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Compass West International school of Rock Climbing Compass West is a small family run climbing school run by father and son Rowland and Mark Edwards, both of which are well qualified and experienced mountaineers and rock climbers. Rowland is a qualified British and International Guide (IFMGA. UIAGM), Mark is a (MIA) qualified mountain and rock climbing instructor. Both have climbed in many areas of the world and have explored and climbed thousands of new routes. They are both dedicated guides and instructors and although they climb to a very high standard they have a great understanding for clients who are beginners or improvers. The school is run as a family business which has been organising courses and holidays since 1976. First in Snowdonia and the Alps (1963-76). In 1976 they moved to Cornwall (where they still run summer courses), and in 1985 they opened a second school in Spain where they were the first Guides/Instructors to run climbing courses on the Costa Blanca. Both their experience of
instructing and the knowledge of the areas (in which they teach) is
unsurpassed even today. Both
Rowland and
Mark have discovered thousands of new climbs and many new climbing
areas, and are even responsible for the naming of whole new crags and even
valleys! If you use the Rockfax climbing guide to the Costa Blanca or the
West Penwith climbing guide for Cornwall (Climbers Club Publication) you
will no doubt be aware of the extent of their input to climbing in these
areas. Their intimate knowledge of these areas allows them to give their
clients the best areas to climb on a given day, and to experience un-crowded
days on beautiful rock and classic climbs.
Climbing in Spain - The General
rock climbing course. We have found, through our
vast experience of running courses, that offering this widely based
course fulfils the requirements of most of our students. Due to simple
good safety practice, we always begin each course with basic rope and
belay techniques. We also do the same when we approach the practical
rock session on the first day. We need to find each student's natural
abilities on rock. From this position we can then make an assessment of
their climbing standard. We often have students who say they have a lot
of experience, and yet we find them lacking in many safety areas, or
even in their abilities in climbing. We also have students who attend as
complete beginners, but who have a natural ability on rock and have a
quick grasp of rope and belay techniques. In either case we can adjust
your course with regards to giving you the maximum learning experience;
coupled with some great and worthwhile climbs. It would be unwise
putting students on a route much too hard for them, as it would be
equally pointless putting a more able student on a route which is far
too easy. CLICK HERE FOR TOPICS COVERED BY THIS COURSE CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SPANISH PHOTO GALLERY
Rock climbing in Spain "The opportunities to undertake major first ascents and to explore a little known mountain range during the winter months in perfect weather will certainly make the Mountains of the Costa Blanca one of the rock climbing playgrounds of the future. One of the most beautiful areas I have ever seen." Comments made in 1970 by Denis Gray ex President of the BMC. This area is an amazing paradise for
rock climbing, mountaineering and outdoor sports. Climbing in the Costa Blanca is on superb
limestone. The climbing takes place on road side crags of up to five
hundred feet and on mountain routes of up to 3,000 feet plus. These
mountains are of Dolomite proportions. This variety makes the area ideal
for teaching beginners basic skills and for coaching the experienced climber
more advanced skills. For those wishing to learn the skills required for
multi pitch climbing this area is perfect. We have been organizing courses in this area since 1982 and are the foremost authority on this region. We were the first company to run courses here. We have explored and discovered many new areas for climbing and mountaineering and have climbed thousands of new routes, (many over 600-700 meters) This knowledge we make good use of to take our students onto the more remote crags and mountains far away from the usual crowds found on most European crags. Our vast experience of this area will guarantee you climb in the most beautiful areas. We played a major role in helping with the Rockfax guide to the area, providing most of the adventure (trad) routes on the mountain and sea cliffs, also many of the sports climbing areas. Come and climb with Compass West,we are sure you will not be disappointed. Cornwall - General rock climbing course
The General rock
climbing course. Beginners to advanced levels
A widely based course for either beginner or those with more experience. We have found, through our vast experience of running courses, that offering this widely based course fulfils the requirements of most of our students. Due to simple good safety practice we always begin each course with basic rope and belay techniques. We also do the same when we approach the practical rock session on the first day. We have to find out what our students' abilities on rock are. From that position we can make an assessment on the standard of climbing which would be best suited to their present abilities. We have students who say they have a lot of experience and yet we find them lacking in many safety areas or even in the skills of basic climbing. We also have those who attend as complete beginners but who have a natural ability on rock and have a quick grasp of rope and belay techniques. In either case we need to adjust each course with regards to giving them the maximum learning experience coupled with some great and worthwhile climbs. It would be unwise putting a student on a route much too hard for them as it would be equally pointless putting a more able student on a route which is far too easy. We pride ourselves at Compass West in
providing rock climbing courses where students gain experience to
continue to climb safely and adventurously by themselves once they have
left us. We teach lead climbing whenever possible in as safe an
environment as is possible. The rock climbing in Cornwall is particularly suited to teaching rock climbing from basic beginners to advanced climbing. It is also perfect for the teaching of leader placed protection (called traditional or adventure climbing ). Foot note. Should you make the wrong choice we will always assess your abilities and adjust the course for you. CLICK HERE FOR TOPICS COVERED BY THIS COURSE
Private Guiding Private guiding can be arranged
for individuals or groups. |
