Chris Ensoll Mountain Mentor Two Years On
/WRITTEN by ANNE ENSOLL & OUR MENTEES
We’re in the business of helping people to have adventures, but two years ago we set off on a new adventure of our own. We were looking for another way to pass on Chris’s forty years of experience of working and playing in the outdoors, and after a year of planning and developing with the help of our five lovely volunteers, we launched our mentoring programme, Chris Ensoll Mountain Mentor.
A personal action plan is central to Levels 2 and 3 (we would encourage everyone to make an action plan if working towards a goal) but the real benefit of the programme comes from the encouragement, advice and accountability from the monthly phone chats with Chris. It’s also really great to see the connections and friendships being made through the private Facebook group. During lockdown we added some Zoom chats to keep everyone inspired even though they couldn’t get out in the mountains.
Our five volunteers on a perfect winter mountaineering day in the Lake District, January 2019
Two years on, we have eighty people who have joined the programme. Eighteen people are on, or have been on, Levels 2 or 3, and the rest are on Level 1. We send out a quarterly newsletter, each with a case study, which we’re sharing with you here. Everyone below was on Level 2 or Level 3 apart from Tom Hiley on Level 1.
Case Study #1, Spring 2020: Charles Eggleston
Why did you sign up for mentoring?
My rock climbing had plateaued at 6a indoors and occasional VS outside due to lots of excuses! I needed something to get me out of the classic routine of improving in the summer and then falling apart over the winter when other sports took priority or you were rained off.
What were your goals when you started?
By August, to become a solid VS leader on multiple rock types with consistently good gear and belays so I didn’t waste time placing gear or overly constructing belays whilst also staying safe / becoming safer. Also to be quick and efficient, so a wider range of mulitpitch routes at home and abroad were achievable and enjoyable. A key test would be that Chris should be happy to swing leads with me on multipitch VS without stressing. We also set a target of being able to smoothly lead 6c indoors by August as part of this which sounded rather a stretch at the time.
What have you achieved so far?
A great deal! A number of sessions at Kendal wall have seen my climbing improve tangibly with 6a moving to 6b/6b+ and 6c entering the realms of achievability. Equally, a very cold full day out with big boots and gloves, was brilliant to go through all the basics – E.g. - using a points system to asses a belay stance, what really is good and bad gear, equipment choice, improving your belaying technique, getting into better positions to place gear with less physical stress, etc, etc. That was until coronavirus stopped things.
What have you got out of it that you didn’t expect?
It’s very easy to do a sport for years and pick up technique habits that just hold you back and slow you down. Loads of us know the importance of footwork but how many of us really take time to get it right? Yes, I’d read the books but hadn’t managed to put it into practice. The same goes for trying to get stronger rather than getting better. Outside, I was faffing about on belays / changeovers as I’d seen too many people whose belay construction would scare you to death. The thing that stood out for me was having someone who didn’t just repeat the classic climbing instruction book “this is the way you do it, steps one to five” but actually took the time to look at you as an individual and focus on the elements you were getting wrong or could improve. Chris has so much experience, he has probably seen all of the faults a thousand times over and was very quickly able to spot and fix the things that were necessary. My list of tips and comments from Chris has gone on to a few pages now and they really do make a difference. The real test is that the people I climb with have already noticed some big changes in how much more smoothly and efficiently I am climbing.
Have you been disappointed by anything?
No. I haven’t been disappointed by anything except being held back by the wet weather and now, being housebound due coronavirus.
Is there anything that could be done differently or better?
No. I’m really looking forward to getting going again and just hope it’s not too long.
Case Study #2, Summer 2020: Tom Hiley
Why did you sign up for mentoring?
At the start of each year, you set goals and targets as to what you want to achieve but unfortunately life has a habit of getting in the way – which means you either shelve your plans or dilute what you wanted to achieve! With the mentoring scheme, I know that Anne and Chris are aware of what I’m wanting to achieve, so there is a ‘push’ from me and a ‘pull’ from them which makes sure that I don’t come up with an excuse for not doing something and so achieve my goals using Chris’s vast knowledge based on good solid practical experience!
What were your goals when you started?
I started climbing 2 years ago and so want to learn as many new skills and climb as many routes as possible. To do this, and make my wife happy, I realised that I needed a solid and safe understanding of the basics but also someone who would encourage me to push the boundaries and set goals higher than I would do so myself. My climbing partner has also been climbing far longer than I have, so I also wanted to get to a level where I wouldn’t hold him up and also be able to ‘swing leads’ on multi pitch routes and so cover more routes in a day.
What have you achieved so far?
