A Rock Skills Introduction course is all about having a go and experiencing rock climbing for the first time. It can feel very unfamiliar, even for people who have climbed indoors, so our course providers (the people who deliver the courses) are experts at supporting people to move at their own pace. There will also be plenty of opportunities to get to know the other people on the course as you share new experiences at the crag.
Mountain Training Rock Skills courses provide a progressive introduction to the basic skills and techniques of rock climbing, which will help you stay safe, enjoy climbing to the full and provide the foundations required for participation and development of your own rock climbing activities.
Learn the basics and get climbing!
Background and Planning. An awareness of the types of places you can climb in the UK and Ireland, how to use guidebooks and mobile devices to find crags and routes, crag etiquette and the work of the mountaineering councils.
Climbing Skills. Fundamental movement skills and climbing styles.
Footwear and Equipment. Footwear and equipment selection and how to use the kit you choose.
Technical Skills. Tying into a harness, belaying, spotting and how to abseil.
Environmental Knowledge. The impact of climbers at the crag, ethics, access and environmental considerations for climbers.
Hazards and Emergency Procedures. Identifying hazards, managing risk, understanding common injuries, how to get help and the role of Mountain Rescue and associated emergency services.
Go beyond the basics – learn to lead belay, build anchors, and second a climb effectively.
Background and Planning. Choosing a suitable venue, how to use guidebooks and mobile devices to find crags and routes, crag etiquette and the work of the mountaineering councils.
Climbing Skills. Warming up and injury avoidance, developing your movement skills and widening your repertoire of climbing moves.
Footwear and Equipment. Rock boot fit, selecting the right equipment for improved performance and an introduction to climbing protection.
Technical Skills. Building anchors, selecting runners, ropework, belaying, holding falls, lowering, seconding a route and personal abseiling.
Environmental Knowledge. The impact of climbers at the crag, ethics, access and environmental considerations.
Hazards and Emergency Procedures. Identifying hazards, managing risk when climbing, abseiling and bouldering, understanding common injuries, how to get help and the role of Mountain Rescue.
Duration: 5 day residential course
Location: CCAT Capel Curig, Snowdonia National Park
CCAT Halton near Lancaster, Lake District & Yorkshire Dales National Park
Course fee: £50
Eligibility: Cadets aged 15+ and CFAVs
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for CFAVs but Cadets must have completed their Two star syllabus.
Course Certification: Successful participants will be awarded the appropriate Mountain Training Rock Skills award. Additionally for cadets, this meets the requirement of the three star AT element of the Army Cadet Syllabus.
DofE: This course also meets the requirements of the Gold DofE Residential section.
Please speak to your detachment or contingent commander if you are interested in attending this course.