Climbing Workshops/Instruction
Do you want to progress to lead climbing? - You and your partner are confident on single pitch crags but want to move onto multi-pitches? Want to learn some really useful problem solving skills? Lacking confidence on routes? Have your sights set on Big Wall climbing?
Chris is passionate about passing on his climbing knowledge and loves seeing people have a go at something new, or overcome a personal challenge. If you have a climbing challenge you feel you want to try/improve on but don't know where to start - we might be able to help. Have a look at the workshops in the drop down sections below.
Our workshops run over either 1, 2, 3 or 4 days. Each day will build on skills learnt on the last. Whilst having an intense block of development can be really rewarding for some it can also be impractical, overwhelming or unaffordable for others. Therefore, we offer to run workshop days either consecutively or spread out.
Self-Rescue and Ropework Skills Workshop - 2, 3 or 4 Days
2 days -
Whilst climbing can be simple and relaxing, it does have a high propensity for risk. We believe that if managed well this can be reduced to a very acceptable level, but even so - accidents do happen. Would you and/or your climbing partner know what to do in an emergency situation? On our self rescue workshop you will learn how to get yourself and partner safely down off a cliff using a range of skills such as retrievable abseil anchor building, abseiling, lowering an injured climber and basic prussic use including passing knots. We will put these skills to use in a multi-pitch environment giving you the confidence to push into multi-pitch terrain whilst confident you can safely get down.
3 days -
Whilst going down is generally the best option for rescue it is not always possible or practical (for example, on a sea cliff) and therefore going up is sometimes the only option. To make this possible, techniques including; assisted and unassisted hauling as well as ascending ropes will be covered on this day.
4 days -
Additional techniques covered on this day include traverse rescues, aid climbing techniques and first aid considerations in remote situations.
Learn to Lead - 2 or 3 Days
Take your climbing to the next level and learn to lead traditional climbs! 2 or 3 day course.
The 2 day workshop builds on your experience and knowledge of climbing and builds upon it with an in depth look at skills including gear placement, belaying and route choice.
The 3 day option takes the newly acquired leading skills into the multi-pitch environment, exploring the nuances of stance management and changeovers.
This workshop is perfect for the competent second/belayer who wants to take on the next challenge and lead rock climbs!
Multi-pitch Workshop - 2 Days
Take your single pitch skills into the multi-pitch environment.
Tailored towards those with experience already leading single pitch rock climbs who are wanting to enter the world of multi-pitch climbing. This will open the door to experience thousands of fantastic routes across the grades in the UK and further afield.
Looking in depth at belay building, stance management, changeovers, abseiling, decision making and much more this workshop gives you the skills and knowledge to begin your multi-pitch adventures.
Confidence Boost! - 2 or 3 Days
The head game. A large part of climbing is our mental approach to it. For a large proportion of climbers their ability, strength and skill are greater than they think and the main factor holding them back is their own perception of their ability.
Whether feeling nervous about being a competent second, anxious about lead climbing or feel a mental barrier at a certain grade our confidence boost workshop is all about taking the time in an encouraging, safe environment to pick apart the difficulties and build strategies to overcome them. With a plethora of tools and techniques available to help you conquer your fears such as simulation leading, fall conditioning and enjoyment assimilation we can help you push through the mental barriers and get on the path to climbing confidence!
This workshop runs over either 2 or 3 days depending on your preferred pace of development.
Big Wall Workshop - 2 or 3 Days
For most UK based climbers - Big Wall Climbing is a very foreign concept. For those with their sights set on towering Yosemite granite or perhaps remote ascents in Greenland or Patagonia Big Wall skills are a necessity. Dreaming of climbing "The Nose" is certainly a great start, but this workshop will help you on the way to making that dream a reality.
Focussing not only on the complexities of hauling, lower-outs, jumaring, and aid-climbing this course looks at the practicalities of living on a wall including portaledge use and ascent tactics. This workshop gives you the toolkit to go and climb a big wall. Yes it really is possible!
This is an advanced climbing workshop for those with an already developed ability and experience in leading multi-pitch climbing. It runs over 2 or 3 days with the optional 3rd day specifically focusing on aid-climbing techniques.
Break the Barrier! - 2 Days
Climbing lots of VDiff's and Severe's but just don't seem to be able to break into VS? Cruising on VS and even pushing up a few HVS's but E1 seems unobtainable? Climbing harder than all your partners and no-one to push you on?
As much as climbing definitely isn't all about the grade - grades can and do have a big impact! Whilst many climbers steadily and happily progress through the grades lots of other get stuck, finding the prospect or indeed the challenge of the next grade too intimidating or even just too hard!
There are of course many reasons for this, with strength and fitness amongst them (if your struggling to climb your first 9a I probably cant help!! ) however there are normally also many other factors at play such as movement, technique, "gear technique" and a huge dollop of psychological mindset!
This two day course addresses where you are at with your climbing, finds the strengths you are using, uncovers the weaknesses you are shirking away from and addresses the barriers before you. With help from a range of tools and techniques such as simulation leading, fall conditioning, route working and enjoyment assimilation we work at ways around the barriers and help to boost your grade to that next level.
RCI refresher/recap - 1 Day
The Rock Climbing Instructor award is a fantastic qualification allowing holders to showcase the incredible world of rock climbing. For more information see the Mountain Training page.
We offer a 1 day pre-assessment refresher workshop for those wishing to sharpen up their skills. This covers all aspects of the syllabus and provides in depth feedback on your current level and a clear outline of what to focus on for assessment, including some nifty 'tips and tricks' for making your life easier. Get in touch for more details. Discounted price available for Mountain Training Association members.
Don't see what you're looking for? - We can offer bespoke instruction specifically tailored for you. - Just get in touch!
All of the above workshops can be provided on a 1:1 or 1:2 ratio. If you are booking alone but keen to share the experience (and cost) with another client please let us know and we will try and accommodate this.
"I booked on Chris's Confidence boost course to reassure me that I am being safe when lead climbing. Chris is a very professional guide, and he answered every question I asked. I learnt at my own pace and tailored the day to my liking. I loved every second of it and I now feel I now have the confidence to take away from this experience to go out on my own in a safe manner."
Jake - Confidence Boost Workshop.