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Blog Category: Articles

The First Welsh Rock Climbing Guide?

The First Welsh Rock Climbing Guide?

Blog Post
Articles

A look at what is perhaps the first guidebook to Rock climbing in Wales.


Posted on 13 March 202513 March 2025
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Climbing Qualifications Syllabus Updates

Climbing Qualifications Syllabus Updates

Blog Post
Articles

Mountain Training recently undertook a review of the Climbing Instructor schemes, with a particular focus on Leadership and Decision Making. We take a look at the main changes here that come into effect from January 2025.


Posted on 31 October 20247 November 2024
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What is a Quality Mountain Day?

What is a Quality Mountain Day?

Blog Post
Articles

Mountain Training have updated the definition for a QMD. We look at the changes and provide an assessors point of view on what we’re looking for when reviewing people’s logbooks.


Posted on 2 March 202430 September 2024
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Mountain Leader Syllabus Updates

Mountain Leader Syllabus Updates

Blog Post
Articles

Mountain Training recently undertook a review of the Mountain Leader scheme to ensure the award remains current. We take a look at the main changes here.


Posted on 1 July 202218 March 2023
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How to Become a Mountain Leader

How to Become a Mountain Leader

Blog Post
Articles

We take a look at the Mountain Leader award and what’s required at each stage of the scheme along your journey to becoming qualified.


Posted on 25 July 202131 December 2023
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Mountain Leader Good Reads

Mountain Leader Good Reads

Blog Post
Articles

A selection of recommended books for Mountain Leaders looking to increase their wider understanding of the mountain environment.


Posted on 24 June 202129 May 2023
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Rock Climbing Instructor – the New Single Pitch Award

Rock Climbing Instructor – the New Single Pitch Award

Blog Post
Articles

The Rock Climbing Instructor qualification is the new name for the old Single Pitch Award.

We look at the updates and changes to syllabus here.


Posted on 27 June 20199 June 2023
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Recent Posts

  • The First Welsh Rock Climbing Guide?
  • Climbing Qualifications Syllabus Updates
  • What is a Quality Mountain Day?
  • La Sportiva G-Tech Boot Review
  • Mountain Leader Syllabus Updates

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The amazing spring conditions continue here in Ery The amazing spring conditions continue here in Eryri. Evening climb with @t.carrick on Efnisien (E1, 5b), Craig Cwm Trwsgl.

Great bit of climbing, well worth seeking out and chuffed to tick one of the last E1 routes in my battered Ground Up North Wales Rock guidebook. So many great climbs here and good memories.
Climbing day on the limestone with @t.carrick and Climbing day on the limestone with @t.carrick and @danlanemountaineering starting with trad on Marine Drive. The Really Exciting Climb (HVS, 5a) and Vic 20 (HVS, 5b) both nice routes. 

We then went to check out the new lines at Don Side Beach @goverticalclimbing equipped. We arrived a bit too early but the traverse line Lord of the Gogs (6b) proved a good mini adventure and consolation. Note for folk keen to head here for the vertical lines, it needs a super low spring tide and is only accessible for a limited time either side of low tide. We managed to get on the traverse roughly half way through the tide cycle heading out. 

Foot anyone keen on learning to lead trad or sport to be able to enjoy ace adventures like these, get in touch.
A really valuable CPD spent with @aledoddyfrilo la A really valuable CPD spent with @aledoddyfrilo last week on his Functional Welsh for the Mountains course. I found it really useful in increasing my understanding of the link between the landscape and language. 

It's clear Aled has put serious thought into developing the course, carefully crafting the content to make it accessible for all. Already having a strong interest (though a non-Welsh speaker) I came away with more knowledge & a better understanding of what I did know.

This course would also suit folk without prior knowledge thanks to Aled's welcoming approach, clear explanations and focussing on key terms; not to mention the helpful resources. 

Aled's passion for the Welsh language and landscape is evident, with engaging facts and asides between the main content, interspersed with practical tasks to help cement the learning. 

Highly recommended for folk who work in the Welsh mountains, but also anyone with an interest in these special places.

Check out @aledoddyfrilo for upcoming dates and booking info.
A really lovely week on our Mountain Leader Traini A really lovely week on our Mountain Leader Training course; great weather, great group, great staff, and great photos also 📸 (particular thanks to Alex)

Thanks to @latitude534 and @summit.sense for their enthusiasm working as staff, and also to the group who shared their varied experience with one another. These are always fun weeks that I feel really fortunate to deliver. I love helping develop future outdoor instructors and there's a lot of delivery, but I invariably learn lots of interesting new facts from the clients also.

We're kicking off a Mountain Leader Assessment starting Monday. Looking forward to hanging out in the mountains for another week with folk this time at the other end of the pathway.

If you're interested in using a nationally recognised @mtntraining qualification to lead groups safely in the mountains, which can lead to exciting work opportunities then check out our website or drop me a message. I'm always happy to chat through the process.
Another evening hit last night at Craig Ddu, this Another evening hit last night at Craig Ddu, this time with @summit.sense up Blackguard (HVS, 5a). Alex linked the first 2 pitches and I took the final pitch. Just about dry enough though a few drips to keep me on my toes and keep it spicy.

Ended up finishing just in time before it got dark. The final long exposure picture of Alex topping out is nightmare fuel 👻 and we were treated to the bright moonlight reflecting off the cliff as we walked out.
Another quick evening hit on Wednesday with Tom, w Another quick evening hit on Wednesday with Tom, we nipped up Short Tree Chimney (Sev) with the VS variation and Sea Panther (E1, 5a). The great climbing conditions continue, what a start to spring 😎

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