Author Archives: Terrance

Off to Arco this week for some sun and hot rock! Pictures to follow!

We are just back from a great weekend in north Donegal. We had a couple of nights camping and a day messing around on Cruit Island. Cruit is so cool with amazing beaches and some great climbing around the coast. Shame the weather broke on Monday but what can you expect in MAY!

Off to Kerry now for 2 days of ML1 training. Weather doesnt look great so more soggy feet..

We have just finished another REC2 first aid with our friend and REC instructor Baggy Richards. As always we had hazardous wheelie bins, car accidents, inprovised rescue’s and evacuations. Thanks Baggy for keeping us entertained and providing a great course.

Well last week started with a great group from Lucan Community school who completed a 2 day Gaisce. Then we helped out on the IMC intro course.. Then a 2 day Mountain Skills Assessment.. Then a CWA workshop for the new climbing wall award… Then.. 2 more days of Mountain Skills Assessments and finally a REC 2 first aid course with our friend Baggy and a Site Specific climbing wall training.. phheeewwwww…I need a holiday!

A few of us went out yesterday despite the poor forecast and cold winds and headed to Annalecka Buttress where Terrance (One of our regular senior staff) has done some sterling work putting up new routes and cleaning up the crag. Well Piotr managed to spot an obvious line we had all missed and led “There’s always a first”. Check out http://wiki.climbing.ie/index.php/Annalecka_Buttress

I had a look at the second line next to Becky but I reckon its E2, 5c and in freezing cold and damp conditions I simply hadnt the nerve to lead it.. Maybe next weekend.

Today I was working in the quarry with Anthony and Emma. They have been working towards SPA Assessment and wanted a refresher on the problem solving and a more indepth understanding of advanced rescue techniques and hoists. The weather was very kind and despite wearing my waterproof trousers for most of the day we didn’t get a spot of rain. The guys absorbed lots of information and managed to practice tonnes of stuff including a retreat from a hanging stance and hoisting.. Hopefully 2 newly qualified SPA’s very soon. Cheers guys for a very enjoyable day out.

So this is the first Easter I can remember where Debbie and I havent been in the UK working for RAF (VRT) doing Cadet training work. However its been a really nice Easter. Friday Piotr and I headed to Bonfire Buttress in Wicklow as neither of us had climbed at the crag. Then Saturday was suppopsed to be a rest day (Gardening!). Sunday, Debbie, Natasza, Piotr and I headed to Annalecka Buttress where Piotr put up a new route and then today has been back to the quarry working.. more about that in my next post. Happy Easter everyone!

Had a great day with Pedro and Abel doing a progression course. We got 7 routes done in 8 hours with loads of new skills learned and a bit of sun burn again! In March!!! Thanks guys for an easy day.. so easy when students are this cool! I love my job!!!!

Just finished a busy weekend running SPA training. We had 5 trainee’s who got the most incredible weather for March! I even got a tan