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. 

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. 

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.   

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.

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.

PES assessed expeditions begin

Today is the start of a week working for Bridgwater College on the assessed expeditions for the Level 2 and 3 Public Services students.

We travelled with the Level 2 students and one of the level 3 tutor groups to Exmoor today. The Level 2's taking part in an accompanied hillwalking day while I took the Level 3 group mountain biking.

My group started near the top of Dunkery Beacon taking in a 10.5 mile route back to Pool Bridge Campsite. 

With the rest of the day the students set up camp and started their camp fires. Gail managed to persuade the campsite owner to let us use the bell tent for staff so Max got the log burner going. 

Level 2 Public Services - Navigation Skills

 

 

 

Gail and I were out on the Quantock hills today with Level 2 Public Services students remotely supervising them walking a route to test their navigation skills.

 

The two groups were set an 8km loop starting from Dead Woman's Ditch. One going clockwise and the other anti-clockwise. All the students did really well and supported each other. Gail and I moved swiftly across the ground to spot check groups on route and also observe from a distance.

Remotely Supervising Public Services Students on the Quantock Hills

 

 

On Monday, Thursday and Friday of Last week I was back out on the Quantock Hills AONB with Gail and Dave from Bridgwater college. We were remotely supervising the Level 3 Public Services students during their last practical training session before their assessed expedition next month.

 

The students were tasked to walk a 12km route in small groups without the support of their tutors. We spot checked them at various points to assess their progress and question them on where they had been.

 

The weather was stunning for early March and we managed to get a couple of trail runs in as a way of moving quickly between the groups. Heading out cross country resulted in seeing a 20 strong heard of Red Deer in Slaughterhouse Combe.

 

Once we were happy with the students progress we found time to pop into the Combe House Hotel for a nice brew while waiting for the students to finish their routes.