MIAS Level 1 and 2 Training - Day 2

Back out on the beautiful Quantock Hills AONB today delivering the second day of a MIAS Level 1 and Level 2 training for Wet and High Adventures. 

The whole day was spent outside covering the remainder of the practical elements of the course and the assessment of the candidates at Level 1.

Over the course of the day we looked at mountain bike navigation, warm up games, skills circuits, pre ride checks and PPE fitment and emergency procedures. The candidates were also given the opportunity to lead legs of the route, this meant they had to decide on the best techniques to use on certain parts of the trail. A great exercise to prepare them for their Level 2 assessment.

We also spent a little time on Level 1 terrain assessing the candidates to this level. I am pleased to say that all of the candidates met the required Level 1 standard and have development plans to prepare them for a Level 2 assessment in the near future.

MIAS Level 1 and 2 Training - Day 1

So today I have been delivering the first day of the MIAS (Mountain Bike Instructor Award Scheme) Level 1 and Level 2 Training course for Wet and High Adventures. The course is delivered over 2 days and by the end of the course the candidates hope to be assessed to Level 1 and received the training at Level 2. 

We spent the morning in the classroom at Cannington Activity Centre covering all of the Theory before heading out to the Quantock Hills after lunch to look at leadership techniques, skills improvement games and the remit of the awards.

It was a great day with blue skies, little wind and a great group of aspirant mountain bike leaders.

Tomorrow we will be on the Quantock Hills all day covering the rest of the syllabus and assessing the candidates at Level 1. 

Raft Building, Overnight Expedition and Climbing

Over the last two days I have been delivering raft building, Rock Climbing and assessing the students overnight expedition for their BTEC expedition skills unit.

Raft Building: On Wednesday morning the students were set a task to design and build a raft to transport them from one side of the bay back to the boat house. They got to choose their launch location, design and teams. After transporting their raft parts to the other side of the bay by canoe, the canoes were towed back and the students left to build their raft and paddle it back. The results were very opposite with one team succeeding and the other having a shocker!

Overnight Expedition: Following some previous training back at college and the completion of the mountain skills course over the last two days the students were tasked to plan a route from Wenallt back to the centre via the Aran Ridge. After being bused out to Wenallt both groups ascended Aran Fawddwy before dropping down to their chosen camp sites on the east side of the ridge. The following morning they made their way back to the centre in time for lunch.

Rock Climbing: Once the students had freshened up after their overnight Camp we headed to Barmouth Slabs for a spot of climbing in the afternoon sun. I took some of the students for some top roping on the lower tier, Gwilym took two students for a session on lead climbing and Rhys took the rest for some bottom roping on the upper tier. Rhys and I swopped our groups half way through the session. 

It was a great couple of days with the students really showing the skills they've learned over the past 13 months. All finished off with an ice cream in Barmouth before heading back to the centre. 

Navigation training in Llanberis Pass, DMM and Mountain Rescue visits.

Busy day today! Day three of the Bridgwater College level three outdoor education residential. 

The majority of the day was spent looking at mountain navigation and emergency procedures in the pass of Llanberis. We used some mountainous terrain under Dinas Mot due to its varied range of small features to test the students. During this session we also covered what to do in the event of an emergency, pacing, boxing and human impact on the mountain environment. Gwilym covered the same aspects of the mountain skills course with the other half of the students.

Late afternoon we headed over to Llanberis mountain rescue to meet some of the team. While at the mountain rescue base the students attended three presentations including: Rescue equipment, the callout process and vehicles. 

A good day covering different aspects of the use of mountainous terrain. 

Wet and Windy day on Tryfan

Today I was working for Bridgwater College delivering the first day of a Mountain Skills course with Gwilym Starks under his provider-ship. 

We spent the day ascending the north ridge of Tryfan and coming down via the Heather Terrace. During the day we covered movement on steep ground, route selection, the mountain environment, equipment choice and the layering system for clothing. 

The forecast weather was for very high winds and constant rain. We got the constant rain but the wind had eased enabling us to make a safe ascent to the summit. The pictures reflect the days rain, plenty of water on the lens!!

Climbing at the Dewerstone

Yesterday was the last day of the 2015 residentials for the Bridgwater College FdSc Public Services students. 

Gwilym and I took the students to the Dewerstone near Shaugh Prior in Dartmoor National Park for some rock climbing. We set up a number of routes on top ropes, the students then managed themselves having a go at all of the routes. 

As part of their ongoing assessment for the module they also took part in a session looking at suitable anchors and building belays. This was all done at ground level before Gwilym and I set up the climbs.

It was a good end to the two blocks of three days on Dartmoor. The students all showing good progress in the activities. 

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.  

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!