Autumn Rock

Calum, Lizzie and I spent a weekend of dry and warm weather climbing at Dunkeld and Traprain Law. We revised loads of Trad climbing skills – placing nuts and cams, building anchors, abseiling routes and getting off crags safely. By the end of the weekend, both Calum and Lizzie were able to lead routes, and […]

Read more "Autumn Rock"

Knotting slings and using them as lanyards – is it safe?

(Update of a post I made in 2011) I made the mistake recently of posting on UKClimbing.com. There had been some discussion about multi-pitch belays, and this deviated to someone posting about sling strength, and quoting DMM’s testing of sling strength. It’s worth watching the DMM video:   https://dmmclimbing.com/Knowledge/June-2010/How-to-Break-Nylon-Dyneema®-Slings ) My interpretation of this was […]

Read more "Knotting slings and using them as lanyards – is it safe?"

Ready to Rock

I’ve been working with Mountaineering Scotland to deliver their new Ready to Rock courses. On Sunday, Michael, Michael, Iain, Ali, Chris, Gonzalo along with Alan and myself met at a scorching  Traprain Law to cover the basics of trad climbing. We looked at the Crag environment – environmental considerations and looking after yourself. Guide books […]

Read more "Ready to Rock"