As I approach the four-month mark of moving to the Lake District to work in the outdoors this seems a good moment to reflect on a whirlwind couple of months!
Before the move, friends kept asking about my ‘new job’ and then looked confused as I explained I didn’t quite know what I’d be doing in the Lakes…
I did have three clear goals for the first few months: (i) qualify as a rock climbing instructor (RCI), (ii) train to be a mountaineering instructor (MCI), and (iii) build up my network of contacts across the Lakes outdoor instructor community. Oh, and go climbing and walking lots!
It turns out none of these were easy.
Qualifying as a rock climbing instructor – although I have a wealth of experience climbing in a range of exciting locations over the past quarter century, six months ago I would still very much be classed as a ‘recreational climber’. Could I clearly explain to a beginner how to tie into a rope and belay safely? Nope! Could I set up a safety line on an abseil? Nope! Could I think on my feet when a group session doesn’t pan out as expected? Well, yes to this one, but the others are things I have not had to think about for many years. The myriad of skills and decisions needed to safely navigate a day in the mountains had become second nature – I was used to climbing with experienced people, journeying as equals, and enjoying a shared adventure. Stripping it back to the basics and identifying how to give beginners a fun (and safe) day out has been really rewarding. I have explored new crags, and there has been plenty of joy as people with no previous experience of climbing have discovered the simple pleasure of moving on rock.
Training to be a mountaineering instructor – this was the one I was worried about… I was carrying a few injuries and the 9-day training course, based at Glenmore Lodge in Scotland, was renowned for being pretty full-on, both physically and mentally. Nervous but excited, I headed to breakfast on day one. As we introduced ourselves round the table someone asked, ‘Do you work here?’ – at least I looked the part! It turns out I had nothing to worry about: with one other person on the course, and a host of fantastic, friendly instructors, the course was a fun-filled, tailor-made week of training in all the skills I will need to keep others safe in the mountains. Nine different destinations, all in glorious sunshine (ok, one brief downpour), and a relaxed atmosphere that made it super-easy to ask questions and seek feedback. My injuries held up (I notified the course director in advance, and they were great at checking in and offering to adapt sessions if necessary) and I drove back from Scotland buzzing with the prospect of earning my keep by guiding people on sunny mountain crags every day! [the course was in June, which was glorious, unlike the rest of the summer…]
Networking – a word that fills many with dread! I knew I wanted to help people explore the Lake District and develop the skills they need to become independent climbers or hill walkers, but I didn’t really know where to start – who else was working in this area and where did I fit in? I started small. A priority for this summer was to consolidate the skills I had learnt on the course in Scotland, so I contacted a couple of instructors who had delivered my RCI training course, asking if I could shadow them in their work as an MCI. They have been fantastic (thank you Esther and Sam) at sharing their knowledge, introducing me to other instructors (who have in turn introduced me to other instructors…), and passing on a little bit of work when they have been over-subscribed. There are many others, too numerous to mention, who have helped me as I start on this journey. Everyone has been really friendly, encouraging, and patient as I ask ‘newbie’ questions, including ‘what do you do when it rains?’ [don’t worry, there are many answers to this question]
Getting out climbing and walking – weather and injuries have put paid to some of my plans for this summer, but looking back at my logbook from the past few months gives me a warm glow as I recall opportunities grabbed and adventures shared with new friends. There have been wet and windy days scrambling in Wasdale, but also plenty of sunny days on the crags of Langdale, Borrowdale and Coniston. I have sussed out the best parking spots, identified which routes will work well with clients (and several that clearly won’t!), and am grateful to all the friends who have acted as guinea pigs as I practice the skills learnt on MCI training. The next few weeks are looking exciting – I’ll be providing safety support for a mountain race, supporting a weekend of climbing for visually impaired people, and running a ‘trad problem solving’ day for the Women’s Climbing Symposium – then we are into autumn. I’m looking forward to changing focus and heading out to explore some of the quieter corners of the Lake District – will you join me?
