Training Weekend - Sept 2016
Over the 10th and 11th of September the team headed out to Creagan a'Choire Etchachan for a big lower exercise. Since the summer break our training has focused on technical skills, specifically setting anchors and using lowering and ascending equipment.
After breakfast, warm beverages and plenty of midge spray the team set off with all our equipment through Glen Derry, past Hutchies Hut and over Choire Etchachan. A small party stayed behind to assist the topside team correctly locate the drop-off point and monitor the jockey during his descent.
Once the location was selected, equipment was swiftly split across two teams with each setting up an independent spider belay. After some checks and rechecks the team was ready. Wearing a full body harness, the jockey was lowered to the bottom of the cliff. All within 55 minutes of reaching the target location.
After a rope check and a debrief, this was repeated. Then all the equipment was packed and we returned along the Derry Cairngorm ridge. Four team members, having decided the day's events hadn't been strenuous enough, bagged Derry Cairngorm whilst carrying a 400m rope. Are they the first people to ever carry such a rope up there? They probably thought it was a good idea at the time!
Words by Mathieu Kervyn
