Everything Awesome

A question i see asked

Why would anyone pay for guided outdoor activities?

Hiring a professional guide for an outdoor activity—whether it’s mountain biking through rugged terrain, rock climbing a granite face, or navigating a complex backcountry trail—is often viewed by beginners as a luxury. However, the value of a guide extends far beyond simply showing the way. It is an investment in safety, skill acquisition, and the overall quality of the experience.

1. Safety and Risk Management
The most critical value a guide provides is risk mitigation. The outdoors are inherently unpredictable; weather can shift in minutes, trails can be washed out, and equipment can fail. A certified guide is trained to read these variables and make informed decisions that keep participants out of harm’s way.

Beyond environmental awareness, guides are typically trained in First Aid, Typically Advanced Outdoor First Aid. Should an accident occur, having a professional who can stabilize an injury and coordinate an evacuation is the difference between a minor setback and a life-threatening crisis. They carry the heavy first-aid kits, emergency communication devices, and repair tools that the average hobbyist might overlook.

2. Accelerated Learning and Technical Mastery
When you pay for a guide, you are paying for a “fast track” to competence. Trial and error is a slow and sometimes painful way to learn an outdoor sport. A guide provides real-time coaching, correcting your form on a mountain bike or teaching you the most efficient way to plant your trekking poles.

This professional instruction prevents the development of “bad habits” that are difficult to break later. For complex sports like rock climbing or downhill mountain biking, a few hours with a guide can equate to months of self-taught practice. You aren’t just paying for the day; you are paying for a foundation of skills that you will carry into every future adventure.

3. Local Knowledge and Hidden Gems
In the age of digital maps and trail apps, it is easy to think you know a landscape. However, digital data lacks nuance. A guide knows which trails get too muddy after a rain, which viewpoints are best for sunrise, and where the local wildlife is most likely to be spotted without being disturbed.

They provide a layer of interpretive education, sharing stories about the local geology, flora, and history. This transforms a physical workout into a deep, meaningful connection with the environment. You aren’t just passing through the woods; you are understanding the ecosystem you are standing in.

4. Logistics and Peace of Mind
Outdoor adventures require a mountain of logistics: gear rentals, permits, transportation, and meal planning. A guided service often handles these “invisible” tasks. This allows the participant to remain in a state of flow, focusing entirely on the activity rather than worrying about whether they packed enough water or if they are parked in a legal zone.

Conclusion
Ultimately, paying for a guide is about maximizing the “return on adventure.” By offloading the stress of navigation and safety to a professional, you free your mind to fully engage with the beauty of the natural world. Whether you are a novice looking for a safe introduction or an intermediate athlete looking to level up, a guide provides the expertise that turns a good day outside into an unforgettable one.

UK rock climbing grades are famously complex because they prioritize information over simple difficulty. Unlike most systems that give you one number for “how hard it is,” the British “Trad” system gives you two: one for how hard the moves are, and one for how likely you are to get hurt.

Here is the breakdown of the UK grading systems.

1. Traditional (Trad) Grades

This is the unique UK system used for routes where you place your own gear (cams, nuts) for protection. It consists of two parts: the Adjectival Grade and the Technical Grade.

Part A: The Adjectival Grade (The “Vibe”)

This measures the overall feel of the route. It factors in:

• Physical exertion (how pumped you get).
• Danger (how good the gear is).
• Seriousness (runouts, rock quality).

The Scale:

• M / D / VD / HVD: Moderate, Difficult, Very Difficult, Hard Very Difficult (Beginner/easy territory).
• S / HS: Severe, Hard Severe (The classic “entry-level” for competent climbers).
• VS / HVS: Very Severe, Hard Very Severe (The benchmark for intermediate climbers).
• E-Grades (E1, E2, E3…): “Extreme.” This is an open-ended scale for expert climbing. E1 is the entry into high-performance trad.

Part B: The Technical Grade (The “Move”)

This measures only the hardest single move on the route (the crux). It ignores how tired or scared you are; it just asks, “How hard is it to pull this one move?”

The Scale:

• 4a, 4b, 4c: Juggy, good holds, requires basic balance.
• 5a, 5b, 5c: Smaller holds, requires technique and finger strength.
• 6a, 6b, 6c: Very technical, often powerful or extremely delicate.
• 7a, 7b…: Elite difficulty.

Crucial Warning: Do not confuse UK Technical grades with French Sport grades. UK 6a is much harder than French 6a.

• French 6a = ~5.10a (Intermediate)
• UK Tech 6a = ~V3/V4 Boulder move (Hard)

2. How to Read the Two Together

The magic of the UK system happens when you combine them. The relationship between the “Adjective” and the “Number” tells you what kind of route it is.

Example: The “Standard” pairing For a balanced route with decent gear and steady climbing, the grades usually pair up like this:

• VS 4c
• HVS 5a
• E1 5b
• E2 5c

Scenario A: The Grade is “High Adjective / Low Tech” (e.g., HVS 4c)

• Translation: “The moves are easy (4c), but the grade is high (HVS).”
• Meaning: This route is either bold (dangerous runouts with no gear) or extremely sustained (easy moves that never end).
• Vibe: Scary but technically easy.

