mountainguides.co.uk

THE LAKE DISTRICT was the birthplace of Rock Climbing in Britain, and it remains one of the country's - if not Europe's - best known locations - a perfect place for a rock climbing course. There are many traditional climbs on high mountain crags, along with dozens of smaller outcrops and in recent years, a new wave of development mostly by Langdale's Dave Birkett, has provided climbs as difficult as anywhere in the world.

The Lake District is in fact easy to get to from most parts of the country, with a good rail link to Windermere or Penrith and the M6 passing close by. The quality of the landscape is internationally famous, and you can always be assured of a great view! Our courses are based in the central Lakes, so you can stay anywhere in the Ambleside/Grasmere area, but other locations such as Keswick, Ullswater and Langdale are equally suitable. Climbing locations for each day are carefully chosen taking into account the weather and the group. If the weather in the mountains is bad, Cumbria has lots of sandstone and limestone outcrops ringing the edge of the fells, so it's often possible to get some good climbing in even if the general weather is poor.

The main locations used for Lake District rock climbing courses are Langdale, which has superb beginners multi pitch climbs such as Middlefell Buttress, Borrowdale and Patterdale.

DATES AND PRICES
introduction to Rock Climbing - suitable for beginners and those with a little experience
Weekend Courses - Every Weekend: £170pp Max ratio 1:4
5 Day Introduction Courses - 3-7 April; 29 May-2 June; 17-21 July; 14-18 August;  (All 2010)  £425pp  Max Ratio 1:4

Intermediate Course - ideal for learning to lead climb or multi-pitch climbing
Weekend Courses - every weekend: £190pp 1:2 Ratio
3/4/5 Day courses by arrangement - any start date: ££470pp  1:2 Ratio

Prices include instruction, use of specialist gear, ropes etc, local transport if required.

To book a course, you can  telephone 01931 713115 or email John White at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

ACCOMMODATION: is widely available in the Lake District - everything from B&B's to top Hotels, Camp Sites and Youth Hostels. Rather than provide a long list - simply contact me with the type of accommodation you are wanting and I'll be happy to make some suggestions. Highpoint also have use of self-catering accommodation at Howes Beck, Bampton which sleeps 4 - please ask for details.

GENERAL
Our popular and good-value climbing courses will equip you with the right mix of skills and judgement for whatever type or standard of climb you wish to tackle. Take advantage of unique skills training from world-class climbers such as Dave Birkett and from instructors such as John White, Richard Bailey and Dave Bishop, who can mix high levels of instructional ability with huge amounts of personal climbing experience. You’ll find us friendly, enthusiastic and safe. All instructors carry liability insurance and are qualified to a minimum of the MLTB single pitch award. Most are MIA/MIC holders. What sets our instructors apart is the huge amount of personal experience and knowledge they each have at their disposal. Highpoint hold an AALA license for the provision of Rock Climbing.

In order to climb as safely as possible and to maximise your potential, good basic techniques are essential. We can help you to improve your personal climbing ability, and equally importantly, give you the ropework, belaying and anchoring skills, which help make climbing a safer sport. We can also show you how to use guidebooks and interpret the grading system, how to choose which crags to climb on and select routes to suit your ability.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED
Equipment Review and Selection/Ropes and Harnesses:
Belaying:
Anchors:
Leading Skills:
Climbing Techniques: 
Bouldering .
Abseiling:
Using Guidebooks and Route Selection:
Access and Conservation Issues:
Exact content is tailored to course members

EQUIPMENT All specialist equipment is provided and included in the course fee, however, you are encouraged to use any gear you have of your own. You’ll need helmet, harness, rock boots, belay plate with screwgate carabiner, plus any leading rack/slings etc you have .We prefer you the have your own rock boots as the fit is very precise. Please note if you are a beginner purchasing rock boots for the first time, be careful not to get too tight a fit. Otherwise, please let us know if you have any of your own equipment. Apart from climbing gear, you will need footwear suitable for crag approaches - trainers or boots - and loose fitting clothing, preferably not cotton as if it gets wet it absorbs much water. Also, some wind/waterproofs are advisable. Please also bring a packed lunch, rucksack and any personal gear you need.

PRIVATE GUIDING

Guiding can be arranged in any part of the country or abroad, for individuals or groups. You can use a guide to climb specific routes, or as a way of undertaking a course/instruction for an individual or small group - see Private Guiding page on main menu.

BAD WEATHER,CANCELLATION AND INSURANCE