Putting the delay caused by Covid 19 to one side, I’ve had a number of 1:1 sessions with Chris that have covered the basics and had me leading VS. In addition, we’ve also top roped a number of harder routes with this culminating in an E3 to date – which would never come on my radar in 1000 years! The idea going forwards is to do some 2:1 sessions with my climbing partner, where Chris can observe and coach as we climb multi pitch routes.
What have you got out of it that you didn’t expect?
To date the biggest benefit has been the practical ‘common sense’ tips from Chris that have come from his years of ‘practicing what he preaches’ and most probably learning from his mistakes in the past! When I started climbing, I would take information from all directions – some good/some bad – and try and put it into practice, which usually caused more confusion than clarity. Chris’s style is one where he gets you to put into practice what you’ve discussed rather than watch him do it – this visual hands on learning has definitely meant I’ve learned new skills and techniques quicker than I would normally.
Have you been disappointed by anything?
Just factors beyond our control i.e. Coronvirus!
Is there anything that could be done differently or better?
I appreciate that the mentoring scheme is very much in it’s infancy, but to date I can’t think of any improvements! Over time I’m sure it will evolve and adapt, as was demonstrated with the addition of the zoom meetings during lockdown. The only point I would add to the ‘melting pot’ for the future would be an annual mentor mountain day, where we could meet up and have an informal day in the Lake District hills with other people in the scheme – subject to the ‘new norm’ social guidelines!
Case Study #3, Autumn 2020: Roz Brown
Why did you sign up for mentoring?
Predominantly to maintain momentum through lockdown, and to ensure I crowbarred myself into Chris’s calendar! We met in February at his Contour Masterclass which I found on the Mountain Training website; then we had two days out. His style and approach appealed: everything built from the deliberate intention to make us all into more competent mountaineers. Rolling right back to the fundamentals of movement; putting his pointers into practice was fun and led to quick results. Plus he doled out a healthy dose of confidence and challenge – I signed up for my Mountain Leader (ML) assessment before I’d returned home. Continuing that relationship through the mentoring scheme seemed an obvious step.
What were your goals when you started?
I live a long way from the mountains and didn’t want my confidence eroded by the distance; compounded by lockdown. I aimed to complete my ML and enjoy it; to improve my movement both in walking and climbing; to improve and have confidence in my decision making. I hoped that being part of a community united by a similar outlook would be a positive experience.
What have you achieved so far?
Along with tying friends to trees locally, I spent a couple of weeks in the Lakes when we were released – including time out with Chris and learning with some other folks. Oh, and I passed my ML in August! We were tested in the most unexpected conditions for the Lakes: thirty-plus degree heat all week. It was far removed from the conditions of our QMDs, and as such was a great learning experience. Avoiding heat exhaustion and lightening; being out with other people of comparable skill and varied backgrounds; working and learning together. Basking in the morning and evening warmth wasn’t exactly unpleasant either! Safe to say I enjoyed the week.
What have you got out of it that you didn’t expect?
I was aiming for ML being the end of my journey. Beginning two years ago as a triathlete with a desk job and no mountain experience, after my husband died, I upped sticks and moved to Plas y Brenin for four months. Completing the award this year could have been the close of this chapter and signalled my return to ‘normality’. As it happens, with continued exposure to Chris, I’ve made some friends and pinged straight on to the next horizon. Winter skills booked for the new year; did someone say IML? That’ll keep me busy for a while yet. Fingers crossed the world stabilises and travel becomes more accessible soon: I’m itching to get back to international expedition leading.
Have you been disappointed by anything?
Things have petered out in the past month or so since my assessment, but that’s largely owing to factors well outside the scheme. A lockdown house move being the biggest culprit until I recently fractured my neck (an acrobatics accident – indoors can be more dangerous than the mountains!). It feels a boomerang process, developing consistency in a sport that’s geographically distant in a wholly unexpected world this year. Climbing on Lundy will have to wait until next year!
Is there anything that could be done differently or better?
I’m not a keen Facebook user; always preferring a targeted email (‘sign up for Scotland’!) or an in-person day out. Hopefully I haven’t missed out on too much by avoiding social media. As has been suggested by others, some sort of real-life mentees get-together (when that sort of thing is allowed again) would appeal if practical, though I appreciate the logistics may not be a minor challenge!
Case Study #4, Winter 2021: Mark Campbell
Why did you sign up for mentoring?
