On the back of last years successful traditional Swanage climbing courses we ran in partnership with the British Mountaineering Council (BMC Ready to Rock) and the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI). We’re pleased to offer further Swanage climbing courses this year!

The Swanage BMC Ready to Rock climbing courses are open to anyone who has an interest in Traditional climbing and expanding their climbing knowledge for some safer adventures in the future.

Want to know more? Read on.

‘We had a real mix of people from the south, from a passionate 9yr old lad accompanied by his parents, to people who were interested in starting down the instructor route.’ – Director Eddy Young on last years’ clients.

So what do BMC Traditional Climbing Courses entail?

The professional mountain instructor will help you learn a variety of new skills. From working on existing skills that need polishing up, and will take into account the individual skill levels of everyone within the group to ensure that everyone gets the most out of the session.

Here’s what happened on last years course.

As soon as you park up for your Swanage climbing course, you’re overlooking the beautiful Purbecks. Here we examined all the different types of equipment, ropes, helmets, rock protection etc. and explained their correct use.  Rucksacks loaded, we headed towards the cliffs ready to start our day of climbing.

After a short, but aesthetically pleasing walk to the top of the cliffs, we talked through anchor selection and building belays. We explained the reason for each, and included some of the science behind the processes. We also looked into the setting up of abseils.

After the abseil was set up we had a chat about the safest way to abseil down, including how to manage other less experienced people on the abseil, before all abseiling down the cliff.

Once the group were all at the base of the cliff, we looked at lead climbing, route selection and the effects of the sea. Then it was time to put it all into practice as we headed back to the top of the cliff.

The instructors also provided some basic principles for climbers to follow when faced with an emergency situation.

Overall, the group did amazingly, and had all remembered the tips given to them by the climbing instructors.

One of Young’s Adventure Solutions values is to respect the playground mother nature gives us. We made sure that as well as having fun climbing, that we all examined what makes an environmentally responsible climber.

Finally, a major shout out to James Mchaffie of the BMC for liaising with everyone involved to help us to get this all arranged. Thanks James!

Keep your eyes peeled for our next BMC/AMI traditional climbing courses being run in Dorset this summer. We will have 8 spaces per course. The climbing courses are open to all levels of skill and experience. All of us can learn something new or re-learn something old.

To book this years courses, click here.

Review by Paul, who took the course in 2017:

 ‘This was an excellent introduction to trad climbing. I learnt how to set up a belay anchor and the basics of lead climbing. Eddy is very knowledgeable and takes the time to answer all your questions. It was fun and great value’.