Day 1 - Winter Skills on Aonach Mor

 

Quick briefing about the day, after we had got off the Gondola.

Learning how to stop ourselves if we ever got into the situation of sliding down a mountain.

Libby leading the way up the beginning of the mountain, using a zig-zag method.

The very steep climb on to the ridge

Learning how to secure our bags in the snow and later on, learning how to dig a snow hole for ourselves.

At the top of Aonach Mor, enjoying the view, learning about Cornices and the danger of them.

For our first day, the main objective was the learning valuable skills in order for us to be safe whilst climbing mountains. To start off, we began with testing our Crampons to experiment walking/running/jumping/hoping on different terrains and learnt how to handle and fit them safety. Next, at a steep slope with a large amount of snow, we learnt the skills of being able to stop ourselves in the case of ever slipping over on a mountain. This involved many fun slides down the slope on our backs, fronts and even rolling on our side. After that, we began the walk up Aonach Mor, where at the top enjoyed many beautiful views. It was a great start to the week!

Abi Smith (VI Form)

Long Migration North for Winter Mountaineering

Mr Jackson "shopping"

After over 16 hrs on the road, 6 VI Form students and 3 staff arrived in Fort William where Mr Starks was waiting with the kettle on. The rest of the morning was spent either in bed sleeping or in Morrisons sleeping (you know this means you Mr Jackson). The afternoon was spent watching the Rugby, looking at weather forecasts, leaning about sharp things (axes and crampons) and getting boots fitted. For practice some ofthis was done wearing goggles and gloves. After a nice meal cooked by Miss Starling and Mr Jackson, it was time to pack bags for tomorrow.

Year 7&8 PE and Senior Games Climbing

A busy day in the Outdoor Education Department.

This Morning Mr Brice took some of the Year 7 and 8 PE students for some kayaking in the Pool while Mr Jackson took the Outdoor Ed Land Rover to the garage for a pre Scotland health check.

This was the second lesson of kayaking for the PE students so we moved on to using paddles and learnt how to go forwards, backwards and stop as well as learning "sweep strokes" for turning on the spot. The students put these new skills into action with some team games and some games of tag.

This afternoon Mr Brice, Mr Jackson and Miss Gee took the senior games climbing group to 'THE BARN' climbing centre where some students top roped and led some routes while the majority worked on their technical movement skills on the bouldering wall.

Finally this evening Mr Brice took four CAS students over to the YMCA (Kitto Centre) for another session working with the special olympics. This project provides active opportunities for people with varying physical and mental disabilities. Our students play a positive part in the delivery of the activities which goes toward their service section.

Mr Brice

Year 7 & 8 do some Kayaking in PE

Year 7 & 8 girls PE groups continued the Outdoor Education part of PE today with a second kayaking session in the pool.
This week we had a look at the use of paddles; focusing on paddling forwards and backwards in a (hopefully) straight line and using "sweep strokes" to turn the kayaks on the spot.

10 Tors Training in the snow

Today teams were out on Dartmoor with 10 Tors Training. We should have been out over night but the prevailing conditions forced us to abandon the camping and just go with a day walk instead. I ended up with the boys from the 55m team who were good company throughout the walk. The day started off cold with snow showers but soon warmed up and turned to rain which got heavy around the time we returned to the car. There were 3 other teams out with other staff aswell, a 45m and 2 x 35m teams.

Mr G Starks (Head of Outdoor Education)

YOBS at Dart Rock

Today was the last round of the Youth Bouldering Series (YOBS) at Dart Rock. The two mixed teams we entered took first and second place in tonights events. 20 problems ranging from V0 - V5 set a challenge to all the teams with some problems repelling the majprity of the entrants. Well Done to all those that took part.

Mr G Starks (Head of Outdoor Education)

Dart Rocking Climbing

Another trip to Dart Rock today with the Wednesday afternoon games group. We now have 15 in this group doing a mixture of bouldering, top roping and leading. We went inside as it was sub zero outside but to be honest, it was no warmer.

Mr G Starks