Mountaineering Instructor Certificate Assessment… PASS!

A short post from me today, but just to say that after a busy season of work and personal climbing, much practise and preparation, I went to and passed my Mountaineering Instructor Certificate assessment, the highest instructional qualification in the UK.

Overall, the week went pretty smoothly, although as with every assessment, there was very little opportunity to switch off over the four days, but it was great to be in with 6 other enthusiastic candidates, all of whom were very supportive towards one another, and helped lighten the mood throughout the assessment.   Whilst winter had completely left most of the UK, Ben Nevis proved reliable as ever, and throughout the week I climbed Good Friday Climb, which was in great condition with only one slightly thin section, a very enjoyable Gardyloo Gully, complete with an ice tunnel behind the huge chockstone, North Gully, which now has an interesting but very short mixed section, No. 2. Gully, which was in perfect nick, with great opportunities to teach various rock and ice belays, and finally No. 3 Gully, with a steeper exit pitch to the left.  We even climbed through the cloud inversion on two of the days, and were left standing on the summit of the Ben in brilliant blue skies and sunshine!  Tower Scoop, Comb Gully Buttress, Smith’s Route, Cascades and Expert’s Choice were all still being climbed.

I’ve still got a few more days of winter worked lined up for the forthcoming week, but thoughts are definitely moving towards the rock climbing season, which I must admit I’m looking forward to now!