I’ve been climbing and playing in the mountains since my teens and have always had a deep love of the outdoors, especially the mountains. For this reason I changed careers in my twenties so that I could spend more time in the mountains. One of the very best decisions I’ve ever made which led me to a new career in outdoor education, bumming around climbing and living in a Transit van. Fast forward twenty years and I find myself spending very little time in the mountains and not having climbed in years. Ironically, this was mainly due to me progressing (debatable) from outdoor instructing to outdoor centre management and the wonderful world of spreadsheets, business meetings and very little free time. There were also a couple of injuries which didn’t help.
I was looking to change things a bit so decided to do some Mountain Training CPD courses and found the Movement and Contour Masterclasses that Chris was running. I booked up because around fifteen years ago I did my SPA assessment with Chris and was intrigued when he started a climbing assessment by asking us all “how do you walk?” This is something that always stuck with me and I was impressed with Chris’s style of instructing, level of knowledge and endless enthusiasm. When I saw the mentor scheme I thought that it was just the sort of thing I needed, so I applied to sign up for level three.
What were your goals when you started?
I wanted to build some confidence for climbing again having had such a long time away from the crags and having discovered that climbing in your forties seems scarier than in your twenties! I was also very keen to get some professional development, advice on working toward my Winter Mountain Leader and inspiration to get back to a decent level of fitness.
What have you achieved so far?
Unfortunately the first Covid lockdown coincided with the start of my mentoring programme so I wasn’t able to get out climbing and follow the training plan that Chris developed for me. On my first mentor phone call, we discussed some training alternatives and I came away feeling really psyched to get fit and climbing again. I managed to attend the Contour Masterclass which was excellent, a great way to hone your navigation skills. The Movement Masterclass was outstanding, I’m moving far more efficiently now and can really feel the difference at the end of a long day. I would recommend this Masterclass to everyone and I only wish that I had known these techniques thirty years ago. I had a 1:1 day multi-pitch climbing in the rain which did wonders for my confidence in both climbing and being able to get out of trouble. The day was more than could have hoped for and the highlight of my mentoring so far.
What have you got out of it that you didn’t expect?
I really enjoyed the day I spent shadowing Chris running a Scrambling Masterclass, it was a great opportunity to observe his instructing style and the way the day was run. This definitely ticked the professional development box that I was looking for. The Facebook group and Zoom calls have been really inspirational; it’s great to meet likeminded people. I can’t wait to be able to get out in the hills and mountains with new people, when we are allowed.
Have you been disappointed by anything?
Honestly no, apart from Covid lockdown!
Is there anything that could be done differently or better?
I can’t think of anything so far…but will certainly let you know if I do! The best way to sum up my mentor experience is to say that I’m as psyched for climbing now as I was thirty years ago, I’m getting fitter and I’ve signed up for another six months on the level three mentoring programme to focus on winter climbing and mountaineering.
Case Study #5, Spring 2021: Lou Hemingway
Why did you sign up for mentoring?
I first met Chris when I turned up for my Mountain Leader training on a very windy, cold day in October 2018 at the Walna Scar Road car park. To say I was nervous would be an understatement! I had been walking in the hills since my early twenties but never thought I would be in a position to take this next step. There were eleven of us on the course with such diversity that my fears of being too old, being the only female, and not having enough experience, were soon alleviated. From the moment that Chris introduced himself and gave an overview of the week, I knew that I had made the right decision. Chris’s passion for passing on his experience and knowledge meant that I learnt and absorbed so much during that week which gave me the confidence to consolidate everything I had learnt over the following year, returning a year later and passing the Mountain Leader assessment.
Since passing my ML, I’ve had a dream of starting a new career in the outdoor industry, but like most people, my plans were suspended as a result of the pandemic. However, with the situation improving I now feel the time is right to start that transition, which brings fresh fears! I have spent the last twenty years working for a large corporate company, with all the security that comes with - regular income, an environment where I have been successful - and I realised that I didn’t know where to start once I made the decision to leave my ‘safe’ career and start a career in the outdoor industry.
I had previously seen the details about the Mountain Mentor programme on Chris's ‘Five Quick Things’ emails and realised this was exactly what I needed to help me prepare for leaving my job at the end of 2021 and to be in the best position possible for starting out with a new career using my ML.
What were your goals when you started?
Chris and I had an initial discussion about what I wanted to achieve from the programme and what obstacles I had to overcome. I want to use this year to build on my experience, understand what opportunities are available to me and what I have to offer, whilst still working my current job. Following our call, Chris went away and put together a six month action plan.
My action plan is broken down into achievable monthly goals and includes a range of activities, including increasing my fitness level, establishing a network in the industry, finding volunteering opportunities, maintaining navigation skills, and exploring niche opportunities.
What have you achieved so far?
