Do you want to save your clients up 25% of their energy expenditure? And tidy up and practice your security on steep ground? Then security on steep ground workshop with Chris Ensoll would be a good place start. I attended this very thought provoking steep ground workshop, I thought I would write an overview of what we covered.

Chris started with a brief discussion of the biomechanics of how people walk and how this can be affected under stress; he explained that as humans we are ‘rear wheeled drive animals’ with most of our power coming from the large muscle groups in the legs supported by the core muscles. He continually emphasised the importance of body position.

Chris then wanted us to do a quick test of our walking styles going both down and uphill. After moving through the gate going onto the hill, we stopped to briefly talk about the Ragwort, before moving to a stream and performed the same test walking down to the stream and back up the other side. With everybody else watching, this felt a little odd. Back up on the other side we talked about the different aspects of firstly, how to descend and how to position your body if steep; think John Wayne, or if you’re younger, Chris has heard it described as a ‘Pimp swagger’. Then in ascent, again emphasising the importance of body position and using your body correctly, and where to put your feet to maintain a strong and stable position. The importance of being in the right position was illustrated and discussed, and this simple test and discussion could really assist some clients enjoy their day out on the hills more.

There followed more exercises involving moving up the slope on rocks with both hands behind your back, again with more emphasis on body position and using your feet and legs correctly. Arriving at a small spot of scree, there was a discussion on how to move across iCt, with your groups. Think Gimely and Legolas: compact down and then tread lightly. Once up and over the scree on a level spot, Chris started a discussion about spotting and how to be in the position of maximum effectiveness but also the limitations.

The discussion then moved on to talking about ropes: the length and the diameter and the pros and cons of the different types. Moving on from this, we looked at anchors and their selection. Knots were also discussed, with Chris illustrating a method to tie a bowline which impressed us all. Having got the ropes out we practiced leading and supporting clients using the rope – keeping it tight, held in both hands ready to get into position to stop a slide, building on the good body position and being in the position of maximum effectiveness. Having made progress up and down over various slopes, we examined ways to get down using the rope; making an improvised harness and lowering, as well as abseil methods.

On arriving back we adjourned to a pub for a debrief, where we noted down the masses of information and discussion points that had come up during the day. It had been a very good and informative experience, learning not only from Chris but the other members present too.

Thanks too Stuart Smith for organising the day