So What Do You Actually Do On A Contour Masterclass?

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So What Do You Actually Do On A Contour Masterclass?

You’re out walking somewhere you’re not familiar with. You’ve been navigating your way around, using walls and streams and paths. But now the weather has turned a bit nasty, the cloud is down to the ground, and you’ve lost the path. It’s OK – you can see on the map that there is a stream nearby, so you look for that, but you can’t find it. You’re fairly sure you’re in the right place, but there’s no sign of any stream. What’s the problem? 

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So What Do You Actually Do On A Single Pitch Award Masterclass?

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So What Do You Actually Do On A Single Pitch Award Masterclass?

As with all our technical masterclasses, the day is tailored around what each person would like to cover. It’s all about YOU! Today there were just two participants, Nathan and Mike, and they both wanted a refresher on rigging for groups. We went to Stickle Barn crag in the Langdale valley, and this is what we covered in the day:

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Winter sun at El Chorro

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Winter sun at El Chorro

Last week I was climbing at El Chorro in southern Spain. It was really good to get out and climb with good friends who inspire and challenge me, and to remember what it feels like to push the limits of what I can do. Great weather, great food, great company and great climbing! Thank you, Jon Chamberlain, John Kettle, and Chris Moore.

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They Gave Me Two Days – and I Transformed The Way They Think About Short Roping

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They Gave Me Two Days – and I Transformed The Way They Think About Short Roping

Last month I wrote about the art of short roping. This weekend four AMI members joined me for a two-day workshop putting it all into practice. They were all keen to learn and willing to try new methods, and they made excellent progress as we explored the limits of what works and what doesn't.

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