Autumn so far..

Things usually slow down a bit for us this time of year, but it has been a pretty busy Autumn really! We started off with a couple of weeks work for Wet and High Adventures, working with MOD engineering apprentices from Bridgwater College. This time our venue was Exmoor, an area I’d never been to before, so it was great to explore a new place and work with some lovely groups… We walked, mountain  biked and kayaked, concentrating on team building and personal development, all very enjoyable!

Walking exped in Exmoor...

Walking exped in Exmoor…

I’ve been spending a fair bit of time working at the Haverfordwest climbing wall too, handy to escape the rain! It’s been a fun mix of route setting, utilising my RSA level 2, and also coaching the youth team as well as some introductory courses…

Route setting at the Haverfordwest climbing wall

Route setting at the Haverfordwest climbing wall

We had an RCI Assessment running, and the weather played ball big time! We had a day in the sun at Wolfs Rocks on day 1, then a morning inside avoiding the rain at the Llanion Cove Climbing Wall on day 2. After it had cleared we spent the afternoon at Newton Head. The candidates were strong so I had an easy weekend!

Lead climbing in Pembrokeshire during an RCI Assessment Course

Lead climbing in Pembrokeshire during an RCI Assessment Course

This time of year thoughts often turn to going on courses myself, to further my own knowledge and keep a strong ethos of Continual Professional Development in my own practise. Working a lot with groups of youngsters in remote locations across the globe, it made total sense to upskill myself from a Mental Health point of view. Spending a month away with people, different issues can arise, and course that Stu Skinner from Changing Horizons delivered for World Challenge has definitely given me a greater knowledge on how to deal with possible situations…

Mental Health first aid course

Mental Health first aid course

I then had the pleasure to spend a few days in Snowdonia with my World Challenge team for next year, we’re heading to Rolwaling, so it was ace to get them in the hills and teach them some skills ahead of the trip… We had amazing weather for a tour of the Glyderau and the team all coped well with some physical days!

Snowdonia views for miles....

Snowdonia views for miles….

More indoor work and some coasteering rounded up the last month, now getting excited for more Mountain fun and getting training for the coming winter!