Intermediate Rocklimbing in Tiglin (Sept)

mcguiver

Finally got my ass into gear to get certified after many years of climbing.

My theory is to brush up that weekend and then go for single pitch award.

Anyone else going on this course ??
Anyone been already... hints on what to bring /avoid bringing ?? I'm told all gear is supplied so rack/ropes etc. can stay at home.

Evil Phil

Bring any rack you have, I take it the intermediate course involves learning to lead. Then try and climb with more experienced climbers and climb as often as possible.

You're not in the IMC are you? They seem to have a healthy flame war starting over this particular subject.

mcguiver

Cheers Phil,

I've signed up for the IMC...cos thats compulsary for anyone registering for the single pitch award...other than that I've no links with them.

FX Meister

I think you are getting confused there with the MCI. The SPA award is only really usefull for someone who wants to work in climbing. Is that your aim?

mcguiver

Doh ! your right, should be MCI.

(One dyslexic turns to the other and says "can you smell gas?"...he replies " I can't even smell my own name!"

Won't be working in climbing, but have a few plans for expeditions in the future....would be nice to have some formal training/grading ... can never know too much!!

FX Meister

You know you need a certain amount of time spent working with groups and stuff along those lines. What kind of expeditions? I've friends who have their SPA but I've never been bothered with it and it's never hindered my climbing or any trips I've taken.

Evil Phil

I have heard that you'll pick up great tips doing the SPA but that depends on who's training you. You'll get great tips climbing with more experienced people too and it will cost nothing. Joining a climbing club is probably a better option.

mcguiver

Yea I've heard good stories about the SPA's... I suppose it's no harm climbing with experienced climbers. And yeah i do bring groups out as part of my voluntary work..so no problem getting log book sorted etc.

Expedition, ...that's a long story...2008, just getting finances etc in order..want to brush up/improve on my skills base, navigation, rockclimbing, fitness etc.

Evil Phil

Where are you going?

mcguiver

;-) No comment!! No until everythings finalised i's dotted t's crossed etc.

mcguiver

Ouch, too tired and sore to fill ye in on the course...excellent experience. Bed calls~!

FX Meister

Really? Do they work you that hard? Or are you a little out of practise. What type of stuff/routes did you do?

mcguiver

Pretty intense, looks like they cater to whatever level the group is at...only 4 students,
2 instructors. Tim Orr was the main guy (Everest 2004 Expedition leader).
Up in Glendalough from 9.30 till 6 each day, multipitch all the way.
By the end of the day the body was very tired... Then in the evenings into the indoor wall to practice rope management.
Very good set up, good briefing/debriefing.

Evil Phil

How did you find the focus of the instructors? Did they spread it evenly through the group or was it mainly on the better climbers?

mcguiver

Only 4 bodies on the course, so an instructor with 2 students.
They seemed to push/encourage each of us on different areas .
The 4 of us were pretty much at the same level, I think I'd be physically the smallest, others had big upper bodies to get through tough spots, but I'd have had more experience with ropework etc. Fairly balanced group... guess I was lucky to get the right mix.

Evil Phil

My own experience of Tiglin, going back a few years now, is that they tended to focus on the better climbers in the group. I suppose they've probably changed that by now.