"Guide Mode" Workshop - The safe use of a Guide Plate

This is a day long workshop focusing solely on the safe use of a Guide Plate when belaying. It is designed for anyone who is keen to learn how to use a belay plate in guide mode, both safely and efficiently.

Using a guide plate wrong is a very common, and extremely dangerous thing, that I see happening at crags more and more.

If you are at all unsure about how to use one well, this course will be perfect for you.

We will cover:

• Different belay plates that you can use in guide mode, and the pros and cons of each one

• How to safely set up an anchor to best utilise a guide plate

• How to belay safely, and nicely (!), using a guide plate

• Discuss the different orientations of using a guide plate

• How to safely release a guide plate when your second needs slack, or lowering down the route

• How to solve the various problems that using a guide plate can create

• How to manage your ropes well when doing a changeover at a belay station when using a guide plate

The course will run at a 1:4 ratio. We will likely do very little climbing on the day - it will be a skills focused day at a crag. We will use an indoor wall if the weather is too bad to be outside, but the course content will remain the same. The course will not be cancelled for bad weather.

Bring your own harness, helmet, climbing shoes, belay plate. You can bring other trad climbing kit and ropes, but it is not necessary. You will also need all the clothes to keep yourself warm/dry on the day, as well as food and water for the day.

The course will run from 9am to 4/5pm.

Please ask if you have any questions at all.