Climbing Wall Skills

Course Title:	Climbing Wall Skills
Course Dates:	7 Feb, 4 April, 10 Oct, 28 Nov 2009
Cost:	£65

Who Is This Course For?
Many people begin their rockclimbing ‘career’ on climbing walls.  Walls can seem to be intimidating places, with a range of technical equipment used, but in reality,once the basic skills are mastered, most people can confidently use climbing walls and develop their skills further.

 

This course is for those with a reasonable level of fitness, who would like a comprehensive introduction to the skills required to use climbing walls safely.  You do not need any previous experience.

Course Aims
The aims of this course are:

-          To develop a comprehensive level of understanding and independence

-          To apply newly learned skills on a climbing wall

-          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 all areas, in order to develop a level of independence.  This day will provide participants with comprehensive instruction in the skills required to use a climbing wall safely and effectively and enjoyably. When the staff meet the group and discuss aspirations and previous experience, they will decide on a more accurate structure for the course. This will ensure that all participants will have the opportunity to learn new skills at a pace that suits them.  Areas generally covered include:

-        Use of equipment - what is available and what should you have, how to be more efficient  in choosing what we use

-        Tying in and belaying

-        Route choice

-        Rope management

-        Development of climbing skills

Outline Programme

10.00 a.m.	Arrive, course outline, use of equipment, tying in, belaying.
1.00 – 1.45 p.m.	Lunch
1.45 – 4.00 p.m.	Consolidation and further development of skills.

The course ends at 4.30 p.m., following a review, and pointers for future development of skills.

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?
You need to bring comfortable clothing, fir use indoors, such as tracksuit bottoms and t-shirt and sweatshirt top. If you have technical climbing equipment, such as a harness, belay plate, quickdraws or boots, please bring it along.  We will provide all technical equipment, if you require it.

Tollymore Information
Tollymore Mountain Centre, on the edge of the Mournes, is Northern Ireland’s National Centre for Mountaineering and Canoeing Activities.  It is funded and managed by the Sports Council for Northern Ireland as a National Centre. The Centre is an attractive, purpose-built facility of log construction with accommodation for 30 people in 2, 4 and 6 berth bedrooms.  Quilts, pillows and bed linen are all provided.  The Centre is well appointed with toilets, showers, modern kitchen, lecture room, workshop and drying room.  Outside there is ample parking space, a ropes course and a floodlit granite-climbing wall.  A modern indoor climbing wall is open year round.  The centre is ideally situated on the edge of the Mournes, with quick and easy access to the hills.

The Central Council for Physical Recreation opened Tollymore Mountain Centre in 1969.  In 1974, it passed to the newly established Sports Council for Northern Ireland Trust.  In 1995, Tollymore achieved the management standard BS EN ISO 9001:2000 for the quality systems it operates.   However, as part of Sports Council for Northern Ireland’s ongoing commitment to the development of the National Centre, Tollymore will be undergoing a major redevelopment, commencing in 2007.  The facilities will be improved and expanded, to ensure that Tollymore remains as an example of best practice in the provision of mountaineering, hillwalking, climbing and canoeing courses in Northern Ireland.

Accommodation
Your course is only a one day course, however, you may use the showering and changing facilities in Tollymore Mountain Centre, if required.

Catering
Your course is self catered

What next?
Having completed this course, you should have a sound understanding of basic climbing techniques.  You may decide to develop your skills further, and could look at any rockclimbing skills courses, Winter Mountaineering or some of our other courses.  You may wish to expand your experience even further and travel to Scotland or Wales scrambling and climbing.  Contact us to discus any of these options.

You may choose to join a hillwalking or rambling club, or join the governing body for hillwalkers, climbers and mountaineers – the Mountaineering Council of Ireland (MCI).

A full list of clubs is available from the MCI.

Useful Books

Recommended by and available from Tollymore
Recommended by and available from Tollymore:

Hillwalking by Steve Long (published by MLTUK)

Rockclimbing, by Libby Peter (published by MLTUK)

Useful contacts:

Mountaineering Council of Ireland,

Sport HQ,

13 Joyce Way,

Parkwest Business Park,

Dublin 12.

Tel +353-1-6251115

Fax +353-1-6251116 

Email mci@eircom.net