Steep Ground

Back to where it all began today - a Mountain Leader training course in Langdale....... except this time I was being carefully observed as I helped to deliver the steep ground module - woohoo.
Thankfully the group was small (3+1) and keen, though with quite a mix of ability and confidence. We worked on personal movement a lot - if you can't keep you safe then you're unlikely to be able to keep others safe or to inspire confidence, and by the end of the day good progress had been made and each trainee had a selection of personal learning points. We even got them all to walk across the handrail of the bridge (a trust exercise - don't do this please!) on the way back down.

It's not often in my journal that the view gets relegated to extras*, but Stickle Ghyll was properly exciting today  - so obviously we needed to explore and find the learning opportunities. You could tell which three of us work in the outdoors as we had kit that (mostly) kept us dry - but as the heavens opened every hour and then the sun shone it was the sort of day where moist became the norm.

The trainees quickly learnt that when asked "where wouldn't you want to go?" that was where we'd head. Showing them that safe simple systems, good personal skills and developing a strong understanding of the Position of Maximum Effectiveness equips them to redefine their own boundaries is one of the quickest tools for self awareness and personal growth I know. It's also a lot of fun.

* for a sense of scale there are walkers on the path, top right in the view in extras