F
Frog
Guest
Last weekend I ventured down to the mendips with mates Tony and Ian to do a rigging course with Andy Sparrow. Having previously done the SRT course with Andy I knew this would be a great weekend.
We met Saturday morning at the Wessex Caving Club and as it was raining the decision was made to practice knots and rigging inside till the weather cleared. Being a 'knot phobic' I was amazed that Andy managed to teach me various knots in a short space of time and we proceeded to rig a traverse along the coat hooks getting strange looks from other cavers passing through! Once we had perfected this skill I was volunteered to be tied to the window on cows tails to perform various manouvers. More strange looks!
After lunch at the Hunters we ventured down Hunters Hole and each took turns rigging different pitches and a traverse under Andys watchful eye. This was great fun until Andy wanted me to lean out on my cows tails to adjust my knots. I flatly refused and clung faithfully to a very nice rock. Andy decided to encourage me by kicking my foot off its precarious foothold! Strange as it may seem this did actually encourage me to let go of the rock and lean out (accompanied by some colourful language from me) but once I was supported on the cows tails I was fine and proceeded with no problems. I think we all received a massive confidence boost from rigging and using our own pitches and getting used to using the cows tails to support us when having to lean out.
Sunday morning was spent on the frame with me once again being volunteered to throw myself off the top with my knees knocking so much everyone was in hysterics laughing. However, this was quite safe as I was fastened to my descender to practice the art of re-belays and deviations.
We then took our new found knowledge to Split Rock where Ian was volunteered to rig the first line and demonstrate rigging re-belays on his way down. Next it was Tonys turn to ascend this line passing the re-belays and taking another rope up so he could rig a different route down.
Then it was my turn. I ascended the first rope and passed and de-rigged the first two re-belays. As I got higher I was getting a bit tired and my mind started playing tricks on me making me a bit nervous. Andy re-assured me that if I got stuck he would rescue me. The thought crossed my mind that I hadnt paid him yet so of course he would rescue me!
The decision was made by me not to proceed to the top so I did a changeover and descended to rig a re-belay on the way down.
Tony and Ian had great fun swinging around and rigging deviations.
We all learnt a hell of a lot over the weekend and I think we all have much more confidence in our abilities.
Andy is an excellent instructor who knows how to get the best out of people and I would recommend his courses to anyone whether a complete beginner or someone wanting to build on their exisitng skills.
We are planning to do the rescue course with Andy next year and I have already been volunteered to be the 'victim'.
We met Saturday morning at the Wessex Caving Club and as it was raining the decision was made to practice knots and rigging inside till the weather cleared. Being a 'knot phobic' I was amazed that Andy managed to teach me various knots in a short space of time and we proceeded to rig a traverse along the coat hooks getting strange looks from other cavers passing through! Once we had perfected this skill I was volunteered to be tied to the window on cows tails to perform various manouvers. More strange looks!
After lunch at the Hunters we ventured down Hunters Hole and each took turns rigging different pitches and a traverse under Andys watchful eye. This was great fun until Andy wanted me to lean out on my cows tails to adjust my knots. I flatly refused and clung faithfully to a very nice rock. Andy decided to encourage me by kicking my foot off its precarious foothold! Strange as it may seem this did actually encourage me to let go of the rock and lean out (accompanied by some colourful language from me) but once I was supported on the cows tails I was fine and proceeded with no problems. I think we all received a massive confidence boost from rigging and using our own pitches and getting used to using the cows tails to support us when having to lean out.
Sunday morning was spent on the frame with me once again being volunteered to throw myself off the top with my knees knocking so much everyone was in hysterics laughing. However, this was quite safe as I was fastened to my descender to practice the art of re-belays and deviations.
We then took our new found knowledge to Split Rock where Ian was volunteered to rig the first line and demonstrate rigging re-belays on his way down. Next it was Tonys turn to ascend this line passing the re-belays and taking another rope up so he could rig a different route down.
Then it was my turn. I ascended the first rope and passed and de-rigged the first two re-belays. As I got higher I was getting a bit tired and my mind started playing tricks on me making me a bit nervous. Andy re-assured me that if I got stuck he would rescue me. The thought crossed my mind that I hadnt paid him yet so of course he would rescue me!
The decision was made by me not to proceed to the top so I did a changeover and descended to rig a re-belay on the way down.
Tony and Ian had great fun swinging around and rigging deviations.
We all learnt a hell of a lot over the weekend and I think we all have much more confidence in our abilities.
Andy is an excellent instructor who knows how to get the best out of people and I would recommend his courses to anyone whether a complete beginner or someone wanting to build on their exisitng skills.
We are planning to do the rescue course with Andy next year and I have already been volunteered to be the 'victim'.
