Hills Skills - Day 2

Today I was back out on Dartmoor delivering the second day of the Mountain Training Hills Skills course for the FdSc public services students from Bridgwater College.

It was another stunning day on the moor with a few light rain flurries early on followed by sunny skies.

We covered the rest of the hills skills syllabus looking at navigation strategies, problem solving, independent leadership and relocation techniques. This was all covered while walking the route the students planned in the theory session. 

Our route took us on a loop from Whiteworks OEC via crock 'o'gold, nuns cross and fox tor mires.

River walk up the Plym, rigging and night navigation.

Today I travelled to Dartmoor for round two of the FdSc public services residentials. After collecting the students, getting supplies from the supermarket and travelling down we arrived at Whiteworks, our base for the three days.

Gwilym met us at whiteworks before heading over to the River Plym near the Dewerstone for a River Walking session followed by a re-cap on rigging for climbing.

The river walk session saw the students work as a team to negotiate the terrain and the rapids while making their way upstream. Each student took it in turns to lead sections focussing on communication, support and leadership styles. 

Once changed and dry we headed into the woods to find some good trees and boulders for anchors to simulate building belays before their assessment on friday.

After our evening meal (cooked by the students) we offered a night navigation session for those that were willing. This only equated to walking a few kilometers but gave the students an opportunity to test some of their recently learned navigation skills in poorer visibility rather than the blue sky days we have been having of late. 

Mountain Biking Assessments for Level 3 Outdoor Education Students

Today Hannah and I took the Level 3 Outdoor Education students for the mountain biking assessment of their skills for land-based activities module.

The students planned their route on the Quantock Hills, sorted their equipment and independently undertook the session with Hannah and I observing/assessing throughout the day.

The overnight rain made the previously dusty trails nice and grippy. The early morning cold wind gave way to a nice day with sunny spells. 

12.5 miles were covered by my half of the group stopping near 'Dead Woman's Ditch' for lunch and getting back to the minibus by 14.00. This gave enough time to return to Cannington Activity Centre to wash and lubricate the bikes before making our way back to Bridgwater College.

All the students performed really well showing the skills they have learned over the past year.  

Mountain Bike guiding on Exmoor

It was good to be back out on Exmoor on the bike today guiding for Exmoor Adventures. The group of ladies travelled down from Surrey to be shown what Exmoor has to offer for mountain bikers.

I met the group at Lynch House in Bossingnton where we started our ride. The 14.5 mile route took in Dunkery Beacon via Webbers Post and Dunkery Path before returning along Dicky's Path and Horner.

The slightly overcast and breezy day made cycling conditions good while retaining good visibility and therefore treating the ladies to some great views across the moor and Porlock Bay.

Climbing at Dartrock

Today we only had half a day to do an activity with the FdSc students before returning to Bridgwater. As the weather was forecast to be inclement Gwilym and I opted to take the students to Dartrock for some indoor climbing.

I delivered a bouldering and movement skills session for half the group while Gwilym took the other half on the main wall for some roped climbing. We swopped groups half way through. 

During the break between groups we enjoyed a nice coffee and took advantage of the 2 for 1 friday cake deal with home-made carrot cake being the choice!

I will be back down on Dartmoor next Wednesday to Friday with the same group for the remainder of the Hill Skills course and climbing assessments.   

Hill Skills Day 1 on Dartmoor

It was a stunning day on Dartmoor to be delivering the first day of a Mountain Training Hill Skills course for the FdSc students from Bridgwater College. I took 8 students and Gwilym the other 8 around the Cramber Tor area to work on various parts of the syllabus. 

During the day we covered:

Collecting and Catching Features

Hand-railing

Contour recognition

Aiming Off

Grid and Magnetic Bearings

Pacing and Timing

Measuring Distance

Equipment 

Moorland Environment

The day started overcast but quickly cleared to a blue sky day, great for teaching map to ground navigation but not ideal for teaching bearings. 

Climbing at Sheeps Tor

Walking up to Sheeps Tor

Gwilym teaching anchor construction

Beth on Dandelion (S4a)

Charlotte on Sheltered Crack (VD)

Ola on Dandelion (S4a) and Harriet on Barking Crack

Today I travelled to Dartmoor National Park with the FdSc PES students from Bridgwater College to work alongside Gwilym Starks to deliver 3 days of climbing and hill walking.

After getting three days worth of food from the supermarket, traveling to Dartmoor and settling the students into their accommodation at Whiteworks we made our way over to Sheeps Tor. 

It was a stunning day but a little windy so we started the sessions by teaching the students about anchors and set up and let them have a go on ground based anchors.

Gwilym and I then set up four climbs for the students to test themselves on and put their previous experience into practice. Three of the climbs were graded V Diff and the other Severe. After all had been on the four routes the students helped to coil the ropes and carry the kit back to the bus.

Quantocks mountain biking with Level 3 Outdoor Education students

After a week on Exmoor with Public services students it was nice to be back out with the Level 3 Outdoor Education students on the Quantock Hills today. 

There are 16 students in the group so I split them into two smaller group of 8 taking them for a 2.5 hour session each. One half of the group were covering basic maintenance and checks of mountain bikes and associated equipment while I was delivering practical skills to the rest.

During my session we went on a 6 mile ride from Crowcombe Park Gate to Beacon Hill and back looking at techniques for climbing, descending and flat ground. While at Beacon Hill we also covered manuals, track stands, rear wheel lifts and power assisted front wheel lifts. We then discussed and implemented these new skills on the ride back to Crowcombe Park gate.

Another glorious spring day on the Quantocks!

PES assessed expeditions - Final day

After another night in the Bell Tent I was back out mountain biking with the final group of Level 3 Public Services students for their assessment. We rode the same 10.5 mile route as yesterday and monday with the weather remaining excellent. All the students did really well negotiating the technical terrain, road sections and some ascents. 

PES assessed expeditions - mountain biking day 2

Yesterday was the midweek turn around of groups. Level 2's and the Level 3 'C group took the short walk to Bossington from the campsite before returning back to college. We then collected the Level 3 'A' and 'B' groups for their 2.5 day expedition starting with a short walk from Bossington to Pool Bridge camp site. 

Today, I was out with the 'A' group for their assessed mountain bike ride. Hannah and I observed the groups skills on a 10.5 mile ride starting near the top of Dunkery Beacon and making their way back to Camp via Porlock post, Webbers Post and Horner. 

The group showed great team cohesion throughout the day welcoming another student to their team who couldn't make the early part of the week with her tutor group. This continued back at camp while finding large logs to use as benches to go around their camp fire.