I have spent the weekend running a ‘How to Big Wall’ course for myself and four great people in North Wales we covered virtually all the skills you would need to get up the Nose or similar route in Yosemite. From aid climbing, french freeing, jumar and hauling.
On Saturday we stayed indoors despite the great weather to cover as much as possible in an environment that was easily adaptable for our various needs, before heading outside on the sunday to look at making big wall belays and hauling. We finished with an exercise in putting up a portaledge whilst hanging just off the ground.
I have to admit that I really wanted them to see just how hard and ackward rigging a ledge can be. I wasn’t disapointed and one of the group videoed two people trying to put up my portaledge. They have already put it on Youtube. It is rather funny, but that might be because you had to be there!
Anyway here’s the link. I will get some images up from the weekend tomorrow, as I have only just got back from Bus Stop after some evening cragging, I got on Forsinain on the redpoint, but felt totally wasted after working so much. I flailed miserably, but now know the lob isn’t too bad!