OUTDOOR ROCK CLIMBING AND ABSEILING
Climbing is an exhilarating sport which is open to all abilities and fitness levels; whether you are just starting out and want a taster session to give it a try under the reassuringly watchful eye of a qualified instructor, or are an experienced climber looking to improve the efficiency of your movement to enable you to tackle harder routes, we can tailor the session to meet your needs.
Climb Indoors or Outdoors First?
Rock climbing outdoors is an excellent and vastly popular sport in its own right, and indoor climbing experience whilst beneficial, is not a prerequisite to climbing outside. That said, we would generally recommend climbing indoors for your first experience, as you are in a less intimidating environment, with a greater range of climbs for all abilities, also you will get maximum climbing time from your session which is an excellent way to quickly develop your skills and abilities.
Climbing outdoors means that you can use any bit of rock to help you, no need to follow a set route like indoors. This freedom adds a new level of challenge, as you have to learn to interpret the rock and how you can use it, not just looking for 'the next blue'. What you lose in the ameneties of an indoor venue, you certainly gain in the sense of adventure of climbing on real rock and the memorable achievement of 'topping out' on your first climb. So whilst the indoor wall provides a gentle intro, remember people were climbing outside hundreds of years before anyone 'brought the outside inside'; so if you have an adventurous spirit get out there.
Climbing outdoors means that you can use any bit of rock to help you, no need to follow a set route like indoors. This freedom adds a new level of challenge, as you have to learn to interpret the rock and how you can use it, not just looking for 'the next blue'. What you lose in the ameneties of an indoor venue, you certainly gain in the sense of adventure of climbing on real rock and the memorable achievement of 'topping out' on your first climb. So whilst the indoor wall provides a gentle intro, remember people were climbing outside hundreds of years before anyone 'brought the outside inside'; so if you have an adventurous spirit get out there.
Top roping at the crag
How Outdoor climbing works
Climbs are typically a known 'line' or route up a natural rock wall, and are known and identified by the use of climbing guidebooks which identify and describe the route and the climbing grade (difficulty). Every climb is unique as the the weathering of the rock will have created a pattern like nowhere else, and even the same route can change over the years with erosion, and sometimes on an hourly basis or less in case of changable weather!
For safety the routes are protected by a rope from the top of the climb to which the climber is attached and the climber is 'belayed' up the climb. Belaying is the process by which the slack rope is taken in tight as the climber ascends and safeguards against the climber falling. Depending on the style of climbing to be undertaken, you will be top or bottom roped.
In 'top roped' situations the instructor will be at the top of the cliff in which case you will attempt to climb up to the wall to meet them at the 'top out' and they will take in the rope from above you as you climb. In a bottom roped situation the belayer will be on the ground at the bottom of the wall and will be taking in your rope from there. However the rope will be running from the climber to a secure connection or 'anchor point' at the top of the wall (the instructor will have set this up for the task) and then to the belayer...a bit like a pulley system. And like a pulley system, when the climber reaches the top they get lowered back to the floor by the belayer.
For safety the routes are protected by a rope from the top of the climb to which the climber is attached and the climber is 'belayed' up the climb. Belaying is the process by which the slack rope is taken in tight as the climber ascends and safeguards against the climber falling. Depending on the style of climbing to be undertaken, you will be top or bottom roped.
In 'top roped' situations the instructor will be at the top of the cliff in which case you will attempt to climb up to the wall to meet them at the 'top out' and they will take in the rope from above you as you climb. In a bottom roped situation the belayer will be on the ground at the bottom of the wall and will be taking in your rope from there. However the rope will be running from the climber to a secure connection or 'anchor point' at the top of the wall (the instructor will have set this up for the task) and then to the belayer...a bit like a pulley system. And like a pulley system, when the climber reaches the top they get lowered back to the floor by the belayer.
Already a climber?
Whether you are a bit rusty at climbing outdoors or only ever climbed indoors we can give your climbing (and belaying if required!) an MOT, coaching a range of movement skills and efficient climbing techniques to move you on from where you are at present and even have a look at developing into placing protection and ghost leading.
We can either work an individualised session or a development session for a group. The session is based around you and will be tailored to suit your needs and ambitions.
We can either work an individualised session or a development session for a group. The session is based around you and will be tailored to suit your needs and ambitions.
New to climbing?
All you need is a basic level of fitness and a willingness to give it a go, there are usually climbs for all abilities. We can provide hit hire if required (helmet, harness and belay device), we are also able to advise on suitable kit to purchase if required.
Abseiling
There are few times in a climbing situation when you are forced to test your equipment and your mettle as much as an abseil, where you are in control of your own descent of a rope. This can be a good way to finish off a session, for individual development or simply as a stand alone session for a group. Abseiling may not be available at all venues, please check with us in advance if you wish to do this activity.
Quality instruction and guiding since 2012
Working in the sublime Scottish highlands and islands, we offer a variety of high quality hill, mountain, climbing and wilderness focused adventurous activities and training throughout Scotland.
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