Climbing Instructor Training

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The next challenge was to set up an abseil on the big tower. We climbed up the stairs to the top and got on with the job. Chris set up the first abseil and as I stepped out onto the edge of the tower I realised any fears I had had in the past were long gone. No lurching stomach or giddiness, not even butterflies, just a total confidence in the safety equipment and a thorough enjoyment of standing up on a tower in the streaming sunshine with a great group of people.

At the bottom of the tower, I grabbed a quick drink and some sun lotion, then it was my turn to set up the ropes for Chris.

Brimming with confidence and pride, sure of certain success, I tied the necessary knots, and clipped the right bits of rope into the right places. But of course, pride comes before a fall and I found myself hurtling towards the edge of the tower face first. As I landed, restrained and bemused, rubbing my leg to the sound of laughter and much sarcasm, I realised that the culprit had been – my own safety rope.

At least those knots were correct! And with no permanent damage done, I learned my lesson and carried on.

When Chris safely reached the ground, we cleared up the kit and went down the stairs for the only sitting down session of the day.

Glad of a break we settled down to discuss how to manage large groups and shared some interesting ideas about equipment and techniques.

At the end of the day, we were free to practice whatever we wanted. I took the opportunity to see if could remember anything from the beginning of the day. (Such a lot had happened since then!) To my delight, I correctly set up a rope system all on my own, and Andy was happy to let me belay his climb!

I’m under no illusions, I still have a lot of work to do. There are 4 more practice sessions before the assessment and I’m going to make the most of every one of them.

Held at Buddens Farm

Dorset County Scout Campsite

We arrived at Buddens at 8.45am and met our 3 instructors.

Andy Young, ACC Land Activities started the course by asking about our experience. It became clear that the range of experience was huge, from those who had been authorised instructors before, to those who had been lowered down a tower a couple of times. I fitted into the latter bracket, and had the nerves to prove it.

The morning session covered equipment, safety, basic knots and belaying from below. We split into 3 groups of 4 to practice on the small climbing wall, and then moved on to belaying from above and setting up an abseil. By lunchtime I thought my head was going to explode, but after a break it all seemed clearer and the nerves subsided.