I think one of the biggest things that I have achieved is the realisation that I can make this happen. Through talking to Chris, with his experience and knowledge of the industry and his encouragement, I now have a structured action plan to help me facilitate my career change. I have had a few interviews for freelance instructor work and through Chris, have made contact with people in the industry to start establishing relationships for when I leave work at the end of the year.
I’m pleased to say that I haven’t succumbed to ‘lockdown apathy’ and my fitness levels have increased, and I am maintaining navigational skills by regularly getting the compass and map out. I have also started exploring alternative possibilities, and as a trained Mental Health First Aider I am very interested in the wellbeing benefits of walking.
What have you got out of it that you didn’t expect?
Confidence! Chris is very encouraging and supportive and is great to talk things over, providing a bit of clarity and a different perspective. I also think that being accountable to someone has really helped and has definitely kept me on track.
Have you been disappointed by anything?
Only that we haven’t been able to meet up in person yet, but hopefully that will change as I am booked on a Scrambling Masterclass soon as part of the programme.
Is there anything that could be done differently or better?
Possibly more networking between the ‘mentees’ on the programme as there is a lot of experience and knowledge in the group, which would be great to tap into.
Case Study #6, Summer 2021: Alistair Iveson
Why did you sign up for mentoring?
I first met Chis in 2018 when I attended one of his Scrambling Masterclasses At the time I was keen to get some instruction on best practice to then use for my personal scrambling. I used these skills a lot over the following years. Recently, I have had an increased interest in the Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor award (MCI). As a climber of 20+years I only really got into hill walking in the last 7 years - always saw it as a means to get to the cliffs. I signed up to do my Mountain Leader (ML) and haven't looked back. I loved the process of learning and found it a lot more rewarding than I was expecting. As my main passion was climbing I thought I might benefit from some focus and set my aims for something higher. It's a big step between ML and MCI but I'm in for the long haul!!
I toyed with the idea of signing up in 2020 but it was a difficult year for all and I needed to focus closer to home. We have a young family and managing this, work and aspirations (hobbies) is a challenge. In early 2021 I thought I saw an opportunity to regain some motivation towards my goals and the mentoring scheme offered the extra push I find I need. I signed up to Level 3 in January and have enjoyed the development over that time.
What were your goals when you started?
I wanted to focus on my climbing confidence. At the start of my climbing career I was climbing lots and happily leading E1. Ever since uni, my climbing has been a bit more on the back burner as a very enjoyable, occasional recreational hobby. As such I seem to be in a never ending loop of mediocrity. Each season I lower the grade to get back on the rock and familiarise myself again with multi-pitch climbing, then I only climb a handful of times during the year and never really seem to be as confident on ground I used to find a breeze. I therefore wanted to feel more confident on approaching a route at the HVS/E1 grade and 'go and have a look'. In my experience, if you have the confidence to 'go and have a look', you normally get up it. I wanted to re-gain this confidence.
What have you achieved so far?
A progressive approach to getting back up through the grades, climbing confidently with a good style. Some fall practice does wonders for your gear placement confidence and this has helped. I was taught to climb by my dad using 1970s approaches so I've never really embraced top roping routes and always focused on on-sighting routes. I have now accepted that although not a very impressive grade ceiling, I shouldn't worry top roping and practicing routes at my limit prior to then leading them. This has led me to lead a few routes that have been on the bucket list for a while and have now succumbed. Maybe a little disappointed to not on-sight them, but it has given me confidence to do this on others. If top climbers are doing the same at their grade limits, why shouldn't I?
What have you got out of it that you didn’t expect?
Constructive criticism for my movement. Although overall very positive I find Chris's approach to movement whilst walking excellent and have tried to incorporate it in my day-to-day life. Chris also lumped in some core-exercises into my development action plan which have helped me no end with general fitness.
Have you been disappointed by anything?
My own preparedness for our 1:1. This was my own doing, but I still got a lot out of the day. It was only the on-going struggle of balancing life. I was grateful for Chris putting together the mentoring get-together day. It was a lovely day in the sunshine practicing and observing scrambling skills. I would definitely be interested in further opportunities like this.
Is there anything that could be done differently or better?
Organising a set time for mentor catch ups. I don't think I managed to answer any calls and with the busy lives of both Chris and I it was sometimes difficult to find a slot.
Case Study #7, Autumn 2021: Lathan Ball
Why did you sign up for mentoring?
