Climbing Courses

Broadly, rock climbing is climbing steep-angled rock using a mixture of balance, strength and frequently considerable guile, usually with ropes for protection.

The skills needed vary considerably depending on the type of rock.

Smooth featureless slabs need balance, trust in your footwork and, since there are few opportunities for placing protective runners, much belief in your own ability.

Steep, overhanging rock demands not only arm strength but also the technique to leverage power from the rest of your body. Rapid, intuitive decision-making is essential to make progress before strength runs out.

You can seek out routes that fully test your skills of mental calm or athleticism; or instead may choose a climb for its beauty or its atmosphere — a long, remote route in the mountains, or a dramatic sea-cliff climb — or just one that's close to the café.

Scrambling lies somewhere between walking and rock climbing. It's a form of mountaineering which seeks out steep and exposed situations, away from paths and associated crowds.

Many mountain walks incorporate sections of grade 1 scrambling, and grade 3 scrambles may include sections of rock climbing.

Scrambles will often be part of a longer mountain day — a more interesting way to a summit, or a bit of extra adventure.

Good walking boots, rather than rock climbing shoes, are normally sufficient to scramble with. Some scrambles will need ropes to protect a party over more difficult or exposed ground.

Mountaineering is a broad term, and on this site I'm using it to describe those aspects of climbing and walking that don't require ropes.

In some ways this kind of mountaineering is the most pure. Clutter-free, you choose the pace, direction, length and demands of the route, and generally there is freedom to change plans on the spur of the moment.

A mountaineering trip might be anything from a day spent climbing to a summit to a five day wild-camping adventure traversing a Scottish mountain range.