Day 1. We startted in the Hills of Cromdale to practice navigation and our introduction to group management and leadership skills. First we climbed to the summit of Sgòr Gaoithe where we practiced walking on bearings and identifying features. Next was over to Carn na Cloiche, using pacing and timing techniques. The pace of the day was tough and by the first evening one of the guys had decided enough was enough and threw his towel in!
Day 2. This was our introduction to steep ground so we head over to Huntly’s Cave. Here we practiced rucksack pulling/pushing, confidence roping and deployment of a safety rope for down climbing, lowering and personal abseils.
Day 3. Expedition. We set off to the Cairngorms for our over night camp. For this part of the course we were put through our paces as group leaders with each of us taking turns to manage the group and navigate. Each time, Pete would take on a different personality and punish us by acting as a difficult child (walking slower or faster than everyone else, continuously asking questions about flora and fauna, running off into the trees, etc) to test our skills. We reached Coire Odhar by 5:00pm to set up camp. From here we would start our night navigation and set off to the summit of Bynack More to watch the sun set.
Day 4. After a cold night on the mountain we set off for some more navigation and a flora/fauna beasting back to the car.
Day 5. River crossings and emergency procedures. A pleasant morning in the B&B garden mocking up river crossings to practice different techniques did not prepare me for the real thing. Top tip, if you must cross a river, find a bridge! All other techniques are horrible!!
The afternoon saw Pete showing a selection of slides with various images of cuts, wounds and broken people. Amazingly, I managed to hold on and remain conscious! With these images in our minds we set out to some near by woodland to practice improvised carries where Shona and I managed to drop Pete on the floor and then I (being the fattest) got a piggy back from Shona (the smallest).
The afternoon saw Pete showing a selection of slides with various images of cuts, wounds and broken people. Amazingly, I managed to hold on and remain conscious! With these images in our minds we set out to some near by woodland to practice improvised carries where Shona and I managed to drop Pete on the floor and then I (being the fattest) got a piggy back from Shona (the smallest).
Day 6. Final day of steep ground practice. Back to the Cairngorms and Ciste Crags for some more rucksack pushing and rope deployment.
Verdict. We were blessed with amazing weather, the folk on the course were great and I learnt loads. Brilliant!!
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