| Single Pitch Award
Training (SPA)
What is the SPA Award?The course is designed
to prepare potential leaders for leading groups of any age
in the mountains of the UK in summer conditions.
IT IS NOT AN INTRODUCTION TO HILLWALKING FOR BEGINNERS,
OR SIMPLY A PERSONAL SKILLS TRAINING COURSE.
Before you register make sure you can answer yes to the following
questions:
1: Are you at least 18 years old?
2: Do you have a genuine interest in taking people
climbing on Single Pitch Crags?
3: Do you have at least 12 months rock climbing outdoors?
4: Have you led at least 20 routes, outdoors &
using leader placed protection?
SPA Course Format
All MTLE courses follow the same format: 1) registration for
the award and fulfillment of pre-requirements 2) undertake
a training course (or you can apply to MLTE for exemption
from training) 3) gain suitable personal and group leadership
experience 4) attend an assessment course 5) continue to gain
personal and group experience.
At training you will learn such skills as leading a route
with a novice (NOT teaching leading), different ways to set
up and attach to anchors, good practice for personal climbing,
correct use of a variety of equipment and belay devices, personal
abseiling, bouldering and use of walls, top and bottom roping
with groups, group abseils, emergency procedures and equipment,
access and conservation etc.
At assessment you will be asked to demonstrate both the skills
leaned on training and those learned from personal experience,
plus have a valid 1st aid award and a fully completed log
book.
Mountain Activities normally runs training or assessment
courses from Friday night to Sunday afternoon, or similar.
SPA Training
Requirements: You must register with Mountain
Leader Training England (MLTE), or one of the other UK mountain
training boards. This is the new name for the Mountain Leader
Training Board (MLTB), but the courses remain unchanged. You
can contact them on 01690 720 314, or try www.mlte.org for
online information and registration. In addition to the requirements
for attending (above), you will need to be self-sufficient
for personal rock climbing equipment, e.g. climbing boots,
harness, rack, rope & helmet. You will also need suitable
outdoor clothing to cope with anything from sun to storms.
Other Information: We normally contact candidates
to try to arrange lift sharing wherever possible. Some specialist
equipment is provided; certain items are available for loan
if required.
SPA Assessment
Requirements: Completion of a training course
(or gain exemption from training), acceptable 1st aid award,
completion of logbook requirements.
Other Information: A list of candidates
will be circulated before the course to enable lift sharing
from the South to be arranged. Candidates are expected to
be self sufficient for all gear, including group set up kit
(you do not need lots of spare harnesses etc.) Normally a
group of novices, often children, are provided for the group
climbing session on the Sunday.
Dates and Prices -
For More Information Please contact us if
you require any more information about these courses.
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