I first met Chris in 2019 when I attended a Poor Visibility Contour Masterclass. Despite being a glorious day with exceptional and far-reaching views, I still learnt a lot and enjoyed a great day’s teaching. After meeting Chris it was an easy choice to complete my Mountain Leader Assessment with him – where, this time, wet and windy conditions provided poor visibility and a challenging night navigation exercise. After two mountain days with Chris I was impressed by his level of knowledge, his teaching style and his ability to build up and encourage. Completing my Mountain Leader coincided with a house move from South Wales to the Lake District (Kendal) and a change in life that would allow me to work and regularly play in the mountains. When I heard about the mentoring programme, I saw this as a great opportunity for personal development to consolidate and grow my own knowledge and know-how and to kick-start my new found time in the fells.
What were your goals when you started?
I have spent almost 40 years walking, climbing and visiting the mountains. In my teens and twenties these included winter trips to Scotland, summer visits to the Alps and an expedition to the Himalayas. However, over the last 25 years visits to the hills have been less frequent, for much shorter periods of time and consisted mainly of family walks and adventures. Since those early days my fitness has declined, skills have grown rusty or been lost and my mountaineering confidence has fallen. When I started the mentoring scheme my goals were to significantly improve my mountain fitness, consolidate and develop my mountain skills and grow in confidence as a mountaineer. My initial focus was to develop my scrambling skills and rebuild mountain experience. It is many years since I last rock climbed and as a self-taught climber, I thought some teaching around ropework, the placement of protection and movement on rock would support a safe return to mountain climbing. I have always loved the big mountains, longer low-grade routes and full days out and looked forward to returning to these mountain journeys and adventures. Hoping my skills, stamina, endurance and self-belief would quickly grow I set a long-held dream, a complete traverse of the Cuillin Ridge (Skye), as an initial goal. And after this - perhaps some alpine climbing.
What have you achieved so far?
I have greatly enjoyed being part of the mentor scheme and feel I have benefitted immensely. Chris has certainly motivated me and helped polish and develop my mountain skills. All my days out with Chris have started with a look at personal movement and how we walk. This is something I have never considered and has provided a great foundation on which to build. While walking in the mountains I have thought about my posture and movement, staying ‘straight and strong’ and ‘fluid and dynamic’ and this has made a difference. I know because one of my longest mountaineering friends recently said that I moved differently and looked more like a mountain professional - which I fully attribute to Chris.
I found a day scrambling and climbing with Chris harder than anticipated, leading more terrifying than I remember and nothing seemed to flow anymore. After the first route Chris said I looked ugly and my foot work sounded like a herd of elephants passing by. However, his technical input greatly calmed my nerves, his coaching tips (look for something small, tell yourself it is big and stand on it!) helped and I am now beginning to climb with more confidence, much less noise and greater finesse.
Regular and longer days out have improved my general fitness, speed and confidence. In September I enjoyed a trip to Scotland and although the weather wasn’t right for a visit to the Cuillins we still had an amazing time in Glen Shiel completing the Five Sisters of Kintail and classic scrambles such as the Forcan Ridge. The routes were amazing but I will have to go back when the weather is dryer and brighter to enjoy the views.
What have you got out of it that you didn’t expect?
I have greatly enjoyed meeting other mentees and making new friends. Through Chris I have met new climbing partners and am enjoying building new friendships. When I moved to Kendal I set up Mountain Explorer to provide guided mountain walks and mountain photography courses. Observing Chris has provided me with new teaching skills and helped me deliver a better experience for my customers.
Have you been disappointed by anything?
With regard to the mentoring scheme, I have no disappointments. I have fully enjoyed the programme and look forward to continuing in it. From a personal point of view, I was disappointed by a flare-up of a recurring foot injury which severely hampered my mountain visits and interfered with my agreed development schedule. I am pleased to say my foot is now improving and I am getting out more regularly.
I have really enjoyed all aspects of the mentoring programme. I was even surprised during lockdown when I found myself looking forward to the Zoom calls which provided a great opportunity to meet other mentees, discuss a range of mountaineering topics, escape the general doom and gloom of Covid and inspire new projects.
Is there anything that could be done differently or better?
It is hard to think how this programme could be improved. One small suggestion would be around the monthly phone call. The monthly phone call, which provides a great opportunity to catch-up, discuss progress and ask questions is unscheduled. As a result I was generally caught on-the-hop and unprepared. I think better use of this time could be made if the call was scheduled. I know I would then reflect upon progress, consider questions and discuss my development in a more considered way.
Note from Anne: after Alistair suggested this in his feedback (case study #6), we started to schedule the monthly phone calls after Lathan wrote his piece but before it was published.
What about you?
If you’re looking for some help with a particular goal, or you just need a bit of support from like-minded people, our mentoring programme will definitely help. Check out the details here. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!
