I first started rock climbing in 1978. Wow, nearly 40 years ago! I started with the school club. Once weekly trips to Stanage or the local quarries of Wilton. We also made a once a year week long pilgrimage to The Lakes or North Wales.

On leaving school I carried on climbing and got myself to the grade of E3 5c leading trad. Then, well, life got in the way really. Family, work, other commitments all conspired to see my climbing become more and more irregular. Large time gaps in between sporadic bursts of activity is as best as I could describe it. It got to the stage where I was climbing maybe 3/4 times a year tops. I missed it, a lot! It was always there, in my heart, that yearning, to be outdoors, in the mountains, on rock.

So last year I began climbing again, regularly. I even started to train a little! It has been difficult, starting again. They say it's like riding a bike, you never forget. That hasn't been true for me. Yes I still remember how to tie on, set up a belay, the mechanics I remember. But what I'm having to re learn are the techniques, how to move on the rock, using my feet and the biggest and hardest technique of all, mind control.

I am currently leading HS/4b comfortably with my goal being to get to VS4c by next summer (2016)

Other than just personal pride, there is a specific reason for wanting to reach this grade and this is where this blog comes in. I have set myself the huge task of becoming a mountaineering guide. This will be a loooooooong process. 4/5 years in all probability. I will need to qualify in 2 areas and register on 2 schemes. The MLA (Mountain Leader Award) and then the MIA (Mountain Instructor Award). For the former, I will need to complete 40 days spent in the mountains. 8 nights camping of which 4 must be wild. A 1 week training course and finally a 1 week assessment. For the latter, I will need to complete 80 routes lead at VS4c grade of which a good proportion must be multi pitch mountain and sea cliff routes. A 1 week training course and again, a 1 week assessment. It is going to be a massive undertaking but an awesome journey!

This blog will share my journey, right from the very start to the bitter or hopefully sweet, end!
This is the start. Today I registered for the MLA scheme. I await my log book and then I can start my days in the mountains!