Winter Training Teaches Students To Keep Their Cool
13 February 2012
Buxton students received expert climbing tuition on the slopes of the Nevis Range in Scotland
The week in Scotland was fantastic. I came away from all of the practical training knowing I could tackle those kinds of conditions by myself.
”Tim Hobby, 24, a final year Outdoor Activities Management BA (Hons) degree student
Students with a desire for working in the great outdoors have battled the most extreme weather the UK can throw at them as they learned technical winter skills in the Highlands of Scotland, then put their group safety abilities to the test in the gorges of North Wales.
The groups of University of Derby Buxton Outdoor Activity and Adventure Tourism degree students undertook the two trips during the sub-zero temperatures and snow of the recent winter spell.
During the trip to the Highlands of Scotland they developed their proficiency in climber's crampon use ascending the challenging Nevis Range near Fort William in Scotland, which includes the UK's highest peak, Ben Nevis. There they learned how to traverse and lead parties over steep ground in icy conditions.
The party then progressed onto the slopes of the range's Stob Coire nan Lochan, where they tackled the Dorsal Arête ridge route in full winter conditions, receiving coaching in ice climbing from one of the top climbers in the world, Andy Turner.
Tim Hobby, 24, a final year Outdoor Activities Management BA (Hons) degree student, from Knighton in Mid-Wales said: "The week in Scotland was fantastic. I came away from all of the practical training knowing I could tackle those kinds of conditions by myself. Being taught by Andy Turner, who has experienced every kind of climbing environment possible was a real highlight."
Tiffany Littler, 21, from Whaley Bridge who is also in the final year of her Outdoor Activities Management degree added: "Watching the ways our instructors led our party through difficult terrain and weather conditions was really useful.
"Then getting the chance to use the different leadership styles that we learnt about in a classroom based module in a real outdoor environment, especially a harsh Scottish winter one, was a great experience."
"I also work at Stockport's indoor climbing wall - Awesome Walls - and will be able to use some of my new skills there, in a far warmer environment though!"
University Programme Leader, Peter Gilliver, said: "Practical trips like these are a vital part of these outdoor programmes, equipping our students with the skills they'll need when they begin working in some extreme environments.
"The weather was perfect in its nature for our students to really test themselves and their new found skills."
A group also visited North Wales to ascend the Afon Du gorge to experience the challenging rope crossing and waterfall above its deepest pool. The objectives were to look at the hazards associated with leading a group into such an environment.
Led by their lecturer, Nicola Taylor, who is herself an experienced mountain instructor and accomplished climber, the team explored the costal cliffs of Ynys Mon in Anglesey. Here they learnt how to manage a group traversing the cliffs at sea level, crossing over clefts by rope and climbing un-roped above crashing waves.
For more information about Outdoor Activity and Adventure Tourism degrees at the University of Derby Buxton visit www.derby.ac.uk/udb
