Warm wet windy. Made the most of the wet snow. We covered:
- Movement on steep terrain, use of axe, secure feet, bucket stance for rests, personal security, zig-zagging, managing novice partner
- Arrest drills - choice of site, slip arrested by shaft, falling - feet first on front, feet first on back, head first on front, head first on back, tumbling/rolling with axe & without axe (cat on a hot tin roof) and demonstrating good technique to novice partner
- Movement over technical terrain on Swirral Edge where we witnessed a couple demonstrate the consequence of having correct equipment but no skills, as first one then the other took a slide that in harder snow would have carried them further and faster and over a rock outcrop
We walked a couple off the top of Swirral who were out of their depth, continuing over Whiteside and down via the zig-zags.
Hooked-up with Patterdale Team in the evening, who despite 2 call-outs that day and processing a potential 3rd showed us around their equipment and discussed approaches and techniques. Thanks to Sean Duffy and Mike for their hospitality, energy and enthusiasm, very inspiring.
