Today I attended an SPA refresher workshop on Dartmoor provided by Gwilym Starks from Wet and High Adventures for Mountain Training Association members. The workshop was worth one CPD point and was based at Sheeps Tor following a coffee in the Fox Tor cafe, Princetown.
There were three of us attending the workshop, James and Tom who are looking to go for assessment in the near future and myself who is already assessed but wanted a brush up and confirmation that what I was doing was correct.
Gwilym went through all the major parts of the syllabus, commenting on if and how our set-ups could be improved. We talked about the remit of the award confirming that it is not just an outdoor top-roping ward as many seem to believe.
Areas covered were: Setting up top and bottom ropes, setting up re-leasable and fixed abseils, rescues, personal climbing/abseiling and equipment (Group and personal).
It was a glorious day with blue skies and a gentle breeze so following the workshop we opted to bag a route before heading home. I didn't push myself today leading a route called Slab Route (D), it was an entertaining route to climb in my approach shoes as it was pretty polished and had little protection.
Overall a good day and all important CPD gained making sure I am keeping up with current best practise.
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