peakhigh.co.za

Peak High Mountaineering gave a Basic Mountain Walking Leader course to 12 students from Rhodes University Mountain Club over the August 8 long weekend. The course was held at Hogsback on part of the stunning Amatola hiking trail. The group spent one night in a nearby backpackers and then were in the mountains for the next 3 days and 2 nights. The first night was spent in tents followed by a night in a log cabin. Hogsback turned out to be an ideal place for this level of course, which is aimed at being able to lead groups at low altitude on well marked trails.  There was also lots of time for some good hiking and swimming in the rivers. On the final night, light snow fell on the Amatola Mountains making for an exciting final day while climbing the main mountain of Hogsback.

Gavin Raubenheimer

For more information on guided hiking and climbing and other courses please visit our website on:  http://www.peakhigh.co.za/ or contact Gavin on: gavin@peakhigh.co.za

Last week Peak High ran a 4 day MDT accreditored Rock Climbing Leader Course. It was held at Swinburne and Monteseel.  The course is aimed at teaching people to lead multi-pitch Trad and Sport routes safety and efficiently.

Other skills include single pitch leading, top and bottom-roping and  3:1 pulley systems.

The Rock Leader  award is UIAA accredited..

For more information on accredited course visit our website on: http://www.peakhigh.co.za/courses2.php

Gavin Raubenheimer

We ran a very informal beginners rock climbing meet at Swinburne in the Freestate (near Harrismith) for the Mountain Club recently.

ALL photos in this post by Hilton Moore

Friday afternoon Gavin and I sneaked out to climb a few routes before the beginners arrived. As always the boulders on the Farmyard were harder than we thought they were…

Saturday started with a safety talk and an introduction to belaying. The more experienced beginners were taught to lead and the first-timers had the opportunity to  toprope lots of routes. Throughout the weekend there were many volunteers to put ropes on routes, keen belayers and keen climbers. It is amazing how sharing fear brings people together!

We had a lovely braai in the evening and lots of laughter about the days experiences!

For more information on Certified Peak High Courses please visit our website: http://www.peakhigh.co.za/courses2.php

Hannelie Morris

AMWL – ADVANCED MOUNTAIN WALKING LEADER COURSE

In January 2010 I went on the Advanced Mountain Walking Leader course which Gavin taught. It was amazing how much fun we had, when you think we were actually on a course.

We spent time doing map work – even going after dark to look for beacons Gavin placed earlier. We spent one afternoon doing rope work – how will you get a client up or down a steep area of rock. We even practiced river crossings – got thoroughly wet!

Hannelie Morris

For more information regarding certified courses, have a look at the Peak High website: http://www.peakhigh.co.za/courses2.php

As Assistant Guide, I helped Gavin Raubenheimer teach the Treverton Post Matrics. I found it an amazing experience and I think the students even more so! They had the opportunity to abseil down a rope, prussic up a rope, experienced a Tyrolean traverse and practised some rescuing techniques. All of this happened in the magnificent Umgeni Valley nature reserve. 

It's quite hard working moving accross on a Tyrolean traverse!

Suspended mid-air! Like clothes on a washing line!

The last day was spent at Monteseel where the students got a chance to try rock climbing (superb quality trad rock climbing half way between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, South Africa). They seemed to love it! Some of them top roped a number of routes, and others got a chance to second me up No Feet and Nog High – both beautiful routes! I don’t think they expected the traverse to feel quite as exposed though!

Climbing on the route No Feet.

For more information contact Gavin on: gavin@peakhigh.co.za or check out the website at: http://www.peakhigh.co.za/courses.php