Lead climbing and problem solving at Meikle Partans

Sarah was back for more yesterday with her Mum Anne.  We spent the day at Meikle Partans (a fantastic granite crag north of Aberdeen).  The aim for the day was to consolidate on the lead climbing skills we look at the previous week and push in some more thoughts about gear placement and tactics on the climb.  Belayer safety was also a topic of conversation.

Sarah leading Jug Wall (Diff)*.

Ready for action.

Sarah half way up Constellation (Severe)**.

Nearing the awkward top out.

The mass of climbing the girls undertook was broken up by discussions and practice of some common problems; their solution and the all important avoidance of them all together.  Examples of the problems we looked at ranged from a 2nd climbing past a runner, a stuck or injured 2nd and the nasty unconscious leader or second on a long traverse.  Within this some key knots and practices were looked at providing a more simple way to get to grips with all the ropework. After all having ten solutions in your mind is only any use if you know how to work with the kit you have!

Tying off the belay plate.