Busy weekend for all the mountaineering associations!

Its been a busy weekend for all mountaineering associations. On Friday 21st, a meeting at Glenmore Lodge brought together representatives from  the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI), British Association of International Mountain Leaders (BAIML), British Association of Mountain Guides (BMG),  and Mountain Leader Training Association (MLTA) including their respective training officers. The main aim of the meeting was to share details of the training schemes that underpin association membership and to compare notes about continuing personal and professional development.  

MLT's Associations Collaboration Working Group viewing presentations

After a successful meeting, Paul Platt from(AMI) and myself headed over to Alan Kimber's bunkhouse to join a workshop entitled "Working the Ben"; discussing efficient link-ups and alternative itineries for various prevailing conditions. Based at the same accommodation are an MLTA workshop and the BMG winter training course, and up on Aonach More we bumped into a sales team training day for Mountain Equipment run by Plas y Brenin. All-in-all a highly social day for a wide cross-section of winter Mountaineering Instructors and Guides!


Climbing the Nid ridge on Aonach Mor



Sportscoach UK publishes reports on its vision for coaching

The vision for coaching within the UK is a constantly evolving picture. MLT is developing a coaching scheme specifically for climbers but it doesn't do any harm to look sideways. Here are a couple of reports you may find interesting.

Sports Coaching in the UK III sports coach UK has published Sports Coaching in the UK III. The report provides a high-level picture of the use of coaching, as well as an insight into the current coaching workforce and its key characteristics. To view the report please click here

sports coach UK's Coaching Children Action Plan: An Industry Approach sports coach UK’s Coaching Children Action Plan 2010–2013 seeks to develop a sustainable, child-centred approach to the delivery of coaching for children, recognising the needs of delivery partners within each country. It aims to provide solutions to some of the most pressing issues within children’s sport, bringing together all stakeholders and partners with a role to play in realising our vision; UK Coaching Excellence, enabling all children to follow their dreams, have fun and fulfil their potential. The Plan - which is a live document - was produced with the support of industry partners.  To view the plan please click here

Climbing wall action

Dave Turnbull and Elfyn Jones from the BMC

Last night at the Beacon climbing wall saw quite a big presence from BMC office staff. The photo shows gentle giant Dave Turnbull pulling hard on small holds on a route graded 7a at the Beacon - not known for its soft grading! The Beacon is named after the Marconi radio centre that occupied the original building, an historic landmark in the development of global communications. More recently the building gained a more colourful reputation as a strip joint before being brought respectability by the climbing community!

Interestingly enough Dave was seen providing some coaching advice for his young protogee. Perhaps we will see Dave signing up for the proposed coaching qualification next year?



4 seasons in a fortnight.

Calum Muskett climbing Devil's Appendix on Boxing Day

 Today is mild and wet in Snowdonia, but not long ago it was a very different story. Within a fortnight we've had off-piste skiing, rare ice-climbs in condition and also reasonable cragging weather. Bryn Williams was skiing in Chamonix before Christmas and I've recently returned from the British Mountain Guides in-service ski technique course, delivered by top Swiss coaches (or instructors?) from Leysin, Switzerland. Another opportunity to marvel at Swiss public transport with immaculate hourly service and connections even on New Year's Day. The photos show highlights from the Christmas break.

The Teasdales approaching the Devil's Kitchen crags

Sportscoach UK coaching workshops

Sportscoach UK are advertising what they describe as a "thought-provoking and exciting workshop" entitled 'Coaching the Whole Child: Positive Development Through Sport',  that will allow coaches to reconsider the emphasis of their coaching and make a positive impact on the children they're coaching as a result.

Outcomes: By attending this workshop coaches will be able to:

• improve the development of all their children
• make a positive impact on their children and enhance their experience
• help their children realise their full potential
• develop their coaching to incorporate positive youth development into their sessions.

Check it out at: www.sportscoachuk.org/workshops.php