So What's The New Rock Climbing Instructor Qualification All About?

So What's The New Rock Climbing Instructor Qualification All About?

The new Rock Climbing Instructor qualification replaced the Single Pitch Award on 2nd April 2018, following a review of all the climbing awards by Mountain Training. Both awards are national qualifications which provide a level of basic competence for those who are in a position of responsibility on single pitch crags and artificial structures. So what’s the same, and what's different?

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Reflections On 25 Years In The Outdoor Industry

Reflections On 25 Years In The Outdoor Industry

1993. Boris Yeltsin was voted in as president of Russia. The World Wide Web source code was released by CERN, making the software freely available to all. UKIP came into being, and Mr Blobby was the Christmas number one. The Queen announced that Buckingham Palace would be opened to the public, and the Chris Ensoll School of Mountaineering was birthed in a spare bedroom in a cottage in the Lake District.

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How To Stay Dry Whatever The Weather #1: Waterproofs

How To Stay Dry Whatever The Weather #1: Waterproofs

It’s time for your trusty old waterproof jacket to retire and be replaced by a younger model. You have to buy a new one, but where do you start? There are so many options in the shops and online, so how do you know how one compares with another? Here are some things to consider when choosing a new jacket or a new pair of trousers, and some tips for making them last.

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Top Tips For Successful Snow-Holing

Top Tips For Successful Snow-Holing

“Any fool can be uncomfortable.” This is undoubtedly true in a snow-hole. Winter in the Cairngorms can see temperatures of around -10ºC at 1100m, but in reality winter temperatures at this height are more like -5ºC and above. That’s still pretty chilly, but snow is a great insulator. It is so easy to have an uncomfortable damp night, but with a bit of organisation and care you can be safe and snug and really enjoy the adventure. Here are my top tips for successful snow-holing.

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