Short Roping Masterclasses in the Lake District

Photo credit: Tom Greenwood

A two-day Masterclass for full members of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (MCI holders, WMCI trainees and WMCI holders) looking to further their knowledge and experience of managing clients in short roping situations, and improve their interpretation of terrain and associated techniques. The Masterclass will include:
~ foundations of short roping
~ coaching movement for safe travel over steep ground
~ short roping on consequential ground, scrambles and easy climbs

Venue: Langdale valley plus one other venue in the Lake District

Times: 9.30am to 5.00pm approx

Dates: see the Masterclasses section on our online calendar

Maximum ratio: 1:6

Cost: £130

Counts as 2 CPD points for Association of Mountaineering Instructors members

Equipment list:
~ the usual personal gear for a full day out in the mountains
~ a short rope
~ a small rack
~ leather gloves
~ harness
~ helmet

Related blog posts:
Give Me Two Days – and I’ll Transform The Way You Think About Short Roping
They Gave Me Two Days – and I Transformed The Way They Think About Short Roping

What do our clients say about us?

I just wanted to say thanks ever so much for the great workshop. I really appreciated your generosity and understanding; I learnt loads and would love to do some more training with you in the future.
Carole Feldman, May 2016

The course was geared to what we wanted and Chris put in extra for us. Chris is an extremely professional guide and his knowledge is second to none. He is also a great and enthusiastic teacher. I really enjoyed the weekend, learnt new skills and I will be back again.
Simon Lane, October 2016

Chris was excellent, he had a nice relaxed manner but the days had structure/purpose with just the right amount of content and gaps in between to let the new techniques be practiced and soaked in. I always wanted to do this course with Chris, since hearing about it from my friend. I'm already implementing the new approach!
Paul Bedford, April 2017

It was every bit as useful as I had hoped! Many thanks for a great couple of days.
Patrick Hickie, May 2019

The enquiry and booking process was responsive and personalised - quick in getting back with an invoice, and as it was booked a while back, a timely reminder just before the programme. Despite the foul weather the course exceeded my expectations. Chris's approach to short roping has a reputation which I expected to be more sceptical of. However from the car park on day 1 Chris stripped this craft to the basics of body position (body position/body position/body position!) and movement, setting the fundamentals to build from. Not easy to unpick ingrained knowledge and experience, Chris did this with consideration, clear examples and testing out practice at every turn. He suitably challenged participants with questions and at times, challenging answers. Learning built up through the day with punctuated reflection and summaries of what we'd covered, as well as constant reminders when bad habits crept back in! All delivered with his infectious enthusiasm for this specialism. I appreciated the 1:1 coaching which was rotated throughout the group, personalising the learning. Day 2 was about consolidation and again we were challenged and engaged from the off. More time getting on with short roping and transitioning on well chosen, challenging ground meant I was able to adapt and focus what we'd covered on say 1. Great two days both in content and delivery.
Jim Evans, October 2020

A very open and questioning approach. Chris has no expert halo. When ideas come up, his invariable response is, 'let's test that and see if it works'. But the staff whose performance impressed me most was Bobby.
John Allen, April 2021

Had a superb two days with Chris, John and Bobby. The course delivery was well practised and well structured and gave me numerous new techniques to work on and perfect. I also liked Chris's approach to challenging the norms which made us think outside the box and John's modern approach to coaching really complemented the whole two days. I would highly recommend Chris and John to other instructors and have no doubt the two days spent looking at short roping will make me a safer and more effective instructor. Thanks to you all!
Matt Cooper, April 2021

Anne is brilliant at keeping the booking simple and updating everyone of the locations times etc. Great pace to the day and Chris has the great way of making things simple to understand and follow. Great to do more movement coaching as a base to everything.
John Brooks, November 2022

I have followed up a number of short roping course opportunities over the recent past five years and always wanted to attend this one with Chris as I had heard about it chatting with others. I tried to book a Scottish winter course but it was only open to WMCIs, so as soon as I saw this opportunity through AMI I booked on. It has helped me to develop ideas and techniques for safer and more effective short roping and movement.
Paul Tucker, November 2022

A really well structured two days, building up from how to walk, body position and then using the rope. Lots of time for valuable discussion and reflection. Chris was always encouraging and positive which made me feel more confident and relaxed. He was aware of how we might be feeling and was able to give individual feedback throughout the two days. I also liked his common sense approach! Thank you for a fantastic 2 days. Lots to practise but I am feeling more confident going into the start of the season.
Lucy Spark, April 2023

Chris was incredibly psyched, knowledgeable and encouraging. It felt like he was really invested in each person improving. The delivery was a nice combination of asking questions that didn't need everyone to have the same answers, thorough practical testing that helped inform your own answers and Chris being comfortable giving a strong opinion. I particularly appreciated the examples he was gave of accidents and near misses he'd had. I think that's quite unusual in the industry and comforting to hear.
Sally Lisle, April 2023

It’s always good to get a different perspective and Chris has a different thought process to that taught at the national centres.
Matt Stapley, April 2023

Chris did things differently, deconstructed and showed new ways to operate. Inspirational! If you haven't met Chris, yo dinna know what yir missin! He tests and challenges accepted practice, coming up with his own, better solutions. As I said, "best money I've spent since I bought a goretex bivi bag for my first alpine season in 1990!"
Donny McLeod, May 2023

Really well thought out progression on the course. The build up to the more complex techniques was perfect, especially as this helped to get everyone out of their comfort zone and become more open to new ways of thinking. Chris was great and clearly really passionate about learning and the learning process. I have taken lots away from his approach to instruction. Definitely feel safer and ready to practice these skills in summer and winter.
Alex Moran, November 2023