Training / Preparation day for Challengers
Many teams undertaking and organising challenges, particularly those with limited experience of the mountains find it difficult to know how to translate a challenge appropriate to the objectives and aspirations, and then how to prepare best physically and technically prior to the challenge to ensure the optimum chances for success. Consistently during challenge events it is common to find individuals and groups who are unprepared for the demands of routes, and having to withdraw from challenges without completing, often not through any error, but more often than not through simply not having any direct personal experience of what to expect.
For groups planning to undertake a challenge, we offer either a one or two day training which will help to bridge this gap. Typically the following things will be covered in good detail over a full day out on the hill. Venues can be chosen to be most convenient for your transport / accommodation requirements, or alternatively cover some of the ground and peaks actually visited on your challenge. We split the challenge training down into ‘physical preparation’ and ‘technical preparation’ elements
Physical preparation
Direct experience of the physical demands of a mountain challenge. Experience of walking consistently at the expected paces necessary to complete your challenge safely on terrain reflective of the route.
Advice and practice at effective pacing and movement technique for uphill and downhill walking. Nutrition for challenges; staying hydrated and appropriately fed on the fell whilst moving.
Group assessment of current preparedness for the challenge along with advice for individual preparation in the weeks leading up to your challenge.
Technical preparation
- A good experience of negotiating a route over rocky and technical ground in ascent and descent.
- Moving confidently using hands and feet on steep and exposed sections of ridges. Moving safely over loose scree and/or slippy ground.
- Use of poles
- Kit selection, minimising pack weight,
- A chance to look over maps of the route and to discuss the details of your challenge route with an option for a Q & A session.
There will be ample opportunity to ask questions and gain advice during the day, and clients often appreciate the value of learning some useful pointers on a more relaxed training day rather than finding it out through experience halfway round their challenge in bad weather!
The training often serves as a great bonding experience for the team too, and helps to break down some of the barriers often present at the start of a challenge. We would normally expect to be out on the hill for around 6 hours or so using a ‘walk and talk’ approach with some specific skills input on the hill, and then a couple of hours free for discussion and Q & A over a coffee.
Prices
Price subject to individual requirements, group size and if you require accommodation and packed lunch. Prices are available on application.