2-day scrambling course on the Rydal trip, covering using ropes and moving as a group. In the first day we learnt how to use ropes, how to tie knots and different body positions to help other people. We did two small scrambles near Coniston Old Man and Yew Pike, though we didn’t finish the latter due to bad weather.

On the second day, we practised scrambling on Jack’s Rake.

The instructors were well organised, patient and experienced; although some participants thought there wasn’t enough practice during the 2 days, and that perhaps 2 days was too short.

Everyone got to try all the different positions — leading, being in the middle and being the last person. We did a couple of different scrambles, none of which were particularly challenging, which left plenty of time and energy to focus on things like doing knots right and repeating things we didn’t get the first time around.

“If you think climbing is difficult and dangerous, you will change your mind, with confidence.”

One participant suggested that participants with basic climbing experience would be better suited to the course if they wish to confidently lead after the second day.

Winter skills course in March 2015, led by Nineonesix Guiding, in Scotland.

On the first of our three days we headed up above the snowline to learn how to stay upright on steep, snowy ground — kicking and cutting steps, ice axe usage and then walking with crampons — followed by some self-arresting. Sufficiently soaked, we put our skills to the test and climbed the ridge onto our first Munroe, Aonach Mor, with great views across to Ben Nevis. The next day took us to Glen Coe where we learned some rope skills, including how to abseil with a snow anchor and belay with a snow bucket and ice axe. Our reward on the last day with a traverse of the second half of the CMD Arete which was a great way to consolidate and bag another Munroe on Carn Mor.

Basics of 1st aid in outdoor environment, suitable for beginners. The course mostly focused on the DR ABC method and equipped us with a good set of skills to deal with the major sources of accident that could happen during a walk with CUHWC. The following topics were covered, in terms of diagnosis and first treatment: cardiac arrest, concussion, fractures, compression, stroke, heart attack, anaphylactic shock, asthma, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, shock, spinal injury, internal chest wound, epileptic seizures, hypothermia, faint, hypoglycaemia.

The course knew its limits. Scenarios were useful. Outdoor-focussed — it didn’t assume we’d have all the facilities and equipment likely to be found in civilised areas. It rained!

An excellent opportunity for those involved to either brush up their skills or to learn from nothing! The instructor (Angie) was good and allowed the content to be skewed slightly to what was most useful for us as hillwalkers. She had good war stories.

One of the attendees specifically took the course after a trip where they helped someone with a head injury on Haystacks; they now feel prepared for more, and would recommend it to all hillwalkers.