Scenario B: The Grade is “Low Adjective / High Tech” (e.g., VS 5a)

• Translation: “The move is hard (5a), but the overall grade is low (VS).”
• Meaning: The crux is difficult, but it is safe. You probably have a piece of gear right by your face while you do the hard move.
• Vibe: A “one-move wonder.” Safe but pumpy.

3. Sport & Bouldering Grades

If you are climbing indoors or on bolted rock in the UK, the system changes.

• Sport Climbing: The UK uses the French Numerical System (e.g., 6a, 6a+, 6b). This is a single grade for the overall difficulty of the route.
• Bouldering: The UK uses a mix of the V-Scale (V3, V4) and the Font Scale (6A, 6B). Note that Font grades use capital letters to distinguish them from sport grades.

We run many coaching and instructional courses that will help you understand the above, and work on pushing your grade

We have had the above logo for a long time, and felt due for any update, this is the version i am leaning towards.

Another “thing” i can offer.

The perfect day and a perfect professional weekend is not about relaxing; it’s about deep, purposeful immersion in the pursuit of excellence. My ideal two days began with the high-stakes, high-reward environment of coaching five fantastic candidates through their Mountain Instructor Award Scheme (MIAS) assessment. From the crisp Saturday morning until the fading light of Sunday evening, the focus was absolute, dedicated to transforming five keen enthusiasts into competent, confident, and, above all, safe mountain bike leaders

On Sunday the focus entirely to leadership, risk management, and decision-making under stress. We started early with an unforgiving micro-navigation exercise across featureless, fog-shrouded moorland. The challenge was not just finding the points, but leading the group with clarity and confidence, even when visibility dropped to mere meters. The afternoon was devoted to the high-pressure emergency simulations. This involved managing a mock casualty requiring swift first aid, establishing effective communications, and planning a safe, efficient evacuation.

The true reward arrived as the sun dipped below the distant peaks. Seeing their five faces light up as they collectively realized they had successfully navigated two days of intense scrutiny and pressure was profound. The satisfaction was not just in handing over the final sign-off sheets, but in the certainty that these five fantastic people had earned the right to lead others safely into the wild. The weekend concluded with the deep, intrinsic professional satisfaction of having anchored the future of mountain safety. This was not a physically exhausting undertaking, but one of complete mental and professional fulfillment.

Finishing up the weekend with a smile i headed to a shaded spot i know of, a few hours of quiet reflection, after a weekend of my focus being on others, it was relaxing to clear my head bouldering.

Our Ladies Rock sessions are designed for women who love to climb. If you’re looking for a supportive and fun environment, this is the place for you. We’ve created a space where a lovely group of ladies can learn new skills, challenge themselves, and connect with other climbers.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced climber, our sessions are tailored to all skill levels. We focus on building confidence, improving technique, and making climbing accessible for everyone. Our female-led sessions ensure that you’ll feel comfortable and encouraged every step of the way.

We believe that climbing is more than just a sport—it’s a way to build strength, both physically and mentally. It’s about overcoming obstacles and celebrating your achievements, big and small. Our community is all about empowering one another and creating a positive and uplifting experience for every woman who walks through our doors.

If a ladies-only climbing session sounds like something you’d enjoy, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d love to hear from you and welcome you into our community. Drop us a note to find out more and join us on the wall!

On our day off, we got to wear a different harness.

A visit to Go Ape.

lots of fun for all.

Such a truly awesome week! It’s fantastic that we got to experience so many different outdoor activities, from the rugged terrain of the Peak District to the bracing North Sea coast. Each of those moments on their own would be memorable, but together, they paint a picture of an incredible seven days.

Guiding mountain bikers down Cavedale was an adrenaline-fueled experience. That descent is notoriously steep and challenging, and to be the one leading the way takes some serious skill and confidence. The views from there are breathtaking, and sharing that with a group of people, seeing them conquer the trail, was a very rewarding feeling.

Then, to switch gears completely and get out on the water, paddleboarding at Skinningrove offers a totally different kind of thrill. The North East coast can be powerful and dramatic, and being on a board gives you a unique perspective of the cliffs and the waves. It’s a great way to find a sense of calm and freedom, contrasting with the high-octane excitement of the mountain biking.

My week also included a hike around Ladybower Reservoir up to Lady Cross, a classic Peak District walk. It’s an area known for its beautiful reservoirs and iconic dam walls. A hike there is a wonderful way to connect with nature, whether you were taking in the scenery or reflecting on your week’s adventures.

Finally, we ended the week by coaching rock climbing brought everything full circle. It’s was a perfect way to share your passion and expertise with others, helping them build confidence and skills. There’s a real satisfaction in seeing someone make progress and push past their own perceived limits.

If this sounds like a week was a perfect blend of high-energy activities, moments of coastal tranquility, and the joy of helping others learn and grow. That’s a week well spent, and one to remember.