Centre at 5.00 p.m. Evening Session: Technical session on climbing wall.

SUNDAY

Full day climbing, applying skills previously learned. Return to Tollymore at 4.00 p.m. for review and pointers for further development in the future.

These are some of the basic skills you will need to lead routes efficiently and effectively. All of these areas will be covered in a practical way during the course, giving you the opportunity to learn from the staff and other course participants alike.

It is important to note that the above outline programme is a guide. Times may vary due to weather conditions or other reasons.

Our Staff
The instructor(s) who will work with you are all highly experienced and qualified. Tollymore prides itself in the knowledge and experience that its full time and part time staff bring to its courses. Our staff are all keen hillwalkers and mountaineers and know the Mournes very well. You may well have met them in the hills in the past or will bump into them in the future on days when they are not working!

All are obliged to attend annual staff updates and training courses

What do I need to bring?
The following list is a suggestion of what you should bring. Waterproofs and rucksacks may be borrowed from our extensive stores. We advise you not to rush out and buy kit for the course, but use it as a chance to find out what would best suit your needs. You should bring the following:

• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket
• waterproof trousers
• Warm outdoor wear (fleece is ideal)
• Hat
• Gloves or mitts
• Day rucksack
• Waterproof rucksack liner (bin liner is ideal)
• Small first aid kit
• Water bottle
• Vacuum flask
• Personal medication
• Notebook and pen

If you have technical rockclimbing equipment, please bring it along, however we can lend you all the technical equipment that you will need on the course.

Accommodation
Accommodation is in comfortable dormitories, and you will have full use of all Tollymore Mountain Centre facilities, including drying room, lounge and access to a wide range of instructional and inspirational videos and books for any spare time. Tollymore has a number of comfortable meeting rooms, where the instructors will meet the group prior to the start of the course each day. We will also meet here over a cup of tea or coffee for reviewing the course on Sunday afternoon.

Catering
Your course is fully catered, so all you will need to bring some additional snack food.