Adventure Plus Rock Climbing at Llanymynech

Group belay
Group belay

After an introduction to rock climbing at Trevor Quarry yesterday, where the climbs were relatively short, I took the groups from the Ellesmere College Adventure Plus program to Llanymynech.  The venue offers a lot of climbing, but most of the routes are bolted sports climbs and not appropriate for group use. Cul-de-Sac Quarry is the only section that is suitable for groups, and it can get quite busy in there at times. All was quiet when we arrived, but it wasn’t long before another group from a local centre turned up.

Again, I set up two climbs of differing difficulties, so that each member of the group could have a degree of control over how far they pushed themselves. At 15m in height, these climbs where much higher than those they tried yesterday which gave them the opportunity to push their ‘heights barrier’ that bit more. Again, I was delighted to see the determination and commitment that some of these guys put in to their climbing. Some of them must have been shattered by the time they back down to solid ground again.

Quite an imposing piece of rock
Quite an imposing piece of rock

After everyone had had the chance to climb all they wanted, I set up an abseil for those that dared to give it a go. The abseil at Llanymynech has quite an intimidating start. It’s not until they get fully over the edge that they feel that bit more secure and comfortable. Shortly after that they find themselves in mid air as the rock face is overhanging. Some find it a bit scary, whilst others like the sensation of dangling on a rope that they are in control of. From my point of view, once they’re over the edge, there’s nowhere for anyone to get stuck so the only way is down – in a controlled manner of course!

In the course of the last two days, the groups got to try out a bit of bouldering and spotting, some short climbs, some more impressive looking climbs and an abseil. Not bad going I would say.

I won’t be with them tomorrow as they are off Go-Karting for the day, but the last four days have been great fun for me – I hope they have been for these guys as well. I’ll see you again next month for some kayaking and orienteering.

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